Psalm 119: The Source of True Joy

INTRODUCTION

Psalm 119:111 “Your testimonies are my heritage forever, for they are the joy of my heart.”

If you were to evaluate your life right now, what would you say is the “joy of your heart?”

The joy of relationships, the joy of children, the joy of career/production, the joy of entertainment and leisure.

I want to ask you to consider the Psalmist’s words. As God’s people, what does it mean for God’s testimonies to be the “joy of our hearts?”

“It is love that leads us to set a value on things, and so it is necessary, if we are to obey the divine law with due reverence, that we begin by taking delight in it.”

- John Calvin, Commentary on the Psalms

I want to share with you two reasons that God’s word should be the joy/delight of our hearts and then one point of practical application for pursuing delight in God’s word.

REASON 1:

GOD’S WORD REVEALS THE GOD WHO IS DELIGHTFUL

Delightful defined: “Giving great pleasure, highly pleasing.”

Psalm 16:11 “You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.”

Those who recognize the treasure of belonging to God find joy in who he is and what he has done to save us.

Psalm 119:174–176 “I long for your salvation, O Lord, and your law is my delight. Let my soul live and praise you, and let your rules help me. I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek your servant, for I do not forget your commandments.”

Psalm 119:77 “Let your mercy come to me, that I may live; for your law is my delight.”

Consider in the gospel the character of God and his invitation to pure and undefiled joy.

Christ is the very essence of all delights and pleasures, the very soul and substance of them. As all the rivers are gathered into the ocean, which is the meeting-place of all the waters in the world, so Christ is that ocean in which all true delights and pleasures meet.

John Flavel (Presbyterian Minister)

Reflection: How does my delight in God’s word reflect my understanding of his character?

REASON 2:

GOD’S WORD SIFTS TEMPORARY PAIN THROUGH THE FILTER OF ETERNAL JOY

Looking for “Treasure” at the Beach

God’s Word Never Ignores the Existence of Human Suffering

Psalm 119:143 “Trouble and anguish have found me out, but your commandments are my delight.”

God’s Word Gives An Eternal Perspective of God’s Control & Human Suffering

Psalm 119:89–93 “Forever, O Lord, your word is firmly fixed in the heavens. Your faithfulness endures to all generations; you have established the earth, and it stands fast. By your appointment they stand this day, for all things are your servants. If your law had not been my delight, I would have perished in my affliction. I will never forget your precepts, for by them you have given me life.”

God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our consciences, but shouts in our pains; it is his megaphone to rouse a deaf world.

C. S. Lewis

Hebrews 12:2 “looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.”

Reflection: Do I have a delight that is stronger than death itself?

APPLICATION: HELP FOR PURSUING DEEPER DELIGHT IN GOD’S WORD

Guard your heart from what would steal your joy.

Psalm 119:9 “How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word.”

2. Consider your percentage of “heart” energy.

Psalm 119:10 “With my whole heart I seek you; let me not wander from your commandments!”

3. Remember the object of our pursuit. (Knowing God, not knowing facts.)

Psalm 119:10–12 “With my whole heart I seek you; let me not wander from your commandments! I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you. Blessed are you, O Lord; teach me your statutes!”

4. Chew on God’s word.

Psalm 119:15 “I will meditate on your precepts and fix my eyes on your ways.”

Psalm 34:8 “Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!”

Remember, it is not hasty reading, but serious meditating upon holy and heavenly truths, that makes them prove sweet and profitable to the soul. It is not the bee’s touching of the flower that gathers honey, but her abiding for a time upon the flower that draws out the sweet. It is not he that reads most, but he that meditates most, that will prove the choicest, sweetest, wisest, and strongest Christian.

Thomas Brooks

5. Prioritize memorization.

Psalm 119:11 “I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.”

Psalm 119:16 “I will delight in your statutes; I will not forget your word.”

Reflection: How can I prioritize delighting in God through growing in his word?

PASTORAL PRAYER:

God, you are the source of all pleasure and delight. Please forgive us for not finding all our joy in you. Help us to guard our hearts from distractions that are the enemies means to convince us we can have joy without you. Fix our eyes on your word so that we see who you really are and how amazing your salvation truly is. God, you are the source of all true life and all true delight. Guide us now into committing to know you more through really pondering your word to us. We love you. We thank you. Be glorified in us today. Amen.