Psalm 119, Verse 176

I have made so many mistakes in my ignorance, Adonai. Instead of studying Your word to see what it is that You commanded us, I glibly followed the traditions of men. I can now understand in part how the evil one has twisted so many things from Your word and corrupted Your people with handed-down traditions. I was not diligent in the past to test customs like "Sunday as a day of rest" instead of observing the 7th day as Sabbath. I was ignorant of the seven appointed days (or Moedim's) that You commanded us to keep as a lasting ordinance; and instead observed festivals that are not even mentioned in Your word, festivals such as Christmas and Good Friday and Easter.

I strayed away Adonai but You have shown me mercy and kindness and helped me see things that I otherwise was blinded to. Continue to seek Your servant every time I stray away in ignorance, O Saviour and give me grace, even if I have to be among the few who walk the narrow path, to walk boldly and unashamed of the truth.

This post is the last from Psalm 119. When I first found the Lord prompting me to post this Psalm for the benefit of many, I recognised that it was going to take close to six months to complete.

This is why I want to thank you very much for showing the interest to read what I posted day after day for these past months. My hope is that each Bible verse, with my personal learning corresponding to every verse, has been of benefit to you.

After all, the goal of every Christian service is to encourage each heart to love God with a devotion that is undistracted; as a bride betrothed to her husband, who is Yeshua the Messiah. If that has been achieved through these six months, the purpose has been fulfilled.

Should you ever want to go through these posts later in the future, you will find them on this blog.

Lately, I have found myself drawn to Psalm 119. Charles Spurgeon beautifully describes it thus:

There is no title to this Psalm, neither is any author's name mentioned. It is not just long only; but equally excels in breadth of thought, depth of meaning, and height of fervour. It is like the celestial city which lieth four square, and the height and the breadth of it are equal. Many superficial readers have imagined that it harps upon one string, and abounds in pious repetitions and redundancies; but this arises from the shallowness of the reader's own mind: those who have studied this divine hymn, and carefully noted each line of it, are amazed at the variety and profundity of the thought.

It contains no idle word; the grapes of this cluster are almost to bursting full with the new wine of the kingdom. The more you look into this mirror of a gracious heart the more you will see in it. Placid on the surface as the sea of glass before the eternal throne, it yet contains within its depths an ocean of fire, and those who devoutly gaze into it shall not only see the brightness, but feel the glow of the sacred flame. It is loaded with holy sense, and is as weighty as it is bulky.

The Psalm is alphabetical. Eight stanzas commence with one letter, and then another eight with the next letter, and so the whole Psalm proceeds by octonaries quite through the twenty-two letters of the Hebrew alphabet, from Aleph to Tau.

I certainly hope you benefited from the opportunity provided through these posts to reflect on them.

Psalm 119, Verse 175

The breath that You have sustained within me, Adonai, is for You—to praise and honour and worship You; for in Thee do we live and move and have our being. All other pursuits is a vain thing. Continue to teach me the sole purpose of my existence. Help me never to lose sight of it. Let my soul live, Adonai, for I shall praise You—here, now and forevermore; and let Your righteous instructions help me.

Lately, I have found myself drawn to Psalm 119. Charles Spurgeon beautifully describes it thus:

There is no title to this Psalm, neither is any author's name mentioned. It is not just long only; but equally excels in breadth of thought, depth of meaning, and height of fervour. It is like the celestial city which lieth four square, and the height and the breadth of it are equal. Many superficial readers have imagined that it harps upon one string, and abounds in pious repetitions and redundancies; but this arises from the shallowness of the reader's own mind: those who have studied this divine hymn, and carefully noted each line of it, are amazed at the variety and profundity of the thought.

It contains no idle word; the grapes of this cluster are almost to bursting full with the new wine of the kingdom. The more you look into this mirror of a gracious heart the more you will see in it. Placid on the surface as the sea of glass before the eternal throne, it yet contains within its depths an ocean of fire, and those who devoutly gaze into it shall not only see the brightness, but feel the glow of the sacred flame. It is loaded with holy sense, and is as weighty as it is bulky.

The Psalm is alphabetical. Eight stanzas commence with one letter, and then another eight with the next letter, and so the whole Psalm proceeds by octonaries quite through the twenty-two letters of the Hebrew alphabet, from Aleph to Tau.

