Living in the Spirit

July 11, 2023

Scripture Reading: Psalm 119:105-112
Your word is a lamp to my feet
   and a light to my path.
I have sworn an oath and confirmed it,
   to observe your righteous ordinances.
I am severely afflicted;
   give me life, O Lord, according to your word.|
Accept my offerings of praise, O Lord,
   and teach me your ordinances.
I hold my life in my hand continually,
   but I do not forget your law.
The wicked have laid a snare for me,
   but I do not stray from your precepts.
Your decrees are my heritage forever;
   they are the joy of my heart.
I incline my heart to perform your statutes
   forever, to the end.

Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light to my path was one of the first songs I learned as a child. The scripture above is from the NRSV and uses the word “to” rather than “unto.”  “Unto” is forever seared into my brain. I have the same issue with the ending of Psalm 23. The RSV was published in my childhood, but King James was already my go-to scripture. I think we had to memorize more when I was a child than is prevalent now. I do not know whether that is good or bad. We do need to know how to use modern tools. I once had a catalog of phone numbers memorized. I barely know my own now.

The psalmist in the above scripture describes a forever relationship with God. For some, it started at birth, perhaps with songs that soothed us. For others, it may have come as a revelation later in life. While songs and grammar may change over time, the love of God is forever, and we rejoiced in that.

Prayer: Thank you, Lord, for sharing your love in word and song through eternity. Amen.

All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights are reserved.