Weekly Sermon
Psalm 119:25-29 reads, “My soul cleaveth unto the dust: quicken thou me according to thy word. I have declared my ways, and thou heardest me: teach me thy statutes. Make me to understand the way of thy precepts: so shall I talk of thy wondrous works. My soul melteth for heaviness: strengthen thou me according unto thy word. Remove from me the way of lying: and grant me thy law graciously.”
In Psalm 119:25-29 the psalmist, this young servant of the Lord, presented a series of requests unto the Lord. Then in Psalm 119:30-32 he presented a series of commitments unto the Lord. However, it is important that we understand the circumstances and context out of which the psalmist expressed these requests and commitments. Even so, the psalmist cried out in the opening line of Psalm 119:25, “My soul cleaveth unto the dust.” Again in the opening line of Psalm 119:28, he cried out, “My soul melteth for heaviness.” The psalmist, this young servant of the Lord, was suffering under a great trial of affliction. Yea, he was suffering so much that his soul, his inner man, was pressed down unto the lowest point, to the very level of the dust. Yea, he was suffering so much that his soul, his inner man, was melting away with grief and sorrow, possessing no strength to go forward. In like manner, we ourselves may also suffer under such a great trial of affliction. That great trial of affliction may come through opposition and oppression, through trouble and tribulation, or through discouragement and depression. At such times we may also find our inner man pressed down to such a low and weak condition, to such a condition of hopelessness and helplessness. At such times, what can we do? At such times, we should follow the psalmist’s example by looking up unto our Lord in prayer. So then, for what did the psalmist, this young servant of the Lord, pray in his time of hopelessness and helplessness; and for what should we pray in our times of such hopelessness and helplessness?
Psalm 119:25-29 reads, “My soul cleaveth unto the dust: quicken thou me according to thy word. I have declared my ways, and thou heardest me: teach me thy statutes. Make me to understand the way of thy precepts: so shall I talk of thy wondrous works. My soul melteth for heaviness: strengthen thou me according unto thy word. Remove from me the way of lying: and grant me thy law graciously.”
In Psalm 119:25-29 the psalmist, this young servant of the Lord, presented a series of requests unto the Lord. Then in Psalm 119:30-32 he presented a series of commitments unto the Lord. However, it is important that we understand the circumstances and context out of which the psalmist expressed these requests and commitments. Even so, the psalmist cried out in the opening line of Psalm 119:25, “My soul cleaveth unto the dust.” Again in the opening line of Psalm 119:28, he cried out, “My soul melteth for heaviness.” The psalmist, this young servant of the Lord, was suffering under a great trial of affliction. Yea, he was suffering so much that his soul, his inner man, was pressed down unto the lowest point, to the very level of the dust. Yea, he was suffering so much that his soul, his inner man, was melting away with grief and sorrow, possessing no strength to go forward. In like manner, we ourselves may also suffer under such a great trial of affliction. That great trial of affliction may come through opposition and oppression, through trouble and tribulation, or through discouragement and depression. At such times we may also find our inner man pressed down to such a low and weak condition, to such a condition of hopelessness and helplessness. At such times, what can we do? At such times, we should follow the psalmist’s example by looking up unto our Lord in prayer. So then, for what did the psalmist, this young servant of the Lord, pray in his time of hopelessness and helplessness; and for what should we pray in our times of such hopelessness and helplessness?
We should pray for our Lord to revive us spiritually.
