psalm 119:65

65 - Thou hast dealt well 

with thy servant, O Lord, 

according to thy word.

Oh, how true is this verse!  My testimony!  So often, it doesn't feel "well" according to society's standards, but oh so well according to His Word.

Affliction, sorrow, reproach, derision, stranger, forsaken, horror--words from David describing life.  I have felt all of these words.

Redeemer, faithful, grace, compassion, friend, lovingkindness, provider, healer--my life from His Word.

Oh yes.  Thou has dwelt well with me.

"No doubt," said the late Rev. J. Brown, of Haddington, Scotland,

"I have met with trials as well as others; yet so kind has God been to me,

that I think if he were to give me as many years as I have already lived in the world,

I should not desire one single circumstance in my lot changed,

except that I wish I had less sin.

It might be written on my coffin, 'Here lies one of the cares of Providence,

who early wanted both father and mother, and yet never missed them.'"

© 2012 by Melani Brady Shock

psalm 119:65

65 - Thou hast dealt well 

with thy servant, O Lord, 

according to thy word.

Oh, how true is this verse!  My testimony!  So often, it doesn't feel "well" according to society's standards, but oh so well according to His Word.

Affliction, sorrow, reproach, derision, stranger, forsaken, horror--words from David describing life.  I have felt all of these words.

Redeemer, faithful, grace, compassion, friend, lovingkindness, provider, healer--my life from His Word.

Oh yes.  Thou has dwelt well with me.

"No doubt," said the late Rev. J. Brown, of Haddington, Scotland,

"I have met with trials as well as others; yet so kind has God been to me,

that I think if he were to give me as many years as I have already lived in the world,

I should not desire one single circumstance in my lot changed,

except that I wish I had less sin.

It might be written on my coffin, 'Here lies one of the cares of Providence,

who early wanted both father and mother, and yet never missed them.'"

© 2012 by Melani Brady Shock

psalm 119:64

64 - The earth, O Lord,

is full of thy mercy: 

teach me thy statutes.

The more we find Him, the more we need Him.  David found he was everywhere--the whole earth was full of Him!

Still. . ."teach me."

The more we see of His mercy beyond our comprehension, the more we realize we do not know.  His grace calls us to repentance.  This is beyond my realm of understanding...my scope of learning...my capacity for knowledge.

"Teach me."

Titus 6:3-5

3 - If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, 

[even] the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, 

and to the doctrine which is according to godliness;

4 - He is proud, knowing nothing, 

but doting about questions and strifes of words, 

whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings,

5 - Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, 

and destitute of the truth, 

supposing that gain is godliness: 

from such withdraw thyself.

If verse 63 tells us that our companions matter, how much more should verse 64 arrest us?

Who is teaching you?  And what are they teaching you?

© 2012 by Melani Brady Shock

psalm 119:64

64 - The earth, O Lord,

is full of thy mercy: 

teach me thy statutes.

The more we find Him, the more we need Him.  David found he was everywhere--the whole earth was full of Him!

Still. . ."teach me."

The more we see of His mercy beyond our comprehension, the more we realize we do not know.  His grace calls us to repentance.  This is beyond my realm of understanding...my scope of learning...my capacity for knowledge.

"Teach me."

Titus 6:3-5

3 - If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, 

[even] the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, 

and to the doctrine which is according to godliness;

4 - He is proud, knowing nothing, 

but doting about questions and strifes of words, 

whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings,

5 - Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, 

and destitute of the truth, 

supposing that gain is godliness: 

from such withdraw thyself.

If verse 63 tells us that our companions matter, how much more should verse 64 arrest us?

Who is teaching you?  And what are they teaching you?

© 2012 by Melani Brady Shock

psalm 119:63

63 - I am a companion

of all them that fear thee,

and of them

that keep thy precepts.

We are known by the company we keep.  Human nature naturally seeks out those who share their same values.

"Associate with men of good quality if you esteem your own reputation; 

for it is better to be alone than in bad company."

~ George Washington

The entire book of Proverbs lists as one of its reasons for being written as "to [give] to the young man knowledge and discretion." And, in this case, the young woman, also.  Along with the middle-aged and the elderly...

