Your statutes have been my songs in the house of my sojourning. Psalm 119:54

The Psalmist goes from “hot indignation” in the prior verse to a “house of singing!” What a shift, but that is how life works. Our fickle emotions jump from one feeling to another, at times with little warning. I know this to be true of people in my life. Myself, I am a little more stoic (not a good thing). There are too many times when “indignation” is my emotion choice, and I would be content to sit in it longer than helpful.

Please pray for me and those who must deal with me.

Nonetheless, it is true that our emotions do swing and at times, quickly. This is due to our emotions being rooted in our hearts and often, that our hearts are “embattled.” Sometimes this condition is also referred to as a “disordered heart.”

“Your statutes…” The Psalmist continues to come back to the truths provided in God’s Word that are consistent, right, true, and good.

“…have been my songs…” The Psalmist personalizes these statutes by claiming them as his own. He also changes them from laws, precepts, commandments, rules, and the like, to “songs.” Songs are quite different from laws. Songs are more inviting to follow and somehow the Psalmist has discovered this reality.

“…in my house of my sojourning.” In another twist of words, the Psalmist takes ownership in two more ways by referring to “my house” and “my sojourning.” This is an interesting phase that implies a permanent confidence (house), while sojourning (traveling through temporary places).

The Psalmist is saying that he has “rightly ordered” his heart though he may find himself in temporary or permanent conditions. A rightly ordered heart is not a stoic heart. A rightly ordered heart experiences a kaleidoscope of emotions, rightly aligned with the situation at hand.

I would like to encourage you to sit and let this verse wash over you. How often do you allow God’s law to be a song in your circumstances, whether temporary or permanent? This is a daring challenge to undertake because it might have the power to completely re-order you heart.

The Burke Care team would love to walk alongside you in this heart challenge. Consider calling us today.

They have healed the wound of my people lightly, saying, ‘Peace, peace,’ when there is no peace.
— Jeremiah 6:14 ESV

The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it? — Jeremiah 17:9 ESV

Amen!

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