Ep. 116. Psalm 119 | The Law of the Lord

EPISODE 116

THE LAW OF THE LORD: PSALM 119

These 176 verses are heavy enough to discourage us. After all, according to this text, we have to be blameless according to the Law, keep the testimonies, seek God with our whole hearts, do no wrong, diligently keep the precepts, keep the statutes, and fix our eyes on his commandments. All while making sure we have an upright heart in all things. It is an overwhelmingly impossible task set before us.

"How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to your word." I loved this verse and used it often to encourage people to study and know the Scripture. But that isn't what the Psalmist has in mind. Here, "word" means the Law, testimonies, precepts, statutes, and commandments of God. And if we can keep them perfectly, we would be pure. But, spoilers, we can't keep them perfectly. We need a savior. We need the righteousness that gloriously comes from faith. We agree with the Psalmist in verse 41, "Let your steadfast love come to me, O Lord, your salvation ACCORDING TO YOUR PROMISE."

We need not be weary and heavy-laden under the immense weight of the Law. We can come to Christ and find our rest in him by faith. We must learn to distinguish between the Old Covenant, which was weak and powerless, done through works, and the New Covenant, full of glory and grace, accomplished by faith.

Dear believer, you saint of God most high, rest in him today.

ADDITIONAL READING: 2 Corinthians 3:6-18; Matthew 11:28-30; Psalm 14:1-3; Psalm 53:1-3; Genesis 15:6; Ezekiel 18:4-9; Isaiah 53: 6; Psalm 24; Psalm 15