TEXT: Psalm 119:73-80
READING: Romans 1:1-17
SUBJ: The things that accompany soundness in the Word.
AIM: That we seek unto our Creator for extended creation (that I may live)
INTR: The Psalmist begins with an acknowledgment and ends with the aim of confidence in the Word.
1. When we are grounded in the Word things are right with God and with men.
2. The Psalmist is not put off by affliction. Rather, He loves and embraces justice.
3. Mercy is a common thread through biblical descriptions of relationships with God.
THESIS: It is in the knowledge of the Gospel of Christ our Lord that we are delivered from the fear of being ashamed at any day of reckoning and especially the last. Romans 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.
I. God’s claim is known through understanding (vv. 73-74)
1. The creator is confessed as He who has fashioned us for a particular purpose.
1) See: I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well. (Psalms 139:14).
2) Give me understanding as a further or extended creative work: Psalms 51:10 Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.
3) The reason for understanding that learning might be enhanced. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. (Matthew 11:29)
2. They that fear thee:
1) Will be glad in seeing him recovered to the Lord,
2) When they see that it is because “I have hoped in thy Word.”
3) It is to us: Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. (Ecclesiastes 12:13).
4) Consider: For all those things hath mine hand made, and all those things have been, saith the LORD: but to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word. (Isaiah 66:2).
II. God’s mercy desired (vv. 75-77)
1. God’s judgments are seen as righteous.
1) God is just,
2) And faithful (not just faithful in reaction to sin, but to His children
2. Let thy merciful kindness comfort me according to thy word.
3. Let tender mercies come to me:
1) That I may live – be revived – Psalms 85:6 Wilt thou not revive us again: that thy people may rejoice in thee?
2) And that such might be a matter of delight.
III. Separation unto God’s knowledge (vv. 78-80)
1. In dealings with the proud
1) They deal perversely.
2) “I will meditate in thy precepts.” -- Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer. (Psalms 19:14)
2. The dealings with those that fear God.
1) Let them turn to me in love, prayer, and fellowship,
2) Who have known thy testimonies (meeting on common ground)
3. The place where the Word is applied,
1) In soundness of heart -- Blessed is the man unto whom the LORD imputeth not iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no guile. (Psalms 32:2).
2) That I be not found wanting (ashamed) -- For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day. (2 Timothy 1:12)
