psalm 119:29

29 - Remove from me

the way of lying:

and grant me thy law graciously.

It is interesting that David asked God to "remove from me" the way of lying instead of "remove me from" the way of lying.

He took ownership of his sin instead of blaming it on external circumstances.  Dear God, deliver us from the 21st century "victim mentality!"

Another interesting approach in this verse is his petition for God to "grant me thy law graciously."  David set aside his pride and asked God to pity him, to favor him with forgiveness.  He did not consider forgiveness his by right, but knew that it would be only by God's favor that He would reach into time and bring the dispensation of grace into David's dispensation (law) and forgive him.

Eternal words are timeless--they know no human boundaries.

"In the first clause you have his malady, David had been enticed to a course of lying.

In the second we have his remedy, and that is the law of God.

~Thomas Manton

© 2012 by Melani Brady Shock

psalm 119:29

29 - Remove from me

the way of lying:

and grant me thy law graciously.

It is interesting that David asked God to "remove from me" the way of lying instead of "remove me from" the way of lying.

He took ownership of his sin instead of blaming it on external circumstances.  Dear God, deliver us from the 21st century "victim mentality!"

Another interesting approach in this verse is his petition for God to "grant me thy law graciously."  David set aside his pride and asked God to pity him, to favor him with forgiveness.  He did not consider forgiveness his by right, but knew that it would be only by God's favor that He would reach into time and bring the dispensation of grace into David's dispensation (law) and forgive him.

Eternal words are timeless--they know no human boundaries.

"In the first clause you have his malady, David had been enticed to a course of lying.

In the second we have his remedy, and that is the law of God.

~Thomas Manton

© 2012 by Melani Brady Shock

psalm 119:28

28 - My soul melteth for heaviness:

strengthen thou me

according to thy word.

The word "melteth" comes from dalaph, a Hebrew word meaning "to drop or drip (to weep)." Heaviness is transcribed from tuwgah, a Hebrew word meaning "sorrow." Strengthen is transcribed from quwm, a Hebrew word meaning "to arise."

A melting heart--the ultimate state of depression.  The deepest depths.  A place where the hole is so deep and the night so black, no hope can survive.

The Psalmist knew that state.  I am personally familiar with that state.  So many of the prophets and those called and chosen by the Creator have known that state.  And millions of Americans and precious people who sit in the hallowed walls of our churches are there.  Perhaps you are there or have been there.

How many thousands of books have been written in some form on "How to Overcome Depression?"  If one would but dare claim it, the answer lies in one verse!

A prayer--a whispered plea from a desperate heart--a thin wail--"Strengthen thou me according to thy Word..."

"Strengthen" asks for more than strength to stay where you are.  The word means "to arise and go forward."  It says, "Let me walk OUT of here..."

"...according to thy Word!"  Metabolizing the Word gives us strength to climb from the black hole of hopelessness.  It's a process of eating!

If you are in the black of night, wrap yourself in the pages of ink that lives.  Eat it and metabolize it and walk into hope!

© 2012 by Melani Brady Shock

psalm 119:28

28 - My soul melteth for heaviness:

strengthen thou me

according to thy word.

The word "melteth" comes from dalaph, a Hebrew word meaning "to drop or drip (to weep)." Heaviness is transcribed from tuwgah, a Hebrew word meaning "sorrow." Strengthen is transcribed from quwm, a Hebrew word meaning "to arise."

A melting heart--the ultimate state of depression.  The deepest depths.  A place where the hole is so deep and the night so black, no hope can survive.

The Psalmist knew that state.  I am personally familiar with that state.  So many of the prophets and those called and chosen by the Creator have known that state.  And millions of Americans and precious people who sit in the hallowed walls of our churches are there.  Perhaps you are there or have been there.

How many thousands of books have been written in some form on "How to Overcome Depression?"  If one would but dare claim it, the answer lies in one verse!

A prayer--a whispered plea from a desperate heart--a thin wail--"Strengthen thou me according to thy Word..."

