Read Psalm 119 F (v. 161 - 176)
ש Sin and Shin
161 Rulers persecute me without cause,
but my heart trembles at your word.
162 I rejoice in your promise
like one who finds great spoil.
163 I hate and detest falsehood
but I love your law.
164 Seven times a day I praise you
for your righteous laws.
165 Great peace have those who love your law,
and nothing can make them stumble.
166 I wait for your salvation, Lord,
and I follow your commands.
167 I obey your statutes,
for I love them greatly.
168 I obey your precepts and your statutes,
for all my ways are known to you.
ת Taw
169 May my cry come before you, Lord;
give me understanding according to your word.
170 May my supplication come before you;
deliver me according to your promise.
171 May my lips overflow with praise,
for you teach me your decrees.
172 May my tongue sing of your word,
for all your commands are righteous.
173 May your hand be ready to help me,
for I have chosen your precepts.
174 I long for your salvation, Lord,
and your law gives me delight.
175 Let me live that I may praise you,
and may your laws sustain me.
176 I have strayed like a lost sheep.
Seek your servant,
for I have not forgotten your commands.
Go Deeper
We have come to the final stanzas of what ended up being the longest chapter in the Bible, and the Psalmist eloquently sums up how much he loves God’s Word. Verse 161 says, “…but my heart stands in awe of your words.” Verse 167 says, “My soul keeps your testimonies; I love them exceedingly.” Verse 174 proclaims, “I long for your salvation, O Lord, and your law is my delight.” These statements should cause all of us to think about, “What do we stand in awe of?”; “What do we love exceedingly?”; “What do we long for?” Is it the Word of God?
We also get a glimpse into where the Psalmist’s awe, exceeding love, and longing stems from. The beginning of Psalm 119:165 says, “Great peace have those who love your law.” This is a simple cause and effect equation: IF you love God’s Word, THEN you will have great peace. The writer of this passage has adoration for the Word of God because amidst persecution, it is where he has found refuge. We know from earlier verses in this chapter that the Psalmist was literally on the verge of death, yet despite fear, he found hope in the promises of God. All 176 verses of this psalm are a personal testimony to us that no matter what we are facing, we can find refuge, hope, and peace by loving God’s Word.
The entirety of Psalm 119:165 reads “Great peace have those who love your law; nothing can make them stumble.” The second half of the verse has also been translated as “…and nothing shall offend them (KJV)” or “…and nothing can defeat them (NCV).” In a world full of stumbling blocks, offensive topics, and situations to feel defeated by, we are given the promise that God’s Word will protect us and give us peace.
So as we come to a close on our study of this chapter, we can reflect on what we have learned from the whole: the Word of God is true; the Word of God is sufficient; and the Word of God is powerful. This is a chapter that we can refer back to and learn from when we need to be reminded of these truths. As a team, we are grateful that you have taken the step to join us in the Bible Reading Plan. It is our prayer that as you continue reading God’s Word with us you will stand in awe of God’s promises, your love of God and His Word will grow exceedingly, and that you will long to know more of our gracious Father’s testimonies.
Questions
- List a few things that you love exceedingly. Compare that with your love for the word of God.
- When you find yourself fearful, persecuted, or hopeless, what do you turn to?
- Are you easily offended or often irritated? Commit Psalm 119:165 to memory and repeat it to yourself when you find yourself in those situations.
Listen Here
Now that we have completed this passage, listen to this commentary on Psalm 119 from Tara-Leigh Cobble and The Bible Recap.
3 responses to “Psalm 119: Part Six (v. 161-176)”
What is so amazing about reading God’s Word is that each and every time we do so we learn something new. You can read the same scripture, chapter and verse and see a new tidbit or God reveals a different aspect of what He has had written. God’s living Word communicates His will and power to those who read it, meditate on it and obey it because we love Him and His Word.
Seek God, ask Him to help you store up scripture that helps you to stay steady and firm in your temptations. This is my ask of God, to open my eyes, to keep my heart inclined to Him, to redirect my attention, to strengthen me in my sorrows and to help restore life full of joy for him where affliction and provocations from others have left me in a dry place.
God I do come before You asking for restoration. God my life, my world is about You. You are the first thing I want to think of and and glorify every single minute of every single day. Help me to seek You, to bring scripture to my memory that pertains to situations. God open my eyes to correct understanding of You and Your Word. God, help me to redirect my thoughts away from my sorrows to You and Your joy. My walk is not about what the world throws my way but how I respond that is glorifying and honoring to You, with accuracy and truth according to Your Word, not man’s word. God as trials and tribulations pass through life, let my thoughts and words be about You. God I believe with all my heart that You will be glorified and honored with each step of the trial. God thank You for today, these minutes of this day, I love You with all my being, thank You for loving me back in Jesus name amen.
WOOHOO!!!
“Great peace have those who love your law,
and nothing can make them stumble” (v165).
This morning I was reminded once again of the treasure of God’s word and the privilege it is to own multiple copies and have many ways to access scripture. It also weighed heavy on my heart that there are people groups around the world who do not have a Bible and yearn to own a copy. Praying for a passion and pathway to see others have access to God’s word.
I enjoyed spending so much time in one chapter!
165 – 166 Great peace have they who love your law, and nothing can make them stumble. I wait for your salvation, O LORD, and I follow your commands.
Yes, loving the law is a source of great peace! Nothing can make me stumble!