Psalm 119:44

When we have finished considering this verse today, we will be one fourth of the way through Psalm 119. The first post on this psalm was submitted on 17 August 2010. So at the rate I am going I should be done by 2018 at which time I will be around 67 years old, if I am still living and the Lord tarries. Will you and I be able to keep this up? We’ll see and work with what the Lord permits. The verse from Psalm 119 that we consider today is quite short, but its sets forth something that extends into the ceaseless ages to come.

Psalms 119:44 So shall I keep thy law continually for ever and ever.

By means of the introductory word so the psalmist links the thought of this verse to the verse that goes before it which is in turn linked to the one before it and so on to the beginning verse of the octave. This being so, we can see clearly what the psalmist is putting forth. If God’s mercies come unto him, even His salvation (verse 41), so that the psalmist is equipped with God’s word of truth in his mouth and can use it in answering his enemies (verses 42-43), then he will keep God’s law continually. This is God’s objective in our salvation both in time and eternity. The Lord wants us to have His word of truth in our mouth so that we will be “speaking the truth in love” as Paul teaches in Ephesians 4:15. And speaking the truth in love, “we may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ.” Having the word of truth in our mouth and speaking it are essential to growing up into Christ in all things. And if we are growing up into Christ “in all things” we are keeping God’s law continually in every thing at all times and in every situation. In this way our obedience to the Lord will be continual, ever increasing, never letting up. And why is it so important that God’s word of truth be in our mouth? Because if our mouth is under the control of the law of God so that we are speaking its truth, then we will be able to bring the desires and passions of the rest of the body under control, which we must do in order to keep God’s law continually.

James 3:2 …If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body.

But observe, the psalmist says that he will keep God’s law continually for ever and ever. Obeying the word of God is something he expects to do from now unto all eternity. Later on in Psalm 119 we are informed that God’s law lasts forever.

Psalms 119:160 Thy word is true from the beginning: and every one of thy righteous judgments endureth for ever.

The Bible is an imperishable book. Destroy one copy and another will spring up in its place. Our Lord Jesus Christ said:

Matthew 24:35 Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.

God’s word of truth is something we will have with us always.

2 John 1:2 For the truth's sake, which dwelleth in us, and shall be with us for ever.

If you have the truth dwelling in your heart and mouth now, you will have it with you forever. And having God’s word forever, you will be keeping it forever. When we are keeping God’s law, we are serving the Lord. In fact, that is the only way you can claim to be a servant of God. And serving God by keeping His law is something God’s children will do forever and ever. In the new heavens and the new earth, we will be serving the Lord.

Revelation 22:3 And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him…

If you do not enjoy serving the Lord by keeping His law, heaven is not a place you want to be. And since serving the Lord is the very activity of heaven, we can say that if you are continually keeping God’s law now, you are experiencing a little heaven below!