June 1, 2023 - Psalms 118-119

Today, the longest chapter in the Bible: Psalm 119. Just yesterday, we read the shortest: Psalm 117. Hear the psalmist’s testimony in 118: “Out of my distress I called on the Lord; the Lord answered me and set me free. The Lord is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me? The Lord is on my side as my helper; I shall look in triumph on those who hate me. It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in man. It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in princes” (118:5-9).

We might ask, “Who is the one who can so confidently declare these things?” I believe Psalm 119 gives us the answer: It is the one who can testify, “In the way of your testimonies I delight as much as in all riches. I will meditate on your precepts and fix my eyes on your ways. I will delight in your statutes; I will not forget your word” (119:14-16). To stay in God’s Word, to delight in the Scriptures, to meditate on them, and to remember them . . . The one who loves the Word of God and finds there all God’s wonderful promises to his children and thinks on them every day, well, that’s the person who takes refuge in God and who can affirm, “His steadfast love endures forever” (118:29).

How precious is the Book Divine,

By inspiration giv’n!

Bright as a lamp its doctrines shine

To guide our souls to heav’n,

To guide our souls to heav’n.

It sweetly cheers our drooping hearts

In this dark vale of tears,

Life, light, and joy it still imparts

And quells our rising fears,

And quells our rising fears. --John Fawcett (1782)