Introduction
Let me briefly model for you a means of profiting from Psalm 119:1-8. You will find this refreshing exercise and perhaps inspire your practice of doing something similar daily. My wife and I have found this practice of morning meditation enjoyable and beneficial over the years.
1 [a] Blessed are those whose way is blameless,
who walk in the law of the Lord!
2 Blessed are those who keep his testimonies,
who seek him with their whole heart,
3 who also do no wrong,
but walk in his ways!
4 You have commanded your precepts
to be kept diligently.
5 Oh that my ways may be steadfast
in keeping your statutes!
6 Then I shall not be put to shame,
having my eyes fixed on all your commandments.
7 I will praise you with an upright heart,
when I learn your righteous rules.[b]
8 I will keep your statutes;
do not utterly forsake me!
Prayer for Illumination
Father, I desire to walk in your ways as I traverse this journey of life. This life is so filled with magnets which appeal to the lust of my flesh, the lust of my eyes and the pride in my life. I need your testimonies to motivate me to seek you with my whole heart. You have shown me the truth that your ways are perfectly matched to the way you have designed me. Therefore, I need your ways to be my default system. Lord, to draw upon your word in another place, in all my ways help me to acknowledge you that you might make my paths straight. Develop the default of my thinking to the pattern of your thinking. Amen!
Conclusion as the beginning
Verse 1—we have here is the Hebrew poetic technique of stating the conclusion as the opening verse. Walking in the way of the Lord leads to a satisfying life (blessed). This conclusion is followed by the five-part process that leads to it. There is a real sense that this first verse is an introduction to the rest of the psalm which plays these five notes in various scores.
Observation:
Verses 2-3–Those who observe God’s testimonies (what he has done in creation and history) are blessed by being motivated to seek Him with their whole heart. They choose God and his way at point of temptation.
Interpretation
Verse 4 – The ancient reader was to acknowledge God’s design of His precepts to be followed diligently for our benefit. And so, we are too following the example.
Verse 5 –The ways of God need to become the habit of life—my default program.
Application
Verses 6-7 –The product of God’s ways becoming my default program will be twofold. First (v 6) I will not be ashamed when I meet with God (read His Word).
Second (7) I will have a thankful spirit, and not just say thanksgiving words, with uprightness of heart as I learn to appreciate the rightness of your judgments (the wisdom of your Word in life).
Conclusion
Verse 8 – It takes determination to keep God’s statues and pray for His faithfulness
I promise I will if you will (my ability to be faithful is dependent upon your faithfulness therefore I determine to be faithful
Implementation:
Here is how to implement the truth of these eight verses in daily living. Choose to do project number 1 or 2 and along with it execute 3.
1. Memorize verse 1and ask yourself at the end of each day for 30 days, “How well have I walked in law of the Lord today?”
2. Post to your morning mirror a 3×5 care verse five and make this your morning prayer for the next 30 days.
3. At the end of this time of meditation today, thank the Lord for his righteous judgments.
