PRIVILEGE—RESPONSIBILITY

Verses 19, 20 of this psalm refer to Israel’s privilege in having the Word of God, something that made them distinct from all other nations. Verse 20 should not be understood as an utterance of pride, but an exclamation of wonder and gratitude, leading to praise. The first part of the psalm is largely taken up with the recounting of God’s mercies to His creatures in His ordinary everyday providence, and it is almost as though the psalmist paused a moment and then said, “In addition to all this daily provision, our God has given us this priceless treasure of His Word”. This meant that they had a knowledge of God in His character and in His requirements that could not otherwise be known. Commenting on verse 19, C. H. Spurgeon says, “By that knowledge Jacob is ennobled into Israel”.

The realization of this great privilege appears in other scriptures, e.g., Deut. 4. 32-34; 33. 2-4; Psa. 78. 5. In the N.T., Paul asked, “What advantage then hath the Jew?”, Rom. 3. 1. In verse 2, he answers, “Much every way: chiefly, because that unto them were committed the oracles of God”.

Alas, Israel failed to recognize their responsibility to pass on to others (not so privileged as themselves) the great revelation that God had given to them, and in consequence they became a people shut in unto themselves, selfish and unfeeling. Their attitude was, “We are the people”. They berated other nations for their idolatry, but withheld from them the revelation that could have freed them from it.

How do we stand in the matter? We have not only the O.T. Scriptures which were committed to Israel. We have the completed Bible with its wondrous unveiling of God’s full and free salvation, including the revelation of the Son of God, the living Word of God! What a privilege! Yes, we have it, and missionary agencies tell us of countless men and women who have never heard of these precious truths, and remain in darkness. Around us there are many in a similar condition. Do we hug the Word to ourselves, as though it was intended only for us? The Lord Jesus said to His disciples, “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature”, Mark 16. 15. Paul wrote of the responsibility of “holding forth the word of life”, Phil. 2. 16.