57 The Lord is my portion;
I promise to keep your words.
58 I entreat your favor with all my heart;
be gracious to me according to your promise.
59 When I think on my ways,
I turn my feet to your testimonies;
60 I hasten and do not delay
to keep your commandments.
61 Though the cords of the wicked ensnare me,
I do not forget your law.
62 At midnight I rise to praise you,
because of your righteous rules.
63 I am a companion of all who fear you,
of those who keep your precepts.
64 The earth, O Lord, is full of your steadfast love;
teach me your statutes!
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Saturday, February 27, 2010
Day 7: Psalm 119:49-56
49 Remember your word to your servant, in which you have made me hope.
50 This is my comfort in my affliction, that your promise gives me life.
51 The insolent utterly deride me, but I do not turn away from your law.
52 When I think of your rules from of old, I take comfort, O Lord.
53 Hot indignation seizes me because of the wicked, who forsake your law.
54 Your statutes have been my songs in the house of my sojourning.
55 I remember your name in the night, O Lord, and keep your law.
56 This blessing has fallen to me, that I have kept your precepts.
50 This is my comfort in my affliction, that your promise gives me life.
51 The insolent utterly deride me, but I do not turn away from your law.
52 When I think of your rules from of old, I take comfort, O Lord.
53 Hot indignation seizes me because of the wicked, who forsake your law.
54 Your statutes have been my songs in the house of my sojourning.
55 I remember your name in the night, O Lord, and keep your law.
56 This blessing has fallen to me, that I have kept your precepts.
Friday, February 26, 2010
Day 6: Psalm 119:41-48
41 Let your steadfast love come to me, O Lord, your salvation according to your promise;
42 then shall I have an answer for him who taunts me, for I trust in your word.
43 And take not the word of truth utterly out of my mouth, for my hope is in your rules.
44 I will keep your law continually, forever and ever,
45 and I shall walk in a wide place, for I have sought your precepts.
46 I will also speak of your testimonies before kings and shall not be put to shame,
47 for I find my delight in your commandments, which I love.
48 I will lift up my hands toward your commandments, which I love, and I will meditate on your statutes.
42 then shall I have an answer for him who taunts me, for I trust in your word.
43 And take not the word of truth utterly out of my mouth, for my hope is in your rules.
44 I will keep your law continually, forever and ever,
45 and I shall walk in a wide place, for I have sought your precepts.
46 I will also speak of your testimonies before kings and shall not be put to shame,
47 for I find my delight in your commandments, which I love.
48 I will lift up my hands toward your commandments, which I love, and I will meditate on your statutes.
Thursday, February 25, 2010
What do short prayers indicate?
A few thoughts on today's reading...
If ever there was a psalm that showed us how to pray short prayers, this is it. The psalmist could use lengthy prayers, as we have realized how painstakingly crafted this psalm is. And yet, 1-word and 2-word prayers dot the landscape of this psalm.
Teach me, give me, lead me, incline my heart, turn my eyes, confirm, turn away.
The more I read this Psalm, the more I believe that God wants to be in a constant mode of thinking about Him, praying to Him, and doing what He says.
The length of the prayers does not indicate the depth of the relationship with God, but the frequency of the prayers surely has to indicate something!
If ever there was a psalm that showed us how to pray short prayers, this is it. The psalmist could use lengthy prayers, as we have realized how painstakingly crafted this psalm is. And yet, 1-word and 2-word prayers dot the landscape of this psalm.
Teach me, give me, lead me, incline my heart, turn my eyes, confirm, turn away.
The more I read this Psalm, the more I believe that God wants to be in a constant mode of thinking about Him, praying to Him, and doing what He says.
The length of the prayers does not indicate the depth of the relationship with God, but the frequency of the prayers surely has to indicate something!
Day 5: Psalm 119:33-40
Digging on Day 5
33 Teach me, O Lord, the way of your statutes; and I will keep it to the end.
34 Give me understanding, that I may keep your law and observe it with my whole heart.
35 Lead me in the path of your commandments, for I delight in it.
36 Incline my heart to your testimonies, and not to selfish gain!
37 Turn my eyes from looking at worthless things; and give me life in your ways.
38 Confirm to your servant your promise, that you may be feared.
39 Turn away the reproach that I dread, for your rules are good.
40 Behold, I long for your precepts; in your righteousness give me life!
33 Teach me, O Lord, the way of your statutes; and I will keep it to the end.
34 Give me understanding, that I may keep your law and observe it with my whole heart.
35 Lead me in the path of your commandments, for I delight in it.
36 Incline my heart to your testimonies, and not to selfish gain!
37 Turn my eyes from looking at worthless things; and give me life in your ways.
38 Confirm to your servant your promise, that you may be feared.
39 Turn away the reproach that I dread, for your rules are good.
40 Behold, I long for your precepts; in your righteousness give me life!
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Real life in Psalm 119
As I was reading 25-32 today, I was reminded of a couple of things...
The psalmist found himself in some desperate situations. Like v 25, "My soul clings to the dust," and v 28, "My soul melts away for sorrow." Intense emotion is described with figurative language, but make no mistake, the psalmist is hurting. I can't help but think that we all have been there at times. Feeling like we have hit the bottom, only to experience more pain.
