The Source and Application of Understanding

Psalm 119:97-104, “MEM. O how love I thy law! it is my meditation all the day. (98) Thou through thy commandments hast made me wiser than mine enemies: for they are ever with me. (99) I have more understanding than all my teachers: for thy testimonies are my meditation. (100) I understand more than the ancients, because I keep thy precepts. (101) I have refrained my feet from every evil way, that I might keep thy word. (102) I have not departed from thy judgments: for thou hast taught me. (103) How sweet are thy words unto my taste! yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth! (104) Through thy precepts I get understanding: therefore I hate every false way.”

The knowledge gained through the study of the Bible is intended to be more than mere idle speculation. Such is often the case for those religious scholars who boast of their prowess in the original languages and their intellectual mastery of the Bible’s content but who demonstrate, on the other hand, little or no concern for its Divine origin or its absolute truth. That kind of knowledge is far removed from the understanding this “MEM” stanza is talking about. Spiritual understanding is exclusively for those who love the Lord with a pure heart, and are willing to walk in the light of His precious Word.

“Through thy precepts I get understanding…” (vv. 97-100). Understanding requires study, and God is concerned with how we study too. Have you ever noticed how easy it is to study material you really enjoy and, conversely, how difficult it is to dig into subject matter you simply do not care about? The former is more profitable, right? So it is with the Word. God wants us to love His Word, and we will if sin is not allowed to harden our hearts and dull our receptivity to the Holy Spirit’s speaking through it. The psalmist loved God’s law, and pondered its truth night and day. It is no wonder then that the fruit of his meditation resulted in an astuteness that surpassed all the learned, and even his enemies (vv. 98-100). Notice, too, the connection between the ability to understand the Word and a disposition to obey it: “I understand… because I keep thy precepts” (v. 100). Many times we rebel against God and then wonder why the Bible has lost its sweetness and attraction. There is no mystery here at all; we know what needs to be done.

… Therefore I hate every false way” (vv. 101 – 104). How contrary this statement is to what we hear on every hand today. We are told to be positive, not negative; to look for the good in everything, even if that means that what is bad is consciously overlooked. Oh, no! When the Bible speaks to a matter, whatever is contrary to the eternal Standard must be labeled as such and handled accordingly. There is no virtue whatsoever and soft pedaling what God has said is wrong. The Holy Spirit will never lead us to endorse what God has condemned, or accept what God has rejected. Meditate on these concluding verses and then ask yourself if God would have us focus on that which is a bit negative at times. You may be amazed at what you discover!
Have a wonderful day IN the Lord!
Dr. George Crabb D.O.