God and I against the World

in fact, seven are detestable to him:

arrogant eyes, a lying tongue,

hands that shed innocent blood,

a heart that plots wicked schemes,

feet eager to run to evil,

a lying witness who gives false testimony,

and one who stirs up trouble among brothers.

To hate evil is a good thing because it reflects God’s own reaction and response when the wicked reject his instruction (v. 53). Living in a fallen, broken, and sinful world, we should not be surprised by evil and wickedness. Sometimes it is the general evil that happens in the world as in verse 53; other times it can be close and even personal as in verses 51-52.

Know that the Arrogant Will Scorn You (119:51-52)

The psalmist says that “the arrogant” (CSB), “the insolent” (ESV), and “the proud” (NLT) “constantly ridicule me.” The Message says that they “ridicule me without mercy.” The verb “ridicule” could also be translated as “mock.” It is related to the word “mockers” in Psalm 1:1. Unbelievers who mock God also mock God’s servant. They make fun of him for loving and obeying a God no one can see and who, in their opinion, is not there. Nevertheless, because God has been faithful to keep his word in the past, the psalmist will not turn away from obeying God’s Word (v. 51). When he calls to mind the ancient words (“judgments from long ago,” v. 52) that have stood the test of time, he will find comfort in them and the God who gave them (Ross, Psalms, 511). Scoffers should not drive us away from our God; they should drive us to our God. God’s Word is eternal, true, and reliable. We can and should take comfort in that!

Know that the Wicked Care Nothing for God’s Word (119:53)

The wicked mock the man of God. The wicked also reject and disrespect the Word of God. Such disregard for the infallible and inerrant Word of God seizes the psalmist with righteous indignation. The Message paraphrases, “I’m beside myself with anger.” The NLT says, “I become furious with the wicked.” The CSB says, “Fury seizes me because of the wicked.” To have access to such a treasure, such riches, yet ignore and deride them are the actions of a fool. It is evil and wicked. Jesus said that a person lives by every word of God (Matt 4:4). To walk away from them is to choose the way of death. The psalmist is horrified by such behavior. The wicked have not ultimately offended him; they have offended God.

Sing to the Lord as You Go through Difficult Times

Psalm 119:54-56

Christianity is a singing religion. We inherited it from our Jewish forefathers, but life in Christ causes us to carry it to a whole new level. Throw us in jail, and we will sing (Acts 16:25). Let us gather as a community of faith in a cave, in the fields, or in a small home, and we will teach and encourage one another “through psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs” and with gratitude in our hearts to God (Col 3:16; cf. also Eph 5:19).

Rejoice in the Lord (119:54)

God’s Word is a source of joy and singing for believers. His “statutes are the theme of my song” all my life. God’s Word is the content of our songs, and God’s Word is the inspiration of our songs. Wherever we live and wherever we go, we will sing to our Savior for who he is and all that he has done. As resident aliens on this earth (v. 19), we are just passing through in this life. This world is not our home, but we should praise our Lord while we are here.

Christians have brothers and sisters all over the world suffering opposition and persecution. Many have found themselves in prison for following Jesus. How does God sustain them? Three things stand out from their testimonies: (1) prayer, (2) memorized Scripture, and (3) songs in their heart language (see Ripken, The Insanity of God, ch. 19). Singing provides sustaining strength to press on.

Meditate on His Name (119:55)

The psalmist says he will remember the name of the Lord (Yahweh) in the night. The idea is that the psalmist will be mindful and meditate on his name when he lies on his bed. However, the phrase could have a second meaning intended by the psalmist. “In the night” could also connote that darkness is in his life.

Perhaps the psalmist uses the concept of night like the apostle John in his Gospel. When Judas left the last supper to betray our Lord, John says, “And it was night” (John 13:30). It was night literally, yes, but it was also night theologically as the powers of darkness came against the Lord Jesus. On that night our Lord was obedient to fulfill the Scriptures that predicted his passion and death. He kept the Father’s law. Meditation on God’s Word in our darkest hour is sure to strengthen and sustain us. The Word of God will guide us to his name, and his name will take us to the Lord himself.

Enjoy His Blessings (119:56)

Derek Kidner is right: “Although obedience does not earn these [God’s] blessings, it turns us round to receive them” (Psalms, 425). Our stanza closes with words that are the “sum of the matter” (Ross, Psalms, 513). The psalmist has kept the Lord’s precepts. He has obeyed the Word of God. According to the ESV, this happened because “this blessing has fallen to me,” which is perhaps a reference to obeying the Word (v. 56b) or to the ability to sing when times are tough (v. 54). The CSB, in contrast, says, “This is my practice: I obey your precepts.” The idea of blessing or reward is more likely. The reward of obedience is more obedience. The blessing of faithful service is more faithful service (Wilcock, Psalms, 201). Spurgeon beautifully says,

He had this comfort, this remembrance of God, this power to sing, this courage to face the enemy, this hope in the promise, because he had earnestly observed the commands of God, and striven to walk in them. We are not rewarded for our works, but there is a reward in them. Many a comfort is obtainable only by careful living: we can surely say of such consolations, “This I had because I kept thy precepts.” (Treasury, 242)

Conclusion

Athanasius is a hero from early church history. William Wilberforce (1759–1833), who helped abolish slavery in England, is a hero from the modern day. He faced great opposition and many defeats in his battle against the evil slave-trade industry. Several times he became so discouraged he thought of quitting. On February 24, 1791, he received a letter from John Wesley that would move him to stay in the fight. Its words echo Psalm 119:49-56 and draw from the example of the great Athanasius. A portion reads,

Unless the divine power has raised you up to be as Athanasius contra mundum, I see not how you can go through your glorious enterprise in opposing that execrable villainy, which is the scandal of religion, of England, and of human nature. Unless God has raised you up for this very thing, you will be worn out by the opposition of men and devils. But if God is with you, who can be against you? Are all of them stronger than God? O be not weary of well doing! Go on, in the name of God in the power of His might, till even American slavery (the vilest that ever saw the sun) shall vanish away before it. (Metaxas, Amazing Grace, 144)

If God is with us against the world, it is more than enough.

Reflect and Discuss