The Word of God has quite enough to say about this particular subject and needs no amplification.  However, this little story, although not Biblical, illustrates this point very well.

A man wished to purchase a Donkey, and decided to give the animal a test before buying him.  He took the Donkey home and put him in the field with his other Donkeys.

The new Donkey strayed from the others to join the one that was the laziest and the biggest eater of them all.  Seeing this, the man led him back to his owner.  When the owner asked how he could have tested the Donkey in such a short time, the man answered, "I didn't even need to see how he worked.  I knew he would be just like the one he chose to be his companion."

Jesus was a friend to sinners, but his companions were God-followers.  WE would do well to understand the difference and follow His example.

© 2012 by Melani Brady Shock

psalm 119:63

63 - I am a companion

of all them that fear thee,

and of them

that keep thy precepts.

We are known by the company we keep.  Human nature naturally seeks out those who share their same values.

"Associate with men of good quality if you esteem your own reputation; 

for it is better to be alone than in bad company."

~ George Washington

The entire book of Proverbs lists as one of its reasons for being written as "to [give] to the young man knowledge and discretion." And, in this case, the young woman, also.  Along with the middle-aged and the elderly...

The Word of God has quite enough to say about this particular subject and needs no amplification.  However, this little story, although not Biblical, illustrates this point very well.

A man wished to purchase a Donkey, and decided to give the animal a test before buying him.  He took the Donkey home and put him in the field with his other Donkeys.

The new Donkey strayed from the others to join the one that was the laziest and the biggest eater of them all.  Seeing this, the man led him back to his owner.  When the owner asked how he could have tested the Donkey in such a short time, the man answered, "I didn't even need to see how he worked.  I knew he would be just like the one he chose to be his companion."

Jesus was a friend to sinners, but his companions were God-followers.  WE would do well to understand the difference and follow His example.

© 2012 by Melani Brady Shock

psalm 119:62

62 - At midnight I will rise

to give thanks unto thee because of

thy righteous judgments.

What an arresting verse!  At midnight, he rose to give thanks.

I stay up late for pleasure, travel, work, to care for family.  How often have I deliberately arose at midnight to have a praise session?  The thought of it is pretty incredulous.

What if your pastor announced on Sunday morning, "I am asking all of you to be here at midnight tonight for a time of praise and thanksgiving!"?

What if you informed your household, "Tonight we are going to set our alarms for midnight and we are going to all get up and sing and praise the Lord!"?

What if you set your own alarm and privately declared to God, "I have an appointment with you at midnight, Lord.  I'm just going to take some time to thank you for your goodness and your grace."?

Really?  Every one of us would probably say, "I love Him.  I worship Him.  I thank Him for all He has done.  But I can do that in my waking hours...I don't have to take time from my rest to do that.  After all, He is the one who created night for sleep, day for work, Sabbath for rest..."  Oh we have our logic down pat.

Song of Solomon, chapter 5

2 - I sleep, but my heart waketh: 

it is the voice of my beloved that knocketh, saying, 

Open to me, my sister, my love, my dove, my undefiled:...

3 - I have put off my coat; how shall I put it on?  

I have washed my feet; how shall I defile them?...

6 - I opened to my beloved; 

but my beloved had withdrawn himself, and was gone: 

my soul failed when he spake: 

I sought him, but I could not find him; 

I called him, but he gave me no answer.

My prayer:

"God consume all of me.  

Don't let me put You in a slot or a category, 

a season or a pattern.  

Disrupt my schedule with your Word.  

Don't let times or seasons or preconceived notions 

of what You delight in or require 

prevent me from 

missing your knock at my door."

© 2012 by Melani Brady Shock

psalm 119:62

62 - At midnight I will rise

to give thanks unto thee because of

thy righteous judgments.

What an arresting verse!  At midnight, he rose to give thanks.

I stay up late for pleasure, travel, work, to care for family.  How often have I deliberately arose at midnight to have a praise session?  The thought of it is pretty incredulous.

What if your pastor announced on Sunday morning, "I am asking all of you to be here at midnight tonight for a time of praise and thanksgiving!"?

