In the fourth stanza we are reminded that God’s word is concerned with
our “way” of life. The goal of Scripture
is not simply to give us knowledge but to change our lives, to correct us and
to instruct us in righteousness that we might be mature (2 Tim. 3:16-17).
Note that 5 verses begin with the same Hebrew word, translated “way” in
v26-27,29-30 and “course” in v32. Also
note that the same word begins v25 and v31, translated “cling”.
The Psalmist begins by acknowledging his human weakness. His soul (inner man) “clings to the dust”
(v25) from which he came. It “melts from
heaviness” (v28). He needs revival; he
needs strength.
The real battle for believers has to do with the soul, not the body (1
Peter 2:11). In this battle the Psalmist
has declared his “ways” to the Lord, as He desires us to do (Matt. 11:28; Phil.
4:6-7). Note that God’s answer to him
will come as he is taught God’s statutes (v26) and is made to understand the
“way” (lifestyle) of His precepts (v27).
There are only 2 “ways” to follow.
o Matt. 7:13-14 it is the “broad” way or the “narrow” way.
o Psalm 1:6 it is the way of the righteous or the way of the ungodly.
o Jer 21:8 it is the way of life and the way of death.
o Psalm 119:29-30 it is the way of lying and the way of truth.
The believer is one who has already chosen the narrow way of truth. And yet, his life is a constant struggle in
the soul with the old way, the way of life he used to practice. Thus, having chosen the way of truth, he
pleads with the Lord to remove the old way of thinking and the former habits
and choices.
As his soul clings to the dust, he now affirms he will cling to God’s
word and will thus run the course of this life.
As we come to the word of God let us remember that its major effect in
our lives is to “renew our minds” so that our way is changed (Rom. 12:2;
Eph. 4:17-24). We are too weak to make
this change ourselves; we must come to the Word, and then cling to the Word.
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