Sunday 19th January
Read Psalm 119:65-72
“Teth
65 Do good to your servant
according to your word, Lord.
66 Teach me knowledge and good judgment,
for I trust your commands.
67 Before I was afflicted I went astray,
but now I obey your word.
68 You are good, and what you do is good;
teach me your decrees.
69 Though the arrogant have smeared me with lies,
I keep your precepts with all my heart.
70 Their hearts are callous and unfeeling,
but I delight in your law.
71 It was good for me to be afflicted
so that I might learn your decrees.
72 The law from your mouth is more precious to me
than thousands of pieces of silver and gold.” (NIVUK)
There are temptations to take short cuts, if I do, I’m lost. v65-72
The psalmist continues to ask to be taught and that God will do what is good through that teaching; good reflected in knowledge of God’s will and therefore good judgement. It sounds a little like wisdom and the statement of trust after the good judgement gives the idea of an application of that wisdom to the daily journey. The psalmist knows he has wandered off the path (astray) when he has not paid attention to God’s instruction and he knows that God’s words to him are intended for good and will bring about good, God will not lead him astray! Therefore, he says, I plan to obey your decrees (directions). Suddenly, as seems to be the pattern in each stanza, the psalmist recognises that pressure is applied not to follow the directions given. In this case the pressure is from arrogant, callous and unfeeling people who will tell lies to smear reputation and make him feel worthless? But the psalmist realises that this situation is ‘good for him’ because it makes him more reliant on God’s instructions, maybe a forerunner to the new testament injunction – cast all your cares on him because he cares, 1 Pet5]. The good is that this pressure or unjust treatment, makes him desire to listen to God’s words even more and he is reminded that these words are precious and of great value for the journey, far more valuable than any amount of money and secular reputation and comfort.
Geoff Hinch
