Illuminating Word.

When you get a chance, read through these verses from Psalm 119. Take notice of the progression of thought. This section starts out with the writer expressing a very strong sense of love toward the Word of God. He is enamored with the Word of God and it mirrors the love that is expressed between a man and a woman in a committed relationship.

As the writer moves on to the following verses, he explains why there is this intense love of God’s words for him. His insight on life is greatly enhanced by what he gains from the Words of God. He can outwit his enemies because of this understanding. He has absorbed more beneficial life hacks and they come from the Words of God. There is perception and discernment as well as a sensitivity for life that enables this believer to be better informed than his human teachers.

He has noticed that there are several paths from which to choose in our day to day life and one of those paths is defined by “evil.” That route or trajectory is not easily discerned as evil and destructive UNLESS the person of God has insight from the Words of God. Then the man or woman will be able to pick out subtleties and nuances of his or her walk that need to be adjusted. All this comes from the Word of God.

The writer ends this particular section by saying that when the way gets dark and it is hard to see, it is the communication from the eternal, wise God that allows him to take the next step and the next step. His vision of the dark track is very limited; he can’t see beyond this immediate phase but it is the intelligence of God, communicated through the written letter of God, that allows him to know enough to avoid the false compass. Now each day, each step, each word can be governed by God’s wise counsel.

Here is the insight this writer gives us: 

Psalm 119:97-105 “Oh how I love your law!

    It is my meditation all the day.

98 Your commandment makes me wiser than my enemies,

    for it is ever with me.

99 I have more understanding than all my teachers,

    for your testimonies are my meditation.

100 I understand more than the aged,

    for I keep your precepts.

101 I hold back my feet from every evil way,

    in order to keep your word.

102 I do not turn aside from your rules,

    for you have taught me.

103 How sweet are your words to my taste,

    sweeter than honey to my mouth!

104 Through your precepts I get understanding;

    therefore I hate every false way.

105 Your word is a lamp to my feet

    and a light to my path.”