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A quick review of what we have been studying together. Psalm 119 is the longest of the Psalms, more than twice as long as any other. It is believed that David is the author of this psalm. Psalm 119 is a collection of thoughts, not necessarily linked together, but individual praises and admirations of the God David loved and followed. It is broken up into sections of 8 verses, with each section beginning with a letter in the Hebrew alphabet starting with the first letter and continuing through to the last letter. This psalm contains encouragement to believers and will challenge those who say they know God but do not follow Him. A central theme of Psalms 119 is the excellence of God’s word. God’s word is referred to by several names in this psalm, including the law, statutes, precepts or commandments, judgments, ordinances, righteousness, testimonies, the way and the word.
Psalm 119:152. This is the last verse in the nineteenth division of Psalm 119.
Review from the beginning of the nineteenth division of Psalm 119.
Note the actions – I cried, I will observe, I cried, I shall keep, I rise, cry for help, I wait, my eyes anticipate, I meditate.
Note the requests – answer me, save me, hear my voice, revive me.
Note the subject, God’s word – Thy statutes, Thy testimonies, Thy word(s), Thine ordinances, Thy law, and Thy commandments.
Note the recipient – O LORD, Thee
Note also the adjectives used: all, far and near. What do these words describe?
Verse 151: God is near; His commandments are truth.
Ps 119:145-152 I cried with all my heart; answer me, O LORD! I will observe Thy statutes. 146 I cried to Thee; save me, and I shall keep Thy testimonies. 147 I rise before dawn and cry for help; I wait for Thy words. 148 My eyes anticipate the night watches, that I may meditate on Thy word. 149 Hear my voice according to Thy lovingkindness; revive me, O LORD, according to Thine ordinances. 150 Those who follow after wickedness draw near; they are far from Thy law. 151 Thou art near, O LORD, and all Thy commandments are truth. 152 Of old I have known from Thy testimonies, That Thou hast founded them forever.
Think of the words aforetime, ancient time, eternal, and everlasting.
“Long have I known” (RSV)
“I have long had knowledge” (BBE)
God’s law is everlasting. It is written for us so that we might know who He is, what He has done, who we are and the way we should go. It is written for us as evidence of His love for us and His plan. We can and should refer to His truths in all things. David reveres God’s word. We have been given a manual full of instruction in the Bible. It is concise, it is relevant, and it includes specific information about God, about us, and about life. Is God’s word the handbook you refer to constantly? Are the pages dog-eared and worn from use?
Often, people learn to recite prayers that have been memorized. But prayer is more than just repetition or words that are automatic. Sincere prayer is more than an exercise we take part in or something we are supposed to do. It is more than a list of confessions and requests. In David’s example, we see him crying to God with his whole heart. Prayer doesn’t need to be eloquent, there is no magic in the words. Its value is solely based on the recipient who hears your request. The power in prayer comes from the One you are trusting in to provide answers and direction.
Since God is everywhere, we can lift our voices to Him in all circumstances and in all settings. Consider how big your God is. Can a building contain Him? I am no more accepted by God in a specific building than I am on a park bench. Gathering together in a place of worship is necessary, but what we see in Psalm 119, is an example of requests to God whenever and wherever we are.
Ac 17:24 "The God who made the world and all things in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands;
In Matthew Chapter five, heaven is described as the throne of God and the earth, His footstool. God is always present therefore He is always available to those who seek Him in prayer.
I’ll assume you can relate to being busy! Most of us feel way too occupied with things to get done. As a result, we need to schedule time to be with even some of our closest family and friends. Not so with God! He’s always here, wanting to hear us, desiring to communicate with us through His Spirit, ready to encourage us through His word, and unfailingly offering His protection.
As we cry to God, what do we request? Look at our Psalmist’s example. He prays for God’s protection so that he might keep His word. Not so he can go about his day and accomplish all the things that are important to himself. Not so he can continue having fun in whatever pleasure he is pursuing. Not so he is less uncomfortable with his surroundings. But that he might please God in obedience. Is your soul fixed upon God?
Psalm 119:152 refers to God’s testimonies. A testimony is a witness to someone or something. God’s testimonies are his witness to us of who He is and what He has done. There is no beginning to God and there is no end. We think in terms of time; God is not limited by time.
I have fond memories of a cabin we were blessed to own in the mountains when our children were young. With this cabin, we were given a boat. It was not perhaps what you may be picturing. It was not a sleek ski vessel, but instead a boxy, large fishing boat we referred to as the ‘tug boat’! It was old and had seen many years of use. It was so heavy and large that it had to be crane lifted out of the lake in the winter for storage. Boating was new for us and we had to quickly learn to navigate on the water and drop anchor. I was surprised at the weight of the anchor and its size! Once lowered, it would firmly fix us in place so that we were stable.
As I think of the memory above, I think of the anchor we have in God’s word. If we don’t anchor in place, holding steadfast to His truths, we are in danger of drifting. God’s testimonies provides our strong foundation so that we are not carried away by temptations or lose our footing in trials.
God has never failed and He will never fail His children. God has caused us to understand His truth. He has been faithful and will continue His faithfulness in all things.
2Co 1:20 For as many as may be the promises of God, in Him they are yes; wherefore also by Him is our Amen to the glory of God through us.
Consider. How has God shown His faithfulness to you? God’s word doesn’t change, and His promises won’t change. Therefore, our faith is secure because we are anchored to Him forever.
Earlier in Psalm 119 we read God’s righteousness is everlasting and His testimonies are righteous forever (v. 142, 144).
Everlasting and forever. We like to hear these words. We like to feel secure. Billions of Americans have paid into a government program since they began working. For me, I was thirteen years old. Yes, in ‘those days’ you could be legally employed with a parent’s permission. So for years, a percentage of earnings would be put into a fund called social security. This fund was meant to secure earnings for retirement when you could no longer work full time. The monies poured into this protection have decreased drastically and the security of what was saved has largely been lost.
An anchor in the world is only as secure as people. An anchor in Truth is eternally fixed. As we personally witness God’s protection and faithfulness, our anchor sinks deeper into the foundation of His word. We become settled and established in Him. This was David’s experience. The confidence he had in God could not be moved. His faith planted him secure even in the midst of danger, trials and temptations.
As I think upon the element of time, I am reminded how precious it is to impart these truths to those who are young. Building a foundation of God’s promises in the hearts of His children will give them an anchor of security for their future. Learning to look at the accounts in God’s word of those who trusted in Him through all things, guides us to do the same.
Ps 22:4-5 In Thee our fathers trusted; they trusted, and Thou didst deliver them. 5 To Thee they cried out, and were delivered; In Thee they trusted, and were not disappointed.
The Psalmist says, ‘of old I have known from Thy testimonies’. He has known God’s word. What does this statement say of his relationship with God’s word? He uses it, he is acquainted with it, and he understands it is God’s instruction to him, this is more than mere head knowledge. This entire Psalm, written by David, is a glimpse of his personal relationship with God. He recognizes God’s care, God’s protection and God’s answers. The Psalmist is intimately aware of his need for God and continues to go to the word time after time, seeking encouragement and instruction. How does this example speak to you?
Let’s seek to know God’s word more. Then our hope, like David’s, will remain steadfast and secure in all circumstances. When we cry to God in prayer, we will know He hears us and will provide His perfect answers.
Ec 3:14 I know that everything God does will remain forever; there is nothing to add to it and there is nothing to take from it, for God has [so] worked that men should fear Him.
Jas 1:17 Every good thing bestowed and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation, or shifting shadow.
