093. PSA 119:80. BEING SOUND IN GOD’S STATUTES

Psa_119:80. Being Sound in God’s Statutes

"Let my heart be sound in thy statutes, that I be not ashamed."’97Psa_119:80.

Observe, I. A Description of the Divine Word. II. The Good Man’s Desire in reference to them. And, III. The Motive from which this Desire proceeded.

The text presents,

I. A Description of the Divine word.

"Thy statutes." Term signifies appointments. Hence, the Bible is God’s book of appointments,

1. In reference to moral duties.

Our duty to God’97personal duties’97relative duties’97civil duties’97duties to the world at large. Scripture quite specific on every subject obligatory on man.

2. In reference to positive ordinances and institutions.

Public and private worship’97hearing the word’97baptism’97Lord’s Supper, &c. No institution can be binding on the conscience of a Christian, unless it be found in God’s statutes. To the law and to the testimony, &c. Hence, the Bereans were commended for searching the Scriptures, &c.

3. In reference to articles of faith.

The Bible contains a perfect revelation of those doctrines which are the leading truths of the Christian religion; so that all we have to believe or do, is fully set before us in the word of the Lord. Notice, then,

II. The Good Man’s Desire in reference to them.

"Let my heart be sound in thy statutes." Soundness of heart in God’s statutes includes,

1. That we clearly comprehend them.

That was an important question, "Understandest thou what thou readest?" An ignorant mind is the very opposite of what the Psa. ist desired. Soul to be without knowledge is not good. Quite essential that the meaning of the word be plain to the understanding, and clearly received.

2. That we firmly believe them.

Be persuaded of their divinity, importance, and essentiality.

3. That we affectionately love and do light in them.

Love them pre-eminently’97prefer them to gold and silver’97consider them "sweeter than honey or the honey-comb." That they be our daily delight, our meditation by night, and the constant rejoicing of our hearts, ver. 15, 16, 72.

4. That we constantly practise them.

This is the end of knowledge. "If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them." End of faith; for faith works by love, and produces good fruit. To be sound in them, is to have our principles based upon them, and all our conduct regulated by them. A sound life is the best evidence of a sound heart, "Blessed is he who is a doer of the word," &c.; Jam_1:22. Notice,

III. The Motive from which this Desire proceeded.

"That I be not ashamed." That we may not be ashamed,

1. Of human examination.

Our creed may be questioned, our reasons demanded, our views tested. Now, we should be able to give a scriptural reason for all we believe and practise; 1Pe_3:15. See also Act_4:5, &c. That we may not be ashamed,

2. By being disappointed in our hopes.

If we are unsound in the statutes, we may expect blessings not promised, or in a different way to what they are revealed, our expectations may be cut off, and thus we may be ashamed. That we may not be ashamed,

3. In the hour of trial and affliction.

That our principles and experience may yield us rational and solid support when we most need it. Imperfect views of truth, and a wavering faith, are not comfortable at any time, but least of all when spiritual things must be all our support and joy. That we may not be ashamed.

4. In the final day of scrutiny and decision.

Those only will stand the fiery ordeal, whose hearts have been sound in God’s statutes. A name or a profession only will amount to loss than nothing, when God shall judge all hearts. Those who have been sound in his statutes, and those only, will stand with joy and confidence before him. The ignorant, unbelieving, and ungodly will be covered with confusion and everlasting contempt.

Application

Learn, (1) The invaluable character of the word of God. Contains the words of eternal life. A revelation of Christ the only way, &c., &c. (2) Necessity of a careful perusal of it. Seek ye out of the book of the Lord and read. (3) The importance of our hearts being sound in the glorious truths it reveals.

Autor: JABEZ BURNS