The Risk Of Opening The Pages

Psalm 119:161-176

161Powerful people harass me without cause,

but my heart trembles only at your word.

162I rejoice in your word

like one who finds a great treasure.

163I hate and abhor all falsehood,

but I love your law.

164I will praise you seven times a day

because all your laws are just.

165Those who love your law have great peace

and do not stumble.

166I long for your salvation, LORD,

so I have obeyed your commands.

167I have obeyed your decrees,

and I love them very much.

168Yes, I obey your commandments and decrees,

because you know everything I do.

169O LORD, listen to my cry;

give me the discerning mind you promised.

170Listen to my prayer;

rescue me as you promised.

171Let my lips burst forth with praise,

for you have taught me your principles.

172Let my tongue sing about your word,

for all your commands are right.

173Stand ready to help me,

for I have chosen to follow your commandments.

174O LORD, I have longed for your salvation,

and your law is my delight.

175Let me live so I can praise you,

and may your laws sustain me.

176I have wandered away like a lost sheep;

come and find me,

for I have not forgotten your commands.

Psalm 119 is known for the fact that almost every verse mentions God’s Word. But you will find even more frequent references to God (count how often you and your are used in these verses) and to the psalmist (count the occurrences of I and me). The main point of this psalm is not the Word but the relationship between people and God through the Word. Verse 176 makes this very clear.

The university library in Kansas has an unusual Bible. At first it looks rather ordinary, but when the gilt edges of the pages are slightly parted, you see a picture of Christ with his disciples in the upper room. Underneath this picture are the words “It is I myself; handle me and see.”

That’s the message of the Bible and indeed the message of Psalm 119. When the pages are open, Christ can be seen; but more than that, through these pages you can find a personal relationship with him. The aim of the Scriptures is not simply that you may know about God. It is that you may know him personally.

Holy Bible, book divine, precious treasure, thou art mine;

Mine to tell me whence I came; mine to teach me what I am;

Mine to chide me when I rove; mine to show a Savior’s love;

Mine thou art to guide and guard; mine to punish or reward.

JOHN BURTON

Bible Networking

Does verse 176 remind you of any other Bible passages? What about Isaiah 53:6; Jeremiah 50:6; Ezekiel 34:12; Matthew 18:12-14; John 10:14-16; or 1 Peter 2:25?

Notable Quotable

“I do not think there could possibly be a more appropriate conclusion of such a psalm, so full of the ever-changing frames and feelings even of a child of God, in the sunshine and the cloud, in the calm and in the storm, than this ever-clinging sense of his propensity to wander and the expression of his utter inability to find his way back without the Lord’s guiding hand.”

BARTON BOUCHIER