What if you informed your household, "Tonight we are going to set our alarms for midnight and we are going to all get up and sing and praise the Lord!"?

What if you set your own alarm and privately declared to God, "I have an appointment with you at midnight, Lord.  I'm just going to take some time to thank you for your goodness and your grace."?

Really?  Every one of us would probably say, "I love Him.  I worship Him.  I thank Him for all He has done.  But I can do that in my waking hours...I don't have to take time from my rest to do that.  After all, He is the one who created night for sleep, day for work, Sabbath for rest..."  Oh we have our logic down pat.

Song of Solomon, chapter 5

2 - I sleep, but my heart waketh: 

it is the voice of my beloved that knocketh, saying, 

Open to me, my sister, my love, my dove, my undefiled:...

3 - I have put off my coat; how shall I put it on?  

I have washed my feet; how shall I defile them?...

6 - I opened to my beloved; 

but my beloved had withdrawn himself, and was gone: 

my soul failed when he spake: 

I sought him, but I could not find him; 

I called him, but he gave me no answer.

My prayer:

"God consume all of me.  

Don't let me put You in a slot or a category, 

a season or a pattern.  

Disrupt my schedule with your Word.  

Don't let times or seasons or preconceived notions 

of what You delight in or require 

prevent me from 

missing your knock at my door."

© 2012 by Melani Brady Shock

psalm 119:61

61 - The bands of the wicked

have robbed me: 

but I have not

forgotten thy law.

"Robbed" in the original carries a connotation of a repeated action, one done over and over again.  "Forgotten" includes a leaving action because of forgetting something.

Fortifying our spiritual defenses to stand against temptation or to stand strong in the face of opposition, deception, disdain, and emotional or physical persecution is difficult but can be done.  We enter into a season of "wicked robbing" of our emotional, physical, and spiritual resources and we spiritually circle our wagons and emphatically declare that "we shall not be moved."

It's not the force, nor the hill to be taken, nor the cause that sometimes causes us to weaken...many times it is just simply the length of the siege.

Repeatedly...over and over again...unjustly accused...convictions disdained...scorned...ignored...whispers behind walls...stone faces...false rumors...character maligned...

"Robbed." Repeated action.  Over and over again.

James 1:2-"My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations!" 

His Word is enough!  Do not walk away from it.  Do not forget it.  Do not let discouragement steal it from your table.  Run toward it.  Dive into it.  Personalize every word, every line.  It was written to you, for you, for this hour.

Psalm 142:5-"Thou art my refuge and my portion in the land of the living..."

It is enough. 

© 2012 by Melani Brady Shock

psalm 119:61

61 - The bands of the wicked

have robbed me: 

but I have not

forgotten thy law.

"Robbed" in the original carries a connotation of a repeated action, one done over and over again.  "Forgotten" includes a leaving action because of forgetting something.

Fortifying our spiritual defenses to stand against temptation or to stand strong in the face of opposition, deception, disdain, and emotional or physical persecution is difficult but can be done.  We enter into a season of "wicked robbing" of our emotional, physical, and spiritual resources and we spiritually circle our wagons and emphatically declare that "we shall not be moved."

It's not the force, nor the hill to be taken, nor the cause that sometimes causes us to weaken...many times it is just simply the length of the siege.

Repeatedly...over and over again...unjustly accused...convictions disdained...scorned...ignored...whispers behind walls...stone faces...false rumors...character maligned...

"Robbed." Repeated action.  Over and over again.

James 1:2-"My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations!" 

His Word is enough!  Do not walk away from it.  Do not forget it.  Do not let discouragement steal it from your table.  Run toward it.  Dive into it.  Personalize every word, every line.  It was written to you, for you, for this hour.

Psalm 142:5-"Thou art my refuge and my portion in the land of the living..."

It is enough. 

© 2012 by Melani Brady Shock

psalm 119:60

60 - I made haste,

and delayed not to

keep thy commandments.

To be slow to keep the commands is really to break them.

~ Charles Spurgeon

To be slow to guard the commands is to ignore them.

~ Me

Hebrews 2:1-"Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed 

to the things which we have heard, 

lest at any time we should let them slip."

