June 1 - Psalm 119:89-176: Ode to God's Way Found in God's Word - Part 2

Today’s Reading: Psalm 119:89-176

The Message

English Standard Version

Today we finish the longest chapter in the Bible, Psalm 119. Because the psalm is so long it was split it up into two days' worth of reading. This is the only chapter that is split because of sheer length.
In a technical detail, the psalm is arranged as a grand alphabetic acrostic, meaning the sections follow the Hebrew alphabet and within each section the first letter of every line begins with that letter. There is no easy-to-find English equivalent to this setup; however, there are about a dozen of these versions found in the Bible.
In addition, today's reading marks the end of the concentrated psalms readings. There are 18 psalms remaining (we have read 132!), but they will be spread out from now until the end of September.

Thought to Guide Your Reading

Notice how the psalmist's attitude toward the wicked is indifference rather than anger.

Psalm (P)Synopsis

Psalm 119

(From Wednesday's reading) In this ode to God's way, the writer continuously praises God for His Way that protects His People who study them in His Word.
(From today's reading) God's Way never goes out of fashion. The psalmist loves God's Way and that has made all the difference. All that God has written will help us survive—if God helps us learn. May God's Word always stay with us.

How Today’s Reading Contributes to the Gospel: God is Setting All Things Right

God's Way is always up-to-date.

As a person who loves technology I am amazed at how fast it becomes antiquated. My phone I bought in 2009—four years ago—now lies in the dinosaur tech pile. Philosophies also become dated. How many of us subscribe to the philosophy of "technology will make all things better?" Although there are grains of truth within these philosophies which last, none of them have had the staying power of God's Way. Think about it, I am a man living three to four thousand years after the Bible was written and I have found hundreds of ideas for my life today. That's staying power! God's Word and God's Truth are as dependable as ever.

When the wicked lined up for battle, the psalmist focused on God's plans.

What dedication! I love the reason behind it as well, "I see the limits to everything human, / but the horizons can’t contain your commands!" (v. 96) "As those out to get me come closer and closer, / they go farther and farther from the truth you reveal", (v. 150,The Message). Even teachers' wisdom became too superficial. When we focus on God's Commands, the world's ways will seem shallow and unworthy of our time. In the end you realize the world doesn't understand God's Ways or how God sets things right because they have never looked in God's Word to see how He sets all things right.

Focusing on the Word of God leads to action.

I grew up thinking this psalm was an ode to God's Word. What a limited view of this psalm! God's Word was not intended to guide study. It was intended to guide action! It is in action that God's Way is found—by setting things right.

God is right and God does right!

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