The Way of Blessing (Psalm 119:1-8)

Psalm 119 is designed according to the Hebrew alphabet. There is a section for each letter of the alphabet, and within each section each verse begins with that letter. It is not easy to repeat that feature in an English translation. Yet its existence in the original Hebrew is a reminder that God included literary skills in the composition of his Word. 

We do not know who wrote the psalm, even although there are numerous personal references throughout it. Verse 9 could indicate that it was composed by a young man, and since its style indicates skill in composition, some have suggested Daniel as the author. But the reality is that no one knows who wrote it.

 

It is striking that it begins with an affirmation of what it means to be happy. A quick glance at the psalm reveals that happiness is connected to God’s law as it is lived out in the lives of his people. In the psalm, there is also an emphasis on prayer, and we can use its verses as petitions for divine grace to be received along the way.

 

The first section divides into three thoughts or points: (1) The way of blessedness (vv. 1-3); (2) The longing for obedience (vv. 4-6) and (3) The outcome of obedience (vv. 7-8).

 

The way of blessedness (vv. 1-3)

 

(1) Blessed are those whose way is blameless, who walk in the law of the LORD! (2) Blessed are those who keep his testimonies, who seek him with their whole heart, (3) who also do no wrong, but walk in his ways!

 

The route required for obtaining a blessed spiritual state is an ongoing walk in the law of the Lord (v. 1). Law here is not limited to the ten commandments, but it includes the entirety of what God has required. A believer living in Old Testament times would have included the ceremonial requirements within his understanding of the law. We are no longer under that requirement, but then there are some matters incumbent upon us because of the gospel. For example, how do we treat those whom the New Testament calls weak believers?

 

A variety of words are used to describe the law and this feature occurs in each section of the psalm. This feature is another example of the literary skills of the author. In addition to law in this section, he uses testimonies, ways, precepts, statutes, commandments, and rules. They all indicate that a believer is under divine authority.

 

What kind of person is blessed? They are blameless, keepers of God’s testimonies, seekers whose whole inner life is involved in the search, people who do not practice wrong. Blameless does not mean perfection, but it means that no one can point the finger at them and say that they have omitted what God had required. In other words, they are consistent and not selective in their conformity to God’s requirements. Such a response means they are very careful in discovering what they should be doing. 

 

Why did they do this? Because they wanted contact with their covenant Lord (v. 1) – they seek him with their whole heart (v. 2). His position as the God of the covenant is seen in the divine name used in verse 1: he is Yahweh or Jehovah, who had revealed himself in a special way to Israel. We know that God is a Trinity, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.

 

How can they do this? They can only have this life of obedience because God enables them to do so. The Holy Spirit is sanctifying them, and he sanctifies them from the inside out, and he sanctifies them according to the manner revealed by him in the Bible. He gives them new hearts which delight in keeping God’s requirements and instructions. Yet they also know that their walk is stained by sin, and they are glad that the blood of Jesus cleanses them from all sin.

 

They know that there is a route for meeting with him and they go along it. The route is the way that pleases him. Yet it is not legalism. Rather it is the way of holiness. This way of meeting with God is mentioned in the New Testament: ‘Jesus answered him, “If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. Whoever does not love me does not keep my words. And the word that you hear is not mine but the Father’s who sent me”’ (John 14:23-24).

 

The longing for obedience (vv. 4-6)

 

(4) You have commanded your precepts to be kept diligently. (5) Oh that my ways may be steadfast in keeping your statutes! (6) Then I shall not be put to shame, having my eyes fixed on all your commandments.

 

Here, in verse 4, the psalmist addressed God. He recognised that there are a variety of possible ways by which God’s commands could be kept to some degree. For example, we could keep them reluctantly or we could keep them merely outwardly. Clearly, such responses are not valid. Other examples are that we could keep them selectively, deciding at times to ignore his commandments. As far as the psalmist was concerned, God had revealed that his instructions should be kept diligently.

 

What does it mean to keep them diligently? Probably two words will explain how to do so – carefully and constantly. The psalmist does not think that is an unrealistic expectation to meet. He knows that he is a sinner, but he also knows that he should be steadfast. Therefore, he sighs about his attempts, but we can see that his sigh is actually a prayer: ‘Oh that my ways may be steadfast in keeping your statutes!’ (v. 5).

 

It is an appropriate prayer as well as an ardent prayer, but we can also see that it is an affectionate prayer because he loves the Lord who has given the commandments. His petition is an admission of failure, but it is also an expression of faith. He desires vehemently to honour the will of his covenant God.

 

All of us face a choice continually, which is, ‘In this situation, whatever it is, should I do what God expects me to do?’ There is not a situation in life that will not be covered by some or all of his commandments. Sometimes, the fear of man can hinder our obedience and the outcome is shame, because if those people get to know us, they will realise that we have been inconsistent, and we will experience shame. For example, we might have not told the whole truth about a situation, but developments may show that we have misled others. But if we aim to honour God, he will help us remain true to him, as Joseph discovered when he refused to do what God forbade.

 

When we want to travel from one place to another, we look at a map to guide us. God’s commandments are the map to take us along the path of holiness. As we go along, we need concentration, or as the psalmist says, our eyes are ‘fixed on all your commandments’. We may wonder about this emphasis on all of God’s commands, but each one comes with his authority. Wholehearted obedience is the path of peace. Yet our wholehearted obedience is deficient, but that is not a contradiction in the spiritual life. As Charles Bridges commented, ‘Though utterly unable to render perfect obedience to the least of the commandments, yet my desire and purpose will have respect unto them all.’

 

The outcome of obedience (vv. 7-8)

 

(7) I will praise you with an upright heart, when I learn your righteous rules. (8) I will keep your statutes; do not utterly forsake me!

 

What happens to a believer as he moves along the way of obedience? He discovers that he delights in praising God. The effect of practicing God’s instructions is ongoing praise. Sometimes we wonder why we find praise to be sluggish and reluctant. The reason is often a failure to be obedient to the Lord’s revealed will. Yet we can see that the goal of a life of obedience is not to receive the applause of men but to engage in the praise of God. 

 

The redeemed walk this way because they have a Redeemer, whom they want to thank for his ongoing fulfilment of his roles as their prophet, priest and king. The sons walk this way because they have a Father whom they want to praise for his fatherly involvement in their lives. The saints walk this way because the Holy Spirit indwells them, and they want to honour him and not grieve him.

 

Yet the person who obeys the Lord is not marked by self-confidence (v. 8). Even although his resolve is to keep God’s law, he does not want the Lord to leave him to himself. He knows the truth of the Saviour’s warning, ‘Without me you can do nothing.’ He also knows that he is only a step away from sin, even when he is at his best. The Spirit can be grieved, and the devout and devoted believer is aware of that possibility. This awareness in his heart is the result of divine teaching, not merely human assessment.

 

So the blessed person experiences divine enabling, enjoys praising his divine company, and fears losing the wonder of God’s presence.