40 Days of Words | Day 2

Dr Jim Brown's TruNorth Devotional
40 Days of Words
Day 2| GOD’S DECREES | Psalm 119:171-173
GOD’S DECREES

Psalm 119:171-173
“May my lips overflow with praise, for you teach me your decrees. May my tongue sing of your word, for all your commands are righteous. May your hand be ready to help me, for I have chosen your precepts."


Psalm 119 is impressive.  Not only is it the longest chapter in the entire Bible, but along with Psalm 1 and 19, it stands as one of the BEST chapters for exalting God’s Word.
From the time we are born, people are talking to us; our parents, then our teachers, and eventually our bosses, politicians, the news media, angry people, happy people… all kinds of people.

Do you treat ALL the voices you hear in life the same?  Or do you value some above the others, and if so, why?

For instance, I would guess that if you heard a policeman behind you in his car using his speaker and telling you to “pull over and stop,” that you’d comply.  Whereas, if someone in another vehicle were yelling generally and loudly, you would ignore him.
Why the difference?

Because the police officer has the authority, knows the law, and is sworn to protect and serve the community. The nutcase in the next car, who knows?

The unidentified psalmist here (guessed to be David, Ezra, or maybe Daniel) is PRAISING God’s decrees. Why?  Because God’s commands are “righteous” – which means “morally upright” and “virtuous.”  Meaning: they are GOOD.

Then the psalmist essentially asks for God’s hand to be ready to help him. And why? Because the psalmist has chosen God’s precepts. That is, he recognizes the wisdom and value of following God’s Word when deciding how to live and act.  He realizes that God’s Words are praiseworthy, righteous, and perfect.

Prayer: LORD, Your Words, your decrees are praiseworthy and righteous.   Teach them to me and help me, Lord, always strive to be a DOER of those words.  Amen.