© 2012 by Melani Brady Shock

psalm 119:60

60 - I made haste,

and delayed not to

keep thy commandments.

To be slow to keep the commands is really to break them.

~ Charles Spurgeon

To be slow to guard the commands is to ignore them.

~ Me

Hebrews 2:1-"Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed 

to the things which we have heard, 

lest at any time we should let them slip."

© 2012 by Melani Brady Shock

psalm 119:59

59 - I thought on my ways, 

and turned my feet 

unto thy testimonies.

The power of thought.

God knew at Creation the power of the ability He was giving to man.  He knew the power of thought would be what separated man from angels and animals.  He knew the power of thought would draw humanity to Him and turn humanity from Him.

He knew from the beginning that thoughts become actions, actions become habits, habits become lifestyles.

If all would think about every single concept read in the Word, there would be much less "recycled repentance" about the same things.

The ways of all of us would be shifted if we would think--ponder silently--on His Word and turn our feet in the direction of those thoughts.

"Action without thought is folly and thought without action is sloth: 

to think carefully and then to act promptly 

is a happy combination."

~ Charles Spurgeon

© 2012 by Melani Brady Shock

psalm 119:59

59 - I thought on my ways, 

and turned my feet 

unto thy testimonies.

The power of thought.

God knew at Creation the power of the ability He was giving to man.  He knew the power of thought would be what separated man from angels and animals.  He knew the power of thought would draw humanity to Him and turn humanity from Him.

He knew from the beginning that thoughts become actions, actions become habits, habits become lifestyles.

If all would think about every single concept read in the Word, there would be much less "recycled repentance" about the same things.

The ways of all of us would be shifted if we would think--ponder silently--on His Word and turn our feet in the direction of those thoughts.

"Action without thought is folly and thought without action is sloth: 

to think carefully and then to act promptly 

is a happy combination."

~ Charles Spurgeon

© 2012 by Melani Brady Shock

psalm 119:58

58 - I entreated thy favor

with my whole heart:

be merciful unto me

according to thy word.

Prayer is chiefly a heart work.  

God heareth the heart without the mouth, 

but never heareth the mouth acceptably without the heart.

~ Walter Marshall

God and coffee.  The first-fruits of the day...just me and Him.  As my brain slowly comes from sleep into the conscious world, my first thoughts go to the chair, the Word, the time we are about to spend together.  I am eager, I am ready...I anticipate the minutes alone with Him before the day sounds intrude upon the stillness and the unrepentant wheel of busyness of what is every day of my life begins to turn, unrelenting, unapologetically, unbroken...steady as the clock...demanding all the minutes and all the energy I will be able to produce on this day.  

The coffee drips steadily into the cup and I want to say, "Hurry.  The morning is passing even now.  Don't steal our time."

Mug in hand, I settle into the chair with His Word, Him, and utensils to record the words and thoughts that will be born in my heart.  I open His Word and pray my morning request of asking Him to reveal His ways through our time together, and...

And my brain skips ahead.  The first appointment is at 10 am.  Set the phone alarm, so I won't lose track of time and be late.  

Read a line.  And my brain goes to the clothes in the dryer that were left in last night and should really be removed before they get so wrinkled they will need re-washing.

Read the same line.  And my brain goes to the health of my loved one...did they fare well during the night?...the dog is scratching at the door wanting back in...thoughts of what was to be prepared for the afternoon meeting crowd my brain...I hear footsteps upstairs and wonder if someone up there is an early bird today wanting to have a few minutes of conversation before they family splits into separate ways and...STOP!

I need thee, O I need thee.  

And I do what He has taught me to do...I pull a curtain around my mind, I entreat Him to shut out the noise of what the day will bring, and I come to Him with my heart.  Not my head, not my words, my heart.

And, when I do that, He is right there.  Every single time.  He pulls me into His presence...the stillness of the atmosphere becomes praise and worship that crescendos in my heart and mind to the exclusion of all else...and I am in His presence.

I have found that it is impossible to talk to Him with just my mouth or my mind.  I am reciting words.  I must allow my heart to speak.  And, in His mercy, He hears my heart and meets me in my humanity.

Every time.

