Delight and the Word of God

Warning: If you look down at the text below, you may see sheer volume and be tempted to not bother reading this post. The point of blogs is to appeal to people with short attention spans–this I know. But, let me urge you to read on through the end of this post.

Any post I would write that’s this long probably isn’t worth your time. But this is merely a collection of verses from Psalm 119. These are words that God himself has spoken; they are worth your time.

In thinking about delight this week, I came to read Psalm 119, and was amazed by what I saw. 

Have you ever considered the relationship between the Word of God (your Bible) and delight? David did. At length.

Read the verses below and watch how his affections (his emotions, his passions) are stirred by the Scriptures. Does this reflect your heart? I know I’ve got a long way to go. But man, was this a blessing to think about!

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Ps 119 ¹⁴ In the way of your testimonies I delight as much as in all riches.

Ps 119  ¹⁶ I will delight in your statutes; I will not forget your word.

Ps 119  ²⁰ My soul is consumed with longing for your rules at all times.

Ps 119  ²⁴ Your testimonies are my delight; they are my counselors.

Ps 119  ³⁵ Lead me in the path of your commandments, for I delight in it.

Ps 119  ⁴⁰ Behold, I long for your precepts; in your righteousness give me life!

Ps 119  ⁴³ And take not the word of truth utterly out of my mouth, for my hope is in your rules.

Ps 119  ⁴⁶ I will also speak of your testimonies before kings and shall not be put to shame,  ⁴⁷ for I find my delight in your commandments, which I love.  ⁴⁸ I will lift up my hands toward your commandments, which I love, and I will meditate on your statutes.

Ps 119  ⁴⁹ Remember your word to your servant, in which you have made me hope.  ⁵⁰ This is my comfort in my affliction, that your promise gives me life.

Ps 119  ⁵² When I think of your rules from of old, I take comfort, O LORD.

Ps 119  ⁶⁹ The insolent smear me with lies, but with my whole heart I keep your precepts;  ⁷⁰ their heart is unfeeling like fat, but I delight in your law.  ⁷¹ It is good for me that I was afflicted, that I might learn your statutes.  ⁷² The law of your mouth is better to me than thousands of gold and silver pieces.

Ps 119  ⁷⁴ Those who fear you shall see me and rejoice, because I have hoped in your word.

Ps 119  ⁸¹ My soul longs for your salvation; I hope in your word.  ⁸² My eyes long for your promise; I ask, “When will you comfort me?”

Ps 119  ⁹² If your law had not been my delight, I would have perished in my affliction.  ⁹³ I will never forget your precepts, for by them you have given me life.

Ps 119  ⁹⁷ Oh how I love your law! It is my meditation all the day.

Ps 119  ¹⁰³ How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth!

Ps 119  ¹¹¹ Your testimonies are my heritage forever, for they are the joy of my heart.

Ps 119  ¹¹³ I hate the double-minded, but I love your law.  ¹¹⁴ You are my hiding place and my shield; I hope in your word.

Ps 119  ¹¹⁹ All the wicked of the earth you discard like dross, therefore I love your testimonies.

Ps 119  ¹²³ My eyes long for your salvation and for the fulfillment of your righteous promise.

Ps 119  ¹²⁷ Therefore I love your commandments above gold, above fine gold.

Ps 119  ¹³¹ I open my mouth and pant, because I long for your commandments.

Ps 119  ¹³⁶ My eyes shed streams of tears, because people do not keep your law.

Ps 119  ¹³⁹ My zeal consumes me, because my foes forget your words.  ¹⁴⁰ Your promise is well tried, and your servant loves it.

Ps 119  ¹⁴³ Trouble and anguish have found me out, but your commandments are my delight.

Ps 119  ¹⁴⁷ I rise before dawn and cry for help; I hope in your words.  ¹⁴⁸ My eyes are awake before the watches of the night, that I may meditate on your promise.

Ps 119  ¹⁵⁸ I look at the faithless with disgust, because they do not keep your commands.

Ps 119  ¹⁶¹ Princes persecute me without cause, but my heart stands in awe of your words.  ¹⁶² I rejoice at your word like one who finds great spoil.  ¹⁶³ I hate and abhor falsehood, but I love your law.

Ps 119  ¹⁶⁵ Great peace have those who love your law; nothing can make them stumble.  ¹⁶⁶ I hope for your salvation, O LORD, and I do your commandments.  ¹⁶⁷ My soul keeps your testimonies; I love them exceedingly.

Ps 119  ¹⁷¹ My lips will pour forth praise, for you teach me your statutes.  ¹⁷² My tongue will sing of your word, for all your commandments are right.

Ps 119  ¹⁷⁴ I long for your salvation, O LORD, and your law is my delight.