The 119thPsalm offers some wonderful, timely, and practical lessons for daily Christian living, nearly all of which are rooted in the power and glory of God’s word. Let us consider a few.
Psalm 119:59
Few things should be as helpful each day as a few minutes of serious introspection. Whether you choose to do it in the morning, evening, or some other time of day, do it. We easily see the need for self-examination in the pursuit of good physical health. Let us not forget to make the more important spiritual application of that principle.
The psalmist wrote, “I considered my ways, and turned my feet to Your testimonies” (119:59). How often do you “ponder the path of your feet” (Prov. 4:26)? Carve out some time today to think about your life, then decide that you will turn your feet toward the perfect word of Almighty God.
Psalm 119:60
Some things we put off as long as we can: filing tax returns, the check-up with the doctor, mowing the yard. Other things we do as soon as we can: vacation, visit the grandkids, deposit that check. Into which of those two categories would you have to put obedience to God?
Take note of these wise words, “I made haste and did not delay to keep your commandments” (Psalm 119:60). If there is some divinely imposed obligation that you have been delaying to obey, delay no longer!
Psalm 119:62
“At midnight I will rise to give thanks to You, because of Your righteous judgments.”
I am not much of a night owl. I’m usually in bed before 10 p.m. On those nights when I’ve turned in early, I’m not really interested in getting back up until morning light. But in reading the psalmists words above, I am forced to ask myself, “Is the expression of worship and gratitude to God worth the interruption of my sleep?” Indeed, it is.
It’s certainly not obligatory to rise at midnight for grateful prayer. The passage is merely a poetic description of the psalmist’s love for the righteous judgments of God. But would it be a good thing to consider? Certainly! Just as fasting interrupts one’s eating schedule in order to focus on spiritual things, perhaps we should consider an occasional interruption of our sleeping schedules to do that same.