© 2012 by Melani Brady Shock

psalm 119:58

58 - I entreated thy favor

with my whole heart:

be merciful unto me

according to thy word.

Prayer is chiefly a heart work.  

God heareth the heart without the mouth, 

but never heareth the mouth acceptably without the heart.

~ Walter Marshall

God and coffee.  The first-fruits of the day...just me and Him.  As my brain slowly comes from sleep into the conscious world, my first thoughts go to the chair, the Word, the time we are about to spend together.  I am eager, I am ready...I anticipate the minutes alone with Him before the day sounds intrude upon the stillness and the unrepentant wheel of busyness of what is every day of my life begins to turn, unrelenting, unapologetically, unbroken...steady as the clock...demanding all the minutes and all the energy I will be able to produce on this day.  

The coffee drips steadily into the cup and I want to say, "Hurry.  The morning is passing even now.  Don't steal our time."

Mug in hand, I settle into the chair with His Word, Him, and utensils to record the words and thoughts that will be born in my heart.  I open His Word and pray my morning request of asking Him to reveal His ways through our time together, and...

And my brain skips ahead.  The first appointment is at 10 am.  Set the phone alarm, so I won't lose track of time and be late.  

Read a line.  And my brain goes to the clothes in the dryer that were left in last night and should really be removed before they get so wrinkled they will need re-washing.

Read the same line.  And my brain goes to the health of my loved one...did they fare well during the night?...the dog is scratching at the door wanting back in...thoughts of what was to be prepared for the afternoon meeting crowd my brain...I hear footsteps upstairs and wonder if someone up there is an early bird today wanting to have a few minutes of conversation before they family splits into separate ways and...STOP!

I need thee, O I need thee.  

And I do what He has taught me to do...I pull a curtain around my mind, I entreat Him to shut out the noise of what the day will bring, and I come to Him with my heart.  Not my head, not my words, my heart.

And, when I do that, He is right there.  Every single time.  He pulls me into His presence...the stillness of the atmosphere becomes praise and worship that crescendos in my heart and mind to the exclusion of all else...and I am in His presence.

I have found that it is impossible to talk to Him with just my mouth or my mind.  I am reciting words.  I must allow my heart to speak.  And, in His mercy, He hears my heart and meets me in my humanity.

Every time.

© 2012 by Melani Brady Shock

psalm 119:57

57 - Thou art my portion, O Lord:

I have said that I would

keep thy words.


I would counsel every Christian to answer all temptations with this short saying, "The Lord is my portion."

O Christian, when satan or the world shall tempt thee with honors, answer, "The Lord is my portion";

when they shall tempt thee with riches, answer, "The Lord is my portion"; 

when they shall tempt thee with preferments, answer, "The Lord is my portion"; 

and when they shall tempt thee with the favors of great ones, answer, "The Lord is my portion":

yea, and when this persecuting world shall threaten thee with the loss of thy estate, answer, "The Lord is my portion":

and when they shall threaten thee with the loss of thy liberty, answer, "The Lord is my portion".

and when they shall threaten thee with the loss of friends, answer, "The Lord is my portion";

and when they shall threaten thee with the loss of life, answer, "The Lord is my portion."

O, sir, if satan should come to thee with an apple, as once he did to Eve, tell him that "the Lord is your portion";

or with a grape, as once he did to Noah, tell him that "the Lord is your portion";

or with a change or raiment, as once he did to Gehazi, tell him that "the Lord is your portion";

or with a wedge of gold, as once he did to Achan, tell him that "the Lord is your portion"; 

or with a bag of money, as once he did to Judas, tell him that "the Lord is your portion"; 

or with a crown, a kingdom, as once he did to Moses, tell him that "the Lord is your portion."

~Thomas Brooks

My challenge to you today:  Answer all of the temptations and issues that come your way with "The Lord is my portion!"

© 2012 by Melani Brady Shock

psalm 119:57

57 - Thou art my portion, O Lord:

I have said that I would

keep thy words.


I would counsel every Christian to answer all temptations with this short saying, "The Lord is my portion."