"Strengthen" asks for more than strength to stay where you are.  The word means "to arise and go forward."  It says, "Let me walk OUT of here..."

"...according to thy Word!"  Metabolizing the Word gives us strength to climb from the black hole of hopelessness.  It's a process of eating!

If you are in the black of night, wrap yourself in the pages of ink that lives.  Eat it and metabolize it and walk into hope!

© 2012 by Melani Brady Shock

psalm 119:27

27 - Make me to understand

the way of thy precepts:

so shall I talk 

of thy wondrous works.

"Make me to understand..." The word "talk" is translated from the Hebrew word "siyach" which means to speak or to sing, but also carries the meaning of "talking with one's self...meditating...pondering."

"Make me to understand..."

The three most dangerous words used in Bible study are "Well, I think..."

What we think is not even part of the equation! The bottom line is "What does HE think? What does the Word say?" The argument there is that the depths of the Word are bottomless, therefore it is beyond the grasp of human reasoning to comprehend the broad grasp of the commands of God. While this is absolutely true, there is revelation that comes to those who pay the price to consistently dig, pray, ponder, wait, ask, immerse, and become one with the Scriptures.

A foundational principle of the Word is that some revelation is only given by God himself in His time as He chooses. 1 Corinthians 2:13 plainly tells us that we can only learn some things by the Holy Ghost. This comes when we begin metabolizing the Word--ingesting it into our Spirits so much that it becomes part of the fiber of our being. When this happens, revelation begins opening up to us layer by layer as the Spirit leads us.

Beware of becoming impatient with the Word and seeking revelation from others who do not house the Spirit!

© 2012 by Melani Brady Shock

psalm 119:27

27 - Make me to understand

the way of thy precepts:

so shall I talk 

of thy wondrous works.

"Make me to understand..." The word "talk" is translated from the Hebrew word "siyach" which means to speak or to sing, but also carries the meaning of "talking with one's self...meditating...pondering."

"Make me to understand..."

The three most dangerous words used in Bible study are "Well, I think..."

What we think is not even part of the equation! The bottom line is "What does HE think? What does the Word say?" The argument there is that the depths of the Word are bottomless, therefore it is beyond the grasp of human reasoning to comprehend the broad grasp of the commands of God. While this is absolutely true, there is revelation that comes to those who pay the price to consistently dig, pray, ponder, wait, ask, immerse, and become one with the Scriptures.

A foundational principle of the Word is that some revelation is only given by God himself in His time as He chooses. 1 Corinthians 2:13 plainly tells us that we can only learn some things by the Holy Ghost. This comes when we begin metabolizing the Word--ingesting it into our Spirits so much that it becomes part of the fiber of our being. When this happens, revelation begins opening up to us layer by layer as the Spirit leads us.

Beware of becoming impatient with the Word and seeking revelation from others who do not house the Spirit!

© 2012 by Melani Brady Shock

psalm 119:26

26 - I have declared my ways,

and thou heardest me:

teach me thy statutes.

The word "declared" comes from a Hebrew word meaning "numbered, recounted."  "Heardest" comes from "respond, reply."

Those who "declare" their ways lay them all out before God. The daily actions, the personal thoughts and intents, and the sins. All of it.

Those who will know HIS ways must first tell Him THEIR ways--the good, the bad, and the ugly. He already knows...so why not just tell Him?

It is only after we fully declare ALL our ways to Him that we can be taught by Him. Anything less on our part results in self-deception.

My prayer is that I would be so honest with myself and God every single morning that I would recount and number my ways to Him. But repentance alone is not enough. I must then listen. I must then go to the Word and let it speak to my heart, my mind, my soul, my spirit. I must recount, then learn as He teaches.

Prayer and the Word are inseparable. If I pray without the Word, I am not listening. If I read without prayer, I am not responding.

"We can never do without teaching, even in old age. 

Unless the Spirit of God teaches us we learn in vain."

