"20 Observe, my son, the commandment of your father, And do not forsake the instruction of your mother. 21 Always bind them around your heart; Tie them about your neck. 22 When you walk about, it will lead you; When you lie down, it will stand guard over you; And when you awaken, it will speak to you. 23 For the commandment is a lamp, And the law is a light, And the reproofs of discipline are the way to life."

Prove 6:20 One of the Ten Commandments written on Stone Tablets, distinct from the "handwritten document that consisted of decrees and was in opposition to us," includes one that applies to the relationship between child and parents. (Colos 2:14). It is the fifth commandment, at Exodus 20:12: "Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live a long time in the land that Jehovah your God is giving you." The apostle Paul also quotes this command at Ephesians 6:2, saying it "is the first command with a promise." The very first proverb of chapter 10 says "A wise son makes his father rejoice, but a foolish son is the grief of his mother." What understanding child wants to bring grief to his own mother? Should he or she prefer wisdom, or foolishness? Growing in wisdom brings delight to a good parent. So the counsel to listen to their instruction, which can be life-saving to a child! There are many dangers in life, especially to an inexperienced child, needing guidance and correction from loving parents! May every child learn to appreciate the instruction coming from parents who love him or her.

"21 Always bind them around your heart; Tie them about your neck. 22 When you walk about, it will lead you; When you lie down, it will stand guard over you; And when you awaken, it will speak to you."

Prove 6:21-22 Binding the commandments and instruction from parents around your heart means they affect your very heartfelt thoughts and actions. Tied around your neck means these affect the words coming through your throat, your very speech. "Out of the heart's abundance his mouth speaks." (Luke 6:45). The law of God as explained by parents will guide a youth in the right way, will stand guard over him--offering protection from much danger, and, being ultimately from God, will speak to that one's heart in line with truth.

"23 For the commandment is a lamp, And the law is a light, And the reproofs of discipline are the way to life."

Prove 6:23 Each commandment sheds light on a given situation, the entire law being a light that shines on our entire life, and shines ahead upon the path of life, helping us see what's coming, and the rewards of keeping the law, and may also enlighten us as to the problems, troubles, grief and pain of violating God's word and law. The reproofs, or strong corrections, of discipline are the way to life. The more we each consider God's word and listen to His instruction, the more we can discipline ourselves, and hopefully limit the correction we need from others. Still, how we all need God's loving discipline in life, to help us stay on the path leading to endless life in true happiness, seeking ever to remain on it, being an example and encouragement to our friends and loved ones to maintain their hope and happiness.

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PSALM 119 STANZA 13A

STANZA 13 Theme: KEEP GOD'S WORD.

The 8 verses of this stanza address questions such as these: What are three aspects of divine wisdom, and how are they beneficial? Why was the psalmist motivated to avoid evil, and how does obeying God deepen our wisdom?

Stanza 13A reads like this:
97 How I do love your law! I ponder over it all day long.
98 Your commandment makes me wiser than my enemies, Because it is with me forever.
99 I have more insight than all my teachers, Because I ponder over your reminders.
100 I act with more understanding than older men, Because I observe your orders.


97 How I do love your law! I ponder over it all day long.

IN PRACTICALLY EVERY SITUATION. The psalmist is clearly motivated to obey God, wanting to please Him by living in accord with His law. Jehovah’s law clearly reflects His own values and standards—loving and keeping it therefore helps us draw close to Him. But how can the psalmist have the time to “ponder over it all day long?” What does he mean by this? Well, he realizes that God’s word gives us advice or principles to apply in practically every situation we meet in life. Thus, “all day long” God’s law can guide us, if we readily seek God’s view and way in every situation. Proverbs 3:5-6 puts it this way: “5 Trust in Jehovah with all your heart, And do not rely on your own understanding. 6 In all your ways take notice of him (“Seek his will in all you do”, NLT), And he will make your paths straight.” Thus, look for God’s view, or way, in every situation you face, remaining humble before Him and others.

98 Your commandment makes me wiser than my enemies, Because it is with me forever.

DEEP APPRECIATION. Once again we find that God’s law or commandment, now especially through Christ, is the way of eternal peace and happiness! As we’ve seen, the psalmist has come to love, live, and breathe God’s law, appreciating it as priceless and now confident that it will be with him forever. Have we yet developed such appreciation? Notice as Proverbs 3 continues, with verses 7-8, NLT: “Don’t be impressed with your own wisdom. Instead, fear the LORD and turn away from evil. Then you will have healing for your body and strength for your bones.” Confident in the wisdom of God’s word or law, may we continue to trust in God and His word more than ourselves or any wisdom we may have acquired. Doing so, may God lead and guide us successfully through any difficulties, as we prayerfully rely upon Him.

99 I have more insight than all my teachers, Because I ponder over your reminders.

ALWAYS GOOD REASON. One aspect of divine wisdom is “insight.” This is empathy at work, to comprehend a given situation. Proverbs 19:11 says this: “11 The insight of a man certainly slows down his anger, And it is beauty on his part to overlook an offense.” Such applied empathy enables us to grasp why someone perhaps offended us the way they did, slowing down any anger that we might have begun to experience. The psalmist has developed such keen insight by pondering over God’s “reminders.” When we’re reminded about some order or command from God, are we in the habit of “pondering” the reasons for it, in harmony with God’s love for humanity? Does not Jehovah always have good reason for His laws in keeping with what is true, right, just, and fair for all? (Prove 21:3; Psalm 98:9). May we develop such a habit to ask Why? God instructs us as He does, confident in His overriding love for us in all His good guidance. (1John 4:8).

100 I act with more understanding than older men, Because I observe your orders.

DISCERN GOD'S ORDERS FOR GREATER WISDOM. Two more aspects of divine wisdom are "discernment" and “understanding.” These are vital to fully grasp God’s law and apply it in all aspects of life. This is a key text, as it shows a way to grow in understanding is by searching for, and following God’s orders, or most serious and urgent commands. This requires discernment, to see differences between things, such as right and wrong, true and false, and serious commands from lesser ones. This helps motivate any understanding in the right way, to apply it successfully with love. Understanding involves seeing the big picture of something, along with all it’s pieces, and how they fit together to make the whole of it. This is important when it comes to comprehending God’s law in a matter. Recently we considered as an example the understanding needed to safely operate a motor vehicle. Several laws and principles can and must be well understood and kept to make the necessary decisions to drive well. The process of learning to drive properly thus aids development of understanding. Love of God and neighbor should be primary motivations in doing so, to do so safely. Learning to observe God’s orders enabled the psalmist to act with great understanding. May we give attention especially to God’s commands through Christ, discerning the difference between the most serious of commands, and those of lesser importance. We should keep them all, but seek awareness of the most serious and urgent ones, such as the Ten Commandments written on stone tablets. This will help us be much wiser in making good decisions each day.