I thought I should post a verse each day in the hope that we all, including myself, may get an opportunity to reflect on them.

Psalm 119, Verse 174

From Your word I know that there is joy in salvation—for the Psalmist says, "Restore to me the joy of Thy salvation." From my relationship with a living God who speaks to us from His living word, I know that this relationship must be vibrant, alive and constantly fresh—like a tree by the river that never withers; bearing fruit in all seasons. Therefore when I recognise that my walk with You is losing that joy—where I relate with You mechanically rather than with love—and that I am not receiving insight from Your word, but that Your Word is dry and appears to be just paper and ink; then I want to be quick to run to You and cry, "I long for Your salvation, Adonai. Restore unto me the joy of Thy salvation and renew a right spirit within me." May I never ignore this vital sign because very soon, if I am not careful, I will slip into slumber and remain like the five foolish virgins.

Lately, I have found myself drawn to Psalm 119. Charles Spurgeon beautifully describes it thus:

There is no title to this Psalm, neither is any author's name mentioned. It is not just long only; but equally excels in breadth of thought, depth of meaning, and height of fervour. It is like the celestial city which lieth four square, and the height and the breadth of it are equal. Many superficial readers have imagined that it harps upon one string, and abounds in pious repetitions and redundancies; but this arises from the shallowness of the reader's own mind: those who have studied this divine hymn, and carefully noted each line of it, are amazed at the variety and profundity of the thought.

It contains no idle word; the grapes of this cluster are almost to bursting full with the new wine of the kingdom. The more you look into this mirror of a gracious heart the more you will see in it. Placid on the surface as the sea of glass before the eternal throne, it yet contains within its depths an ocean of fire, and those who devoutly gaze into it shall not only see the brightness, but feel the glow of the sacred flame. It is loaded with holy sense, and is as weighty as it is bulky.

The Psalm is alphabetical. Eight stanzas commence with one letter, and then another eight with the next letter, and so the whole Psalm proceeds by octonaries quite through the twenty-two letters of the Hebrew alphabet, from Aleph to Tau.

I thought I should post a verse each day in the hope that we all, including myself, may get an opportunity to reflect on them.

Psalm 119, Verse 173

I echo the words of the Psalmist, Adonai, when he sang, "Unto Thee O Lord do I lift up my soul. O my God, I trust in Thee. Let me not be ashamed, let not my enemies triumph over me. Indeed let no one who waits on You be ashamed." You know that I have resolutely set my face to honour You by my obedience and faith. Yet, I need You every time, my Saviour. I need Your hand to always be ready to save me for I know that without You I will most certainly fail. Sustain me, Adonai. Uphold me by Your mighty right hand so that each day I am preserved as blameless, spotless and without blemish; truly ready for Your great appearing.

Lately, I have found myself drawn to Psalm 119. Charles Spurgeon beautifully describes it thus:

There is no title to this Psalm, neither is any author's name mentioned. It is not just long only; but equally excels in breadth of thought, depth of meaning, and height of fervour. It is like the celestial city which lieth four square, and the height and the breadth of it are equal. Many superficial readers have imagined that it harps upon one string, and abounds in pious repetitions and redundancies; but this arises from the shallowness of the reader's own mind: those who have studied this divine hymn, and carefully noted each line of it, are amazed at the variety and profundity of the thought.

It contains no idle word; the grapes of this cluster are almost to bursting full with the new wine of the kingdom. The more you look into this mirror of a gracious heart the more you will see in it. Placid on the surface as the sea of glass before the eternal throne, it yet contains within its depths an ocean of fire, and those who devoutly gaze into it shall not only see the brightness, but feel the glow of the sacred flame. It is loaded with holy sense, and is as weighty as it is bulky.

The Psalm is alphabetical. Eight stanzas commence with one letter, and then another eight with the next letter, and so the whole Psalm proceeds by octonaries quite through the twenty-two letters of the Hebrew alphabet, from Aleph to Tau.

I thought I should post a verse each day in the hope that we all, including myself, may get an opportunity to reflect on them.

