* Psalm 119:97 - Love and Meditate on God's Law

How I love your law! It is my meditation all day. -- Psalm 119:97, RLIV.

IT is a great privilege for Christians to study Jehovah's Word, yet a great deal of study is done to no purpose. Study which is not put into practice is worse than a waste of time....Every reasonable opportunity should be used by Jehovah's people to obtain a knowledge of the divine plan--even to the extent of sacrificing; but the child of tJehovah will be particular to see that it is his own conveniences and comforts that he is sacrificing, and not chiefly the conveniences and comforts of others. The Bible study which is done merely at the expense of others is a sign of selfishness rather than a sign of a rich indwelling of the Lord's spirit of love. -- Based on an excerpt from an answer given to a question presented in ZWT, June 15, 1899.

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The Psalmist (probably David) evidently spoke directly of the Law given through Moses. That Law is, however, based on Jehovah's eternal law of love. (Matthew 28:36-40; Romans 13:10; Galatians 5:14; James 2:8) Jesus, while in the days of his flesh (Hebrews 5:7), certainly loved the Law and was fully obedient to Jehovah's commands. He certainly meditated continually every day so as to never deviate from God's Law. Likewise, those who belong to Christ should study and learn to love the principles of righteousness and justice as presented in the Law, lest we develop our own standards by which to judge what is right and what is wrong. Indeed, in every aspect of life, the consecrated Christian should consider what is right or wrong according to the scripture. The way to do this is by having a knowledge of God's law so as to have constant meditation on God's law. We should strive to determine and judge all our actions, all our words, and even all our thoughts all day long by the righteous standards of God's Law.

The Hebrew word rendered "how" could also be considered to be asking a question: "How do I love your law?" The answer is, "It is my meditation all day long". In the answer, the meditation is specifically spoken of as being of the Law, referring to the Law given through Moses. For the regenerated child of God today, the meditation would be upon the words of Jesus and his apostles, as found in the New Testament, as well as the Law given through Moses. To engage in such a meditation throughout every day would, of course, necessitate a study of what is revealed in God's Word, with the goal of committing such to our hearts, so that as we go about our everyday affairs, these will be called to mind as needed for application in whatever circumstance may arise. Simply committing a lot of words to memory by rote, however, is not the same as committing the principles behind those words to memory. One can have the words in memory, but without understanding the principles behind the words, one may not discern how to apply what is stated to various situations in life. Thus, it is important the principles be meditated upon, not just with the mind, but also with the heart.

Barnes notes:

The expression here, "O how love I thy law," implies intense love - as if a man were astonished at the fervour of his own emotion. His love was so ardent that it was amazing and wonderful to himself - perhaps wonderful that he, a sinner, should love the law of God at all; wonderful that he should ever have been brought so to love a law which condemned himself. Any man who reflects on what his feelings are by nature in regard to religion, will be filled with wonder that he loves it at all; all who are truly religious ought to be so filled with love to it, that it will be difficult for them to find words to express the intensity of their affection.

The Hebrew word for "meditation" signifies "reflection, extension, devotion". Such would mean, as applied to our text, that no matter what is being done as far as everyday affairs are concerned, our attachment to God's Word is at the forefront of all being said, done, or even thought, throughout each day.

Nevertheless, even the regenerated child of God will find that in his sinful flesh, he will be falling short in performing all of the principles and commands of God's Word. Although the new creature surely has an effect upon his flesh towards righteousness, he will still find that he cannot make his flesh totally obedient in all circumstances. Our Heavenly Father knows this, and thus part of what is revealed in the Bible tells us that if we our confess our sins, that, through Jesus as our advocate before the Father, he will forgive our sins.  -- Ronald R. Day, Sr.

THE WORD OF TRUTH

THE Word of Truth is like a stained-glass window rare,

We stand outside and gaze, but see no beauty there,

No fair design, naught but confusion we behold;

'Tis only from within the glory will unfold,

And he who would drink in the rapture of the view

Must climb the winding stair, the portal enter through.

The sacred door of Truth's cathedral is most low,

And all who fain would enter there the knee must bow

In deep humility. But once inside, the light

of day streams through and makes each color heavenly bright,

The Master's great design we see, our hands we raise

In reverent ecstasy of wonder, love and praise!

Related Scriptures:  Deuteronomy 6:6-9; Joshua 1:8; Job 23:12; Psalm 1:2; 19:7-11; Psalm 40:8; Psalm 119:16; Psalm 119:20; Psalm 119:24; Psalm 119:35; Psalm 119:47; Psalm 119:48; Psalm 119:54; Psalm 119:70; Psalm 119:77; Psalm 119:92; Psalm 119:103; Psalm 119:111; Psalm 119:113; Psalm 119:119; Psalm 119:127; Psalm 119:131; Psalm 119:140; Psalm 119:143; Psalm 119:159; Psalm 119:162-167; Psalm 119:174; Proverbs 2:0; Proverbs 18:1; Jeremiah 15:16; Luke 4:22; Luke 11:28; Acts 17:11; Romans 15:4; Colossians 3:16; 2 Timothy 2:15; 2 Timothy 3:15-17

Related studies:
(We do not necessarily agree with all conclusions given.)

Daily Heavenly Manna for January 19

The Principles of Love and Justice Contrasted -- C. T. Russell

Striving Lawfully -- C. T. Russell

God's Word in Our Hearts - The Dawn

The Law of God - The Dawn

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