~Martin Geier

© 2012 by Melani Brady Shock

psalm 119:26

26 - I have declared my ways,

and thou heardest me:

teach me thy statutes.

The word "declared" comes from a Hebrew word meaning "numbered, recounted."  "Heardest" comes from "respond, reply."

Those who "declare" their ways lay them all out before God. The daily actions, the personal thoughts and intents, and the sins. All of it.

Those who will know HIS ways must first tell Him THEIR ways--the good, the bad, and the ugly. He already knows...so why not just tell Him?

It is only after we fully declare ALL our ways to Him that we can be taught by Him. Anything less on our part results in self-deception.

My prayer is that I would be so honest with myself and God every single morning that I would recount and number my ways to Him. But repentance alone is not enough. I must then listen. I must then go to the Word and let it speak to my heart, my mind, my soul, my spirit. I must recount, then learn as He teaches.

Prayer and the Word are inseparable. If I pray without the Word, I am not listening. If I read without prayer, I am not responding.

"We can never do without teaching, even in old age. 

Unless the Spirit of God teaches us we learn in vain."

~Martin Geier

© 2012 by Melani Brady Shock

psalm 119:25

25 - My soul cleaveth unto the dust:

quicken thou me

according to thy word.

The word "cleaveth" comes from a Hebrew word meaning "joins with, stays with." The word "quicken" comes from a Hebrew word meaning "to be alive."  As I read verse 25, I am reading that dust, humanity--flesh!--clings to my soul and weighs it down. But the Word revives it and gives me Life! Oh! Blessed thought!

This entire fourth section of the Psalm has an underlying theme of victory over depression that weaves throughout. Depression is big business in the western world these days. Counselors, doctors, medication--the swirl that envelopes the average person's world has rendered a huge percentage of the population desperate and hopeless. As with all other of the Enemy's tools, it has invading the Christian life, also.

This is nothing new. David also battled depression. He knew what it felt like to feel that all was lost. He knew the darkness of a sun that would not rise and a night that would not lift.

Oh that David's revelation would also become our revelation. He knew that restoration and revival of the soul came straight from the Word.

My challenge to those overwhelmed with "life": before you turn to books and people, Eat The Word.  Let it "quicken" - restore life - bring hope to you!

Focus your depression on an ancient Scripture and cry it out to the One who inspired it. . .it will quicken! It will restore! It will bring hope! It will bring life!

© 2012 by Melani Brady Shock

psalm 119:25

25 - My soul cleaveth unto the dust:

quicken thou me

according to thy word.

The word "cleaveth" comes from a Hebrew word meaning "joins with, stays with." The word "quicken" comes from a Hebrew word meaning "to be alive."  As I read verse 25, I am reading that dust, humanity--flesh!--clings to my soul and weighs it down. But the Word revives it and gives me Life! Oh! Blessed thought!

This entire fourth section of the Psalm has an underlying theme of victory over depression that weaves throughout. Depression is big business in the western world these days. Counselors, doctors, medication--the swirl that envelopes the average person's world has rendered a huge percentage of the population desperate and hopeless. As with all other of the Enemy's tools, it has invading the Christian life, also.

This is nothing new. David also battled depression. He knew what it felt like to feel that all was lost. He knew the darkness of a sun that would not rise and a night that would not lift.

Oh that David's revelation would also become our revelation. He knew that restoration and revival of the soul came straight from the Word.

My challenge to those overwhelmed with "life": before you turn to books and people, Eat The Word.  Let it "quicken" - restore life - bring hope to you!

Focus your depression on an ancient Scripture and cry it out to the One who inspired it. . .it will quicken! It will restore! It will bring hope! It will bring life!

© 2012 by Melani Brady Shock

psalm 119:24

24 - Thy testimonies also 

are my delight, 

and my counselors.

A broader meaning of the following words in the original Hebrew:

• testimonies - precepts
• delight - pleasure
• counselors - plans received

So, the Eat This Book translation loosely reads: "I am delighted by and take pleasure in the plans I receive from your Word!"

