Psalm 119 (author unknown) was given to us for many reasons. One reason is to help us see the kind of passion that we can and should have for God and His word. The Psalmist speaks of his habits and commitments concerning the Word of God often in this Psalm. I tried to record only those that show his passion or emotions re: the pursuit of God and His truth. We believers are always in danger of losing our passion and becoming more robotic or Pharisaaic in our treatment of and attitude towards His word/the Scriptures. May the Holy Spirit fill us ever more with passion for our Great God and His amazing revelation to us in His word!
“With all my heart I have sought You;…” vs. 10
“Your word I have treasured in my heart,…. Vs. 11
“I have rejoiced in the way of Your testimonies, As much as in all riches.” Vs. 14
“I shall delight in Your statutes;…” vs. 16
“My soul is crushed with longing After Your ordinances at all times.” Vs. 20
“Your testimonies also are my delight;…” vs. 24
“I cling to Your testimonies;…” vs. 31
“….And keep it (“Your law”) with all my heart.” Vs. 34
“….For I delight in it (“the path of Your commandments”).” Vs. 35
“Behold, I long for Your precepts;…” vs. 40
“I shall delight in Your commandments, Which I love.” vs. 47
“And I shall lift up my hands to your commandments, Which I love;…” vs. 48
“Burning indignation has seized me because of the wicked, Who forsake Your law.” Vs. 53
“I sought Your favor with all my heart; Be gracious to me according to Your word.” Vs. 58
“….With all my heart I will observe Your precepts.” vs. 69
“…..I delight in Your law.” Vs. 70
“The law of Your mouth is better to me Than thousands of gold and silver pieces.” Vs. 72
“….Your law is my delight.” Vs. 77
“My soul languishes for Your salvation; I wait for Your word.” Vs. 81
“My eyes fail with longing for Your word, …” 82
“If Your law had not been my delight, then I would have perished in my affliction.” Vs. 92
“O how I love Your law! It is my meditation all the day.” Vs. 97
“How sweet are Your words to my taste! Yes sweeter than honey to my mouth!” vs. 103
“I have inherited Your testimonies forever, For they are the joy of my heart.” Vs. 111
“I hate those who are double minded, But I love Your law.” Vs. 113
“You have removed all the wicked of the earth like dross; Therefore I love Your testimonies.” Vs. 119
“My eyes fail with longing for Your salvation And for Your righteous word.” Vs. 123
“Therefore I love Your commandments Above gold, yes, above fine gold.” Vs. 127
“I opened my mouth wide and panted, For I longed for Your commandments.” Vs. 131
“My eyes shed streams of water, Because they do not keep Your law.” Vs. 136
“My zeal has consumed me, Because my adversaries have forgotten your words.” Vs. 139
“Your word is very pure, therefore Your servant loves it.” Vs. 140
“Trouble and anguish have come upon me, Yet Your commandments are my delight.” Vs. 143
“I behold the treacherous and loathe them, Because they do not keep Your word.” Vs. 158
“Princes persecute me without cause, But my heart stands in awe of Your words.” Vs. 161
“I rejoice at Your word, As one who finds great spoil.” Vs. 162
“I hate and despise falsehood, But I love Your law.” Vs. 163
“My soul keeps Your testimonies, And I love them exceedingly.” Vs. 167
“I long for Your salvation, O Lord, And Your law is my delight.” Vs. 174
Ways to Increase our Longing
1. Ask, Ask, Ask! Learn from Psalm 119’s author re: the importance of constantly crying out for more. You can see those prayers in the following post:
2. Keep good examples in front of you of those (like the Psalmist quoted above) who are passionate for God and His word/truth/revelation.
3. Recognize the crucial role of affliction, suffering and hardships that God uses to prune us and wean us off worldly means of comfort and satisfaction. “Before I was afflicted I went astray, But now I keep Your word.” Psalm 119:67 “It is good for me that I was afflicted, That I may learn Your statues.” Psalm 119:71
4. Regularly remind yourself of the great value and blessings that come from regular meditation on the Scriptures. Psalm 119 is full of such. For instance, see vs. 2, 9, 24, 38, 45, 50, etc.
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