“Psalm 119 – The Blessing of Hungering And Thirsting For God’s Righteous Law”

October 10, 2021

“Psalm 119 – The Blessing of Hungering And Thirsting For God’s Righteous Law“
[By Cameron Piner]

Matthew 5:6 – “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied” (NASB).

Jesus said that those who eagerly long for and seek His righteousness will be happy/ blessed. There is joy, delight and rejoicing that is found when we desire God’s righteousness.

The author of Psalm 119 knew this joy, because he hungered and thirsted for God’s righteous law. He delighted in God’s righteous rules.

First, notice the Psalmist’s focus on the righteousness of God: Psalm 119:40, 138, 142. This focus on God’s righteousness is specifically concerned with the relationship between God’s righteousness and His precepts/ Law – “You have appointed your testimonies in righteousness and in all faithfulness” (Ps. 119:138, ESV).

Next, notice how often the Psalmist refers to God’s “righteous rules” – Psalm 119:7, 62, 75, 106, 123, 137, 144, 160, 164. Part of hungering and thirsting for God’s righteousness, is hungering and thirsting for His righteous rules/ precepts/ promises/ words. – “The sum of your word is truth, and every one of your righteous rules endures forever” (Ps. 119:160, ESV).

So, the Psalmist recognizes God’s word as the result of His righteousness. Then he zealously seeks/ longs for/ hungers and thirsts for the word of God. – Psalm 119:10, 20, 31, 32, 40, 43, 45, 57, 58, 59, 60, 74, 81, 82, 95, 103, 123, 131, 139, 147, 148, 166, 174, etc. [Please go read those verses to see how much the Psalmist longed for God’s word] – “How sweet are Your words to my taste! Yes, sweeter than honey to my mouth!”(Ps. 119:103, NASB). – “I opened my mouth wide and panted, For I longed for Your commandments” (Ps. 119:131, NASB).

The Psalmist clearly lived the beatitude of hungering and thirsting for righteousness (especially God’s righteous word), but was he blessed because of this? Absolutely! Remember that the word “blessed” refers to being extremely happy/ fortunate. So, let’s look at the joy and rejoicing that the Psalmist found in God’s word: Psalm 119:162 – “I rejoice at your word like one who finds great spoil” (ESV). Psalm 119:74 – “Those who fear you shall see me and rejoice, because I have hoped in your word” (ESV). So, joy was brought to the Psalmist AND to those who saw him, because of his desire for God’s righteous word.

However, the joy does not stop there. The word “delight” is very close to both “rejoice” and “blessed”, and the Psalmist frequently talks about his delight in the word of God: Psalm 119:14, 16, 24, 35, 47, 70, 77, 92, 143, 174. – “In the way of your testimonies I delight as much as in all riches” (Ps. 119:14, ESV). – Truly, the Psalmist was fortunate/ blessed by the word of God, even more than if he had all kinds of riches.

Not only did the Psalmist rejoice and delight in God’s word, but he also expresses his love for God’s word: Psalm 119:47, 48, 97, 113, 119, 127, 159, 163, 165, 167. – “Oh how I love your law! It is my meditation all the day” (Ps. 119:97, ESV). – “Great peace have those who love your law; nothing can make them stumble” (Ps. 119:165, ESV). The Psalmist loved and meditated on the word of God, and he expresses that all who love God’s law will be blessed with great peace.

But it is not enough to simply desire and know the word of God, the Psalmist also emphasized the value of/ need to walk in the word of God, and the blessings that come when you observe His testimonies. In fact, this Psalm starts with a couple of its own beatitudes: “How blessed are those whose way is blameless, Who walk in the law of the Lord. How blessed are those who observe His testimonies, Who seek Him with all their heart. They also do no unrighteousness; They walk in His ways” (Ps. 119:1-3, NASB).

The author of Psalm 119 was clearly in love with God and with His word. He longed for the word of God, hungering and thirsting for His righteous rules. Finally, the Psalmist recognized that those who walk in the ways of God are immensely blessed.

We, too, can and should be in love with God and His word. We can delight in, long for, eagerly seek, and hunger and thirst for God’s righteous rules and testimonies. And we, too, will be blessed, if we live by God’s righteous rules.