Pilgrims with a Map - Oct. 19th, 2025

Passage: Psalm 119:17–24 (KJV)

Psalm 119:18 KJV

18 Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law.

Psalm 119:24 KJV

24 Thy testimonies also are my delight and my counsellors.

Central Idea of the Text (CIT): The psalmist sought God’s grace and insight from His Word as he endured reproach from proud adversaries.

Sermonic Proposition: Believers must rely on God’s grace and Word as pilgrims in a world that needs the Gospel.

Statement of Purpose: General Purpose; Consecrative. Specific Goal: I want my hearers to wholeheartedly commit themselves to live by God’s bountiful grace and the guidance of Scripture as “pilgrims” in this world, standing for Christ and sharing the Gospel even amid opposition.

Introduction:

“Have you ever felt like you just don’t belong somewhere?” Perhaps you’ve moved to a new city or started a new job and everyone around you spoke a different “language,” not just in words, but in values and beliefs. One old Gospel song says, “This world is not my home, I’m just a-passing through.” As God’s people, we often sense that we don’t quite fit in. We’re strangers in this world; the Bible calls us “pilgrims” or “sojourners.” And like any traveler in foreign territory, we desperately need a guide to lead us.

Tonight, we turn to Psalm 119:17–24. In this stanza of Psalm 119 (labeled Gimel in the Hebrew alphabet), the psalmist speaks as a servant of God and a stranger on the earth. He’s under pressure, he faces contempt from “the proud” and even plots from princes, yet he clings to God’s Word with all his heart. This passage shows us how to live faithfully as God’s pilgrim people. It teaches us to depend on the Lord’s grace and to delight in His Word no matter what. The big idea is this: Believers must rely on God’s grace and Word as pilgrims in a world that needs the Gospel.

As we walk through these eight verses, we will see four key truths to guide our journey:

I. God’s Servants Rely on His Grace for Life and Obedience (vv. 17–18)

II. God’s Pilgrims Long for His Word as Their Essential Guide (vv. 19–20)

III. God Rebukes the Proud but Vindicates Those Who Keep His Word (vv. 21–22)

IV. God’s Word Delights and Guides Believers Amid Opposition (vv. 23–24)

Let’s explore each of these and learn how to walk as faithful “strangers and pilgrims” with the Word lighting our way.

I. God’s Servants Rely on His Grace for Life and Obedience (vv. 17–18)

Psalm 119:17–18 KJV

17 GIMEL. Deal bountifully with thy servant, that I may live, and keep thy word. 18 Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law.

In these opening verses, the psalmist prays with humility and urgency. He addresses himself as “thy servant” and cries out to God, “Deal bountifully with thy servant” (v.17). To “deal bountifully” means to treat generously or bestow grace. In essence, he’s saying, “Lord, be gracious to me, your servant. I don’t deserve it, but I’m asking for Your abundant help.” Notice his motive: “that I may live, and keep thy word.” He’s not just asking for blessings so he can be comfortable, he wants life and strength in order to obey God.

Explanation: “That I may live, and keep thy word.” Life and obedience are linked here. The psalmist isn’t interested in living for life’s sake alone, he wants to live a life that keeps God’s Word. There’s a lesson for us: what good is a long life if it’s wasted or lived in sin? As Spurgeon noted, “Life is only worth keeping while we can keep God’s Word”. The life the psalmist seeks is not merely breathing, but a revived, empowered life that can walk in God’s ways.

In verse 18, the prayer continues: “Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law.” After asking for life, he asks for illumination. “Open my eyes” implies that without God’s intervention, we are spiritually blind or at least nearsighted. Even as believers who love Scripture, we all have blind spots and dullness. The Hebrew word for “open” literally means “uncover or reveal,” like lifting a veil. The psalmist knows that God’s Word is full of wonders, but he will miss those wonders unless God enlightens him.

Illustration: Many of us use GPS navigation when traveling. The map might be on your phone, but if your screen’s brightness is turned all the way down or you haven’t updated the app, you won’t see the directions clearly. In a sense, prayer “turns up the brightness” and updates our spiritual GPS so we can navigate life by God’s Word.

