Psalm 119:144

Getting Understanding

By Pastor Dr. Ronnie W. Wolfe

God's testimonies are his word, the Bible. It is not surprising that his word is so precious to believers. His word supplies us with a testimony of God's righteousness. We have no righteousness of our own (Romans3:10), so we must view God in his righteousness in order to get a glimpse of perfection, that perfection that Jesus said we all should endeavor to accomplish, though we will not in this life (Matt. 5:48).

The character of God's righteousness is deep and mysterious, but one thing our verse brings out as to God's character of righteousness is that it is everlasting. Therefore, it cannot change, and it does not fluctuate, as our wont is, to be tossed to and fro with winds of doctrine (Eph. 4:14).

God's word is true, and truth does not change. He is the same, and Jesus is the same (being God) yesterday, today, and forever (Heb. 13:8).

The only way we can understand God's testimonies is for God to reveal them to us, so the psalmist says, "give me understanding." It is the only way to live in the world in godliness. When God gives us understanding, we shall live godly lives and bring glory to his name.

Solomon said in Proverbs 4:7 Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding. James gives us direction as to how to get this wisdom and understanding:  James 1:5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.

Psalm 119:143

Trouble And Anguish

By Pastor Dr. Ronnie W. Wolfe

Trouble and anguish seem almost to be redundant, but the words are not the same. The word for "trouble" means "distress," but it also means "an enemy." Trouble for all believers is always chasing after them and attempting to overtake them with foolishness and confusion. That is why the psalmist says in Psalms 5:8 Lead me, O LORD, in thy righteousness because of mine enemies; make thy way straight before my face.

The word "anguish" does mean "distress," and this distress is also running after the believer to catch him in his weakest hours. It is discouragement and depression that we see so much in our day. Anguish of soul comes as a result of spiritual weakness, so believers should stay in tune with Scripture and prayer in order to hold off discouragements.

Trouble and anguish will "take hold" on believers as was true with the psalmist.  The word for "take hold" basically means "to find." Trouble and anguish are always trying to find us out. They are enemies pursuing us in order to find us weak and vulnerable, then staying as close as possible. Life can be controlled by these two: trouble and anguish.

But even in the midst of trouble and anguish, which are constantly pursuing and finding us, our delight is in the commandments of the Lord. His words speak sweet assurance to our souls, and we can rest together in the presence of the Lord if our faith is genuine and pure; see 2 Thessalonians 1:7 And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels . . .

 

 

Psalm 119:142

Everlasting Righteousness

By Pastor Dr. Ronnie W. Wolfe

Why is righteousness and law spoken of in the same verse in Scripture? They seem to be contradictions, since no man can do righteousness. Paul said in Romans 3:10 As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:

Who can say, "No man can serve two masters" but a righteous man? Who can say "If ye have seen me, ye have seen the father" but a righteous man? Who can say "Come unto me, and I will give you rest" but a righteous man? Who can say "I give unto them eternal life" but a righteousness man? Who can say "I will come again and receive you unto myself that where I am there ye may be also" except a righteous man? Who can say "I and my Father are one" but a righteous man?

Of whom can anyone say as is said in 1 John 3:7 "Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous" but a righteous man?

Who could be substituted for sinners to bring them righteousness as stated in 2 Corinthians 5:21 "For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him" but a righteous man?

His righteousness is an everlasting righteousness; ours is vanity. "There is none righteous, no, not one" (Rom. 3:10).

But God's law is truth. Righteousness knows only truth and can be reconciled only in the truth. Jesus is "the way, the truth, and the life . . ." (John 14:6). Jesus kept God's law perfectly in truth, for he is righteousness.

The only righteousness that we can have is that righteousness that is credited to us, the righteousness of Jesus Christ, an everlasting righteousness.

 

 

Psalm 119:141

"I Am Small"

By Pastor Dr. Ronnie W. Wolfe

"I am small," says the psalmist. The word "small" literally means "a little one, insignificant, young." I think he may mean that he is insignificant in himself as compared to God and God's statutes. He may mean that he is insignificant in the presence of other people due to the fact that his views may not align with the popular trends of the day.

