Affliction

As I recently read through Psalm 119, I noticed a lot about afflictions and God's Word, so I decided to hone in on those verses. In doing so, I discovered that there are two definitions for the words of "affliction" used.

The first is from the Hebrew word, 'oniy, meaning, "depression, misery."

This is my comfort in my affliction: for thy word hath quickened me. (Ps 119:50)

Unless thy law had been my delights, I should then have perished in mine affliction. (Ps 119:92)

Consider mine affliction, and deliver me: for I do not forget thy law. (Ps 119:153)

This affliction is not brought on by our sin, necessarily, but is when we get low in spirits in daily living. The beauty is that, in these situations, we can turn to Christ and His Word for comfort and deliverance, knowing that focusing on Him will keep us from perishing in these afflictions.

The second definition for "affliction" is slightly different. It is from the Hebrew word, 'anah, and gives the impression of browbeating, depression.

    

Before I was afflicted I went astray: but now have I kept thy word. (Ps 119:67)

It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes. (Ps 119:71)

I know, O Lord, that thy judgments are right, and that thou in faithfulness hast afflicted me. (Ps 119:75)

I am afflicted very much: quicken me, O Lord, according unto thy word. (Ps 119:107)

This type of affliction lends the idea of affliction as punishment (directly linked to our wandering from God). Affliction like this, from God, is used to get our attention so that we can better keep God's Word. The answer is not found in soothing ourselves with promises from God's Word, but in checking our obedience to the Scripture (because God's promises are usually contingent on our obedience).

When I feel myself in affliction, I need to do a quick evaluation: is this affliction because of my disobedience to God? or is this affliction just part of life? God's Word has the answer to both afflictions, but I need to search my heart and be sure I'm applying His Word correctly to my life.

What is something that you have noticed from God's Word recently?

Psalm 119:77-81

Psalm 119:77-81

(77)  Let thy tender mercies come unto me, that I may live: for thy law is my delight.

Oh how we need the Lord's mercies to live! "It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness." (Lamentations 3:22-23)

We never deserve God's mercies - but we especially do not deserve them when we refuse His law.

(78)  Let the proud be ashamed; for they dealt perversely with me without a cause: but I will meditate in thy precepts.

Towards those who dealt "perversely" (wrest), the Psalmist committed them to God. Instead of meditating on how to "get even" or "get back," his thoughts were on God's precepts. How much better would my reactions be if I focused on God's Word instead of the problems others cause me?

(79)  Let those that fear thee turn unto me, and those that have known thy testimonies.

Seems to go along with Psalm 119:63, "I am a companion of all them that fear thee, and of them that keep thy precepts." If our heart fears the Lord and we know God's testimonies, then we'll attract friends who also fear God and know His testimonies.

(80)  Let my heart be sound in thy statutes; that I be not ashamed.

Sound - OT:8549 tamiym (taw-meem'); from OT:8552; entire (literally, figuratively or morally); also (as noun) integrity, truth:

Is my heart sound in God's Word? That will never cause shame before the Lord.

Psalm 119:75-76

Psalm 119:75-76

(75)  I know, O LORD, that thy judgments are right, and that thou in faithfulness hast afflicted me.

Similar to verse 71 ("It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes."), how do we view affliction? Do we truly believe that God afflicts us in His faithfulness (literally firmness; figuratively security; morally fidelity:)? Because God's judgments are right, and because we are His children, like the best of fathers, He must afflict us to bring us back to His commandments. "For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons. Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live? For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness. Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby." (Hebrews 12:6-11)

(76)  Let, I pray thee, thy merciful kindness be for my comfort, according to thy word unto thy servant.

Merciful kindness - OT:2617 checed (kheh'-sed); from OT:2616; kindness; by implication (towards God) piety: rarely (by opposition) reproof, or (subject.) beauty:

Comfort - OT:5162 nacham (naw-kham'); a primitive root; properly, to sigh, i.e. breathe strongly; by implication, to be sorry, i.e. (in a favorable sense) to pity, console or (reflexively) rue; or (unfavorably) to avenge (oneself):

According to thy word - OT:565 'imrah (im-raw'); or 'emrah (em-raw'); feminine of OT:561, and meaning the same:

Thy servant - OT:5650 `ebed (eh'-bed); from OT:5647; a servant:

Are we deserving of God's merciful kindness? But yet, hasn't He promised it?

