Psalm 119:161-168, Love in the Psalms (2)

·       97:10: You who love the LORD, hate evil!  This is a command, not a description.

·       99:4: The King’s strength also loves justice. 

·       109:4-5,17: In return for my love they are my accusers, but I give myself to prayer.  Thus they have rewarded evil for good, and hatred for my love.  More of David’s experiencing hatred at the hands of those who should love him.  Thus, part of the imprecatory prayer: As he loved cursing, so let it come to him.

·       116:1: I love the LORD, because He has heard my voice and my supplications.

·       119:47-48: I will delight myself in Your commandments (misvah, something commanded) which I love.  My hands also I will lift up to Your commandments, which I love.

·       119:97: Oh, how I love Your law (torah, a law, direction or instruction).  It is my meditation all the day.

·       119:113,119: I hate the double-minded, but I love Your law.  You put away all the wicked of the earth like dross; therefore I love Your testimonies.

·       119:127: Given the fact that men regard God’s law as void/empty, Therefore I love Your commandments more than gold, yes, than fine gold!

·       119:132: Look upon me and be merciful to me, as Your custom is toward those who love Your name.  God will faithfully bless those who love Him!

·       119:140: Your word (imra, something spoken) is very pure; therefore Your servant loves it.

·       119:159: Consider how I love Your precepts (piqqudim, something appointed); revive me, O LORD, according to Your lovingkindness.

·       119:163,165,167: I hate and abhor lying, but I love Your law.  Great peace have those who love Your law, and nothing causes them to stumble.  My soul keeps Your testimonies (eda, something witnessed, observed and then affirmed), and I love them exceedingly.

Take a moment for a deep breath, after Ps. 119, to consider your love for the word of God!  Perhaps you might review: how is this love for God’s word evident in our lives?  How do we handle it?  What fruit does it produce in our lives?

·       122:6: Pray for the peace of Jerusalem; may they prosper who love you.

·       145:20: The LORD preserves all who love Him.  Here is an opportunity to note the connection between loving the LORD and loving His word.  He preserves those who love Him.  Also, those who love His word will not stumble (119:165).

·       146:8: In a list of blessings from the LORD in the lives of the saints, the LORD loves the righteous.