Psalm 119 - Pe
Little by little, by experience and by God's Word, the student's life is becoming more dedicated to God. Since he's been a good student, he therefore wants more than anything else to please Jehovah, because he has experienced Him in a loving, joyful relationship for a goodly time now. Most importantly, he has also learned, again and again, that the foundation of that relationship is God's Word - His statutes, commandments, judgements, precepts, law, and testimonies. It is there that he finds the needed promises, and it is there that he becomes more and more acquainted with God Himself. He can sincerely say, "Your testimonies are wonderful! Therefore my soul keeps them! The entrance of Your words gives light. It gives understanding to the simple."
It is just at this point that he expresses what may seem like a very emotional response to the Word of God. He says, "I opened my mouth and panted, for I longed for Your commandments!" It's actually a good thing for God's people to experience emotions like that. Emotions should indeed be stirred mightily by the preciousness of God's Word! While some who call themselves by the name of Jesus Christ in our day misuse and abuse emotions, still God's people need to recognize that their God-created emotions should indeed be stirred by TRUTH, real TRUTH, the only truth in the universe!
The student knows, however, that even such strong reactions can fade and be forgotten. In this too he depends upon the God of the Word. He prays, "Look upon me and be merciful to me, as Your custom is toward those who love Your name. Direct my steps by Your Word, and let no iniquity have dominion over me!" In other words, he's praying that his love affair with the Word of God might be continued by the mercy of God's Spirit, that he might not be allowed to fall away, and that the Word of God might continue to be applied to every part of his life. He knows that otherwise iniquity WOULD have dominion over him! He knows it is God's mercy that keeps all of His people from falling away. He wants that mercy.
He knows, particularly, that he has a tendency to listen to other people, even people who have no love for God or His Word. He knows that he has a tendency to try to please them and win their favor. And they in turn would love to have it so - they would "oppress him." In other words, they'd like to tempt him to be as they are. The student knows that his only defense is the Lord Himself. He prays, "Redeem me from the oppression of man, that I may keep Your precepts."
During the times of the world's temptation, when he might be drawn away from God and His Word, he needs the inner working of the God Who is really there. He prays, "Make Your face shine upon Your servant, and teach me Your statutes!" He doesn't want to join the crowd of those who neglect God and His Word. In fact, he even expresses another strong emotion about it. He says, "Rivers of water run down from my eyes, because men do not keep Your law!"
Is that the way YOU feel? Have you become so closely related to God and to His Word that you get emotional about it? God grant that you may!