Weekly Sermon
In Psalm 119:25 the psalmist, this young servant of the Lord, expressed his condition and his request unto the Lord in prayer, saying, “My soul cleaveth unto the dust: quicken thou me according to thy word.”
The request of the psalmist was presented in three words – “Quicken thou me.” In fact, the psalmist lifted up this request unto the Lord nine times in this psalm (Psalm 119:25, 37, 40, 88, 107, 149, 154, 156, 159). Herein the word “quicken” means “to be made alive; to be enlivened; to be revived.” Thus the psalmist was praying that the Lord might make him alive, that the Lord might enliven him, that the Lord might revive him again. Yet in what way did the psalmist need to be made alive? In what way did he need such enlivening and such reviving? Certainly in order to make this request, the psalmist was physically alive; and there is no indication that he was on his deathbed, preparing to die.
On the other hand, the psalmist was in circumstances of great distress and affliction. Mentally and emotionally, he was in a condition of great distress and discouragement. In the opening portion of Psalm 119:25, he proclaimed, “My soul [that is – his inner man] cleaveth unto the dust.” Again in Psalm 119:107-110 he proclaimed, “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. My soul is continually in my hand: yet do I not forget thy law. The wicked have laid a snare for me: yet I erred not from thy precepts.” Circumstantially, the psalmist was suffering the affliction of reproach and persecution from the wicked. In Psalm 119:29-40 he expressed his request, saying, “Turn away my reproach which I fear: for thy judgments are good. Behold, I have longed after thy precepts: quicken me in thy righteousness.” Again in Psalm 119:81-88 he expressed his burden, saying, “My soul fainteth for thy salvation: but I hope in thy word. Mine eyes fail for thy word, saying, When wilt thou comfort me? For I am become like a bottle in the smoke; yet do I not forget thy statutes. How many are the days of thy servant? When wilt thou execute judgment on them that persecute me? The proud have digged pits for me, which are not after thy law. All thy commandments are faithful: they persecute me wrongfully; help thou me. They had almost consumed me upon earth; but I forsook not thy precepts. Quicken me after thy lovingkindness; so shall I keep the testimony of thy mouth.” Yet again in Psalm 119:153-157 he expressed his burden and request, saying, “Consider mine affliction, and deliver me: for I do not forget thy law. Plead my cause, and deliver me: quicken me according to thy word. Salvation is far from the wicked: for they seek not thy statutes. Great are thy tender mercies, O LORD: quicken me according to thy judgments. Many are my persecutors and mine enemies; yet do I not decline from thy testimonies.”
However, this servant of the Lord did not make his request to be quickened, to be enlivened, to be revived, simply concerning his mental and emotional need. Rather, he made his request concerning his deeper, spiritual need. In Psalm 119:36-37 he expressed his request, saying, “Incline my heart unto thy testimonies, and not to covetousness. Turn away mine eyes from beholding vanity; and quicken thou me in thy way.” The psalmist, this young servant of the Lord, understood that spiritual revival was necessary for mental and emotional enlivening. He understood that the spiritual reviving of his heart would enter him into the blessed fellowship of the Lord wherein he would experience the wonderful peace of God (Isaiah 57:15, 18-19). Furthermore, he understood that experiencing the wonderful peace of God in his inner man would be the very means by which his mental and emotional condition might be enlivened and guarded. Even so, Philippians 4:7 declares, “And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”
So then, as we consider the psalmist’s request throughout this psalm for spiritual reviving and for mental and emotional enlivening thereby, we shall encounter the Source of this reviving, the foundation for this reviving, the means of this reviving, and the purpose for this reviving.
In Psalm 119:25 the psalmist, this young servant of the Lord, expressed his condition and his request unto the Lord in prayer, saying, “My soul cleaveth unto the dust: quicken thou me according to thy word.”
