Psalm 119:129-136 

PE 

129 Your testimonies are wonderful;

Therefore my soul keeps them.

130 The entrance of Your words gives light;

It gives understanding to the simple.

131 I opened my mouth and panted,

For I longed for Your commandments.

132 Look upon me and be merciful to me,

As Your custom is toward those who love Your name.

133 Direct my steps by Your word,

And let no iniquity have dominion over me.

134 Redeem me from the oppression of man,

That I may keep Your precepts.

135 Make Your face shine upon Your servant,

And teach me Your statutes.

136 Rivers of water run down from my eyes,

Because men do not keep Your law.

I’m sure you’ve already noticed in Psalm 119 how often the Psalmist has declared how important God’s Word is and how much he depends on it for strength, instruction, and comfort. He continues his praise of God’s Word, calling the testimonies “wonderful” and that is why his “soul keeps them” (119:129).

The next few verses help us understand the meaning of the Hebrew alphabet letter PE which means mouth, speak, and open.

The entrance of Your words gives light; It gives understanding to the simple (119:130).

Here the word “entrance” (NKJV) means an opening. The New American Standard Bible says “unfolding.” God’s Word is like a doorway that opens our minds to His truth.

Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path (Psalm 119:105).

For the commandment is a lamp, and the law a light; reproofs of instruction are the way of life (Proverbs 6:23).

How many times have we had a “lightbulb moment” when we finally understand not only what a certain verse or passage means, but how to correctly apply it to our lives? But we can do this only when we can have an open mind to His instructions. That’s what the word “simple” in verse 130 means: to be “open-minded.” I want to be wise, not foolish, in discerning God’s truth, and I know you do too.

Proverbs 1:7 says, The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.

I opened my mouth and panted, for I longed for Your commandments (119:131).

Here’s that word “open” again, but this time the image is of someone opening their mouth wide to receive God’s instructions. The Psalmist goes on to say how he “panted” and “longed” for God’s commandments. As the deer pants for the water brooks, so pants my soul for You, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God (Psalm 42:1-2a). Job said, “I have not departed from the commandment of His lips; I have treasured the words of His mouth more than my necessary food” (Job 23:12). What things do we long for? Are we eager to feed on God’s Word? I understand that “the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak” (Matthew 26:41). It takes a lot of effort, on some days more than others, to read, meditate on, and make room for God and His Word, yet it is so vital for our spiritual health to stay connected to our heavenly Father. And afterwards, we are so blessed to have taken the time to draw near to Him (James 4:7-8a). This reminds me of the hymn “Take Time to Be Holy.”

The Psalmist continues in verse 133 by asking God to direct his life. God’s Word is our moral compass, helping us to navigate through the good as well as life’s storms. God is on our side. He wants us to stay on course, and if we are faithful to the end we can hear those beautiful words, “Well done, good and faithful servant, enter into the joy of your Lord” (Matthew 25:21; Revelation 2:10).

In the next two verses the writer is asking to be rescued or delivered from man’s mistreatment and oppression. He wants to do right. He wants God to be delighted in him. But he knows that’s only possible when the Word is ever with him, guiding him each step of the way. We want God to be delighted in us as well.

This section ends with him expressing sorrow. He’s sorrowful because the people don’t see the value of God’s Word like he does. May we see the value of delighting in God’s Word. May our prayer be, “Help us to value what You value, O LORD.”

Open my eyes, that I may see wondrous things from Your law (Psalm 119:18).

 

By Jena Gumpert