Psalm 119:161-176: Seven Times a Day I Praise You

Today’s reading is Psalm 119 (vss. 161-176).

Praise Without Ceasing

Other than the very first line, this stanza is the brightest of the psalm. The psalmist rejoices, praises, hopes, loves, endures. But it is the first line that really sets the stage for the rest of it.

Princes persecute me without cause…
Psalm 119:161a (ESV)

The psalmist has been faithful to the Lord. The psalmist has loved God and loved God’s Word. The psalmist has walked with God. For 160 verses, the psalmist has demonstrated his faith and trust. Yet, the enemies still persecute. And what powerful enemies they are. Princes.

At some point, we might expect the psalmist to give up. But he doesn’t. He says it this way even after all this time:

Seven times a day I praise you
for your righteous rules.
Psalm 119:164 (ESV).

Morning, noon, evening, midnight and more, he praises God. His day is full of praising not because his day is easy, pleasurable, convenient, enjoyable. His day is full of praising God because God’s Word is righteous. Not just His Word, his rules. That is, His decrees, His judgments, His rulings. In God’s judgments, the princes have been able to keep on persecuting without repercussion. God has yet to bring justice into the psalmist’s life condemning those who would rather the psalmist be condemned. Yet, the psalmist trusts God’s judgments and keeps on praising.

What a response. It parallels Paul’s instruction in 1 Thessalonians 5:16-17:

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you (ESV).

I don’t know what you’re going through. I don’t know what you wish God would have already handled, dealt with, judged. I don’t know the Lord’s time table. However, I know His judgments and decrees are the right ones. If He hasn’t brought the justice yet, it is only because it has not yet been the best time to do so. Praise the Lord! Praise Him again and again. Rejoice in Him. Be thankful He has the strength, the courage, the love to act at the very best time even while He is sad over our pain and struggle. And remember, our trials actually grow us to perfection (see James 1:2-4).

What’s going on in your world today? What can you find to praise God for? Find something and praise Him. He deserves it. You need it.

Praise the Lord!

Today’s reading is Psalm 119 (vss. 161-176).

PODCAST!!!

Click here to take about 15 minutes to listen to the Text Talk conversation between Andrew Roberts and Edwin Crozier.

PATHS:
Discuss Today’s Meditation with Your Family

How does Psalm 119 prompt or improve your praise of God?

Pray without Ceasing

Today’s reading is Psalm 17.

Psalm 17 can be outlined as follows: Prayer (vss. 1-2), Declaration of Personal Integrity (vss. 3-5), Prayer (vss. 6-9), Declaration of Enemies’ Sins (vss. 10-12), Prayer (vss. 13-14), Declaration of Faith (vss. 14-15). Three prayers in fifteen verses. Three prayers in three different contexts. All in one psalm, we get a fantastic demonstration of Paul’s encouragement to the Thessalonians: “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18). Whatever the context, whatever the circumstance, whatever the scenario, prayer is in order. We should begin every endeavor with prayer. We should end every endeavor with prayer. We should sustain every endeavor with prayer. Though we are innocent, we should pray. Though our enemies seem to prevail, we should pray. Though we are already certain God will win, we should pray. The fact is without God we are nothing, can do nothing, can win nothing. We are hopeless without God. There is only one thing to do. Pray. Have you prayed today?

Tomorrow’s reading is Psalm 17.