When You’re Down and Troubled and You Need Some Loving Care

On the one hand [the believer] depends on the Lord for life, sustaining grace, and illumination (vv. 25-29), as God alone can deliver us from evil (v. 29, cf. Matt. 6:13). On the other hand, human beings are fully responsible in seeking the kingdom of God by choosing and living a life of loyalty to God and his word. (Psalms, 865)

Set Your Mind on the Word (119:30)

Having chosen the way of faithfulness, the psalmist declares, “I have set your ordinances before me.” The NIV has “I have set my heart on your laws.” In other words, the Lord’s Word is ever before him. It is in his mind and before his eyes. It is his compass, his guide. It is his GPS. Where it tells him to go, he will go. Even when others (or even his own heart) tell him to pursue a different course or direction, he will trust the Lord’s Word amid the fog and haze of life because he knows in time the way will be clear.

Cling to the Word (119:31)

In verse 25 our songwriter’s soul clings to the dust, to death. Here in verse 31 he is determined that he will cling (hold on strong) to the Lord’s decrees. Though he felt as if death had a strong grip on his soul, he proclaims, “I cling to your decrees.” The psalmist uses the personal, covenantal name of God, Yahweh, which appears in most English Bibles as “Lord.” Life’s circumstances may tempt us to lose our grip on things, but we can choose to grab hold of our Lord and his Word and never let go. He will give us life (v. 25), he will strengthen us (v. 28), he will teach us (vv. 26,29), and he will not let us be put to shame. Others may fail us, but our God will not. He will never let us down!

Run Faithfully (119:32)

This stanza ends on a note of commitment and confidence. There is an eagerness to honor the Lord made evident by the promise, “I pursue the way of your commands” (cf. Heb 12:1-2). In other words, “I will not just walk; I will run after your Word!” There will be a delightful, enthusiastic, and joyful passion for you and your Word, the psalmist says. And he acknowledges that his ability to do this depends on the Lord. All of this will come to fruition “for you [Lord] broaden my understanding” (“when you enlarge my heart” ESV). As the Lord lifts the burdens of life through our soaking in his Word, our hearts and minds are set free from difficulties and troubles. We are free to run hard after our God and his way. Spurgeon puts it beautifully:

The feet soon run when the heart is free and energetic. Let the affections be aroused and eagerly set on divine things, and our actions will be full of force, swiftness, and delight. God must work in us first, and then we shall will and do according to his good pleasure. . . . Our running is the spontaneous leaping forward of a mind which has been set free by the hand of God. (Treasury, 193)

Conclusion

We began our study noting a secular song that has a similar theme to these verses in Psalm 119. A gospel song complements the psalm even better. It was a favorite of mine as a little boy, and it still is to this day. It was written by a son to his mother to comfort her soul in a time of sorrow and trouble (Adams, Handbook, 269). Its title is “What a Friend We Have in Jesus.” Meditate on this psalm with the lyrics of this hymn:

What a Friend we have in Jesus,

All our sins and griefs to bear!

What a privilege to carry

Everything to God in prayer!

Oh, what peace we often forfeit,

Oh, what needless pain we bear,

All because we do not carry

Everything to God in prayer!

Have we trials and temptations?

Is there trouble anywhere?

We should never be discouraged;

Take it to the Lord in prayer.

Can we find a friend so faithful

Who will all our sorrows share?

Jesus knows our every weakness,

Take it to the Lord in prayer.

Are we weak and heavy-laden,

Cumbered with a load of care?

Precious Savior, still our refuge;

Take it to the Lord in prayer.

Do thy friends despise, forsake thee?

Take it to the Lord in prayer.

In His arms He’ll take and shield thee;

Thou wilt find a solace there.

Reflect and Discuss