Psalm 119 by H. A. St. John

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Sep 10, 1872

By H. A. St. John

Of late we have beheld new beauties in this psalm. It consists of 176 verses, and in every single verse the law of God is referred to in some manner, and many of these devotional breathings, from a soul filled with love to God, are beautiful beyond description. In variety of expression, and richness of thought, this composition cannot be equaled.

Sometimes we are accused, or found fault with, for saying too much about the law of God. But where is the writer or speaker among us, who has referred to the law of God 176 times in an essay or sermon of the length of the 119th psalm? Says some one, “You seem to delight in talking, and thinking, about the ten commandments continually.” Would to God this were true of every one of us, yea, more, that we all faithfully obeyed them, then we would find no time to follow the leadings of carnality.

The sweet singer of Israel delighted in the law of God, and in his law he meditated day and night. We could do no more than this, should we use our utmost endeavors. Says God, Ps. 1:1, 2, “Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.” How many of us are living for this blessing? Surely none that think the law abolished, or are troubled when hearing its claims presented.

I love God's law. Oh! that it may ever be my delight, a lamp to my feet, and a light to my path, till with the righteous nation that have kept the truth, I may enter the portals of perfect bliss. H. A. ST. JOHN.

Psalm 119.