Day 718: Psalm 119:33-64- Hunger For God's Word

He
33 Teach me, O Lord, the way of your statutes;
    and I will keep it to the end.
34 Give me understanding, that I may keep your law
    and observe it with my whole heart.
35 Lead me in the path of your commandments,
    for I delight in it.
36 Incline my heart to your testimonies,
    and not to selfish gain!
37 Turn my eyes from looking at worthless things;
    and give me life in your ways.
38 Confirm to your servant your promise,
    that you may be feared.
39 Turn away the reproach that I dread,
    for your rules are good.
40 Behold, I long for your precepts;
    in your righteousness give me life!
Waw
41 Let your steadfast love come to me, O Lord,
    your salvation according to your promise;
42 then shall I have an answer for him who taunts me,
    for I trust in your word.
43 And take not the word of truth utterly out of my mouth,
    for my hope is in your rules.
44 I will keep your law continually,
    forever and ever,
45 and I shall walk in a wide place,
    for I have sought your precepts.
46 I will also speak of your testimonies before kings
    and shall not be put to shame,
47 for I find my delight in your commandments,
    which I love.
48 I will lift up my hands toward your commandments, which I love,
    and I will meditate on your statutes.
Zayin
49 Remember your word to your servant,
    in which you have made me hope.
50 This is my comfort in my affliction,
    that your promise gives me life.
51 The insolent utterly deride me,
    but I do not turn away from your law.
52 When I think of your rules from of old,
    I take comfort, O Lord.
53 Hot indignation seizes me because of the wicked,
    who forsake your law.
54 Your statutes have been my songs
    in the house of my sojourning.
55 I remember your name in the night, O Lord,
    and keep your law.
56 This blessing has fallen to me,
    that I have kept your precepts.
Heth
57 The Lord is my portion;
    I promise to keep your words.
58 I entreat your favor with all my heart;
    be gracious to me according to your promise.
59 When I think on my ways,
    I turn my feet to your testimonies;
60 I hasten and do not delay
    to keep your commandments.
61 Though the cords of the wicked ensnare me,
    I do not forget your law.
62 At midnight I rise to praise you,
    because of your righteous rules.
63 I am a companion of all who fear you,
    of those who keep your precepts.
64 The earth, O Lord, is full of your steadfast love;
    teach me your statutes!
 
 
Meditation
Hunger for God’s word is a blessing (Matthew 5:6). Jesus is the model of a man who does not live by bread alone but by every word that comes from the mouth of God (Matthew 4:4; Deuteronomy 8:3) as He invites us to feed on Himself, the word made flesh, that we may never hunger again (John 6:35).
 
Today’s section of Psalm 119 offers language of longing for God’s word. “Teach me” is the cry bookending this section (33; 64) and the meat in the middle is magnificent.  The Psalmist cries, “Give me understanding…Lead me in your path…Incline my heart…Turn my eyes…” A hungry heart will ask God for more of His word.
 
Language for hunger reveals heart longing. “ I long for your precepts!... My hope is in your rules… My delight is in your commands, which I love… Your word is comfort in my affliction… Your statues are my song and security… Your righteous rules are the praise from my heart at midnight.” Even when we cannot sleep a hungry heart is longing for God’s word!
 
Obedience results from a hungry heart. The Psalm promises a faithful response, “I will keep your word, observing it with my whole heart…. Delighting in it, giving my life to your ways…I turn my feet to your path, finding life in your righteousness and trust your word…. Meditating on and learning your statutes for my life.” God’s word is food and fuel for our obedience.
 
God’s grace invites the hungry to come to God for food (Isaiah 55:1). He Himself will feed you.
 
Richly Dwelling
-Do you hunger for God’s word? Why or why not?
 
-What does longing look like for your heart? What do you long for besides God’s word? How can you cultivate a longing for God and His word?
 
-Obedience is a result of a hungry heart. What specific command do you need to obey in your life today?
 
Key Verses
43 And take not the word of truth utterly out of my mouth, for my hope is in your rules.