May 19, 2020 -- Psalm 119:169 -- Ringing Cries of Prayer and Praise

Let my cry come before you, O LORD;

give me understanding according to your word.

Psalm 119:169 English Standard Version

The word “cry” seems so prosaic, so ordinary. In fact in the original language it is a ringing cry. That is odd. It is an expression we do not use very often. It is the secondary sense of ringing that is in view: the forceful, unequivocal cry. So we read it as the ringing cry of one who is seeking to be wholly dedicated to the LORD. Perhaps the writer is aware of his own stumbling steps and failures. Let my ringing cry for help and sustaining grace reach Your ears, O God. Perhaps he is experiencing the great kindness of the LORD and his cry is one of resounding praise and honour. What is beautiful is that the psalmist knows he has access to the very throne room of God.

If you look at King David’s life you’ll read that even his own wife when she entered into his presence bowed down before him (I Kings 1:31). If a mere mortal king had such respect and obeisance from his own wife, how much more do we as sons and daughters of the Most High King of Glory marvel at the access we have to Him Who is Immortal and Magnificent?!

In our studies of Psalm 119 we have reaced the final stanza, the last octet. It is a fitting summary of what we’ve read and learned and prayed together. The various threads and themes of this book are being tied together. The Word of God, the summary of His laws and rules, His Self-revelation show us the tremendous kindness we have received.

Think of it, because of the accomplished work of Jesus Christ we gain access to the throne room of God. By His blood all believers are priests—we can go directly to Jesus Christ and find in Him our Lawyer, our Friend, our Comforter Who brings us to the Father. The Word shows us the power of the Spirit Who guards our hearts and minds so that we read and revel in the deep things of God.

What response can we offer in view of all of this? I suppose cries of ringing praise are the most fitting prayers to offer; Psalm 150 our prayer today:

Praise the Lord!
Praise God in his sanctuary;
    praise him in his mighty heavens!
 Praise him for his mighty deeds;
    praise him according to his excellent greatness!

 Praise him with trumpet sound;
    praise him with lute and harp!
 Praise him with tambourine and dance;
    praise him with strings and pipe!
 Praise him with sounding cymbals;
    praise him with loud clashing cymbals!
 Let everything that has breath praise the Lord!
Praise the Lord!

Psalm 150 English Standard Version

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZMwGTbnknCM