The intensity of spiritual thought in Psalm 119 invites our deepest reflection and meditation. The Psalmist is contemplating how his relationship with God penetrates all spheres of his life. This Psalm impels us to treasure God’s word as the springboard of all worthwhile meditation. “How sweet are your words to my taste. Sweeter than honey to my mouth! Through your precepts I get understanding; therefore I hate every false way” (verses 103,104).

How much does our meditation lead us to hate every false way? The philosophy of today is not to “hate” anything; everything is to be tolerated. The uninspired human heart stumbles along in its blindness.

Can we say with the Psalmist, “Oh how love I thy law! It is my meditation all the day … I have more understanding than all my teachers, for your testimonies are my meditation” (verses 97-99). He tells God, “Your testimonies are my heritage forever, for they are the joy of my heart” therefore “I hate the double minded, but I love your law” (verses 111,113). A human inclination these days is to be double-minded (politicians are good at that), but they only reflect the attitudes of many. But the Psalmist, who is addressing God, says, “All the wicked of the earth you (will) discard like dross, therefore I love your testimonies. My flesh trembles for fear (awe) of you …” (verses 119,120) and asks, “Deal with your servant according to your steadfast love” (verse 124).

Do we ask that? Our reading in Luke details one person who was particularly aware and overwhelmed by that! We read yesterday of Mary saying, “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices …”. Today we read the testimony of the shepherds who came to see the babe lying in a manger and told Mary of their experience and what they had heard. Mary “treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart” (2:19). When Mary and Joseph bring the babe to Jerusalem, Simeon a “righteous and devout man … Blessed them and said to Mary … Behold this child is appointed for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is opposed … so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed” (verses 25,34,35).

Thoughts revealed? Well, just look at the reactions of those jealous of Jesus! Look at the heart searching of those who started to follow him and then left (John 6:60,66) Yes, God can read all thoughts, He can see how well we are responding to the teaching of Jesus and whether we are meditating like the Psalmist! Are we meditating at all? It takes someone like David to meditate all the day? But God knows what is happening in our hearts.