BIG IDEA:
LOVE FOR THE WORD OF GOD IS THE PATHWAY TO SUPERIOR WISDOM
I. (:97) THE KEY TO SUPERIOR WISDOM = LOVE FOR THE WORD OF GOD
"O how I love Thy law! It is my meditation all the day."
Those that love the world, spend their time consumed with the things of the world. Those that love the Word, spend their time meditating on the Word.
cf. the hypocrisy of the Pharisees = superficial approach to obeying the externals but no heart understanding or meditation on the spiritual truths of the law
II. (:98-100) THE MEASURE OF SUPERIOR WISDOM
measured by comparison to other potential sources of wisdom
A. (:98) Superior to the Wisdom of My Enemies
"Thy commandments make me wiser than my enemies, For they are ever mine."
enemies present themselves as "know-it-alls";
we have a tremendous advantage over them; don’t give them any respect;
the world has a certain shrewdness and street smarts, but not beneficial like godly wisdom;
note sense of personal ownership of God’s commands -- they have been internalized
B. (:99) Superior to the Wisdom of My Teachers
"I have more insight than all my teachers, For Thy testimonies are my meditation."
teachers deserve respect; but we must recognize the limitations of man’s wisdom;
spiritual things must be spiritually discerned
(not saying that we don’t need spiritual teachers; making contrast with human wisdom)
Holy Spirit able to impact our hearts with God’s truth in a special and very direct way
Requires time and concentration on our part
C. (:100) Superior to the Wisdom of the Elderly
"I understand more than the aged, Because I have observed Thy precepts."
"Practice doesn’t make Perfect; Perfect Practice makes perfect".Old age doesn’t automatically bring wisdom; it is the amount of time that has been spent in obeying God’s Word;
We are to have great respect for our elders; but the Word of God has even a higher claim on our allegience
III. (:101-102) THE GOAL OF SUPERIOR WISDOM = OBEDIENCE
"I have restrained my feet from every evil way, That I may keep Thy word."
"I have not turned aside from Thine ordinances, For Thou Thyself hast taught me."
A. Requires Self-Restraint
resisting of temptation
not being distracted from the straight and narrow
B. Requires Submission to Divine Instruction
there can be no disputing what God teaches us personally
(importance of developing convictions)
(cf. the Goal of Commandments = Love (1 Timothy 5:10)
IV. (:103-104) ENJOYMENT OF GOD’S WISDOM
A. Love for the Truth
"How sweet are Thy words to my taste! Yes, sweeter than honey to my mouth!"
B. Hatred of Evil
"From Thy precepts I get understanding Therefore I hate every false way."
* * * * * * * * * *
DEVOTIONAL QUESTIONS:
1) What are the dangers of giving so much attention to seeking to understand God’s Word? How do we involve ourselves in the exercise of meditation throughout the course of the day?
2) How can we combine increased and superior wisdom with deepened humility and respect for others?
3) Note how the goal of practical obedience is stressed throughout these brief verses. Why is it so difficult for our academic models of education to maintain this emphasis?
4) How would you answer someone who claims by virtue of this strophe that they have no need of pastors and elders teaching them the Word because the Lord teaches them directly and gives them greater insight “than all my teachers”?.*
Download the entire Psalms commentary in pdf format
(including notes on each psalm from other commentators)
from:
http://www.bibleoutlines.com
