Day 10 of the 119th Psalm, verses 73-80.
“Yodh
“73 Your hands have made and fashioned me; give me understanding that I may learn Your commandments.
“74 Those who fear You shall see me and rejoice, because I have hoped in Your Word.
“75 I know, O YHWH, that Your rules are righteous, and that in faithfulness You have afflicted me.
“76 Let Your steadfast love comfort me according to Your promise to Your servant.
“77 Let Your mercy come to me, that I may live; for Your Law is my delight.
“78 Let the insolent be put to shame, because they have wronged me with falsehood; as for me, I will meditate on Your precepts.
“79 Let those who fear You turn to me, that they may know Your testimonies.
“80 May my heart be blameless in Your statutes, that I may not be put to shame!”
– Psalm 119:73-80
The Breakdown
Verse 73: YHWH is the giver of life, therefore, we should want to understand His ways.
Verse 74: Those who hope in God’s Word are different from the rest of the world. They should want what we have. 1 Peter 3:15b says, “Always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you.”
Verse 75: Because His rules are righteous, and because He disciplines those He loves, His rules will afflict us.
Verse 76: God’s love is a comfort to our weary souls, and He promises to comfort us.
Verse 77: It could be that the writer is asking for mercy because he broke the commandments. He prays for YHWH to restore him to life so he can again live by the commandments. When we sin, it should become obvious that God’s ways are better.
Verse 78: YHWH will deal with injustices at the proper time. Our duty is to obey His commandments, regardless.
Verse 79: We should be so well-versed in the testimonies of YHWH that those who fear (have awe for) Him can come to us to learn His ways.
Verse 80: We should be obedient to His Law so that no shame can come to us.
Lord, help me to understand Your ways. Help me to be ready to tell anyone the hope that I have in You. Discipline me, Lord, when it is needed, and have mercy on me for my failings. Let no shame come to me or Your Name as I walk in Your commandments. Amen.
Shalom.