Loving God's Law

Passage: Psalm 119

As noted in its superscription, Psalm 119 is an acrostic poem, with each of its sections denoted by a different letter of the Hebrew alphabet. Much of the artistry of the Hebrew psalm is lost in translation; not only does every section begin with successive letters of the alphabet, but every line of every section begins with that letter. So, for example, every line of the aleph, or “A”, section begins with the Hebrew letter aleph.

That being said, the content of the psalm translates well. The overarching theme of Psalm 119 is a celebration of the gift of God’s law. In each section the psalm writer reflects on the ways God’s love and faithfulness are expressed in the words and guidelines God provides his children. The psalmist sees God’s law not as a barrier to the good life but as a means of fully experiencing it.

We tend to push back against rules. We at times see the demands of the law as an imposition on our rights. We see the advice of doctors and counselors as an inconvenience and a source of pain. We don’t like conforming to someone else’s will – even if that someone has our best interests at heart. Psalm 119 is an unapologetic endorsement of living according to someone else’s will. It’s a celebration of the good things that happen when you let go the desire to have God conform to you, and instead conform yourself to God. Give it a try.