Our journey through Psalm 119 brings us to the Gimel section (ג)—Psalm 119:17-24, where David offers a heartfelt and personal prayer to the Lord. Charles Spurgeon describes this moment beautifully. “David pleads as a servant and a pilgrim who increasingly finds himself to be a stranger in an enemy’s country. He appeals to God alone, and his prayer is especially direct and personal. He speaks with the Lord like a man speaks with his friend.” [1]
As we hike into this passage, we see David’s earnest appeal for obedience to God’s Word as a source of life. In David’s prayer of appeal, he helps guide us to four clear truths to understand and practice obedience.
1. Obedience Requires Help
“Deal bountifully with your servant, that I may live and keep your word. Open my eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of your law.” (Psalm 119:17, 18)
David begins his prayer with a plea for assistance in obeying God’s Word. He asks the Lord for favor and insight into His Word. In different translations, we see David’s request for kindness and the opening of his eyes to understand Scripture.
In the English Standard Version (ESV), David’s words are translated as “deal bountifully with your servant.” The Christian Standard Bible (CSB) uses, “Open the gates of righteousness for me.” But, New English Translation (NET) helps a bit more saying, “Be kind to your servant.” David is asking the Lord for mercy and grace so that he may live and keep the Lord’s Word.
David’s request highlights a profound truth about obedience: it is a task that requires God’s help. Just as David needed grace to live according to God’s Word, so do we. We need God’s grace and mercy to guide us in our life. Our obedience depends not solely on our efforts but on the Lord’s support and guidance.
2. Obedience Requires Longevity
“I am a sojourner on the earth; hide not your commandments from me! My soul is consumed with longing for your rules at all times.” (Psalm 119:19, 20)
David acknowledges that obedience is a lifelong journey. He describes himself as a sojourner on earth, emphasizing that his true home is elsewhere (v. 19). This perspective is not just about physical travel but a spiritual journey, as David awaits the fulfillment of God’s promises.
For David, and for us, obedience is a continuous endeavor. It involves a lifelong commitment, with each day requiring active participation in the observance and obedience of God’s Word (John 14:25, 26). Just as David longed for the Lord’s commandments, we too are called to maintain a consistent and enduring relationship with God’s instructions throughout our lives.
3. Obedience Requires Restriction
“You rebuke the insolent, accursed ones, who wander from your commandments. Take away from me scorn and contempt, for I have kept your testimonies.” (Psalm 119:21, 22)
David also speaks about the necessity of restriction in obedience. He describes how the Lord’s attitude towards disobedience includes rebuke and correction. This aspect of obedience involves adhering to boundaries set by God, which may sometimes feel restrictive but are ultimately for our good and this can be challenging. It involves restraining our desires or preferences. Just as societal rules like speed limits are designed to ensure safety, God’s commands are meant to guide us toward a life that honors Him and benefits us. Understanding and accepting these restrictions as expressions of God’s care helps us navigate the difficulties of obedience.
4. Obedience Requires Trust
“Even though princes sit plotting against me, your servant will meditate on your statutes. Your testimonies are my delight; they are my counselors.” (Psalm 119:23, 24)
Lastly, David’s prayer illustrates that obedience requires trust, especially in times of persecution and opposition. Despite facing schemes against him, David remains faithful to God’s Word, demonstrating his trust in the Lord’s guidance.
Trusting in God’s Word means believing that His commands, even when difficult to understand or follow, are ultimately for our good. We might not always see the immediate benefits of our obedience, but trusting in God’s wisdom and His plans for our lives helps us remain steadfast.
Conclusion
Obedience to God’s Word connects us to life. While our obedience does not save us from our sins, it leads us to Christ, who is our ultimate Savior. Throughout Scripture, we see a consistent theme: God calls His people to repentance and obedience, which leads us to grace and redemption through Jesus. This is where our obedience leads us.
Obedience is a road that guides us to the cross, where Christ’s obedience to the Father pays the price for our disobedience. By embracing obedience to the Lord, we open ourselves to a deeper relationship with Christ and experience the life He offers.
May our obedience reflect our trust in God’s Word and His promises. As we follow His Word, let us remember that it is not about our efforts alone but about drawing closer to the Lord who brings true life through Christ. Obedience leads us to Christ, and in Him, we find a life worth living.
[1] Charles Spurgeon, The Golden Alphabet Charles Spurgeon, The Golden Alphabet (Abbotsford, WI: Aneko Press, 2018), 27.
Additional Resources
Psalms 119
Spurgeon, Charles. The Golden Alphabet. Abbotsford, WI: Aneko Press, 2018.
Akin, Daniel. Christ-Centered Exposition: Exalting Jesus in Psalm 119. Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary. Nashville, TN: B&H Publishing Group, 2017.
Hamilton Jr., James M. Psalms, Volume 2: Psalms 73-150. Evangelical Biblical Theology Commentary. Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2022.
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