THE UNFOLDING OF YOUR WORDS GIVES LIGHT

Passage: Psalms 119:129-144

Key verse: 130

NIV

פ Pe

129 Your statutes are wonderful;(A)
    therefore I obey them.(B)
130 The unfolding of your words gives light;(C)
    it gives understanding to the simple.(D)
131 I open my mouth and pant,(E)
    longing for your commands.(F)
132 Turn to me(G) and have mercy(H) on me,
    as you always do to those who love your name.(I)
133 Direct my footsteps according to your word;(J)
    let no sin rule(K) over me.
134 Redeem me from human oppression,(L)
    that I may obey your precepts.(M)
135 Make your face shine(N) on your servant
    and teach me your decrees.(O)
136 Streams of tears(P) flow from my eyes,
    for your law is not obeyed.(Q)

צ Tsadhe

137 You are righteous,(R) Lord,
    and your laws are right.(S)
138 The statutes you have laid down are righteous;(T)
    they are fully trustworthy.(U)
139 My zeal wears me out,(V)
    for my enemies ignore your words.
140 Your promises(W) have been thoroughly tested,(X)
    and your servant loves them.(Y)
141 Though I am lowly and despised,(Z)
    I do not forget your precepts.(AA)
142 Your righteousness is everlasting
    and your law is true.(AB)
143 Trouble and distress have come upon me,
    but your commands give me delight.(AC)
144 Your statutes are always righteous;
    give me understanding(AD) that I may live.

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Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
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ESV

Pe

129 Your testimonies are (A)wonderful;
    therefore my soul (B)keeps them.
130 The unfolding of your words gives light;
    it imparts (C)understanding to the simple.
131 I (D)open my mouth and (E)pant,
    because I (F)long for your commandments.
132 (G)Turn to me and be gracious to me,
    as is your way with those who love your name.
133 (H)Keep steady my steps according to your promise,
    and let no iniquity (I)get dominion over me.
134 (J)Redeem me from man's oppression,
    that I may keep your precepts.
135 (K)Make your face shine upon your servant,
    and (L)teach me your statutes.
136 My eyes (M)shed streams of tears,
    because people (N)do not keep your law.

Tsadhe

137 (O)Righteous are you, O Lord,
    and right are your rules.
138 You have appointed your testimonies in (P)righteousness
    and in all (Q)faithfulness.
139 My (R)zeal consumes me,
    because my foes forget your words.
140 Your promise is well (S)tried,
    and your servant (T)loves it.
141 I am small and despised,
    yet I do not (U)forget your precepts.
142 Your righteousness is righteous forever,
    and your law is (V)true.
143 Trouble and anguish have found me out,
    but your commandments are my (W)delight.
144 Your testimonies are righteous forever;
    (X)give me understanding that I may (Y)live.

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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.
Source: BibleGateway

1. Make your face shine upon me (129-136)

Men live in darkness because they do not have the word of God. Most people in America have Bibles, but to many, the Bible is a closed book--because they do not read it or obey it. The psalmist wept because God's law was not obeyed. But when the truth of God's word is unfolded by prayerful study, light comes into dark hearts, and into a dark society. People who had no understanding of the world nor of themselves find that things begin to make sense. Sin cannot rule over a person whose footsteps are directed by God's word.

2. God's promises are trustworthy (137-144)

God is righteous and faithful. His promises are fully trustworthy. Our zeal wears out--and wears us out-- but God's word lasts forever. His promises have been thoroughly tested by many believers down through history, and they are true. Even when trouble and distress come, God's word gives peace.

Prayer: Lord, let your face shine upon us to unfold your word. Let the light and truth of your word enlighten our darkness.

One Word: God's word gives light and life