Psalm 119, Verse 172

Thy promises are so great and full of encouragement Adonai. The things that we can never imagine or are capable of achieving on our own, You cause us to experience and enjoy through Thy promises. Yet almost always, I observe that Your promises are conditional. They are hinged on my response to Your word. I have noticed that we often tend to quote or remind You of Your promises while ignoring the attached condition. But to those who are sincere to observe Your whole word rather than be selective, to them there is reason to sing and praise; and shout and dance. For such have come to realize that You are always true and righteous; a covenant-keeping God. All may fail but You will never. So grant us the sincerity dear Father to read and grasp Your word in all truth, not part, so that we can enter into the glorious promises You have given us in Yeshua.

Lately, I have found myself drawn to Psalm 119. Charles Spurgeon beautifully describes it thus:

There is no title to this Psalm, neither is any author's name mentioned. It is not just long only; but equally excels in breadth of thought, depth of meaning, and height of fervour. It is like the celestial city which lieth four square, and the height and the breadth of it are equal. Many superficial readers have imagined that it harps upon one string, and abounds in pious repetitions and redundancies; but this arises from the shallowness of the reader's own mind: those who have studied this divine hymn, and carefully noted each line of it, are amazed at the variety and profundity of the thought.

It contains no idle word; the grapes of this cluster are almost to bursting full with the new wine of the kingdom. The more you look into this mirror of a gracious heart the more you will see in it. Placid on the surface as the sea of glass before the eternal throne, it yet contains within its depths an ocean of fire, and those who devoutly gaze into it shall not only see the brightness, but feel the glow of the sacred flame. It is loaded with holy sense, and is as weighty as it is bulky.

The Psalm is alphabetical. Eight stanzas commence with one letter, and then another eight with the next letter, and so the whole Psalm proceeds by octonaries quite through the twenty-two letters of the Hebrew alphabet, from Aleph to Tau.

I thought I should post a verse each day in the hope that we all, including myself, may get an opportunity to reflect on them.

Psalm 119, Verse 171

What would I have done if You did not teach me Your word Adonai? I can see how wonderfully and carefully You led me one step at a time. You not only teach me, but bring conviction with that teaching. You then let the word that You teach sink in. There are times when You allowed the word to test me to see if I will stay true to what You have taught me or if I will merely keep then as 'verses to quote' or 'teachings to preach'. O how grateful I am Adonai. My lips exalt Thee for I would have been morally bankrupt and completely directionless if You did not, in mercy, teach me Your laws.

Lately, I have found myself drawn to Psalm 119. Charles Spurgeon beautifully describes it thus:

There is no title to this Psalm, neither is any author's name mentioned. It is not just long only; but equally excels in breadth of thought, depth of meaning, and height of fervour. It is like the celestial city which lieth four square, and the height and the breadth of it are equal. Many superficial readers have imagined that it harps upon one string, and abounds in pious repetitions and redundancies; but this arises from the shallowness of the reader's own mind: those who have studied this divine hymn, and carefully noted each line of it, are amazed at the variety and profundity of the thought.

It contains no idle word; the grapes of this cluster are almost to bursting full with the new wine of the kingdom. The more you look into this mirror of a gracious heart the more you will see in it. Placid on the surface as the sea of glass before the eternal throne, it yet contains within its depths an ocean of fire, and those who devoutly gaze into it shall not only see the brightness, but feel the glow of the sacred flame. It is loaded with holy sense, and is as weighty as it is bulky.

The Psalm is alphabetical. Eight stanzas commence with one letter, and then another eight with the next letter, and so the whole Psalm proceeds by octonaries quite through the twenty-two letters of the Hebrew alphabet, from Aleph to Tau.

I thought I should post a verse each day in the hope that we all, including myself, may get an opportunity to reflect on them.

Psalm 119, Verse 170

I feel greatly assured Adonai, for through Yeshua, my prayer is always before Thee. You have said to us that whatever we ask believing; with right motives and in Your name, we will receive. In addition You also said, "If You abide in Me, and My words abide in You, ask whatever You wish; and it shall be done for You." Furthermore You continued, "You did not choose Me but I chose you; and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit; and that your fruit should remain; that whatever you ask of the Father in My name, He may give it to You." Were we to knit all these promises together, we shall find ourselves holding the certain comforting covering that when we pray, our prayer is before You. But I see that every promised is hinged on me. I need to abide in you, bear fruit, believe, pray with right motives and ask in Your name. O how I need You, Adonai. Help me for I want to experience each of these promises.

