57 The LORD is my portion; I promise to keep your words.
58 I entreat your favor with all my heart; be gracious to me according to your promise.
59 When I think on my ways, I turn my feet to your testimonies;
60 I hasten and do not delay to keep your commandments.
61 Though the cords of the wicked ensnare me, I do not forget your law.
62 At midnight I rise to praise you, because of your righteous rules.
63 I am a companion of all who fear you, of those who keep your precepts.
64 The earth, O LORD, is full of your steadfast love; teach me your statutes!
Psalm 119:57-64
I think this passage shows the Psalmist, David in a good place with God. He says the LORD is my portion. That’s another way of saying God, you are all I need. David is recognizing that all the other accomplishments of his life, anything he would have acquired, the wars he won, the giants he fought, the accolades he received, all of that would mean nothing without God. And because of his gratefulness, he was making a promise to keep God’s words. He was begging favor from God, but he is sure to add that the favor and grace he requests is not because of anything he has done but according to God’s promise. Lord have mercy, we all need to realize deep down that all the good that happens to us in life, the love, grace and mercy we receive from the Lord, is not because of anything we have done or can do, but it is because of who God is. We couldn’t keep God’s words without His help anyway. But we also need to keep in mind that the good that we receive from God is because of who He is.
I also note that while David is planning to keep God’s words, he also recognizes that he must keep turning back. David has big plans to walk with God. But he says “when I think on my ways, I turn my feet to your testimonies.” This is his way of recognizing that when he tries to go it alone, he needs to remember and turn back. I know for me this is true. If left on my own I know what a wretched woman I can be. This is why I study, this is why I get up and have a quiet time with the Lord. So that I can keep my feet walking in the right direction. Or as right a direction as is possible for me on any given day! I want to be like David and promise to keep all of God’s commandments. But it takes an intentional turning day in and day out.
In verse 61 David is recognizing that there are people who are against him and that he must keep the law before him so as to handle those people rightly. And in verse 62 David is praising God for his rules. I think David is praising God for keeping his feet steady and helping him to walk. David is in a good place here. He recognizes God for who He is and he recognizing himself for who he is. He knows that without God he would be nowhere and his heart is overflowing with gratitude.
I love the way that David wraps up this passage too. He takes note that having friends who are like minded, “those who keep your precepts” is important and then he recognizes that he sees God’s love everywhere. This may be my favorite passage in Psalm 119 so far. I love that God is there for us when things are bad. But I also truly love to recognize God is there for me when things are good too. I know that God is there for us in the hard times. I like to think it makes Him smile when we realize He is there for us in the good times too.
Thank you LORD, for your grace, thank you for your mercy, thank you for your LOVE. The whole earth is full of your steadfast love! Praise You Lord!
Restore 