The request of the psalmist was presented in three words – “Quicken thou me.” In fact, the psalmist lifted up this request unto the Lord nine times in this psalm (Psalm 119:25, 37, 40, 88, 107, 149, 154, 156, 159). Herein the word “quicken” means “to be made alive; to be enlivened; to be revived.” Thus the psalmist was praying that the Lord might make him alive, that the Lord might enliven him, that the Lord might revive him again. Yet in what way did the psalmist need to be made alive? In what way did he need such enlivening and such reviving? Certainly in order to make this request, the psalmist was physically alive; and there is no indication that he was on his deathbed, preparing to die.
On the other hand, the psalmist was in circumstances of great distress and affliction. Mentally and emotionally, he was in a condition of great distress and discouragement. In the opening portion of Psalm 119:25, he proclaimed, “My soul [that is – his inner man] cleaveth unto the dust.” Again in Psalm 119:107-110 he proclaimed, “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. My soul is continually in my hand: yet do I not forget thy law. The wicked have laid a snare for me: yet I erred not from thy precepts.” Circumstantially, the psalmist was suffering the affliction of reproach and persecution from the wicked. In Psalm 119:29-40 he expressed his request, saying, “Turn away my reproach which I fear: for thy judgments are good. Behold, I have longed after thy precepts: quicken me in thy righteousness.” Again in Psalm 119:81-88 he expressed his burden, saying, “My soul fainteth for thy salvation: but I hope in thy word. Mine eyes fail for thy word, saying, When wilt thou comfort me? For I am become like a bottle in the smoke; yet do I not forget thy statutes. How many are the days of thy servant? When wilt thou execute judgment on them that persecute me? The proud have digged pits for me, which are not after thy law. All thy commandments are faithful: they persecute me wrongfully; help thou me. They had almost consumed me upon earth; but I forsook not thy precepts. Quicken me after thy lovingkindness; so shall I keep the testimony of thy mouth.” Yet again in Psalm 119:153-157 he expressed his burden and request, saying, “Consider mine affliction, and deliver me: for I do not forget thy law. Plead my cause, and deliver me: quicken me according to thy word. Salvation is far from the wicked: for they seek not thy statutes. Great are thy tender mercies, O LORD: quicken me according to thy judgments. Many are my persecutors and mine enemies; yet do I not decline from thy testimonies.”
However, this servant of the Lord did not make his request to be quickened, to be enlivened, to be revived, simply concerning his mental and emotional need. Rather, he made his request concerning his deeper, spiritual need. In Psalm 119:36-37 he expressed his request, saying, “Incline my heart unto thy testimonies, and not to covetousness. Turn away mine eyes from beholding vanity; and quicken thou me in thy way.” The psalmist, this young servant of the Lord, understood that spiritual revival was necessary for mental and emotional enlivening. He understood that the spiritual reviving of his heart would enter him into the blessed fellowship of the Lord wherein he would experience the wonderful peace of God (Isaiah 57:15, 18-19). Furthermore, he understood that experiencing the wonderful peace of God in his inner man would be the very means by which his mental and emotional condition might be enlivened and guarded. Even so, Philippians 4:7 declares, “And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”
So then, as we consider the psalmist’s request throughout this psalm for spiritual reviving and for mental and emotional enlivening thereby, we shall encounter the Source of this reviving, the foundation for this reviving, the means of this reviving, and the purpose for this reviving.
The Source of this reviving
In Psalm 119:25 the psalmist immediately reveals the Source for this spiritual reviving, and for mental and emotional enlivening thereby. Therein he expressed his request, saying, “My soul cleaveth unto the dust: quicken thou me according to thy word.” To whom did the psalmist lift up his request? He lifted it up unto the Lord his God. He understood that the Lord alone is the Source for spiritual reviving, and for mental and emotional enlivening thereby. Again in Psalm 119:37 he expressed his request, saying, “Turn away mine eyes from beholding vanity; and quicken thou me in thy way.” Yet again in Psalm 119:107 he expressed his request, saying, “I am afflicted very much: quicken me, O LORD, according unto thy word.” And yet again in Psalm 119:149 he expressed his request, saying, “Hear my voice according unto thy lovingkindness: O LORD, quicken me according to thy judgment.” Finally, in Psalm 119:159 he expressed his request, saying, “Consider how I love thy precepts: quicken me, O LORD, according to thy lovingkindness.”
