NUN. Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. I have sworn and confirmed that I will keep Your righteous judgments. I am afflicted very much; revive me, O LORD, according to Your word. Accept, I pray, the freewill offering of my mouth, O LORD, and teach me Your judgments. My life is continually in my hand, yet I do not forget Your law. The wicked have laid a snare for me, yet I have not strayed from Your precepts. Your testimonies I have taken as a heritage forever, for they are the rejoicing of my heart. I have inclined my heart to perform Your statutes forever, to the very end.

In another Psalm, it is stated:“...the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes...” (19:8) Solomon said in regard to God’s word, “...the commandment is a lamp, and the law a light...” (Proverbs 6:23) Time and again, God’s way is spoken of throughout Scripture as being a light. What purpose does a lamp or light serve? To show the way. Jesus, speaking of the child of God says, “...you are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:14-16). How shall we be such a light? By following the light of God’s word, for only through it do we see clearly the way of God.

Acknowledging the infinite greatness of the Scriptures, the writer makes an oath to the Lord. The word “sworn” is translated from the Hebrew shaba’, which is elsewhere rendered oath. Having spoken and established his vow of service to the Lord, the Psalmist is intent to live in accordance with the word of God, even amidst afflictions. With much persecution surrounding him, he neither turns to the left nor the right, but continues faithfully before the Lord. What shall he ask of the Lord in return? “Revive me, O LORD, according to Your word.” The Lord has promised life to His people. From the very beginning, such was the reward for the steadfast. What a wonderful blessing of God, that we, who had in former times walked contrary to His will, who had brought upon ourselves death and the eventual wrath of God, should be forgiven by Him, and be recipients of life – even life eternal.

The writer mentions his “freewill offering”. There were numerous offerings in Old Testament times, commanded of the children of Israel. Burnt offerings, grain offerings, peace offerings, sin offerings, trespass offerings, offerings of restitution, etc, etc.. These offerings might include bulls, turtledoves, pigeons, sheep, goats, rams, silver, grains, oil, frankincense, salt, etc.. This freewill offering is not of the same sort however. Certainly, one may offer such things as a freewill offering as well (Leviticus 22:18-23; Deuteronomy 12:6-17), but the Psalmist’s offering was not of this sort. Rather, his offering was that which would bring far greater pleasure to the senses of the Lord. A freewill offering of the mouth – praise! The Hebrew writer penned, “Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name.” (Hebrews 13:15). What a cherished opportunity to speak words of sincere gratitude and adoration to the Lord God. May the sacrifice of praise, our freewill offering from the lips, always be a sweet smelling aroma to the Lord, and acceptable in His sight.

The writer speaks to God, “My life is continually in my hand, yet I do not forget Your law.” Within the context, it is evident that he speaks of the ever present danger which threatens his life. He is surrounded by enemies; those who seek to destroy the loyal servants of God. We are blessed to live in a country where we are unable to say the same. Our lives are not in constant danger due to our stand for the faith. Perhaps our position on moral and social issues is not appreciated by some, but it is for the most part tolerated. Such was not so for the Psalmist, and in the times of many of God’s people. The Hebrew writer mentions those “...who through faith subdued kingdoms, worked righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, became valiant in battle, turned to flight the armies of the aliens.” He continues, speaking of those who “...were tortured, not accepting deliverance, that they might obtain a better resurrection. Still others had trial of mockings and scourgings, yes, and of chains and imprisonments. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, were tempted, were slain with the sword. They wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, tormented – of whom the world was not worthy...” (Hebrews 11:33-38a). So many have gone on before us, suffering all manner of hardship for the cause of Christ; faithful men and women of all generations who were not swayed by the snares of the wicked to turn from the precepts of God. In these, we should take confidence. In fact, the writer of Hebrews continues, “...since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus...” (12:1-2a).

We, as the writer has done, should retain the Lord’s will as a heritage or an inheritance forever. Cling to the promises of God; make them your own. Friend, “Buy the truth, and sell it not” (Proverbs 23:23). Grasp the life which God has reserved for you, and be not like those who trade it away for bondage and destruction (2 Peter 2:18-22). There shall be great joy for the one who resolves to walk in the paths of God in this life, for he shall reign throughout eternity with the Lord Jesus.

Finally, we hear the inclination of the Psalmist’s heart. The word “inclined” here comes from the Hebrew natah, which is defined as “...to stretch out, extend, spread out, pitch, turn, pervert, incline, bend, bow...” (Online Bible, Hebrew lexicon). He has bent his will, seeking no longer to accomplish the petty purposes which once engaged him, but rather now, the will of Almighty God. Who better for us to spread ourselves out for? Where better to pitch our tent of activity than in the Lord’s labours? So much more honourable to bow the knee to the Lord in servitude now than to wait in judgment, and be forced to bow the knee.

What a glory to serve the one true God, the One who has so many wonderful blessings to bring upon His people. Let us walk in His way, led by the light of His word, determined to commit ourselves to the Lord, despite which seeks to beset us. It will result in a life worth living, and a hope worth dying for!

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Can women be church leaders? Romans 16:1 says yes (“servant” is translated as “deaconess” in many translations), but 1 Corinthians 14:34-35 and 1 Timothy 2:11-12 say no. Is there a contradiction?