"Yet the Lord will command his lovingkindness in the daytime, and in the night his song shall be with me, and my prayer unto the God of my life." (Psalm 42:8)

"He shall send from heaven, and save from the reproach of him that would swallow me up. Selah. God shall send forth his mercy and his truth." (Psalm 57:3)

"For thy mercy is great unto the heavens, and thy truth unto the clouds." (Psalm 57:10)

Do we trust in these promises? Do we remind God of these promises? (and thus remind us of the truth of these promises) Do we take comfort in these promises?

Psalm 119:72-74

Psalm 119:72-74

(72)  The law of thy mouth is better unto me than thousands of gold and silver.

If we had the choice between God's Word or a million dollars, what would our honest choice be? Are our labors towards God's Word or worldly riches? "Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also." (Matthew 6:19-21)

(73)  Thy hands have made me and fashioned me: give me understanding, that I may learn thy commandments.

In thinking just about the first phrase ("Thy hands have made me and fashioned me"), that should be reason enough for us to desire God's Word. If He had the wisdom to create us - to mold us, fashion us, form us (and beyond that, gift us, bless us, redeem us, save us, provide for us, sustain us) - why don't we desire to know more of that wisdom? What folly for the created to say to the creator, "Yep, I'm here and living, but I don't need You anymore!" And yet, how often do we do this?

How much we need wisdom from our creator! And the amazing thing is, He will grant it to us! ("If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him." James 1:5)

(74)  They that fear thee will be glad when they see me; because I have hoped in thy word.

Does our behavior encourage other believers? Are we steadfast in our hope of God's Word or do we falter and fail? Personally, I know that the friends who encourage me most are those who are steadfast even in the midst of trouble. Those who cling to God's Word in problems rather than mere men.

Psalm 119:69-71

Psalm 119:69-71

(69)  The proud have forged a lie against me: but I will keep thy precepts with my whole heart.

(70)  Their heart is as fat as grease; but I delight in thy law.

Similar to verse 51 ("The proud have had me greatly in derision: yet have I not declined from thy law."), it is another reminder to keep God's commandments no matter what others say or do.

(71)  It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes.

Afflicted - OT:6031`anah (aw-naw'); a primitive root [possibly rather ident. with OT:6030 through the idea of looking down or browbeating]; to depress literally or figuratively, transitive or intransitive (in various applications, as follows):

We don't care for affliction much - the idea of looking down, brow beating, depressed . . . but God does not send those experiences our way fruitlessly: "My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing." (James 1:2-4) - And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope: And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us." (Romans 5:3-5)

What is our response to tribulation and testings? Do we see them as good and able to work good in our lives? ("And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose." Romans 8:28) My response determines whether or not the affliction will draw me closer to God and help me to learn His statutes, or whether I will refuse.

Psalm 119:67-68

Psalm 119:67-68

(67)  Before I was afflicted I went astray: but now have I kept thy word.

Afflicted - OT:6031 `anah (aw-naw'); a primitive root [possibly rather ident. with OT:6030 through the idea of looking down or browbeating]; to depress literally or figuratively, transitive or intransitive (in various applications, as follows):

Astray - OT:7683 shagag (shaw-gag'); a primitive root; to stray, i.e. (figuratively) sin (with more or less apology):

God uses afflictions to get our walk back to His path. Do I balk at afflictions, testings, troubles, trials? Or do I stop to ask the Lord how He's using them in my life? Can I say like the Psalmist, "It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes." (Psalm 119:71)

(68)  Thou art good, and doest good; teach me thy statutes.

Just as we must believe in God's commandments (vs. 66), we must believe that God is good to be fully receptive to His truth. God is good. Can I say that at any moment of any day?

