In times of afflictions, where do I go for comfort? What do I hope in when times are tough and people are rough? What gives me life and helps me live the life I’ve been given? These questions are answered in this section of Psalm 119. Apparently the psalm writer had a particular word from God or a promise that he was holding on to during a trying time in his life. He hoped in that word or promise that gave him a certain sense of vitality (49-50). What am I hoping in? Even though others disrespected and derided this man, he still did not turn away from God’s law (51). Maybe people thought him to be too strict in his adherence to God’s rules that God gave Israel through Moses hundreds of years before his time, yet it was those very laws that comforted him, because he understood his covenant relationship with Yahweh (52). I cannot blame him for his “hot indignation” over those within Israel who forsook God’s law (53). There are many in my day that claim to know Jesus Christ yet do not follow his ways or his word. Can I be angry about that? Perhaps, but only if I’m first angry with myself for the same deviations. But I think it’s okay to be moved with righteous indignation, as long as it is truly righteous. But let me not digress.
Along this man’s journey, God’s words were his songs (54). This tells me that obedience and worship go hand-in-hand. I love singing song/hymns that actually use the text of Scripture. I have often found comfort and strength from hymns using the words of Psalms 23 or 27 or Scripture songs such as:
“Thy loving kindness is better than life…” from Psalm 63:3, and from Psalm 73:25-26:
“Whom have I in heaven but You?
There is nothing on earth I desire beside You.
My heart and my strength many times they fail,
But there is one truth that always will prevail:
God is the strength of my heart
God is the strength of my heart
God is the strength of my heart
And my portion forever.”
Remembering God’s character (“name”) in the dark times (“in the night”) motivated the poet’s obedience (55). Does it mine? Worshipful obedience is indeed the place of blessing and comfort and true living (56).
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