Righteous Rules and Steadfast Faith

 

Psalm 119:

151 But you are near, O Lord,
    and all your commandments are true.
152 Long have I known from your testimonies
    that you have founded them forever.

159 Consider how I love your precepts!

    Give me life according to your steadfast love.

160 The sum of your word is truth,

    and every one of your righteous rules endures forever.

164 Seven times a day I praise you

    for your righteous rules.

165 Great peace have those who love your law;

    nothing can make them stumble.

175 Let my soul live and praise you,

    and let your rules help me.

176 I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek your servant,

    for I do not forget your commandments.

In these final four stanzas of the longest psalm, the psalmist seems to intensify the longing of his plea crying out to God in his affliction and persecution. Yet, at the same time, there seems to be a stability of soul in his song, recognizing that God is near and that He gives life and peace to those who seek Him and trust His word.  The psalmist is convinced that God's commandments are true, and His rules are righteous. His convictions about this are what give him that stability to stand before God and continue to ask, and his obedience to God's law convinces him more and more that this is the way to live: as God has instructed us.