Psalms 119:155

Alfred Shropshire Psalms 119:155

Salvation is far from the wicked: for they seek not thy statues.

Psalm 119 is a celebration of God's word. "Throughout the psalm, David expresses the joy he finds in Scripture. He calls it 'the word of truth' (119:43). In the Hebrew, truth and faithfulness share a common root. This root affirms that the statement, thing, or person, which is true or faithful, is in harmony with reality. That is, that the true can be relied upon because when measured by the actual, it corresponds exactly. To say that Scripture is true means that we can trust it completely, for it pierces all man's illusions and portrays reality as God knows it and as it really is"*

David can freely call upon God for help because David has done what the statues dictated. He has walked according to the Law of the Lord; obeyed God's decrees; lived according to God's Word; rejoiced in following God's statues; meditated upon God's precepts; delighted in God's decrees; longed for God's laws; put his hope in God's Word; promised to obey God's Word; considered his (David's) ways and turned his steps to God's statues; found comfort in God's Words; loved God's law; trusted in God's Words; chosen God's precepts; believed in God's commandments; learned form God's statues; and sought out God's precepts.

In spite of David's striving, we know that David was not a perfect man or king, sometimes straying from what God had in mind for him. David recognized his own weaknesses and wrongdoing and was able to pray to God "I am not worthy . . . You know me well, and yet you honor me, your servant." (I Chronicles 17: 16, 18) "I have committed a terrible sin in doing this! Please forgive me. I have acted foolishly." (I Chronicles 21: 7) "Your compassion, Lord, is great" (Psalm 119: 156).

In contrast to David, the wicked have not sought "the word of truth" are not in a position to receive salvation. They have not obeyed God's laws and are "people who hate peace" (Psalm 120: 6). Let us choose the "word of truth" and the "Prince of Peace" to lead and guide us as we go through life.

Prayer: God, give us courage to stand against those who would continue to sow evil. And may our lives point others to the peace that passes all understanding. Amen.

*The Bible Reader's Companion, Lawrence O. Richards