Psalm 119:11 - November 17, 2009

Ps 119:11 I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you. NIV

This passage is such a clear follow up to verse nine. It is the action plan that follows the counsel provided in the preceding verses. In verse nine of this Psalm the psalmist identifies the act of living by the word as the means to living in the purity God desires. Verse eleven follows that principle up with a concise illustration of how to work out that concept. He declares confidently in verse eleven, “I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.”

This passage is such a clear revelation of the power of the word of God. The author of the book of Hebrews declares in Heb 4:12 “For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” Verse eleven of Psalm 119 demonstrates the living nature of the word of God. Hebrews teaches us that the word is living and active. When we hide it in our hearts it is not passive facts that we have stored up in our memories. The words of scripture are alive with the power of God to convict us and to direct our hearts and lives.

Hebrews continues on to say of the word that it is sharp and able to work in us to separate between the voice of our soul and the voice of our spirit, judging our thoughts and attitudes. Consider this reality for a moment. The Psalmist demonstrates the work of the Word of God in the life of one who hides it in their heart. It speaks to us and enables us to detect the voice of the flesh pulling us in the direction of sin and to identify the work of the Holy Spirit leading us to righteousness. The scriptures are alive with power to judge out thoughts and attitudes and as we let the word speak to us something wonderful happens. Because the scriptures are alive with the Spirit of God they do not sit passively inside of us only working if we happen to reflect upon the right principle at the right time. The word of God is actually proactive and works through our conscience and our spirit to speak to us and “remind us” at that timely moment of the standards of God. This living voice works in us to protect us and guide us away from sin and death. Hide the word of God in your heart diligently and let it become a stream of life watering the garden of your heart.