God’s Word is Sweet
December 18, 2019
Commentary
- The key to superior wisdom is love for the Word of God. “O how I love Thy law” (v. 97).
- The measure of superior wisdom can be compared to:
- The wisdom of my enemies – “Thou through Thy commandments hast made me wiser than mine enemies: for they are ever with me” (v. 98).
- The wisdom of my teachers – “I have more understanding than all my teachers; for Thy testimonies are my meditation” (v. 99).
- The wisdom of the elderly – “I understand more than the ancients, because I keep Thy precepts” (v. 100).
- The goal of superior wisdom.
- Purity – “I have refrained my feet from every evil way, that I might keep Thy Word” (v. 101).
- Persistence – “I have not departed from Thy judgments: for thou hast taught me” (v. 102).
- Preference – “How sweet are Thy words unto my taste! yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth” (v. 103).
- Perception – “Through Thy precepts I get understanding: therefore I hate every false way.” (v. 104).
The psalmist devotion to the law gave him more understanding and wisdom than his enemies, teacher and elders (vv. 97-100). But, by God’s Word he kept himself pure (vv. 101-102. “The wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle and easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy” (James 3:17).
Application
God’s Word will help me have a good head and a good heart to do and obey His Word.
Psalms 119:97– 104 (NET)
97 O how I love your law! All day long I meditate on it.
98 Your commandments make me wiser than my enemies, for I am always aware of them.
99 I have more insight than all my teachers, for I meditate on your rules.
100 I am more discerning than those older than I, for I observe your precepts.
101 I stay away from every evil path, so that I might keep your instructions.
102 I do not turn aside from your regulations, for you teach me.
103 Your words are sweeter in my mouth than honey!
104 Your precepts give me discernment. Therefore I hate all deceitful actions. נ (Nun)