Psalm 119: God’s Word Makes Alive

Psalm expresses the believer’s meditation on, love for, and delight in the Torah, meaning Instruction. The Torah is the five Books of Moses, the Law, and by extension, over time, it includes the Prophets, the Psalms, and the New Testament: the Bible. Eight different synonyms for the Word are used over 176 verses.

Intense love for the Gospel is understandable, but love for the Law and Commandments? What’s up with that? The Law (the Word of God) is loved because it expresses God’s will and His mind, and it God Himself that is loved and greatly desired: to know Him personally and live, really live.

“Quicken me according to your word” is prayed eleven times, often in response to affliction. My enemies are constantly seeking to destroy my life, at least to diminish the full enjoyment of life. Jesus comes to give life: “My words are Spirit and they are Life;” in the Scriptures you have eternal life, they testify of me; me has He quickened, who was dead in sins.

Affliction comes from one of the life destroyers (sin, death, devil). It is permitted by God for a purpose: to repent and believe the Gospel so Jesus can Give Life.