Psalm 119 - Heth (vss. 57-64)

[Al Moak]

Psalm 119 - Heth

This stanza could perhaps be entitled TEMPTATIONS.  The student has already learned that God's Word is absolutely necessary to life, and he has also learned the sad truth that his soul "clings to the dust" - that he only too easily falls into sin.  He has also learned about the mercy and salvation of God that can restore him again and again and that can even help him avoid further falls. 

In this stanza, though, he begins to learn about the awful power that temptation from other people can have on one such as himself and about the means there are to combat it.

He's talking about the power of such temptation when he says in verse 61, "The cords of the wicked have bound me, but I have not forgotten Your law."  That's what temptation is like - it's like cords that bind.  Someone who doesn't care about God comes along and says, "Oh come on - there's some great things we can do together!  Don't be a slave to that religion stuff!  Loosen up a little - it won't hurt." 

He's tempting the student to do something that looks attractive, looks like something he'd like to do - so he begins doing it.  Once having begun, though, it's hard to stop, and the "cords" have "bound" him.  He hasn't forgotten the law of God, but he's found it easy for the moment to drift away from obedience to it.

As he reflects on these things, though, he realizes once again that his relationship to God is the most important thing in his life.  He says, "You are my portion, O Lord (in contrast to the things I'm tempted by); I have said that I would keep Your Word."  He remembers that, in the recent past, "I have entreated Your favor with my whole heart!"  So, now, finding himself bound by "the cords of the wicked" - by temptation - he prays, once again, for restoration.  He says, "Be merciful to me according to Your Word."  And he realizes that, along with prayer, he has to get up and walk away from the temptation, saying, "I thought about my ways, and turned my feet to Your testimonies. I made haste, and did not delay to keep Your commandments.

Repentance must always be like that.  It must always include a prayer for mercy, but it must also always involve getting up and walking (or running) away from sin.  If it doesn't include both actions, it isn't sincere repentance.

Sometimes the realization that the path is wrong, that sin and temptation have overtaken - may dawn upon the student even in the middle of the night!  When that happens, what does he do?  "At midnight I will rise to give thanks to You, because of Your righteous judgements (The Word of God that has come to him)."  He is made aware of his sin, and he remembers that God and His ways are far better, so he immediately arises, gives thanks to God for His blessed guidance through the Word, and determines to return to Him.

And what does he do the next morning?  Does he return to those who tempted him? NO!  He says, "I am a companion of all who fear You, and of those who keep Your precepts!  The earth, O Lord, is full of Your mercy; teach me Your statutes!" Knowing the mercy of his covenant God, he once again gets busy in learning His word instead of placing himself again in the way of temptation.

How is it with you?  When temptation comes, when you've fallen to it, when it seems that its "cords" have bound you, what do you do?  Do you know that God's way is better?  Then return to it!  Confess your sin (again).  Deliberately, definitely, and quickly turn from the temptation. Thank your God that His way is so much better!  Praise Him for His Word that instructs you and delivers you.

[Pat]

Knowing the mercy of his covenant God, he once again gets blusy in learning His word instead of placing himself again in the way of temptation.


Typo?

[Al Moak]

I still think you should be my regular editor!  Thanks again.