Psalm 119:97-104

This stanza begins with the words of one who is seeing Scripture at work in his life in very real ways.  “Oh, how I love Your law!”  I have felt that myself; I have seen it in believers young and old.  When the light comes on, the direction they seek is found, or the path is made clear, there is a deep joy in the heart that cries out, “I love this Book!”

The joy of the Psalmist centers around the clarity he finds in Scripture as opposed to the confusion he finds elsewhere.  God’s people know there are 2 ways: truth and falsehood (v104), good and evil (v101).  His enemies, his teachers, and the ancients (v98-100) are those whose wisdom is always lacking.  

Rather than following them and going astray the Psalmist has kept his feet from their way (v101).  He has not departed from God’s judgments (v102).  In fact, as strongly as he loves God’s law, with the same intensity he hates every false way (v104).  He has found the word of God to be completely satisfying (v103)

We should consider this ourselves.  The world’s teachers can be quite intimidating to be sure, given their status and power.  After all, the evil and false way is the way of destruction, Broadway Avenue on which most of our acquaintances travel (Mt. 7:13).  And those who travel that road are never happy about those few do-gooders who travel the narrow way of affliction (Psa. 123:3-4; 1 Peter 4:3-4). 

In youth it is our peer group exerting pressure to walk with the majority in their pleasures.  In college it is the professor who has crafted a philosophy that denies God and exalts man.  In the workplace it is the successful entrepreneur whose proven track record in attaining wealth and power is the only path to follow.

And yet, do you feel the confidence of the man of the Word?  By God’s commandments, testimonies and precepts he cannot be touched by any of them.  The longer he lives the sweeter are God’s words.  They fit reality.  They keep him from trouble.  They give him success with his Creator for he is taught by God Himself (v102).

He will not be diverted.  The Scriptures are his meditation all the day.  He is confident as he walks the narrow path.  “The law of his God is in his heart; none of his steps shall slide” (Psalm 37:31).  Do you walk with this confidence?