Psalm 119:129-144

It took just 2 minutes to read this passage. I was intrigued by the sorrow of the psalmist over the lawless rebellion of those around him. Tears flowed as he looked around. There was only sorrow in God's sight. The people whom he had chosen paid lip service to his name, but rejcted mercy and obedience. But the psalmist, as true of all people of faith, did not pattern himself after those around him. His hunger, his standard, his inspiration was found, and built upon, the word of God. The sorrow he had for those around him was bouyed by the faithfulness of God's word in his life. Joy comes from God, the God of Israel, who instructs his people. He does not sit idlely by waiting for us to do right. He is fighting with us against the pressures of the flesh to choose right over wrong, sacrifice instead of selfishness, honor not greed, righteousness before ease and comfort. I believe the tears of the psalmist were not for himself, but for the loss he understood of those who were not living close to God.
Stuart