Oh that I would have learned this many years ago! How much heartache, toil, and stress I would have saved myself!

We would be able to do life and ministry MUCH more peacefully if we found pleasure in HIS counsel rather than plotting our next move.

Control freaks who always "have a plan" or "know the next move" do not take pleasure in His precepts. We get it backward. We plan and take our plan to Him for His approval. Instead, He wants us to come to Him for the plan, then execute it.

He counsels.

We follow.

In His time.

"If we desire to find comfort in the Scriptures we must submit ourselves to their counsel,

and when we follow their counsel it must not be with reluctance but with delight."

Charles Spurgeon

© 2012 by Melani Brady Shock

psalm 119:24

24 - Thy testimonies also 

are my delight, 

and my counselors.

A broader meaning of the following words in the original Hebrew:

• testimonies - precepts
• delight - pleasure
• counselors - plans received

So, the Eat This Book translation loosely reads: "I am delighted by and take pleasure in the plans I receive from your Word!"

Oh that I would have learned this many years ago! How much heartache, toil, and stress I would have saved myself!

We would be able to do life and ministry MUCH more peacefully if we found pleasure in HIS counsel rather than plotting our next move.

Control freaks who always "have a plan" or "know the next move" do not take pleasure in His precepts. We get it backward. We plan and take our plan to Him for His approval. Instead, He wants us to come to Him for the plan, then execute it.

He counsels.

We follow.

In His time.

"If we desire to find comfort in the Scriptures we must submit ourselves to their counsel,

and when we follow their counsel it must not be with reluctance but with delight."

Charles Spurgeon

© 2012 by Melani Brady Shock

psalm 119:23

23 - Princes also did sit 

and speak against me: 

but thy servant did 

meditate in thy statutes.

Again, as in verse 22, the Psalmist is wrestling with contempt and disdain. There are probably none among us who cannot relate to his lament.

How many of us have entered into our closets with God and retreated under His covering to whisper brokenly, "They are against me, God. They are talking about me. They are against YOU, O God, and I am having to suffer for it. They treat me as if I am dirt under their feet and I have done nothing to them, God, it's YOU they are reviling. Help me! Where are you? Why are you so far away? I need you!"

How to forgive those who mistreat you is one of the most written about areas of emotional health. Unforgiveness lies at the root of so many issues in life: violence, broken health, poverty, anger...

Books about how to forgive are prolific. A large portion of private counseling centers around how to forgive something or somebody. The inability to forgive is a foundational component of mental illness.

Oh, if we could but take the Bible at its word! If we could take our hurt and betrayal and desire for revenge and retaliation and place it within the pages of the Logos! If we could but BELIEVE!

How do I forgive? The simple answer lies in verse 23: ". . .meditate in thy statutes."

The Word offers us shelter from long tongues. Meditation within the Logos removes the sting of slander. Words that live wrap us in safety.

Need affirmation? Eat the Book.

Need safety? Eat the Book.

Need defense? Eat the Book.

Need significance and respect? Eat the Book!

Need to forgive? Eat the Book!

psalm 119:23

23 - Princes also did sit 

and speak against me: 

but thy servant did 

meditate in thy statutes.

Again, as in verse 22, the Psalmist is wrestling with contempt and disdain. There are probably none among us who cannot relate to his lament.

How many of us have entered into our closets with God and retreated under His covering to whisper brokenly, "They are against me, God. They are talking about me. They are against YOU, O God, and I am having to suffer for it. They treat me as if I am dirt under their feet and I have done nothing to them, God, it's YOU they are reviling. Help me! Where are you? Why are you so far away? I need you!"

How to forgive those who mistreat you is one of the most written about areas of emotional health. Unforgiveness lies at the root of so many issues in life: violence, broken health, poverty, anger...

