THE EARTH IS FILLED WITH GOD'S LOVE

Passage: Psalms 119:41-64

Key verse: 119:64

NIV

ו Waw

41 May your unfailing love(A) come to me, Lord,
    your salvation, according to your promise;(B)
42 then I can answer(C) anyone who taunts me,(D)
    for I trust in your word.
43 Never take your word of truth from my mouth,(E)
    for I have put my hope(F) in your laws.
44 I will always obey your law,(G)
    for ever and ever.
45 I will walk about in freedom,
    for I have sought out your precepts.(H)
46 I will speak of your statutes before kings(I)
    and will not be put to shame,(J)
47 for I delight(K) in your commands
    because I love them.(L)
48 I reach out for your commands, which I love,
    that I may meditate(M) on your decrees.

ז Zayin

49 Remember your word(N) to your servant,
    for you have given me hope.(O)
50 My comfort in my suffering is this:
    Your promise preserves my life.(P)
51 The arrogant mock me(Q) unmercifully,
    but I do not turn(R) from your law.
52 I remember,(S) Lord, your ancient laws,
    and I find comfort in them.
53 Indignation grips me(T) because of the wicked,
    who have forsaken your law.(U)
54 Your decrees are the theme of my song(V)
    wherever I lodge.
55 In the night, Lord, I remember(W) your name,
    that I may keep your law.(X)
56 This has been my practice:
    I obey your precepts.(Y)

ח Heth

57 You are my portion,(Z) Lord;
    I have promised to obey your words.(AA)
58 I have sought(AB) your face with all my heart;
    be gracious to me(AC) according to your promise.(AD)
59 I have considered my ways(AE)
    and have turned my steps to your statutes.
60 I will hasten and not delay
    to obey your commands.(AF)
61 Though the wicked bind me with ropes,
    I will not forget(AG) your law.
62 At midnight(AH) I rise to give you thanks
    for your righteous laws.(AI)
63 I am a friend to all who fear you,(AJ)
    to all who follow your precepts.(AK)
64 The earth is filled with your love,(AL) Lord;
    teach me your decrees.(AM)

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ESV

Waw

41 Let your (A)steadfast love come to me, O Lord,
    your salvation (B)according to your promise;
42 then (C)shall I have an answer for him (D)who taunts me,
    for I trust in your word.
43 And take not the word of truth utterly out of my mouth,
    for my (E)hope is in your rules.
44 I will keep your law continually,
    forever and ever,
45 and I shall walk (F)in a wide place,
    for I have (G)sought your precepts.
46 I will also speak of your testimonies (H)before kings
    and shall not be put to shame,
47 for I (I)find my delight in your commandments,
    which I love.
48 I will (J)lift up my hands toward your commandments, which I love,
    and I will (K)meditate on your statutes.

Zayin

49 Remember (L)your word to your servant,
    in which you have made me (M)hope.
50 This is (N)my comfort in my affliction,
    that your promise (O)gives me life.
51 (P)The insolent utterly deride me,
    but I do not (Q)turn away from your law.
52 When I think of your rules from of old,
    I take comfort, O Lord.
53 (R)Hot indignation seizes me because of the wicked,
    who forsake your law.
54 Your statutes have been my songs
    in the house of my (S)sojourning.
55 I (T)remember your name in the night, O Lord,
    and keep your law.
56 This blessing has fallen to me,
    that (U)I have kept your precepts.

Heth

57 (V)The Lord is my portion;
    I promise to keep your words.
58 I (W)entreat your favor with all my heart;
    be gracious to me (X)according to your promise.
59 When I (Y)think on my ways,
    I turn my feet to your testimonies;
60 I hasten and do not delay
    to keep your commandments.
61 Though (Z)the cords of the wicked ensnare me,
    I do not (AA)forget your law.
62 At (AB)midnight I rise to praise you,
    because of your (AC)righteous rules.
63 (AD)I am a companion of all who fear you,
    of those who keep your precepts.
64 (AE)The earth, O Lord, is full of your steadfast love;
    (AF)teach me your statutes!

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The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
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First, may your unfailing love come to me (41-56). The basis of the Psalmist's adherence to the word of God is expressed in his hope and trust in the unfailing love of the Lord and his promise of salvation, which is revealed in his word. There he is protected from the taunts of others, there he receives true freedom and is protected from shame. Most of all, there he learns to love God. This love relationship did not insulate him from suffering or mocking or indignation at the hands of godless people. But in the word of God the Psalmist found comfort. What he remembered at the end of the day was the name of the Lord and his word. God's unfailing love gives us rest. Second, you are my portion, Lord (57-64). This is the offering of our life to the Lord, to be fully bound to him by his word. It is regardless of circumstance. It is also being bound to all who make their lives a similar offering to him. When we submit to the word, we learn that the earth is filled with God's love. We may be hard pressed, but that is where the Lord reveals himself to all who cling to his word. That is where God teaches us that we are ruled only and always by his sovereign love.

Prayer: Lord, be my portion. Teach me your word, that I may know your love.

One Word: The Lord's unfailing love