Psalm 119 Meditations and Prayers Relating to the Law of God

This is the third section of Psalm 119. There are 8 different terms referring to Scripture used 
through out. These are: law, testimonies, 
precepts statutes, commandments, judgments,
word and ordinances. Each one starts with a letter of the Hebrew alphabet and every section teaches us about God and his word and law. I have journaled through this.

Recently I ran across comments by Andrew M. Davis on Psalm 119. He calls this Psalm “a potent manual for meditation” and notes that “almost half of all references to meditation in the Bible are found in Psalm 119. His favorite verse, a prayer for insight he uses daily is verse 18 “Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law.” He says “The ‘seeing of wonderful things’ in God’s law is a mental ‘sight’ which can be called ‘illumination,’ and it is the special work of the indwelling Holy Spirit.” When we meditate on the word we give it a chance to change us. Verse 18 is in this section with a slightly different translation.

Gimel. 

¹⁷ Deal bountifully with Your servant,
That I may live and keep Your word.

Dear Father, You have dealt bountifully with me! And I need all the grace, forgiveness and acceptance you can give me. I am your servant and you are my Lord. I don’t always remember this because you are also my shepherd, my savior, and my friend. With your bountiful grace and your guidance and help I will live for you and keep your word. Hold me close. I need to cling to you today. And I bow before you. You are my Lord.

¹⁸ Open my eyes, that I may behold
Wonderful things from your law.

Father, Open my eyes that I may see amazing things in your Word, in your law. Open the eyes of my heart to feed on your Word and to absorb your Word. Your Word is all about You!

¹⁹ I am a stranger in the earth;
Do not hide Your commandments from me.

Father, I do feel like a stranger on the earth – especially in today’s world. Hold me close and don’t hide your expectations or commandments from me. Show me when I fail to keep your commandments. I long for a better “world” with you.

²⁰ My soul is crushed with longing
After Your ordinances at all times.

Father, my soul is crushed with longing – longing for health, for peace, for comfort, for love and joy, for your presence. Do I long for your ordinances? I’m glad I know your laws and right from wrong. Keep me on the straight path, Lord.

²¹ You rebuke the arrogant, the cursed,
Who wander from Your commandments.

Father, I know you rebuke the arrogant, the cursed who wander from your commandments. I hope I’m never in those categories. Deal gently with me. Help me stay true to you.

²² Take away reproach and contempt from me,
For I observe Your testimonies.

Father, Keep my pure and holy, take away any reproach or contempt. I do delight in your revelations about yourself in the word and your testimonies are true. Keep me faithful to you.

²³ Even though princes sit and talk against me,
Your servant meditates on Your statutes.

Father, No matter what others think or say that upsets me or tries to lure me away from you and your Word, I will cling to you and meditate on your statutes. Show me the way daily.

²⁴ Your testimonies also are my delight;
They are my counselors.

Father, I’m learning to delight in your Word, the things you reveal and testify to in Scripture. They are my counselors! Yes, they are, most of the time. Help me focus on your Word consistently and not be drawn away from you. I love You.

Blessings, Dottie