Psalm 119:11

GOOD MORNING! A passage in Psalm 119 promises amazing results for all who will heed the word of God. "Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee." [1] The word of God cleanses, comforts in affliction, and, when obeyed faithfully, will keep us in fellowship with our LORD and Saviour.

Let us examine this verse and what the Psalmist is testifying to.  Immediately we recognize the Author of the word. "Thy word." This Holy Bible, the whole of it, is God's word. "All scripture is given by inspiration of God,"[2] … "Holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost."[3]

This Holy Bible has, through all the centuries, stood firm against three enemies: One, the enemy who misinterprets the Scriptures; Two, the enemy who says the Scriptures do not count; and Three, the enemy who seeks to destroy the Scriptures.

We may not treat the Holy Bible as we do any other book. We may not take from nor add to the text. There is a special warning in this regard in both the Law and the Revelation. In the Law we read: "Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you."[4] In the last book of the Bible, we read: "For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book." [5]

Modern revisions fall under the error of changing the text, because instead of taking the Bible as the word of God, they depend on nineteenth century revisionist scholars, and thus the pure word is compromised.

The Psalmist bears witness to the right handling of the word of God. "Thy word have I hid in mine heart." Hiding the word in the heart is remembering, meditating upon, and respecting the Scriptures as the "living word of life."

Hiding God's word in the heart means that the daily life is lived by God’s word. To hide God's word in my heart means to cherish it and make it a vital part of my daily living.

The Psalmist tells why God's word is hidden in the heart. "Thy word have I hid in mine heart that I that I might not sin against thee." God's word teaches us that we need to be concerned about our right relationship with God. We belong to God by right of creation. "All souls are mine,"[6] saith the Scriptures. But we are by nature sinners against God, "For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God;"[7] … " there is none that doeth good, no, not one."[8] … "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our LORD."[9]

God’s word teaches us how we may have a right relation with God, "Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our LORD Jesus Christ: By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God." [10]

We cannot, because we are sinners, make ourselves right with God. But God has made a way to change our state from condemnation to acceptance! He has given us His only begotten Son, "that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life … for God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved."[11]

The Son of God, our Saviour, saith, "I am the way, the truth, and the life;"[12]   … " him that cometh unto me I will in no wise cast out."[13] ... "For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him."[14]

An Old Testament invitation is directed to all who will hear: "Come now, let us reason together saith the LORD, though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool."[15]

"Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee." When once a right relation with God has been established by faith in the Saviour, then a new life is set before us by God's word; and God's word becomes the true guide of life as the Holy Spirit illumines that word to our hearts.

"Holy Bible, Book Divine, Precious treasure thou art mine." [16] When once I love Him, because He has first loved me, I find that God's word, the Holy Bible, becomes a cherished possession; one that "is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness;"[17] that will "throughly furnish" doctrine, bring about maturity in grace, and causes me to bring forth the good works that are well-pleasing unto my Heavenly Father.
AMEN.

[1]Psalm 119:11
[2] 2 Timothy 3:16
[3] 2 Peter 1:21
[4] Deuteronomy 4:2
[5] Revelation 22:18-19
[6] Ezekiel 18:4
[7] Romans 3:23
[8] Romans 3:12
[9] Romans 6:23
[10] Romans 5:1-2
[11] John 3:14,17
[12] John 14:6
[13] John 6:37
[14] 2 Corinthians 5:21
[15] Isaiah 1:18
[16] From "Holy Bible, Book Divine" by John Burton
[17] 2 Timothy 3:16