The psalmist, this young servant of the Lord, understood that the Lord alone was the One who could lift him up unto the high and holy place of His blessed fellowship. He understood the truth of Isaiah 57:15 – “For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.” The psalmist, this young servant of the Lord, understood that the Lord alone was the One who could revive and restore his soul. He understood the truth of Psalm 23:1-3 – “The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.” The psalmist, this young servant of the Lord, understood that the Lord alone was the One who could give him both comfort and confidence in the times of trouble. He understood the truth of Psalm 23:4-5 – “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.” The psalmist, this young servant of the Lord, understood that the Lord alone was the One who could renew the strength of his heart when he was weary and troubled in mind. He understood the truth of Isaiah 40:31 – “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.” So then, “wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.” (Psalm 27:14) He alone is the Source of this spiritual reviving, and of mental and emotional enlivening thereby. When your heart is cast down, when your soul is disquieted within you, “hope thou in God.” (Psalm 42:11) He alone is the health of your countenance, and your God.
The Foundation for this reviving
Throughout Psalm 119 we find a three-fold foundation for this reviving, and for mental and emotional enlivening thereby. Each part of this three-fold foundation is introduced through the prepositional construction “according to.” The first part of this three-fold foundation is the promises of God’s Word. In Psalm 119:25 the psalmist expressed his request, saying, “My soul cleaveth unto the dust: quicken thou me according to thy word.” Again in Psalm 119:107 he expressed his request, saying, “I am afflicted very much: quicken me, O LORD, according unto thy word.” Yet again in Psalm 119:154 he expressed his request, saying, “Plead my cause, and deliver me: quicken me according to thy word.” The Lord our God has made many promises throughout His Holy Word concerning the matter of spiritual reviving, and concerning the matter of mental and emotional enlivening thereby. Therefore, it is “according to” these promises, yea, on the very foundation of these promises, that we may express our request unto the Lord. It is “according to” such a promise as 1 John 1:9 that we may make our request – “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” It is “according to” such a promise as Psalm 51:17 – “The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.” It is “according to” such a promise as James 4:10 – “Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.” It is “according to” such a promise as Psalm 147:3 – “He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds.” It is “according to” such a promise as John 14:27 – “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” It is “according to” such a promise as Isaiah 41:10 – “Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.”
The second part of this three-fold foundation for spiritual reviving, and for mental and emotional enlivening thereby, is the standard of God’s judgments. In Psalm 119:149 the psalmist expressed his request, saying, “Hear my voice according unto thy lovingkindness: O LORD, quicken me according to thy judgment.” Again in Psalm 119:156 he expressed his request, saying, “Great are thy tender mercies, O LORD: quicken me according to thy judgments.” Indeed, the Lord our God has made many promises throughout His Holy Word concerning the matter of spiritual reviving, and concerning the matter of mental and emotional enlivening thereby. Yet the Lord our God has also placed conditions upon these promises. Such conditions present the standard of His judgments. Only “according to” these conditions may we truly express our request unto the Lord with assurance. Even so, 1 John 1:9 delivers the condition, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” Even so, Psalm 51:17 delivers the condition, “The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.” Even so, James 4:10 delivers the condition, “Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.” Even so, Psalm 27:14 delivers the condition, “Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.” Even so, Philippians 4:6-7 delivers the condition, “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”
