Monthly Archives May 2015

Vs. 131 — I opened my mouth and panted, For I longed for Your commandments.

Henry Melvill:

There are two ways in which these words may be understood. They may be considered as expressing the very earnest longing of the Psalmist for greater acquaintance with God in spiritual things; and then, in saying, “I opened my mouth, and panted,” he merely asserts the vehemence of his desire. Or you may separate the clauses: you may regard the first as the utterance of a man utterly dissatisfied with the earth and earthly things, and the second as the expression of a consciousness that God, and God only, could meet the longings of his soul. “I opened my mouth, and panted.” Out of breath, with chasing shadows, and hunting after baubles, I sit down exhausted, as far off as ever from the happiness which has been earnestly but fruitlessly sought. Whither, then, shall I turn? Thy commandments, O Lord, and these alone, can satisfy the desires of an immortal being like myself; and on these, therefore, henceforward shall my longings be turned. (Spurgeon, C. H. (2009). The treasury of David: Psalms 111-119 (Vol. 5, p. 385). Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software.)

Prayer:

I am drawn to You, Father, by Your Spirit, as a trophy of the redemptive work of the Son, to Your glory. Do not let this hunger for You, to commune with You and want of intimacy with You, depart or even wane in the slightest. Rather, stir the hunger within this desperate soul to pant for more, even more. In You there is peace, joy, love, and fulfillment. May my days evolve around our time in communion. Help me to guard this time that I have separated out to be alone with Thee. I long for our time of solitude, and for the entrance of Your word into my soul. You have given me a taste of heaven and I want the taste to stay fresh upon my soul.

Vs. 130 — The entrance of Your words gives light; It gives understanding to the simple.

Charles H. Spurgeon:

No sooner do they gain admission into the soul than they enlighten it: what light may be expected from their prolonged indwelling! Their very entrance floods the mind with instruction, for they are so full, so clear; but, on the other hand, there must be such an “entrance,” or there will be no illumination. The mere hearing of the word with the external ear is of small value by itself, but when the words of God enter into the chambers of the heart then light is scattered on all sides. The word finds no entrance into some minds because they are blocked up with self-conceit, or prejudice, or indifference; but where due attention is given, divine illumination must surely follow upon knowledge of the mind of God. Oh, that thy words, like the beams of the sun, may enter through the window of my understanding, and dispel the darkness of my mind! (Spurgeon, C. H. (2009). The treasury of David: Psalms 111-119 (Vol. 5, p. 378). Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software.)

James Hamilton (1814–1867):

A profane shopman crams into his pocket a leaf of a Bible, and reads the last words of Daniel: “Go thou thy way, till the end be, for thou shalt rest and stand in thy lot at the end of the days,” and begins to think what his own lot will be when days are ended. A Göttingen Professor opens a big printed Bible to see if he has eyesight enough to read it, and alights on the passage, “I will bring the blind by a way that they knew not,” and in reading it the eyes of his understanding are enlightened. Cromwell’s soldier opens his Bible to see how far the musket-ball has pierced, and finds it stopped at the verse: “Rejoice, O young man, in thy youth, and let thy heart cheer thee in the days of thy youth; and walk in the ways of thine heart and the sight of thine eyes; but know thou that for all these things God will bring thee into judgment.” And in a frolic the Kentish soldier opens the Bible which his broken-hearted mother had sent him, and the first sentence that turns up is the text so familiar in boyish days: “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden,” and the weary profligate repairs for rest to Jesus Christ.

Prayer:

The entrance of Your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple. Grant us, all the saints in Christ, an understanding in and of every word that proceeds from Your mouth. And as Your word unfolds within, may it then be transforming light; illuminating light; piercing light; exposing light; and liberating light in the Son.

Vs. 129 — Your testimonies are wonderful; Therefore my soul keeps them.

Prayer:

Your testimonies are wonderful; Therefore my soul keeps them. O’ God, Your word contains marvelous mysteries that are too high for the proud heart to accept or contemplate. Teach me to be humble before Your word, which comes from the throne of heaven, that I may reverently grasp and surrender to such truth . Grant me, I pray, understanding in the marvelous mysteries of the cross and resurrection of the Savior. Not a mere knowledge of, but an illumination of the depth, height, width, and length of the effectual offering of Jesus Christ for my sins and penalty. And in learning, let them never depart from the depths of my soul. By the power of Your Spirit cause the entrance of such wonderful truth to transform this servant to walk even as Christ Himself walked–to please You.

Vs. 128 — Therefore all Your precepts concerning all things I consider to be right; I hate every false way.

Prayer:

All Your precepts concerning all things I consider to be right; I hate every false way. Every side path leads to a lie. Every promise that does not keep me on this path–Your path, is a lie. Every sense of security that distracts me from Your way, which is straight ahead of me, is a false security. Help me to keep my eyes on Your precepts, promises, commandments, testimonies, statutes, and Your face, lest I stray.  I will trust that You will keep me in the way of righteousness … for Your name’s sake.

Vs. 127 — Therefore I love Your commandments More than gold, yes, than fine gold!

Charles H. Spurgeon:

It is the mark of a true believer that he does not depend upon others for his religion, but drinks water out of his own well, which springs up even when the cisterns of earth are all dried. Our holy poet amid a general depreciation of the law felt his own esteem of it rising so high that gold and silver sank in comparison. Wealth brings with it so many conveniences that men naturally esteem it, and gold as the symbol of it is much set by; and yet, in the judgment of the wise, God’s laws are more enriching, and bring with them more comfort than all the choicest treasures.

The Psalmist could not boast that he always kept the commands; but he could declare that he loved them; he was perfect in heart, and would fain have been perfect in life. He judged God’s holy commands to be better than the best earthly thing, yea, better than the best sort of the best earthly thing; and this esteem was confirmed and forced into expression by those very oppositions of the world which drive hypocrites to forsake the Lord and his ways. (Spurgeon, C. H. (2009). The treasury of David: Psalms 111-119 (Vol. 5, p. 370). Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software.

Prayer:

I love Your commandments more than gold, yes, than fine gold! Thank You for giving me such a thirst for Your commands, Your word. May You keep my heart from being swayed and carried away by the luster of this world’s treasures. Do not let me be enticed by the riches or glitter that this world boasts of. Help me to be wise in my stewardship of this world’s goods. Do not let me grow confidence in this world’s treasures or economy. They will let me down, but You are faithful. You are my provider! You are my God!