Today in our daily devotional, we find ourselves immersed in the powerful, transformative words of Psalm 119, the longest chapter in Scripture. In our previous reading, we explored verses 1-88, and today we complete the chapter with verses 89-176, continuing to lift up and honor God’s Word. Through these verses, we are invited to consider: Is God’s Word sweeter than honey to our souls? Does it serve as a lamp to our feet and a light to our path each day? Let’s dive into this second half of Psalm 119 with an open heart, ready to meditate on its message and renew our love for God’s unchanging Word. To read about the Word of God, read the daily devotional on the first half of Psalm 119.
Psalm 119:89-176 Commentary by Allen J. Huth
Today is day twenty-six of our journey of thirty days through the Book of Psalms. We are on the second half of Psalm 119, the longest chapter in all of scripture. In the previous devotion, we covered 119:1-88. Today, we finish 119 with verses 89-176. We continue with elevating God’s Word. Is it sweeter than honey to your soul? Is it a lamp to your feet and a light to your path daily? Please read or listen to Psalm 119:89-176.
What Does It Mean to Be a Man of His Word?
My personal mission statement in life is to be a man of His Word. It started when I was fifteen years old and was saved after a car accident when the Lord said to me, “There’s a Bible on your bookshelf. Get it down and read it.” I have read it essentially every day since.
It happened again at twenty-four years old when God called me into The Gideon’s International to spread His Word across the world. And it happened again in my life at forty-seven years old, in 2002, when God called me to start the Ezra Project to connect God’s people to God’s Word.
What Does Psalm 119 Say about God’s Word?
The Word of God has always been very important to me. That is why I love Psalm 119. I hope by reading or listening to it, you too have fallen in love with Psalm 119 and have a greater love for the Word of God. All the words we read or heard today are about God’s Word. Let’s go back and look at a few.
We started today with Psalm 119:89, “Forever, O Lord, your word is firmly fixed in the heavens.” God’s Word is fixed in the heavens. It cannot be changed. It will not be altered. It is true yesterday, today, and forever.
Verses 97 and 98, “Oh how I love your law! It is my meditation all the day. Your commandment makes me wiser than my enemies, for it is ever with me.” O, do you love God’s Word? Are you meditating in it day and night? It can, it will, make you wiser than your enemies.
Verse 103, “How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth!” What is the most satisfying thing you can put in your mouth right now? Whatever you are thinking about, whatever it is, that is what the Word of God is like to your soul. The Word of God is the sweetest thing you can feed your inner man.
Verse 105, “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” Do you need direction in your life? The Word of God is the lamp to your feet, and it is the light to your path. It has guided my steps for years. Sometimes very, very specifically. I thank the Lord for that.
Verse 130, “The unfolding of your words gives light; it imparts understanding to the simple.” I know as I walk through life, I need the light of the Word of God.
Verse 160, “The sum of your word is truth, and every one of your righteous rules endures forever.” We need truth in our world today. We need truth from the Word of God.
Verse 165, “Great peace have those who love your law; nothing can make them stumble.” Do you need peace in your heart today? Come back to the Word of God.
Lastly verse 171, “My lips will pour forth praise, for you teach me your statutes.”
Why Is It Important to Spend Time in the Word of God?
The only way the Word of God can influence your life is to read or listen to it regularly. A Back to the Bible study showed the Bible will have little impact on your life if you spend fewer than four days a week in it. How many days a week are you in the Word of God? Is it influencing how you live your life? Is the Word of God sweeter than honey to your soul? Is it the lamp to your feet and the light of your path?
Hopefully reading Psalm 119 elevates the Word of God in your life. Hopefully it reminds you as a Christian, to spend time with God and His Word each and every day of your life.
Prayer
Father, we do thank You for Your Word. We thank You for Your commandments. We thank You for Your statutes. Your Word teaches us hope. It teaches us peace. It gives us direction. Forgive us, Father, when we do not spend time in Your Word.
Please Lord, make Your Word sweeter than honey to our hearts, to our souls. Allow Your Word to be that lamp to our feet and that light to our path. Speak to us daily in Your Word, and we will give You the thanks and the praise. In the name of Jesus, we pray it. Amen.
