Psalms 119:3–4

(vv. 1-3) The opening verses present the theme of the whole psalm — the blessedness of those who walk through this world in "the way" marked out by the Lord in His law, who "keep" His testimonies, and seek Him with the whole heart.

The "way" for man is simply the way of Jehovah's law; and "happiness" is to be perfect in it. How blessed it is just to have the settled awareness in the soul that this alone is happiness. To be delivered from the misery of one's own will, one's own way — the very definition of sin (Isa. 53:6) — what a complete deliverance that is! ... With such people everything matches the real nature of things. They do not twist it: "they practise no perversity; they walk in His ways." His ways must be safe, holy, and happy.

When God writes His law on the heart, the people He speaks of will have hearts that never forget what He has commanded. This is certainly not the natural condition of anyone. It belongs only to those of whom He can also say, "Their sins and iniquities I will remember no more." Psalm 119 is the fervent expression of a heart so blessed.

This connects with the desire for God Himself. They seek Him with the whole heart. This is the general character of the effect of the law written in the heart. The practical effect is clear: they "do no iniquity." Their heart is not only morally right and undefiled; they also do no evil or unrighteousness — no wrong to others. Instead of following their own will and scoffing at God, "they walk in His ways." The heart recognises God's authority, accepts it diligently, and desires it.

Negative: "… they … do no iniquity …" As they "keep" His testimonies, and seek the Lord with their whole heart, staying close to Him, they do not sin. It is not characteristic of a true Christian that he practises sin. Instead, an act of sin in a believer's life counts as an "accident", completely unlike his position. "… if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous …" (1 John 3:9; 1 John 2:1).

Positive: "… they walk in His ways." They walk with Him, and in His strength. He is the "way" in which they walk; like Him. "Whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked" (1 John 2:6). Our "walk" shows the effect of "abiding" in Him.

We see then that the form of this psalm cannot apply to the Christian. He never expects to be completely forsaken. In one particular case he may apply this, when he knows he has followed his own will. But the general principle teaches us much, because it shows what God works in the heart to shape its moral character.

There is first of all complete submission. Remember what a "commandment" is: an order given by God with full authority. Whether to Adam or to Noah, they had to submit. Adam did not, but Noah did submit. Are we willing to submit our will to His will? This submission is not imposed upon us, we are not forced to submit to our Lord Jesus! That would be the obedience of a slave. No, it is because we love Him that we willingly and gladly submit to Him.

Verse 4: PIK-KOO-DEEM = Precepts (or Commandments). It occurs 21 times through the psalm (always in the plural). It means a charge given to us by God for which we are responsible, "to place in trust", or "to take oversight".

The verse continues: "…to be kept diligently." There is nothing superficial about this submission! It is not a partial submission, but complete. There is no reserve, no holding back part, no hesitation, but a glad and whole-hearted surrender.

We must not pick and choose. We tend to take up the commandments and precepts that suit us, but this is really self-will. What right do we have to select some precepts from the word and neglect others? None at all. To do so is, in principle, simply self-will and rebellion. What business has a servant to decide which of his master's commands he will obey? Surely, none at all. Every commandment carries the master's authority, so it has a claim on the servant's attention. And we may add: the more fully a servant obeys, giving respectful attention to every one of his master's commands, however small, the more he strengthens his position and grows in his master's confidence and esteem.

"You have commanded Your precepts" — the separate applications of God's principles — "to be kept diligently." God does not speak in plain, definite terms and then put up with us treating His words lightly. And that is not in the least what grace means. Nothing God has spoken is unimportant. Obedience is always what matters, and an obedience we can set limits on claims for us a wisdom higher than God's.

But the God whose sons we are is holy, and demands in His children obedience. He would have us recognise His authority. If we stand in His grace, we are also under His government. We are just as much the subjects of His kingdom as we are the objects of His favour. We are as much His servants under His control as we are His sons in liberty… Knowing that I am His son makes me cry, "Abba, Father." Knowing that I am under Him makes me say, "Lord, what do You want me to do?"

It is not Christian to obey Christ merely because we must. Christ never obeyed like that. If someone only does a thing because he knows he will be punished if he does not, that shows his heart is not in it — he does not want to obey. Christian obedience is wanting to do a thing because it is the will of God. The Holy Spirit gives us the power for that by setting Christ before our hearts.