Psalm 119:129-136

Delight in His Word

A. Because His word is “wonderful,” we should find ourselves drawn to obey it from the depths of our soul. (129)

B. Understanding how wonderful the word is produces an understanding of dependence like a baby bird waiting on it’s mother to nurture it (131).

Development from His Word

It Gives Understanding (130)

Psalm 119:130 NKJV

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

Goldingay points out that the word “entrance” or “revelation” describes a mystery needing explanation. So, the explanation of God’s word is what brings understanding to our lives, not just the presence of words on a page by itself.

This is seen with Christ in Luke 24:32

Luke 24:32 NKJV

32 And they said to one another, “Did not our heart burn within us while He talked with us on the road, and while He opened the Scriptures to us?”

As well as Philip in Acts 8:26-31

Acts 8:26–31 NKJV

26 Now an angel of the Lord spoke to Philip, saying, “Arise and go toward the south along the road which goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.” This is desert. 27 So he arose and went. And behold, a man of Ethiopia, a eunuch of great authority under Candace the queen of the Ethiopians, who had charge of all her treasury, and had come to Jerusalem to worship, 28 was returning. And sitting in his chariot, he was reading Isaiah the prophet. 29 Then the Spirit said to Philip, “Go near and overtake this chariot.” 30 So Philip ran to him, and heard him reading the prophet Isaiah, and said, “Do you understand what you are reading?” 31 And he said, “How can I, unless someone guides me?” And he asked Philip to come up and sit with him.

It Gives Under-girding Support (132-134)

Psalm 119:132–134 NKJV

132 Look upon me and be merciful to me, As Your custom is toward those who love Your name. 133 Direct my steps by Your word, And let no iniquity have dominion over me. 134 Redeem me from the oppression of man, That I may keep Your precepts.

The Psalmist is apparently facing pressure from his enemies and is desiring God’s deliverance that he might live a life ordered by God’s word, not formed by the pressures of his enemies. In this time, he is assured that God cares for those who love Him.

In verse 133 he prays for deliverance from sins destabilizing presence in his life as he faces his enemies. The Psalmist understands how destructive sin is and is reassured that there is deliverance in God’s word.

So, God’s word is to dictate our life in the midst of hardship and is to direct us so we aren’t consumed by sin.

Desire for His Word

A Desire for God’s presence and instruction. (135)

In the midst of the pressures facing the psalmist, he asks to know God’s presence and His word.

A Desire for God’s Word to be obeyed (136)

He doesn’t wish to repay evil for evil but simply longs to see God’s word known and loved. Here the psalmist weeps like Jeremiah for those who reject God.

This is the behavior of a man who knows God and His word. This is often the case with those who walk closely with the Lord. They are marked with grief for their sins while also displaying godliness before those around them.

Lessons:

If we believe this is God’s word, we should devote time to learning it.

If we believe this is God’s word, we should desire to obey it.

If we believe this is God’s word, we should rely on it.

If we believe this is God’s word, we should desire to see it loved by others.