Why should the Scriptures matter to us? Not least because they give us true knowledge of the God Who loves us so much. That’s the good news – God hasn’t abandoned us so that we might only wonder what He might be like. Instead, verse 68 makes it clear that God is always good, and that everything He does is good. And verse 65 applies that truth to us, insisting that God is good to His servants, to those who seek to follow Him.

Another reason we should value the Bible is because it tells us the same sort of unvarnished truth about ourselves. In verse 67, the psalmist admits that in his earlier life, he went astray, just living according to what made sense or felt right to him. In one way or another, all of us do that. And, just like us, the psalmist’s life of sin led him into all kinds of problems. So, one reason we read the Scriptures is so we can see our brokenness and failures more clearly, so we can see our need to come to the God Who alone can and will forgive us.

But at the same time, this Psalm reminds us that following the Lord is not always easy. In verses 69 and 70, the psalmist complains of arrogant, cold-hearted people who tell lies about him. Nevertheless, he pledges his faithfulness and obedience to God. In fact, he is grateful for his enemies, because their opposition has driven him to study to the Word of God more diligently, just to make sure he is on the right track.

But the psalmist doesn’t just obey God begrudgingly, or out of a sense of duty. No, he insists that he delights in God’s Word (v. 70). He values God’s word more than any amount of money he could gain (v. 72). He says he wants God to teach him more of God’s Word (v. 68) so that he might keep God’s law even more consistently (v. 67). In fact, instead of living according to his own reason and inclinations, he insists that God is the only One Who can teach him to think clearly (v. 66).

And this desire for God’s Word naturally flows out of his knowledge of God and his love for the God who has loved him and forgiven him. Just so, the same cycle of knowledge, love, gratitude and obedience is available to all who will do what the Psalmist did, honestly and earnestly studying the pages of Scripture. Will we do that today?

Psalm 119:65-72 (NASB)

65 Thou hast dealt well with Thy servant, O LORD, according to Thy word.
66 Teach me good discernment and knowledge, For I believe in Thy commandments.
67 Before I was afflicted I went astray, But now I keep Thy word.
68 Thou art good and doest good; Teach me Thy statutes.
69 The arrogant have forged a lie against me; With all my heart I will observe Thy precepts.
70 Their heart is covered with fat, But I delight in Thy law.
71 It is good for me that I was afflicted, That I may learn Thy statutes.
72 The law of Thy mouth is better to me Than thousands of gold and silver pieces.