Psalms 119: When Talk Is Against You



“Even though princes sit and talk against me...”  Psalms 119:23

How do we handle things when there is constant talk against us?  There will be times when we are following God’s will that there will be people talking against your mission or work.  How we react tells a lot about our own attitude and where we are in our daily walk.   The psalmist’s prayer tells us how we should react.  Take note of what I constantly say, “It is not about you.”

In Psalms 119: 17-24 the psalmist makes four request of God. 

  1.  “Deal bountifully with your servant.”  In other words, equip me to serve, so “I may live and keep your Word.”  (17)
  2.  “Open my eyes,” so I will understand the “wonderful things” from your law.  (18)
  3.  “Do not hide your commandments from me.  My soul is crushed with longing after Your ordinances at all times.”  (19b, 20)
  4.  “Take away reproach and contempt from me,” or “Don’t let them criticize me and disrespect me, because I follow Your testimonies.” 

Look at what actions are taken:

  1. Constant longing for the God’s ordinances, God’s judgements (20)
  2. “I keep Your testimonies.”  This is obeying and acting on the words of God. (22)
  3. “Your servant meditates on Your statutes.”   Reading the Bible and quietly meditating on the scriptures. (23)

Result:

“Your testimonies also are my delight; they are my counselors.” (24)

Yes, delight is the result.  God is with you through it all.  From my experience, the worst thing you can do is to verbally respond back without prayer and time to think.  Always, bit that tongue and begin without reaction.  The more that is said, the more friction you will have until you take it to God.    Also, how you react will determine the end result.   Let God’s Word be your “counselor.”   This counselor will “deal bountifully” with you and open your eyes to the situation to give you understanding.  At the same time, keep serving, teaching, and working as God leads you, because it is not about you, but about doing the will of God.   This is where you will find delight.

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