Psalm 119 - Special Requests

Taken from Psalm119:25-40

Consider adopting these requests (as made by the Psalmist,) as your own. Meditate on them. Ponder them. Embrace them. You'll find that the more you absorb of the Word of God, the greater will be your peace, your understanding, and your ability to see life's events from His perspective.

"Thy Word have I hidden in mine heart, that I might not sin against Thee. ...Open Thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of Thy law." (Psalm 119:11, 18) "For the Word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword,piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart." (Hebrews 4:12)

Verse 25 introduces the word, "quicken." We'll deal with that concept as we complete this thought.

Verse 26 - "Teach me Thy statutes." One must first learn what God's statutes are. This understanding is foundational (vital) to every study endeavor.

Verse 27 - "Make me to understand the way of Thy precepts." In order to follow God's commandments whole-heartedly, we must understand (know) "the way." Thomas' question was, "...How can we know the way?" Jesus' answer gave the key. "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me." (John 14:4-6)

Verse 29 - "Remove from me the way of lying." Requesting the removal of something so foreign to a love of the truth as lies and deceit, is like an insurance policy. Not only do we need to know the truth, we also need to be able to discern and avoid the false; false ways, false teachings, false doctrine, false brethren, false thinking... and fables too!

Verse 33 - "Teach me, O LORD, the way of Thy Statutes." We need to understand the way of the matter, God's mindset and thinking. His Word is careful to make it plain - both the what and the why.

Verse 34 - "Give me understanding." Understanding comes by illumination. The Holy Ghost is a teacher and the only way to truly understand the Word written by men who were inspired by the Holy Ghost, is to have that same Holy Ghost indwelling.

Verse 35 - "Make me to go in the path of Thy commandments." In another place, the Word says, "The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD." When the Lord, (through His Word, His Spirit, and His
ministry,) directs our path; safety is assured, nourishment is continual, and living water completely satisfies.

Verse 36 - "Incline my heart unto Thy testimonies." Invite Him to lead you to the place where your desire and delight is found in the Lord and His provision. Our God keeps His Word! If He said it... He'll do it!

Verse 37 - "Turn away mine eyes from beholding vanity." Ask for spiritual blinders, specifically to things that turn you away from your Lord. The old song says, "Turn your eyes upon Jesus, Look full in His wonderful face; And the things of earth will grow strangely dim, In the light of His glory and grace."

Verse 38 - "Stablish Thy Word unto Thy servant." It's one thing to read, "Forever, O LORD, Thy Word is settled in heaven." It's another thing when the Word proves itself to you, personally. When you've found the answer to your need in the pages of God's Word, applied it, and it worked out to your good, you gain immeasureable reassurance and the confidence to trust Him and His word again and again.

Verse 39 - "Turn away my reproach which I fear." Even with the help of the Word of God, the Spirit of God, and the man of God, human nature is prone to weakness and failure/s. Hebrews 13:17 says when those who give account (your pastor/s and leaders,) have to do it with grief, that is "not profitable." The answer for the weakness of the flesh is keeping short accounts and repentance is key. For when we repent and confess our sins, He is faithful. He forgives us and cleanses us from all unrighteousness! That's how He turns away our reproach!

"Quicken me" occurs three times in these few verses. "Quicken me according to Thy Word," (v 25,) "Quicken Thou me in Thy way," (v 37,) and, "Quicken me in Thy Word." (v 40) Notice the nuances; according to Thy Word, in Thy way, and, in Thy Word. This "quickening" makes the Word alive in our hearts and lives. We then can be used to share the Word and bless the lives of those around us. The quickened Word becomes a "rhema word," which is a word sent forth to quicken.

Glossary:
According - v. in agreement, in harmony.
Precept - n. a command or directive given as a rule of action or conduct.
Quicken - v. to become alive, to receive life, to stimulate.
Reproach - v. 1.) to blame, censure, upbraid, 2.) to be a cause of blame or a discredit to.
Stablish - v. 1.) to found or build on a firm or stable basis, 2.) to show to be valid or true.
Statute - n. law; a permanent, established rule.

mjk - 3/2/2012