Lately, I have found myself drawn to Psalm 119. Charles Spurgeon beautifully describes it thus:

There is no title to this Psalm, neither is any author's name mentioned. It is not just long only; but equally excels in breadth of thought, depth of meaning, and height of fervour. It is like the celestial city which lieth four square, and the height and the breadth of it are equal. Many superficial readers have imagined that it harps upon one string, and abounds in pious repetitions and redundancies; but this arises from the shallowness of the reader's own mind: those who have studied this divine hymn, and carefully noted each line of it, are amazed at the variety and profundity of the thought.

It contains no idle word; the grapes of this cluster are almost to bursting full with the new wine of the kingdom. The more you look into this mirror of a gracious heart the more you will see in it. Placid on the surface as the sea of glass before the eternal throne, it yet contains within its depths an ocean of fire, and those who devoutly gaze into it shall not only see the brightness, but feel the glow of the sacred flame. It is loaded with holy sense, and is as weighty as it is bulky.

The Psalm is alphabetical. Eight stanzas commence with one letter, and then another eight with the next letter, and so the whole Psalm proceeds by octonaries quite through the twenty-two letters of the Hebrew alphabet, from Aleph to Tau.

I thought I should post a verse each day in the hope that we all, including myself, may get an opportunity to reflect on them.

Psalm 119, Verse 169

In imitating You Yeshua, my perfect example, I too choose to make my food the will of the Father who sent Thee—for did You not tell those that informed You that Your mother and brothers have come to meet You, saying, "He who does the will of My Father are My mother and brothers?" Yet I recognize that to always do Your will, I constantly need the nourishment found in Your word. I need understanding Adonai. I desire increasing insight and revelation; for it is through these that I can walk after Your ways. By the light of Your word, I can discard all that You expose; and by keeping Your word as my plumb, I can make all decisions to please You. Therefore I cry to You, Adonai, because You are good and faithful and kind, give me understanding into the deep truth of Your word; and grace to walk by it to do Your will.

Moving to the last of the 22 Hebrew alphabets, the Psalmist now composes his last eight stanzas of this Psalm. Notice how masterfully he makes one appeal after another, each time beginning with the letter "Tav".

Lately, I have found myself drawn to Psalm 119. Charles Spurgeon beautifully describes it thus:

There is no title to this Psalm, neither is any author's name mentioned. It is not just long only; but equally excels in breadth of thought, depth of meaning, and height of fervour. It is like the celestial city which lieth four square, and the height and the breadth of it are equal. Many superficial readers have imagined that it harps upon one string, and abounds in pious repetitions and redundancies; but this arises from the shallowness of the reader's own mind: those who have studied this divine hymn, and carefully noted each line of it, are amazed at the variety and profundity of the thought.

It contains no idle word; the grapes of this cluster are almost to bursting full with the new wine of the kingdom. The more you look into this mirror of a gracious heart the more you will see in it. Placid on the surface as the sea of glass before the eternal throne, it yet contains within its depths an ocean of fire, and those who devoutly gaze into it shall not only see the brightness, but feel the glow of the sacred flame. It is loaded with holy sense, and is as weighty as it is bulky.

The Psalm is alphabetical. Eight stanzas commence with one letter, and then another eight with the next letter, and so the whole Psalm proceeds by octonaries quite through the twenty-two letters of the Hebrew alphabet, from Aleph to Tau.

I thought I should post a verse each day in the hope that we all, including myself, may get an opportunity to reflect on them.

Psalm 119, Verse 168

Adonai, Your Word is a sharp two-edged sword that is able to separate the hidden motives of the heart, like bone from marrow.

In Your preparing a bride that is holy, spotless and without blemish, I am so grateful that You let Your word wash me as the washing of water from the laver before Your tabernacle.

Like the fire from the bronze altar, I ask that my sacrifice be consumed.

Like the menorah in the holy place, may my lamp constantly show forth Thy light.

Like the bread on the table across, may Thy word be fresh to my soul, uncorrupted by the leaven of unbelief and sin; and like the golden altar of incense before Your presence, may my worship rise up to You with my prayers.

For behind the veil, now rend by the work of the cross, is Your presence and Your glory. By a new and living way I choose to enter in, for in Thy presence there is fullness of joy.

Majestic God, I choose to obey all Your precepts and keep all my ways and motives transparent before You for there is nothing greater than entering into close communion with You day after day after day.

