Psalm 119:9-16 key verse, verse 10—I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands. As the cross and suffering of Christ loom near us, we need the Lord’s presences in our life now more than at any other time. This Psalm speaks of this need.
The Central Teaching of this portion of Psalm 119 appointed for this coming Sunday reminds us that God in His Word has the power to cleanse us from sin and help us walk obediently. The way for us to stay pure is to obey God's Word. Seek Him with all your heart. Do not wander from or disobey His commandments.
These words — commandments, statutes, ordinances, testimonies, precepts — are all words that the Bible uses to refer to the written word of God, especially in the books of Moses, but by implication to all God’s revealed written work. Today we would say “Thy word” refers to the Bible in its entirety. So what the psalmist is referring to in verse 11 is not subjective impressions but objective teachings of God in Scripture. “Thy word — that word I have treasured in my heart.”
The One who kept the word of God perfectly is our Savior Jesus. He was perfectly obedient to the word of His Father. He kept the whole Law; all of it. His perfect obedience is passed on to you so now the Father sees you as obedient, righteous and justified.
Collect for Psalm 119: Lord, you are just and your commandments are eternal. Teach us to love you with all our heart and to love our neighbor as ourselves, for the sake of Jesus our Lord.
Sources:
Illustration “The Crucifixion” is taken from a woodcut by Baron Julius Schnorr von Carolsfeld, 1794-1872, a distinguished German artist known especially for his book, The Book of Books in Pictures. © WLS Permission granted for personal and congregational use.
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
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