Read Psalm 119:41–48
Questions from the Scripture text: What does the Psalmist ask for (Psalm 119:41a)? In what form (verse 41b)? Why (Psalm 119:42a)? How (verse 42b)? What does he ask in Psalm 119:43a? Why (verse 43b)? To do what with (Psalm 119:44a)? How long (verse 44b)? With what result (Psalm 119:45a)? By what means (verse 45b)? What will he do before whom (Psalm 119:46a)? With what result (verse 46b)? How will he relate to the Lord’s commandments (Psalm 119:47-48)? What will he do with them (Psalm 119:48c)?
By what means does the Lord bring His love and salvation into our lives? Psalm 119:41–48 looks forward to the opening portion of morning public worship on the coming Lord’s Day. In these eight verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that the Lord brings His love and salvation into our lives especially by means of His Word.
This section of Psalm 119 begins with the Hebrew letter that starts more verses in the Old Testament than any other letter. It is usually a prefix on a verb, meaning “and” or “and then” (depending upon usage, as indicated by the vowel pointing). In other words, this stanza lends itself to summarizing the theme of the Psalm as a whole, because the subject matter isn’t narrowed down by the letter of the alphabet. And what it does is ask God for His covenant-lovings (ḳesseds, plural!, Psalm 119:41a) to come savingly (verse 41b) before discussing how His Word is the means by which the Lord does this. His Word trusted (Psalm 119:42b), spoken (Psalm 119:43a), Hoped in (verse 43b), kept (Psalm 119:44a), sought (Psalm 119:45b), attested (v46a) and meditated upon (Psalm 119:48c). For this reason, with his own delight in God, love for God, and praise for God, the psalmist delights in God’s law (Psalm 119:47a), loves God’s law (verse 47b, Psalm 119:48b), and even praises God’s law (verse 48a). Watch out for those who warn against “idolizing the Bible,” as I have sometimes heard done. Scripture here teaches us to pray and sing as those who enjoy, love, and worship God’s Word! Indeed, the love of God was made know, and the salvation of God accomplished, by the Word Who was made flesh.
How do you relate to God’s Word? What are you doing with it? What is He using it to do in your life?
Sample prayer: Lord, thank You for loving and saving us by Your Word. Make us enjoy, love, and worship it, in Christ, AMEN!
Suggested songs: ARP119F “O Let Your Lovingkindnesses Now Come” or TPH119F “Let Your Mercy and Love”
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