This Sunday we begin a sermon series exploring the Psalms, and we’ll kick it off with a foray into Psalm 119.
Psalm 119 is an elaborate, passionate tribute to God spotlighting the wonder of his Word: the Lord has spoken (rather than standing in silence and leaving us to fend for ourselves in this harsh world); he’s given us commands, testimonies, precepts, promises, ordinances, laws … truth for life! Without Scripture we’d be lost. God’s Word is “a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (v 105).
To change the analogy, Psalm 119 is like a tapestry with various bright, beautiful threads running through it. One of those strands emphasizes the need to remember God’s Word. For example:
- “I will delight in your statutes; I will not forget your word” (v 16). By contrast, neglecting Scripture leads to misery.
- “I remember your name in the night, O Lord, and keep your law” (v 55). At night, in those dark places, when the Enemy assaults you with fear and doubt, call out to God—he’s there!
- “Though the cords of the wicked ensnare me, I do not forget your law” (v 61). The Bible is for every circumstance, including all the trials and troubles we face.
- “I will never forget your precepts, for by them you have given me life” (v 93). We survive spiritually thanks to soul food from God in the form of his Word (Matthew 4:4).
And yet, we’re all plagued with forgetfulness. So how can we remember God’s life-sustaining truth? There’s no substitute for time and attention (try tracking down the term “meditate” in Psalm 119). Commit to a daily practice of focused, prayer-infused Scripture reading! Read with a pen (mark up your Bible, take notes). Memorize. Take Psalm 119:11 seriously, “I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.”
