Be good to your servant while I live, that I may obey your word. Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law. I am a stranger on earth; do not hide your commands from me. My soul is consumed with longing for your laws at all times. You rebuke the arrogant, who are accursed, those who stray from your commands. Remove from me their scorn and contempt, for I keep your statutes. Though rulers sit together and slander me, your servant will meditate on your decrees. Your statutes are my delight; they are my counselors.
—Psalms 119:17-24

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Gimel ג: Meditation on The Word
By Jennifer Kane

I still my soul, I fix my gaze,
Upon Your Word, a guiding blaze.
Like dawn that breaks the veil of night,
Your statutes shine with holy light.

A breath, a whisper, calm and deep,
Your wisdom, Lord, my soul will keep.
Though wandering thoughts may drift and sway,
Your precepts call me back to stay.

A candle flickers, firm and true,
Like laws that lead, like grace that grew.
Each word inscribed upon my heart,
A lamp that tears the dark apart.

Though strangers mock, though trials rise,
Your testimonies make me wise.
My heart delights, my hands embrace,
The law that sings of love and grace.

So let me ponder, day and night,
Upon Your words, so pure, so bright.
For in Your statutes, Lord, I see—
A path of truth that sets me free.


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Scriptures: Psalm 119:17-24

Psalm 119 is a song of devotion, a love letter to God’s Word. In verses 17-24, the psalmist pours out his heart, expressing a longing to know, understand, and live by God’s commands. Even in trials, he finds solace in Scripture, allowing it to guide his heart and shape his path.

Let us quiet our souls and enter into this longing.

The psalmist begins with a request that reveals both humility and boldness:
“Deal bountifully with Your servant, that I may live and keep Your word.”

He does not seek ease or riches but the ability to live in obedience. His heart is set on something greater—God’s truth as his sustenance.

Do I desire God’s Word above all else?
Do I recognize my dependence on His grace to live it out?

He continues, pleading:
“Open my eyes, that I may see wondrous things from Your law.”

Understanding is not merely an intellectual pursuit—it is a gift from God. To truly grasp the depth of His Word, our spiritual eyes must be opened.

Do I approach Scripture with awe, expecting God to reveal His wisdom?
Do I slow down and let the Holy Spirit illuminate my heart?

The psalmist confesses his status:
“I am a stranger on earth; do not hide Your commands from me.”

He recognizes that his true home is not here, and this fuels his longing for God’s guidance. The world may be shifting sand, but God’s Word is solid ground.

Do I feel at home in this world, or is my heart set on eternity?
Does my soul ache for God’s Word as my anchor?

Even as scorn and slander surround him, the psalmist does not waver.
“Though rulers sit together and speak against me, Your servant meditates on Your statutes.”

The world’s voices grow loud, yet he turns to the quiet truth of Scripture. The words of men fade, but God’s testimonies endure.

When opposition arises, where do I turn?
Do I let God’s Word be my refuge, my counselor, my delight?

Psalm 119:17-24 is not just the cry of an ancient psalmist—it is an invitation. An invitation to seek, to long, to meditate. To treasure God’s Word above all, letting it shape our minds and steady our hearts.

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So let us pray:
Heavenly Father,
Still my restless heart.
Open my eyes to see the wonders of Your Word.
Let Your statutes be my refuge, my delight, my guide.
When the world presses in, anchor me in Your truth.
Make me a stranger to all that pulls me away from You,
And a dweller in the light of Your presence.
May I meditate on Your Word day and night,
Until it is written upon my soul.
In the name above all names, Jesus. Amen.

February 13, 2025