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Perhaps the most recognizable portion of this psalm is found here in the opening verse (v.105) of this particular section, “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.”  (If I recall correctly, this was my 8th grade class verse.)  It is easy for such familiar verses to be just that, familiar.  This then often means that they are not actually well known (truly known; known in depth).  They become assumed, comfortable and not engaged.  Let’s not have that happen with this particular verse nor any portion of God’s Word!

To engage and not assume with this verse, we should consider the metaphorical elements of the verse.  For the author to speak of “feet” and “path” indicates movement, progress, trajectory.  We may like to think that there are times in our lives that we are stationary and not moving in a direction, but I would suggest that our lives are never neutral.  We are either moving toward God or toward the world or self.  Nothing is ‘innocent’ in that regard.  Obviously, this means that we can either be on the right path (toward God) or the wrong path (toward world/self). 

The use of the words “lamp” and “light” indicate a means of seeing.  There are multiple ways in which we can choose to view the path we are on, a variety of ways to interpret/understand (‘shed light on’) the things we experience and encounter in life.  We all operate from a worldview and are bombarded with alternate worldviews all the time.  To safely navigate life (be on the right path and taking the right steps on that path), we must be using God’s Word alone to illumine our way; we must have a biblical worldview.

The author here expands on the meaning he intends by saying he “[swears] an oath…[confirms] it, to keep [God’s] righteous rules.” (v.106)  He declares the source of life itself to be in God’s Word (v.107).  He offers praise and presents himself as teachable (v.108).  He commits to remembering God’s law (v.109) and not being wayward in his walk (v.110).  He has established himself, his legacy (“heritage”), in the testimonies of God (v.111), in the performing (obeying) of his statutes FOREVER (v.112).  And all of this he considers to be his joy.  He has contented himself in these right things.

This is a convicting and challenging truth.  Do I too often ‘stray’ from the right path?  Do I try to illumine my walk on the right path with the wrong ‘lamp/light’?  Do I see and accept the reality of what the right light on the right path is showing me?  Do I become too eager to see what is further ahead on the path and stumble/trip over what is right before me that the lamp of God’s Word is highlighting for me?  Am I committed to taking the next right step shown to me by God’s Word?  Will I confess and repent when I am caught in the snares of the wicked that are set off of the right path (v.110)?  Will I not blame God or others in those times?  Because, in truth, if I don’t stray, I won’t become ensnared…  Will I seek to set my legacy as the course set by the LORD and his Word, for will I seek to set my own course, chart my own path, do it my way, et c.?

This is already longer than my typical reflection, so I will stop.  Hopefully there is something helpful here for you to consider.  Hopefully you are challenged by the psalmist as I have been.  Will you let me know if you are?