Psalm 118 — Anonymous Writer
“Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good and His love endures forever.”
“His love endures forever” is repeated five times in this psalm. When Scripture repeats phrases, I tend to believe that it’s something to keep in your pocket for those times when your unbelief tries to sneak in and take over the situation.
This psalm emphasizes confidence in God’s eternal love and how it never changes, even in the midst of chaos. This should bring us security and peace.
The writer definitely experiences conflict and resistance but has confidence in who he knows God to be. He chooses to trust that God has his back and that he will outlast any weapon that comes against him. He praises God in the midst of the storms because he knows he is seen and heard by God.
He knows God’s character and chooses to believe His Word over his changing circumstances.
I suppose that’s why he could confidently repeat, “Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good and His love endures forever.”
Psalm 119 — The Longest Psalm and Chapter in the Bible; Some Say It Was Written by Ezra
The themes of this psalm are staying true to God and His Word no matter what the world looks like around you, and understanding that remaining obedient to God’s laws is the only true way to find joy and peace.
Here are the major things I got out of this beautifully written psalm. It is packed with so much promise and wisdom.
- Knowing your Word is a key guiding principle to a healthy Christian life, but you also need to put it into action in everything you do. The Word is alive and should be seen in your actions toward others around you.
- Rules and guidelines are often seen as restricting and unappealing, but God has a different message with His laws and precepts. His purpose is to protect us and keep us free to be who He designed us to be. His mission is always to love His children well. Unlike the world, God created boundaries to benefit us and keep us close to Him.
- God is always more concerned with our heart posture than any of our successes, influence, power, etc. As the writer states in 119:37, “Turn my eyes away from worthless things; preserve my life according to your word.” We need to do whatever God wants for us, not what the world is impressed by.
- God’s Word also makes us wise—wiser than the enemies that surround us or the false teaching we may encounter in the world. Wisdom goes beyond knowledge. Wisdom comes from learning to discern God’s guidance to us.
- “God’s Word is a lamp to our feet and a light on our path.” — Psalm 119:105. God didn’t send us out into a dark world without a place to find light.
- Obedience—either you are obeying God or you aren’t. There is no middle ground, and the writer emphasizes how, as a servant of the Lord, we shouldn’t love or respect sin of any kind. Using discernment to understand God’s perspective on any situation will allow for great blessings.
There are so many great verses in this chapter, but the one I will take with me most as a lesson to lock into my heart is:
Psalm 119:160 — “ALL your words are true. ALL your righteous laws are eternal.”
Truth matters to our God. He cannot lie, so we can trust Him with all of our heart and mind.
Psalm 120 — Some Suggest Hezekiah as the Author
This psalm is a cry to the Lord for help and deliverance from false accusers.
The writer is weary from his enemies’ attacks but is seeking the Lord for a peaceful solution to the fight. He never asks for victory or war. He ends the psalm with 120:7: “I am for peace; but when I speak, they are for war.”
The writer seemed to know God’s heart when it came to being a peacemaker.
Psalm 121 — Possibly Hezekiah
We can trust God in our times of need. He created it all—heaven and earth. He will protect you. He watches over you. No harm will come your way.
We ARE safe in Him.
Psalm 122 — David
This psalm discusses being in the presence of God and how David wasn’t only concerned about his own health and life, but asked God for prosperity for all of Jerusalem.
This is an example of how God wants us to intercede for others, which in turn keeps us from becoming too inwardly focused.
David ends the psalm asking for peace for his family and friends. He’s requesting the type of peace only God can give. The world doesn’t offer the peace only God can provide.
Psalm 123 — Anonymous
This short psalm revolves around asking God for mercy as the writer saw the world around him and knew it grieved God’s heart.
The writer knew he needed the mercy of our good God to be able to continue following His guidance.
Jen Fitzgerald
