Psalms 119:139

Psalm 119:139 expresses the psalmist's profound emotional distress and righteous indignation over the disregard for God's divine law by his adversaries. This verse is part of the extensive Psalm 119, an acrostic poem dedicated to extolling the virtues and power of God's Word, often using synonyms like 'law,' 'statutes,' 'precepts,' and 'commandments.'

Context

Positioned within the 'Qoph' section of this remarkable psalm, verse 139 stands as a testament to the psalmist's unwavering devotion amidst a hostile environment. Throughout Psalm 119, the author consistently affirms his love for God's Word, even as he faces persecution and scorn from those who reject it. This particular verse highlights the personal cost of such devotion: a consuming grief over the spiritual blindness and rebellion of others who have "forgotten thy words," implying a deliberate turning away from divine truth rather than mere ignorance.

Key Themes

• Consuming Zeal for God's Word: The phrase "My zeal hath consumed me" vividly portrays an intense, burning passion for God's honor and the integrity of His commandments. This zeal is not merely intellectual agreement but a deep, emotional identification with God's purposes.
• Distress Over Spiritual Indifference: The psalmist's anguish is directly tied to the fact that his "enemies have forgotten thy words." This isn't just about personal opposition but about the spiritual state of those who reject God's revealed will. Their forgetfulness signifies a deliberate rejection of divine authority and wisdom, which deeply wounds the psalmist's spirit.
• The Conflict Between Righteousness and Wickedness: This verse underscores the perennial tension between those who embrace God's truth and those who disregard it. The psalmist's suffering is a direct result of living righteously in a world that often opposes divine standards, reflecting a theme common throughout the Psalms.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "zeal" is qin'ah (קִנְאָה), which carries connotations of intense passion, jealousy, or indignation. In this context, it signifies a righteous and fervent concern for God's glory and the purity of His Word. It's a divine jealousy on God's behalf, much like the zeal that consumed Jesus as He cleansed the temple. The phrase "hath consumed me" (כִּלָּתְנִי, killatni) suggests an overwhelming, almost debilitating, emotional state, a deep internal burning or anguish rather than physical destruction. The "forgetting" of God's words (שָׁכְחוּ, shakhechu) implies more than a lapse of memory; it suggests a willful neglect or abandonment of God's statutes, leading to spiritual decay and moral decline, as seen in Hosea 4:6.

Practical Application

Psalm 119:139 offers several poignant lessons for believers today:

• Cultivate a Holy Zeal: We are called to have a passionate, consuming love for God's Word and His truth, similar to the psalmist's devotion. This zeal should inspire us to cherish and obey His commands.
• Grieve Over Spiritual Indifference: While we must not be consumed by bitterness, it is appropriate to feel godly sorrow and concern when others, particularly those who claim to know God, disregard or reject His Word. This grief can motivate prayer and evangelism.
• Stand Firm in Truth: The psalmist's experience reminds us that living according to God's Word will often bring us into conflict with those who have "forgotten" it. We are encouraged to stand firm in truth, even when it leads to personal cost, knowing that all who live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.
• Examine Our Own Hearts: This verse also prompts introspection: do we sometimes "forget" God's words through neglect or deliberate disobedience? Our zeal should first begin with our own faithfulness to His commands.

The psalmist's consuming zeal is a powerful example of what it means to truly love God's law and lament its neglect in the world, urging believers to maintain a similar passion for divine truth.