In Psalm 119:54 the psalmist declares to God that “Your decrees are the theme of my song wherever I lodge”. The purpose of this article is to explore the meaning of this verse and to challenge ourselves with the question “Is this something I can say about my life?”
To help us determine the meaning of this verse, it is good to compare various Bible versions. The above paragraph comes from the New International Version (NIV), which happens to be one of my favorites.
There are several other excellent translations. Here are the ones I like to use, specifically for the purpose of determining the meaning of particular words and/or phrases in a passage.
Your statutes have been my songs in the house of my sojourning.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Your statutes are my songs in the house of my pilgrimage.
New American Standard Bible (NASB)
Your statutes have been my songs wherever I make my home.
New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)
Your statutes have been my songs, in the house where I live.
World English Bible (WEB)
By comparing these five versions, the main point of the verses becomes quite clear: wherever I go, God’s Word is on my mind. Even when traveling, I always have a song in my heart, and the songs I sing contain the Word of God.
Is this not a wonderful way to live? This man has a love for God and His Word that we would do well to emulate. No matter where he laid his head at night, he was able to commune with his Maker by singing songs to and about God.
When we travel, it can be difficult if not impossible to maintain our daily routine. Perhaps you have a specific time devoted to prayer and Bible reading. For many, this “Quiet Time” is first thing in the morning. For others, it is immediately before going to sleep at night. And many Christians treasure this time, and rightly so.
Then we take a business trip or go on vacation and our normal schedule is turned upside down. How can we spend time with our Lord in such circumstances?
Psalm 119:54 offers a wonderful solution – we sing songs about God! There are so many great hymns, and Bible-based hymns are a wonderful way to fill our minds with the Word when we cannot take out our Bibles and read.
The other great thing about singing is that is also a form of prayer. Worship songs are directed to the One who is the object of our praise. We can give thanks for his many blessings and rejoice in all he has done for us through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Does this verse describe you? If so, you have learned one way to live out Psalm 1:2 – “his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night”.
One final note – you need not physically own a stack of Bible translations in order to perform the Bible version comparison described above. Just go to www.BibleGateway.com and you can look up any Bible verse in a plethora of translations. Give it a try today!
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