Books about how to forgive are prolific. A large portion of private counseling centers around how to forgive something or somebody. The inability to forgive is a foundational component of mental illness.

Oh, if we could but take the Bible at its word! If we could take our hurt and betrayal and desire for revenge and retaliation and place it within the pages of the Logos! If we could but BELIEVE!

How do I forgive? The simple answer lies in verse 23: ". . .meditate in thy statutes."

The Word offers us shelter from long tongues. Meditation within the Logos removes the sting of slander. Words that live wrap us in safety.

Need affirmation? Eat the Book.

Need safety? Eat the Book.

Need defense? Eat the Book.

Need significance and respect? Eat the Book!

Need to forgive? Eat the Book!

psalm 119:22

22 - Remove from me reproach

and contempt,

for I have kept

thy testimonies.

This verse tells us two things: 

1) It is okay to ask God to remove reproach and contempt from us. It's not just a "cross we have to bear." 

2) The best way to handle the contempt and disdain from others is to take it to God instead of man.

Reproach and contempt are two of the hardest attitudes for the Christian to fight. Nobody likes to be patronized or disrespected or looked down upon by others. There is an innate desire in the core of mankind to be liked, to have friends, to belong.

However, since the days of Cain and Abel, a pattern has emerged that the closer one draw to God, the more reproach and contempt they will have to bear. The more one attempts to live according to the Word and precepts of God, the greater the disdain and animosity that is directed toward them.

"It has often been the lot of those that do well to be evil spoken of."

~Matthew Henry

We have often been told that such bargaining is wrong and we should let God be God and take whatever lot we are given. This verse seems to suggest otherwise. David provided the example for us that it is okay to ask God to deliver us from reproach and contempt in this life.

"The best way to deal with slander is to pray about it: 

God will either remove it or remove the sting from it."

~Charles Spurgeon

This never gets easy. David proved that.

"Remove the reproach and contempt from me," he implores. And he even reminds God that if it is a bargaining situation, then he (David) has kept up his end of the deal.  

Can you identify?

"I've done my part, God. I have completed the checklist, I have dotted the "i's", the "t's" are crossed, I have obeyed all the commandments. It's your turn now, God. Keep up your end of the deal."

However, the challenge of verse 22 does not lie in how much reproach and contempt we bear and how well we bear it. 

The challenge lies in our bargaining power.  

"Bargaining" with God only works if we have kept up our end of the deal.  Be careful of asking Him to remove reproach and contempt if you have not kept His testimonies.  

© 2012 by Melani Brady Shock

psalm 119:22

22 - Remove from me reproach

and contempt,

for I have kept

thy testimonies.

This verse tells us two things: 

1) It is okay to ask God to remove reproach and contempt from us. It's not just a "cross we have to bear." 

2) The best way to handle the contempt and disdain from others is to take it to God instead of man.

Reproach and contempt are two of the hardest attitudes for the Christian to fight. Nobody likes to be patronized or disrespected or looked down upon by others. There is an innate desire in the core of mankind to be liked, to have friends, to belong.

However, since the days of Cain and Abel, a pattern has emerged that the closer one draw to God, the more reproach and contempt they will have to bear. The more one attempts to live according to the Word and precepts of God, the greater the disdain and animosity that is directed toward them.

"It has often been the lot of those that do well to be evil spoken of."

~Matthew Henry

We have often been told that such bargaining is wrong and we should let God be God and take whatever lot we are given. This verse seems to suggest otherwise. David provided the example for us that it is okay to ask God to deliver us from reproach and contempt in this life.

"The best way to deal with slander is to pray about it: 

God will either remove it or remove the sting from it."

~Charles Spurgeon

This never gets easy. David proved that.

"Remove the reproach and contempt from me," he implores. And he even reminds God that if it is a bargaining situation, then he (David) has kept up his end of the deal.  

Can you identify?

"I've done my part, God. I have completed the checklist, I have dotted the "i's", the "t's" are crossed, I have obeyed all the commandments. It's your turn now, God. Keep up your end of the deal."