Application: Do you pray like this when you approach God’s Word? Do we realize how desperate we are for God’s help to live and to learn? The psalmist’s first instinct amid his trials was prayer, he asked God for life and light. That should be our first move too, not self-reliance, but God-reliance. Before you read the Bible each morning, simply pray, “Lord, open my eyes to behold wondrous things out of Your Word.” If you do that sincerely, you will find Bible reading so much richer.

Transition to next point: With his heart posture of humble dependence established, the psalmist moves on to describe his situation as a stranger on earth. He’s acknowledged his need for internal grace and illumination; now he speaks of the external reality of living in a world that is not his home. In verses 19–20, we’ll see how God’s pilgrim longs for the comfort and direction of God’s commandments in a foreign, and sometimes hostile, land.

II. God’s Pilgrims Long for His Word as Their Essential Guide (vv. 19–20)

Psalm 119:19–20 KJV

19 I am a stranger in the earth: hide not thy commandments from me. 20 My soul breaketh for the longing that it hath unto thy judgments at all times.

Here the psalmist openly identifies himself: “I am a stranger in the earth.” In other words, “I don’t belong here.” He sees himself as a sojourner, a temporary resident, someone whose citizenship lies elsewhere. This is a powerful self-description. Think about it: This is an Israelite (possibly David or another godly person) living among his own people, yet he still feels like a stranger in the earth. Why? Because the world system around him is at odds with God’s ways. He’s surrounded by people (perhaps even his compatriots or leaders) who disregard God. So he feels alienated, not from God, but from the world’s value. Abraham said, “I am a stranger and a sojourner” (Gen. 23:4). David prayed to God, “We are strangers before thee, and sojourners, as were all our fathers” (1 Chron. 29:15). The apostle Peter calls us “strangers and pilgrims” in this world (1 Pet. 2:11). The psalmist is in that same spiritual lineage, he embraces the identity of a pilgrim.

Because he’s a stranger on earth, he makes a plea: “hide not thy commandments from me.” That might sound odd at first, why would God hide His commandments? The psalmist isn’t accusing God of hiding the truth; rather, this is a way of saying, “Lord, don’t hold back your word from me, I need it openly and continually. Don’t let me ever lose sight of Your commands.” Remember, in the previous verse he asked God to open his eyes. Now he’s asking God to also keep the Word visible, “don’t hide your commandments.” It’s two sides of the same coin. If God’s commands were “hidden” from him, if he didn’t have access to Scripture or if God stopped guiding him, he’d be utterly lost. He’d be like a traveler in a strange country without a map or GPS. So this is a fervent cry: “God, I’m a stranger here. I don’t know the way on my own. Please keep Your Word ever before me, don’t let me wander in the dark.”

He then amplifies his desire for the Word in verse 20: “My soul breaketh for the longing that it hath unto thy judgments at all times.” This is intense language. “Breaketh” (or “is crushed”) indicates an overwhelming, consuming desire. It’s like he’s saying, “I am crushed with longing” for Your judgments (God’s rulings or decrees). This isn’t a casual, once-a-week interest. It’s a round-the-clock craving (“at all times”). The phrase suggests that when he’s not actively in the Word, he misses it so deeply that it hurts. The psalmist has that kind of longing, but for the Scriptures! What a challenge to us. He’s not exaggerating; the Holy Spirit inspired these words to show us what yearning for truth can look like. He views God’s “judgments” (His revealed decisions of right and wrong) as the only answers he wants. The world around offers plenty of opinions, but the psalmist’s soul is famished for God’s verdict on every matter.

Illustration: Adoniram Judson, one of the first American missionaries to Burma, suffered terribly for the Gospel. He was imprisoned, mistreated, felt very much a stranger in a strange land. What sustained him? According to his letters, it was the promises of Scripture that kept him from despair in that prison. He had portions of the Bible memorized and tucked into his heart, truly his soul was crushed with longing for God’s Word, and in having the Word it kept him from being crushed by trials.

Transition to next point: We’ve seen the psalmist’s deep personal devotion and longing for God’s Word. But being a pilgrim on God’s path doesn’t mean the journey is smooth. There are enemies on the road. In the next verses (21–22), the tone shifts to the conflict this stranger faces. How does God deal with the proud who harass His servant? What hope does the psalmist have when he’s slandered for obeying God? We’ll see that God Himself steps in to rebuke the proud, and the psalmist prays for God’s vindication.