He was also despised, probably because he may have gone against the contemporary grain of thought and perhaps even debated the differences. Therefore he was despised for his views on religion even as others in Scripture.

But David does not forget (can also mean ignore) the precepts of God. His mind is stayed upon the Lord. Isaiah 26:3 Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.

May we, even in times of insignificance and despite also keep our hearts and minds upon the Lord, and let us not ignore or forget or forfeit the word of God (his percepts). God always blesses his word.

Psalm 119:140

The Purity Of God's Word

By Pastor Dr. Ronnie W. Wolfe

All writings outside the Bible are called profane. They are inferior to the words of God, as God's words are written down by the leadership of the Holy Spirit and given to us in the Bible.

The word pure in this verse has to do with refining gold, silver and other items that need to be purged from their dross. The word gives the idea of being tested and found pure. The word of God was pure in the beginning and has never been tainted with any dross, but it has stood the test of time in combating error, saving souls, building up believers, keeping promises, and making sure prophecies and giving a steadfast hope in all who believe.

That is why the psalmist loves God's word. No matter how many skeptics or critics mingle their words against its authority or its purity, the word of God stands sure against them all. It is divine, and we can go to no other fountain for the refreshing springs of truth to receive a true message from God.

The psalmist is willing, then, to be a ready servant of God's word, to surrender to its commands and receive its blessings. What a word is this! that gold cannot outshine it, silver cannot outweigh it, and profane words cannot raise to or above its wisdom.

Psalm 119:139

Passion For The Word

By Pastor Dr. Ronnie W. Wolfe

The word zeal in this verse is a Hebrew word for passions or even jealousy. To be zealous or jealous are nearly the same thing. So, the psalmist here is passionate with fire in his bones to preach the word of God, and jealousy (or zeal) has consumed him.

He is both zealous and jealous over God's word because of the fact that enemies of God's word have forgotten (put away from their minds and hearts) the word of God. Romans 1:28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;

One definition of the Hebrew word for "forgotten" is "to cease to care." Once the majority of our country cared about what the Bible taught; they respected it even though they may not believe in Christ.  Nowadays they have "ceased to care," seeking to turn away people from the faith. See Acts 13:8 But Elymas the sorcerer (for so is his name by interpretation) withstood them, seeking to turn away the deputy from the faith.

We are, however, to turn away from forms of godliness that deny the power thereof:  2 Timothy 3:5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.

Psalm 119:138

God's Faithful Commandments

By Pastor Dr. Ronnie W. Wolfe

1 John 5:3 For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.

Romans 7:12 Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good.

Psalms 119:140 Thy word is very pure: therefore thy servant loveth it.

Psalms 119:160 Thy word is true from the beginning: and every one of thy righteous judgments endureth for ever.

John 17:17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.

Titus 1:9 Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.

Revelation 21:5 And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.

So, then, we can actually trust the word of God, but it is also true that we must listen and hearken to the words of God as he speaks his commandments to us. They are for our good:

1 Corinthians 10:11 Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.

 

 

Psalm 119:137

A Righteous God And An Upright Judgment

By Pastor Dr. Ronnie W. Wolfe

The righteousness of God here is connected with the uprightness (rightness) of the judgments of God. If God is not righteous, then his word is not righteous; for his word reflects his character.

When we read God's word (his judgments), not only can we see his character and know him because of his revelation of himself to us, but we can also depend, or trust, in his judgments. He is to be trusted to reveal every truth that he wants man to know and to not only bring man to righteousness through imputation but also enable man to live a righteous life due to the work of grace by way of God's judgments.

Therefore, we must read the word of God for the facts of God's character and purpose (as he reveals it to us) without any mixture of our own mental persuasion or emotional effect. God's word is true (upright) always, for he is righteous.

We need God's word to make us right and guide our lives in the right direction, pointing us to his will and not our own. Spend time in God's word: it can be trusted.