Put Down Your Phone, Write Out a Psalmਨਮੂਨਾ

It's not about our goodness. It's about God's.

People in a position of authority make a real mark when they use their authority. If you’re in their good graces, you’re okay. If not, watch out!

We get a sense in this passage that when it comes to righteousness and God’s standard and laws, you don’t want to fool around because you will find out that He’s very serious about his commands.

David is terrified to be found on the wrong side of the law of God: “My flesh trembles for fear of you and I am afraid of your judgements” (Psalm 119:120, NRSV).

He is adamant he’s done what is just and right (121). David begs for a guarantee of well-being (122). Which, of course, is laughable.

David, you, me, we all fall short.

So what’s he doing here? David is making a case that he is on God’s side, and is presenting every shred of evidence at his disposal to appear before God in a positive light.

But, ultimately, David doesn’t depend on his own goodness, though he does take time to highlight his good behaviour. He ultimately appeals to God’s goodness and grace.

The best deal of all time

He wants a deal based on the steadfast love of God. Who God is and what God is like is his hope and guarantee for thriving. David recognizes that if he is to “make it” in this life, if he’s gonna please God, it’s because God deals with him “according to [God’s own] steadfast love” (Psalm 119:124, NRSV).

He knows it is God’s custom to turn toward those who love his name and to be gracious. David’s reference to God throughout is the LORD, capitalized. It’s a direct reference to God’s revelation of his name and nature to Moses on the mountain in Exodus 34.

And he passed in front of Moses, proclaiming, “The Lord, the Lord, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin. Yet he does not leave the guilty unpunished; he punishes the children and their children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation.” (Exodus 34:6-7, NRSV)

Every time the name LORD appears in David’s writing or anywhere else in scripture, it references this passage and summons this meaning.

The meaning embedded in that name is that God actually wants to forgive everyone. And the only ones who get punished are the guilty (those who don’t take him up on his compassion, forgiveness, or grace).

A key word in all of this is upheld. The word bangs through this passage like the sound of fireworks on a dark night:

Uphold me according to your promise, that I may live,
and let me not be put to shame in my hope
Hold me up, that I may be safe
and have regard for your statues continually (Psalm 119:116-117, NRSV).

God’s act upon the person helps the person keep the promise.

This is a key to thriving. What a relief that self-will and some untapped inner strength aren’t what we need. We’re never alone. It doesn’t depend on our own capability. Thank God we don’t have to hold ourselves up by pulling on our bootstraps.

God himself holds us up! Be encouraged by this today.

Action steps

• Get a journal or some paper and a pen.
• Put your phone in a drawer or another room.
• Get a physical Bible (so you won't get distracted by anything else).
• Take time to write out Psalm 119: 120 - 136 verse by verse.
• Reflect on what God is highlighting as you write it out.