November 22, 2024

More To Be Desired

psalmshymnsspiritualsongskjv

The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul
The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple

More to be desired are they than gold
Yea, than much fine gold

Sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb

The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart
The commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes

The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring for ever
The judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether

Moreover by them is Thy servant warned
And in keeping of them there is great reward
Who can understand his errors
Cleanse Thou me from secret faults

Keep back Thy servant also from presumptuous sins
Let them not have dominion over me
Then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent of the great transgression

Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart
Be acceptable in Thy sight, O Lord, my Strength and my Redeemer

The Young Disciple Youth Bible Camp
Ed Gungor

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We hear in this sweet song (and read in Psalm 19:7-14 which inspired it)  that God’s commands (His laws, His statutes, His precepts, His decrees) are:

  • perfect…they convert our souls
  • right…they give joy to our hearts
  • sure…they make us wise
  • pure…they give light to our eyes
  • true…they all are righteous
  • clean…they endure forever

How encouraging is that?!?  What a merciful, gracious, kind, compassionate God we serve!  Throughout time, He has communicated with His people and given them His commands—which, in this psalm, include His laws, statutes, precepts, and decrees.

In the beginning, God told His man, Adam, ONE simple command—not to eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil in the Garden (Genesis 2).  To the children of Israel as they journeyed for forty years to the Promised Land, He gave them His rules to follow (e.g, Deuteronomy 6).  When Jesus was instructing His disciples, He pulled it all together, giving them TWO direct commandments—1) to love God with their whole heart, soul, mind, all their strength and 2) to love their fellow man as they loved themselves (Mark 12:29-31).  Our hearts’ response to our loving God should be loving obedience…plain and simple.  I pray that the following verses will be a reminder and encouragement for us all to trust and obey the Great I AM.

In fact, this is love for God: to keep His commands.
And His commands are not burdensome.
1 John 5:3

I obey your precepts and Your statutes, for all my ways are known to You.
Psalm 119:168

Blessed are those who keep His statutes and seek Him with all their heart—
Psalm 119:2

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Thank You, dear Lord, for how gracious, kind, and merciful You are to us.  You are not a harsh, exacting God Who demands perfection…rather You are a loving Father Who sets righteous, life-giving commands before us!  You guide us and help us to seek You and obey You from our hearts.  You are SO good!!!  We love You, Father…and pray in Jesus’ name.  Amen.

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About coleen hayden

Coleen Hayden – Director of Women's Ministry - Prayer Ministry Leader - Blog Contributor
Coleen and her husband Robert have been married for 19 years and currently live in the Capital District area of New York State. They have one beautiful daughter, Kassia, who is married to Matt, and 4 delightful grandchildren Elijah, Kaylie Joy, Levi, and Rebekah. She enjoys sewing, cooking, and playing the piano.

Comments

  1. Coleen, thank you for sharing this Scriptural chorus. I love singing God’s Word, and I haven’t heard this one in a long time.
    I’m so thankful that we have God’s Word to show us just how much He loves us. To show Him our love, He is looking for our obedience to His Word and living it out in our daily lives.
    I’m thanking God along with you! Amen!

    • coleen hayden says

      i love sharing it…and i know this passage is one of your favorites, clella! His Word(s) truly are ‘more to be desired than gold…’ <3