Deliverance by God’s Word

Psalms 119:169–176
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This last stanza of this great psalm serves as a doxology to sum up many of the themes of Psalm 119. The tone is one of humble petition rather than arrogant demanding.

1. How to have intimate communication with the Lord (vv. 169-172).
   1. Prayer
      1. “Let my cry come near before Thee,...” (v. 169a).
      2. “Let my supplication come before Thee;..” (v. 170a).
   2. Listening to His Word
      1. “...give me understanding according to Thy Word” (v. 169b).
      2. “...deliver me according to Thy Word (v. 170b).
   3. Praise
      1. “My lips shall utter praise...” (v. 171a).
      2. “My tongue shall speak of Thy Word:...” (v. 172a).
   4. Learning His commandments
      1. “...when Thou has taught me Thy statutes.” (v. 171b).
      2. “...for all thy commandments are righteousness (v. 172b).
2. How to focus on God’s Word (vv. 173-176).
   1. Our priority - “Let thine hand help me, for I have chosen Thy precepts” (v. 173).
   2. Our delight - “I have longed for Thy salvation, O Lord; and Thy law is my delight” (v. 174).
   1. Our sufficiency - “Let my soul live, and it shall praise Thee; let Thy judgments help me.”
   2. Our perseverance - “...seek Thy servant for I do not forget thy commandments” (v. 176).

Application

The only thing that I do not want is what God does not want me to have. It is so easy to have a “give me” attitude rather than a “show me” attitude.