Writing with a Reason

Vs. 14 —  I have rejoiced in the way of Your testimonies, as much as in all riches.

Delight in the word of God is a sure proof that it has taken effect upon the heart, and so is cleansing the life. (Spurgeon, C. H. (2009). The treasury of David: Psalms 111-119 (Vol. 5, p. 160). Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software.)

Yes, O’ Lord, I have rejoiced in the way of Your testimonies, as much as in all riches. Father God, I prefer to hear and rejoice in the way of Your testimonies and Your acts than any of man’s accomplishments. When I hear of the great things that You have done and are doing in the hearts and lives of men, I rejoice as men do when finding great earthly treasures. Your testimonies are rich and eternal, far more valuable than the gold and silver of this land and this life. Blessed be the God who does great and mighty things among the sons of men. Our hearts are Yours to fill with eternal riches.

Vs. 13 — With my lips I have declared all the judgments of Your mouth.

Comments from Thomas Manton:

For the coherence of these words, you may refer them either to the 11th or 12th verse. If to the 11th verse, there he speaks of hiding the word in his heart, and now it breaks out in his tongue. First it must be in the heart, and next in the tongue.  (Manton, T. (1872). The Complete Works of Thomas Manton (Vol. 6, pp. 118–119). London: James Nisbet & Co.)

Comments from Charles H. Spurgeon:

Lips which have been used in proclaiming God’s statutes are sure to be acceptable when pleading God’s promises. If we have had such regard to that which cometh out of God’s mouth that we have published it far and wide, we may rest quite assured that God will have respect unto the prayers which come out of our mouths. (Spurgeon, C. H. (2009). The treasury of David: Psalms 111-119 (Vol. 5, p. 160). Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software.)

Prayer:

O’ God, with my lips I have declared all the judgments of Your mouth. And God, continue to fill my heart with Your righteous judgments so that my lips cannot resist from sharing and teaching them. Grant me courage and boldness that I be not ashamed of Your judgments, that is, Your truth and righteousness. Let the truth from heaven go out to the four corners of the earth that Jesus Christ may be gloried and praised.

Vs. 12 — Blessed are You, O Lord! Teach me Your statutes.

Comments from Thomas Manton:

… ‘Blessed art thou, O Lord;’ that is, Thou art the object of my blessedness; my blessedness lieth in the enjoyment of thee; therefore teach me thy statutes. If God be our chiefest good and our utmost end, it concerns us nearly to learn out the way how we may enjoy him: John 17:3, ‘This is life eternal, to know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom thou hast sent.’ It concerns believers to study that wherein their eternal happiness consisteth, and what is the way to get it: ‘Thou art blessed, and therefore teach me thy statutes.’ (Manton, T. (1872). The Complete Works of Thomas Manton (Vol. 6, p. 108). London: James Nisbet & Co.)

Prayer:

Father God, Blessed by Thy Name! You are my God and Lord, and there is no other God besides Thee. Your statutes are perfect. Man’s ways fall short and are corrupted by imperfect hearts; they are at best limited by the finiteness of mortality and therefore short of all knowledge, righteousness, and truth. I need Your statutes to lead me in this life and to lead me to the life to come. Teach me Your statutes. I do not ask this for myself alone, but also for my family, for my church, and for all the saints. Teach us Your statutes, O’ Lord.

Vs. 11 — Your word I have hidden in my heart, That I might not sin against You.

Charles H. Spurgeon:

“That I might not sin against thee.” Here was the object aimed at. As one has well said,—Here is the best thing,—“thy word;” hidden in the best place,—“in my heart;” for the best of purposes,—“that I might not sin against thee.” This was done by the Psalmist with personal care, as a man carefully hides away his money when he fears thieves,—in this case the thief dreaded was sin. Sinning “against God” is the believer’s view of moral evil; other men care only when they offend against men. God’s word is the best preventive against offending God, for it tells us his mind and will, and tends to bring our spirit into conformity with the divine Spirit. No cure for sin in the life is equal to the word in the seat of life, which is the heart. There is no hiding from sin unless we hide the truth in our souls. (Spurgeon, C. H. (2009). The treasury of David: Psalms 111-119 (Vol. 5, p. 159). Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software.)

Prayer:

Father, Your word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against You. Ever since Thy Spirit poured the Gospel into my heart I have turned from enjoying sin to hating it. You melted my callous and rebellious heart to love righteousness and obedience to Christ. Thank You, Father, please continue to work within my heart to understand Your word, so that I may grow in love for the truth and in disdain towards all that displeases and opposes You.

Praying through Psalm 119, verse-by-verse, day-by-day.

Why or How is this helpful?

• Each verse is helpful in kick-starting your time of prayer.
• Each verse can help collect and focus your thoughts towards God and onto what is important. Often it is difficult to find what to pray and yet you want to commune with the Father. This is from His Word. He has given us words to pray. He has given us what to pray for ourselves but also for your loved ones, and to pray for the Church.
• Each verse also adds insight into the Christian life. Our struggles, our hopes, our needs, and where our hearts should be established are written for us to believe, accept, and pray.
• Each verse teaches us what is important to God and therefore what should be important to us, as His children.
• Each verse holds wisdom and understanding for those of us who haven’t figured it all out yet.
• Each verse humbles us before our God and Savior, while reminding us that we are who we are only by His grace.

Today:

Vs. 10 With my whole heart I have sought You; Oh, let me not wander from Your commandments!

Comments from Charles H. Spurgeon on the verse:

The man of God exerts himself, but does not trust himself: his heart is in his walking with God; but he knows that even his whole strength is not enough to keep him right unless his King shall be his keeper, and he who made the commands shall make him constant in obeying them: hence the prayer, “O let me not wander.” Still, this sense of need, was never turned into an argument for idleness; for while he prayed to be kept in the right road he took care to run in it, with his whole heart seeking the Lord. (Spurgeon, C. H. (2009). The treasury of David: Psalms 111-119 (Vol. 5, p. 158). Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software.)

Prayer:

Father, I cannot say that I have sought you with my whole heart. You and I know that I cannot. But though I have wandered from Your commandments, You have kept me sealed and preserved. For You have promised that nothing can separate me from Your love. Nothing. I ask that You continue to give me a desire to seek You and Your kingdom. I do not want to become dull in heart towards You. It is the Spirit that gives me affections for You. Keep pouring a love for Thee in and over me so that my heart will always turn to You.