Psalm 119:121-128: Division 16 (Am)

From: Psalms By: Hamilton Smith

Psalm 119:121‑128 • 1 min. read • grade level: 10

Division 16 (Am)

In the midst of evil, ripe for judgment, the upright soul looks to God to secure its good.

(vv. 121-122) Conscious of his own uprightness, the psalmist can, with a good conscience, look to God not to be forsaken, “Leave me not to my oppressors.” But while appealing to God on the ground of his own integrity, it is to God, Himself, the servant looks to vindicate him against pride and oppression, and not to his own estimate of his righteousness (cf. 1 Cor. 4:4-5⁴For I know nothing by myself; yet am I not hereby justified: but he that judgeth me is the Lord. ⁵Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God. (1 Corinthians 4:4‑5)).

(vv. 123-125) Having turned to God, he waits for God’s Word of “righteousness” to deliver him from his enemies, and God’s “mercy” to deal with himself. As God’s servant he desires, not only deliverance from evil, but, to be instructed in the truth, to have his understanding opened that he may know God’s testimonies, and thus learn God’s mind.

(vs. 126) Further the servant of the Lord discerns the time (cf. Luke 12:54-59⁵⁴And he said also to the people, When ye see a cloud rise out of the west, straightway ye say, There cometh a shower; and so it is. ⁵⁵And when ye see the south wind blow, ye say, There will be heat; and it cometh to pass. ⁵⁶Ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky and of the earth; but how is it that ye do not discern this time? ⁵⁷Yea, and why even of yourselves judge ye not what is right? ⁵⁸When thou goest with thine adversary to the magistrate, as thou art in the way, give diligence that thou mayest be delivered from him; lest he hale thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and the officer cast thee into prison. ⁵⁹I tell thee, thou shalt not depart thence, till thou hast paid the very last mite. (Luke 12:54‑59)). He sees that God’s authority must be maintained, and that evil is ripe for judgment; so that the extreme of evil gives the assurance that deliverance is at hand.

(vv. 127-128) The knowledge that God is about to act in judgment only makes the true soul increasingly value God’s Word. Its value is esteemed far above the gold that man values so highly. God’s precepts about “all things” are seen to be right. All is measured by the Word, and all that is false is refused.

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