The Heart of True Praise: The Psalmist as Our Example in Psalm 119

I believe Scripture is divinely inspired. Every human author, guided by the Holy Spirit, penned the only word that is profitable for “teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16-17). In the inspiration of Scripture, God felt it necessary to provide songs written at the commission of His Holy Spirit—the Psalms. The Psalms, therefore, stand as the perfect example of praise. Psalm 119 is in the Book Five of the Psalms and is a song of ascent. In this psalm, the author records his meditations on the Law of God (Genesis-Deuteronomy), ultimately expressing joy in the reading and doing of God’s word. He organizes his psalm using the letters of the Hebrew Alphabet, which is why the psalm is so long. As we read through this psalm, not only do we get to see the example of praise God has given us to guide our own music (hymns and spiritual songs), but we also get to meditate with the biblical songwriter on the word of God.

א

Aleph.

1 How blessed are those whose way is blameless, 

Who walk in the law of the Lord. 

2 How blessed are those who observe His testimonies, 

Who seek Him with all their heart. 

3 They also do no unrighteousness; 

They walk in His ways. 

4 You have ordained Your precepts, 

That we should keep them diligently. 

5 Oh that my ways may be established 

To keep Your statutes! 

6 Then I shall not be ashamed 

When I look upon all Your commandments. 

7 I shall give thanks to You with uprightness of heart, 

When I learn Your righteous judgments. 

8 I shall keep Your statutes; 

Do not forsake me utterly! 

The psalmist sings three confessions in the first verse.

1. The psalmist recognizes those who observe God’s Law are blameless and righteous.
   1. Seeking God with all our hearts is to observe His Law.
   2. God has ordained His Law so we would keep it.
2. The psalmist expresses desire to be conformed to God’s Law.
   1. Conformity to God’s Law brings an end to our shame.
   2. Obedience to God’s Law produces thankfulness.
3. The psalmist asks God not to forsake him.

Notice from the outset how this example in Scripture stands in stark contrast to some of the songs people sometimes write for the purpose of praise. Instead of singing, “I am enough, I am worthy, I am beautiful, I am an overcomer,” the psalmist begins by confessing that his ways are not good enough. If he were to continue in his own ways, he would deserve for God to forsake him. He recognizes his sin and cries out to God for help. He is not seeking elevation or promotion. He is not speaking as someone who is worthy at all. Instead, he wants to conform to God’s word. He recognizes life is found in keeping God’s word. God is the worthy one, not the psalmist.

He continues in the second verse:

ב

Beth.

9 How can a young man keep his way pure? 

By keeping it according to Your word. 

10 With all my heart I have sought You; 

Do not let me wander from Your commandments. 

11 Your word I have treasured in my heart, 

That I may not sin against You. 

12 Blessed are You, O Lord; 

Teach me Your statutes. 

13 With my lips I have told of 

All the ordinances of Your mouth. 

14 I have rejoiced in the way of Your testimonies, 

As much as in all riches. 

15 I will meditate on Your precepts 

And regard Your ways. 

16 I shall delight in Your statutes; 

I shall not forget Your word.

In this verse, the psalmist makes a commitment to keep God’s word—hiding it in his heart so he may not sin against God. He asks God to continue teaching him so he does not falter.

At the beginning of this psalm, the psalmist confesses that God’s ways are better, asks to be conformed to God’s ways, and asks God to keep him from falling. He does not proclaim his own ability to be faithful to God’s word. God is the one who keeps him.

Take a moment to think about the praise in your own life. I’m not interested in evaluating certain modern-day songs to see if they are biblical or not. I do want to appeal to your heart. The more you know God, the more the praise of your life will be biblical. Where do you begin when you pray or praise? Do you sing:

I am worthy.

I am good enough.

I will overcome.

…or do you sing with the psalmist:

God’s ways are higher than mine.

God, change me because I am not good enough.

God, keep me from falling because I am incapable of overcoming.

As often as music and singing is mentioned in Scripture, though, it is never commanded of the individual who is alone with God. Every psalm was congregational. In Ephesians 5, we even saw the command to speak to one another in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs. In all of the Bible, singing is never a requirement placed on the individual. I don’t think singing individually is bad or wrong, but we do that naturally. There is no need for a command. So, the personal application is good, but it is not all Scripture would have us say about the psalm. Not only do we ask how we sing individually. We ask how we speak to one another in response to the first two verses of Psalm 119.

Do we tell one another we are good enough the way we are, worthy in our own rights, or do we speak to one another such that we are stimulated to love and good deeds (cf. Hebrews 10:24-25)? This is the point at which mere praise becomes so much more. It becomes worship. This is why we have countless sermons and lessons. It is why we gather together. God’s ways are higher than ours. We come together to be conformed to His ways. We rely on Him to keep us from faltering. When we remind one another about who God is on a consistent basis, we stimulate one another to love and good deeds. We present our bodies as living sacrifices—our spiritual act of worship (cf. Romans 12).