Psalm 119 - Love for God's Law

[FredVB]

Jesus did not separate himself and what he spoke and taught from the scriptures we have as the Bible. And he never spoke about any of the law that is from God in the Bible coming to any end, as long as heaven and earth last. I do not know how real repentant believers who have Jesus as their Lord would think the commandments from God are even not for them. It is certain truth that Paul is being misunderstood by a good number of those reading the epistles from him. I believe what I read from his epistles, but those who say Paul states something that would have us go contrary to what we see Jesus said I must disagree with, and say they are among the ones who misunderstand what Paul wrote. The law from God is good, in Christ we are not condemned for any failing, but God's grace through Christ's atonement for us at great cost should have our repentance bringing us to greater obedience, none of that does away with commandments. The Psalms do uphold faithfulness to God's commandments.

 

[SilverFox7]

Jesus did not separate himself and what he spoke and taught from the scriptures we have as the Bible. And he never spoke about any of the law that is from God in the Bible coming to any end, as long as heaven and earth last. I do not know how real repentant believers who have Jesus as their Lord would think the commandments from God are even not for them. It is certain truth that Paul is being misunderstood by a good number of those reading the epistles from him. I believe what I read from his epistles, but those who say Paul states something that would have us go contrary to what we see Jesus said I must disagree with, and say they are among the ones who misunderstand what Paul wrote. The law from God is good, in Christ we are not condemned for any failing, but God's grace through Christ's atonement for us at great cost should have our repentance bringing us to greater obedience, none of that does away with commandments. The Psalms do uphold faithfulness to God's commandments.

Thank you for your thoughts on this subject, Frank, and there's a lively discussion related to your observations at the forum listed below.

The gospel of ….. - Christian Chat Rooms & Forums

I think a lot of the confusion and debate centers around which "laws" from the Old Covenant are still applicable for us today under the New Covenant. We certainly are not required to make animal sacrifices anymore (Christ is our Passover Lamb), and the Holy Days (e.g. Passover & Feast of Tabernacles) are not obligatory either because they foreshadowed New Testament events.

When I look at the 10 commandments, those are still valid and in effect today from my point of view. They are not only spiritual laws, many of them like "you shall not murder" are civil laws as well. The first four commandments center around love towards God, and the last six focus on our love towards our fellow man. The only variation I see is the Sabbath--Jesus is our sabbath rest as Christians, so we do not need to observe the "Sabbath" from sundown on Friday to sundown on Saturday. Those Christians who still feel a need for this is fine with me.

The key from my point of view is obeying Christ and the "law" or better yet "Word" from His teachings. The Old Testament needs to be put in the proper perspective from the New Testament.

 

[lovejoypeaceetc]

I am intrigued at the moment to consider what is the spirit of the Sabbath, God's character and will displayed in it, which finds its fulfillment in Jesus and us. My starting ideas is that there are a range of things, such as delight, trust, equality, quietness, liberation. I would welcome the Spirit's wisdom to understand more, please don't hold back.

I am also loving the deep swim in Psalm 119 and do not want to discourage the OP from going on and on with that. In fact I'm wondering if that's the very intention of the psalm - to feel we're swimming (in this love for God's word) and can't see either shore - why else make it so long?

 

[SilverFox7]

I am intrigued at the moment to consider what is the spirit of the Sabbath, God's character and will displayed in it, which finds its fulfillment in Jesus and us. My starting ideas is that there are a range of things, such as delight, trust, equality, quietness, liberation. I would welcome the Spirit's wisdom to understand more, please don't hold back.

I am also loving the deep swim in Psalm 119 and do not want to discourage the OP from going on and on with that. In fact I'm wondering if that's the very intention of the psalm - to feel we're swimming (in this love for God's word) and can't see either shore - why else make it so long?

Yes, Psalm 119 is completely beautiful and a wonderful part of God's inspiring Word. I have more work to do on this psalm but am in no rush. I want to drink it in and allow for meditation and reflection in the weeks and perhaps months ahead.

I observed the Sabbath as a Christian for several years back in my 20's (a long time ago...). It was a time to put aside worldly concerns like my normal tasks and work and spend some in-depth time studying the Bible, meditating, praying, fasting occasionally, and attending worship services with some great fired-up like-minded Christians.

Today, I look at the Sabbath as an everyday occurrence basking in the rest my Lord and Savior provides in His grace and love.

 

[lovejoypeaceetc]

Yes, Psalm 119 is completely beautiful and a wonderful part of God's inspiring Word. I have more work to do on this psalm but am in no rush. I want to drink it in and allow for meditation and reflection in the weeks and perhaps months ahead.

I observed the Sabbath as a Christian for several years back in my 20's (a long time ago...). It was a time to put aside worldly concerns like my normal tasks and work and spend some in-depth time studying the Bible, meditating, praying, fasting occasionally, and attending worship services with some great fired-up like-minded Christians.

Today, I look at the Sabbath as an everyday occurrence basking in the rest my Lord and Savior provides in His grace and love.

This took me to Matthew 11.28, a well-known verse. Looking at it in context I found that immediately after that prayer is one of the stories of Jesus and the Sabbath. Have you ever meditated on this in Matthew 11-12? I would be glad to hear what you have to say, dear.

