November 9 - 15 Daily Meditations in the Psalms
November 9
Psalms 119
Aleph
1. Blessed are the undefiled in
the way, who walk in the law of the LORD.
2. Blessed are they that keep his
testimonies, and that seek him with the whole heart.
3. They also do no iniquity: they
walk in his ways.
4. Thou hast commanded us to keep
thy precepts diligently.
5. O that my ways were directed
to keep thy statutes!
6. Then shall I not be ashamed,
when I have respect unto all thy commandments.
7. I will praise thee with
uprightness of heart, when I shall have learned thy righteous judgments.
8. I will keep thy statutes: O
forsake me not utterly.
The length of this Psalm has
kept the less diligent from some of the most precious treasures in the
storehouse of God’s word. The Holy Spirit is behind such tactics, in order to
ward off those who seek with less than their whole heart. Do not hurry through
this Psalm. Meditate upon it. It contains some of the most quoted and
well-known promises. The Psalm has been kindly broken into sections
alphabetically, so as not to be overtaxing. Take them one at a time and be
enriched. They concern the law of the Lord, the full counsel of God and the
worth of the statutes and testimonies, which the Lord has placed at our
disposal. Learn appreciation and go on to love the word of God.
So much of the Psalms
concerns walking along a certain way - the Lord’s way. It runs opposite to
man’s way and demands a separation from his, in order to give oneself entirely
to keeping God’s. There is no place for halfway-ism in the scripture. This
Psalm is for the undivided heart, which seeks to be undefiled, is diligent, and
has a heart-cry, “O that my ways were directed to keep Thy statutes”. Come into
the classroom of the Holy Spirit. There is a way of walking that is undefiled
and there is a way of ministering praise from an upright heart. There are
commandments, to which we pay little attention. Learn respect for all of them.
Change your ways to His ways. Make a commitment of the will and
then beg God not to abandon you in your quest.
November 10
Psalms 119
Beth
9. Wherewithal shall a young man
cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word.
10. With my whole heart have I
sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments.
11. Thy word have I hid in mine
heart, that I might not sin against thee.
12. Blessed art thou, O LORD:
teach me thy statutes.
13. With my lips have I declared
all the judgments of thy mouth.
14. I have rejoiced in the way of
thy testimonies, as much as in all riches.
15. I will meditate in thy
precepts, and have respect unto thy ways.
16. I will delight myself in thy
statutes: I will not forget thy word.
Consider the young man as a person full of
the passions of life, clothed with strength and self-confidence. Then, think of
him as a beginner in the new life of Christ. He must be cleansed from his
way. As the fishermen of Galilee, he must stop and listen to the voice coming
from the shore. Is He telling him to fish in the daytime? Is He saying, “Launch
into the deep”? Then, he must obey and follow Him, for from henceforth he will
catch men. He must enroll in Christ’s school of practical training, begin
wholeheartedly and continue on track. He must hide what he has learned in the
heart, as Mary did. It will have future purpose and prevent his downfall. This
is the way of true riches, more to be desired than much fine gold. He becomes a
spiritual gold miner. Pursue it, young man, more than a career or personal
goals. Look to God for the best.
November 11
Psalms 119
Gimel
17. Deal bountifully with thy
servant, that I may live, and keep thy word.
18. Open thou mine eyes, that I
may behold wondrous things out of thy law.
19. I am a stranger in the earth:
hide not thy commandments from me.
20. My soul breaketh for the
longing that it hath unto thy judgments at all times.
21. Thou hast rebuked the proud
that are cursed, which do err from thy commandments.
22. Remove from me reproach and
contempt; for I have kept thy testimonies.
23. Princes also did sit and
speak against me: but thy servant did meditate in thy statutes.
24. Thy testimonies also are my delight and my counsellors.
There is nothing natural or self-attained
in spiritual learning. The learning faculties themselves are an endowment to be
sought from the Lord. “Deal bountifully”, the Psalmist begs and James adds, “If
any man lack wisdom let Him ask of God, who giveth liberally.” Start here,
rather than at the nearest library or the next seminar. There is absolutely no
other way to behold wondrous things out of God’s law, without Him opening our
eyes. Notice carefully the next essential condition: “I am a stranger in
the earth.” No friend of the world can be a friend of God. Jesus said, “I
call you friends for all the Father has shown me, I have made known to you.”
How vain it is to try to learn the ways of God in the schools of men! In God’s
student, longing and consistency overrule the contempt and reproach of the
world’s princes. Take time to meditate, but only within the confines of the
word of God. Keep the open book before you. “In the multitude of counselors
there is safety,” says the Proverb. God has prepared a multitude of
counselors for our learning in this school. Learn from Professor Moses, Samuel,
David, Isaiah, Jeremiah, John, Paul, Peter and many more. What a delight! They
will do more for you than the “trained experts” of our day.