Lately, I have found myself drawn to Psalm 119. Charles Spurgeon beautifully describes it thus:

There is no title to this Psalm, neither is any author's name mentioned. It is not just long only; but equally excels in breadth of thought, depth of meaning, and height of fervour. It is like the celestial city which lieth four square, and the height and the breadth of it are equal. Many superficial readers have imagined that it harps upon one string, and abounds in pious repetitions and redundancies; but this arises from the shallowness of the reader's own mind: those who have studied this divine hymn, and carefully noted each line of it, are amazed at the variety and profundity of the thought.

It contains no idle word; the grapes of this cluster are almost to bursting full with the new wine of the kingdom. The more you look into this mirror of a gracious heart the more you will see in it. Placid on the surface as the sea of glass before the eternal throne, it yet contains within its depths an ocean of fire, and those who devoutly gaze into it shall not only see the brightness, but feel the glow of the sacred flame. It is loaded with holy sense, and is as weighty as it is bulky.

The Psalm is alphabetical. Eight stanzas commence with one letter, and then another eight with the next letter, and so the whole Psalm proceeds by octonaries quite through the twenty-two letters of the Hebrew alphabet, from Aleph to Tau.

I thought I should post a verse each day in the hope that we all, including myself, may get an opportunity to reflect on them.

Psalm 119, Verse 167

The more I study Your word Adonai, the more I see Your glory, Your Father heart and Your majesty. The more I see You in Your word, the more I understand that all Your instructions are for our good; to give us a future and a hope. It is with this understanding that my heart takes great delight in keeping Your instructions and commands. In doing so I have found You revealing to me more—things that were once hidden or what I earlier could not understand suddenly comes alive. As it springs to life within me, I slowly begin to grasp the greatness of Your purpose; the glory of Your gospel; and the magnificence of our inheritance reserved for us in Yeshua. O how I love You and Your word Adonai. This is the best thing that could have ever happened in my life.

Lately, I have found myself drawn to Psalm 119. Charles Spurgeon beautifully describes it thus:

There is no title to this Psalm, neither is any author's name mentioned. It is not just long only; but equally excels in breadth of thought, depth of meaning, and height of fervour. It is like the celestial city which lieth four square, and the height and the breadth of it are equal. Many superficial readers have imagined that it harps upon one string, and abounds in pious repetitions and redundancies; but this arises from the shallowness of the reader's own mind: those who have studied this divine hymn, and carefully noted each line of it, are amazed at the variety and profundity of the thought.

It contains no idle word; the grapes of this cluster are almost to bursting full with the new wine of the kingdom. The more you look into this mirror of a gracious heart the more you will see in it. Placid on the surface as the sea of glass before the eternal throne, it yet contains within its depths an ocean of fire, and those who devoutly gaze into it shall not only see the brightness, but feel the glow of the sacred flame. It is loaded with holy sense, and is as weighty as it is bulky.

The Psalm is alphabetical. Eight stanzas commence with one letter, and then another eight with the next letter, and so the whole Psalm proceeds by octonaries quite through the twenty-two letters of the Hebrew alphabet, from Aleph to Tau.

I thought I should post a verse each day in the hope that we all, including myself, may get an opportunity to reflect on them.

Psalm 119, Verse 166

Like creation that waits eagerly for the revealing of the sons of Elohim, I too wait with anxious longing for Your appearing. My hope is hinged on the fact that You, O my Bridegroom will come for Your bride; and You will not delay. I await for the day when You will come on the clouds with a great shout and with the sound of the shofar, for on this great day of salvation, the corruptible will be replaced by the incorruptible; and the perishable with the imperishable. My hope is alive with great anticipation because I know that I will be changed in the twinkling of an eye; for You O Yeshua will transform the body of my humble state into conformity with the body of Your glory. Therefore like John encourages me, I purify myself just as You are pure knowing that when You appear, I shall be like You.

Lately, I have found myself drawn to Psalm 119. Charles Spurgeon beautifully describes it thus:

There is no title to this Psalm, neither is any author's name mentioned. It is not just long only; but equally excels in breadth of thought, depth of meaning, and height of fervour. It is like the celestial city which lieth four square, and the height and the breadth of it are equal. Many superficial readers have imagined that it harps upon one string, and abounds in pious repetitions and redundancies; but this arises from the shallowness of the reader's own mind: those who have studied this divine hymn, and carefully noted each line of it, are amazed at the variety and profundity of the thought.