The first request of the psalmist, this young servant of the Lord, is delivered in Psalm 119:25 – “My soul cleaveth unto the dust: quicken thou me according to thy word.” Certainly the psalmist was in a great trial of affliction. Yet he understood that his greatest need was not the problem of his situation without, but was the condition of his soul within. Thus he did not first pray for deliverance from the problem without, but for revival of his soul within. He first prayed that the Lord might quicken his soul, that He might revive his soul again unto spiritual health. Truly, when our inner man is pressed down to a condition of hopelessness and helplessness, the primary problem is not the suffering of trial and tribulation without, but is our walk of faith in and fellowship with our Lord within. Understanding this, the psalmist prayed for his soul, his inner man, to be revived again unto the blessedness of fellowship with the Lord, wherein he might be restored unto hope, courage, peace, joy, and purpose in the Lord. He had become desperate and despairing in his soul. Thus he prayed to be revived spiritually unto a renewed hope in the Lord. He had become fearful and faint in his mind. Thus he prayed to be revived spiritually unto a renewed courage in the Lord. He had become torn and troubled in his heart. Thus he prayed to be revived spiritually unto a renewed peace in the Lord. He had become overwrought and overwhelmed in his spirit. Thus he prayed to be revived spiritually unto a renewed joy in the Lord. He had become weak and wearied in his walk. Thus he prayed to be revived spiritually unto a renewed purpose in the Lord. Yea, the psalmist prayed that the Lord might turn away his eyes “from beholding vanity,” and might revive him spiritually in the Lord’s way of righteousness. In Psalm 119:37 he prayed, “Turn away mine eyes from beholding vanity; and quicken thou me in thy way.” Again in Psalm 119:40 he prayed, “Behold, I have longed after thy precepts: quicken me in thy righteousness.” In like manner, Asaph prayed in Psalm 80:18-19, “So will not we go back from thee: quicken us, and we will call upon thy name. Turn us again, O LORD God of hosts, cause thy face to shine; and we shall be saved.” Furthermore, the psalmist understood that this reviving work of the Lord would come through His Holy Word. In Psalm 119:50 he declared, “This is my comfort in my affliction: for thy word hath quickened me.” Again in Psalm 119:93 he declared, “I will never forget thy precepts: for with them thou hast quickened me.” Even so, when our soul, our inner man, is also in such a condition of hopelessness and helplessness, we need first to pray for our Lord to revive us spiritually through His Holy Word unto His righteous way.
We should pray for our Lord to teach us Biblically.
The second request of the psalmist, this young servant of the Lord, is delivered in Psalm 119:26 – “I have declared my ways, and thou heardest me: teach me thy statutes.” When the psalmist confessed his condition within and cried forth concerning his circumstances without, the Lord heard his confession and his cry. Yea, the Lord heard and revived his soul within in order that he might handle his great trial of affliction with righteous endurance. Even so, having been spiritually revived, the psalmist understood that he needed the Lord to teach him more and more in the Word of truth and in the way of righteousness. It is not enough that our soul should be revived spiritually. Having been spiritually revived, we need the Lord our God to teach us continually in the right way through the truth and teaching of His Word and through the statutes and standards of His Word. We need to be taught the truth concerning the Lord our God and concerning our own selves. We need to be taught the truth concerning the pursuits of this life and concerning the purpose of our lives. We need to be taught the truth concerning what is righteous and concerning what is unrighteous. We need to be taught the truth concerning our relationship toward the Lord our God and concerning our responsibilities toward others around us. This the psalmist understood. Thus again and again he lifted up his prayer to be taught by the Lord. In Psalm 119:12 he prayed, “Blessed art thou, O LORD: teach me thy statutes.” Again in Psalm 119:64-68 he prayed, “The earth, O LORD, is full of thy mercy: teach me thy statutes. Thou hast dealt well with thy servant, O LORD, according unto thy word. Teach me good judgment and knowledge: for I have believed thy commandments. Before I was afflicted I went astray: but now have I kept thy word. Thou art good, and doest good; teach me thy statutes.” Yet again in Psalm 119:107-108 he prayed, “I am afflicted very much: quicken me, O LORD, according unto thy word. Accept, I beseech thee, the freewill offerings of my mouth, O LORD, and teach me thy judgments.” In like manner, David prayed in Psalm 25:4-5, “Shew me thy ways, O LORD; teach me thy paths. Lead me in thy truth, and teach me: for thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day.” Again in Psalm 86:11 David prayed, “Teach me thy way, O LORD; I will walk in thy truth: unite my heart to fear thy name.” Yet again in Psalm 143:10 David prayed, “Teach me to do thy will; for thou art my God: thy spirit is good; lead me into the land of uprightness.” Even so, when our soul, our inner man, is in a condition of hopelessness and helplessness, we need first to pray for the Lord to revive us spiritually and then to teach us Biblically.
