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Psalm 119

A review from the King James Version:

• ALEPH. Blessed are the undefiled in the way
• BETH. Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way?
• GIMEL. Deal bountifully with thy servant
• DALETH. My soul cleaveth unto the dust
• HE. Teach me, O LORD, the way of thy statutes
• VAU. Let thy mercies come also unto me, O LORD
• ZAIN. Remember the word unto thy servant
• CHETH. Thou art my portion, O LORD
• TETH. Thou hast dealt well with thy servant, O LORD
• JOD. Thy hands have made me and fashioned me
• CAPH. My soul fainteth for thy salvation
• LAMED. For ever, O LORD

English Standard Version (ESV)

Your Word Is a Lamp to My Feet –

97 Oh how I love your law!
It is my meditation all the day.

Do you see the respect and relationship between the one who prays and the Lord?

He loves the Torah (law) of God. It keeps pure, cleanses, and reveals God’s mercy.  His meditation, defined as reflection and prayer, is continual all the day. This continues to be command of the Lord. Hear Paul’s First Letter to Thessalonians from the New Testament:

• 5:16 Rejoice evermore.
• 5:17 Pray without ceasing.
• 5:18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
• 5:19 Quench not the Spirit.
• 5:20 Despise not prophesyings.
• 5:21 Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.
• 5:22 Abstain from all appearance of evil.

And Paul confirms by closing his list with an affirmation sounding much like the teaching of Psalm 119.

This prayer is a relationship with the LORD. His ways are higher than our ways. (Isaiah 55:9) This we must acknowledge as servants of the LORD.

98 Your commandment makes me wiser than my enemies,
for it is ever with me.
99 I have more understanding than all my teachers,
for your testimonies are my meditation.
100 I understand more than the aged,
for I keep your precepts.

101 I hold back my feet from every evil way,
in order to keep your word.
102 I do not turn aside from your rules,
for you have taught me.
103 How sweet are your words to my taste,
sweeter than honey to my mouth!

Are God’s words of scripture sweet to your mouth?

104 Through your precepts I get understanding;
therefore I hate every false way.

Yes! We should hate sin. Yes! We must hate every lie, deception, disappointment and falsehood. Yes! We must hate the wide way and the crooked path that leads to sin and death and destruction.

We must hate most of all our own sin. We must hate all the ways we have transgressed the law and commandment of the Lord.

Our Lord and Savior, Christ Jesus said:

“Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” – Matthew 26:41