GREAT PEACE HAVE THOSE WHO LOVE GOD’S WORD

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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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.
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(161-168) Rulers were persecuting the author. But in God and God’s word, the author found great joy (162), much praise (164), great peace (165), much hope and salvation (166). He hated falsehood, but he loved God’s truth greatly (163,167). He knew that God sees all our ways (168). No one who loves God and his word will stumble in darkness.

(169-176) The final verses are an earnest prayer for understanding, deliverance, help, salvation, and life. He longs to sing praises to God for God’s mercy and help. He admits that he has strayed like a lost sheep and prays that God may look for him and find him. He has done his best to love God and obey his word. Still, he casts himself upon the mercy of God. He has not forgotten God, and he trusts that God has not forgotten him.

Prayer: O LORD, how great are your love, mercy and promises to us. Thank you for your holy word. Thank you for being our Good Shepherd, seeking your lost sheep when we stray. Thank you for giving us great joy, peace, and hope through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior.

One Word: Peace, joy, and salvation come to those who love God and his word