We will take verse 129 as the thematic verse for this portion of Psalm 119. “Your testimonies are wonderful; therefore my soul keeps them.”
Two questions come to mind after stating that as our theme. People might ask, “What is so wonderful about the testimonies of God?” And those of us who find God’s word wonderful might ask, “Does the current generation even know what it is to have a sense of wonder?”
We have explained so much and belittled so much, that we end up using our few words of wonder for things that hardly deserve the praise we heap on them. We have forgotten the real meaning of words like ‘awesome.’ One hardly stands in awe of a dish of ice cream. Yet, with many people, ice cream is as likely to be described as awesome as is God.
But in the scriptures, we have something that really is awesome, that really is wonderful – full of wonder. That the creator of all would bother to communicate with his creatures, especially his rebellious creatures, is wonderful. We do not appreciate it as we ought.
The word is wonderful for it imparts the light of understanding to our clouded minds. “The unfolding of your words gives light; it imparts understanding to the simple” (130). Many today refuse to believe that a book produced so long ago could bring understanding. But those who have actually studied it, even some who do not really believe it to be breathed out by God, find that its principles work and that its point of view is relevant.
This happens, of course, only if we allow the word to be unfolded. We must read the whole book, and we must put its principles to work in our lives, or the understanding the word could impart never materializes.
The word is wonderful for it brings grace. “Turn to me and be gracious to me, as is your way with those who love your name” (132). The Lord is gracious and merciful; but it is through his word that his grace and mercy are delivered to us. If we neglect that word, the grace is hindered, the mercy is not delivered.
The word is wonderful for it gives guidance and protection. “Keep steady my steps according to your promise, and let no iniquity get dominion over me” (133). In 1 Corinthians 10:13 we are promised that the Lord will always make a way of escape for us when we are tempted. The devil can never “make us do it.” But so often we fail to see the way of escape. We are deceived. We do wrong and suffer the consequences. Why? Because we have not read the book, we do not know the word. Jesus answered Satan with the word (Mt 4); but one must know the word to do that. Those who do not read prove no better off than those who cannot read.
The word is wonderful for through it we gain a vision of God. “Make your face shine upon your servant, and teach me your statutes” (135). Too often we think of the scriptures as teaching us how to live. Indirectly they do so. But their first purpose is to reveal the nature of God to us. Only as we understand our creator better are we able to live better in his creation.
Theodor Geisel wrote a book for children called Green Eggs & Ham. One character in the story keeps saying over and over, “I don’t like green eggs & ham, I don’t like them.” But when he tastes them, he finds that he likes them. Many people are convinced that the Bible is not fun to read and that it does not speak to our lives. But these people are, almost without exception, people who have never really tried it.
Those who have read the word and applied it to their lives find it to be wonderful — a source of light, and mercy, and protection, and, best of all, the means of knowing the incarnate word of God through whom we gain a vision of our divine Father.
But, of course, lukewarm reading of the word will not accomplish all of this. It is only the zealous and mindful disciple who finds the word wonderful. “You have appointed your testimonies in righteousness and in all faithfulness. My zeal consumes me, because my foes forget your words. Your promise is well tried, and your servant loves it. I am small and despised, yet I do not forget your precepts” (138-141).