Qualities of a Holy Servant

Psalm 119:121-128

We come to the sixteenth letter of the Hebrew alphabet. There is a theme in this section. Notice how many times the word servant is used.

v. 122 “your servant”

v. 124 “your servant”

v. 125 “Your servant”

What you will see in this section is the psalmist appealing to God based on His servant being attacked. The greater point the Psalmist is making is that in attacking the Lord’s servant his oppressors are breaking God’s Law (126). As I studied this section the qualities of a holy servant of God stood out to me. I’m going to give you three qualities that describe this man as a worthy servant of the Lord.

1. A proper response to trials (121-123).

“I have done what is just and right” He is not saying he is perfect. He is saying in this situation he is innocent. He has done nothing to warrant the behavior of his oppressors.

When trials come the first thing we should do is look at ourselves. Sometimes we will discover we have sinned. Other times we may discover we have acted appropriately. In those times we should be honest with God.

Illust. There has arisen in recent years a false humility. We have been encouraged to repent for things we have not done. An example of this is race relations in our country. I have seen some churches who lead their congregation to publicly repent of slavery, racism, etc.

Let me be clear, if you are a racist you should repent. If you are not a racist you cannot repent for anyone else and you cannot repent of sin you have not committed. It is hypocritical to confess sin you are not guilty of. Sin is a deeply personal issue.

Back to the context of this Psalm. In prayer there is much reminding of ourselves. We often think of reminding God, but He doesn’t forget. God uses our prayer life to show us and remind us of the truth about ourselves. It is a wonderful thing when we can look at a situation and know we have obeyed God.

The difficulty is obvious when this happens. It is difficult to obey when we know we have done everything the Lord wanted us to do yet troubles come anyway.

“do not leave me to my oppressors” (121)

“let not the insolent oppress me” (122)

He recognized who was wrong. His oppressors were wrong. He asks the Lord to keep his oppressors from harming him. This is a proper response in trial. Ask God to deliver you.

“Give your servant a pledge of good” The wording represents a legal transaction. We might consider a bondsman in our day. The bondsman guarantees that the one bonded will pay. The Psalmist is asking the Lord to be responsible for him.

In trial there must be a full leaning upon God.

“My eyes long for your salvation”

“For the fulfillment of your promise”

He has a great desire to see the Lord deliver him. God has made us many promises. They include full salvation and deliverance from every evil thing.

Verse 123 implies some time has passed. The trial has been long. The good news is he does not abandon the promise of God. He continues to look to God.

Trials may be long.

Trials we have reacted to properly may be long. Don’t think that once we learn our lesson the trial is over. We may learn the lesson, react appropriately, and remain in the valley. Our responsibility is to continue to trust God through His Word.

2. A teachable spirit (124-125).

“according to your steadfast love”

It’s interesting that the Psalmist opened with a declaration of his own innocence yet he did not appeal to his own righteousness when petitioning God.

This is not the writings of a self-righteous man. He was a righteous man, but he knew his righteousness was not a bargaining chip with God. The point is, no matter how holy you are never trust in your holiness. Trust in the love of God.

A self-righteous person does not have a teachable spirit. They want to teach but not to learn. They believe they have already arrived.

“teach me your statutes” (124)

“give me understanding” (125)

A teachable spirit is a necessity always. You never outgrow the Bible. There is no greater mark of spiritual immaturity than an unteachable spirit.

I have heard some in church say, “I like preaching, not teaching.” I’m not sure what they mean. I am afraid that mindset reveals an unteachable spirit. I will mention a couple of things about being teachable.

1) It shows humility. “give me understanding” means we need discernment. We cannot understand the Bible without God. Do you pray when you:

Read the Bible

Go to Sunday School

Listen to a sermon

Do you ask the Lord to help you understand His Word? There is much I don’t understand.

I have degrees

I study intensely

I still wrestle with the Word. I need the Lord to show me His truth.

2) Our desire must be for the Word. “that I may know your testimonies”

Some people love church history

Some love to learn about creeds and councils

Some love to dissect doctrines true and false

That’s fine. But the body of truth is the Word of God. That should be what we desire to be taught.

Don’t forget the psalmist is in a trial that seems not to end. When you are hurting you should still be hungering for God’s Word. Too many people allow trials to keep them from the word or even church. We should remain teachable even when life hurts.

“your servant” is mentioned in verses 124 and 125. As God’s servants we need to know the will and mind of the Master.

We serve Him.

We represent Him.

3. A concern for the glory of God (126-128).

“It is time for the Lord to act” Three ways to look at this:

1) The impatience of the Psalmist. Perhaps this is the equivalent of verse 123.

2) The humility of the Psalmist. He knows he cannot handle his oppressors. Only the Lord can deliver him.

3) An anxiousness to see the name of the Lord vindicated.

I think the third option fits the context best.

“for your law has been broken” This appears to be his motive for the Lord to move.

Spurgeon said of this verse:

The Lord can work either by judgments which hurl down the ramparts of the foe; or by revivals which build up the walls of his own Jerusalem.

It is our hope to see a revival. We need the Lord to act in our day. We need to see his glory through:

Salvation

Mature Christians

A radiant church

Are you concerned for the glory of God?

Do you want to see God’s word proclaimed?

Sinners converted?

Christians living in victory?

A church blazing with the glory of God?

“therefore I love your commandments above gold” If we have a desire to see the glory of God we will appreciate the worth of God’s Word.

“fine gold” refers to the highest quality of gold. Gold represents material wealth. The Psalmist loves the Word more than he loves the greatest of material wealth. The love of money is the root of all evil. The Love of the Word of God is a root of godliness. From the love of God’s Word many blessings will spring.

Think of all we know because of the Word of God.

We know how to be forgiven

We know we have an inheritance in heaven.

We know the character and ways of God.

We know the future.

We know those whom we love that love God will be with us forever.

What price could you put on those things?

In contrast to the wicked who break God’s Law (126) believers love God’s Law. That which we love we protect. Our love for the Law of God glorifies God. We put on display because we keep it. It’s implied if you love God’s Word you will seek to keep it.

“therefore I consider all your precepts to be right” He does not pick and choose in the Word of God.

It does not bring God glory when we believe some things He says and reject others. Those who edit the Bible rob God of glory. They are not presenting God as He is. They are presenting God as they would like Him to be.

There are delightful things in the bible that cause everyone to rejoice.

There are difficult things in the Bible that cut against human nature.

If you have difficulty understanding the bible assume the fault lies within yourself and not with God. Some things we must mature to comprehend.

Somethings we will not understand and truly appreciate until we get to heaven.

“I hate every false way” The Psalmist hates lies.

Lies about God.

Lies about people.

Lies meant to flatter.

Lies meant to deceive.

There are many lies but none of them are white. Every lie should be hated.

Our culture has embraced the lie that truth is relative. We are told to appreciate someone else’s truth. We are told not to pass judgment. We are told what is true for us may not be true for others.

To be clear there are opinions. There are things we are not sure of. There are also things that are clearly true and others that are clearly false. When the believer stands on what is made clear on Scripture, he/she glorifies God. We may frustrate man, but we glorify God.

If you are truly a servant of God, it will be your desire to reveal the truth and expose the lies. Jesus Himself said “I am the way, the truth, and the life.”

This doesn’t speak only of salvation. It speaks of truth in general. The Bible is the book of Jesus. Therefore, the Bible is true. Proclaiming the Bible is proclaiming the truth. Proclaiming the truth glorifies God.

Does your life look like the Psalmists?

Do you respond properly when in a trial?

Do you have a teachable spirit?

Do you have a concern for the glory of God?