Even though princes sit plotting against me,
your servant will meditate on your statutes (Psalm 119:23 NRSV).
Enemies have gathered together against their common foe. You. They are scheming and plotting to bring about your downfall. You have become aware of their conspiracy. What do you do?
If you’re the psalmist, you meditate you God’s law. How’s that going to help you?
The psalmist figures that the best thing to do in any situation is to focus on God. It worked for Gideon against the coalition of the Midianites, the Amalekites and the Amorites (Judg. 6-7).
While I’ve never been in a situation where I’m literally surrounded, I still struggle to reflect on Scripture in the midst of crisis. This verse offers a new perspective. Even if one’s life is in danger, the safest thing to do is to read, study and reflect on God’s word. Scripture offers the best prince plot protection.
This verse is the seventh in the Gimel section of the psalm (verses 17-24), beginning with gam (“even” or “also”).
God, keep us focused on your word when danger surrounds and life feels threatened.
How does meditating on God’s word help deal with threats?
Here’s my highlighted version of the Gimel section.