A Spiritual Problem

The psalmist’s lengthy poem about the Word of God holds the keys to regaining enthusiasm. Psalm 119 helps to identify issues that drag us down so we can address them with wisdom from above. After all, a lack of enthusiasm isn’t a problem with emotions; it’s a spiritual problem that can’t be corrected with a pep talk or even a happy experience.

Needing More

Interesting word, enthusiasm. It’s derived from two Greek terms, en (meaning “in”) and theos (meaning “God”), carrying the idea of being inspired. In the original sense of the word, a person was so overtaken with the presence of God, he or she could barely contain the excitement. That makes sense. The truth of God applied to our circumstances brings a burst of enthusiasm nothing else can provide.

From the Depths to the Heights

In just a few verses, the songwriter of Psalm 116 has climbed from the utter depths of grief and sorrow to the heights of praising God. His journey undoubtedly took many months, however. The song merely recounts his ordeal. While his praising God marks the pinnacle of his climb, it also appears to be his means of getting there. He didn’t wait until he felt better before giving the Lord praise.

A Public Response

Psalm 116, a lament of grief and sorrow, takes a positive turn with the composer deciding how he will respond to the Lord’s deliverance (116:12). He promised to tell the story of God’s rescue; now he determines to take his public announcement to the next level. I Shall Pay My Vows. I shall pay my vows to the LORD, Oh may it be in the presence of all His people. (116:14)

A Song of Deliverance

The psalmist’s lament in Psalm 116 expresses reasons to love the Lord despite the soul-crushing burden of grief and sorrow. Because He Cares for Me. Return to your rest, O my soul, For the LORD has dealt bountifully with you. (116:7) Look at that! The words “dealt bountifully” are a translation of the Hebrew gamal, which means “to deal fully and completely” with something or someone. Frequently, it suggests the idea of “rewarding.”

A Song of Sadness

Psalm 116 is the lament of a man surrounded by grief and sorrow, most likely because death has touched his life. Let’s take a few moments to probe a little deeper into a song of sadness. The first line of the psalmist’s song is surprising. He writes, “I love the LORD, because . . . ” (116:1). In the nineteenth century, a young English girl, Elizabeth Barrett, suffered a spinal injury at age fifteen that left her a semi-invalid for many years.

Sadness Abounds

It is easy for those who are strong and healthy to forget how many tears of sorrow and grief are shed every day. All around this aching world—perhaps in your own home or in your heart this very week—sadness abounds. Tears fall. Grief has you in its grip. And it can happen so fast. I remember speaking with a young man on our support staff at a church I once served. He was all smiles about his future, such a contagious fellow.

Response to Others

Psalm 101, David’s spiritual manifesto in song, began with a list of admirable qualities the king desired to cultivate. He then took a good look around him to determine how he would respond to different kinds of individuals based on their positive or negative influence. The Blameless. He who walks in a blameless way is the one who will minister to me. (101:6b)

Staying On Course

Having identified four qualities to cultivate, David’s spiritual manifesto in Psalm 101 continues with several declarations, each intended to keep him on course in pursuit of his divine purpose. David no longer looks within, he looks around. He considers the people of his kingdom and declares his predetermined response to various types of individual.

Honesty and Purity

Psalm 101 names four great qualities a believer must possess in order to discern his or her divine purpose. Without these four virtues to clarify one’s vision, confusion abounds. After describing honor and integrity in verses 1 and 2, the song continues with two more godly qualities: honesty and purity. Honesty. I will set no worthless thing before my eyes; I hate the work of those who fall away; It shall not fasten its grip on me. (101:3)

Tag Archives: Psalms