Thursday 30th January
Read Psalm 119:153-160
“Resh
153 Look on my suffering and deliver me,
for I have not forgotten your law.
154 Defend my cause and redeem me;
preserve my life according to your promise.
155 Salvation is far from the wicked,
for they do not seek out your decrees.
156 Your compassion, Lord, is great;
preserve my life according to your laws.
157 Many are the foes who persecute me,
but I have not turned from your statutes.
158 I look on the faithless with loathing,
for they do not obey your word.
159 See how I love your precepts;
preserve my life, Lord, in accordance with your love.
160 All your words are true;
all your righteous laws are eternal.” (NIVUK)
This journey has been tough going but you have been with me all the way. v153-160.
The psalmist now reflects on living in a world where following God’s way is tough where he ‘suffers’ at the hands of those who ignore God’s precepts/word (possibly the thought about living in a tough world is initiated by ‘wicked schemes’ mentioned earlier?). There is a cry again for help – Lord please keep your promise to deliver, defend, redeem, and preserve. The latter seems to be the emphasis – preservation in a hostile world where those who ignore God’s words don’t see the offer of salvation. Then there comes a recognition that in God’s compassion, preservation is possible as the Psalmist relies on His law and even when the opposition is great (outnumbered and persecuted) the psalmist will continue to look to God’s word (statutes) and loath the lack of faith of those unwilling to listen. The use of ‘loath’ seems to imply that God’s word highlights how He hates what is evil, it is not the people but the faithlessness. The psalmist concludes: I think that the decision to persist in listening reflects my love for your words, words that tell me you love me and will preserve my life – those words that are true and right and last forever.
Geoff Hinch
