Saintly Emotions

Psalm 119:17-32

17Be good to your servant,

that I may live and obey your word.

18Open my eyes to see

the wonderful truths in your law.

19I am but a foreigner here on earth;

I need the guidance of your commands.

Don’t hide them from me!

20I am overwhelmed continually

with a desire for your laws.

21You rebuke those cursed proud ones

who wander from your commands.

22Don’t let them scorn and insult me,

for I have obeyed your decrees.

23Even princes sit and speak against me,

but I will meditate on your principles.

24Your decrees please me;

they give me wise advice.

25I lie in the dust, completely discouraged;

revive me by your word.

26I told you my plans, and you answered.

Now teach me your principles.

27Help me understand the meaning of your commandments,

and I will meditate on your wonderful miracles.

28I weep with grief;

encourage me by your word.

29Keep me from lying to myself;

give me the privilege of knowing your law.

30I have chosen to be faithful;

I have determined to live by your laws.

31I cling to your decrees.

LORD, don’t let me be put to shame!

32I will pursue your commands,

for you expand my understanding.

Jonathan Edwards was never accused of being an emotional man. Even when he preached his famous sermon, “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God,” it was given with few gestures and with sober dignity. When his wife, Sarah, got caught up in the emotion of the Great Awakening, he was suspicious.

But as the great theologian carefully analyzed his wife’s experience, he was amazed at her “constant sweet peace, calm and serenity of soul.” He decided that because his wife’s experience focused on Jesus Christ, it had a lasting effect on her.

Later, as he preached on Psalm 119, he focused on verses 20 and 28: “I am overwhelmed continually” and “I weep with grief.” He admitted that he longed for more holiness. “My heart seemed to be full, ready to break, which often brought me back to the words of the psalmist in Psalm 119.” These emotions of “godly sorrow” and “holy thirst” are what Edwards later called the distinguishing traits of true saints. “Godly sorrow and brokenness of heart is peculiarly acceptable and pleasing to God” and “Holy thirst is a condition of participation of the blessings of eternal life.”

Are godly sorrow and holy thirst distinguishing qualities of your life?

Oh, may these heavenly pages be

My ever dear delight;

And still new beauties may I see

And still increasing light.

ANNE STEELE

Bible Networking

Note the strong verbs in the last three verses: “I have chosen,” “I cling,” and “I will run.” See New Testament parallels in Hebrews 11:25; 10:23; and Philippians 3:14.

Notable Quotable

“The writer knew that there were vast treasures in the Word which he had not yet fully seen, marvels he had not yet beheld. The Bible is a wonder-land; it not only relates miracles, but it is itself a world of wonders. . . . Scripture needs opening, but not half so much as our eyes do; the veil is not on the book, but on our eyes.”

CHARLES HADDON SPURGEON