And yet the psalmist prayed. Give me life, teach me your statutes, make me understand, put false ways away from me, graciously teach me, let me not be put to shame. I have been struck recently that God may be more honored by short prayers, than long, verbose, pious prayers. "Help me, be near to me, encourage me, stabilize me, calm me." Could these prayers have been close to the psalmist's lips? I think so.
I also noticed the statements of pursuit and determination toward the end of the section: I have chosen the way of faithfulness, I set your rules before me, I cling to your testimonies, I will run in the way of your commands. What a response to the reality of the situation and the strength gleaned through prayer.
Thank you God that I can read the 3000-year old words of someone who followed You and be encouraged today!
The psalmist found himself in some desperate situations. Like v 25, "My soul clings to the dust," and v 28, "My soul melts away for sorrow." Intense emotion is described with figurative language, but make no mistake, the psalmist is hurting. I can't help but think that we all have been there at times. Feeling like we have hit the bottom, only to experience more pain.
And yet the psalmist prayed. Give me life, teach me your statutes, make me understand, put false ways away from me, graciously teach me, let me not be put to shame. I have been struck recently that God may be more honored by short prayers, than long, verbose, pious prayers. "Help me, be near to me, encourage me, stabilize me, calm me." Could these prayers have been close to the psalmist's lips? I think so.
I also noticed the statements of pursuit and determination toward the end of the section: I have chosen the way of faithfulness, I set your rules before me, I cling to your testimonies, I will run in the way of your commands. What a response to the reality of the situation and the strength gleaned through prayer.
Thank you God that I can read the 3000-year old words of someone who followed You and be encouraged today!
Day 4: Psalm 119:25-32
25 My soul clings to the dust;
give me life according to your word!
26 When I told of my ways, you answered me;
teach me your statutes!
27 Make me understand the way of your precepts,
and I will meditate on your wondrous works.
28 My soul melts away for sorrow;
strengthen me according to your word!
29 Put false ways far from me
and graciously teach me your law!
30 I have chosen the way of faithfulness;
I set your rules before me.
31 I cling to your testimonies, O Lord;
let me not be put to shame!
32 I will run in the way of your commandments
when you enlarge my heart!
give me life according to your word!
26 When I told of my ways, you answered me;
teach me your statutes!
27 Make me understand the way of your precepts,
and I will meditate on your wondrous works.
28 My soul melts away for sorrow;
strengthen me according to your word!
29 Put false ways far from me
and graciously teach me your law!
30 I have chosen the way of faithfulness;
I set your rules before me.
31 I cling to your testimonies, O Lord;
let me not be put to shame!
32 I will run in the way of your commandments
when you enlarge my heart!
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Don't miss the pronouns
As I have been reading through Psalm 119, I am reminded of how many pronouns are in the chapter. I mentioned on Sunday the synonyms for God's Word that are there, but the pronouns even outnumber those.
This is a personal psalm in which there is a personal "me-you" relationship described. It begs the question, do we know God that intimately? Are we able to speak of Him and to Him on such rich personal terms.
I am encouraged that God has given us language for prayers and ways to describe our relationship with Him.
This is a personal psalm in which there is a personal "me-you" relationship described. It begs the question, do we know God that intimately? Are we able to speak of Him and to Him on such rich personal terms.
I am encouraged that God has given us language for prayers and ways to describe our relationship with Him.
Day 3: Psalm 119:17-24
Here is the 3rd installment of reading through Ps 119 as a church...
17 Deal bountifully with your servant,
that I may live and keep your word.
18 Open my eyes, that I may behold
wondrous things out of your law.
19 I am a sojourner on the earth;
hide not your commandments from me!
20 My soul is consumed with longing
for your rules at all times.
21 You rebuke the insolent, accursed ones,
who wander from your commandments.
22 Take away from me scorn and contempt,
for I have kept your testimonies.
23 Even though princes sit plotting against me,
your servant will meditate on your statutes.
24 Your testimonies are my delight;
they are my counselors.
Monday, February 22, 2010
Some thoughts on reading through 9-16
I am struck in reading the Threads assigned reading (Ps 119:9-16) today by a few things.
The declarative sentences. The author writes some things that are intensely personal and we get to overhear him.
>> I seek you
>> I have stored your word in my heart
>> I declare your rules
>> I delight in your testimonies
>> I will meditate
>> I will fix my eyes
>> I will delight in your statutes
>> I will not forget your word
Promises and statements. A bunch of them.
In the mix also are a few prayers...
>> Let me not wander from your commands
>> Teach me your statutes
Can I make the same statements? Can I pray the same prayers?
The declarative sentences. The author writes some things that are intensely personal and we get to overhear him.
>> I seek you
>> I have stored your word in my heart
>> I declare your rules
>> I delight in your testimonies
>> I will meditate
>> I will fix my eyes
>> I will delight in your statutes
>> I will not forget your word
Promises and statements. A bunch of them.
In the mix also are a few prayers...
>> Let me not wander from your commands
>> Teach me your statutes
Can I make the same statements? Can I pray the same prayers?
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