Psalm 119:17-24 - Wisdom is found in God's Word

This section indicates that the author was opposed by princes who did not like his source of wisdom or the paths he advocated (v. 23). Indeed verse 17 indicates that the psalmist anticipated that his life was in danger. The striking aspect is that he did not allow his adverse circumstances to diminish his interest in obeying God’s Word.

The psalmist is conscious that he needs spiritual vision (v. 18). The phrase ‘open my eyes’ reveals what he wanted when he asked God to deal bountifully with him. Thomas Manton commented on this verse by observing that ‘the saints do not complain of the obscurity of the law, but of their own blindness.’ There are some matters in the Bible that are difficult, but they are few in comparison to the matters that can be appreciated by us once we meditate upon them. Often, the problem is that we do not ask God for fresh light, for more discoveries from his Word, because he does give light to those who ask him for it.

In verses 19 and 20, the author describes himself as a spiritual sojourner. God’s sojourners have left the City of Destruction and eventually he will welcome them into the Celestial City. Moreover he will help them as they live temporarily where they now are. It is important to note that, for the psalmist, the earth is the place of sojourning. There is nowhere on earth where a believer should feel that he has arrived at his desired destination.

What does the sojourner travelling to heaven need? He needs instructions about how to live in his surroundings. Such will find themselves in locations where they initially don’t know what to do. But they can ask their Lord to reveal to them his commandments. Following those instructions will enable them to continue gladly their travels through whatever situations they find themselves in. 

The psalmist records the attitude of God towards those who refuse to pay attention to his commandments (v. 21­­. He rebukes them, and he does so in his providence which works against them. Whatever direction they go in, they never reach a good destination because there is not one on those roads. Life for such has no real meaning, although they can imagine that freedom is found by ignoring God’s requirements. But life will bring bitter lessons because providence belongs to God.

It is difficult for a righteous person to live among such rebels against God. Inevitably, such will face derision for their commitment to God’s ways. Usually the righteous are powerless to do anything about such contempt. But they can pray to God and ask him to do something about it (v. 22). The psalmist knows that God can act in providence to turn around the circumstances his servant is enduring. The psalmist has placed his case into the hands of God. 

The psalmist knew where guidance for life would be found (v. 24). The instruction was in God’s book, and the response of the psalmist was to continue meditating on what God had revealed. He was delighted with the wisdom that he found in God’s Word. In it he had found thousands of counsellors because he says that each of God’s testimonies was a counsellor to him.