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The Scriptorium

Not High Enough

Government is high and has authority, but... Psalm 119.23, 24

Psalm 119.17-24 (6)

Pray Psalm 119.23, 24.
Princes also sit and speak against me,
But Your servant meditates on Your statutes.
Your testimonies also are my delight
And my counselors.

Sing Psalm 119.23, 24.
(Open My Eyes: Open My Eyes, That I May See)
Princes oppose me day by day, for I continue in Your way.
I will Your statutes hold in my mind. What great delight in them I find!
Lord, let Your testimonies be light on my path to counsel me.
Lord, what delight You bring to me out of Your Word.

Read Psalm 119.17-24; meditate on verses 23, 24.

Preparation

1. Who opposed the psalmist?

2. How did he respond to that opposition?

Meditation
Of course, we give thanks to God for civil government, especially in a country like ours where we have so much freedom. Government’s reason for being is to serve the good purposes of God (Rom. 13.1-4). That it ever does this – given the temptations of political power – is testimony to the reality of God’s common grace and the restraining power of His Spirit (Matt. 5.45; 2 Thess. 2.6, 7).

But not all believers live in countries where they don’t have to fear civil government. We must remember our persecuted brethren, to intercede for them faithfully. The psalmist knew something of that concern, as we see in verse 23. This is the darkest and most uncertain part of the third stanza. What could be worse than to have civil government oppose you? The day could come, even in this country, when we will find ourselves at odds with the purposes of government so that we become the objects of its contempt. Are we ready for that?

Government holds a high place in the social order. We should pray for our government (1 Tim. 2.1-8), even though we might find its policies execrable at times. And we should not fear civil government, even if it turns against us. Keep your eye on the testimonies and statutes and Word of the Lord, and follow their counsel at all times (v. 24). If that means government cracks down, so be it. Civil government is not high enough in authority to jeopardize our true freedom and happiness. We do not look to government for these, but to Jesus Christ, exalted in glory.

Our text returns to a major key in the last verse, as the psalmist declares his delight to be in the Lord and His testimonies. Though rulers oppose him, still he will rejoice in the Lord. And why not? Jesus has never lost even one of those who are His servants and delight in His Word.

Treasures Old and New: Matthew 13.52; Psalm 119.162
Depending upon who wrote Psalm 119, those princes could have been sons. If David penned it, the princes would have been his own flesh and blood. Otherwise, it is referring to those in governmental leadership over the psalmist. Either way, the answer to opposition is to meditate on God’s Law and serve Him in  humility. Because only in His Word and in His way will we find peace. In fact, His testimonies are our “delight” and “counselors” (Ps. 119.24). They are where we find joy and help in suffering with those who “speak against us” (Ps. 119.23), be they our own children, or perhaps some governmental authority.

Two thoughtful reactions are suggested for us in Scripture. One from Jesus, the other from Paul. They work regardless of who is speaking against us:
1. “But I say to you who hear: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, and pray for those who spitefully use you” (Lk. 6.27, 28).
2. “Some men’s sins are clearly evident, preceding them to judgment, but those of some men follow later.
Likewise, the good works of some are clearly evident, and those that are otherwise cannot be hidden” (1 Tim. 5.24, 25).

God sees all. “For the ways of man are before the eyes of the LORD, and He ponders all his paths” (Prov. 5.21).

And then a word of comfort and encouragement:
“Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of His saints.
O LORD, truly I am Your servant; I am Your servant, the son of Your maidservant;
You have loosed my bonds. I will offer to You the sacrifice of thanksgiving, and
will call upon the name of the LORD” (Ps. 116.15-17).

Much that happens on earth is hard to understand. Many acts of unkindness and hatred are foisted upon the followers of Christ. It can be puzzling, hurtful, confusing, and frightening, yet not unexpected (Jn. 15.20; 1 Pet. 4.12-14). But God is in control of all. Everything and everyone do His bidding. “…Your word is settled in heaven. Your faithfulness endures …You established the earth, and it abides. They continue this day according to Your ordinances, for all are Your servants” (Ps. 119.89-91).

“Jesus has never lost even one of those who are His servants and delight in His Word.”

“My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father’s hand. I and My Father are one” (Jn. 10.27-30). Puts those who sit and speak against us in their rightful place. Impotent to harm us eternally.

For reflection
1. Why should we pray for those who serve in civil government? How should we pray?

2. Why do we need to bear in mind that God always sees and rules over all things?

3. How can meditating on God’s Word strengthen us to deal with opposition and other trials.

The comforts of the word of God are most pleasant to a gracious soul, when other comforts are made bitter; and those that would have God’s testimonies to be their delight, must be advised by them. Matthew Henry (1662-1714), Commentary on Psalm 119.17-24

Pray Psalm 119.17-22.
Call on the Lord to flood your soul – mind, heart, and conscience – with new light from His Word, new joy because of His Presence, and new zeal to serve Him today.

Sing Psalm 119.17-22.
(Open My Eyes: Open My Eyes, That I May See)
Open my eyes, Lord, let me see wonderful truths to transform me.
I am a stranger here in the earth; hide not from me Your glorious worth.
Deal with your servant graciously that I may live obediently.
Open my eyes, Lord, let me see glory divine!

My soul with longing breaks for You; all of Your judgments I would do.
For You rebuke the proud and the cursed, who from Your Law have strayed, and worse.
Take from me all contempt, O Lord, for I have kept Your holy Word.
Lift all reproach from me, O Lord - my soul renew!

T. M. and Susie Moore

You can listen to a summary of last week’s Scriptorium study by going to our website, www.ailbe.org, and clicking the Scriptorium tab for last Sunday. You can download any or all the studies in this series on Psalm 119 by clicking here.

What is the Law of God and how should we learn and obey it? Two books can help. The Law of God arranges the statutes and precepts of God’s Law under their appropriate number of the Ten Commandments. This book is an excellent tool for meditating on God’s Law and thinking about its application in our time. The Foundation for Christian Ethics, on the other hand, explains why the Law matters and how we are to use it. You can order free copes of each of these here and here.

If you find Scriptorium helpful in your walk with the Lord, please seek the Lord, asking Him whether you should contribute to the support of this daily ministry with your financial gifts. As the Lord leads, you can use the Contribute button at the website to give with a credit card or through PayPal or Anedot, or you can send your gift to The Fellowship of Ailbe, 360 Zephyr Road, Williston, VT 05495.

Except as indicated, all Scriptures are taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. For sources of all quotations, see the weekly PDF of this study. All psalms for singing are from The Ailbe Psalter (Williston: Waxed Tablet Publications, 2006), available by clicking here.

T.M. Moore

T. M. Moore is principal of The Fellowship of Ailbe, a spiritual fellowship in the Celtic Christian tradition. He and his wife, Susie, make their home in the Champlain Valley of Vermont.
Books by T. M. Moore

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