Psalm 119:89-96

Introduction

[ILLUS] The Apostle Paul was a prisoner aboard a ship headed to Rome. Before his arrival, however, the ship broke up at sea but was near enough to shore that some swam for land but others took hold of planks and other various things from the ship; and so all were brought safely to land.

The Bible says that we will face trials of various kinds, and many times those trials can make us feel like we are storm tossed, trying to make it to some stable ground, looking for something to keep us afloat.

The Psalmist in Psalm 119 is storm tossed, experiencing a severe trial, looking to arrive safely ashore, but until he does he clings to the plank of God’s Word.

It’s the stability and sustainability of the Word of God that keeps Him afloat.

God’s Word has many comforting characteristics. It is without error and incapable of error. It never fails and always achieves its purpose. It is clear. It is living and active. It is inspired by God.

But one of the more comforting characteristics of God’s Word is found here in Psalm 119:89-96—and that is that God’s Word is sustaining.

If His Word sustains heaven and earth, it can sustain you and me when we face hard times. God’s Word will keep us afloat if we cling to it.

So let us cling to…

Major Ideas

…God’s Sustaining Word (89-91)

Psalm 119:89–91 NASB95

89 Forever, O Lord, Your word is settled in heaven. 90 Your faithfulness continues throughout all generations; You established the earth, and it stands. 91 They stand this day according to Your ordinances, For all things are Your servants.

Q: The word ‘sustaining’ is not used in these verses, but how do we see that idea in these verses? God’s Word is settled in heaven, so He will not change His mind about His people. He will be faithful to them throughout all generations. His Word will sustain His faithfulness to them. Furthermore, God’s Word established and sustains the earth. God’s faithfulness to His people and the earth itself are sustained by God’s ordinances. For all things are servant to His Word. The things sustained are sustained by His Word.

Forever, O Lord,

Your word is settled (stands firm) in Heaven. 89

Times change. Morals change. People change. But God’s Word stands firm in Heaven. He is not blown and tossed by winds of change. What He has declared right and true in eternity past will be right and true in eternity future.

Your faithfulness continues throughout all generations;

(Your faithfulness to all generations;)

You established the earth,

and it stands. 90

God’s faithfulness is demonstrated in His keeping His Word not to one generation but to all generations. By His Word He established the earth, and it stands. It stands to reason then that whatever God establishes by His Word will stand.

They (heaven and earth?) stand this day according to Your ordinances,

For all things are Your servants. 91

Heaven and earth stand this day because God’s ordinances say, “Stand.” All things obey His Word. His Word is Master and everything is servant to His Word.

[ILLUS] Let’s talk about v. 89 for another moment. Most people today even Christians do not understand that if God’s Word is settled in Heaven then it is settled everywhere and for all time.

This time of year many families are going on vacation. Inevitably what is supposed to be a relaxing fun time turns into disagreement between family members. One wants to do this, another wants to do that, and both of them think of it as ‘my vacation.’ But God’s Word is settled in heaven, which means that it is true and applies when we are on vacation as well. And it says that we are to die to ourselves, look to the interest of others, and consider others more important that ourselves.

It’s the same, when we face hard times. It is very easy to forget that God’s Word applies in the trial just as much as any other time. It is settled in Heaven and therefore always applies no matter our circumstances.

Let Us Cling to God’s Saving Word (92-94)

Psalm 119:92–94 NASB95

92 If Your law had not been my delight, Then I would have perished in my affliction. 93 I will never forget Your precepts, For by them You have revived me. 94 I am Yours, save me; For I have sought Your precepts.

Q: How does the psalmist speak of God’s Word saving him in these verses? If not for God’s Word, the psalmist would’ve perished in his affliction. The delight in God’s Word saved him from death. God’s Word revived the psalmist when he perhaps felt as if he was dead. Even so, the psalmist knows that his salvation is not yet complete, so he continues to cry out for salvation as one who belongs to God through faith and proves it by seeking out God’s Word.

If Your law had not been my delight,

Then I would have perished in my affliction. 92

God’s Word was the delight of the psalmist, and that delight sustained him in the midst of his affliction. When we cannot delight in our circumstances, we can delight in the Word of God.

I will never forget Your precepts,

For by them You have revived me (kept me alive). 93

We tend to cling to those things that bring us life. The psalmist clings to God’s Word because God’s Word has brought him back to life when he felt close to death.

I am Yours, save me;

For I have sought Your precepts. 94

Even in the midst of this singular affliction, the psalmist has felt periods triumph and periods trial. He has been revived but still cries out for salvation. He is the Lord’s, so He must be saved by the Lord, and he proves that he is the Lord’s by having sought his precepts.

[ILLUS] One major problem in most troubled marriages is a lack of communication. Usually one or both individuals feel unheard, as if there words aren’t important to the other person. The wife may say, “You never listen to me!” And the husband might say, “Huh?”

In the same way, our relationship with God is in trouble if we do not listen to His Words or as the psalmist puts it here, if we do not seek his precepts. We cannot claim God as our God if we do not care for His Words, if we do not listen to Him. In Luke 6:46 Jesus said…

Luke 6:46 NASB95

46 “Why do you call Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say?

If we belong to Him, let’s prove it by seeking His precepts and obeying His Word.

Let Us Cling to God’s Surpassing Word (95-96)

Psalm 119:95–96 NASB95

95 The wicked wait for me to destroy me; I shall diligently consider Your testimonies. 96 I have seen a limit to all perfection; Your commandment is exceedingly broad.

Q: Why do we struggle to understand perfection? We have never experienced perfection. We really only understand things in terms of good and even better. Even when we experience something great we usually can find a limit to its greatness and think up a way to make it even better. But for God’s Word there is no ‘even better.’ It is exceedingly perfect; it’s perfection knows no end. It surpasses the perfection of any other thing.

The wicked wait for me to destroy me;

I shall diligently consider Your testimonies. 95

God’s Word surpasses the plans of the wicked. They wait to destroy the psalmist, but rather than retaliate in kind, the psalmist turns to diligently consider God’s testimonies. There is an answer in the Word of God for our enemies.

I have seen a limit (and end) to all perfection;

Your commandment is exceedingly broad. 96

There is no limit to the perfection of God’s Word. The psalmist sees a limit to all other perfections. Beauty fades. Youth grows old. Strength weakens. But the perfection of God’s Word stays constant throughout the ages.

[ILLUS] Sometimes when women who haven’t seen each other in a long time greet one another, they lie, saying, “You haven’t changed a bit. You look just like you did in high school.” While we might wish that was true, it isn’t. Good looks have their limits and then the aging process takes over. Athletic ability has its limits and then physical decline kicks in.

But God’s Word never declines. It’s beauty never fades. It’s strength never wavers. It is eternally and constantly perfect.

Conclusion

As we close, let us consider that Jesus is of course the Word made flesh. He is sustaining, saving, and surpassing in all His perfections. If we will not cling to Him, we will not cling to God’s Word. By clinging to Him in faith, we shall be brought safely ashore no matter the hardship we face.