You are my refuge and shield; in your word I hope. Psalms 119:114 NABRE
Psalm 119 is positioned between a series of psalms called the Hallel, or song of praise, used on the festivals, retelling the escape from Egypt and another series of psalms called the “Songs of Ascent,” sung as pilgrims ascended the steps leading into the temple. The entirety of Psalm 119 has to do with the Law of God, which is mentioned in every verse in the form of nine distinct terms; law, precepts, ways, decrees, commandments, statues, ordinances, words and promises. It is a psalm composed after the exile, designed for personal reading and mediation, to foster reverence and devotion to the Law of God. The focus in this psalm is on the fact that God has made his Law known and spoken His word; these orient life and are what should be obeyed according to the psalm. Through this psalm a prayerful reader can give thanks, make supplication and seek wisdom through contemplation of God’s goodness as proven by His gift of the Law. A Christian can be open to this prayer as the Word of God heard in the Law, God speaks definitively through Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ is the Word of God made flesh, His person and works, His teaching, His death and resurrection are the eternal Word of God addressed to all bringing light and salvation. The Law was given to form the Israelites as people of God. Jesus the Word provides a new covenant adopting all people for God.
We see in the new covenant that Jesus came to fulfill the law. Through the prayer of Psalm 119 we see the love God has for His people and realize God keeps His promises through Jesus fulfillment. Through the words of the psalm and the life of Jesus we are reassured of God’s love, our refuge and hope.
Do you accept God’s love? What signs of God’s love do you see in your life?
We see in the new covenant that Jesus came to fulfill the law. Through the prayer of Psalm 119 we see the love God has for His people and realize God keeps His promises through Jesus fulfillment. Click To Tweet#bible #godisgreat #jesus #christianity#dailybibleverse @youversion#BeAnEncourager #law #hope #Psalm#everybodyalways #god #jesuschrist#jesussaves #godisgood#dailydevotion #biblestudy #scripture#bibleverse #verseoftheday #pray#prayer #goodnews #loveeachother#godisgreat #thisVineyard#youversion #everythingalways