Psalm 119:89-96
89 The Lord exists forever;
your word is firmly fixed in heaven.
90 Your faithfulness endures to all generations;
you have established the earth, and it stands fast.
91 By your appointment they stand today,
for all things are your servants.
92 If your law had not been my delight,
I would have perished in my misery.
93 I will never forget your precepts,
for by them you have given me life.
94 I am yours; save me,
for I have sought your precepts.
95 The wicked lie in wait to destroy me,
but I consider your decrees.
96 I have seen a limit to all perfection,
but your commandment is exceedingly broad.
Meditation
One really great thing about Psalm 119 is that it is a mnemonic using the Hebrew alphabet, which is why it is the longest Psalm in the psalter. Each of the 22 letters are given eight lines which start with that letter and they are all reminders of the importance of the law. It probably had a catchy tune, like “The Wheels on the Bus,” that drove Hebrew mothers crazy when the Rabbis were teaching it to the children. No easy way to forget the lessons from Psalm 119.
I like the fact that each eight-line section has a theme of it’s own and this section is about how the Lord and the law are constants in a chaotic world. The Lord’s presence is acknowledged for existing from before creation and God’s word is praised for ‘firmly fixing’ the heavens. Generations remember and will remember God’s creating acts and notice they continue to stand and serve God. This longevity is attached to the law as the memorial of God’s care in times of suffering and persecution. Delighting in the law gives life, seeking out the precepts saves, and considering the decrees helps when the wicked try to destroy. God’s “commandment is exceedingly broad” (vs. 96) and covers a lifetime of instructions and guidance whether as children singing a catchy tune or as adults digging deeper, the lessons from Psalm 119 point us to our comfort and our comforter.
“I will never forget your precepts, for by them you have given me life.” (Psalm 119:93)