Valuing God’s Word

KEY VERSE: “Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.” —Psalm 119:105

SELECTED SCRIPTURE: Psalm 119:1-16, 45, 105, 129, 130

THE ONE HUNDRED-NINETEENTH Psalm is a fitting and beautiful tribute to God’s Word, the Bible. At the time that these words were written it was most likely that only the Torah, or the Pentateuch—the five Books of Moses containing the Law of God—was available for the nation of Israel. However, the entire Word of God in a larger sense is God’s law, and whatever was added later by the prophets became part of that Law. Thus, the psalm begins by saying, “Blessed are they whose ways are blameless, who walk according to the law of the Lord. Blessed are they who keep his statutes and seek him with all their heart. They do nothing wrong; they walk in his ways.”—Ps. 119:1-3, New International Version

In this tribute, the writer emphasizes how following the Law would keep one out of trouble. Those seeking to know God and to know his Law, and who are trying to keep his commandments, would be blessed. The meditation upon that Law would keep one from going astray, and that Law would be more valuable to them than all the silver and gold that one could acquire.—Ps. 119: 65-72

Those who are privileged to become acquainted with God’s Word should treasure it above everything else in life. Their sentiments should be that of Jesus, as written of him in Psalm 40:8: “I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea thy law is within my heart.” They will say, as in this 119th Psalm, “I will delight myself in thy statutes: I will not forget thy Word.” (vs. 16) The love of God’s Word should be thorough, as expressed later in the 97th verse: “O how love I thy law! It is my meditation all the day.”

This special privilege of knowing and appreciating God’s Word is an exclusive blessing for those being selected during this Gospel Age as a people for God’s name. The world is in a condition described by the Prophet Isaiah as darkness, when he says: “Behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people.” (Isa. 60:2) God’s people, however, can say, “Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.” (Ps. 119:105) In this dark time characterized by sin and death, only those following in the footsteps of Jesus receive the full illumination of God’s Word for their walk in the narrow way.

Describing the Lord’s Word as a ‘lamp’ is an apt illustration. It guides his people in the right path—the path of righteousness instead of sin and unrighteousness in which the world walks under the influence of Satan. It reveals stumbling stones, so that these can be avoided. It illuminates the future, showing God’s people the fulfillment of prophecies leading to the establishment of his glorious kingdom. It reveals principles, precepts, and teachings, that are important to the Christian life. It makes possible the understanding of the doctrines of Christ.

Their testimony is as that expressed in the psalm of our lesson. “I understand more than the ancients, because I keep thy precepts. I have refrained my feet from every evil way, that I might keep thy Word. I have not departed from thy judgments: for thou hast taught me. How sweet are thy words unto my taste! Yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth!” (vss. 100-103) God’s Word has been described as his ‘truth’, and Solomon said, “Buy the truth, and sell it not.”—Prov. 23:23.

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