Daleth
25. My soul cleaveth unto the
dust: quicken thou me according to thy word.
26. I have declared my ways, and
thou heardest me: teach me thy statutes.
27. Make me to understand the way
of thy precepts: so shall I talk of thy wondrous works.
28. My soul melteth for
heaviness: strengthen thou me according unto thy word.
29. Remove from me the way of
lying: and grant me thy law graciously.
30. I have chosen the way of
truth: thy judgments have I laid before me.
31. I have stuck unto thy
testimonies: O LORD, put me not to shame.
32. I will run the way of thy
commandments, when thou shalt enlarge my heart.
Our soul has a tendency to cling to the
ways of death, especially when it is ruled by the desires of the flesh. The
word of God brings our spirit to life. Be honest, for the school of Christ
demands total honesty and a love for truth. Honesty about our condition opens
the ears of God. Chose the way of truth and He will begin to teach. We are
heavy with earth’s gravity and only His grace can free us. The heart
that runs in the way of His commandments will lift the soul that cleaves
to the dust. Are you running or are you stuck?
November 12
Psalms 119
He
33. Teach me, O LORD, the way of
thy statutes; and I shall keep it unto the end.
34. Give me understanding, and I
shall keep thy law; yea, I shall observe it with my whole heart.
35. Make me to go in the path of
thy commandments; for therein do I delight.
36. Incline my heart unto thy
testimonies, and not to covetousness.
37. Turn away mine eyes from
beholding vanity; and quicken thou me in thy way.
38. Stablish thy word unto thy
servant, who is devoted to thy fear.
39. Turn away my reproach which I
fear: for thy judgments are good.
40. Behold, I have
longed after thy precepts: quicken me in thy righteousness.
God accomplishes true progress in the
spirit and it comes to pass through prayer. Notice the expression the
Psalmist’s uses in his petitions: “Teach me .. Give me understanding ..Make me
to go ...Incline my heart ...Turn away mine eyes ....Stablish Thy word ...Turn
away my reproach ... Quicken me.” Nothing will come without prayer, but after
he has prayed, he states, “I shall keep ...I shall observe ...I delight.”
Notice in verse 36 that a heart inclined to God’s word is the opposite of a
covetous heart. The person, who sees the word of God as a means to gain his
end, needs to go to prayer to get his heart turned in the right direction, die
to his vanity and live for God. It is dangerous to try to learn the ways of God
without fearful prayer. An unsanctified search will end in perversion of
scripture.
Vau
41. Let thy mercies come also
unto me, O LORD, even thy salvation, according to thy word.
42. So shall I have wherewith to
answer him that reproacheth me: for I trust in thy word.
43. And take not the word of
truth utterly out of my mouth; for I have hoped in thy judgments.
44. So shall I keep thy law
continually for ever and ever.
45. And I will walk at liberty:
for I seek thy precepts.
46. I will speak of thy
testimonies also before kings, and will not be ashamed.
47. And I will delight myself in
thy commandments, which I have loved.
48. My hands also will I lift up
unto thy commandments, which I have loved; and I will meditate in thy statutes.
Mercy is subject to the word of God.
Nothing good comes from God, even mercy or salvation, except in accordance with
His word. He will not compromise it. Begin by trusting in the word and from it
will proceed the answers for this time and forever. The word locks you into
eternity and it will overrule the nagging questions of the natural mind. It
sets us free to walk and delight in His commandments. Beg God for the abiding
authority of His word upon your lips. When we are dealing with forever and
ever, we had better do so in the fear of God with utmost care in prayer.
November 13
Psalms 119
Zain
49. Remember the word unto thy
servant, upon which thou hast caused me to hope.
50. This is my comfort in my
affliction: for thy word hath quickened me.
51. The proud have had me greatly
in derision: yet have I not declined from thy law.
52. I remembered thy judgments of
old, O LORD; and have comforted myself.
53. Horror hath taken hold upon
me because of the wicked that forsake thy law.
54. Thy statutes have been my
songs in the house of my pilgrimage.
55. I have remembered thy name, O
LORD, in the night, and have kept thy law.
56. This I had,
because I kept thy precepts.
Hope and comfort come from the word of
God. The Lord works through it to cause and to quicken. It is not a bare word,
but depends upon the presence and direct influence of the Author. The critics’
fiery arrows are quenched and comfort comes when we remember that the old ways
of the Lord still hold today. There is something else that comes as a result of
loving God’s way: “Horror hath taken hold upon me because of the wicked.” For “horror”
the Amplified Bible interjects, “Burning indignation, terror and sadness”.
Such a reaction to the evil of our generation will seize us, when the word of
God becomes real and alive. We are uncomfortable with our surroundings,
foreigners and squatters on this earth. An earnest seeking after the precepts
of God works its rewards into the depths of our spirit. It gives songs to the
travel-weary. We sing the songs of pilgrims, which the earth-bound cannot sing.