III. God Rebukes the Proud but Vindicates Those Who Keep His Word (vv. 21–22)

Psalm 119:21–22 KJV

21 Thou hast rebuked the proud that are cursed, which do err from thy commandments. 22 Remove from me reproach and contempt; for I have kept thy testimonies.

In verse 21, the psalmist makes a stark observation about God’s justice: “Thou hast rebuked the proud that are cursed, which do err from thy commandments.” Here we meet “the proud,” those people who arrogantly reject God’s Word and go their own way. Earlier the psalmist called himself God’s servant; these proud ones refuse to be servants to anyone, they won’t submit to God’s commands. And what is the result? They “err from thy commandments,” they wander off the path, and they come under a curse. The psalmist states it as a fact: God has rebuked them. It’s as if he sees their judgment as already pronounced. This likely reflects the covenant understanding: those who stray from God’s law incur the curses of disobedience (see Deuteronomy 28:15ff). And Scripture consistently warns that God opposes the proud (Prov. 16:5, James 4:6). Here, God’s opposition is described as a rebuke and a curse on them. In other words, they may seem high and mighty for now, but God has set His face against them. Their pride guarantees their downfall.

This statement is likely meant to comfort the psalmist in the midst of persecution. He’s reminding himself (and us) that no matter how powerful or influential the wicked proud may be, God’s judgment is greater. “Thou hast rebuked the proud,” it might not have fully happened yet in time, but it’s as good as done in God’s decree. It’s a way of saying, “God, I know whose side You’re on. You have cursed those who proudly break Your law.” It echoes verses like Psalm 18:27, “Thou wilt save the afflicted people; but wilt bring down high looks.” Or Mary’s Magnificat in Luke 1: “He hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts” (Luke 1:51). The proud here could be the very ones causing the psalmist trouble (we’ll hear of princes speaking against him in the next verse). So this is a theological anchor: the fate of the proud is sealed, God rebukes them. As Spurgeon put it, “Proud men are cursed men… pride brings its own doom by making men miserable.” Pride goes before destruction (Prov. 16:18).

Notice too the contrast: the proud err from God’s commandments, whereas in the next verse the psalmist says, “I have kept Thy testimonies.” So verse 21 and 22 set up two camps: the proud law-breakers under God’s rebuke, and the faithful law-keepers looking for God’s reward. The psalmist identifies with the latter, humbly saying, “Lord, I have kept Your testimonies.” He’s not claiming sinless perfection, but a sincere life of obedience. On that basis, in verse 22 he prays, “Remove from me reproach and contempt.” Here’s the situation: because he has kept God’s testimonies, he’s become a target for reproach and contempt. Proud people don’t like humble obedience, because it’s a rebuke to their rebellion. Perhaps these proud folks have been mocking or slandering the psalmist, holding him in contempt, speaking ill of him (we’ll see more of that in verse 23). The psalmist feels the weight of it, remember he’s tender-hearted toward God, and likely these insults sting. He doesn’t have a thick callous; it truly bothers him to be despised unjustly (and that’s normal, none of us enjoy being reproached).

So what does he do with that pain? He takes it to God in prayer. “Lord, remove it from me.” The word “remove” literally means “roll away”. It’s like he’s carrying a heavy burden of slander on his back and he’s asking God to roll it off his shoulders. This is such a practical, wise response! Instead of lashing out at his accusers or crumpling under discouragement, he asks God to deal with the reproach. He also hints at why God should do this: “for I have kept thy testimonies.” Now, this isn’t self-righteous bargaining; it’s more like an appeal to God’s justice and promises. He’s saying, “Lord, I’m on your side, I’ve been faithful to Your Word. You promise to bless those who obey You; You see that I’m under attack precisely because I’m keeping Your Word. So Lord, come to my defense. Vindicate Your servant as You’ve promised to do for the righteous.” It’s akin to what Psalm 37 teaches: “Commit thy way unto the Lord… and he shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light” (Ps. 37:5–6). The psalmist is committing the injustice to God’s hands. There’s a gentle confidence here: he knows God will defend the honor of those who honor Him. And indeed, one day (if not sooner, then on Judgment Day) God will clear the names of His servants.

