Scroll through your Facebook feed and you’re likely to find strongly held opinions on every side of every issue. Full-throated support of President Trump is followed by someone cringing at his latest Tweet. Skepticism about the seriousness of this current COVID crisis is followed by a heartfelt account of survival after weeks in the hospital struggling against the virus. And the WHO and the CDC can’t agree on whether people who don’t think they have COVID should wear facemasks. How can we know whom to trust anymore?

Well, if column inches are any reliable measure of an author’s priorities, we should look first to the Holy Scriptures, because the longest chapter in the Bible is about the Bible. In fact, even the format of Psalm 119 argues for its comprehensiveness. The first eight verses all begin with the first letter of the Hebrew alphabet, the second eight with the second letter, and the pattern continues all the way to the end of the alphabet, with the last eight verses beginning with the last letter. If we were to express it in English, we’d say that this Psalm covers the topic of Scripture from A to Z.

So, what claims does the Bible make for itself? That following its precepts will help a young man keep his way pure (v. 9). That it is a lamp to our feet and a light to our path (v. 105). That it is steady and unmoving, settled forever in the heavens (v. 89). That it is pure (v. 140). That it is truth (v. 142). What better source of guidance could we want, especially in such dark and confusing times?

It’s no wonder that over and over again, the psalmist expresses his love for God’s law (v. 97). He says it is sweeter than honey to him (v. 103), and that it is the joy of his heart (v. 111). As meditate on this psalm today, may we recover some of this wonder (v. 27), this joy in the simple fact that our Creator has spoken to us in ways we can understand, welcoming us into a fuller relationship with Himself, the One Who loves us so much.

Psalm 119:9-16 (NASB)

9 How can a young man keep his way pure? By keeping it according to Thy word.
10 With all my heart I have sought Thee; Do not let me wander from Thy commandments.
11 Thy word I have treasured in my heart, That I may not sin against Thee.
12 Blessed art Thou, O LORD; Teach me Thy statutes.
13 With my lips I have told of All the ordinances of Thy mouth.
14 I have rejoiced in the way of Thy testimonies, As much as in all riches.
15 I will meditate on Thy precepts, And regard Thy ways.
16 I shall delight in Thy statutes; I shall not forget Thy word.