Today’s devotional concludes our focus on Psalm 119:49-72 and the spiritual benefits derived by those who love God’s Word, Law, Judgments, Statutes, Precepts, Testimonies, and Commandments. I have stated 20 of the 24 spiritual benefits in earlier devotions and invite you to review my posts for January 13-15 and January 20-21.
We begin today’s study with the 21st spiritual benefit enjoyed by those who love God’s Word, Law and Precepts: The precepts of the LORD give discernment.
Psalm 119:69 The proud [arrogant; presumptuous] have forged [sewed; put together; impute falsely] a lie [falsehood; deceit] against me: but I will keep [preserve; keep watch] thy precepts [commandment] with my whole heart [mind; understanding].
The psalmist was not guilty of wearing what some might call “rose-colored glasses”; he recognized the arrogance of the proud and the distortions they had “forged” against him. Rather than giving into fear and flight, the psalmist was encouraged in the midst of persecution and declared, “I will keep thy precepts with my whole heart” (119:69).
Psalm 119:70 Their (the proud and arrogant) heart [mind; understanding] is as fat [stupid; i.e. thick, perhaps as in “thickheaded”] as grease [fat or dull]; but I delight [cry out; please] in thy law [“Torah”; Ten Commandments or Pentateuch; instructions]. 
Those who reject God’s law are arrogant liars (119:69) whose hearts are “fat as grease”… insensitive, callous, thick-headed, and hard-hearted (119:70). My friend, this explains the wickedness of our day and the promotion of homosexuality and “gay marriage” that is not only against nature (Romans 1:24-27), it defies common sense!
Recognizing the spiritual blindness and hatred the enemies of God’s people have for the LORD’s precepts and law, the psalmist declared the Law of the LORD is the “delight” of the saints (119:70).
The 23rd benefit for those who love the Word and law of God is the statutes of the Lord promote a right heart attitude in the midst of affliction.
Psalm 119:71 It is good [pleasing; better; favorable] for me that I have been afflicted [humbled; poor; troubled]; that I might learn [instruct diligently; skillful] thy statutes [law; rule; ordinance].
Someone has observed that affliction is the university of biblical instruction; indeed it is! Afflictions, troubles, trials and persecutions had driven the psalmist to the Word, where he learned and was instructed in the statutes of the LORD.
Finally, the psalmist put a value on the Law, the Torah, we dare not forget: The law of the LORD enriches the soul more than “thousands of gold and silver” coins!
Psalm 119:72 The law [“Torah”; Ten Commandments or Pentateuch; instructions] of thy mouth is better [good; best; fine] unto me than thousands of gold and silver [i.e. pieces or coins].
A man may have tens of thousands in gold and silver in his retirement account, but be nothing more than a spiritual pauper in his soul. Friend, the law, word, statutes, precepts, commandments, judgments, and testimonies of God are worth more than all the gold and silver in the world. When the Law of the LORD is treasured in the heart, it is more valuable than a treasury of gold and silver.
Without the LAW you would be ignorant of your sinfulness and God’s hatred of sin. Without the WORD you would not know God’s unconditional love. Without the WORD you would not know God’s provision for saving sinners from the wages of sin and that Christ died and bore the penalty of your sin.
Realizing the 24 spiritual benefits claimed by those who love the Word, Law and Commandments of God, I challenge you to become disciplined students of God’s Word. Don’t be numbered among those foolish souls who boast in their Liberty, but fail to love God’s Word, Law, Judgments, Statutes, Precepts, Testimonies, and Commandments.
Psalm 19:7-10 – “The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.
8 The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes.
9 The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether.
10 More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.”
Copyright 2016 – Travis D. Smith