Application: Are you facing any “reproach or contempt” because of your faith? Perhaps family members ridicule you for being “too religious.” Or co-workers roll their eyes because you won’t join in unethical practices or crude talk. Maybe you’ve lost friends because you wouldn’t compromise biblical convictions. That hurts. Let’s be honest, it is painful to be misunderstood or mocked. The psalmist doesn’t pretend it doesn’t bother him; instead, he shows us what to do with that hurt: pray it out to God. Have you prayed about that situation? Have you specifically said, “Lord, please remove this reproach from me”? Sometimes we vent to others or just stew inwardly, but God invites us to bring these burdens to Him. Cast your burden on the Lord and He will sustain you (Ps. 55:22).

Also, maintain a clear conscience: “for I have kept thy testimonies.” Make sure that any opposition you’re getting is truly for righteousness, not because of some wrongdoing on your part. But if I’m reproached for obeying God, I can wear that as a badge of honor and trust God to defend me. Don’t let reproach intimidate you into silence or disobedience. That’s a big temptation: when ridicule comes, we’re tempted to compromise to get the pressure off. But the psalmist doesn’t say, “Lord, I’ll change so they stop reproaching me.” No, he stays faithful (“I have kept Thy testimonies”) and asks God to handle the rest. We must do the same.

Transition to next point: The psalmist’s prayer in verse 22 prepares us for the scenario in verse 23. He has asked God to remove reproach, and now he describes the reproachful situation: even princes are speaking against him. How does he react in the moment of slander? That leads to our final point, where we see the psalmist’s personal resolution. Surrounded by plots and negativity, he doesn’t crumble or retaliate, instead, he doubles down on God’s Word. We learn in verses 23–24 that even when powerful people oppose us, God’s Word can still be our delight and our counselor.

IV. God’s Word Delights and Guides Believers Amid Opposition (vv. 23–24)

Psalm 119:23–24 KJV

23 Princes also did sit and speak against me: but thy servant did meditate in thy statutes. 24 Thy testimonies also are my delight and my counsellors.

We come now to a remarkable scene. The psalmist mentions “princes,” people of authority and influence, and what are they doing? Sitting together and speaking against him. Picture a council or a gathering of important officials plotting and bad-mouthing this servant of God. The psalmist likely felt the pressure of powerful opposition. These princes might be local governors, court officials, or leaders who despise his devotion to God. They “sit,” implying a deliberate, possibly formal discussion, and “speak against” him, perhaps spreading false accusations or scheming to harm him (much like Daniel’s situation we recalled). This tells us the psalmist’s faithfulness wasn’t in a vacuum; it had drawn the ire of those in charge. He was being unjustly maligned by people who had the clout to make life difficult.

Now, what is his response? “But thy servant did meditate in thy statutes.” What a contrast! The princes sit and gossip or conspire; meanwhile, the servant sits and meditates. He doesn’t let their plotting derail his devotion. He calls himself “thy servant” again (staying humble under God) and chooses to occupy his mind not with the slander, but with Scripture. This is a deliberate act of trust and focus. Rather than panicking about what the princes might do, he retreats into the sanctuary of God’s Word. It’s as if he says, “They may hold their councils against me, but I’m holding counsel with God’s Word.”

Explanation: To “meditate” in God’s statutes means to ponder, to mull over, to mentally chew on the truths of Scripture. It implies focus and repetition, he’s likely recalling promises, remembering past scriptures that apply, maybe even quietly reciting God’s words to himself. Meditation is the opposite of mental chaos; it’s a calm, sustained attention to God’s voice. So while his enemies’ voices clamor, the psalmist tunes into God’s voice. This shows tremendous spiritual maturity. Many of us, if we hear just one person is saying something bad about us, can hardly think of anything else, it gnaws at us. But here is the psalmist under group slander by authorities, and he says, “I’m choosing to fill my mind with the Bible instead.” He essentially ignores their noise and attends to God’s signal. But having given it to God, he refuses to obsess over it. There’s a lesson: when opposition comes, increase your intake of God’s Word, don’t decrease it. Our instinct might be to drop our normal Bible study routine when a crisis hits (because we’re busy dealing with it). But that’s when we need Scripture more than ever!

