“How I love Your Law!
It is my meditation all the day.
Your commandments make me wiser than my enemies,
For they are ever mine.”

“I have more insight than all my teachers,
For Your testimonies are my meditation.
I understand more than those who are old,
Because I have complied with Your precepts.”

“I have restrained my feet from every evil way,
So that I may keep Your word.
I have not turned aside from Your judgments,
For You Yourself have taught me.”

“How sweet are Your words to my taste!
Yes, sweeter than honey to my mouth!
From Your precepts I get understanding;
Therefore I hate every false way.”

---

Context and Meaning

This stanza (Mem) celebrates the wisdom, delight, and discernment that come from God’s Word. Unlike worldly knowledge, which can puff up, the wisdom of God’s Word gives understanding that surpasses enemies, teachers, and elders when lived out in obedience.

The psalmist delights in the sweetness of God’s Word, finding in it discernment that keeps him from false and evil ways.

Key Themes:

1. Love for God’s Word: Meditation on the Law is continual, not occasional (v. 97).
2. Wisdom Beyond Enemies, Teachers, and Elders: True insight comes from God’s testimonies, not human intellect (v. 98–100).
3. Obedience Safeguards the Life: Avoiding evil paths keeps the believer faithful to God (v. 101).
4. God Himself Is the Teacher: His judgments guide and instruct (v. 102).
5. Delight in the Sweetness of Scripture: The Word is sweeter than honey (v. 103).
6. The Word Exposes Falsehood: Understanding from Scripture fuels hatred of every false way (v. 104).

Reflection and Impact

Psalm 119:97–104 reminds us that true wisdom and joy are found in the Word of God:

• God’s Word gives wisdom greater than worldly learning – “Wiser than my enemies… more insight than teachers” (v. 98–99) recalls James 1:5: God gives wisdom generously to those who ask.
• Obedience brings understanding – “I understand more than the aged” (v. 100) aligns with Psalm 111:10: the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.
• The Word guards from sin – “I have restrained my feet from every evil way” (v. 101) reflects Psalm 1:1, avoiding the path of sinners.
• God Himself teaches through His Word – “For You Yourself have taught me” (v. 102) echoes John 14:26: the Spirit teaches and reminds believers of truth.
• The Word is sweeter than honey – (v. 103) recalls Psalm 19:10, where God’s Word is more desirable than gold and sweeter than honey.
• The Word exposes falsehood – “I hate every false way” (v. 104) connects to Ephesians 5:11: expose the deeds of darkness.

Application

• Meditate on Scripture Daily: Let God’s Word fill your mind throughout the day.
• Seek Wisdom From God’s Word: Look beyond human wisdom to the truth of Scripture.
• Guard Your Steps With Obedience: Turn away from evil paths by staying rooted in the Word.
• Taste the Sweetness of Scripture: Delight in God’s Word as your greatest treasure.
• Reject Falsehood Boldly: Use God’s Word as a filter to discern truth from lies.

Closing Thought

The wisdom of God’s Word surpasses all human learning, filling the heart with joy and the mouth with sweetness. It guards against evil and exposes falsehood.
“How sweet are Your words to my taste! Yes, sweeter than honey to my mouth!”