Psalm 119:1-8 (NRSV)
Read Psalm 119:1-8 on biblegateway.com
Verse 1Happy are those whose way is blameless, who walk in the law of the Lord.
Verse 2Happy are those who keep his decrees, who seek him with their whole heart,
Verse 3who also do no wrong, but walk in his ways.
Verse 4You have commanded your precepts to be kept diligently.
Verse 5O that my ways may be steadfast in keeping your statutes!
Verse 6Then I shall not be put to shame, having my eyes fixed on all your commandments.
Verse 7I will praise you with an upright heart, when I learn your righteous ordinances.
Verse 8I will observe your statutes; do not utterly forsake me.
Devotion
Happy is the first word of Psalm 119 and, interestingly enough, of Psalm 1. They both use the metaphor of "walking" to talk about how such happiness is attained. Walking in the way of the Lord is a bodily image, an active image, an image that brings to mind pumping heart, moving blood, rosy cheeks. "Happy." And yet mere movement is not what leads to happiness itself. I remember in college constantly trying to be happy and feeling anxious about the seeming fleetingness of "happiness." I was active all the time—but happiness was still elusive.
Psalm 119 has a word of advice for my college-aged self—it's not just about your feet. It's also about your eyes. In college my eyes were so often fixed firmly inward, on myself, desperately trying to "find" happiness. "Fix your eyes on God," suggests Psalm 119, "and God will make happiness find you."
Prayer
Spirit of wisdom, where can I look for happiness? Show me the way so brightly that my eyes see nothing but you. Amen.