Psalm 119:42

We come to the second verse of the octave of Psalm 119 entitled Vau.

Psalms 119:42 So shall I have wherewith to answer him that reproacheth me: for I trust in thy word.

As we pointed out in our last meditation, this verse is connected back to the preceding verse by the word so. When the word so is used at the beginning of a clause as it is here, it has a continuative force. Therefore, the thought of verse 42 follows logically upon the thought of v. 41. If the prayer in verse 41 for God’s mercies is answered, then the psalmist will have what he mentions in verse 42. If God’s mercies, even His salvation, would come unto the psalmist, he would accordingly have wherewith to answer him that reproached him.

Reproach – To object or cast up (a thing) to, or bring (up) against, a person as a reproach (a source or cause of disgrace or shame) or fault.

God’s salvation provides us with an answer to those who would shame and disgrace us. One of the reproaches heaped upon God’s people is that God is not there to help them, that He has abandoned them. Has the devil ever insinuated this into your thoughts when you have sinned, or when you have been in trouble? If the enemy has cast this reproach upon you, you are not alone.

Psalms 3:2 Many there be which say of my soul, There is no help for him in God. Selah.

Psalms 42:10 As with a sword in my bones, mine enemies reproach me; while they say daily unto me, Where is thy God?

But when God comes through for us with His mercies and so evidently delivers us, it gives us an answer to silence the accusations of our enemies so that the shame turns on them instead of on us.

Psalms 86:17 Shew me a token for good; that they which hate me may see it, and be ashamed: because thou, LORD, hast holpen me, and comforted me.

When Satan hurls his accusations against us our answer to him is God’s salvation.

Romans 8:33 Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth.
34 Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.

One of the great mercies that God sends to His people during their life in this world is the knowledge of the truth. We do not deserve the knowledge of the truth. We rather deserve to be shut up in ignorance and deception. When the truth comes to you, realize that God is having compassion on you. If we know the truth, we should say with Jacob, “I am not worthy of the least of all the mercies, and of all the truth, which thou hast shewed unto thy servant” (Genesis 32:10). And the knowledge of the truth works salvation for us. Hence, His mercies come unto us, even His salvation.

John 8:32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

Psalms 91:4 …his truth shall be thy shield and buckler.

Proverbs 11:9 …through knowledge shall the just be delivered.

James 1:21 Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.

Your answer to those who reproach you is God’s word of truth. God’s word is “the sword of the Spirit” (Ephesians 6:17) with which you can strike back at the enemy. When someone reproaches you, let the Scriptures be your answer. Hide behind the word of God as your defense. Make your enemies contend with God’s word of truth. Let their argument be with God rather than with you. If they try to strive against the Lord, you can be sure He will win the argument in the end. For example, the representatives of the Ecclesiastical Law Center have found that when churches and home schoolers are attacked by the State for something they are doing, their best defense is to cite the word of God as the reason for what they are doing rather than trying to plead the law of the land for a defense. In this way, the bureaucrats and magistrates have to pass judgment on the word of God, something they are very reluctant to do.

But in order for you to have wherewith to answer him that reproacheth you, you must be able to make this plea: for I trust in thy word. If you need an answer, God will give you one if you trust His word to be altogether true and right (Psalm 19:9). God’s word works effectually in those who believe it to be indeed the word of God, and not just the word of men (1Thessalonians 2:13). You will not find needed answers in a Bible you doubt. God has promised to give you the wisdom you lack, the answers you need, but you must trust His word of promise.

James 1:5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.
6 But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.
7 For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord.

I hope this meditation has been a blessing to you. If you have gotten something from it, I would appreciate some of you posting a comment and letting me know briefly what you got.