Read Psalm 119:121–128
Questions from the Scripture text: What has the psalmist done (Psalm 119:121a)? What does he ask the Lord not to do (verse 121b, Psalm 119:122b)? What does he ask the Lord to be for him (verse 122a)? In what endeavor have his eyes been consumed (Psalm 119:123a)? How, specifically, have his “eyes” been spent upon God’s salvation (verse 123b)? What is the psalmist’s relation to the Lord (Psalm 119:124-125)? To what does this servant appeal (Psalm 119:124a)? What would be a display of this covenant love (verse 124b, Psalm 119:125b–c)? What time does the psalmist say it is (Psalm 119:126a)? Why (verse 126b)? How does the psalmist act/think in light of the Lord’s impending action (Psalm 119:127a)? How much does he love God’s commandments (verse 127b)? What does this love make the psalmist to consider to be right (Psalm 119:128a–b)? And what does His love make him to hate (verse 128c)?
How should we respond, when we see others breaking God’s law? Psalm 119:121–128 looks forward to 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 we ought to plead with God, as those who belong to Him, and desire Him to conform us to His Word, in consistency with His own character.
God’s servant. As the psalmist asks for deliverance from oppression (Psalm 119:121b, Psalm 119:122b), he notes that he has done exactly opposite his oppressors. He has done “justice and righteousness” (Psalm 119:121a). But this is not the basis upon which he is coming to the Lord.
He is coming to the Lord because he belongs to the Lord. Three times, he refers to himself as “Your servant” (Psalm 119:122a, Psalm 119:124a, Psalm 119:125a). This is not a high view of himself, but a low view of himself, with a high view of his God. Oh, dear reader, we need not be like the proud (Psalm 119:122b). Let us be comfortable in the place of a servant, because of the greatness of Him Whose servant we are!
God’s love. Even with the character that God has worked in him as His servant, and his relationship to God as belonging to Him, the psalmist’s primary plea is not in himself at all. It’s in the Lord: “deal with Your servant according to Your covenanted love” (NKJ “mercy,” Psalm 119:124). The reason that God’s servants are made good is because their God is good. Dear reader, learn to plead His own marvelous character to Himself in your prayers!
God’s Word. What “salvation” (Psalm 119:123a) is the psalmist asking for, specifically, as he suffers this oppression? He is going to ask for God Himself to take some action (Psalm 119:126a), but his first request is to learn God’s Word. God’s Word is that upon which he has used up his eyes (Psalm 119:123b), and he pleads to learn God’s statutes (Psalm 119:124b) and testimonies (Psalm 119:125c). Let this be your great desire and aim: to know God’s Word by God’s grace.
God’s action. God is holy and just and mighty. Men cannot break His law with impunity (Psalm 119:126b); He will surely act, and the psalmist perceives that it is time for that (verse 126a). Though our timing not be as God’s, we may know certainly that every time His law is broken, God is taking notice, and God will surely answer. Knowing this, the psalmist loves and treasures those commandments above all earthly wealth (Psalm 119:127).
His values are formed by God’s precepts—not just trying to do whatever is right (Psalm 119:128a–b) but positively hating every false way (verse 128c). Do you know that God will act against all law-breaking? Then why wouldn’t you hate to do any slightest thing against it?
What reasons do you usually use in prayer, when you plead with God? What place does knowing His Word and pleasing Him have in your desires, when you’re under fire? How are you at keeping His sure judgment in view when considering the actions of the wicked? What false priorities might you need to start hating if you are to follow the Lord more according to His Word?
Sample prayer: Lord, we rejoice to be Your servants. We are Yours; we love to serve You in our work, and we especially love to serve You in worship. According to Your steadfast love, teach us Your statutes. We love Your commandments more than any earthly treasure. So, give us to do what is right, as we worship You, and to hate any way that does not come from You, we ask through Christ, AMEN!
Suggested songs: ARP119Q “I’ve Judged Rightly” or TPH119P “I Have Followed Truth and Justice”
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