Psalm 119 praise
It’s unlikely that the writer of Psalm 119 walked around with a thesaurus in hand. I also realize that my reference to a thesaurus dates me to a pre-Google era. Yet, the psalmist had an impressive repertoire of words to describe God’s law: testimonies, commandments, statutes, rules, precepts. A hundred and seventy-six verses of beautiful variety.
Partway through the summer, I was inspired to memorize the passage. Two stanzas per month would easily complete it in a year. I found a word-for-word music playlist on Spotify to complement the attempt and bravely started. I was confident that I could do it. I had memorized other passages of Scripture and even the book of Philippians back in college. Convincing my reluctant, aging memory to dust off its skills was one thing; convincing it to keep “thy word” and “your precepts” in the right verses was a completely different challenge.
Convincing my reluctant, aging memory to dust off its skills was one thing; convincing it to keep “thy word” and “your precepts” in the right verses was a completely different challenge.
Photo by Tim Wildsmith on Unsplash
Gradually, the verses have been moving from my short-term memory into the long-term (and hopefully deeper yet into my heart!). As I’ve listened to the words over and over, they have changed from ancient words to current prayers. “Oh that my ways may be steadfast in keeping your statutes! Then I shall not be put to shame, having my eyes fixed on all your commandments” (Psalm 119:5–6 ESV). A prayer as relevant to a Canadian mother folding laundry as to the Jewish psalmist who first wrote it.
It’s not the only time that I’ve been impacted with the truth, softening my heart and reminding me of his presence as the hours slip slowly from day to day. This past spring, an ambulance was scheduled to move my mother into a hospice. My sister and I planned to help bring a few belongings into her new room. It was the kind of drive into town that leaves a dull ache in the pit of your stomach. As I drove, my phone spontaneously connected to the truck’s audio system and started blasting music. The song was one I had downloaded for my Sunday school class. “God is omnipotent. All-powerful, mighty and strong. Unstoppable all the day long.”
I listened on repeat during the 20-minute drive, the truth forming a firm foundation for me to place my disordered thoughts. The day was hard, but God’s competent control and care over all things was firmly secure.
And why shouldn’t we continue to be a joyful people amidst the challenges we endure? We have the greatest peace for this life and the best promises for the next. “Therefore, since we have been justified through faith” (notice the past tense, we have been) “we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we [rejoice] in the hope of the glory of God” (current rejoicing in future hope). And if that wasn’t reassuring enough, Paul continues, “Not only so, but we also [rejoice] in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us” (Romans 5:1–5).
In a year’s time, you could ask me for a memory work update. I’m unsure how far I’ll have progressed through Psalm 119, but I do know I will have acquired more endurance and hope along the way.
