Psalms‬ ‭119‬:‭129‬-‭136‬…Happy Life?

 “Your decrees are wondrous; therefore I obey them. The revelation of your words brings light and gives understanding to the inexperienced. I open my mouth and pant because I long for your commands. Turn to me and be gracious to me, as is your practice toward those who love your name. Make my steps steady through your promise; don’t let any sin dominate me. Redeem me from human oppression, and I will keep your precepts. Make your face shine on your servant, and teach me your statutes. My eyes pour out streams of tears because people do not follow your instruction.”

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭119‬:‭129‬-‭136‬ ‭CSB‬‬

Read Context

"My eyes pour out streams of tears because people do not follow your instruction."  This seems a bit extreme, but I understand the sadness of watching people I love, living their lives according to their own plan.  Ignoring Gods instructions.

They live "happily" and are simply unaware of the bliss they could be experiencing.

It would be a bit like a person eating a saltine cracker as a snack...(I love saltines...simple, salty but flavorless & dry) but refusing to try the best chocolate chip cookie (sweet, chocolatey, buttery, chewy, vanilla'y with a hint of salt).

The cracker IS fine, maybe even good sometimes...but the cookie is infinitely better.  The same can be true of people living their own way...they just are not experiencing the infinitely better life of walking in Gods presence.  I want that for them, it is so good, so life altering, so sweet and refreshing, so joyful...

Psalms‬ ‭119‬:‭121‬-‭128…Insight

 “I have done what is just and right; do not leave me to my oppressors. Guarantee your servant’s well-being; do not let the arrogant oppress me. My eyes grow weary looking for your salvation and for your righteous promise. Deal with your servant based on your faithful love; teach me your statutes. I am your servant; give me understanding so that I may know your decrees. It is time for the Lord to act, for they have violated your instruction. Since I love your commands more than gold, even the purest gold, I carefully follow all your precepts and hate every false way.”

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭119‬:‭121‬-‭128‬ ‭CSB‬‬

Read Context

"give me understanding so that I may know your decrees."  Lord, change me into a man with deep comprehension of your Word, so that I know what You want at any turn, any moment, any question!  That kind of insight comes only from You and by Your great mercy.

Psalms‬ ‭119‬:‭113‬-‭120‬…Spiritual Battle

 “I hate those who are double-minded, but I love your instruction. You are my shelter and my shield; I put my hope in your word. Depart from me, you evil ones, so that I may obey my God’s commands. Sustain me as you promised, and I will live; do not let me be ashamed of my hope. Sustain me so that I can be safe and always be concerned about your statutes. You reject all who stray from your statutes, for their deceit is a lie. You remove all the wicked on earth as if they were dross from metal; therefore, I love your decrees. I tremble in awe of you; I fear your judgments.”

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭119‬:‭113‬-‭120‬ ‭CSB‬‬

Read Context

“You are my shelter and my shield; I put my hope in your word. Depart from me, you evil ones, so that I may obey my God’s commands.“ This is a familiar mentality…as we draw near to God, the enemy comes in for an attack.  They distract, confuse and lie to us so that we follow our own thinking rather than the truth of Gods Word.  I need your truth moment by moment.  Help me to recognize the lies of the enemy and flee from them…toward Truth!

Psalms‬ ‭119‬:‭105‬-‭112‬…Step by Step

 “Your word is a lamp for my feet and a light on my path. I have solemnly sworn to keep your righteous judgments. I am severely afflicted; Lord, give me life according to your word. Lord, please accept my freewill offerings of praise, and teach me your judgments. My life is constantly in danger, yet I do not forget your instruction. The wicked have set a trap for me, but I have not wandered from your precepts. I have your decrees as a heritage forever; indeed, they are the joy of my heart. I am resolved to obey your statutes to the very end.”

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭119‬:‭105‬-‭112‬ ‭CSB‬‬

Read Context

Your word is a lamp for my feet and a light on my path.  Lord, thank you for illuminating my way so that I would have the wisdom and understanding to take my next step.  It is only because I spend time becoming familiar with Your Word daily that I have confidence to take each step toward where You desire.  Please Lord, align my actions with what You have shown me every step of the way.

Psalms‬ ‭119‬:‭97‬-‭104‬…Personal Tutor

 “How I love your instruction! It is my meditation all day long. Your command makes me wiser than my enemies, for it is always with me. I have more insight than all my teachers because your decrees are my meditation. I understand more than the elders because I obey your precepts. I have kept my feet from every evil path to follow your word. I have not turned from your judgments, for you yourself have instructed me. How sweet your word is to my taste — sweeter than honey in my mouth. I gain understanding from your precepts; therefore I hate every false way.”

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭119‬:‭97‬-‭104‬ ‭CSB‬‬

Read Context

“I have not turned from your judgments, for you yourself have instructed me. How sweet your word is to my taste — sweeter than honey in my mouth.“  Lord, it is incredible that You personally help me to understand Your Word.  You don’t leave me struggling to comprehend what it is you want me to know.  You have blessed me beyond what I deserve…only God can do what You have done!

Psalms‬ ‭119‬:‭89‬-‭96‬…Joy & Peace

 “Lord, your word is forever; it is firmly fixed in heaven. Your faithfulness is for all generations; you established the earth, and it stands firm. Your judgments stand firm today, for all things are your servants. If your instruction had not been my delight, I would have died in my affliction. I will never forget your precepts, for you have given me life through them. I am yours; save me, for I have studied your precepts. The wicked hope to destroy me, but I contemplate your decrees. I have seen a limit to all perfection, but your command is without limit.”

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭119‬:‭89‬-‭96‬ ‭CSB‬‬

Read Context

“I will never forget your precepts, for you have given me life through them.“ I used to feel like following Gods rules were keeping me from enjoying some parts of life, so many restrictions.  But, as I know Christ more, I see that EVERY one of His “restrictions” is protecting me from pain and suffering…following them actually brings great joy and peace.  I wish I could convey this in a convincing way to the next generation so that they could avoid some of the heartache and be spared from the bleak discouragement.

God, You know what is best for me and what is best for them, I pray that You would help them learn in the least painful way!

Psalms‬ ‭119‬:‭81‬-‭88‬…Salvation Required

 “I long for your salvation; I put my hope in your word. My eyes grow weary looking for what you have promised; I ask, “When will you comfort me?” Though I have become like a wineskin dried by smoke, I do not forget your statutes. How many days must your servant wait? When will you execute judgment on my persecutors? The arrogant have dug pits for me; they violate your instruction. All your commands are true; people persecute me with lies — help me! They almost ended my life on earth, but I did not abandon your precepts. Give me life in accordance with your faithful love, and I will obey the decree you have spoken.”

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭119‬:‭81‬-‭88‬ ‭CSB‬‬

Read Context

“I long for your salvation; I put my hope in your word.“  God, you have saved me…that I will spend eternity with you!  God you are saving me…day by day making me more like Christ!  God you will save me… moment by moment as you remind me of the truth to help me choose to avoid sin. 

God, “I long for your salvation; I put my hope in your word!” Your salvation is everything to me because on my own I am miserable, lonely and impatient.  I need You…every hour I need You!