Twenty-Third Sunday after Pentecost
Happy are those whose way is blameless,
who walk in the law of the LORD.
Happy are those who keep his decrees,
who seek him with their whole heart,
who also do no wrong,
but walk in his ways.
You have commanded your precepts
to be kept diligently.
O that my ways may be steadfast
in keeping your statutes!
Then I shall not be put to shame,
having my eyes fixed on all your commandments.
I will praise you with an upright heart,
when I learn your righteous ordinances.
I will observe your statutes;
do not utterly forsake me.
who walk in the law of the LORD.
Happy are those who keep his decrees,
who seek him with their whole heart,
who also do no wrong,
but walk in his ways.
You have commanded your precepts
to be kept diligently.
O that my ways may be steadfast
in keeping your statutes!
Then I shall not be put to shame,
having my eyes fixed on all your commandments.
I will praise you with an upright heart,
when I learn your righteous ordinances.
I will observe your statutes;
do not utterly forsake me.
Psalm 119 - the longest psalm, the longest Bible chapter, exceeds the length of several combined New Testament letters.
ReplyDeleteIt is dedicated to the wonderful blessing of God's teaching - Torah.
This is a psalm that is hard for me to say or sing, because in truth, I think I fall short of the lofty faithfulness pictured here. And yet, sometimes I need to be reminded to look toward ambitious faithfulness rather than feel contented with the status quo. After all, if everyone was as faithful to God as this psalmist describes, that would be a world well worth struggling to be worthy of.