Spurgeon noted how “brave” and “beautiful” this response is, “while princes sat plotting, the servant of God sat meditating.” But the psalmist had his priorities straight: if he kept his heart anchored in God’s Word, he knew God would handle the rest. This doesn’t mean there’s never a time to speak up or legally defend oneself (even Paul appealed to his rights as a Roman citizen when necessary). But it does mean our primary strategy is spiritual, to stay grounded in the truth. By meditating on God’s statutes, the psalmist probably reminded himself of stories of God delivering the righteous, of promises like “No weapon formed against thee shall prosper” (Isa. 54:17) or truths like “The Lord is on my side; I will not fear: what can man do unto me?” (Ps. 118:6).

Verse 24 then declares the outcome of such meditation: “Thy testimonies also are my delight and my counsellors.” In the midst of trouble, he finds joy (“my delight”) and guidance (“my counsellors”) in God’s Word. This is the triumphant conclusion of the stanza. Despite all the external drama, enemies, reproach, feeling like an alien, etc., internally the psalmist is rejoicing and well-advised because of Scripture. “Thy testimonies” refers generally to God’s written witness, His Word. He says they are my delight. But it’s especially precious that he can still delight when circumstances are hard. It tells us that the joy of the Lord can transcend our trials. We saw his longing in verse 20; here we see his enjoyment in verse 24. Longing fulfilled brings delight. Jesus promised in John 15:11, “These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.” The psalmist is experiencing that fullness of joy from clinging to God’s words.

And he calls those words “my counsellors.” The Hebrew phrasing is literally “the men of my counsel.” It’s a figurative way to say that when he needs advice, direction, or comfort, he turns to Scripture as if consulting with trusted advisors. Think about that: instead of a cabinet of human experts, he has a Bible full of God-inspired voices, Moses, David, Isaiah, Paul, John, and ultimately the Holy Spirit speaking through all. What an incredible resource! He’s essentially having counsel with the likes of prophets and apostles whenever he opens the Word. When you need counsel, who do you turn to first? A friend, a pastor, Google? The psalmist turns first to the Testimony of the Lord. Psalm 119:99 says, “I have more understanding than all my teachers: for thy testimonies are my meditation.” He finds better counsel in Scripture than even princes could give.

Application: Do you treat God’s Word as your primary counselor? When life gets complicated or you face a big decision, is the Bible the first place you turn? Many of us might default to calling a friend or reading the latest popular book. And while godly friends are a gift, we must remember the source of true wisdom. 2 Timothy 3:16–17 reminds us that Scripture is sufficient, it equips us “thoroughly” for every good work. That means there’s no situation in life where the Bible’s counsel is irrelevant. It may not give us a direct verse on which job to take or which medical treatment to choose, but it gives principles, values, and truths to shape our decision-making process.

As we close the exposition of this passage, we see clearly that the psalmist, though a stranger in the world, was at home in the Word. And that made all the difference. He began with prayer (for grace and insight) and ended with praise (delighting in God’s counsel). What a journey in just 8 verses! Now, we’ll summarize and bring this home to our lives today.

Conclusion:

Psalm 119:17–24 has shown us a godly pilgrim’s roadmap for life. Let’s recap the journey:

God’s servants rely on His grace: We saw the psalmist praying, “Deal bountifully with thy servant that I may live and keep Thy Word.” When the waves of life swell, he turned first to God for sustaining grace and spiritual insight.

God’s pilgrims long for His Word: The psalmist felt out of place in this world, so he ached for God’s commandments as his true north. So what? It tells us that if we are serious about following Christ in a hostile culture, we must cultivate a deep hunger for Scripture, treating it as essential food and our trusty map on the journey.

God rebukes the proud and vindicates the faithful: The psalmist reminded himself that God has rebuked the proud law-breakers and then prayed for God to remove his reproach for faithfully keeping the Word. This addresses the now what: What should we do when facing opposition? We should stand firm in integrity, entrust our reputation to God, and believe that He will defend His people. He may do it in this life or the next, but He will not let faithful obedience end in shame.

