In The Word
Read: Psalm 119:153-176
Resh.
153 Look upon my affliction and rescue me,
For I do not forget Your law.
154 Plead my cause and redeem me;
Revive me according to Your word.
155 Salvation is far from the wicked,
For they do not seek Your statutes.
156 Great are Your mercies, O Lord;
Revive me according to Your ordinances.
157 Many are my persecutors and my adversaries,
Yet I do not turn aside from Your testimonies.
158 I behold the treacherous and loathe them,
Because they do not keep Your word.
159 Consider how I love Your precepts;
Revive me, O Lord, according to Your lovingkindness.
160 The sum of Your word is truth,
And every one of Your righteous ordinances is everlasting.
Shin.
161 Princes persecute me without cause,
But my heart stands in awe of Your words.
162 I rejoice at Your word,
As one who finds great spoil.
163 I hate and despise falsehood,
But I love Your law.
164 Seven times a day I praise You,
Because of Your righteous ordinances.
165 Those who love Your law have great peace,
And nothing causes them to stumble.
166 I hope for Your salvation, O Lord,
And do Your commandments.
167 My soul keeps Your testimonies,
And I love them exceedingly.
168 I keep Your precepts and Your testimonies,
For all my ways are before You.
Tav.
169 Let my cry come before You, O Lord;
Give me understanding according to Your word.
170 Let my supplication come before You;
Deliver me according to Your word.
171 Let my lips utter praise,
For You teach me Your statutes.
172 Let my tongue sing of Your word,
For all Your commandments are righteousness.
173 Let Your hand be ready to help me,
For I have chosen Your precepts.
174 I long for Your salvation, O Lord,
And Your law is my delight.
175 Let my soul live that it may praise You,
And let Your ordinances help me.
176 I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek Your servant,
For I do not forget Your commandments.
New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation
Walking In The Word
Three times the psalmist asked God to revive him. What does it mean to revive? It means to return to life, vigor, strength, or to be quickened, restored, and renewed. First, he asked to be revived according to the Lord’s Word; second, to be revived by His ordinances; third, to be revived according to His loving-kindness.
Have you ever needed to be revived? Have you ever been to a point, like this psalmist, where you needed to be rescued, delivered, or maybe just encouraged? First, in verse one-hundred fifty-four, he said, “Revive me according to your word,” which is also translated as “your promises.” This world has a way of knocking us down and discouraging us, but God, through His Word, has made you a promise. He said He would never leave you nor forsake you (Hebrews 13:5). Philippians 1:6 says, “For I am confident of this very thing that He that has begun a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Jesus Christ.” It may be a lifetime journey, but God is in the perfecting business; He wants to finish the “good work” He has begun in you. All we must do is remain faithful and believe He will do it. Second, God’s law is there to protect you. “Thy law is my delight…let Thine ordnances help me” (Psalm 119:174-175). Sometimes we find ourselves in these positions of discouragement because we have wandered away from God’s commandments. Third, know that God’s loving-kindness is always there to encourage you. He wants the best for you; encourage yourself with these promises!