Psalm 119:89-96 Lamed: God’s word fits every situation forever.

Do you ever wonder if the Bible has something to say about issues that seem to be unique to our day and time?  If you haven’t wondered about it yourself, there has never been a shortage of those who have doubted the Bible's usefulness today, given the fact it is an ancient book.

This stanza seeks to dispel this thought.  It begins by affirming the timelessness of God’s Word: Forever, O Lord, Your word is settled in heaven (v89). God’s word does not need to change; it is settled! The stanza ends by affirming the breadth of issues the Bible addresses: I have seen the consummation of all perfection. But your commandment is exceedingly broad (v96).  In other words, for all time, and for every situation, the word of God is profitable.

The verses in-between affirm the same.  A critical affirmation is made in v90-91.  God is faithful in all generations.  We think a lot about change when we contemplate the generations.  If those before us were believers, we may acknowledge how the Scriptures fit their lives.  But we may think the challenges of today exceed those of past years, thinking those were “simpler times”.  Then we may fear for our children or grandchildren as the world becomes increasingly more difficult.  But these verses make it clear: God is faithful to all generations, continuing specifically to this day.  

Verses 92-93 affirm the life-giving nature of Scripture.  As Jesus said to Satan: Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God (Matt. 4:4; cf. Deut. 8:3).  Because of all this, the Psalmist is committed to God’s testimonies, regardless of what the enemy throws at him (v94-95).

Heb. 4:12 claims the Bible is living; it contains living oracles (Acts 7:38).   Rene Pache (The Inspiration & Authority of Scripture) calls this the “eternal youth of Scripture” (p293).  “The revelations of old have lost nothing of their efficacy, being forever quickened by the divine voice which gets through to our hearts here and now” (p86).

Those who read the Bible on a regular basis can testify to the way that, in every context of life, wherever they are reading, they find Scripture to have something that fits the current issues of life.  What a wonderful Book.  It is God’s Word for all time, for every situation.  Seek His precepts in it daily and you will truly live.