Thy Strong Word - Psalm 119:65-120

Hosted by Rev. Kevin Parviz, pastor of Congregation Chai v’Shalom in St. Louis, Missouri.

With guest Rev. Kevin Golden from Village Lutheran Church in Ladue, Missouri.

Psalm 119:65-120

Teth

⁶⁵You have dealt well with your servant,
    O Lord, according to your word.
⁶⁶Teach me good judgment and knowledge,
    for I believe in your commandments.
⁶⁷Before I was afflicted I went astray,
    but now I keep your word.
⁶⁸You are good and do good;
    teach me your statutes.
⁶⁹The insolent smear me with lies,
    but with my whole heart I keep your precepts;
⁷⁰their heart is unfeeling like fat,
    but I delight in your law.
⁷¹It is good for me that I was afflicted,
    that I might learn your statutes.
⁷²The law of your mouth is better to me
    than thousands of gold and silver pieces.

Yodh

⁷³Your hands have made and fashioned me;
    give me understanding that I may learn your commandments.
⁷⁴Those who fear you shall see me and rejoice,
    because I have hoped in your word.
⁷⁵I know, O Lord, that your rules are righteous,
    and that in faithfulness you have afflicted me.
⁷⁶Let your steadfast love comfort me
    according to your promise to your servant.
⁷⁷Let your mercy come to me, that I may live;
    for your law is my delight.
⁷⁸Let the insolent be put to shame,
    because they have wronged me with falsehood;
    as for me, I will meditate on your precepts.
⁷⁹Let those who fear you turn to me,
    that they may know your testimonies.
⁸⁰May my heart be blameless in your statutes,
    that I may not be put to shame!

Kaph

⁸¹My soul longs for your salvation;
    I hope in your word.
⁸²My eyes long for your promise;
    I ask, “When will you comfort me?”
⁸³For I have become like a wineskin in the smoke,
    yet I have not forgotten your statutes.
⁸⁴How long must your servant endure?^[a]
    When will you judge those who persecute me?
⁸⁵The insolent have dug pitfalls for me;
    they do not live according to your law.
⁸⁶All your commandments are sure;
    they persecute me with falsehood; help me!
⁸⁷They have almost made an end of me on earth,
    but I have not forsaken your precepts.
⁸⁸In your steadfast love give me life,
    that I may keep the testimonies of your mouth.

Lamedh

⁸⁹Forever, O Lord, your word
    is firmly fixed in the heavens.
⁹⁰Your faithfulness endures to all generations;
    you have established the earth, and it stands fast.
⁹¹By your appointment they stand this day,
    for all things are your servants.
⁹²If your law had not been my delight,
    I would have perished in my affliction.
⁹³I will never forget your precepts,
    for by them you have given me life.
⁹⁴I am yours; save me,
    for I have sought your precepts.
⁹⁵The wicked lie in wait to destroy me,
    but I consider your testimonies.
⁹⁶I have seen a limit to all perfection,
    but your commandment is exceedingly broad.

Mem

⁹⁷Oh how I love your law!
    It is my meditation all the day.
⁹⁸Your commandment makes me wiser than my enemies,
    for it is ever with me.
⁹⁹I have more understanding than all my teachers,
    for your testimonies are my meditation.
¹⁰⁰I understand more than the aged,^[b]
    for I keep your precepts.
¹⁰¹I hold back my feet from every evil way,
    in order to keep your word.
¹⁰²I do not turn aside from your rules,
    for you have taught me.
¹⁰³How sweet are your words to my taste,
    sweeter than honey to my mouth!
¹⁰⁴Through your precepts I get understanding;
    therefore I hate every false way.

Nun

¹⁰⁵Your word is a lamp to my feet
    and a light to my path.
¹⁰⁶I have sworn an oath and confirmed it,
    to keep your righteous rules.
¹⁰⁷I am severely afflicted;
    give me life, O Lord, according to your word!
¹⁰⁸Accept my freewill offerings of praise, O Lord,
    and teach me your rules.
¹⁰⁹I hold my life in my hand continually,
    but I do not forget your law.
¹¹⁰The wicked have laid a snare for me,
    but I do not stray from your precepts.
¹¹¹Your testimonies are my heritage forever,
    for they are the joy of my heart.
¹¹²I incline my heart to perform your statutes
    forever, to the end.^[c]

Samekh

¹¹³I hate the double-minded,
    but I love your law.
¹¹⁴You are my hiding place and my shield;
    I hope in your word.
¹¹⁵Depart from me, you evildoers,
    that I may keep the commandments of my God.
¹¹⁶Uphold me according to your promise, that I may live,
    and let me not be put to shame in my hope!
¹¹⁷Hold me up, that I may be safe
    and have regard for your statutes continually!
¹¹⁸You spurn all who go astray from your statutes,
    for their cunning is in vain.
¹¹⁹All the wicked of the earth you discard like dross,
    therefore I love your testimonies.
¹²⁰My flesh trembles for fear of you,
    and I am afraid of your judgments.

Footnotes:

Psalm 119:84 Hebrew How many are the days of your servant?
Psalm 119:100 Or the elders
Psalm 119:112 Or statutes; the reward is eternal

Lutheran Heritage Foundation - Underwriter of Thy Strong Word — Underwriter of Thy Strong Word

Rev. William Weedon

We have the distinct privilege of borrowing LCMS Director of Worship and International Center Chaplain Rev. William Chancellor Weedon for an hour a day to add Host of Thy Strong Word to his list of titles. Native to the central Maryland area just outside of Washington D.C., he enthusiastically enjoys his coffee, playing piano, and singing heartily, as well as spending time in the pool with his wife Cindi, three children and their spouses, and seven grandchildren. He’s one of those people that listens to Christmas music year-round, but we still let him in our studios. You may find him reading a good murder mystery or some writing by Johann Gerhard, Joseph Ratzinger, or Alexander Schmemann while eating a chocolate torte made by his wife Cindi. When he’s read all the books he can manage, he escapes outside to hike, bike, or even run in his Vivobarefoot shoes that Andy Bates, his favorite famous person, told him to buy.