We should pray for our Lord to guide us righteously.
The third request of the psalmist, this young servant of the Lord, is delivered in Psalm 119:27 – “Make me to understand the way of thy precepts: so shall I talk of thy wondrous works.” As we enter into the pathway of spiritual revival through the spiritual reviving of our soul, we need not only to be taught the truth of God’s Word, but also to be guided in the way of His righteousness. We need instruction in righteousness. We need to be taught our Lord’s statutes and standards of righteousness, and we need to be made to understand the correct application of those statutes and standards within our daily lives. We not only need knowledge in the truth of righteousness, but we also need wisdom through the truth of righteousness. Understanding this the psalmist prayed for the Lord to make him to understand, not simply the truth of His precepts and principles, but the way of His precepts and principles. Thus again and again he also lifted up his prayer for understanding in the right way, in the way of righteousness. In Psalm 119:34-35 he prayed, “Give me understanding, and I shall keep thy law; yea, I shall observe it with my whole heart. Make me to go in the path of thy commandments; for therein do I delight.” Again in Psalm 119:73 he prayed, “Thy hands have made me and fashioned me: give me understanding, that I may learn thy commandments.” Yet again in Psalm 119:125 he prayed, “I am thy servant; give me understanding, that I may know thy testimonies.” And yet again in Psalm 119:144 he prayed, “The righteousness of thy testimonies is everlasting: give me understanding, and I shall live.” Finally, in Psalm 119:169 he prayed, “Let my cry come near before thee, O LORD: give me understanding according to thy word.” In like manner, David prayed in Psalm 5:8, “Lead me, O LORD, in thy righteousness because of mine enemies; make thy way straight before my face.” Again in Psalm 27:11 David prayed, “Teach me thy way, O LORD, and lead me in a plain path, because of mine enemies.” Yet again in Psalm 31:3 David prayed, “For thou art my rock and my fortress; therefore for thy name’s sake lead me, and guide me.” Indeed, having revived and restored our soul unto His fellowship, it is our Lord’s purpose to lead us “in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.” (Psalm 23:3) Thus the promise is given in Psalm 25:8-9, “Good and upright is the LORD: therefore will he teach sinners in the way. The meek will he guide in judgment: and the meek will he teach his way.” Even so, when we have entered into the spiritual reviving of our soul, we need to pray for our Lord to teach us Biblically and to guide us righteously. Furthermore, as our Lord teaches us and guides us through His truth, we should commit ourselves to talk of his “wondrous works” both to ourselves in daily meditation and to others in daily witness. “Make me to understand the way of thy precepts: so shall I talk of thy wondrous works.”
We should pray for our Lord to strengthen us mercifully.
The fourth request of the psalmist, this young servant of the Lord, is delivered in Psalm 119:28 – “My soul melteth for heaviness: strengthen thou me according unto thy word.” Certainly, the afflictions of this life do strike at us with hard blows, burn against us with a melting heat, and press upon us with a heavy weight. Certainly, we find that at such times we need our strength renewed. Thus in the midst of these afflictions, we must learn to pray unto and wait upon our Lord for Him to strengthen us mercifully. Even so, in Isaiah 40:28-31 God’s Word proclaims, “Hast thou not known? Hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? There is no searching of his understanding. He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall: but they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.” In like manner, in Psalm 27:13-14 David declared, “I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.” Again in Psalm 138:3 David declared, “In the day when I cried thou answeredst me, and strengthenedst me with strength in my soul.” At such times of affliction, this is just what we need – to be strengthened with strength in our soul. Thus we must learn to pray unto our Lord that he would grant us, “according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man” (Ephesians 3:16), and that we might be “strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness” (Colossians 1:11). Thus we must learn to claim the promise – “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” (Philippians 4:13) Then, even in the midst of our afflictions, we shall be able to join with the confident testimony of the apostle Paul from 2 Corinthians 4:16, saying, “For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day [that is – through the merciful strengthening of our Lord].” Yea, then we shall be able join with the joyous testimony of the apostle Paul from 2 Corinthians 12:9-10, saying, “And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.”
