"Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them."
Psalm 119:165
Part 1
“Great peace.”
Wonderful words! David speaks here not of peace, but of “great peace!” This is not just any peace, but it is the peace that God gives His child, the “peace that passes understanding” (Philippians 4:7). This “peace” in our verse is the Hebrew word “shalom.” This word carries the idea of “completeness, soundness, welfare, peace”[1] (BDB).
“Have they which love thy law.”
Believers, how well do we know the Word, and how much do we love it?
“Those who love the law find it a spring of constant inward peace, even in the midst of outward persecution: and they have none occasion of stumbling (R.V.).”[2]
“He that loveth his brother abideth in the light, and there is none occasion of stumbling in him” (1 John 2:10).
“These men [the ones who “love thy law”], are ever-striving, with all their hearts, to walk in obedience to the law, and though they are often persecuted they have peace, yea, great peace; for they have learned the secret of the reconciling blood, they have felt the power of the comforting Spirit, and they stand before the Father as men accepted”[3] (Spurgeon).
“And nothing shall offend them.”
What rare words are these today! Threats and lawsuits fly at the least perceived injustice. Offenses are taken where none were meant. In our society, nothing is ever “my fault,” but it is the fault of the one who wronged me! I’m afraid that even professing believers fall in line with the world on this one. And this tells a tale on “believers.” It seems that many are just waiting to be offended! Could it be that God’s children do not know and love His Word? Because of those who love God’s law, David said,
“nothing shall offend them — or, “cause them to offend”[4] (JFB).
What is the answer to offenses and being offended? Come back tomorrow, and we will continue with this verse.
Quote: “Real contentment must come from within. You and I cannot change or control the world around us, but we can change and control the world within us”[5] (Warren Wiersbe).
[1] Brown, Driver, Briggs. Brown-Driver-Briggs’ Hebrew Definitions, the electronic version in eSword.
[2] Cambridge Bible, the electronic version in eSword.
[3] C.H. Spurgeon, Treasury of David, the electronic version in eSword.
[4] Jamison, Fausset, and Brown. Jamison-Fausset-Brown’s Commentary, the electronic version in eSword.
[5] Wiersbe’s quote, Downloaded: Monday, June 29, 2020.
From: https://www.christianquotes.info/top-quotes/19-beautiful-quotes-about-gods-peace/.