Heart of a Psalmist - Worshipping Christ Through The Psalms

“You have charged us to keep your commandments carefully.” (4)

The psalmist moves from the general 3d person to the more personal 1st person applying the law to his own self. Carefulness requires diligence and here the song of the law awakens the listener to pur- sue the commands cautiously.

“Oh, that my actions would consistently reflect your principles!” (5)

The psalmist becomes aware of the gap between the perfections of God’s word and the failure of his actions. This is where the human heart cries out in prayer for a savior to bridge the impossible gulf between the two.

“Then I will not be disgraced when I compare my life with your commands.” (6)

Disgrace is the fruit of a guilty conscience that has broken God’s laws. There is only one way to be free of this disgrace, by trusting Christ to forgive us for all our transgressions: “But now God has shown us a different way of being right in his sight–not by obeying the law but by the way promised in Scrip- ture long ago. We are made right in God’s sight when we trust in Jesus Christ to take away our sins…So we are made right with God through faith and not by obeying the law.” (Rom. 3:21-22, 28)

“When I learn your righteous laws, I will thank you by living as I should!” (7)

As we are given right standing with God through faith in Christ, the Holy Spirit creates a desire within the believer to know his word. Knowledge is translated into right-living by a thankful heart: “Thank God! Once you were slaves of sin, but now you have obeyed with all your heart the new teaching God has given you.” (Rom. 6:17)

“I will obey your principles. Please don’t give up on me!” (8)

One of the great themes of this psalm is the writers decision to live for God expressed by the words; “I will …” The Holy Spirit creates and empowers a persons resolve to follow Christ. The writer knows that without this sustaining grace they will fail: “For the Holy Spirit helps us in our distress.” (Rom. 8:26)

Beth b

“How can a young person stay pure? By obeying your word and following its rules.” (9)

Some think that this is the question of a young man and others feel it is an older person of wisdom giving advice to the younger generation. In either case the answer is the same. Paul the aged Apostle was a mentor to the young minister Timothy when he instructed him: “All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It straightens us out and teaches us to do what is right.” (2 Tim. 3:16, 17)

“I have tried my best to find you–don’t let me wander from your commands.” (10)

The NIV translates the first part of this as “I seek you with my whole heart…” the only antidote to the spiritual disease of ‘wandering.’ Sheep are easily distracted and discouraged and prone to scatter (wander) in difficult times: “I will find my sheep and rescue them from all the places to which they were scattered (wandered) on that dark and cloudy day.”(Ezk. 34:12)

“I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.” (11)

What was hidden in the heart was the ‘imrah’ or promise of God. Only a life that is concealed in the heart of Christ and filled with his promise will escape the deceit of sin. When we read, study and memorize his word we are building up a defense against future temptations. This is one of the most recognized verses in the psalm.

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