We have come to perhaps the most famous verse of this psalm, “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (105).But how does the word illuminate our way? How do we light the lamp of the word?
We light the lamp by meditating on his word. This has been a recurring theme in the Psalms, and we see it here again. Oh how I love your law! It is my meditation all the day. 98 Your commandment makes me wiser than my enemies, for it is ever with me. 99 I have more understanding than all my teachers, for your testimonies are my meditation. (97- 99).
Some health experts claim that if we exercise early in the day the benefits will follow through the day. Let us see if this does not apply to God’s word as well. Read God’s word early in the day, or at least early in the week, and then think about it as the day or week goes on.
We light the lamp by keeping his word. This also is a major theme of Psalm 119, and of this portion of it. I understand more than the aged, for I keep your precepts. 101 I hold back my feet from every evil way, in order to keep your word. 102 I do not turn aside from your rules, for you have taught me (100-102). Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. 106 I have sworn an oath and confirmed it, to keep your righteous rules (105-106). The wicked have laid a snare for me, but I do not stray from your precepts (110). I incline my heart to perform your statutes forever, to the end (112).
We light the lamp by means of worship. Accept my freewill offerings of praise, O Lord, and teach me your rules (108). Personal Bible study is a very good thing, but personal Bible study is no replacement for corporate worship with other believers. Worship opens our eyes to things that we miss with mere reading(cf 73:1-3, 16-17).
We light the lamp by depending on the Lord rather than self. I am severely afflicted; give me life, O Lord, according to your word! (107) Uphold me according to your promise, that I may live, and let me not be put to shame in my hope! 117 Hold me up, that I may be safe and have regard for your statutes continually!(116-117)
Being driven to our knees is good for us. Until we realize our limitations, we are in no position to realize the full benefit of God’s word.
We light the lamp by hating what is opposed to God’s will. To love demands that one hate whatever is opposed to what one claims to love. Through your precepts I get understanding; therefore I hate every false way (104). I hate the double-minded, but I love your law (113).
Hate may be a strong word, and an unpopular concept, but it is as necessary as love. He who never hates, never really loves. The modern opposition to every form of hate has not created a more loving society, it has created an indifferent society.One could not love the Jews without hating Nazism.
As J.J.M. Roberts said, “One should beware of any bogus morality that dismisses vengeance as both inappropriate to humans and unworthy of God. Such a view simply betrays a glaring absence of the most elementary sense of justice. While the desire to see vengeance done can be twisted and corrupted like any other human desire, it arises out of a sense of justice, and vengeance cannot be discarded without discarding the concern for justice as well.” (commentary on Nahum, p 49)
Not Automatic
The truth will not automatically set us free. The word will not automatically light our path. Owning a Bible will not get it done. We must meditate on the word; we must keep the word; we must worship; we must depend on the Lord rather than on ourselves; and we must love his will such that we hate that which is opposed to him.
To the extent that we respond in this way to his word, we will find that word illuminating our way.