O Christian, when satan or the world shall tempt thee with honors, answer, "The Lord is my portion";

when they shall tempt thee with riches, answer, "The Lord is my portion"; 

when they shall tempt thee with preferments, answer, "The Lord is my portion"; 

and when they shall tempt thee with the favors of great ones, answer, "The Lord is my portion":

yea, and when this persecuting world shall threaten thee with the loss of thy estate, answer, "The Lord is my portion":

and when they shall threaten thee with the loss of thy liberty, answer, "The Lord is my portion".

and when they shall threaten thee with the loss of friends, answer, "The Lord is my portion";

and when they shall threaten thee with the loss of life, answer, "The Lord is my portion."

O, sir, if satan should come to thee with an apple, as once he did to Eve, tell him that "the Lord is your portion";

or with a grape, as once he did to Noah, tell him that "the Lord is your portion";

or with a change or raiment, as once he did to Gehazi, tell him that "the Lord is your portion";

or with a wedge of gold, as once he did to Achan, tell him that "the Lord is your portion"; 

or with a bag of money, as once he did to Judas, tell him that "the Lord is your portion"; 

or with a crown, a kingdom, as once he did to Moses, tell him that "the Lord is your portion."

~Thomas Brooks

My challenge to you today:  Answer all of the temptations and issues that come your way with "The Lord is my portion!"

© 2012 by Melani Brady Shock

psalm 119:56

56 - This I had,

because I kept thy precepts.

What is this that the Psalmist had?  Reading the previous verses of the "ZAIN" stanza gives us a glimpse of what this is.  Hope. Comfort. Steadfast confidence. But one of the greatest elements of this is found in verse 54 . . . "thy statutes have been my songs . . . "

Ah!  The beauty of the sound of this.  Hope, comfort, and confidence erupts into joyful, eternal, beautiful music.  The horrors of night's blackness were denied entrance into the soul as this music filled the mind, the heart, the awareness of the Psalmist on his bed.

This . . .

"When peace like a river attendeth my way

When sorrow like sea billows roll

Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say

It is well, it is well with my soul..."

This . . .


"You hold my every moment, you calm my raging seas
You walk with me through fire, you heal all my disease.
I trust in You, I trust in You.
I believe You're my healer, I believe You are all I need
I believe You're my portion, I believe You're more than enough for me.
Jesus, You're all I need."

This . . .


"Through it all...through it all
I've learned to trust in Jesus, I've learned to trust in God.
Through it all...through it all
I've learned to depend upon His Word."

And THIS I have because I have kept Thy precepts.

The reward of this is worth every day, every mile, every tear, every trial, every deep valley.  I will trade all of the riches of the world for this.

"I had the comfort of keeping thy law because I kept it.  

God's work is its own wages."

~Matthew Henry

© 2012 by Melani Brady Shock

psalm 119:56

56 - This I had,

because I kept thy precepts.

What is this that the Psalmist had?  Reading the previous verses of the "ZAIN" stanza gives us a glimpse of what this is.  Hope. Comfort. Steadfast confidence. But one of the greatest elements of this is found in verse 54 . . . "thy statutes have been my songs . . . "

Ah!  The beauty of the sound of this.  Hope, comfort, and confidence erupts into joyful, eternal, beautiful music.  The horrors of night's blackness were denied entrance into the soul as this music filled the mind, the heart, the awareness of the Psalmist on his bed.

This . . .

"When peace like a river attendeth my way

When sorrow like sea billows roll

Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say

It is well, it is well with my soul..."

This . . .


"You hold my every moment, you calm my raging seas
You walk with me through fire, you heal all my disease.
I trust in You, I trust in You.
I believe You're my healer, I believe You are all I need
I believe You're my portion, I believe You're more than enough for me.
Jesus, You're all I need."

This . . .


"Through it all...through it all
I've learned to trust in Jesus, I've learned to trust in God.
Through it all...through it all
I've learned to depend upon His Word."

And THIS I have because I have kept Thy precepts.

The reward of this is worth every day, every mile, every tear, every trial, every deep valley.  I will trade all of the riches of the world for this.

"I had the comfort of keeping thy law because I kept it.  

God's work is its own wages."

~Matthew Henry

© 2012 by Melani Brady Shock