 

[FredVB]

Thank you for your thoughts on this subject, Frank, and there's a lively discussion related to your observations at the forum listed below.

The gospel of ….. - Christian Chat Rooms & Forums

I think a lot of the confusion and debate centers around which "laws" from the Old Covenant are still applicable for us today under the New Covenant. We certainly are not required to make animal sacrifices anymore (Christ is our Passover Lamb), and the Holy Days (e.g. Passover & Feast of Tabernacles) are not obligatory either because they foreshadowed New Testament events.

When I look at the 10 commandments, those are still valid and in effect today from my point of view. They are not only spiritual laws, many of them like "you shall not murder" are civil laws as well. The first four commandments center around love towards God, and the last six focus on our love towards our fellow man. The only variation I see is the Sabbath--Jesus is our sabbath rest as Christians, so we do not need to observe the "Sabbath" from sundown on Friday to sundown on Saturday. Those Christians who still feel a need for this is fine with me.

The key from my point of view is obeying Christ and the "law" or better yet "Word" from His teachings. The Old Testament needs to be put in the proper perspective from the New Testament.

Christ us everything for the sacrificial system for us, the sacrifices, the priesthood, and the ways to be made clean to be acceptable before God, these things in the old covenant were types for what Christ makes available. Animals do not need to still be killed for us, believers understood this at the beginning. Commandments still are not types but show how we are obedient to God, if we would be. Obeying Christ includes this. It is meaningful to know Christ is Lord. Sabbath is not bad to observe, the way to observe it actually needs us to include Christ in it with us, with actual rest in Christ, that others missed. Christ is needed for this.

This is not me telling others what to do about it. I see good in doing this still.

 

[SilverFox7]

There are a select few during the Old Testament era who were given the gift of the Holy Spirit as a foretaste of the New Covenant and the Law of Christ. The psalmist who composed this masterpiece is one of those individuals who sees God's law as an eternal covenant and way of life that are based upon the teachings of Jesus:

Psalm 119:123-127

New King James Version

123 My eyes fail from seeking Your salvation
And Your righteous word.

124 Deal with Your servant according to Your mercy,
And teach me Your statutes.

125 I am Your servant;
Give me understanding,
That I may know Your testimonies.

126 It is time for You to act, O Lord,
For they have [a]regarded Your law as void.

127 Therefore I love Your commandments
More than gold, yes, than fine gold!

My eyes fail to see God's saving power and the riches available through His "righteous word" if I don't say that "I am Your servant; Give me understanding." True knowledge, understanding, and wisdom come from God, and they lead us to mercy and salvation. The wisdom of this world is vanity and a chasing after the wind as Solomon discovered first hand from his life of excess.

God's commandments should be loved, and they are worth much more than "fine gold." Christ counseled the materialistic church of the Laodiceans "...to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see. As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent" (Rev. 3: 18-19).

The eye salve Christ provides to the humble will open our eyes to seek out salvation and His righteous Word as the psalmist proclaims. This will lead to mercy and understanding that the true gold we should buy comes from our Lord and Savior: "Again, the kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and hid; and for joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field" (Matt. 13: 44). This psalmist who lived well before Jesus understood this principle through revelation and God's Spirit living within him, the true gold Jesus offers to us if we are wise enough to accept the gift.

 

[GWH]

Psalm 119 is an incredible celebration, meditation, and dedication of the law of God, and it is the longest psalm in the Bible. Rather than looking at the law from a negative and constrictive view, the law is expressed as liberating and "blessed" in this beautiful poem.

I realize we have an expanded view of God's law in the New Covenant (i.e. the law of Christ as best summarized in the Sermon on the Mount), yet we can still glean incredible insights through studying the law from a Christian viewpoint.

It's been awhile since I have studied Psalm 119, and I felt compelled to dive back into it again to see what I can learn after being away from it and experiencing a lot of changes in my life since I read it last.

I will share a few verses that catch my attention and offer some commentary where appropriate. I hope you enjoy this journey and will contribute your insights as well!

Psalm 119:1-2

New King James Version

Meditations on the Excellencies of the Word of God

א ALEPH

1 Blessed are the [a]undefiled in the way,
Who walk in the law of the Lord!

2 Blessed are those who keep His testimonies,
Who seek Him with the whole heart!

Psalm 119: 1-2 NKJV - Meditations on the Excellencies of the - Bible Gateway

I love the title Bible Gateway (link above) gives to this Psalm, "Meditations on the Excellencies of the Word of God."

God's Word should be the foundation of our thoughts and as the psalmist expresses right in the beginning, we should be walking in the law of the Lord as well.

The law as we especially know today through Jesus' teachings is not a burden. It establishes the expectations and gives us parameters of right versus wrong. It's there to guide and protect us ultimately.

Jesus reaffirms that we need to seek God "...with the whole heart,"

Matthew 22:37-38

New King James Version

37 Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and great commandment.

More to come...

SF

Yes, Word of God stresses truth including the NT, whereas Law risks getting stuck in legalism.