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¹⁶¹ Princes persecute me without cause,
    but my heart stands in awe of your words.
¹⁶² I rejoice at your word
    like one who finds great spoil.
¹⁶³ I hate and abhor falsehood,
    but I love your law.
¹⁶⁴ Seven times a day I praise you
    for your righteous rules.
¹⁶⁵ Great peace have those who love your law;
    nothing can make them stumble.
¹⁶⁶ I hope for your salvation, O Lord,
    and I do your commandments.
¹⁶⁷ My soul keeps your testimonies;
    I love them exceedingly.
¹⁶⁸ I keep your precepts and testimonies,
    for all my ways are before you.

As we read the penultimate section we are entering the home straight of this epic Psalm. It is no surprise that the Psalmist reiterates some of the themes we have seen in the previous sections. We can view this as a bit of a reminder. What should we expect when we come to read and love God’s word?

In verse 161 he reminds us that we should expect opposition. The “princes” are those in charge of  the way things are in society. It may not be the royal family who make things hard for believers today, but the structures and authorities and media in our society is certainty not Christian. This may cause us to be alarmed. We may remember a time when things were very different. It’s comforting to know that the Bible writers understand what things are like - we don’t have to hark back and long for the past. 

We might be afraid of those who make life difficult for Christians. This would be an understandable response. But that’s not what the Psalmist does. He stands in awe of God’s words. As Jesus says to his disciples “do not fear those who can kill the body, but fear the one who can cast body and soul into hell”. 

We should also rejoice as we come to God’s word. This section is shot through with joy. Look at verses 162, 163 and 164. “Seven times a day” is a poetic way of describing his general disposition. Is the way you live negative or positive? Are you full of joy, or are you a complainer? This joy comes from peace (verse 165) and hope (verse 166).  No one can take away the fact we are justified. No one can unforgive our sins. Our inheritance is secure.

Then thirdly as we come to God’s word we come ready to obey (verse 167-168). We will only do this if we love God and his word. And the Psalmist knows that his ways are before the Lord. He sees everything - even our motives and thoughts. This should be a terrifying thought. We are sinners! And yet, for the Christian it isn’t. Our sins are covered. Christ has taken our unrighteousness and made us righteous. And so we are set apart to live in holiness in his sight.