"Truly God is good to Israel, even to such as are of a clean heart." (Psalm 73:1)

"And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments." (Matthew 19:17)

Psalm 119:65-66

Psalm 119:65-66

(65) Thou hast dealt well with thy servant, O LORD, according unto thy word.

Sometimes, we need to stop and reflect God's goodness; how He has indeed dwelt well with us. If we do a search in His Word, we will find that "He is faithful that promised" (Hebrews 10:23).

God doesn't merely expect us to keep His Word - He also keeps His Word.

(66)  Teach me good judgment and knowledge: for I have believed thy commandments.

Believe - OT:539 'aman (aw-man'); a primitive root; properly, to build up or support; to foster as a parent or nurse; figuratively to render (or be) firm or faithful, to trust or believe, to be permanent or quiet; morally to be true or certain; once (Isa 30:21; interchangeable with OT:541) to go to the right hand:

Good judgment and knowledge come only from God. Before we learn them, though, we must believe them. Am I founded in the Word of God? Do I know that it is truth? How can I learn from something that I think is fallible? I must be fully convinced that God's Word is truth. I must have total faith that His promises are true. Only then can I make any progress in learning His judgment and knowledge.

A brief review of from Whom we're learning judgment and knowledge: "Who hath directed the Spirit of the Lord, or being his counsellor hath taught him? With whom took he counsel, and who instructed him, and taught him in the path of judgment, and taught him knowledge, and shewed to him the way of understanding?" (Isaiah 40:13-14)

Psalm 119:64

Psalm 119:64

(64)  The earth, O LORD, is full of thy mercy: teach me thy statutes.

For a moment, it is good to stop and reflect on God's mercy - it fills the earth! How do we know this? There is simple observation from nature, but we are sure because of God's Word.

"For thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive; and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon thee." (Psalm 86:5)

"But thou, O Lord, art a God full of compassion, and gracious, longsuffering, and plenteous in mercy and truth." (Psalm 86:15)

"The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy." (Psalm 103:8)

"The Lord is longsuffering, and of great mercy, forgiving iniquity and transgression, and by no means clearing the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation." (Numbers 14:18)

"The Lord is gracious, and full of compassion; slow to anger, and of great mercy." (Psalm 145:8)

If this is the Lord, then why shouldn't I be willing to learn from Him and of Him?

Psalm 119:63

Psalm 119:63

(63)  I am a companion of all them that fear thee, and of them that keep thy precepts.

Who are our companions (associates)? Our friends should not merely claim a relationship with Christ - it should be evidenced that they fear (revere) God and keep His Word. Their walk should be compared to Scripture. Are they even trying to follow God's Word?

There are a couple of warnings about companions:

"He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed." (Proverbs 13:20)

"Whoso keepeth the law is a wise son: but he that is a companion of riotous men shameth his father." (Proverbs 28:7)

We need to be like Paul, whose companion was a fellowsoldier, a servant: "Yet I supposed it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother, and companion in labour, and fellowsoldier, but your messenger, and he that ministered to my wants." (Philippians2:25)

Psalm 119:61-62

Psalm 119:61-62

(61)  The bands of the wicked have robbed me: but I have not forgotten thy law.

There is no excuse to forget God's law. When trials come, it should not bring us further from God's law, it should not cause us to doubt God, but bring us closer. What is the difference? Some people forget God's law - that He warns us we'll suffer trials and tribulations ("My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing." James 1:2-4). They forget that God promises rewards to those who endure ("Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him." James 1:12). Those few verses should help us to stay focused not on the enemy or the trials we're facing, but on God, Who is sufficient through our trials.

(62)  At midnight I will rise to give thanks unto thee because of thy righteous judgments.

Here is another "night" mentioned. What am I doing at midnight? If I awaken in the middle of the night, do I turn my thoughts immediately to God in thanksgiving? Do my thoughts go to His Word?

The perfect example of midnight worship is Paul and Silas: "And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them. And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one's bands were loosed." (Acts 16:25-26)

Psalm 119:59-60

Psalm 119:59-60

(59)  I thought on my ways, and turned my feet unto thy testimonies.

