Articles
Loving Truth
Psalm 119, the longest of all the Psalms, is a celebration of the Word of God. The writer evidently esteemed God’s Word to the depth of his heart and soul. Here are a few of his accolades:
- I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you
- Open my eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of your law
- My soul is consumed with longing for your rules
- Your testimonies are my delight
- I set your rules before me. I cling to your testimonies
- I trust in your word
- My hope is in your rules
- I will keep your law continually, forever and ever
- I find my delight in your commandments, which I love
- Your promise gives me life
- Your statutes have been my songs
- I believe in your commandments
- With my whole heart I keep your precepts
- My soul longs for your salvation; I hope in your word
- All your commandments are sure
- Your word is firmly fixed in the heavens
- Oh how I love your law! It is my meditation all the day
- How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey
- Your testimonies are my heritage forever, for they are the joy of my heart
- Your testimonies are wonderful
- All your commandments are true
- The sum of your word is truth, and every one of your righteous rules endures forever
There are many other such statements in the psalm. The joy of studying and meditating on God’s Word is apparent in every stanza. However, in contrast to his delight, he also says, “My eyes shed streams of tears, because people do not keep your law.” Again, he says, “Salvation is far from the wicked, for they do not seek your statutes.”
There is no doubt that the author loved the Laws of God he knew, but the Laws he loved are no longer binding. They have been replaced by the precepts of the New Testament (Hebrews 10:1-10). The Words of Christ, preserved by His prophets, are now the essential precepts by which sinners can obtain salvation (John 6:63-68). They are also the words by which we will be judged (John 12:46-48). Jesus says, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6).
Therefore, in the heart and soul of each Christian there should be love of the truth. Christians, and sinners who want to be saved, must not yield to teachers of lawlessness, and those who do yield are “perishing, because they refused to love the truth and so be saved” (2 Thessalonians 2:9 10).
Jesus prefaced many of his sayings with the words, “truly, truly.” His truth is truly loveable, delightful, wonderful, trustworthy, firmly fixed, and the way of salvation. And, the love of truth is fulfilled by humble obedience to it (1 Peter 1:22 25).
