Wonderful Words of Life
May years ago I went hiking with my friends in the dry wilderness of NE New Mexico. One particularly hot day I ran out of water while still having a couple of hours of hiking to go. I remember the overwhelming desire for nothing else but water. It drove me on, in singular focus to our next stop to quench my thirst. The psalmist in this stanza has the same thirst, only he is singularly focused on the Scriptures.
He begins with a declaration that the commandments of God are wonderful; and because of their surpassing value he obeys them. The opening of the Scriptures give light (truth) to believers and insight to the ignorant, to guide them in a dark world (129-130). Because of this the psalmist longs for the word of God (131). Brethren, do you long for God’s wonderful word?
His longings for the word of God led to his prayer to God asking for Him to ground him solidly in the Scriptures (132-135). He prays for God’s grace to help him to understand and obey His commandments (132-133). It is only through God’s help that he can refrain sin’s domination (133). It is only though God’s grace that he can be faithful in the midst of man’s opposition (134). It is God that gives insight and wisdom into His nature and His will through His word (135). Brethren, James says if you lack wisdom to pray to God for it, so that you can better understand your circumstances in light of God’s word.
The psalmist ends this stanza with grief, not over his own plight and suffering; but rather the dishonour given to God by those who refuse to obey His commandments (136). Brethren, does it sadden you when God is dishonoured?