It contains no idle word; the grapes of this cluster are almost to bursting full with the new wine of the kingdom. The more you look into this mirror of a gracious heart the more you will see in it. Placid on the surface as the sea of glass before the eternal throne, it yet contains within its depths an ocean of fire, and those who devoutly gaze into it shall not only see the brightness, but feel the glow of the sacred flame. It is loaded with holy sense, and is as weighty as it is bulky.

The Psalm is alphabetical. Eight stanzas commence with one letter, and then another eight with the next letter, and so the whole Psalm proceeds by octonaries quite through the twenty-two letters of the Hebrew alphabet, from Aleph to Tau.

I thought I should post a verse each day in the hope that we all, including myself, may get an opportunity to reflect on them.

Psalm 119, Verse 165

You said Adonai, "Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you." I have come to realize that they that walk in the ways of Your instruction are those who need not be afraid of anything. When You are with them that love You, who can be against them. Is there anything that can separate such men from You? No Adonai! There is nothing. That is why they are in perfect peace, who love Your laws. Such know that You who is with them is their strength; their shield, their deliverer and their very great reward. Because of that, they will not stumble. Your mighty right hand will uphold them. And they shall enjoy Thy Shalom which none can take away.

Lately, I have found myself drawn to Psalm 119. Charles Spurgeon beautifully describes it thus:

There is no title to this Psalm, neither is any author's name mentioned. It is not just long only; but equally excels in breadth of thought, depth of meaning, and height of fervour. It is like the celestial city which lieth four square, and the height and the breadth of it are equal. Many superficial readers have imagined that it harps upon one string, and abounds in pious repetitions and redundancies; but this arises from the shallowness of the reader's own mind: those who have studied this divine hymn, and carefully noted each line of it, are amazed at the variety and profundity of the thought.

It contains no idle word; the grapes of this cluster are almost to bursting full with the new wine of the kingdom. The more you look into this mirror of a gracious heart the more you will see in it. Placid on the surface as the sea of glass before the eternal throne, it yet contains within its depths an ocean of fire, and those who devoutly gaze into it shall not only see the brightness, but feel the glow of the sacred flame. It is loaded with holy sense, and is as weighty as it is bulky.

The Psalm is alphabetical. Eight stanzas commence with one letter, and then another eight with the next letter, and so the whole Psalm proceeds by octonaries quite through the twenty-two letters of the Hebrew alphabet, from Aleph to Tau.

I thought I should post a verse each day in the hope that we all, including myself, may get an opportunity to reflect on them.

Psalm 119, Verse 164

Just as it is written elsewhere in Your word Adonai, from the rising of the sun to the setting of the same, Your Name is worthy to be praised. The more we reflect on You and consider all that flows from You towards us, the more we consider ourselves blessed; causing us to overflow with praise and gratitude. For from You flows every good thing. Mercy, overflowing compassion, great kindness, never failing faithfulness, constant righteousness, perfect wisdom, almighty power, unending love, unspeakable holiness—the list can go on Adonai. Each attribute will cause us to fall on our face with awe on one hand and gratitude on the other; for through Yeshua HaMashiach, they are all directed for us to access. We can now understand why Paul says, "God has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places." Blessed be Your Name, Adonai. Baruch Hashem!

Lately, I have found myself drawn to Psalm 119. Charles Spurgeon beautifully describes it thus:

There is no title to this Psalm, neither is any author's name mentioned. It is not just long only; but equally excels in breadth of thought, depth of meaning, and height of fervour. It is like the celestial city which lieth four square, and the height and the breadth of it are equal. Many superficial readers have imagined that it harps upon one string, and abounds in pious repetitions and redundancies; but this arises from the shallowness of the reader's own mind: those who have studied this divine hymn, and carefully noted each line of it, are amazed at the variety and profundity of the thought.

It contains no idle word; the grapes of this cluster are almost to bursting full with the new wine of the kingdom. The more you look into this mirror of a gracious heart the more you will see in it. Placid on the surface as the sea of glass before the eternal throne, it yet contains within its depths an ocean of fire, and those who devoutly gaze into it shall not only see the brightness, but feel the glow of the sacred flame. It is loaded with holy sense, and is as weighty as it is bulky.

