Psalm 119 and hope

“May those who fear you rejoice when they see me, for I have put my hope in your word.” Psalm 119:74

Psalm 119 is one of my favorite Psalms because it convicts, challenges and encourages me to spend more and more time in God’s Word. The truths and comfort He gives us through His Word truly are endless. We can return to His Word time and time and again and He will never run out of that fresh, living water to quench our thirst. 

This particular verse, verse 74, tells us that the Psalmist was placing his hope in God’s Word. This Psalm encourages me to do the same. It’s a positive action step. It’s a verb. “I PUT my hope in You…”

How do you PUT something somewhere? You have intention. You have a goal in mind, something you are working toward. You are placing something somewhere. It takes a physical action. You are focusing on where you are putting it. So if we put our hope in God we are intentionally focusing on the object of our hope. We are fixing our eyes & thoughts on Jesus. It takes practice.

Look back to verse 2. If you are looking for BLESSING, God tells us in His Word that we will be blessed when we seek Him with all of our heart. How do we seek the Lord? In prayer, in His Word, in striving to be like Him, in knowing Him, in loving Him. 

Speaking of praying the Psalms, I have memorized and prayed verse 5 many times…and it truly is the cry of my heart. My guess is, if you are reading this, that this prayer will be the cry of your heart as well!

“Oh, that my ways were steadfast in obeying your decrees.” Psalm 119:5

Yes, Lord, may it be so. May my heart be STEADFAST in following You, in obeying You, in believing You, in trusting You, in finding my hope in You!! 

Keep reading, Psalm 119:11 tells us one more powerful reason to memorize Scripture, I’m sure you remember this verse – but be reminded of why I pointed out Psalm 119 to begin with – because the Psalmist placed his hope in God’s Word. May we do the same!! And one way we can do that is by memorizing, “I have hidden Your word in my heart that I might not sin against You.” 

Lord, you have given us such powerful truths that turn our hearts to Your Word. Make us steadfast in obeying You, following You, searching out Your Word and resting in Your hope. 

If you’d like a reading/writing plan for Psalm 119, click here!