Reading the Word

Psalm 119:137–144 (ESV)

¹³⁷ Righteous are you, O Lord, and right are your rules. ¹³⁸ You have appointed your testimonies in righteousness and in all faithfulness. ¹³⁹ My zeal consumes me, because my foes forget your words. ¹⁴⁰ Your promise is well tried, and your servant loves it. ¹⁴¹ I am small and despised, yet I do not forget your precepts. ¹⁴² Your righteousness is righteous forever, and your law is true. ¹⁴³ Trouble and anguish have found me out, but your commandments are my delight. ¹⁴⁴ Your testimonies are righteous forever; give me understanding that I may live.

Understanding and Applying the Word

The psalmist declares, “Righteous are you, O Lord, and right are your rules…Your righteousness is righteous forever, and your law is true…Your testimonies are righteous forever.”

We live in a world that believes truth is relative. What is true for you may not be true for me. Truth depends on our backgrounds and circumstances. Truth depends on our feelings and beliefs. This is the claim of the world, but it stands in conflict with the word of God.

God’s word tells us that there is absolute, universal truth. There are truths that are not dependent on our backgrounds, circumstances, feelings, or personal beliefs. They are true for all people in all times. They are true because the righteous Creator and Lord of all has told us they are true. We do not get to decide what is true, but we can choose to submit to or rebel against God and his word. May we delight in the truth and live according to the what God has written in his word.

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