However, the challenge of verse 22 does not lie in how much reproach and contempt we bear and how well we bear it. 

The challenge lies in our bargaining power.  

"Bargaining" with God only works if we have kept up our end of the deal.  Be careful of asking Him to remove reproach and contempt if you have not kept His testimonies.  

© 2012 by Melani Brady Shock

psalm 119:21

21 - Thou has rebuked the proud 

that are cursed, 

which do err 

from thy commandments.

Pride is the foundational cause of straying from the Word of God. The original sin of Lucifer was that of wanting to usurp authority.  "I will ascend..." he said.

Pride LOATHES Divine order!

Divine order is not a popular concept in 2012. The democratic atmosphere of the western world has infiltrated the church just as it has the marketplace. Out-of-control egos are permeating the church just as they are the office. Twitter and Facebook has given every voice a pulpit and platform from which to shout their opinions to an undiscerning audience and hollow, empty, life gurus are emerging a dime a dozen. Every new follower validates their inflated opinion of themselves and every compliment is banked as evidence of leadership.

If you don't believe me, just read how many people retweet compliments about themselves on Twitter!

Me...self...my...rights...I...victim...mine...excuse me?...I don't think so!...I deserve...who are you?...contract vs. covenant...I don't have to take this!...I refuse...no...silence...nobody will tell ME what to do...my reality is different...look at me...follow me on Twitter!...listen to ME!...

All words which point to an erring path where God Himself rebukes the traveler.

O God, let me be repentant before you at all times. Expose my motives and my heart as I enter your Word. Let me be submitted to authority in my heart, not just in my head so I may exercise authority in the places to which I have been called. Hear my cry for mercy so that I will not suffer your rebuke. Let me never forget that I am but dirt--one breath away from the grave--and You control it all.

"Pride lies at the root of all sin: if men were not arrogant, they would not be disobedient." 

~Charles Spurgeon

"God rebukes pride, even when the multitudes pay homage to it."

~Charles Spurgeon

"'The Lord rebuke thee' is answer enough to all the accusations of men or devils."

~Charles Spurgeon

© 2012 by Melani Brady Shock

psalm 119:21

21 - Thou has rebuked the proud 

that are cursed, 

which do err 

from thy commandments.

Pride is the foundational cause of straying from the Word of God. The original sin of Lucifer was that of wanting to usurp authority.  "I will ascend..." he said.

Pride LOATHES Divine order!

Divine order is not a popular concept in 2012. The democratic atmosphere of the western world has infiltrated the church just as it has the marketplace. Out-of-control egos are permeating the church just as they are the office. Twitter and Facebook has given every voice a pulpit and platform from which to shout their opinions to an undiscerning audience and hollow, empty, life gurus are emerging a dime a dozen. Every new follower validates their inflated opinion of themselves and every compliment is banked as evidence of leadership.

If you don't believe me, just read how many people retweet compliments about themselves on Twitter!

Me...self...my...rights...I...victim...mine...excuse me?...I don't think so!...I deserve...who are you?...contract vs. covenant...I don't have to take this!...I refuse...no...silence...nobody will tell ME what to do...my reality is different...look at me...follow me on Twitter!...listen to ME!...

All words which point to an erring path where God Himself rebukes the traveler.

O God, let me be repentant before you at all times. Expose my motives and my heart as I enter your Word. Let me be submitted to authority in my heart, not just in my head so I may exercise authority in the places to which I have been called. Hear my cry for mercy so that I will not suffer your rebuke. Let me never forget that I am but dirt--one breath away from the grave--and You control it all.

"Pride lies at the root of all sin: if men were not arrogant, they would not be disobedient." 

~Charles Spurgeon

"God rebukes pride, even when the multitudes pay homage to it."

~Charles Spurgeon

"'The Lord rebuke thee' is answer enough to all the accusations of men or devils."

~Charles Spurgeon

© 2012 by Melani Brady Shock