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Psalm 119 Verses 41to 48 – I am discovering a richness in this Psalm, of which I have never previously been aware. I hope you are too.

What a prayer – O, Lord, I know YOU have unfailing love - such mercy - may that unfailing merciful love come to me - do not let it pass me by - do not let me miss it.

Again, each letter begins with the same letter of the Hebrew alphabet – the sixth.

Last week we read that he asks for teaching - now, he prays for LOVE – and may I experience the fullness of Your Salvation - everything which You have promised.

David wants all that GOD has for him - and so do I. I want all that Jesus Christ has for me - I do not want anything to by-pass me - I do not want to be missing or absent from that setting in which GOD desires to bless me.

You go along to a meeting - and you wonder - will GOD show up? Will HE be there with me, to bless - anoint - reassure? And HE always turns up! He never fails, lets you down, or disappoints. He always appears. He is ever present.

This is the first mention in the Psalm of SALVATION. And it is of GOD - from GOD. “The God of our salvation” – and it is the salvation which GOD has promised in His Word.

Verse 42 – T hen, I will answer the one who taunts me - mocks me - ridicules me - laughs at me - for I trust in Your Word. Trials and troubles – battles and blessings – labours and sufferings - confront and face me - that is one reason why I so need Your unfailing merciful love. He wants answers for those who quibble - for the cynical skeptics - for the sneers of those who would revile.

When a man respects God’s Word - God trusts that man in various ways - and uses him in ways he could never dream of - part of that can be answering humbly, but fully, rebutting any lies. Regard being able to answer as a blessing and gift from GOD. The Holy Spirit gives you something to say at times which can even amaze the speaker.

Verse 43 – Do not snatch the word of truth from my mouth - is that possible? It is not something that is likely to happen - but it is possible. If GOD gives you a word to speak - a word to share - a word to teach - and you say - I am not preaching that - HE can take it away from you. Or - remove the opportunity from you where you can share that Word. A man can compromise the Word - water it down - dilute it.

David loved the Scriptures - you cannot read the Psalm, without coming to that realisation, and he wants to experience all the good things which GOD has promised. He was not content with Chapter and Verse - he wanted Mercy and Love and full salvation.

Verse 44 – That is a most beautiful vow - I WILL ALWAYS… Once you have experienced the truth and realness of The Word of God - and the love of Jesus - and the power of The Holy Spirit - you have that deep desire to follow Jesus - for ever and ever. There is the note of PERSEVERANCE here. I am going to persevere to the very end.

Verse 45 – I will walk about in freedom - for I have sought out your precepts.

Isn’t it true - if you are obeying the Word of God - you don’t need to be afraid of whom you will meet - of what someone might say to you? You know there is nothing on which they can point the finger.

Think of the situation of the boy who hasn’t done his homework - he is terrified that the teacher will pounce upon him - ask him – or look at his jotter. But - if you have done your homework - you can go into that classroom in such freedom. Nobody can point the finger at you with any justification. Now, that does not mean they won’t try to - or that they won’t attempt to make you feel guilty - but there will be no grounds - and you will enjoy that degree of freedom when you know that your sins are forgiven, and you are walking with GOD. There is no need to hide - no need to hope that you don’t meet someone. No fear of being FOUND OUT!

There is no bondage in holiness. This is not a life which I find limited in any way whatsoever - this is perfect freedom. What might appear narrow to others is to us - fulsome, free, and abundant. Jesus said - “I have come that you might have life - abundant life.” This is no slaves jungle track - this is the King’s Highway. This is no narrow trail through the woods where bramble branches are going to swing out and catch you and tear you and pierce you. This is the path GOD has prepared for you.

Verses 46,47 – I will speak - David was going to be a witness - no matter where he went - and no matter in what company he found himself. This is part of the liberty and freedom - you are free from fear of the greatest - proudest - the most tyrannical of men. When GOD gives grace, cowardice vanishes. When Jesus comes in His Love, fear has to go!

Remember, how Joseph spoke out before Pharoah - how Moses later spoke out before another Egyptian king - how Daniel spoke out before Nebuchadnezzar - how Peter arrested and imprisoned, addressed those who were seeking to silence him - how Paul spoke out for Jesus when he was on trial for his faith in Christ His Saviour and His Lord.

Men of great holiness have also been men of great boldness. And this word is fit for kings - kings (and Prime Ministers and Presidents and all leaders) need it - and it can benefit everyone - it is beneficial to us all.

I will speak - what a theme - what a subject - what a topic. When we came up north, after a few weeks, one man said to me - ‘Is that your normal method of preaching - just going through the Bible and exposing the Word?’ (Expository Preaching). ‘YES.’ ‘Well - you will never run out of source material.’

David realises that if he keeps to this theme - he will never be put to shame.

Verse 48 – I reach out - I stretch myself to get a firm grasp on your Word - which I love - and I meditate on your decrees. This is the word used for lifting up of hands in Praise and Worship - like a little child running to his daddy, whom he loves and who loves him.

Interestingly, it is used by a man who loved to play and sing and praise the living God. His heart is like a fire which must send forth its flames. Where holy hands and a loving heart goes, the whole man follows.

I ponder all these things in my heart - like Mary when Jesus was born - and the shepherds came - and the sound of angels resounded around Bethlehem. She pondered all these things in her heart. When we have done our duty, there is great delight. When David had done his duty - when Mary had carried the One Who is our Saviour - there was great delight - and great reward.

The hand is also raised when giving a vow - we use it in court. It is raised when blessing - Jesus did that.

This Psalm is fragrant - with love towards the Word of God - and every part of the person is involved - heart and mind and soul and body.

“Almighty, loving compassionate God – You are so keen and willing to feed us from Your Holy Word – so that we might be comforted and fortified and fortressed – in order that we be strong to serve those around us. Faithful God, fill us and satisfy us. In Jesus Name we pray. Amen”

"Refreshment in Refuge" from Gina Burgess

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