We should pray for our Lord to correct us vigorously.
The fifth request of the psalmist, this young servant of the Lord, is delivered in the opening portion of Psalm 119:29 – “Remove from me the way of lying.” As we enter into spiritual revival through the spiritual reviving of our soul, and as we walk in the way of spiritual revival through the teaching and guiding of our Lord, we will find some things that need to be removed from our character. Indeed, the truth of God’s Word is not only profitable for doctrine and for instruction in righteousness, but is also profitable for reproof and for the correction of our lives. (2 Timothy 3:16) Certainly we sinners need such reproof and correction in our lives. Yea, as we continue in the way of spiritual revival, we will find more and more that we need our character corrected; and if we truly desire to continue in the way of spiritual revival we will pray for our Lord to correct us vigorously. We will pray as did David in Psalm 139:23-24, “Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: and see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” Specifically in Psalm 119:29 the psalmist requested that the Lord might remove from him “the way of lying.” What then does he mean by this “way of lying”? In the first place, he was requesting that the Lord might remove from him and correct him from the way of corrupt communication. Even so, we should pray for our Lord to correct us vigorously from any corrupt communication out of our mouth in order that we might speak only “that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.” (Ephesians 4:29) In the second place, the psalmist was requesting that the Lord might remove from him and correct him from the way of dishonest relations. Even so, we should pray for our Lord to correct us vigorously from any dishonest, deceptive, lying, manipulative relations with others; for such relations are selfish, unloving, and wicked. In the third place, the psalmist was requesting that the Lord might remove from him and correct him from the way of self deception. Even so, we should pray for our Lord to correct us vigorously from deceiving ourselves into thinking that we are right with God while walking in sin (James 1:22, 26; 1 John 1:8), or that we can sin without experiencing negative consequence (1 Corinthians 15:33; Galatians 6:7), or that we are somehow more spiritual, more righteous, more wise, or more important that we truly are (1 Corinthians 3:18; Galatians 6:3). In the fourth and final place, the psalmist was requesting that the Lord might remove from him and correct him from the way of worldly vanity. Even so, we should pray for our Lord to correct us vigorously from desiring and pursuing after the vain, deceptive allurements of this present, evil world. (Psalm 119:36-37)
We should pray for our Lord to transform us graciously.
The sixth request of the psalmist, this young servant of the Lord, is delivered in the closing portion of Psalm 119:29 – “And grant me thy law graciously.” Herein the psalmist was not requesting that the Lord might reveal the law to him for the Lord’s law had already been revealed. Furthermore, herein the psalmist was not requesting that the Lord might teach him and make him to understand that law; for he had already made that request in Psalm 119:26-27. Rather, herein the psalmist was requesting that the Lord might grant him the law as the governing principle of his heart. Yea, the psalmist was requesting that the Lord might graciously root the law into his heart in order that it might transform his very character from within. Even so, we should present ourselves daily as a living sacrifice unto the Lord our God and should pray daily for Him to transform our character by the renewing of our mind through the truth of His Holy Word. (Romans 12:1-2) We should pray daily for our Lord to create in us a clean heart and renew in a right spirit. (Psalm 51:10) We should pray daily for Him to renew the spirit of our mind through the doctrine, reproof, correction, and instruction of His Word. Yea, we should pray daily for Him to renew the spirit of our mind in order that we might grow spiritually and might be “throughly furnished unto all good works.” (2 Timothy 3:16-17) We should pray daily for our Lord to root the truth of His Word into our hearts in order that it might convert our soul and in order that we might not sin against Him. (Psalm 19:7; 119:11) Indeed, we should pray daily for our Lord to transform us graciously after His own righteous and holy image.
Posted in Weekly Sermon, Psalms, In Time of Trouble, Prayer, Spiritual Revival, Spiritual Guidance, Spiritual Enablement, Spiritual Growth
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