SHIN. Princes persecute me without a cause, but my heart stands in awe of Your word. I rejoice at Your word as one who finds great treasure. I hate and abhor lying, but I love Your law. Seven times a day I praise You, because of Your righteous judgments. Great peace have those who love Your law, and nothing causes them to stumble. LORD, I hope for Your salvation, and I do Your commandments. My soul keeps Your testimonies, and I love them exceedingly. I keep Your precepts and Your testimonies, for all my ways are before You.

Sometimes persecution will come from the rulers of our society, those who are in power over our city, province or country. The Bible reveals that government was an institution established by God (Romans 13:1-7, etc), but that does not guarantee that those who hold such an office will be godly and do what is appropriate. The writer makes note that the princes are a source of persecution to him. Recall of our Lord, He was persecuted by the leaders of Israel. Remember that the early Christians were persecuted by the powers that be, both among the Jews and the Romans. Should we expect that it be any different for us?

Many look at our society and perceive that the child of God suffers very little persecution from government. Reconsider. There are cases where parents who have exercised biblical discipline have been charged with crimes and had their children taken from them. I am neither for nor against having the Lord's prayer in our schools. I believe it is the responsibility of the home to fitly instruct children in matters of religion (note, this is NOT a church responsibility). However, the removal of this and other prayers from our schools is evidence of a movement away from Christian principle and ethic. Recent changes in Canadian law have the potential to bring faithful Christians who publicly oppose homosexuality under criminal penalty. Friend, God's people in our society are being persecuted, albeit, a different manner of persecution than what those of bygone generations faced.

The Psalmist reveals that the persecutions which are upon him are "without a cause." That is, he has not provoked the princes with evil conduct, but rather, is the object of their wickedness on account of his goodness. If ever persecution come upon a child of God due to their own wickedness, such is just and fair. However, when persecution arises merely due to the fact that one is a faithful servant of the Lord, and the government esteems wickedness, such is a disgrace.

See his reaction. "...but my heart stands in awe of Your word." His focus is not on the unjust and their actions. Focussing on the present can break our spirit and bring us to destruction. The apostle Paul spoke, "Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are see are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal." (2 Corinthians 4:16-18)

As the writer speaks about the greatness of God's word, he compares it to the pursuit and discovery of a great treasure. Indeed, it is so. For the person who seeks spiritual understanding, who desires to know the way which leads to life, the Scriptures are of greater value than any treasure this world has to offer. Recall, Jesus told the parable of the merchant who sought beautiful pearls, and having "...found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had and bought it." (Matthew 13:46). Friend, God's word is that pearl of great price. It is that which will show us the path of eternal life. It will lead us to heaven if we will be careful to follow it's glorious precepts. It will bring joy to our hearts, regardless what condition we are found in physically, for our souls will reside in the comfort and hope of glory.

In verse 163, the writer speaks of lies and truth. God's law is truth, and in it there is no error or lie. If we have a love for God's truth, then we will likewise have a hatred for lies. The two are dynamically opposed to one another. Truth is of God; lying is of the devil. Truth leads to life; lying perpetuates sin and sorrow. Among the things which God hates is "a lying tongue" (Proverbs 6:17). Paul commanded the Christians in Colosse, "Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man with his deeds." (Colossians 3:9). Lying has no place in the mouth or the heart of the child of God. Rather abhorrence of it.

How many times a day do you praise God? The writer indicates, "Seven times a day I praise You..." The thought is not that he has preplanned seven occasions of worship for each day, though so doing would certainly not be wrong. However, it is more likely that the writer is revealing a perpetual spirit of worship before the Lord. The number seven is used throughout Scripture to convey that which is perfect or complete. The praise of God is constantly on the heart of the Psalmist, and should constantly be upon our hearts also.

Jesus, in the parable of the sower told of "...the ones sown on stony ground who, when they hear the word, immediately receive it with gladness; and they have no root in themselves, and so endure only for a time. Afterward, when tribulation or persecution arises for the word's sake, immediately they stumble." (Mark 4:16-17) Friend, let us get rooted in God's word. The Psalmist says that those who love God's law, and by implication, are rooted therein, receive great peace and "nothing causes them to stumble." Consider Paul and Silas, beaten and cast into prison in Philippi, and yet at midnight, they sat in stocks praising God! What a display of peace and steadfastness. Throughout this Psalm, the writer has been speaking of manifold persecutions, and yet, time and again, of the peace and comfort which God affords to His people through His word. It behoves us then to strengthen ourselves in the word, to be diligent students, to esteem it with the highest regard, and to apply it to every aspect of our lives. We'll not be disappointed.

In fact, having done so, we will gain the hope of salvation. See the writer's words, "LORD, I hope for Your salvation, and I do Your commandments. My soul keeps Your testimonies, and I love them exceedingly." The hope of salvation is directly related to the individual's response to God's word. Yes, indeed, we are saved by grace, and we cannot save ourselves. But, do you not also see that time and again through the Scriptures we are made aware of our responsibility to be diligent keepers of God's word. If we will do our part as faithful servants, then we can be assured that God will do His part as a righteous and merciful Judge. However, if we choose not to uphold His law, why should He pardon our arrogant disobedience? Indeed, "Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord', shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven." (Matthew 7:21).

Those who truly know the Lord and His glorious way are filled with a variety of reactions to His holy word. It causes awe (119:161). It will make us rejoice (119:162). We will hate that which is error (119:163). Our hearts will be inclined to worship (119:164). We will be guarded with great peace (119:165). We will be an active people in DOING the commandments of God (119:166). Friend, do you see how great the word of the Lord is? Those who are of the world do not have these same reactions, for they do not love the Lord or His ways. But if we will commit ourselves to God, give Him reign in our lives, then His word will be to us a source of comfort, hope, strength, life and eternal reward.

Click here for this week's Answering The Atheist
When were Simon, Andrew, James and John called to be disciples? John indicates that Andrew brought Simon to Jesus (John 1:40-42), but says nothing about James or John. Matthew (4:18-20) and Mark (1:16-18) speak about Jesus calling Peter and Andrew from their nets, then James and John afterward. Finally, Luke (5:1-11) speaks of Jesus calling Simon, Andrew, James and John together by way of a miraculous catch of fish. Is there a contradiction?