PE. Your testimonies are wonderful; therefore my soul keeps them. The entrance of Your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple. I opened my mouth and panted, for I longed for Your commandments. Look upon me and be merciful to me, as Your custom is toward those who love Your name. Direct my steps by Your word, and let no iniquity have dominion over me. Redeem me from the oppression of man, that I may keep Your precepts. Make Your face shine upon Your servant, and teach me Your statutes. Rivers of water run down from my eyes, because men do not keep Your law.

Through our study of this Psalm, the writer has spoken several times of his obedience to God's word. Likewise, he has constantly affirmed how precious and marvellous the Scriptures are. Here the two thoughts are combined. The glory of God's word is the pure motivation for his subjection to God's way. Many things may motivate us to serve the Lord; perhaps fear of what will come in judgment, maybe love for the Lord and appreciation for the sacrifice He made on our account, and certainly the hope of a heavenly home. Each and every one of these, and many more items are reason for us to submit ourselves to the Holy Scriptures. But have you ever just stopped to think how wonderful God's word is, and how it compels us to faithful service to the Lord?

What shall we receive from the word, if we let it in? Light and understanding. The inference is that the soul which rejects the word, those who have decided to walk their own way and leave the Lord's behind are in darkness. Indeed, that is mentioned throughout Scripture (Ephesians 5:8; Colossians 1:13). God is light, and He brings light to our lives. We, because we have chosen to walk in sin have gone the way of darkness. Only through the will of God can we be enlightened. Only by the gospel message are we able to see the path to life.

Not only do we receive light, but we receive understanding. Note, the simple receive understanding. The word simple speaks of the innocent perspective, perhaps even naivety of some. The word is translated from the Hebrew pethiy, which is rendered as simple, simple ones, foolish, or simplicity. David praised the surety of God's testimony for "making wise the simple" (Psalm 19:7). The word can be used both in a good and a bad manner. The simple are easily convinced, even as Solomon indicated, "The simple believes every word, but the prudent considers well his steps." (Proverbs 14:15). The exploitable nature of the simple make the a target for those who would destroy them. They are warned against turning aside from the way of righteousness, they are admonished to understand prudence. But their innocence also makes them prime recipients of the Scriptures. It will make then wise unto salvation. They do not perpetually question every jot and tittle as some do, but are willing to accept the Lord at His word. They do not attempt to re-interpret the Word, but believe that it means what it says, and it says what it means. Oh, that we were all simple ones who would receive prudence. Too many believe themselves to be wise (filled with human wisdom) and in the process make themselves foolish ones.

Consider the picture of desire for the word which the writer paints for us? "I opened my mouth and panted, for I longed for Your commandments." Have you ever engaged in intense physical activity, and craved to have water badly? You couldn't get it soon enough! That is how the child of God ought to be with the written word of God. We should yearn for it. Recall, Jesus said, "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled." (Matthew 5:6) God's word is to be our longing, our desire, our craving, that which we "itch" for!

The writer reveals to us something wonderful about God's dealing with His people. He pleads for mercy, and affirms that this is "Your custom...toward those who love Your name." The word custom (NKJV), translated from mishpat (Heb), is defined by the Online Bible Hebrew lexicon as judgment, manner, right, cause, ordinance, order, fashion, discretion, sentence, etc.. God's mercy is within His own power to give or withhold. It is His right, it is His manner, it is according to His judgment. We cannot demand mercy, it is freely given to those who do not deserve it. However, we certainly can, in our prayers before God request His mercy, knowing His the pattern of His bestowal from times past.

When is it that we fall into sin? Is it not when we have chosen to walk our own course rather than the way of God? And so the writer appeals to God, "Direct my steps by Your word." How is this done? Simply, it deals with our willingness to be subject to the law of God. The Lord will not force us to walk in a path which we do not choose. But if we will opt to follow His word, then He will direct our steps by the same. If we are directed as such, then no iniquity will have dominion over us. Is the writer saying that we will be without sin? Yes. Perhaps that is an offense to some, but that is what the word of God says. If we will be directed by His word, then we will walk in righteousness, not sin. That is what our Lord did every second of His life. What makes us to differ? We, at some time (or rather times) have chosen to walk our own way, and thus were not directed by the word of the Lord. But if we will wholly submit ourselves, sin will remain far from us.

Again, the writer makes his request known to God. "Redeem me from the oppression of man, that I may keep Your precepts." We live in a wicked world. Whether it be at our jobs, in school, or at community functions; whether it be in social, domestic, or political settings, there will always be evil men to deal with. Lord, save us from their cruelty! That is, preserve us, bear us through, buoy us up and over the wickedness of men. It can be so easy to respond to evil with evil, but God's rule for His people is "Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good." (Romans 12:21) We are called to a higher walk, to live above the petty arguments and issues of this life. Even when they may not seem so petty to us, we are called to follow the great example of our Lord, who "...when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously." (1 Peter 2:23).

As we end our study today, see again the great love that the writer has for God's word. He sought the face of God, to see His great glory. We know very little of God without the teaching of His word. Certainly, nature declares His glory to us, but to comprehend it further (we shall never fully comprehend it), we must be diligent hearers of the word. We must study and meditate on the will of God. But as happy as the writer was to receive the instruction from God's word, sadness also came upon him. He speaks of rivers of water flowing from his eyes – tears! Why? "Because men do not keep Your law." The pain ought to be twofold. First, to know that there are those who do not desire to worship and praise the Lord. It should grieve us that men do not seek to bring glory to God. Look at His greatness. Consider all the works of His hands. There is so much to be thankful for and to praise Him for. And yet so many refuse to do so. But further, and equally sad, those who have chosen to walk life void of God's will have sealed their own eternal fate. They have chosen the way of the world, the course paved by Satan himself, and shall receive the due reward for their deeds. If we have a love for God, and for lost souls, we will be filled with grief for the lost. What shall we do then? Let us do our best to spread the gospel message. Let us commit ourselves to the Lord in doing good, that we might be an example to others. Perhaps some will turn to the Lord!

Click here for this week's Answering The Atheist
What kind of animals may we eat? Some texts say none at all (Genesis 1:29; Proverbs 23:20; Isaiah 7:14-15; Daniel 1:8; Romans 14:21; 1 Corinthians 8:13), other Bible texts say only certain animals (Deuteronomy 14:7-8; Leviticus 11:2-4), but some say we can eat any animals (Genesis 9:3; Acts 10:9-13; 1 Corinthians 10:25; Romans 14:2, 14; 1 Timothy 4:1-3). Is there a contradiction?