Psalm 119: 129 – 136

¹²⁹ Your testimonies are wonderful;
therefore my soul keeps them.
¹³⁰ The unfolding of your words gives light;
it imparts understanding to the simple.
¹³¹ I open my mouth and pant,
because I long for your commandments.
¹³² Turn to me and be gracious to me,
as is your way with those who love your name.
¹³³ Keep steady my steps according to your promise,
and let no iniquity get dominion over me.
¹³⁴ Redeem me from man’s oppression,
that I may keep your precepts.
¹³⁵ Make your face shine upon your servant,
and teach me your statutes.
¹³⁶ My eyes shed streams of tears,
because people do not keep your law.

Psalm 119 extolls the word of God as the source and guide for life.  Psalm 119:105, “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.”  Verses 129-136 continues that truth.

The Lord’s testimonies are wonderful, because they are words from God and not from man; therefore, the psalmist live according to them.  When he studies the word it opens up before him like a light shining from the pages giving insight and enlightenment even to ordinary folk.  He knows the sweetness of the God’s word and opens his mouth allowing the Holy Spirit to fill him with him its life giving and satisfying nourishment.  He prays for the Lord’s gracious love helping keep his footsteps steady as he walks the Lord’s path.  Sunday we will pray, “Forgive us our trespasses” and “lead us not into temptation.”  The psalm borrows words from the benediction asking that the Lord keep him in the sunshine of his face and teaching how to live and walk in faith.

The section ends with his great regret over those who do not live according to God’s wonderful word.

A fitting prayer for the end of the Psalm:

Lord, you are just and your commandments are eternal.  Teach us to love you with all our hearts and to love our neighbor as ourselves, for the sake of Jesus our Lord.