The third part of this three-fold foundation for spiritual reviving, and for mental and emotional enlivening thereby, is the character of God’s loving kindness. In Psalm 119:88 the psalmist expressed his request, saying, “Quicken me after thy lovingkindness; so shall I keep the testimony of thy mouth.” Again in Psalm 119:159 the psalmist expressed his request, saying, “Consider how I love thy precepts: quicken me, O LORD, according to thy lovingkindness.” Although our Lord’s promises are delivered with His righteous conditions, yet those promises are only delivered at all because the Lord our God is abundant in loving kindness and tender mercy toward us. Thus we can pray with assurance “according to” the character of our Lord God’s loving kindness. Even so, upon this foundation, the psalmist prayed in Psalm 119:41, “Let thy mercies come also unto me, O LORD, even thy salvation, according to thy word.” Again upon this foundation, he prayed in Psalm 119:76-77, “Let, I pray thee, thy merciful kindness be for my comfort, according to thy word unto thy servant. Let thy tender mercies come unto me, that I may live: for thy law is my delight.” Yet again upon this foundation, he prayed in Psalm 119:123-124, “Mine eyes fail for thy salvation, and for the word of thy righteousness. Deal with thy servant according unto thy mercy, and teach me thy statutes.” And yet again upon this foundation, he prayed in Psalm 119:149, “Hear my voice according unto thy lovingkindness: O LORD, quicken me according to thy judgment.” Finally, upon this foundation the psalmist prayed in Psalm 119:156, “Great are thy tender mercies, O LORD: quicken me according to thy judgments.” In like manner, cast “all your care upon him;” for out of the abundance of His loving kindness and the multitude of His tender mercies, “he careth for you.” (1 Peter 5:7)
The Means of this reviving
By what means then does the Lord our God accomplish the work of spiritual reviving in our hearts, and of mental and emotional enlivening thereby? In Psalm 119:50 the psalmist, this young servant of the Lord, revealed the answer, saying, “This is my comfort in my affliction: for thy word hath quickened me.” Again in Psalm 119:93 he revealed the answer, saying, “I will never forget thy precepts: for with them [that is – with the precepts of God’s Word] thou hast quickened me.” The Lord our God accomplishes His work of spiritual reviving in our hearts, and of mental and emotional enlivening thereby, through the truths of His Holy Word. Even so, Psalm 19:7-8 declares, “The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple. The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes.” In addition, Romans 15:4 declares, “For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.” Thus the prophet Jeremiah proclaimed in Jeremiah 15:16, “Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by thy name, O LORD God of hosts.” Thus also the blessing is pronounced in Psalm 1:1-3, “Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.” If you desire spiritual reviving in your heart, and mental and emotional enlivening thereby, you must delight and meditate in God’s Word daily, “that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein.” (Joshua 1:8) “As newborn babes,” you must “desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby.” (1 Peter 2:2). You must “receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.” (James 1:21).
The Purpose for this reviving
Throughout Psalm 119 we find a three-fold purpose for this spiritual reviving, and for mental and emotional enlivening thereby. In the first place, the purpose for this spiritual reviving is that our commitment might be directed after our Lord’s way. In Psalm 119:37 the psalmist, this young servant of the Lord, expressed his request and its purpose, saying, “Turn away mine eyes from beholding vanity; and quicken thou me in thy way.” The purpose of this spiritual reviving is not primarily for our mental and emotional stability. Rather, the purpose of this spiritual reviving is primarily for our spiritual walk. It is primarily so that we might set the commitment of our hearts to walk in our Lord’s fellowship and after our Lord’s way.
In the second place, the purpose for this spiritual reviving is that our character might be transformed unto our Lord’s righteousness. In Psalm 119:40 the psalmist, this young servant of the Lord, expressed his request and it purpose, saying, “Behold, I have longed after thy precepts: quicken me in thy righteousness.” Indeed, the purpose of this spiritual reviving is for our spiritual transformation. It is so that as we walk in our Lord’s fellowship and after our Lord’s way, we might be transformed in our character more and more unto the likeness of our Lord’s righteous character.
In the third and final place, the purpose for this spiritual reviving is that our conduct might be governed by our Lord’s Word. In Psalm 119:88 the psalmist, this young servant of the Lord, expressed his request and its purpose, saying, “Quicken me after thy lovingkindness; so shall I keep the testimony of thy mouth.” Indeed, the purpose of this spiritual reviving is for our spiritual obedience. It is so that as our character is transformed unto our Lord’s righteousness, we might be governed in our daily conduct through the standard of God’s Holy Word.
Posted in Weekly Sermon, Psalms, Spiritual Revival, Word of God, Serving the Lord, Lovingkindness of the Lord,
Spiritual Growth
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