Psalm 119: Shin 161-168

This octet celebrates the Serenity of the Law, for obedience to God is its own reward.

This isn’t just ordinary folks, but powerful nobles have brought pressure to bear on the psalmist. Worse, it’s for no good reason, but they keep playing games for political advantage. Yet he is able to brush aside the intimidation because he doesn’t revere mere men, but his heart stands in awe of God’s revelation. It’s as if God has plundered some enemy and placed a huge bundle of treasure in his hands.

Loving God’s Law changes your entire value system, making you detest deception. The psalmist blurts out a week’s worth of ritual praise every day when he realizes the sheer wisdom and justice of God’s dealings with mankind.

The sense of peace that comes from personal loyalty to Jehovah’s Law is impossible to measure; there’s nothing like it in human experience. They aren’t tripped up and caught off guard by the plots of evil minds. There is an overwhelming sense of anticipation that makes obedience so much fun!

The psalmist piles it on: As he commits himself more fully to what is revealed in the long record of God’s works, the ecstasy of joy builds beyond words. It’s not enough to read the record of God’s Word, but it draws on all your personal resources. You realize there is nothing to hide, and you are able to breathe freely in the Divine Presence.