By Dr. Michael L. Williams
Psalm 119:1 Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the LORD.
The book of Psalms contains 150 songs, poems, and praises written by David and several others. Of particular note is the fact that they also reflect events, and times, and truths that can be found in Scripture. However, they are not just a collection of these and other quaint sayings, but we also find that they play an important role in the mental well-being of humanity.
In 1 Samuel 16:14-23 we find an early application of the Psalms to the life of King Saul. At the beginning of the chapter God told the Prophet Samuel to fill his horn with oil and go to Bethlehem to anoint a new king over Israel. God had rejected Saul from continuing to be the King of Israel because he had turned back from following God and had not followed what God had told him to do (1 Samuel 15:10-11). Because of this, Samuel was bitterly grieving because of God’s decision to reject Saul.
Samuel left as God had commanded and after arriving at Bethlehem, he encountered David’s father. After some examination of his sons, God told Samuel that David was the one He had selected because of what was in David’s heart. Samuel anointed David as God had commanded
In the very next verse after this happened, we find that the Spirit of the LORD departed from Saul and an evil spirit from the LORD troubled him (1 Samuel 16:14). Saul’s servants suggested that they have someone come and play music for Saul so that he might feel better. Saul agreed and one of the servants proposed that they bring David to play for him – “…a son of Jesse the Bethlehemite, that is cunning in playing, and a mighty valiant man, and a man of war, and prudent in matters, and a comely person, and the LORD is with him.” Saul agreed to this and ordered that David be brought there.
Word was sent to David’s father and David was sent. Before long, Saul came to love and trust David. He sent word again to David’s father saying that David had found favor in his sight and asked that that David remain there to play music for Saul.
It is then that we learn that when the evil spirit from God was upon Saul that David took a harp and played music for Saul. Saul was refreshed and was well, and the evil spirit departed from Saul.
Many of us are comforted by music. However, the music that David played was accompanied by lyrics that later came to be known as the Psalms. We find that it was not the music that made the evil spirit depart, it was the Word of God that were the lyrics to the songs.
Psalms 119 tells of God’s truth as found in his Word and how His directions to us produce results. His Word is quick, powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword and is able to divide our soul and spirit from our joints and marrow. Simply stated the Psalms teach us that God’s Word has the power of God to effect change in us. However, change depends on obedience to follow the directions that God gives us.
Finally, Psalms 119:1 tells us that God will bless those whom are undefiled or cleansed of our sins in salvation and walk in His nurture and admonition. May God bless us as we rely on Him to empower us to do the same.
