A Prayer of Examination: Psalm 119:57-64

A Prayer of Examination

Psalm 119:57-64

I misconstrued dependence on the Holy Spirit to mean I was to make no effort, that I had no responsibility…But this is not God’s way. He makes provision for our holiness, but He gives us the responsibility of using those provisions.

Jerry Bridges

The New Year is regularly a time for reflection. We look at our lives over the last year, perhaps longer, and we reevaluate. What did we do well? What changes do we need to make? What things would we like to accomplish this coming year? Self-reflection is helpful, and for the believer, considering our ways should be done regularly. Like the psalmist, we need to think on our ways and turn our feet to the Lord’s testimonies (Psalm 119:59).

As the psalmist calls us to think on our ways, Paul, in 2 Corinthians 13:5, calls believers to examine themselves. "Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?--unless indeed you fail to meet the test!" To examine means to look closely at to determine exactly what is there, to investigate thoroughly. We are to look closely at ourselves, observe what is going on in our hearts and minds. Look carefully at our attitudes and actions. What do these things reveal about us? Are there areas we must strive for growth? Are there areas of sinfulness we must put to death? Are there beliefs, ideas, habits, or anything else that must be conformed to His Word? Self-reflection is one way in which the Lord reveals to us areas where we must turn from our sin and walk in obedience to His commands. This testing and examining of our lives can happen in our time of prayer and bible reading and also regularly at communion (1 Corinthians 11:28). The Lord has means in which He also tests us to reveal to us what is going on within our hearts. We must be ready in those times to examine ourselves, even though it may be painful. Appropriate times of self-examination are 1) when we are reading the Word and hearing it preached (2 Chronicles 34:19-21); 2) when others reprove us (2 Samuel 12:7); 3) when we experience hardships and trials (Deuteronomy 8:2; Job 42:6); and 4) when the things we love or desire are withheld from us (Exodus 16). Self-examination must really be Spirit-examination. We must have a heart of humility and seek the Spirit's help to enable us to see what our hearts are truly made of and then turn our feet to the Lord's testimonies. In Psalm 119, the psalmist had the order right. The Lord was his portion, and because the Lord was all to him, he promised to keep His words (57), to think on his ways and turn his feet to God's commandments (59), to hasten and not delay to keep them (60), to surround himself with friends who feared the Lord (63), and to continue to cry to the Lord to teach him His statutes (64).

Let's pray through Psalm 119:57-64 and examine ourselves in order that we might turn from our sin and turn to His way.

119:57-58 The Lord is my portion; I promise to keep your words. I entreat your favor with all my heart; be gracious to me according to your promise.

Lord, we pray:

▫️The Lord would be our portion. We would be satisfied and content in Him alone. Is there some desire that is being withheld from you right now? Is there a trial you are enduring? Is there something you feel you must have in order to be joyful? Take a few minutes to bring yourself before the Lord and ask His help in searching your heart for those idols that must go.

▫️We would have a deep desire to keep His Word. We would see our sin clearly and hate what God hates and love what He loves. Is there sin you need to put off? Are there actions you need to do in order to keep His Word?

▫️We would know and praise the Lord for His great grace toward us in Christ and the cleansing power of His blood to wash away our sin and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

▫️“Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin!” (Psalm‬ ‭51‬:‭1‬-‭2‬)

119:59-60 When I think on my ways, I turn my feet to your testimonies; I hasten and do not delay to keep your commandments.

Lord, we pray:

▫️We would think carefully on our ways, examine ourselves, and test ourselves, and in humility rely on the Spirit to show us areas we must turn our feet to His testimonies.

▫️We would hasten and not delay to keep His commandments and conform ourselves to His Word.

▫️ “Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!” (Psalm‬ ‭139‬:‭23‬-‭24‬)

119:61-62 Though the cords of the wicked ensnare me, I do not forget your law. At midnight I rise to praise you, because of your righteous rules.

Lord, we pray:

▫️Though we may be surrounded in our work place, school, or family with those who try to ensnare us or we are surrounded by temptations for sinfulness, we would stand firm and not forget His law. He would enable us to escape temptations. Are there times or situations in your life where it is harder to live according to God’s Word? Pray for wisdom to know how to avoid those times or handle those situations when they cannot be avoided.

▫️At night, when it may be easier to allow our thoughts to dwell on sinful things, or things we are anxious about, we would instead dwell on the truth and on God’s faithfulness to us.

▫️We would be filled with thankfulness that God has revealed Himself and His Word to us.

▫️“Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me…The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise” (Psalm‬ ‭51‬:‭10‬, ‭17‬)

119:63-64 I am a companion of all who fear you, of those who keep your precepts. The earth, O Lord, is full of your steadfast love; teach me your statutes!

Lord, we pray:

▫️We would choose our friendships carefully and surround ourselves with those who will encourage us in holy living. Are their friendship we may need to reevaluate? Is there a friend who encourages you in your walk with the Lord? Take a moment to thank the Lord for His kindness in giving you such a faithful friend.

▫️The Lord would teach us how to live rightly according to His commands.

▫️“Who can discern his errors? Declare me innocent from hidden faults. Keep back your servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me! Then I shall be blameless, and innocent of great transgression. Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer” (Psalm‬ ‭19‬:‭12‬-‭14‬).

May the Lord do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, for His glory and our good. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

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