Posts Tagged ‘Psalms’

June 12 Psalm 119:89-96

Posted: June 12, 2013 by Pam Larson in Bible Passages, Psalms, June Bible Readings
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June 12

Psalm 119:89-96 (ESV)

89 Forever, O Lord, your word
is firmly fixed in the heavens.
90 Your faithfulness endures to all generations;
you have established the earth, and it stands fast.
91 By your appointment they stand this day,
for all things are your servants.
92 If your law had not been my delight,
I would have perished in my affliction.
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 testimonies.
96 I have seen a limit to all perfection,
but your commandment is exceedingly broad.

Word-roots

Posted: June 11, 2013 by Pam Larson in Devotionals/Commentaries, June, Psalms
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rootsPart 6 of Sam Storms’ meditation on Psalm 119:

(6) The psalmist is also determined to undertake the discipline of meditation. He often speaks of “fixing” his eyes on the commandments of God and laboring “never to forget” them (see vv. 6, 15, 16, 23, 27, 48, 61, 78, 83, 97, 99, 141, 148, 176). This is a healthy and much-needed reminder that God does not operate on us in an intellectual or spiritual vacuum. In other words, if he is going to illumine our minds and incline our wills, his Word must first take root in our hearts.

To read the rest of Sam Storms’ commentary on Psalm 119, click here:

June 11 Psalm 119:81-88

Posted: June 11, 2013 by Pam Larson in Bible Passages, Psalms, June Bible Readings
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June 11

Psalm 119:81-88 (ESV)

81 My soul longs for your salvation;
I hope in your word.
82 My eyes long for your promise;
I ask, “When will you comfort me?”
83 For I have become like a wineskin in the smoke,
yet I have not forgotten your statutes.
84 How long must your servant endure? [1]
When will you judge those who persecute me?
85 The insolent have dug pitfalls for me;
they do not live according to your law.
86 All your commandments are sure;
they persecute me with falsehood; help me!
87 They have almost made an end of me on earth,
but I have not forsaken your precepts.
88 In your steadfast love give me life,
that I may keep the testimonies of your mouth.

Actively embrace the Word of God

Posted: June 10, 2013 by Pam Larson in Devotionals/Commentaries, June, Psalms
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Sam Storms has a wonderful commentary on Psalm 119.  Here is a quote:

Although utterly and in all ways dependent on God for help, don’t overlook the fact that the psalmist repeatedly commits himself and “promises” to take action to learn, store up, and diligently keep the Word of God. The antecedent priority of God’s work in his heart does not preclude or undermine his responsibility to exercise his will in the active embrace of the Word. We see this, for example, in vv. 8, 11, 15 (“I will delight in your statutes; I will not forget your word”), 30, 32, 44, 57, 59-60, 101-102, 106, 112 (“I incline my heart to perform your statutes forever, to the end”), 145.

To read the rest of Dr. Storms’ commentary on Psalm 119, click here:

farm workPersonal note: Being from Minnesota and knowing many farmers, I am reminded how farmers are completely and totally dependent on God for the success or failure of their crop, as only God controls the weather and gives the growth.  This spring has seen days on days of rain, flooded, soggy fields and many farmers have NO crop planted yet.

However, no farmer I know just lies on his couch all day praying for God to take care of his weeds or fertilizing or whatever.  Diligent farmers work very hard, while at the same time recognizing their dependence on God.  It is the same with our walk of faith.  As Sam Storms said above, “The antecedent priority of God’s work in his heart does not preclude or undermine his responsibility to exercise his will in the active embrace of the Word.”

I think Paul puts it this way in Philippians 2:12-13 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling,  for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.

June 10 Psalm 119:73-80

Posted: June 10, 2013 by Pam Larson in Bible Passages, June Bible Readings, Psalms
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June 10

Psalm 119:73-80 (ESV)

73 Your hands have made and fashioned me;
give me understanding that I may learn your commandments.
74 Those who fear you shall see me and rejoice,
because I have hoped in your word.
75 I know, O Lord, that your rules are righteous,
and that in faithfulness you have afflicted me.
76 Let your steadfast love comfort me
according to your promise to your servant.
77 Let your mercy come to me, that I may live;
for your law is my delight.
78 Let the insolent be put to shame,
because they have wronged me with falsehood;
as for me, I will meditate on your precepts.
79 Let those who fear you turn to me,
that they may know your testimonies.
80 May my heart be blameless in your statutes,
that I may not be put to shame!

