The longest Psalm in the Bible has 176 verses. Over and over, and in so many ways, this song celebrates the words, principles, and laws of God.
Interestingly, 119 is a lot like Psalm 1 and 19, but much longer.
The first two verses of Psalm 119 give a taste of the sustained, repetitive praise that follows.
“1 Happy are people of integrity, who follow the law of the LORD.
2 Happy are those who obey his decrees and search for him with all their hearts.”
But let’s drop in 160 similar verses later. Read, if you will, the next 15 verses. And then look carefully at the last and 176th verse.
“162 I rejoice in your word like one who finds a great treasure. 163 I hate and abhor all falsehood, but I love your law. 164 I will praise you seven times a day because all your laws are just. 165 Those who love your law have great peace and do not stumble. 166 I long for your salvation, LORD, so I have obeyed your commands. 167 I have obeyed your decrees, and I love them very much.”
“168 Yes, I obey your commandments and decrees, because you know everything I do. 169 O LORD, listen to my cry; give me the discerning mind you promised. 170 Listen to my prayer; rescue me as you promised. 171 Let my lips burst forth with praise, for you have taught me your principles.”
“172 Let my tongue sing about your word, for all your commands are right. 173 Stand ready to help me, for I have chosen to follow your commandments. 174 O LORD, I have longed for your salvation, and your law is my delight. 175 Let me live so I can praise you, and may your laws sustain me.”
(now here it comes)…
“176 I have wandered away like a lost sheep; come and find me, for I have not forgotten your commands” (Psalm 119:162-176 NLT).
I, for one, think this last verse is one of the most wonderful and welcome smiles in the Bible. Don’t get me wrong. I’ve often said I long for the spirit of the 119th Psalm. (Even though I’ve also thought, “Oh, come on now. Who can say they’ve kept the commandments of God? I’m not sure I’ve really kept any of them!”–at least not in the way Jesus explained the spiritual meaning of the law)
Yet, I can readily say, “I do want the life-changing wisdom of the Bible to have that kind of place in my heart.”
But I am ever so grateful for the realism and the grace that I find in the last verse. In so many ways I say, “Oh yes Lord, that’s the way it is with me. Your words and laws show me how life should be. Without your words I’m not sure I would have any sense of direction. Yet, somehow, Lord, in all of the knowledge and insight I so often find myself feeling like a lost sheep, alone, confused, and desperately needing you to come and find me!”
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