When was the last time I stopped to really think about my ways? I shouldn't think about them to see if they're "okay" with me, but if they're "okay" with God. And, when I realize that any part of my way was not "okay" with God, do I turn my feet to His testimonies? Do I correct that which is not in line with His Word by then being a doer of the Word and not a hearer only?

Some verses to consider about our ways:

"Doth not he see my ways, and count all my steps?" (Job 31:4)

" I said, I will take heed to my ways, that I sin not with my tongue: I will keep my mouth with a bridle, while the wicked is before me." (Psalm 39:1)

"O that my ways were directed to keep thy statutes!" (Psalm 119:5)

"I have kept thy precepts and thy testimonies: for all my ways are before thee." (Psalm 119:168)

"Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways." (Psalm 139:3)

"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts." (Isaiah 55:8-9)

 (60)  I made haste, and delayed not to keep thy commandments.

Haste - OT:2363 chuwsh (koosh); a primitive root; to hurry; figuratively, to be eager with excitement or enjoyment:

Delayed - OT:4102 mahahh (maw-hah'); apparently a denominative from OT:4100; properly, to question or hesitate, i.e. (by implication) to be reluctant:

To make hast to keep God's commandments gives an idea of hurry. But this hurry isn't because of fear or to "get it done with" but excitement, eagerness, enjoyment! Do I find that attitude towards keeping God's commandments. "For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous." (1 John 5:3) Grievous: weighty, burdensome, grave - which gives the idea of the "delay" mentions in Psalm 119:60 (question, hesitate, be reluctant). For the child of God, their attitude towards His commands shouldn't be grief or delay, but excited haste!

Psalm 119:57-58

Psalm 119:57-58

(57) Thou art my portion, O LORD: I have said that I would keep thy words.

In this life, we tend to expect certain "portions" (allotment). But for the believer, we should realize that HE is our portion. Can we, like the Psalmist, say, "The Lord is the portion of mine inheritance and of my cup: thou maintainest my lot."? (Psalm 16:5) If we recognize God as our portion, perhaps we would be more inclined to keep His Words.

(58)  I intreated thy favour with my whole heart: be merciful unto me according to thy word.

Similar to verse 41 ("Let thy mercies come also unto me, O LORD, even thy salvation, according to thy word."), there are promises "according to [God's] Word." It is amazing to think that those of us who have obtained God as our portion (through salvation) now have access to God's favor and His mercy - according to His Word.

Psalm 119:53-56

Psalm 119:53-56

(53)  Horror hath taken hold upon me because of the wicked that forsake thy law.

What is our response when others forsake God's law? Do we have a feeling of horror (glow, consuming)? or do we "let it slip?" The more we love God's law, the more we'll desire to see others follow it. "They that forsake the law praise the wicked: but such as keep the law contend with them." (Proverbs 28:4)

(54)  Thy statutes have been my songs in the house of my pilgrimage.

"Pilgrimage" gives the idea of temporary abode. "This world is not my home, I'm just a-passing through." As we journey, what is the song on our lips? Do we love God's Word so much that we're willing to sing it so that we may better know it and be reminded of it?

(55)  I have remembered thy name, O LORD, in the night, and have kept thy law.

What do we do at night? At night is when our thoughts tend to wander, our "daydreams" happen, our fears come. But as the believer, what should our nighttime activity be?

"But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night." (Psalm 1:2)

"Yet the Lord will command his lovingkindness in the daytime, and in the night his song shall be with me, and my prayer unto the God of my life." (Psalm 42:8)

"When I remember thee upon my bed, and meditate on thee in the night watches." (Psalm 63:6)

To keep God's law at night, be must meditate upon it at night.

(56)  This I had, because I kept thy precepts.

To remember God's Name at night and keep His law will not happen automatically. Instead, it happens because we have determined to keep God's precepts in everyday living. What am I missing because I'm not keeping all of His precepts?

Psalm 119:50-52

Psalm 119:50-52

(50)  This is my comfort in my affliction: for thy word hath quickened me.

