Psalms 119:171

Psalms 119:171 is a profound declaration of the psalmist's commitment to praise God, directly linking that praise to divine instruction in His statutes. This verse encapsulates a core theme of Psalm 119: that genuine worship flows from a deep, God-given understanding of His revealed will.

Context

Psalm 119 is the longest chapter in the Bible, an elaborate acrostic poem (each eight-verse stanza begins with a successive letter of the Hebrew alphabet) entirely devoted to extolling the excellence and necessity of God's law, word, precepts, commandments, and statutes. Verse 171 falls within the "Koph" (or Qoph) section (verses 169-176), which often features fervent prayer for deliverance and a longing for God's teaching and salvation. The psalmist consistently portrays himself as a diligent student of God's Word, recognizing that true wisdom and a righteous life are found only through divine instruction.

Key Themes

• Praise Rooted in Understanding: The verse establishes a clear cause-and-effect relationship: "My lips shall utter praise, when thou hast taught me thy statutes." This suggests that authentic, meaningful praise is not merely emotional outburst but an informed response to God's truth and character as revealed in His Word. It's a praise born of conviction and knowledge.
• The Centrality of God's Statutes: The "statutes" (Hebrew: chuqqim) refer to God's divine decrees and ordinances, His established rules for living. The psalmist sees these not as burdensome regulations but as sources of life, wisdom, and the very foundation for appropriate worship. This echoes the sentiment found in Psalm 1:2, where delight is found in the law of the Lord.
• Divine Instruction as Prerequisite for True Worship: The emphasis is on God as the teacher ("when thou hast taught me"). This highlights the psalmist's dependence on God for spiritual understanding. Human intellect alone cannot fully grasp divine truths; it requires God's illuminating work. This teaching leads to a praise that is pleasing to God because it aligns with His revealed character and will.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "My lips shall utter praise" uses the Hebrew verb נָבַע (nava'), which means to "gush forth," "bubble up," or "pour out." It conveys a sense of spontaneous, overflowing expression, indicating that the praise is not forced but flows naturally from a heart and mind enlightened by God's teaching. The "praise" itself (תְּהִלָּה - tehillah) is a common term for adoration and thanksgiving, often found in the Psalms, which are themselves songs of praise.

Practical Application

This verse offers a vital lesson for contemporary believers: true worship and effective praise are intimately connected to our understanding of God's Word. It challenges us to:

• Seek God's Teaching: Are we actively engaged in studying Scripture, asking God to illuminate its truths to us? Just as the psalmist desired, we should pray for divine instruction ("Shew me thy ways, O LORD; teach me thy paths," Psalm 25:4).
• Let Understanding Fuel Praise: When we grasp more of God's character, His faithfulness, and His righteous ways as revealed in His statutes, our praise becomes richer, more authentic, and deeply rooted. It transforms worship from mere ritual into a heartfelt response to truth.
• Live a Life of Informed Worship: Our daily lives should reflect the statutes we have been taught, and this obedience itself becomes a form of praise, demonstrating the transformative power of God's Word.