"I hate and abhor lying: but thy law do I love."
Psalm 119:163
Yesterday we learned that – “Because God loves us, our love is directed to God and people.”
Today:
David had a special affinity for God’s Word. The entire 119th Psalm is dedicated to the Word of God, and it is the subject of every stanza. Our verse for today comes from the stanza in vv. 161 – 168, whose title is from the Hebrew alphabet, SCHIN. In this passage, David’s love for the Word is evident. Note how his passion is lived out practically in his obedient life.
“…My heart standeth in awe of thy Word” v. 161.
“I rejoice at thy Word…” v. 162.
“…Thy Law do I love” v. 163.
“…I praise thee because of thy righteous judgments” v. 164
“Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them” v. 165
“LORD, I have hoped for thy salvation, and done thy commandments” v. 166
“My soul hath kept thy testimonies, and I love them exceedingly” v. 167
“I have kept thy precepts and thy testimonies…” v. 168
In this section of the Psalm, David –
“… contrasts his hatred for falsehood with his love for God’s directions, noting how he reinforces his love for God’s directions by praising God often throughout the day” [1] (FSB).
The eight verses in this section of the Psalm may be broken down like this. [2]
The steady heart (vv. 161-163)
– what the heart honors, loves, and stores up as a treasure.
The steady life (vv. 164-166)
– obedient, praising, and stable.
The steady guard (vv. 167-168)
– “keeping” God’s testimonies and precepts.
These traits ought to characterize our lives as believers.
One of the lessons we can glean from these verses is that those who love the Word of God and live by its precepts should have stable and steady lives, even during worldly turmoil. As we faithfully apply God’s Word to our lives, we grow and better cope with the evil world system. In a world full of falsehood, we stand for the true and right!
“The life that is determined to be constant—under pressure and in devotion—finds enrichment and peace, but it also encounters moral conflict, for there is no such thing as unchallenged constancy. The choice is between what to love and what to hate; the battle is for patient continuance until the Lord acts. But it is obedience that is the hallmark of love, and it is by obedience we please the Lord (v. 168)” [3] (NBC).
Conflict from the lost worldlings is to be expected. But even then, keeping God’s precepts, we have His peace.
“Peace fills the lives of those who trust in God’s instruction. The goal is not to obey God’s precepts for the sake of obedience but in order to enjoy abundant life in God’s presence (v. 168)” [4] (CSB).
Jesus said –
“These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).
“Dear Lord, thank you for your peace!”
Believers love God’s Word obediently!
Quote: “I will look throughout the land for those who can be trusted. Only such people can live with me. Only those who live pure lives can be my servants. I will never let a dishonest person live in my house. I will not let liars stay near me” [5] (Psalm 101:6-7, HSB).
[1] FSB, John D. Barry, Douglas Mangum, Derek R. Brown, et al., Faithlife Study Bible (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2012, 2016), Ps 119:163–164.
[2] These three points I have borrowed and edited from NBC. J. A. Motyer, “The Psalms,” in New Bible Commentary: 21st Century Edition, ed. D. A. Carson, et al., 4th ed. (Leicester, England; Downers Grove, IL: Inter-Varsity Press, 1994), 571–572.
[3] NBC, ibid.
[4] CSB, Kevin R. Warstler, “Psalms,” in CSB Study Bible: Notes, ed. Edwin A. Blum and Trevin Wax (Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers, 2017), 927. The emphasis is theirs.
[5] HSB is the Harvest Study Bible from Harvest Ministries in Guam.