Heart of a Psalmist - Worshipping Christ Through The Psalms

The writer is speaking from the point of identification; “I am yours…” because he is God’s creation and he has surrendered himself to his will. The Lord will protect those who commit themselves into his hands. The mark of a spiritual person is that they have a determination to obey and fulfill the word of God.

“Though the wicked hide along the way to kill me, I will quietly keep my mind on your decrees.” (95)

Even in the most severe situations where there is great danger, he sets his mind upon the com- forting promises of the word and will not let fear consume his heart. Isaiah echoes this thought: “You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, whose thoughts are fixed on you!” (Isa. 26:3)

“Even perfection has its limits, but your commands have no limit.” (96)

In contrast with created things the eternal word remains endless in its depth of meaning and life. It cannot be exhausted, it is not subject to decay; the most beautiful painting will begin to deteriorate, the tallest mountain will eventually crumble, the brightest star will cease to shine but the word of God re- mains, perfect! David says in a previous psalm; “The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul.” (Ps. 19:7) It’s energy and life is never diminished!

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“Oh, how I love your law! I think about it all day long.” (97)

“Oh” is a word that describes extreme, surprising emotion. The psalmist values the law of God above all things and he thinks about it continually. Love is his supreme motivation. This verse is perfectly ful- filled by Jesus as his life displayed its meaning; “…I do nothing on my own, but I speak what the Father taught me.” (Jn. 8:28) This love for the law causes the psalmist to excel his enemies, his teachers and elders who lacked his depth of affection for the word. Wiser than my enemies- “Your commands make me wiser than my enemies for your commands are my constant guide.” (98) This verse is closely tied to the passage in Deuteronomy: “If you obey them (commands) carefully, you will display your wisdom and intelligence to the surrounding nations. When they hear about these laws, they will exclaim, ‘ What other nation is as wise and prudent as this!” (Deut. 4:6) Wisdom is the abil- ity to apply knowledge in a beneficial way to the issues of life.

More insight than my teachers- “Yes, I have more insight than my teachers, for I am always think- ing of your decrees.” (99)

Jesus certainly embodied the essence of this scripture when as a young boy he spoke with the teachers of the law: “He was in the Temple, sitting among the religious teachers, discussing deep ques- tions with them. And all who hear him were amazed at his understanding and his answers.” (Lk. 2:46, 47) Love for God deepens the understanding of his word.

Wiser than my elders- “I am even wiser than my elders, for I have kept your commandments.” (100)

The elders of the Jewish nation completely missed the intent of the law of God and were constantly confronting Jesus. When asking if it was lawful to pay taxes to the hated Romans, the Bible recounts: “He saw through their trickery…” and gave his wise reply; “…’give to Caesar what belongs to him. But everything that belongs to God must be given to God’ …they were amazed by his answer, and they were silenced.” (Lk. 20:23, 25, 26)

“I have refused to walk on any path of evil, that I may remain obedient to your word.” (101)

It is extremely wise to avoid the things forbidden by the commandments. The first sin in the garden was when Adam and Eve determined for them selves what would be ‘good’ and what would be ‘evil.’ A life of faith requires that we return that judgment back into the care of God’s word.

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