41Let thy mercies come also unto me, O LORD, even thy salvation, according to thy word. 42So shall I have wherewith to answer him that reproacheth me: for I trust in thy word. 43And take not the word of truth utterly out of my mouth; for I have hoped in thy judgments. 44So shall I keep thy law continually for ever and ever. 45And I will walk at liberty: for I seek thy precepts. 46I will speak of thy testimonies also before kings, and will not be ashamed. 47And I will delight myself in thy commandments, which I have loved. 48My hands also will I lift up unto thy commandments, which I have loved; and I will meditate in thy statutes. (Psalm 119:41-48, KJV)
Herein lies one of God’s greatest secrets regarding his Law; it is a way of liberty rather than a harsh set of rigid strictures. But, how can this be one always wonders if God’s Law is so cruel that it demands the stoning even of the man caught picking up sticks on the Sabbath? (I have spoken of this incident in other places that you should be able to find by clicking the tag below. In addition one should consider that God knew this man’ heart before he instructed Moses with the punishment. Did this man act in rebellion and utter contempt for God and his Law?)
The psalmist gives the reason that God’s Law is law of liberty within this very stanza. In the first verse here he says that God is God of mercy. His mercies bring us salvation, he says, and this itself is “according to God’s word.” God gives us profound insights into his word in what we call “the Bible.” The Bible, of course, does not contain all of God’s word, but that which it does contain is God’s word. This writer tells us that God’s mercy and salvation comes just as his written word, the Bible, says.
But, there exists also a second reason why this law is a law of liberty. In addition to being a law of mercy it is a law of “truth.” This poetic writer prays that God will not take his “word of truth” out of his mouth. Salvation and mercy come according to God’s word, so does truth. It is here that we get the first glimmer of the true foundation of God’s Law.
As we continue on we will see this foundation expressed more clearly, for the foundation of God’s Law and the foundation of his Throne are one and the same, mercy and truth. And it is mercy and truth which brings us liberty.
