Psalm 119:1-8; antiphon, Psalm 119:1—In the
Introit for Sunday, the key verses remind us as is explained in verse 2, “happy
are those who observe His decrees.” Coupled with the Old Testament lesson
for this week we are reminded of the fact that the Law is good and obedience
makes one happy.
Blessed are the undefiled in the way. In
beginning to describe man’s blessedness, the psalmist starts with the idea that
being undefiled in the way is a blessing.
Many people
– ancient and modern – think the life lived undefiled in the way is boring at
best. The idea is that if there isn’t any defilement in it, then it can’t be
any fun. Yet the one who walks in God’s word knows the true blessedness of
living and enjoying an undefiled life.
We can
simply say that God is blessed; He wants us to share His blessedness. His word
shows us the way to share His blessedness, and it is found by being undefiled
in the way.
Survey and
polling data constantly demonstrate that those who live lives in general
conformity to God’s standards are happier, enjoy life more, and are more
content. Yet the illusion remains for many that a defiled life is more “fun.”
We need God
to show us the way to a happy life, and it is centered on being undefiled in
the way. The reason we are not happy is that we sin, and the main reason we sin
as much as we do is that we do not know the Bible well enough…. Apart from
being instructed by God, human beings do not know how to achieve happiness.
Who walk in the law of the LORD In the
mind of the psalmist, there is a strong and definite connection between being
undefiled in the way and walking in the law of the LORD. To walk in the law of
the LORD is in fact to be undefiled in the way.
We wouldn’t
know what a pure life was without God telling us. Certainly, some aspects of a
pure life are revealed in human conscience and known widely among humanity. Yet
there are other aspects of the pure life that we learn only from the word of
God.
The law of the LORD Here the
author of Psalm 119 uses, for the first time, a phrase referring to the written
revelation of God. The many various ways he referred to God’s written
revelation shows us how much he knew, loved, and respected God’s word. [2]
Living the Law
The
interpretation, understanding, and obedience of the law of God come forth from
this week’s lections. The overall theme appears to be life in the light of the
Law. The Gospel gives several examples of Jesus’ interpretation of the Law of
Moses. His view goes behind the letter to the spirit of the Law. In his last
address, Moses appeals to his people to obey the Law and to live. To make the
right interpretation there must be wisdom Paul in the epistle lesson teaches
that the wisdom of God is revealed only to those of the Spirit. This explains
how Jesus was able to rightly understand the Law. He had the Spirit of God and
was taught by the Spirit. During this season, our prayers must embrace both the
understanding of God’s Law (Epistle lesson) and obedience (Old Testament
lesson). We must pray to see and understand the things we ought to do with the
grace and power to do them.
The Epiphany
theme of the manifestation of God’s glory in Jesus continues in Epiphany 6/ In
the Gospel, the glory of God in Jesus is seen in His interpretation of the law
and in His authority as God’s Son, a greater than Moses – “And I say to you.” God’s glory is seen also in the Old Testament
lesson where God in mercy makes a covenant with His people and promises them
life if they accept and obey the terms of the covenant. Paul refers to Jesus as
“the Lord of Glory” (v.8). Jesus is the true and able interpreter of God’s laws
because He possessed the Spirit of God resulting in wisdom and understanding.
The readings from Psalm 119 deal with the Law which for the Hebrews was God’s
revelation of Himself to man. In other words, today we see the glory of God in
Jesus in His understanding and interpretation of God’s law.
Collect for Psalm
119: Lord, you are just and your commandments are
eternal. Teach us to love you with all our hearts and to love our neighbor as
ourselves; for the sake of Jesus our Lord. [3]
Collect
for Monday of the week of Epiphany 5: In faith and love,
we ask you, Father, to watch over your family gathered here. In your mercy and
loving kindness no thought of ours is left unguarded, no tear unheeded, no joy unnoticed.
Through the prayer of Jesus may the blessings promised to the poor in spirit
lead us to the treasures of your heavenly kingdom. We ask this in the name of
Jesus the Lord. Amen [4]
-06 February 2023
[2] https://enduringword.com/bible-commentary/psalm-119
[3] Collect for Psalm 119, For All the Saints, A Prayer Book For and By the Church, Vol. III © 1995 The American Lutheran Publicity Bureau, Delhi, NY
[4]Ibid, Collect for Monday of the week of Epiphany 5
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