Aleph
Blessed is the man who is blameless (vs. 1a). This verse doesn’t mean a sinless perfection doctrine. Instead, it refers to a man who is “complete or has integrity.” Men aren’t born with this nature. What truly makes a man complete and one who has integrity is his walk in the law of the Lord (vs. 2b). His walk, his life, and his character are all shaped by the word of God. The law of the Lord defines what is holy, pure, and right.
How blessed are we who observe His testimonies (vs. 2a) and are often referred to as the Ten Commandments? These commandments testified of God’s law for people. To observe is to keep His commands. We must be careful to observe all the Scripture commands us. We are also blessed if we seek Him with all our heart (vs. 2b). The heart is wicked and can lead us astray, but as we observe His testimonies, we are blessed as we truly seek them with all our heart. We should desire to be obedient to what He has commanded us in the Scriptures.
When we observe, walk, and seek His law, testimonies, then we aren’t sinless, but we are careful not to be disobedient to those commands, as seen in I John 5:18. We don’t live in a perpetual state of sin and rebellion. We walk in His ways (vs. 3), and the result is a desire not to be disobedient.
The precepts of God we should keep diligently (vs. 4). The word “diligently” has the idea of exceedingly and abundance. The precepts of God which He ordained (commanded, gave charge) are right and to be kept. God’s commands are not optional in our culture today. We don’t determine, by some kind of postmodern truth, what precepts and commands to keep that God has given. Here, the Psalmist speaks to God by addressing Him of what He has done and how man should respond.
The paths or ways of man should be established by the precepts and commands of God in His word (vs. 5). The word “ways” has the meaning of a path, as seen in Proverbs 4:26. The Psalmist is expressing a desire to keep His statutes, as seen in Deuteronomy 12:1-2; 2 Chronicles 7:17.
By learning the statutes of God (verses 6-7), he won’t be ashamed to keep and look upon His commandments. Learning the statutes and commands of God creates a thankful heart. The law of God reveals our sinful nature, while the righteous judgments of God instill a thankful attitude of knowing His laws.
The psalmist makes a promise to God to keep His statutes. He acknowledges his potential for failure and asks God not to utterly forsake him. How grateful we are that God is merciful in our Christian life—patient and long-suffering. As we learn His word, we often see how much we lack. Don’t forsake me!