STANZA 12 Theme: GOD'S WORD AND LAW PRESERVE SPIRITUAL AND ETERNAL LIFE.

These verses emphasize God’s faithfulness as well as fondness for God’s law and it’s preservation value. What can help us not to forget God’s orders, as the psalmist mentioned was his determination?

89 Forever, O Jehovah, Your word will remain in the heavens.

GOD'S LASTING WORD. (89) Isaiah 40:8 says "The green grass dries up,The blossom withers, But the word of our God endures forever.” God's word supplies us the universal standards by which all should be governed throughout eternity--the way of genuine peace, happiness, and unity. The Bible has been compared to a loving letter from a Father to His children. It is ever the "elusive" instruction manual for humanity, and all those with ruling authority among mankind do well to consider it's wisdom in their governance.

92 If I had not been fond of your law, I would have perished in my affliction.

NEED FOR GOD'S LOVING LAW. (92) Once again, the psalmist reminds us of the importance of loving God's law, appreciating it's value in our everyday life. He is convinced that, without it, he would not have made it through times of difficulty. Likewise today, many dangers exist in the world, both physically and spiritually. It is "spiritual death" that could cause one to lose out on eternal life. How we need God's loving law to help guide our steps safely through this world, into the "real life." (1Timo 6:19).


93 I will never forget your orders, Because by them you have preserved me alive.

CAREFULLY KEEP THEM! (93) Clearly, for the psalmist not to forget God’s orders, he had to be familiar with them. According to the next verse, he had “searched for [God’s] orders,” and no doubt discovered them. As obeying them saved his life, likely multiple times, his appreciation for them must have deepened. Even if our life is not physically threatened as much as the psalmist, spiritual hazards abound. By heeding divine orders to guard against bad associations and to hate what is bad, for instance, we may allow God to guard our spiritual lives and eternal life prospects. (1Cori 15:33; Prove 13:20; Psalm 97:10). Like the psalmist, may we search for God’s orders in His word, especially those from Christ, review them often, and carefully keep them! (Psalm 119:4).

94 I belong to you; save me, Because I have searched for your orders.

ENDURANCE NOT SIMPLY SURVIVING. (94) The psalmist was born into a nation dedicated to God. Still, according to the psalmist, searching for God’s orders in order to keep or obey them provided a basis for salvation by Him. Jesus spoke in a similar way. After discussing many of the hardships that may be encountered by his disciples during the “last days,” he said at Matthew 24:13 “But the one who has endured to the end will be saved.” Such endurance is not simply “surviving,” but rather enduring trials faithfully to God, with integrity to Him, in harmony with His law. Just as receiving a license to drive a vehicle does not give us the right to drive any way we wish on the street, so having the ransom of Christ does not give us the right to violate God’s laws haphazardly. We should especially strive to carefully keep God’s orders, and appreciate His reminders in other areas of life, then the ransom sacrifice can cover our occasional misses, usually for more minor mistakes. As we do so, we “draw close to God,” and we may especially ‘belong to Him,’ as we prove to be loyal.


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?

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

IN PRACTICALLY EVERY SITUATION. (97) 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.

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

ALWAYS GOOD REASON. (99) 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. (100) 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.

101 I refuse to walk on any evil path, So that I may keep your word.

REALLY PLEASING GOD. (101) Recall the psalmist said in verse 97 that he loved God’s law, loving obedience to Him. He had acquired the discernment to see the difference between right and wrong, good and bad, true and false, and so on. Largely by God’s word he came to recognize an evil path, or at least knew when a path was out of harmony with God’s will, refusing to walk on it. Notice he was not enticed to disobey or hurt Jehovah in any way—wanting only to keep God’s word. He also expresses this later when he readily tells evil men to stay away from him that he may observe the commandments of his God (v.115). May we come to feel as the psalmist about pleasing our loving God, Jehovah!


STANZA 14 Theme: GOD CAN PRESERVE US THROUGH TIMES OF PERIL, WHILE HIS REMINDERS BRING JOY.

The 8 verses of stanza 14 include thoughts such as these: Like the psalmist, we may come to view God’s reminders with great joy. How does God’s word serve as a lamp and a light, how has God proven to be a Savior?

105 Your word is a lamp to my foot, And a light for my path.

BE GUIDED BY GOD'S WORD. (105) It was the prophet Jeremiah who was inspired by God to pen the words of Jeremiah 10:23, saying: “23 I well know, O Jehovah, that man’s way does not belong to him. It does not belong to man who is walking even to direct his step.” We want to rely on Jehovah as we “walk with God,” willing to let Him guide our steps. Of course we have free will, and can choose our course in life, for Jehovah is a God of freedom! But man was not designed to decide for himself what is good and what is bad, what is right and what is wrong. This belongs to Jehovah God. Thus, Proverbs 16:9 says: “ 9 A man may plot out his course in his heart, But it is Jehovah who directs his steps.” God’s word is therefore a “lamp” to our foot, to allow us to see the next step we should take. And more than that, it can light our path, helping us see down the road, alerting us to what may be coming in the distance. God’s prophetic word does give warning, often with history written in advance! May we look to God and His word for guidance in life, leading humanity to the success of God’s loving will and good purpose!