The Psalm is alphabetical. Eight stanzas commence with one letter, and then another eight with the next letter, and so the whole Psalm proceeds by octonaries quite through the twenty-two letters of the Hebrew alphabet, from Aleph to Tau.

I thought I should post a verse each day in the hope that we all, including myself, may get an opportunity to reflect on them.

Psalm 119, Verse 163

I know You hate liars, Adonai. In your word they are referred to as deceitful, double-tongued, and a few other terms. At the end, so we read in the book of Revelation, the liars are outside along with the adulterous, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic and the idolaters—outside Your eternal city, outside hope and outside saving grace. Their end is destined for doom. I recognize liars as faithless—for they put their trust in their lying words and deceitful talk instead of putting their trust in You to save and make a way. I am grateful for the way You have laboured in me through all the past years, my Saviour, for if I value and treasure truth, it is only because of You.

Lately, I have found myself drawn to Psalm 119. Charles Spurgeon beautifully describes it thus:

There is no title to this Psalm, neither is any author's name mentioned. It is not just long only; but equally excels in breadth of thought, depth of meaning, and height of fervour. It is like the celestial city which lieth four square, and the height and the breadth of it are equal. Many superficial readers have imagined that it harps upon one string, and abounds in pious repetitions and redundancies; but this arises from the shallowness of the reader's own mind: those who have studied this divine hymn, and carefully noted each line of it, are amazed at the variety and profundity of the thought.

It contains no idle word; the grapes of this cluster are almost to bursting full with the new wine of the kingdom. The more you look into this mirror of a gracious heart the more you will see in it. Placid on the surface as the sea of glass before the eternal throne, it yet contains within its depths an ocean of fire, and those who devoutly gaze into it shall not only see the brightness, but feel the glow of the sacred flame. It is loaded with holy sense, and is as weighty as it is bulky.

The Psalm is alphabetical. Eight stanzas commence with one letter, and then another eight with the next letter, and so the whole Psalm proceeds by octonaries quite through the twenty-two letters of the Hebrew alphabet, from Aleph to Tau.

I thought I should post a verse each day in the hope that we all, including myself, may get an opportunity to reflect on them.

Psalm 119, Verse 162

Your word is more precious than hidden treasure, Adonai. Nothing on earth can compare with the wealth that is found in it. If only we were to—as You so rightly said when You were on earth, Yeshua—find that treasure, we would be like that woman who upon finding the pearl sold all she had to obtain it; or the man who sold everything in order to possess the land that had the hidden treasure. The problem with many of us is there is a veil that hides this treasure from us. Seeing, we still do not see; and hearing we still do not hear. Only You can touch our hearts O Saviour, so that what we read can excite us more than the excitement one would get when he finds treasure.

Lately, I have found myself drawn to Psalm 119. Charles Spurgeon beautifully describes it thus:

There is no title to this Psalm, neither is any author's name mentioned. It is not just long only; but equally excels in breadth of thought, depth of meaning, and height of fervour. It is like the celestial city which lieth four square, and the height and the breadth of it are equal. Many superficial readers have imagined that it harps upon one string, and abounds in pious repetitions and redundancies; but this arises from the shallowness of the reader's own mind: those who have studied this divine hymn, and carefully noted each line of it, are amazed at the variety and profundity of the thought.

It contains no idle word; the grapes of this cluster are almost to bursting full with the new wine of the kingdom. The more you look into this mirror of a gracious heart the more you will see in it. Placid on the surface as the sea of glass before the eternal throne, it yet contains within its depths an ocean of fire, and those who devoutly gaze into it shall not only see the brightness, but feel the glow of the sacred flame. It is loaded with holy sense, and is as weighty as it is bulky.

The Psalm is alphabetical. Eight stanzas commence with one letter, and then another eight with the next letter, and so the whole Psalm proceeds by octonaries quite through the twenty-two letters of the Hebrew alphabet, from Aleph to Tau.

I thought I should post a verse each day in the hope that we all, including myself, may get an opportunity to reflect on them.

Psalm 119, Verse 161

I have come to realize Adonai, that when a man lives in the light and follows all Your instructions carefully, his behaviour is strikingly different from everyone else's. This bothers the "everyone". They get agitated. They begin to label such men who love You as fanatics, fundamentalists, rebels, crazy and a host of other terms. Such men of God are perceived as a threat to society. You are one example, Yeshua. Elijah, Jeremiah, Paul and several others are other cases in point. Even leaders and governing officials get vocal against Your servants so as to appease the crowd.

