GREAT PEACE HAVE THOSE WHO LOVE GOD'S LAW

Passage: Psalms 119:161-176

Key verse: 165

NIV

ש Sin and Shin

161 Rulers persecute me(A) without cause,
    but my heart trembles(B) at your word.
162 I rejoice(C) in your promise
    like one who finds great spoil.(D)
163 I hate and detest(E) falsehood
    but I love your law.(F)
164 Seven times a day I praise you
    for your righteous laws.(G)
165 Great peace(H) have those who love your law,
    and nothing can make them stumble.(I)
166 I wait for your salvation,(J) Lord,
    and I follow your commands.
167 I obey your statutes,
    for I love them(K) greatly.
168 I obey your precepts(L) and your statutes,(M)
    for all my ways are known(N) to you.

ת Taw

169 May my cry come(O) before you, Lord;
    give me understanding(P) according to your word.(Q)
170 May my supplication come(R) before you;
    deliver me(S) according to your promise.(T)
171 May my lips overflow with praise,(U)
    for you teach me(V) your decrees.
172 May my tongue sing(W) of your word,
    for all your commands are righteous.(X)
173 May your hand be ready to help(Y) me,
    for I have chosen(Z) your precepts.
174 I long for your salvation,(AA) Lord,
    and your law gives me delight.(AB)
175 Let me live(AC) that I may praise you,
    and may your laws sustain me.
176 I have strayed like a lost sheep.(AD)
    Seek your servant,
    for I have not forgotten(AE) your commands.

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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

Sin and Shin

161 (A)Princes persecute me (B)without cause,
    but my heart (C)stands in awe of your words.
162 I (D)rejoice at your word
    like one who (E)finds great spoil.
163 I hate and abhor falsehood,
    but I love (F)your law.
164 Seven times a day I praise you
    for your (G)righteous rules.
165 Great (H)peace have those who love your law;
    (I)nothing can make them stumble.
166 I (J)hope for your salvation, O Lord,
    and I do your commandments.
167 My soul keeps your testimonies;
    I (K)love them exceedingly.
168 I keep your precepts and testimonies,
    (L)for all my ways are before you.

Taw

169 Let my (M)cry come before you, O Lord;
    (N)give me understanding (O)according to your word!
170 Let my plea come before you;
    (P)deliver me according to your word.
171 My lips will (Q)pour forth praise,
    for you (R)teach me your statutes.
172 My tongue will sing of your word,
    for (S)all your commandments are right.
173 Let your hand be ready to help me,
    for I have (T)chosen your precepts.
174 I (U)long for your salvation, O Lord,
    and your law is my (V)delight.
175 Let my soul live and praise you,
    and let your rules help me.
176 I have (W)gone astray like a lost sheep; seek your servant,
    for I do not (X)forget your commandments.

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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. I loved truth and hated falsehood (161-168)

The psalmist was criticized and persecuted without cause, but he did not tremble before the powerful rulers who attacked him. He trembled before the word of God. He refused to compromise with his accusers because he loved truth and hated falsehood. He rejoiced in God's promises like one who has found a hidden treasure. Even in the midst of persecution he had great peace because God's word was in his heart.

2. I have strayed like a lost sheep (169-176)

We live in times when many people have no direction. One who has no direction has lost the way--he is lost, like a lost sheep. The psalmist longed for God's salvation and delighted in God's word. He found that the Good Shepherd was seeking his sheep; he is ready to hear and help all who call on him. He delivers his people according to his promise.

Prayer: Lord, you are my Shepherd. Help me to hold your word in my heart and have your peace and direction.

One Word: Love God's word; have his peace