God’s Word delights and guides us amid opposition: While princes plotted, the psalmist meditated and found delight and counsel in Scripture. Now what does that mean for us? It means when pressure mounts, instead of panicking or compromising, we dive deeper into God’s Word. We rejoice in its promises and follow its counsel.

In short, this stanza teaches us to live by God’s Word in a world set against God. It calls us to be consecrated “strangers,” not chameleons blending in, but pilgrims standing out with gracious lives shaped by Scripture. It has been well said that this world is the only hell a Christian will ever know, and the only heaven a sinner will ever know. There is a real heaven and a real hell coming. Those who proudly reject God’s Word now are on a cursed path (v.21), but those who humbly embrace God’s Word are on the path of life (v.17). If you have not yet bowed your heart to Jesus Christ, the Living Word, and received His gracious salvation, do so today. Don’t be among “the proud” whom God rebukes, humble yourself and receive the grace He offers. Jesus died and rose again to save proud sinners like all of us, and when we trust Him, He forgives and transforms us into servants of God who love His Word.

For those of us who are believers, the call is to renew our commitment tonight. It’s a consecration: “Lord, I will live by Your grace and truth as a pilgrim on this earth. Your Word will be my delight and counselor. I devote myself anew to prayer, to purity, to bold witness, no matter the reproach, trusting You to uphold me.” That is consecration, setting ourselves apart for God’s service. Our Faith Promise Missions theme fits right in here. We are pilgrims with a mission: to take God’s Word (the Gospel) to a world that desperately needs it. As we delight in Scripture and depend on God’s grace, we become effective emissaries. The psalmist said in another verse (v.46), “I will speak of thy testimonies also before kings, and will not be ashamed.”

The stanza ends with the psalmist effectively saying: “No matter what, Lord, I’m going to stay close to Your Word. It’s my joy, it’s my advice, it’s my life-line.” Can we say the same? Will you make that commitment tonight? “God, I’ve been far too concerned with fitting in and far too lax in seeking Your Word. Forgive me. By Your grace, I choose the pilgrim path. I consecrate myself to be a doer of Your Word, not a hearer only. I want to delight in Your commands again.”

So take courage! You may be a stranger here, but you have a Friend who sticks closer than a brother, and you have a road map that cannot lead you wrong. Stand on God’s promises and step out in faith.

Call to Action: I invite you now, if God has spoken to you, respond to Him. It might be a private prayer of consecration at your seat or coming forward as a symbolic step of commitment. Perhaps you need to lay down the burden of someone’s reproach at the feet of Jesus, do that tonight. Maybe you need to ask God to rekindle your love for the Bible, go ahead and ask, He is ready to pour that “bountiful” grace out. Or if you have been hesitant to identify fully as a follower of Christ in your school or workplace, pray for boldness and determine that starting tomorrow, you will gently and firmly stand for Him, come what may.

Remember, God is with you. You are His servant, His pilgrim, and His child. He will not fail you. His Word will guide you each step until we all reach that celestial city where we’ll no longer say “I’m a stranger,” but rather, “I’m home.” Until then, we have work to do and a Word to uphold in this world that needs the Gospel. Let’s do it with joy and unwavering faith.

(Prayer)

“Lord, we thank You for speaking to us through Your holy Word. We confess how much we need Your grace and guidance. We are weak, but Thou art mighty. Help us to live as faithful pilgrims, with our Bibles open and our hearts on fire for Your truth. Forgive us for times we’ve been ashamed or lazy with Your Word. Remove any reproach that clings to Your people here, and strengthen those under trial. May we delight in Your Word more than in riches or comforts. Make us shining lights in this dark world, carrying Your Gospel to those who are lost. We commit ourselves to You anew, deal bountifully with Your servants, O Lord, that we may live and keep Your Word. In Jesus’ precious name we pray, Amen.”

“Deal bountifully with thy servant, that I may live, and keep thy word… I am a stranger in the earth: hide not thy commandments from me… Thy testimonies also are my delight and my counsellors.” Amen.