Psalm 119, Verses 57 to 96
In the eighth section of our psalm, Jehovah is the portion of the believer. He has been thinking of his own ways, and the blessed result is, that he has turned his feet to the Word of God. Would that all God’s children did this!
In verse 55 the name of Jehovah was remembered in the night, but verse 62 shows a yet happier state when the saint is awake at the midnight hour.
The benefits of affliction are before us in the ninth section: “Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I keep Thy Word.” Verse 67.
“It is good for me that I have been afflicted, that I might learn Thy statutes.” Verse 71.
The Christian is apt to murmur when trials come, not seeing that God has purposes of blessing which wait upon this necessary training of His children. Can each of us say, as the expression of cur own hearts, what verse 72 declares? It is well with us if we can.
In verse 73 Jehovah is asked, as His Creator, to give His servant understanding in order that he may learn His commandments. But He is more than Creator,—He rules, He governs, He is interested in all those who fear Him, and acts in mercy toward them; in faithfulness He afflicts them.
Verses 75 to 80 are the response to Him of one whose heart has been touched by the goodness of God to him. The eigheth verse should find an echo in every Christian’s breast.
The eleventh section (Caph) is written for one in trouble. He is like a leather bottle in the smoke of the curing house, and pleads for the comfort which only God can give him. He has however learned the value of the Word of God, as nearly every verse shows.
In the twelfth section God is again looked upon as the Creator, His Word stands in the heavens where none can reach it, and His faithfulness is unchanging. He established the earth and it stands by His ordinances while century succeeds century of time. In the written Word of this changeless and faithful Jehovah, the tried and troubled saint rests in hope.
All of this psalm is connected with the exercises of heart which the children of Israel will pass through who will turn to God in the last days. Other psalms have told of their circumstances; this tells the effect of the writing of the law on their hearts while in the furnace of affliction, and afterward.
How precious is the mercy of God, to be shown, after centuries of dealing with the Gentiles, again to the Jews, whose bitter cry was, “His blood be on us, and on our children.” Matthew 27:2525Then answered all the people, and said, His blood be on us, and on our children. (Matthew 27:25).
ML 11/22/1931