109 My life is in constant danger, But I have not forgotten your law.

JEHOVAH KNOWS HOW. (109) Jehovah, the Creator of mankind and this entire universe, certainly has tremendous power—has He used it to save His servants out of peril? Look at examples from history—such as God’s display of loyalty and power at the Red Sea, parting the waters for His people to escape! God lovingly ensured the safety of every one of them that He brought out of Egyptian bondage, as they journeyed over the seabed while Egypt’s army unwisely went in pursuit, God fighting against them, for example by removing wheels from their chariots. God’s people all safely reached the other side, before He released the waters to have them destroy the warriors who had witnessed His great power in Egypt. (Exodus 14). Do you see in the account any weaker ones who got left behind, who didn’t make it? Still, they needed to follow God’s instructions, as the psalmist did not forget God’s law. 2Peter 2 says: “9 So, then, Jehovah knows how to rescue people of godly devotion out of trial, but to reserve unrighteous people to be destroyed on the day of judgment.” May all work on cultivating a close relationship with God, as “9 Jehovah is not slow concerning his promise, as some people consider slowness, but he is patient with you because he does not desire anyone to be destroyed but desires all to attain to repentance.“

111 I take your reminders as my permanent possession, For they are the joy of my heart.

APPRECIATE THEM DEEPLY. (111) How we rejoice when we’ve recently been reminded of something that proved helpful to us in an important decision or situation we’ve faced! It is deeply satisfying to know what to do to please Jehovah as we face decisions each day. Growing in godly wisdom helps us to know and not fret over such decisions, and life becomes more and more delightful, handling things successfully. Paying attention to reminders from God, which may come by reading His word personally, attending meetings where God’s word is read or discussed, or by association with those of genuine faith, can help us maintain a healthy routine in life, seeking first both God’s kingdom and His righteousness, or integrity to Him. (Matth 6:33). As the psalmist, may we come to delight in God’s reminders, seeking to understand them more fully rather than viewing them as mundane. Let them come to be “the joy of [our] heart!”

STANZA 15 Theme: REMAIN ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF GOD'S JUDGMENTS.

The 8 verses of stanza 15 express thoughts such as these: What determination by the psalmist to lovingly obey God! How can we avoid half-heartedness, and how does a proper motive aid us to keep God’s law?

113 I hate the halfhearted ones, But I love your law.

AIM TO LOVE THE GIVER EVEN MORE THAN HIS GIFTS. (113) The Hebrew expression “hate” can mean to “love less.” Still, the psalmist seems to be contrasting his feelings for half-hearted ones with those for God’s law. Evidence abounds of God’s tremendous love for us as humans—how could we give our greatest love, the first place in our hearts, to anyone else? Half-hearted ones may go through the motions of serving God, but their hearts are really elsewhere. They need to ponder the gifts from God we each receive daily, including every breath, and worship the Giver, rather than worship any of these gifts themselves. The psalmist recognized God’s law as one of His greatest gifts, and expressed his appreciation for it, desiring to express his love for God by keeping His law. As 1John 5:3 says, “3 For this is what the love of God means, that we observe his commandments; and yet his commandments are not burdensome.” While we seek to encourage half-hearted ones to love God more fully, we need to guard our close associations, longing to maintain God’s favor first, along with those properly fearing God and keeping His commandments, which makes possible genuine peace, love, and truly an eventual end to hateful strife. (1Cori 15:33; Prove 13:20; Psalm 37:11).

118 You reject all those who stray from your [instructions], For they are false and deceitful.

PROVEN DIVINELY INSPIRED. (118) Recall that “God is love,” and He is the “God of truth.” (1John 4:8; Psalm 31:5). Therefore, when He sees a need to give us specific instructions, are these not to help us live happily and peaceably in harmony with His good will and purpose? God-fearing ones love and appreciate such thoughtful guidance from our Creator! His instruction is far superior to that of those mistakenly believing that there is no God. To honest and right-hearted ones, having a proper motive, God’s instructions give evidence of it’s divine inspiration, moving them to keep His law. Those straying from such guidance, therefore, are “false and deceitful.” They promote their own ideas above God’s, deceiving others in seeking their own glory. May we not be so deceived, but appreciate God’s superior wisdom and give Him the glory He so deserves!

119 You discard all the wicked of the earth as if they were worthless dross. That is why I love your reminders.

HELP TO MAKE GOOD DECISIONS. (119) What's the point? God will not forever tolerate evil! Those who want to change and do right God and His son can and will help! But humans should not forever have to live in fear of them or their loved ones being seriously harmed in some way--true peace, happiness, and God's loving protection must prevail! Micah 4:4 promises, for instance: "They will sit, each one under his vine and under his fig tree, And no one will make them afraid, For the mouth of Jehovah of armies has spoken." Just as evil forces have at times been subdued in human wars, so God can prove victorious. Did not Jehovah wage righteous battles for Israel in times past, usually ones that the enemy provoked? Regarding Jehovah, Isaiah reports: “14 With whom did he consult to gain understanding, Or who teaches him in the path of justice, Or teaches him knowledge, Or shows him the way of true understanding? 15 Look! The nations are like a drop from a bucket, And as the film of dust on the scales they are regarded. Look! He lifts up the islands like fine dust.” (Isaiah 40:14-15). Of course, God has tremendous love and compassion for humankind. But while appealing to them to turn from their badness, Jehovah can in time discard the unrepentant wicked ones, who continually refuse God's repeated warnings, and who are misleading others away from life, happiness, and true worship. Keep in mind that "God is love," and He acts and judges accordingly (1John 4:8). God’s reminders, on the other hand, assist all to follow the way of truth, love, and peace, the path of righteousness. At Isaiah 48:18, God appeals: “18 If only you would pay attention to my commandments! Then your peace would become just like a river And your righteousness like the waves of the sea.” Such ones would know the right way to go, would make the right decisions, consistently, to promote true happiness, peace, and godly success. With proper motive, may sincere lovers of God and truth ever appreciate His reminders as helping us “pay attention” to the vital commands contributing to eternal peace and happiness!