God, Our Portion

57 You are my portion, Lord;
I have promised to obey your words.
58 I have sought your face with all my heart;
be gracious to me according to your promise.
59 I have considered my ways
and have turned my steps to your statutes.
60 I will hasten and not delay
to obey your commands.
61 Though the wicked bind me with ropes,
I will not forget your law.
62 At midnight I rise to give you thanks
for your righteous laws.
63 I am a friend to all who fear you,
to all who follow your precepts.
64 The earth is filled with your love, Lord;
teach me your decrees.

With words such as “Though the wicked bind me with ropes,” the psalmist continues his lament in this section of Psalm 119. The laments of this psalm are often raw and deep. And yet we can sense that the psalmist finds safety in the promises and love of the Lord, the surest source of comfort and protection.

Notice that this section begins with the words “You are my portion, Lord. . . .” This is likely a reference to the way God gave portions of the promised land to the tribes of Israel (see Joshua 13-21). Allotments were given to all of the tribes except for the tribe of Levi, because God had dedicated the Levites to serve and lead in the worship of the Lord. Their service to God included everything from offering sacrifices to teaching the law, and from leading in worship to taking care of all the materials used for worship (see Exodus 25-30). As Joshua explained to the people, “The Levites . . . do not get a portion among you, because the priestly service of the Lord is their inheritance” (Joshua 18:7).

In a similar way, the psalmist has nothing and no one but God to depend on. The Lord is his portion, his inheritance. In utter dependence and trust, the psalmist takes everything to God in prayer, including his laments. With God as our portion, we too have the privilege of taking all our troubles and cares to the One whose guidance and instruction give us full life.

Help me to seek you with all my heart, Lord, and reveal your promises to me. Amen.