“137) Righteous art thou, O LORD, and upright are thy judgments. 138) Thy testimonies that thou hast commanded are righteous and very faithful.” (Psalm 119:137,138) Thus begins the next section of Psalm 119. God is righteous. God’s word is righteous and faithful.
“139) My zeal hath consumed me, because mine enemies have forgotten thy words. 140) Thy word is very pure: therefore thy servant loveth it.” (verses 139,140) The godless society around him did not discourage the Psalmist from learning and obeying God’s word. In fact, it made him even more zealous and it gave the Psalmist a greater love for God’s word. When we look around and see how much God’s word is despised, we learn how very special and important it is. Seeing how much others hate God’s word should make us love it even more and cause us to be filled with zeal to learn and obey it.
“I am small and despised: yet do not I forget thy precepts.” (verse 141) The Psalmist held no important position in society. He was small and despised, someone who did not matter much to those around him. Yet, he clung to God’s word. He was not despised or forsaken by God. Neither are we, and we also have His word for our encouragement and stay. God’s righteousness endures forever, and His word is truth. “Thy righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, and thy law is the truth.” (verse 142)
The righteousness and faithfulness of God’s word bring hope in times of distress. “143) Trouble and anguish have taken hold on me: yet thy commandments are my delights. 144) The righteousness of thy testimonies is everlasting: give me understanding, and I shall live.” (verses 143 and 144) Distress and trouble were all around, yet there was something that brought the Psalmist delight – God’s commandments. Nothing else around him may be right, but God’s commandments are right. They can give understanding that will preserve life in a day of trouble and anguish.
We have this same righteous God and His word to guide us through the dark days, to bring us delight in a time when there is little joy, and to be our stay and our preservation in times of danger. This is our precious treasure which cannot be taken away from us. Thank You, God!