TAU. Let my cry come before You, O LORD; give me understanding according to Your word. Let my supplication come before You; deliver me according to Your word. My lips shall utter praise, for You teach me Your statutes. My tongue shall speak of Your word, for all Your commandments are righteousness. Let Your hand become my help, for I have chosen Your precepts. I long for Your salvation, O LORD, and Your law is my delight. Let my soul live, and it shall praise You; and let Your judgments help me. I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek Your servant, for I do not forget Your commandments.

We've not made much mention of the rhythmic nature of the Psalmists words in our studies, however, as we begin looking at today's text, we will do so. Notice in verses 169-170, the parallel speech used by the writer. Each verse begins with a plea for the Lord to allow his words to come before Him. First, "Let my cry come before You..." The word cry (Heb. rinnah) is otherwise translated singing, rejoicing, gladness, proclamation. Though much of the Psalm has surrounded the writer with trials and oppression, yet does he proclaim the praises of the Lord. Again, the writer requests, "Let my supplication come before You..." A supplication is a prayerful request, a solicitation for grace and favour.

A wonderful lesson for us in prayer exists in these two phrases. When we approach the Lord and seek Him to listen to our speech, we should feel comfortable to bring our requests to the Lord. In fact, the apostle Paul wrote to the Philippians, "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God." (4:6). But not only is time in prayer an opportunity to ask of God the things we need and desire, but it is primarily a time for us to voice our praise toward Him. When we think to ask of the Lord the things which concern us, may we also have our minds set to praise Him for His wonderful goodness, for His bountiful care over us, for His glorious salvation which He bestows to us.

We continue in looking at verses 169-170, and noting the parallel format. The latter portion of each verse relates to that which is "...according to Your word." First, "...give me understanding..." There are various levels of knowledge which we might attain to. We might know the weighty matters of some form of science, or perhaps be cognizant of the philosophies of men. Neither of these will benefit us in the eternal picture, but if we will receive an understanding according to the word of God, it will profit us in this life and the next.

In the latter verse, the writer requests, "Deliver me according to Your word." The Psalmist knew that the word of the Lord was profitable unto salvation. Did he not also write, "The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul; the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple; the statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes; the fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever; the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. Moreover by them Your servant is warned, and in keeping them there is great reward." (Psalm 19:7-11)

The writer continues, bearing witness to the testimony of his own lips regarding the LORD and His word. He shall praise God with his lips on account of His glorious statutes. He shall speak the word which God has given, for it is grounded in righteousness. So should the tongues of all the Lord's people be employed. What greater thing might we do than to praise the Lord and to proclaim His word?

As we complete our look at this Psalm, see the devoted praise on the part of the Psalmist, and the equally fervent appeal for God's salvation. He has chosen the precepts of God, His law is the delight of the writer, and his praise goes forth to the Holy One. What shall he ask in return of His God? That he might be a help to him in trouble, that He might impart His salvation, and thus give life to his soul.

Truly, the Psalmist, as he closes this work acknowledges the greatness of God and the weakness of man. One might think that at the end of such a Psalm, we would read words of resounding victory. Well, we do, though the victory belongs to the Lord, for He has saved us. In the very last verse, rather than announcing his great faithfulness to the Lord and exalting his service before the reader, the writer reminds us of where both he and we got ourselves into trouble, and sometimes persist to do so. Listen to his words, "I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek Your servant, for I do not forget Your commandments."

Lord, be our good shepherd. We've left the path, departed from the flock, brought grave danger upon our own selves. Friend, do you realize that the sheep which has lost it's way seldom reunites with the flock unless the shepherd goes searching? Jesus, looking from a hill upon the city of Jerusalem began to weep for them, for they were like sheep without a shepherd. They were lost. Though the gospel writer pictures Jerusalem as such, do you not think that the Lord has looked down upon us all in the same fashion, brokenhearted that we've walked away from His sound and holy path into the ways of this world?

God be thanked that He is the good shepherd. He has come to seek and save that which was lost. He has come to bear us up upon His shoulders, and to carry us home. What a wonderful Saviour is Jesus, our Lord!

Friend, do not forget His commandments. How does the shepherd find the lost sheep? He calls for it, and it hears His voice and comes. He calls for us all. Do we know the sound of the Lord's voice? If we do not know His word, we do not know His voice.

In the process of 176 verses, the Psalmist has given praise to the word of God in almost every verse. Surely the point of this Psalm, above all it's subplots and treasures of knowledge is that we ought to be enamoured with the word of God. Indeed, it is life to those who will devote their lives to knowing and walking according to His statutes.

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How old was Abraham when he left Haran? Genesis 12:4 says that he was 75 years old, however, Acts 7:2-4 and Genesis 11:26, 32 indicate that he had to be at least 135 years old. Is there a contradiction?