Psalm 119 is the longest chapter in the Bible in which the Psalmist gives incredible insight into God’s Word and how much His Word can affect the totality of a person’s life, especially one who trusts in Him. The Psalm is an acrostic of eight verse sections arranged according to the order of the Hebrew alphabet. The preeminence of God’s word is conveyed throughout the 172 verses and focuses on the essentials of knowing and obeying God’s Word. The following is the first section of verses from Psalm 119 as found in the HCSB translation of the Bible.
“How happy are those whose way is blameless
who live according to the Lord’s instruction!
Happy are those who seek His decrees
and seek Him with all their heart.
They do nothing wrong; they follow His ways.
You have commanded that your precepts be diligently kept.
If only my ways were committed to keeping your statutes!
Then I would not be ashamed
when I think about all your commands.
I will praise You with a sincere heart
when I learn Your righteous judgments.
I will keep Your statutes; never abandon me.”
– Psalm 119:1-8
Did you note the different words used to refer to God’s Word? “Instruction”, “decrees”, “ways”, “precepts”, “statutes”, “commands”, “righteous judgments” are seven words used to convey God’s revealed written Word to man. We should know how important God’s Word is for the believer, but do we acknowledge how essential it is to be able to know and love God, and grow in relationship with Him, while not forgetting His Word teaches us how to love others just as we love ourselves.
But what I like about the beginning of this Psalm is that it teaches that the way of happiness is through living the way God instructs believers to live. There is a meaningful and blessed path to walk in pursuing God and His truth with everything we are; “with all their heart.” The Psalmist says those that do so “do nothing wrong, they follow His ways.” That is done by “diligently”, that is with intentional effort, obeying or following His precepts in living. Precepts refer to God’s general rules for guiding behavior. God not only calls for those who trust in Him to follow, but He instructs them how to do so. The Psalmist understands his frailty and lack of commitment to keeping God’s statutes (laws made by our sovereign God) which if He did understand and committed to would keep him from being ashamed of not following and obeying God’s statutes as he should. He also recognizes he would be a much happier and contented person following God’s commands. With that thought in mind, he turns to praise of his loving God, rededicating himself to learning God’s Word and keeping them. He ends this section with what would be understood as, don’t give up on me!
How much do believers today need to find happiness in God’s Word and a relationship with our loving Creator. The good news is that God has provided in His Word everything we need to find genuine happiness. Believers in the Word also have the joy of serving through worship the God of our Salvation. Maybe a re-dedication is needed in your life. Start with praise and find the path of Godly happiness in His Word!