Hiding His Word in My Heart: Psalm 119:9-16

Today's passage talks about living according to the laws and promises of God.  It also connects to the passage from yesterday, communicating the desire to seek God "with all my heart".

Verses 9-10 read, "How can a young man [or woman] keep his [or her] way pure?  By living according to your word.  I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands."  Comparing these verses to verses one and two show some parallels.  Verses one and two state that those whose ways are blameless and pure, and those who seek God with all their heart, are blessed.  Verse nine asks how one can keep one ways blameless: by living according to God's word (here referencing God's law).  Verse ten expresses the desire to seek God and the prayer for his help to obey his law.  This is my desire for myself: to keep my way pure by walking in God's law.  It is only by his help that I can do so.

Most of this passage talks about following God's law, but in verse eleven the Hebrew word translated "word" is "'imra" or "promise".  When the psalmist says, "I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you," he is talking about the Gospel, which is what gives us the desire to do what is right.

In verses 12-16 God's law is referenced with several different words: decrees, laws, statutes, precepts, ways, word.  The psalmist says in these verses,
"Praise be to you, O LORD; teach me your decrees.  With my lips I recount all the laws that come from your mouth.  I rejoice in following your statutes as one rejoices in great riches.  I meditate on your precepts and consider your ways.  I delight in your decrees; I will not neglect your word."

The Law of God is good and wise (see Lutheran Service Book 579).  It does condemn sin, but it is good, because it shows us how to please God by living a holy life.  It's impossible for us to follow the law completely on our own, but that's why Jesus did it for us!  It is by the power of the Holy Spirit that we have the desire and will to follow God.

The hymn "Speak, O Lord, Your Servant Listens" is another one of my favorites regarding God's Word.  (See the lyrics here)

Today, I am going to live according to his word, and hide that word in my heart.