June 12, 2025 - Psalms 116-120

Several years ago, I wrote the following, which I repeat, here.

Psalm 119, of course, is often noted as the longest chapter in the Bible.  But its value is not a result of its length; rather, its content.  It’s a wonderful meditation on the beauty and value of the Word of God.  The Psalmist begins by noting the blessed state of the person who recognizes the value of Go’'s Word and who obeys it.  The Psalmist testifies:  “My soul is consumed with longing for your decrees at all times” (119:20) & “Your testimonies are my delight; they are my counselors” (119:24) & “I delight in your commandments, which I love” (119:47) & “The law of your mouth is better to me than thousands of gold and silver pieces” (119:72) & “Oh how I love your law!  It is my meditation all the day” (119:97) & “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (119:105) & “Your testimonies are my heritage forever, for they are the joy of my heart” (119:112) & “I love your commandments above gold, above fine gold” (119:127).

How blessed we are to have God’s Word in our own language and to be able to read it, privately and publicly, without fear of retribution.  I can look around me and see several copies of the Bible in the room:  different English translations, an Indonesian version, the Bible in Kindle on my iPhone, etc.  How blessed am I, and are we, to have the Word ever before us and, daily, to be able to hear from our God!

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.

Its light, descending from above

Our gloomy world to cheer,

Displays a Savior’s boundless love

And brings His glories near,

And brings His glories near.   -- John Fawcett (1782)