November 27, 2019 -- Psalm 119:60 -- Hastening to happy obedience
/I hasten and do not delay
to keep your commandments.
Psalm 119:60 English Standard Version
Steven Lawson in his fine exposition of this verse noted: delayed obedience is no obedience. I like that. And to be honest, I chaff under that. There are times I know the will of God and begin to hem and haw about being fully obedient to Him. If we are dragging our feet and protesting against obedience to God we are forgetting the fact that the LORD is our portion—that is the first verse of this stanza called: “Heth”.
In the Old Testament the portion meant inheritance. The tribe of the Levites did not receive an inheritance in the Promised Land because the LORD Himself would be their portion. He would provide for them. He would ensure their safety. For us in Christ, we have Him as our portion. He provides for us salvation. He gives us life. He gives us His Spirit. He gives us a future. All things, in fact, work together for good for those who are in Christ Jesus. Therefore, since my life is wholly bound up in His, when He commands obedience is required and is to be immediate.
Hebrew (the original language of this Psalm) does not have exclamation marks, so a writer will show emphasis when he repeats a concept. It is called intensification. The writer piles up two verbs to indicate keeping the commandments is his priority. In the Hebrew language a secondary meaning of “hasten” is “joy”. I wonder if that is significant? Would that mean his quick obedience is crowned with joy in service to the King? (That was a rhetorical question which is answered in a strong affirmative—”Yes, to the LORD!).
The other repetition, which we might overlook because we are taking this entire Psalm one verse at a time is the repetition of the vow: “I promise to keep”. In the first verse of this stanza (verse 57) the writer promised to keep the words of the Living God and here he promises to keep His commandments. What the writer is vowing to do is set a guard over his mind and his eyes, over his heart and over his actions to make sure all are in compliance with what God requires.
Seems like a lot of work, doesn’t it—this constant self-examination for compliance in the word and work of God? Let me remind you that we are always working hard—either in rebellion against God or in submission to Him. Those who desire to be submitted to Him must be submitted in word and in action. That takes dedicated work and confession—repenting of sin and turning to the Living God.
Finally, the beginning of the Psalm celebrates the fact that God our Father blesses those who walk in His ways. He has saved us so that to walk in obedience to Him is for us the place of joy and blessedness. And the Psalm ends with a very plaintive cry “I have gone astray like a lost sheep”. At verse 176, even after all the vows of submission and promises to be obedient, the writer realizes how prone he still is to wandering. Thanks be to God that He Himself will shepherd His flock.
O come O Wisdom from on High to show us the paths of knowledge and teach us to go in them rejoicing. As Christmas approaches, we realize how deeply You love us. We understand more fully the lengths to which You have gone, Eternal God of Glory, in order to secure our salvation. In view of all Your wondrous blessings we, along with the psalmist, promise to keep your commandments. In our words and in our lives be glorified, O King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Amen.
