מ MEM.
“Oh, how I love Your law! All day long it is my meditation. Your commandments make me wiser than my enemies, for they are always with me. I have more insight than all my teachers, for Your testimonies are my meditation. I discern more than the elders, for I obey Your precepts.
I have kept my feet from every evil path, that I may keep Your word. I have not departed from Your ordinances, for You Yourself have taught me. How sweet are Your words to my taste, sweeter than honey in my mouth. I gain understanding from Your precepts; therefore I hate every false way.
נ NUN.
“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. I have sworn and confirmed that I will keep Your righteous judgments. I am severely afflicted, O LORD; revive me through Your word. Accept the freewill offerings of my mouth, O LORD, and teach me Your judgments. I constantly take my life in my hands, yet I do not forget Your law.
The wicked have set a snare for me, but I have not strayed from Your precepts. Your testimonies are my heritage forever, for they are the joy of my heart. I have inclined my heart to perform Your statutes, even to the very end.”
“Oh, how I love Your law! All day long it is my meditation. Your commandments make me wiser than my enemies, for they are always with me.” We don’t know who has been attacking the psalmist, but these attacks may have been professional rather than physical, suggesting that the attacks have been coming from colleagues, perhaps other priests or worship leaders.“ I have more insight than all my teachers, for Your testimonies are my meditation. I discern more than the elders, for I obey Your precepts.” While most cultures generally respect elders, neither academic achievements nor age absolutely guarantee wisdom.
“I have kept my feet from every evil path, that I may keep Your word. I have not departed from Your ordinances, for You Yourself have taught me. How sweet are Your words to my taste, sweeter than honey in my mouth. I gain understanding from Your precepts; therefore I hate every false way.” The more we study God’s word, the more we appreciate it. And the more we absorb God’s wisdom, the more we will hate the false and fake.
“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. I have sworn and confirmed that I will keep Your righteous judgments.” When we are walking in the dark, we need a light to find the right path. Anything apart from God’s word will send us in the wrong direction.
“I am severely afflicted, O LORD; revive me through Your word. Accept the freewill offerings of my mouth, O LORD, and teach me Your judgments. I constantly take my life in my hands, yet I do not forget Your law.” We might remain curious about the afflictions and dangers the psalmist is facing, but he is looking to God for help and inspiration.
“The wicked have set a snare for me, but I have not strayed from Your precepts. Your testimonies are my heritage forever, for they are the joy of my heart. I have inclined my heart to perform Your statutes, even to the very end.” What kinds of snares has the writer been dodging? Have colleagues been trying to trap him by attempting to get him to make unwise statements so that they can topple him from his position?
APPLICATION: There is a saying that “Just because you are paranoid doesn’t mean that they aren’t out to get you.” Although continually suspecting people of attacking you is not healthy, there are times when you may find yourself surrounded by those who want nothing more than to tear you down. Evidently, this is the situation in which the writer of this psalm finds himself.
If you find yourself in such a situation, what is the best thing to do? Living in fear only causes your stomach acid to increase and your coronary arteries to constrict. Fear can lead to all kinds of health problems. What’s the answer? The writer of this psalm finds safety and refuge in God’s word. When we focus on God and His glory, His holiness, and His righteousness, our spirits will lift and our bodies will remain healthy. Truly, the psalmist has gotten the answer: Incline your heart to perform God’s statues even to the very end.
PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and caring for us. Lord, help us to focus on You rather than those who might attack or oppose us. Thank You, that Your word truly is a lamp and a light. In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.
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