When Longing and Dependence Lead to Praise and Joy

There is a dependence and longing that is beneficial; namely, for the Word of God. Psalm 119 speaks of this in nearly every verse, especially in its last eight verses. An exposition.

With 176 verses, Psalm 119 is the longest of the Psalms. In these verses, the Psalmist praises God’s ways, testimonies, commands, instructions, commandments, and requirements. With few exceptions, every single verse contains a synonym for the Word of God. This is how the Psalmist praises the Lord for all He has given in His Word.

The psalm consists of 22 sections, each with 8 verses. The first word of each verse in a section begins with the same letter, with the sections moving through the 22 letters of the Hebrew alphabet in sequence. They begin with the first letter, Aleph, and end with the last one, Tav. This form of writing is known as an acrostic. It also occurs elsewhere in Scripture; for example, in Psalms 37, 111, and 112; Proverbs 31:10-31, and in several of the chapters in Lamentations. Of course, we’re unable to mirror this in our English translations.

We’re going to take a closer look at the last eight verses of Psalm 119 (169-176). This is where we see the Psalmist expressing his dependence on and longing for God. It is an ongoing and active search for divine help and strength, for divine comfort. Spurgeon described this passage as follows: “The Psalmist is now at the last section of the psalm, and his petitions gather still more force and fervency; he seems to break into the inner circle of divine fellowship, and to come even to the feet of the great God whose help he is imploring. This nearness creates the most lowly view of himself, and leads him to close the psalm, prostrate in the dust, in deepest serf-humiliation, begging to be sought out like a lost sheep.” This theme runs through the entire Bible, from the Old to the New Testament: Man cannot stand before God. We need His grace, His guidance, His help. The result of this insight is praise, joy in the Lord, and delight in God’s Word.

“Let my cry come before you, O LORD; give me understanding according to your word!” (v. 169).

The expression translated as “cry” has different meanings in Hebrew. It can mean a call or a cry, but can also be translated as “praise.” It is a prayer for insight on the basis of God’s Word, which is also crucial for our lives. We gain insight through the Holy Spirit, who is living in us and continually leading us to His Word. This isn’t about methodically accumulating head knowledge, however. Considering everything theoretically would be dangerous. Throughout the Bible, from Genesis to Revelation, a living God is being revealed, who has a living and redemptive message in Jesus Christ!

“Let my plea come before you; deliver me according to your word” (v. 170).

The Psalmist is pleading, begging for salvation according to God’s promises. He is in a state of intense supplication before God, recognizing who God is and who man is. In this context, supplication can be understood as constantly coming to God with your concerns. Our Lord is by us, with us, and for us, and doesn’t leave us on our own.

“My lips will pour forth praise, for you teach me your statutes” (v. 171).

The Lord Himself is teaching the Psalmist the Word. The same is true for us when we listen to a devotional or sermon, or read the Bible during our quiet time. The indwelling Holy Spirit instructs us about His will, His greatness, His promises. This fullness should cause our lips to overflow with praise, since “out of the abundance of the heart [our] mouth speaks” (Luke 6:45). This overflow of the knowledge of God’s greatness and grace doesn’t depend on our circumstances, nor did it for the Psalmist. Therefore, let us strive and ask God to always kindle an enthusiasm for the Word in us. The impact of a living relationship with God’s Word won’t fail to appear, and will make us talk about the abundance of God—to each other as well as to the unbelievers around us.

“My tongue will sing of your word, for all your commandments are right” (v. 172).

In this verse, the Psalmist repeats the theme of speaking about God’s Word, about all the commandments … about everything from Genesis to Revelation because, “All Scripture is … profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction…” (2 Tim 3:16). In James 1:26, we read that we’re deceiving our own hearts if we don’t control our tongue. And James 3:5 says, “So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things. How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire!” Verse 10 emphasizes, “From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so.” In Ephesians 4:29, Paul tells the Church, “Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.” Reality shows us how so much can be destroyed with our words, often hurting and humiliating other people. It can take a long time to repair a quick, thoughtless word. That’s why the Psalmist emphasizes, “My tongue will sing of your word.” The more Christ lives in us, the more He becomes the focus of our speech and thoughts. “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God” (Col 3:16). Praise to God begins in the heart, and finds its expression in the mouth.

“Let your hand be ready to help me, for I have chosen your precepts” (v. 173).

The Psalmist calls for God’s hand: “Lord, I need you!” We know that the Lord is there. He never comes too late!

“I long for your salvation, O LORD, and your law is my delight” (v. 174).

The Psalmist’s plea turns into longing—a longing that expresses dependence on God’s salvation and deliverance. Anyone who is saved belongs to God from that moment forward, and delights in His Word and His law. “Delight” means joy, desire, fulfillment, and much more.

“Let my soul live and praise you, and let your rules help me” (v. 175).

This verse suggests what we were created to do. Because we’re His children, we praise and glorify the Lord. This is why the ones who belong to Christ are on earth: to glorify Him. Our life should be dedicated to God’s glory. “Whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen” (1 Pet 4:11).

“I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek your servant, for I do not forget your commandments” (v. 176).

In the final verse of Psalm 119, the Psalmist isn’t speaking about a lost man who doesn’t know God. But humans are like sheep who wander away. Recall Isaiah 53:6: “All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned—every one—to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all.” It is purely the grace of God through His Son Jesus Christ, that allows us to have fellowship with Him and each other, worshiping and praising Him together. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16).

Midnight Call - 01/2025