It is a pleasant satisfaction, when we find these unearthly attributes
springing from our heart.
November 14
Psalms 119
Cheth
57. Thou art my portion, O LORD:
I have said that I would keep thy words.
58. I intreated thy favour with
my whole heart: be merciful unto me according to thy word.
59. I thought on my ways, and
turned my feet unto thy testimonies.
60. I made haste, and delayed not
to keep thy commandments.
61. The bands of the wicked have
robbed me: but I have not forgotten thy law.
62. At midnight I will rise to
give thanks unto thee because of thy righteous judgments.
63. I am a companion of all them
that fear thee, and of them that keep thy precepts.
64. The earth, O LORD, is full of
thy mercy: teach me thy statutes.
The motivation behind attending to and
observing the scriptures is a heart desire to commune with the Author. In Him,
we find all that is worthwhile. He is the source of all beauty, strength,
wisdom, goodness, and glory, a portion that defies description. He is worth the
price of pain that might come from leaving our familiar ways behind, in order
to turn to His testimonies. He makes our affliction light and brightens our
midnights. We need to preach this highly desirable portion and cause people to
compare it to the way, in which they have been walking.
Teth
65. Thou hast dealt well with thy
servant, O LORD, according unto thy word.
66. Teach me good judgment and
knowledge: for I have believed thy commandments.
67. Before I was afflicted I went
astray: but now have I kept thy word.
68. Thou art good, and doest
good; teach me thy statutes.
69. The proud have forged a lie
against me: but I will keep thy precepts with my whole heart.
70. Their heart is as fat as
grease; but I delight in thy law.
71. It is good for me that I have
been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes.
72. The law of thy
mouth is better unto me than thousands of gold and silver.
Whatever has been done in our lives that
has led us to faithful observance of the word of the Lord is His good doing. He
desires to do us good. Verses 67 and 68 should settle that in our hearts. He does us good, when He chastens us. Many
people lack this good judgment. Undisciplined hearts, saturated with well-being
and bent on self-satisfaction, are the forgers of lies against God’s afflicted
ones. “It is good for me that I have been afflicted,” the Psalmist says, for it
is better than gold and silver. May God keep us lean and hungry for Him.
November 15
Psalms
119
Jod
73. Thy hands have made me and
fashioned me: give me understanding, that I may learn thy commandments.
74. They that fear thee will be
glad when they see me; because I have hoped in thy word.
75. I know, O LORD, that thy
judgments are right, and that thou in faithfulness hast afflicted me.
76. Let, I pray thee, thy
merciful kindness be for my comfort, according to thy word unto thy servant.
77. Let thy tender mercies come
unto me, that I may live: for thy law is my delight.
78. Let the proud be ashamed; for
they dealt perversely with me without a cause: but I will meditate in thy
precepts.
79. Let those that fear thee turn
unto me, and those that have known thy testimonies.
80. Let my heart be sound in thy
statutes; that I be not ashamed.
He who created us, knows the way to our
understanding. It comes through divine revelation and prayer. True fellowship
can only come through spirits, who likewise have been taught of God. Our hearts
are joined to them that fear Him and enjoy mutual sharing of the experiences of
God’s dealings in our lives. Visits fall flat with those, who are on another
wavelength. They cannot comprehend the faithful afflictions of the Lord and His
right judgments. Those that fear know that comfort does not come from our
circumstances, but from His kindness and tender mercies. Spiritual soundness
comes in humble submission and delight in the word of God, while the proudly
independent come to scandalous falls. When we are on our face before God, there
is nowhere to fall.
Caph
81. My soul fainteth for thy
salvation: but I hope in thy word.
82. Mine eyes fail for thy word,
saying, When wilt thou comfort me?
83. For I am become like a bottle
in the smoke; yet do I not forget thy statutes.
84. How many are the days of thy
servant? when wilt thou execute judgment on them that persecute me?
85. The proud have digged pits
for me, which are not after thy law.
86. All thy commandments are
faithful: they persecute me wrongfully; help thou me.
87. They had almost consumed me
upon earth; but I forsook not thy precepts.
88. Quicken me after thy
lovingkindness; so shall I keep the testimony of thy mouth.
Joseph, Job, David, Daniel, and the other
prophets, knew what it was to hang like a wineskin in the smoke, blackened and
shriveled. The analogy certainly does not depict pleasantries and comforts.
These experiences were part and parcel of the life of Paul and he best defines
for us their meaning and purpose: He was “delivered to death that the life
also of Jesus might be made manifest in our bodies.” Something deeper than
our own souls supports us. “The soul
faints,” says the Psalmist, “but I hope. My eyes fail and I yearn for comfort,
but I do not forget Thy statutes. I was almost consumed, but I forsook not Thy
precepts.” Affliction, hanging on for dear life to the word, and desperate
prayer are companions and building blocks of Christian character.
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