Yet, just as You stayed focused, my Lord and example, and continued to do the will of the Father, so too do I stand in awe and reverence for Your word constantly ask Thee for grace to remain steadfast and faithful. For there is none greater than Thee; and with You by my side, there is none who can harm me, unless You permit it.

Over the past several weeks, we have seen how the Psalmist has so marvellously weaved His longing for God's word with the eternal, dependable truth that it is; deftly composing eight verses for each Hebrew letter. We looked at 20 of the 22 Hebrew letters. Now, moving to the penultimate alphabet, "Shin", we see how the Psalmist continues with the same thought, persistently expressing his love for God while magnifying the word of His Maker. Here is one of the eight verses that begins with the letter Shin.

Lately, I have found myself drawn to Psalm 119. Charles Spurgeon beautifully describes it thus:

There is no title to this Psalm, neither is any author's name mentioned. It is not just long only; but equally excels in breadth of thought, depth of meaning, and height of fervour. It is like the celestial city which lieth four square, and the height and the breadth of it are equal. Many superficial readers have imagined that it harps upon one string, and abounds in pious repetitions and redundancies; but this arises from the shallowness of the reader's own mind: those who have studied this divine hymn, and carefully noted each line of it, are amazed at the variety and profundity of the thought.

It contains no idle word; the grapes of this cluster are almost to bursting full with the new wine of the kingdom. The more you look into this mirror of a gracious heart the more you will see in it. Placid on the surface as the sea of glass before the eternal throne, it yet contains within its depths an ocean of fire, and those who devoutly gaze into it shall not only see the brightness, but feel the glow of the sacred flame. It is loaded with holy sense, and is as weighty as it is bulky.

The Psalm is alphabetical. Eight stanzas commence with one letter, and then another eight with the next letter, and so the whole Psalm proceeds by octonaries quite through the twenty-two letters of the Hebrew alphabet, from Aleph to Tau.

I thought I should post a verse each day in the hope that we all, including myself, may get an opportunity to reflect on them.

Psalm 119, Verse 160

We mortal beings need to recognize that whatever You have spoken is true—every word, letter and dot. For just as the rain comes down and does not return without causing the earth to bud, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater; so is Your word that proceeds from Your mouth. It will not return to You unfulfilled but accomplish what You intend. We often treat Your word like it is a book of stories and fine inspirational teachings; yet ignore the fact that not one part of it will pass away until all is accomplished. On that day, when each one will be judged according to their deeds, it will be Your word that will stand testimony to the truth and witness to our choices.

Help us therefore Adonai to take Your word literally. Let it be our plumbline by which we make all our decisions. May we place our complete trust in the wisdom and instructions that are found in it, convinced that we will not be disappointed or put to shame. For the main thing about Your word is that it is true and all Your righteous ordinances last forever.

Lately, I have found myself drawn to Psalm 119. Charles Spurgeon beautifully describes it thus:

There is no title to this Psalm, neither is any author's name mentioned. It is not just long only; but equally excels in breadth of thought, depth of meaning, and height of fervour. It is like the celestial city which lieth four square, and the height and the breadth of it are equal. Many superficial readers have imagined that it harps upon one string, and abounds in pious repetitions and redundancies; but this arises from the shallowness of the reader's own mind: those who have studied this divine hymn, and carefully noted each line of it, are amazed at the variety and profundity of the thought.

It contains no idle word; the grapes of this cluster are almost to bursting full with the new wine of the kingdom. The more you look into this mirror of a gracious heart the more you will see in it. Placid on the surface as the sea of glass before the eternal throne, it yet contains within its depths an ocean of fire, and those who devoutly gaze into it shall not only see the brightness, but feel the glow of the sacred flame. It is loaded with holy sense, and is as weighty as it is bulky.

The Psalm is alphabetical. Eight stanzas commence with one letter, and then another eight with the next letter, and so the whole Psalm proceeds by octonaries quite through the twenty-two letters of the Hebrew alphabet, from Aleph to Tau.

I thought I should post a verse each day in the hope that we all, including myself, may get an opportunity to reflect on them.