In any affliction we go through, God's Word is able to quicken us - give us life. If we sense no meaning to life, perhaps we should dig in God's Word: He promises that It is able to quicken (Hebrews 4:12). When we need comfort, do we turn to God's Word?

(51)  The proud have had me greatly in derision: yet have I not declined from thy law.

Others may scoff at our foundation of God's Word - but do we let that affect us? When others make fun of how much time we spend in God's Word, rail on us for not doing things with us because God's Word prohibits it, how do we respond? Do we go to God's Word with renewed passion? or do we let their words influence us? That which we love most (acceptance of men or praise from God) will shape our lives.

(52)  I remembered thy judgments of old, O LORD; and have comforted myself.

Similar to verse 50 ("This is my comfort in my affliction: for thy word hath quickened me."), we are to go to God's Word for comfort. It is true that friends can comfort us, but there is no comfort like the Lord Himself and His Words.

"Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God." (2 Corinthians 1:3-4)

"Mine eyes fail for thy word, saying, When wilt thou comfort me?" (Psalm 119:82)

"For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope." (Romans 15:4)

Psalm 119:49

Psalm 119:49

(49)  Remember the word unto thy servant, upon which thou hast caused me to hope.

We can hope in God's promises:

"My soul fainteth for thy salvation: but I hope in thy word." (Psalms 119:81)

"Thou art my hiding place and my shield: I hope in thy word." (Psalms 119:114)

"Uphold me according unto thy word, that I may live: and let me not be ashamed of my hope."  (Psalms 119:116)

"I wait for the LORD, my soul doth wait, and in his word do I hope."  (Psalms 130:5)

"For the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, whereof ye heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel;" (Colossians 1:5)

Abraham is a great example of a man who hoped in God's Word and His promises: "He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform. And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness." (Romans 4:20-22) He knew that God would remember His promises to His servant. And he did not stagger in his faith. Do I believe God's promises so much that my faith is unwavering?

Psalm 119:46-48

Psalm 119:46-48

(46)  I will speak of thy testimonies also before kings, and will not be ashamed.

The verse that immediately comes to mind is Luke 12:11-12, "And when they bring you unto the synagogues, and unto magistrates, and powers, take ye no thought how or what thing ye shall answer, or what ye shall say: For the Holy Ghost shall teach you in the same hour what ye ought to say." Am I committed to God's truth so that, even if I'm brought before higher (human) powers, I will speak of God's Word and be steadfast?

What if I'm not being tested or persecuted? What if opportunity ever arose for me to hold a conversation with "great" men or women? Would I be ashamed of my belief in God and His Word so that I will smooth talk over it? or will I stay firm in the truth that my heart is grounded upon?

(47)  And I will delight myself in thy commandments, which I have loved.

(48)  My hands also will I lift up unto thy commandments, which I have loved; and I will meditate in thy statutes.

Just a simple search of "love-delight" shows:

"How long, ye simple ones, will ye love simplicity? and the scorners delight in their scorning, and fools hate knowledge?" (Proverbs 1:22)

"As he loved cursing, so let it come unto him: as he delighted not in blessing, so let it be far from him." (Psalms 109:17)

That which we love, we delight in. If we love simplicity, we will delight in scorning. If we love cursing, we will not delight in blessing. But! If we love God's Word, we will delight in His commandments (coupled with "delighting in" is the idea of meditating upon). Oh for more love for the Word of God!

Psalm 119:43-45

Psalm 119:43-45

(43)  And take not the word of truth utterly out of my mouth; for I have hoped in thy judgments.

Is the Word of truth in our mouths? It must be in our hearts before it is on our lips. As verse 27 says, "Make me to understand the way of thy precepts: so shall I talk of thy wondrous works." When God's Word is our hope, we will speak of it.

(44)  So shall I keep thy law continually for ever and ever.

Daily we must make the commitment to keep God's law. Today, tomorrow, the next day, the next day . . . every day of our life. It is not enough to simply keep it one day. It must be our lifestyle.

(45)  And I will walk at liberty: for I seek thy precepts.

