God’s Word Is Our Source of Life - Psalms 117-119:72

Psalms 119 is one collections of poems that stress that our walk with God out to be in alignment and obedience to the Word of God.   In the entire 176 verses God’s Word is referenced by 8 different synonyms:

(Understanding the Bible Commentary Series) Eight synonyms are used throughout: law (always sing., Hb. tôrâ), word (Hb. dābār), laws (always pl. in the NIV, Hb. mišpāṭîm), statutes (or better “testimonies,” Hb. ʿēdût, usually pl.), commands (Hb. miṣwâ, usually pl.), decrees (Hb. ḥuqqîm), precepts (Hb. peqûdîm), and promise (lit. “word,” Hb. ʾimrâ).   There are 22 sections of 8 verses with each section beginning with one of the 22 letters in the Hebrew alphabet. 

Psalms 119:49-56 (ESV)

ZAYIN

49 Remember your word to your servant,

in which you have made me hope.

50 This is my comfort in my affliction,

that your promise gives me life.

51 The insolent utterly deride me,

but I do not turn away from your law.

52 When I think of your rules from of old,

I take comfort, O LORD.

53 Hot indignation seizes me because of the wicked,

who forsake your law.

54 Your statutes have been my songs

in the house of my sojourning.

55 I remember your name in the night, O LORD,

and keep your law.

56 This blessing has fallen to me,

that I have kept your precepts.

Verse 49 = the writer is asking God to remember His promises toward him, the promises by which he has hope. God’s promises are our hope. 

Verse 50 = these promises are what gives comfort during our affliction.  They produce life.  Trusting in God’s promises are the source of life for the believer. 

Verse 51 = when faced with insults and derision there is hope as we stay connected to His word.   The insults from the outside world might hurt us, but His word is the necessary antidote that heals us.  

Verse 52 = comfort is found as the writer meditates upon God’s word.  This pain and suffering from persecution is mitigated by trust and reliance on God’s word. 

Verse 53 = the writer is angry that the world around him rejects God’s word.   This might be the area we lack the most in our world today.  We are not upset that the world simply rejects God’s word.  Yet, it is God’s word that wills save them. 

Verse 54 = like listening to the local Christian radio station, the writer is filling his home with the songs of God’s word.   Remember, most of the psalms are poems to be song. 

Verse 55 = even in the darkest of night the light of God’s word illuminates the heart and mind.  In our darkest times we ought to mediate and read His word for hope. 

Verse 56 = the blessing he is referring to is probably what we read in verse 55.  He is rejoicing that God’s word is his hope in the darkest times.  Or, he could be simply saying that this section (Zayin) is his blessing.   Whatever the interruption he is recognizing that having God’s word in his life is the one source for true blessing.