Psalm 119:137-144

It seems that we hear a great deal about “fake news” these days, doesn’t it? If you regularly read the newspaper, watch network news, or spend much time on the internet, you've probably encountered some of it yourself. However, if you do much reading about history, you probably know that “fake news” is really nothing new. The news media has often been controlled, or at least swayed, by the pressure of politics or special interest groups,  and even if we, the public, are not fed “fake news”, we are often denied the full truth. For those who value truth, this can be frustrating, even disheartening. How do we know for sure that what we read is true? Who can we count on to be right? All the time!!
 
We have been learning the answer to that question in making our way through Psalm 119. The psalmist has been lifting up God’s word as being trustworthy (119:42), sweeter than honey (119:103), the rejoicing of his heart (119:112), and a light to his path (119:105). He has found it to be the way of truth that keeps him from the way of lying (119:29-30), and the standard that keeps him from sin (119:11). God’s word teaches him good judgment and knowledge (119:66), makes him wiser than his enemies (119:98), and gives him more understanding than all his teachers (119:99).  The psalmist’s conclusion about God’s Word is: all Your precepts concerning all things, I consider to be right (119:128) and God’s word is forever…. settled in heaven (119:89).
 
In the stanza we’re looking at this week, verses 137-144, the psalmist describes God’s word as being righteous and upright (119:137), faithful (119:138), and very pure (119:140). He proclaims, Your law is truth and Your testimonies are righteous forever (119:142, 144). It is in understanding God’s word that the psalmist finds life (119:144).
 
137 Righteous are You, O Lord,
And upright are Your judgments.
138 You have commanded Your testimonies in righteousness
And exceeding faithfulness.
139 My zeal has consumed me,
Because my adversaries have forgotten Your words.
140 Your word is very pure,
Therefore Your servant loves it.
141 I am small and despised,
Yet I do not forget Your precepts.
142 Your righteousness is an everlasting righteousness,
And Your law is truth.
143 Trouble and anguish have come upon me,
Yet Your commandments are my delight.
144 Your testimonies are righteous forever;
Give me understanding that I may live.
 
I hope, in this world of uncertainty, these words of the psalmist will assure you and uplift your soul. In a world where words are often vague, misleading, and disingenuous, those who fear God and follow Jesus Christ have an inexhaustible source of pure, untainted truth in God’s Word. Everything we find in God’s Word is righteous and fully trustworthy (119:138, NIV). When the psalmist says it is very pure, he means it has been tried, it has been tested, and it has been found to be free of all impurity. It is inerrant in all it says. It is incapable of being false. It is undiluted, unalloyed, clean, fresh, sparkling, one hundred percent truth.
 
At the end of the day, we do not find our life in news reports, whether true or “fake”. We find life in understanding the Word of Truth, the Holy Bible. And when we read and understand it, God’s Word becomes our delight in times of trouble (119:143). We come to love the Word because it strengthens us when we feel weak and small and despised in a world that has turned its back on God’s truth (119:139, 141). Won’t you take to heart what the psalmist is telling us? Each day, let it be God’s Word that teaches you, guides you, molds you, and uplifts you. Do not be swayed by those who have forgotten His words (119:139). It is God’s Word that will light your way and lift your soul.
 
With love,
Suzie
 

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