God's Law and the Holy Spirit

Although most of the children of Israel did not have the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, the 119th Psalm is an excellent example of someone who did have God's Spirit and was writing under that dispensation of the Law of Moses. As such, it provides some insight into how someone guided by the Holy Spirit should react to God's Law. Now, to be clear, I am NOT advocating that Christians observe the tenets of the Law of Moses. Nevertheless, I am suggesting that this psalm is a beautiful expression of how the Holy Spirit reorients a human mind to want to be within God's will and be obedient to "his" instructions. After all, we all know that the carnal human mind is not subject to the Law of God and cannot be (Romans 8:7).

In addition to being the longest psalm (and chapter) in the Bible, the text is divided into twenty-two segments - each one represented by a letter of the Hebrew alphabet. Each stanza is focused on respect and admiration for God's Law. Moreover, the content of each stanza makes clear that the author of this psalm has given a great deal of thought to the intent and application of the commandments found in Torah. Nevertheless, the comments in each stanza can and do also apply to the Law of Christ - the Two Great Commandments of the Gospels.

The first stanza (Aleph) underscores that obedience can be a joyful experience. It also points out that failure to live up to God's standards can make someone ashamed of their behavior and necessitate imploring God not to give up on you as a sinner.

The second stanza (Beth) talks about internalizing God's Law and asking God to help the follower to learn more about it. It also promises that the follower will continue to study God's commandments and never forget God's instructions.

The third stanza (Gimel) asks God to open the eyes of the believer to see in "his" Law the things that need to be seen. It also relates how God's Law can fortify us against our enemies and help us to endure the trials that we must face in this life.

The fourth stanza (Daleth) again implores God to help the believer to understand God's Law and to help the individual to not delude him/herself about what the Law requires. There is also a deep and sincere commitment implicit in this stanza to live according to God's instructions.

Likewise, the fifth stanza (He) implores God to teach the believer about "his" decrees and instructions, and also asks God's help in applying/obeying them. It also implores God to help the believer to not be distracted by things that really don't matter that much when all is said and done.

The sixth stanza (Waw) talks about honoring and loving God's instructions. It also talks about the freedom and other benefits which obedience brings to those who obey God's commandments.

The seventh stanza (Zayin) implores God to remember the promises "he" has made to those who obey "him." It is also focused on thinking about God and his instructions and how "his" commands can benefit the believer employing them in his/her life.

The eighth stanza (Heth) talks about the personal relationship that the obedient believer can have with God. It also talks about the vigilance which is necessary to prevent oneself from being pulled into sinful behaviors. Finally, it alludes to the fact that God's Law is a manifestation of "his" love from humankind.

The ninth stanza (Teth), once again, implores God to help the believer to be discerning and points out that failure to follow God's instructions can cause the believer to suffer unnecessary hurts and harms. It also points out that God's Law is worth more than material wealth.

The tenth stanza (Yodh) reminds the believer that God is our Creator. It also expresses the believer's desire to be numbered among those who are obedient to God's instructions.

The next stanza (Kaph) is an appeal for God to rescue the believer from those who don't obey God's Laws, and who seek to persecute those who do. The believer asks God to protect him from the evil devices of those who are unfaithful to God.

The stanza following that one (Lamedh) reminds the believer that God's Law is reliable, and that its principles and intent are universal and eternal. Moreover, like the stanza which preceded it, this one asks God to rescue and sustain the believer from the sinfulness which surrounds him/her.

The next stanza (Mem) speaks of the believer's love for God's instructions. It also points out that God's Laws make us wiser than our enemies and give us more insight than those who oppose us. The message is clear - God's instructions make us wiser and more resistant to sin.

The next stanza (Nun) portrays God's instructions as illuminating the path ahead of us and guiding us along our way. It goes on to underscore the obedient believer's love for God, and the value of being determined to stay within "his" will. It also underscores rejoicing in God's precepts, and the believer's determination to obey them.

The stanza representing the next Hebrew letter (Samekh) looks to God as the refuge and protector of those who obey "him." It also looks to God as the Sustainer of believers, and the One who skims off the wicked. And, it ends with a sense awe for God's instructions.

The next stanza (Ayin), again, appeals to God as the rewarder and protector of the obedient, and the one who punishes those who are disobedient. It ends with contrasting God's Law with every false way.

The next stanza (Pe) begins by praising God's laws as supplying light and guidance for believers. It ends with a lament for the way that some people disobey/ignore God's instructions.

The next stanza (Tsadhe) affirms God's righteousness and the fairness and reliability of "his" laws. The psalmist proclaims that they are always right and appeals for God's help in understanding them.

The next stanza (Qoph), again, appeals to God to protect those who are obedient from those who are disobedient. It goes on to affirm that God's commands are an expression of truth and that the principles which underpin them last forever.

Likewise, the next stanza (Resh) appeals to God to rescue the obedient person from the suffering and perils which besets him/her. It also appeals to God to allow the person to find solace in obedience and extols the permanence of God's instructions.

The 21st stanza (Shin) underscores that the obedient person is not dismayed or frightened by the exploits of the wicked. It goes on to extol the value and affection that this person feels toward God's instructions and ends with an awareness that God sees all - everything that happens.

The final stanza (Taw) asks God to hear/listen to his/her appeal for understanding and rescue. It also asks God to inspire his/her praise of God's commands, and "his" help in understanding them. It ends with an admission that the psalmist has wandered away from God and an appeal for God to find and rescue him/her.

Hence, as we have seen, this beautifully worded psalm reflects an attitude toward God's Law that has been influenced by God's Holy Spirit. The person who authored this psalm sees beyond the written word, beyond a list of dos and don'ts. This person has meditated on what motivated these commands - the intent and purpose of the Lawgiver. The author of this psalm understands that the human mind needs help and inspiration to receive the full benefits of obedience to God. He/She has also internalized the principles on which it was founded and recognizes that there are many benefits inherent to following God's instructions. In other words, this person sees much more than the unconverted mind sees when looking at the exact same precepts and will derive a much greater blessing from it than those Israelites ever imagined possible.