Incline my heart

Posted: June 9, 2013 by Pam Larson in Devotionals/Commentaries, June, Psalms
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    Incline my heart to your testimonies,
        and not to selfish gain!
Psalm 119:36 ESV

Sam Storms Meditation on Psalm 119, Part 4

(4) There is great significance in the fact that the psalmist also prays that God would do more than teach him what the Law means; he prays that God would “incline” his heart to observe them (see vv. 10, 35, 36, 37, 88, 117, cf. 133). In other words, God is present to incite our souls to obey the insight of our minds! He is committed not simply to illumine our understanding but also to incline our wills.

Knowledge that does not lead to action serves only to breed arrogance and pride.

To read the rest of Dr. Storms commentary on Psalm 119, click here:

June 9 Psalm 119:65-72

Posted: June 9, 2013 by Pam Larson in Bible Passages, June Bible Readings, Psalms
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June 9

Psalm 119:65-72 (ESV)

65 You have dealt well with your servant,
O Lord, according to your word.
66 Teach me good judgment and knowledge,
for I believe in your commandments.
67 Before I was afflicted I went astray,
but now I keep your word.
68 You are good and do good;
teach me your statutes.
69 The insolent smear me with lies,
but with my whole heart I keep your precepts;
70 their heart is unfeeling like fat,
but I delight in your law.
71 It is good for me that I was afflicted,
that I might learn your statutes.
72 The law of your mouth is better to me
than thousands of gold and silver pieces.

June 8 Psalm 119:57-64

Posted: June 8, 2013 by Pam Larson in Bible Passages, June Bible Readings, Psalms
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June 8

Psalm 119:57-64 (ESV)

57 The Lord is my portion;
I promise to keep your words.
58 I entreat your favor with all my heart;
be gracious to me according to your promise.
59 When I think on my ways,
I turn my feet to your testimonies;
60 I hasten and do not delay
to keep your commandments.
61 Though the cords of the wicked ensnare me,
I do not forget your law.
62 At midnight I rise to praise you,
because of your righteous rules.
63 I am a companion of all who fear you,
of those who keep your precepts.
64 The earth, O Lord, is full of your steadfast love;
teach me your statutes!

Sam Storms – Psalm 119 Part 2

Posted: June 7, 2013 by Pam Larson in Devotionals/Commentaries, June, Psalms
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Sam Storms:

1) One of the first things that struck me was the variety of ways in which God’s rules and laws and precepts are described: they are “righteous” (vv. 7, 75, 106, 164), indeed “righteous forever” (v. 144); they are “good” (v. 39), they are “sure” (v. 86), they are “firmly fixed in the heavens” (v. 89), they are “exceedingly broad” (v. 96), they are “right” (vv. 128, 137, 172), they are “wonderful” (v. 129), they are “true” (vv. 142, 151), and they endure forever (v. 160).

(2) Little wonder, then, that the psalmist would go to such vivid verbal lengths to describe his attitude, indeed his appetite for the Word of God. Consider, for example, the following brief sampling, and ask yourself if such colorful and passionate language accurately describes your perspective toward the glory and power of God’s Word:

“In the way of your testimonies I delight as much as in all riches” (v. 14).

“I will delight in your statutes” (v. 16).

“My soul is consumed with longing for your rules at all times” (v. 20).

“Your testimonies are my delight” (v. 24; cf. vv. 35, 77, 92, 143, 174).

“Behold, I long for your precepts” (v. 40).

“for I find my delight in your commandments, which I love” (v. 47).

“The law of your mouth is better to me than thousands of gold and silver pieces” (v. 72).

“Oh how I love your law!” (v. 97).

“How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth!” (v. 103)

“Your testimonies are my heritage forever, for they are the joy of my heart” (v. 111).

“I love your law” (v. 113; cf. vv. 119, 159, 163).

“Therefore I love your commandments above gold, above fine gold” (v. 127).

“Your testimonies are wonderful” (v. 129).

“I open my mouth and pant, because I long for your commandments” (v. 131).

“I rejoice at your word like one who finds great spoil” (v. 162).

“My soul keeps your testimonies; I love them exceedingly” (v. 167).

by Sam Storms, to read the rest of his commentary on Psalm 119, click here:

June 7 Psalm 119:49-56

Posted: June 7, 2013 by Pam Larson in Bible Passages, June Bible Readings, Psalms
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June 7

Psalm 119:49-56 (ESV)

49 Remember your word to your servant,
in which you have made me hope.
50 This is my comfort in my affliction,
that your promise gives me life.
51 The insolent utterly deride me,
but I do not turn away from your law.
52 When I think of your rules from of old,
I take comfort, O Lord.
53 Hot indignation seizes me because of the wicked,
who forsake your law.
54 Your statutes have been my songs
in the house of my sojourning.
55 I remember your name in the night, O Lord,
and keep your law.
56 This blessing has fallen to me,
that I have kept your precepts.

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