Liberty - OT:7342 rachab (raw-khawb'); from OT:7337; roomy, in any (or every) direction, literally or figuratively:

As Romans 6 says, "Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness? But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness." (Romans 6:16-18) Whether or not we want to accept it, the truth is that a person is either enslaved to sin or enslaved to righteousness. We like to think there is freedom in sin and following our own ways and slavery to righteousness and following God's way, but it's the opposite: only in following God is there liberty.

Psalm 119:41-42

Psalm 119:41-42

(41) Let thy mercies come also unto me, O LORD, even thy salvation, according to thy word.

According to God's Word, He has promised salvation. According to God's Word, He has promised mercy. It is not arrogant or prideful to ask the Lord for what He has promised ("Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened." Matthew 7:7-8 - "If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you." John 15:7). How many of God's blessings are we missing out because we're not asking? because we're not asking for Him to send them to us?

(42)  So shall I have wherewith to answer him that reproacheth me: for I trust in thy word.

God's Word gives the answer for those who test us (as Ephesians 6:17 indicates this weapon, "And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:") - but it is only useful if we trust in God's Word. If we doubt His Word, then this weapon is then in vain. The question is not "Has God given us adequate answers?" but "Do I trust in the answers God has given?"

Psalm 119:38-40

Psalm 119:38-40

(38)  Stablish thy word unto thy servant, who is devoted to thy fear.

As God's servant, am I eager and ready for every word He might give me? am I looking and waiting for when He might show me more of His word so that I can abide in it? Am I willing to be stablished - settled - in God's Word? Devoted to Him?

(39)  Turn away my reproach which I fear: for thy judgments are good.

God is a just judge, and yet He is merciful. But, will He turn away our reproach just because we ask Him? I think this verse is connected to the verse before: if we are stablished in God's Word and devoted to His fear, God will extend greater mercy than if we are stiffnecked towards God's Word and resistant towards Him.

In a way, it makes me think of Psalm 19:9, "The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether."

 (40)  Behold, I have longed after thy precepts: quicken me in thy righteousness.

Not only does God's Word quicken (Psalm 119:25), but His righteousness quickens us as well.

In these few verses, we see that God is able to:

- Stablish His Word

- Turn away my reproach

- Quicken me in righteousness

However, we must also acknowledge our part:

- Devoted to God's fear

- Longing for God's precepts

Psalm 119:36-37

Psalm 119:36-37

(36)  Incline my heart unto thy testimonies, and not to covetousness.

The Hebrew word for "covetousness" is (OT:1215) betsa` (beh'-tsah); from OT:1214; plunder; by extension, gain (usually unjust):"

Another verse with this word is Ezekiel 33:31, "And they come unto thee as the people cometh, and they sit before thee as my people, and they hear thy words, but they will not do them: for with their mouth they shew much love, but their heart goeth after their covetousness." Here is an example of a congregation who outwardly did the right acts, but inwardly, God saw their true nature: covetous. A heart that is inclined to God's testimonies will do what they hear. But the heart that is set on covetousness might "hear" but will never do. Where do I fall? As one whose heart is inclined to covetousness? or inclined to God's testimonies?

(37)  Turn away mine eyes from beholding vanity; and quicken thou me in thy way.

Turn away - OT:5674 `abar (aw-bar'); a primitive root; to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive, intransitive, intensive, causative); specifically, to cover (in copulation):

Vanity - OT:7723 shav' (shawv); or shav (shav); from the same as OT:7722 in the sense of desolating; evil (as destructive), literally (ruin) or morally (especially guile); figuratively idolatry (as false, subjective), uselessness (as deceptive, objective; also adverbially, in vain):

Quicken - OT:2421 chayah (khaw-yaw'); a primitive root [compare OT:2331, OT:2421]; to live, whether literally or figuratively; causatively, to revive:

Many of the verses in this chapter seem to be a prayer - a request for God's help. It is acknowledging that we are weak, and He is strong. For instance, this verse; if I take it to heart, then I realize that as much as I try, I will be unable to keep my eyes from seeking vanity, unable to truly be revived in God's way - I must seek God's help in this issue.