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¹²⁹ Your testimonies are wonderful;
    therefore my soul keeps them.
¹³⁰ The unfolding of your words gives light;
    it imparts understanding to the simple.
¹³¹ I open my mouth and pant,
    because I long for your commandments.
¹³² Turn to me and be gracious to me,
    as is your way with those who love your name.
¹³³ Keep steady my steps according to your promise,
    and let no iniquity get dominion over me.
¹³⁴ Redeem me from man's oppression,
    that I may keep your precepts.
¹³⁵ Make your face shine upon your servant,
    and teach me your statutes.
¹³⁶ My eyes shed streams of tears,
    because people do not keep your law.

It’s always important to remember that we are reading poetry when we come to the Psalms. The way the Psalmist expresses himself is as important as what he is saying.

Like all poets, he uses vivid imagery to talk about the believers relationship with God’s word. Just notice a few things he says in this section.

He describes the testimonies of the Lord as “wonderful”. This isn’t him expressing how great he thinks they are. He deliberately uses this word which technically expresses the fact that they are supernatural. They have come from another world. When we read the Bible we are reading words from heaven.

The image of giving light in verse 130 reminds me of what happens when you gradually open very heavy curtains in the morning. Light starts flooding into a dark room. As God’s words are unfolded (that is, read and understood) we, who are in darkness about the Lord and how to live, start to see.

In verse 131 the Psalmist almost pictures himself as a baby animal. I have in my mind a scene from a wildlife tv show where they have put cameras in a birds nest. When the mother flies back with food, all the chicks open their mouths wide, desperate to be fed. The believer is that hungry for God’s word.

In verse 133 he pictures himself as a walker climbing along a dangerous path. One unsteady move and he could stumble - perhaps with painful consequences. We live in this world aware of the dangers of sin and temptation. But God’s promise keeps us steady. We follow what he says, and know there is forgiveness when we fall. 

In verse 135 he pictures the Lord with a shining face speaking to him. It’s a beautiful image - think of how someone looks when they love you and enjoys being with you. But how can that be true of our holy God? Surely it would be terrifying to see him face to face. 

But this is not an example of the Psalmists overactive imagination. What the Levitical priests prayed for (Numbers 6) is a reality in the Lord Jesus Christ. We will stand before his shining face and be welcomed. And in God’s word we can do that right now. As the Father said when Peter, James and John stood before the transfigured Christ with shining face “This is my beloved Son. Listen to him”.