Bible Readings

Reading 66: Yahweh’s law is a reflection of His all-righteous character

Read Psalm 119:97–120.

Since we have been looking closely at the laws that Yahweh gave Israel, in today’s reading, we hop over to Psalm 119 to examine the attitude of someone who loves God’s law and loves to obey it.

Psalm 119 is the longest psalm in the Bible. It was written much later than the events of the Exodus and it is filled with appreciation for Yahweh’s laws and praises God’s instructions as being of greater value than any human wisdom. Each of its twenty-two stanzas begins with a letter of the Hebrew alphabet. We could think of the psalm as a love song to God’s law for Israel.

In verses 97–104, the psalmist says he loves studying God’s instructions and he thinks about them all day long. He recognises that God has revealed Himself in Scripture and thinking carefully, or meditating on His Word, gives deep insight about God’s character and about life. One can get more insight than one’s teachers!

And keeping God’s commandments is the best way to live. God’s laws demonstrate His wisdom and living by His instructions makes one wiser than a tribal elder.

When we learn what righteousness is like through the study of Yahweh’s law, we will want to avoid walking down evil paths, that is, behaving in evil ways. The path of evil is a false way of life that leads to misery and separation from an all-loving and all-righteous God.

The psalmist end this stanza by declaring that God’s words are sweeter than honey to those who are eager to obey.

Then in the next stanza of verses 105–112, the psalmist starts by declaring that God’s Word is a lamp to guide one’s feet and a light for one’s path. This is a picture of how Scripture gives us direction and guidance in all circumstances of life. We have already seen how God’s laws address so many areas of life and they are based on His all-good nature. Living by God’s Word guides a believer down right paths.

This doesn’t mean the believer will have a problem-free life. By nature, the enemies of God go after the people of God. But the believer who clings to God and obeys His laws will enjoy close fellowship with God and will still experience the joy of a close relationship even if the circumstances of life turn hard. Having tasted the happiness of being close to God in the midst of trials, such a believer will be determined to keep following God.

This is in contrast to people of divided loyalties. In the next stanza (verses 113–120), people who are double-minded often choose to obey their pride and sinful desires. Such people end up not obeying God’s Word and they lose that close fellowship with God. They stray away from God to their own harm. But the loyal believer continues to love God’s instructions and God is their shield.

“Lord, sustain me as you promised, that I may live! Do not let my hope be crushed.” (Verse 116.) We see once more that the loyal believer is not free from suffering or trials, but God will rescue and sustain those who delight in Him.

Then in the closing words of this stanza, the psalmist writes in verse 119: “You skim off the wicked of the earth like scum; no wonder I love to obey your laws!” Here, the psalmist is looking ahead into the far future where Yahweh will judge evil permanently. The believer who has studied God’s Word carefully knows where Yahweh is taking history. He knows how world history will end with Yahweh’s victory over evil. So knowing what happens in the future provides the motivation to keep going on in life, even when circumstances are hard. It motivates one to keep obeying God.

Slowly read through today’s reading once more. Reflect on the emotions of the psalmist.

  • Are you also as excited to study God’s Word?

  • Does learning about Yahweh's character fill you with joy?

  • Does it motivate you to obey His Word and live in the way He instructs?

If so, thank God for the gift of His Word.

If you’re feeling less than enthusiastic about God’s Word:

  • Ask the Holy Spirit to give you insight when you next read Scripture.

  • Ask the Holy Spirit to rekindle the excitement of learning about God and where He is directing history.

  • Ask the Holy Spirit to move you into deeper fellowship with God through an increased understanding of the Word He has given us.