Psalm 119:155-156
Ps 119:153-156 Look upon my affliction and rescue me, for I do not forget Thy law. 154 Plead my cause and redeem me; revive me according to Thy word. 155 Salvation is far from the wicked, for they do not seek Thy statutes. 156 Great are Thy mercies, O LORD; revive me according to Thine ordinances.
In this twentieth section of Psalm 119, David is continuing to show us his dependence upon God for His mercies. The Psalmist’s example is to draw towards God in difficulties. There is a clear difference between his relationship with God and those who do not seek to follow God. David refers to them as wicked in verse 155, then he goes back to the blessings he has because of God’s tender love followed by a request to live accordingly.
Truth: Salvation is far from the wicked.
Salvation means deliverance from and victory over something. Salvation is an impossibility for those who choose to live in sin. The Psalmist distinguishes himself from this group by clearly stating his desire for God in the previous verses. There is a comparison between the recognition of a need for God’s word and the rejection of God’s word.
Salvation is ‘far’ or remote from the wicked. It is distant or removed entirely. Consider for a moment what this truly means. There is no hope, there is no deliverance, and there is no redemption. There is no salvation for those who do not follow God. Period.
How do we know those who are wicked? They do not seek God! There is no desire for righteousness. What is the warning for us? Is it possible to use or say the ‘right’ words without being saved? Look at the verb used in the second part of verse 155.
Seek. This is an action meaning to tread or frequent something; in pursuit or search; specifically to worship, to ask, to diligently inquire. Are we seeking God? Do we desire righteousness – in all things? (Versus just the circumstances that we agree with or fit into our plans.) This action is evidence of our salvation!
We are encouraged, even when circumstances are difficult, to continue to follow after the Truth because this is proof of our relationship with God. In other words we say, ‘Yes, this is hard, but in God’s mercy we can and will continue to move forward’. Because He loves us and has caused us to love and follow Him.
Have we been delivered or are we doomed?
Ps 10:4 The wicked, in the haughtiness of his countenance, does not seek [Him.] All his thoughts are, "There is no God."
Job 21:14-15 "And they say to God, 'Depart from us! We do not even desire the knowledge of Thy ways. 15 'Who is the Almighty, that we should serve Him, and what would we gain if we entreat Him?'
Pr 1:7 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; Fools despise wisdom and instruction.
Remember the account of the rich man and poor man in Luke Chapter Sixteen. The rich man died having no need of God. His fate is recorded beginning in verse 23. "And in Hades he lifted up his eyes, being in torment, and *saw Abraham far away, and Lazarus in his bosom. ”And he cried out and said, 'Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water and cool off my tongue; for I am in agony in this flame.'
If we are saved, we will love God’s word. We will seek His Truths, we will endeavor to obey His statutes.
The Treasury of David on Ver. 155 says – “Salvation! What music is there in that word. Music that never tires, but is always new, that always rouses yet always rests us! It holds in itself all that our hearts would say. It is sweet rigour to us in the morning, and in the evening it is contented peace. It is a song that is always singing itself deep down in the delighted soul. Angelic ears are ravished by it up in heaven; and our Eternal Father himself listens to it with adorable complacency. It is sweet even to him out of whose mind is the music of a thousand worlds. To be saved! What is it to be saved in the fullest and utmost meaning? Who can tell? Eye hath not seen, nor car heard. It is a rescue, and from such a shipwreck! It is a rest, and in such an unimaginable home! It is to lie down for ever in the bosom of God, in an endless rapture of insatiable contentment”. --Frederick William Faber, 1853.
Truth: Salvation is near to those who seek God.
Le 18:5 'So you shall keep My statutes and My judgments, by which a man may live if he does them; I am the LORD.
Salvation leads to obedience. Obedience proves our salvation. The desire to obey speaks of our testimony to Christ – for our good and His glory.
When we seek God’s truths, in His grace we are blessed with His mercy. David writes this truth in the next verse of Psalm 119.
Ps 119:156 Great are Thy mercies, O LORD; revive me according to Thine ordinances.
When we think of something being great, the words grand or abundant come to mind.
Consider. God’s mercy is great towards the most wretched sinner if they come before Him with a heart desiring His deliverance. There is nothing that will keep us from His blessings other than our own denial of Him. When we choose self or the world over God, we reject His love and sacrifice for us.
God’s mercies towards His children are given in abundance! They are more than sufficient, they exceed what we can imagine. A life as God’s child means we have unending compassion extended towards us. There is never a time when we can truly say that no one understands or cares. God always understands perfectly and cares about each of His children. He is not removed from our concerns or struggles or disappointments. Do we seek and accept the compassion God desires to give?
Our Psalmist understood firsthand the mercies of God in his life. David turned his eyes from God and toward sin for a moment. His sin was exposed and when he was confronted by Nathan, he sought God’s forgiveness.
Ps 51:1 (For the choir director. A Psalm of David, when Nathan the prophet came to him,) (after he had gone in to Bathsheba.) Be gracious to me, O God, according to Thy lovingkindness; According to the greatness of Thy compassion blot out my transgressions.
Ps 86:5 For Thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive, and abundant in lovingkindness to all who call upon Thee.
Ps 86:13 For Thy lovingkindness toward me is great, And Thou hast delivered my soul from the depths of Sheol.
Isaiah encouraged the nation of Israel to turn towards God and seek His mercy. They had chosen to live in sin and reject God, yet, the prophet reminded them of God’s great forgiveness if they would only seek Him.
Isa 55:7 Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; and let him return to the LORD, And He will have compassion on him; And to our God, For He will abundantly pardon.
Isa 63:7 I shall make mention of the lovingkindnesses of the LORD, the praises of the LORD, According to all that the LORD has granted us, And the great goodness toward the house of Israel, Which He has granted them according to His compassion, And according to the multitude of His lovingkindnesses.
“Great are thy tender mercies, O LORD. Here the Psalmist pleads the largeness of God's mercy, the immensity of his tender love; yea, he speaks of mercies -- mercies many, mercies tender, mercies great;” Treasury of David
The KJV reads ‘Great are thy tender mercies’. They are not only great in every imaginable way, they are also tender. God is sympathetic towards our struggles and His care for us is gentle – not quick to anger but quick to forgive.
This certainly speaks of a personal intimate relationship. Our God is not removed from our concerns and weakness and sorrows; instead, He is with us through every step as we seek to follow His ways.
Again, we see a request from David asking God to revive him ‘according to Thine ordinances’. We looked at the word ‘revive’ in Psalm 119:149 earlier in this study. When someone needs to be revived they need some kind of intervention. Often, we may use this word in connection to bringing someone back to life from an unconscious state.
We certainly need to be brought to life when you think of our sin nature!
Ro 6:6,11 knowing this, that our old self was crucified with [Him,] that our body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin; 11 Even so consider yourselves to be dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus.
Matthew Henry’s Commentary says, “Those that are delivered from the sinner’s doom are bound for ever to own the greatness of God’s mercies which delivered them”.
With God’s great mercy comes His abundant grace to live according to His word.
Ps 119:132 Turn to me and be gracious to me, After Thy manner with those who love Thy name.
God acts in accordance to His word. Great are His mercies given to those who seek Him.
Is our prayer one of admiration for God’s tender compassions towards us and one of request to live for Him according to His word?
