Psalm 119:97-104

The Christian's Golden ABC of the Praise, Power, and Value of God's Word

Mem. GOD'S WORD THE ESSENCE OF TRUE WISDOM. — V. 97. Oh, how love I Thy Law! the entire instruction in God's holy Word, as the revelation of His holy will. It is my meditation all the day; the longer he ponders upon it, the dearer it becomes to him.

V. 98. Thou through Thy commandments, by which He directed the entire conduct of His servant, hast made me wiser than mine enemies, who believed themselves to be people of superior intelligence in possessing a large measure of this world's wisdom; for they are ever with me, the directions of God's words, which the psalmist made his companions, enabled him to vanquish the enemies in the field of knowledge, where they thought themselves supreme.

V. 99. I have more understanding than all my teachers, those who taught a mere worldly wisdom; for Thy testimonies are my meditation, and with the knowledge which he had gained from studying the Word of God he was able to show the insufficiency of mere worldly knowledge.

V. 100. I understand more than the ancients, those advanced in years, for age is no help against stupidity, if old people refuse to bow to the wisdom of God's Word, because I keep Thy precepts, the Bible being the basis and key of all true knowledge.

V. 101. I have refrained my feet from every evil way, having gained the ability to mark and to shun wickedness in every form, that I might keep Thy Word, through which both knowledge and strength are given.

V. 102. I have not departed from Thy judgments, making it a point to watch God's decisions of approval and condemnation; for Thou hast taught me. The Word of God is very clear on that point; one must but do what it teaches.

V. 103. How sweet are Thy words unto my taste! pleasant for spiritual edification; yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth, for such is the effect of the Gospel promises upon every believer.

V. 104. Through Thy precepts, as related to his entire conduct, I get understanding, practical knowledge in all matters pertaining to this world and to the world to come; therefore I hate every false way, he is able immediately to recognize any false tendency of the times and will promptly withdraw from anything which might implicate him, even as all Christians love the good and hate the evil.