Monthly Archives February 2015

Vs. 44 — So shall I keep Your law continually, Forever and ever.

Charles H. Spurgeon:

Nothing more effectually binds a man to the way of the Lord than an experience of the truth of his word, embodied in the form of mercies and deliverances. Not only does the Lord’s faithfulness open our mouths against his adversaries, but it also knits our hearts to his fear, and makes our union with him more and more intense. Great mercies lead us to feel an inexpressible gratitude which, failing to utter itself in time, promises to engross eternity with praises. To a heart on flame with thankfulness, the “always, unto eternity and perpetuity” of the text will not seem to be redundant; yea, the hyperbole of Addison in his famous verse will only appear to be solid sense:—
“Through all eternity to thee
A joyful song I’ll raise;
But oh! eternity’s too short
To utter all thy praise.”

Prayer:

You, O’ God, have revealed to me the beauty of Your ordinances, law, testimonies, and statutes. They are perfect, and therefore I see in them Your perfections. In them I will hope. I have learned by the Spirit of Truth the righteousness of Your word, and so shall I keep Your law continually, Forever and ever.

Vs. 43 — And take not the word of truth utterly out of my mouth, For I have hoped in Your ordinances.

John Calvin:

Whence we may learn, that the faculty of speaking freely is no more in our power than are the affections of the heart.

Prayer:

God of salvation, my God, take not the word of truth utterly out of my mouth, for I have hoped in Your ordinances. The word of truth, which You have poured in and established in my heart, let it ever flow, yes with boldness and confidence from my lips. Let the hope that I have in Your ways fuel the zeal to speak of Your goodness and greatness. By the strength and power of Your Spirit, and not my own, may the Gospel of Jesus Christ be spoken through me and all the saints. And, I ask, that by the hearing of the Gospel, that many would come to repentance and saving faith.

Vs. 42 — So shall I have an answer for him who reproaches me, For I trust in Your word.

Prayer:

“So shall I have an answer for him who reproaches me, for I trust in Your word. Father, grant me wisdom to answer the reproaches against me. I know that Your word is truth. Let the light of truth open the eyes of those who speak against You. I know that it is not me they kick against, but the Lord Jesus Christ. As You broke Saul’s heart and opened his eyes on the road of Damascus, so open the eyes of those who speak against You today. I do not want to win arguments with someone who cannot see what I see, how futile of an exercise on my part. But give me compassion to hear the heart of the slanderer, to hear beyond their accusations and insults, and hear the fears or pains or hopeless they are suppressing. Give me the words of life to answer what is behind their fiery arrows. Give me humility so that their pride is deflated. Give me words of mercy and truth to speak Christ. Let the slanderer and accuser taste of Christ’s graciousness and see the goodness and necessity of the Gospel. Then grant him the gift of repentance and saving faith.

Vs. 41 — Let Your mercies come also to me, O Lord— Your salvation according to Your word.

Prayer:

Let Your mercies come also to me, O Lord— Your salvation according to Your word. I bathe in the Niagara of Your mercies. Although my mind may stray and at times I act independently strong, I am sorely not. My every breath and every inclination of my heart must be under Thy mercy. As You have revealed in Your word, let me so live that I might honor Your name today, tomorrow, and with each day of life that Your mercy gives me. I repent of a pretentious heart. It is by Christ’s righteousness alone that I am Yours, nothing else.  He has opened the flood gates of divine mercy upon me. I will be bold and stand strong in Him. I find my full acceptance and confidence in this life and for the life to come because of Christ Jesus. He makes me complete, whole, and in Your love. And He is sufficient, yes, more than sufficient. Blessed be the name of my Lord–Jesus Christ. Amen

Vs. 40 — Behold, I long for Your precepts; revive me in Your righteousness.

Charles H. Spurgeon:

He who really longs after divine truth, mourns that he does not long more. When the heart has no love, the mind has no light, and can only judge the precepts erroneously. “The pure in heart” see better with the mind than can the impure. “Unto the upright there ariseth light in the darkness.” Love so enlarges discernment that he who really loves often finds that his judgment of the blessedness of truth has outstripped even his longing for it. Hence it is the quick who cry, “Quicken me;” it is those who have living desires who pray for yet more life in the way of righteousness. (Spurgeon, C. H. (2009). The treasury of David: Psalms 111-119 (Vol. 5, p. 214). Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software.)

Prayer:

Father, behold, I long for Your precepts; revive me in Your righteousness. You, O’ Father, draw me to know You. Thy Spirit stirs my heart to ask, seek, and knock for a closer, more intimate walk with You. Thank You for doing this work of grace in me. Thank You for this desire, it is purely divine.  I am too selfish, among other things, to create such a longing for the holy. Continue, I plead, to revive and stir this child to walk in Your ways and to delight in Your presence. Amen.