THE LORD PRESERVES LIFE

Psalm 119:137-160 / Keywords 119:159

See how I love your precepts; preserve my life, O LORD, according to your love.

 

צ Tsadhe

119: 137 You are righteous, Lord,

    and your laws are right.

138 The statutes you have laid down are righteous;

    they are fully trustworthy.

139 My zeal wears me out,

    for my enemies ignore your words.

140 Your promises have been thoroughly tested,

    and your servant loves them.

141 Though I am lowly and despised,

    I do not forget your precepts.

142 Your righteousness is everlasting

    and your law is true.

143 Trouble and distress have come upon me,

    but your commands give me delight.

144 Your statutes are always righteous;

    give me understanding that I may live.

ק Qoph

145 I call with all my heart; answer me, Lord,

    and I will obey your decrees.

146 I call out to you; save me

    and I will keep your statutes.

147 I rise before dawn and cry for help;

    I have put my hope in your word.

148 My eyes stay open through the watches of the night,

    that I may meditate on your promises.

149 Hear my voice in accordance with your love;

    preserve my life, Lord, according to your laws.

150 Those who devise wicked schemes are near,

    but they are far from your law.

151 Yet you are near, Lord,

    and all your commands are true.

152 Long ago I learned from your statutes

    that you established them to last forever.

ר Resh

153 Look on my suffering and deliver me,

    for I have not forgotten your law.

154 Defend my cause and redeem me;

    preserve my life according to your promise.

155 Salvation is far from the wicked,

    for they do not seek out your decrees.

156 Your compassion, Lord, is great;

    preserve my life according to your laws.

157 Many are the foes who persecute me,

    but I have not turned from your statutes.

158 I look on the faithless with loathing,

    for they do not obey your word.

159 See how I love your precepts;

    preserve my life, Lord, in accordance with your love.

160 All your words are true;

    all your righteous laws are eternal.

1. God's promises are trustworthy (137-144). God is righteous and faithful. His promises are trustworthy. His word lasts forever. His promises have been thoroughly tested by many believers down through history, and they are true. When trouble and distress come, God's word gives peace.

 

2. I put my hope in your word (145-152). God's promises are true and eternal. Even when God seems far away, he is near and ready to help us. But we must call on him. God is the preserver of life (149,154,156,159). He loves those who love and trust and obey his word. When we put our hope in his promises, he answers our prayers. The psalmist set an example.

 

3. Preserve my life according to your love (153-160). Salvation is far from those who devise wicked plans instead of following God's word. God's words are true and his laws are eternal. The faithless who do not obey God's word cannot be saved, but God preserves the lives of those who call on him for help.

 

Prayer Lord, you can preserve my life. Help me to love your precepts.

One Word The lord preserves life