[:en]SCRIPTURE: PSALM 119 (Verses 33-64)
“Teach me, O Lord, to follow your decrees; then I will keep them to the end. Give me understanding, and I will keep your law and obey it with all my heart” (Psalm 119:33-34)
“Direct me in the path of your commands, for there I find delight. Turn my heart toward your statutes and not toward selfish gain. Turn my eyes away from worthless things, preserve my life according to your word” (Psalm 119:35-37)
“I will always obey your law, for ever and ever. I will walk about in freedom, for I have sought out your precepts” (Psalm 119:44-45)
“My comfort in my suffering is this: Your promise preserves my life” (Psalm 119:50)
“Your decrees are the theme of my song wherever I lodge” (Psalm 119:54)
“You are my portion, O Lord; I have promised to obey your words. I have sought your face with all my heart; be gracious to me according to your promise” (Psalm 119:57-58)
“I have considered my ways and have turned my steps to your statutes. I will hasten and not delay to obey your commands” (Psalm 119:59-60)
HE (vs. 33-40)
WHAT THE PSALMIST ASKED FROM GOD:
- Teach me to follow your decrees (v. 33a)
- Give me understanding (v. 34a)
- Direct me the path of your commands (v. 35)
- Turn my heart towards your statutes and not towards selfish gain (v. 36)
- Turn my eyes away from worthless things (v. 39)
- Fulfill your promise to your servant (v. 38)
- Take away the disgrace I dread (v. 39)
- Preserve my life in your righteousness (v. 40)
WAW (vs. 41-48)
WHAT THE PSALMIST PROMISED TO DO:
- I will follow your decrees to the end (v. 33)
- I will obey it with all my heart for ever and ever (v. 34, 44)
- I will trust in your word (v. 42)
- I will put my hope in your laws (v. 43)
- I will walk about your precepts in freedom (v. 45)
- I will speak of your statutes before kings without shame (v. 46)
- I will love and delight in your commands (v. 47)
- I will lift up my hands to your commands which I love (v. 48a)
- I will meditate on your decrees (v. 48b)
ZAYIN (vs. 49-56)
BENEFITS OF GOD’S WORD:
- It give us hope (v. 49)
- It preserves our life ( v. 50b)
- It gives us comfort (vs 50a, 52)
- It serves as the theme of our song (v. 54)
HETH (vs. 57-64)
The Psalmist wrote: “I am a friend to all who fear you, to all who follow your precepts” (v. 63). In other words, the Psalmist let the word of God guide him in choosing his friends.
We have many acquaintances but few real friends. “A friend loves at all times and a brother is born for a time of adversity” (Prov. 17:17). A real friend is someone who understands you. You are not afraid to unburden your heart. Abraham was called the friend of God. Jesus said to His disciples “I am not going to call you servants. I am going to call you friends” (John 15:15)
A real test of friendship is what your friend’s attitude towards the Word of God. If your friend is in a right relationship with God through His Word, he will be in a right relationship with the people in this world. Therefore, choose your friend wisely. “He who walks with the wise grows wise, but a companion of fools suffers harm” (Prov. 13:20)[:]