Psalm 119:15-16
15 I meditate on your precepts
and consider your ways.
16 I delight in your decrees;
I will not neglect your word.
Remember the psalmist is exploring how we can live according to God's word. He has already said that he seeks God with all of his heart, he has hidden God's word in his heart, he praises the LORD, he says he speaks all the laws that God has said and he rejoices in following God's statutes. These 4 statements here wrap up this section of Psalm 119.
The word for meditate here means to meditate with thanks and praise. Its root carries the meaning of praise or any impassioned speech.
Precepts (piqqud) suggests applying the word of God to the minutia of life. By meditating on them, no stone is left unturned.
The word for decrees is the same root word as decrees in v. 12 and therefore carries similar connotations. See Wednesday's devotional on that for more information.
Word is also the same Hebrew word as in v. 9. See Tuesday's devotional for more info on that word.
Reflection
Today take a few minutes and examine yourself and your relationship with God's word. Are you living according to God's word? Ask yourself the following questions:
- Am I seeking God, with all of my heart?
- Am I looking for God's strength to keep me from straying from his commands?
- Am I hiding God's promises in my heart like a precious treasure?
- Am I thanking the LORD for his laws?
- Am I asking God to teach me his royal decrees?
- Am I speaking of God's judgments and with others?
- Am I rejoicing in following God's statutes like great wealth?
- Am I meditating on his precepts?
- Do I delight in his decrees?
Whether you find yourself woefully lacking in all of these of just one of these commit to adopting one of them into your regular disciplines.