The psalmist in this passage expresses his love for God’s law. It gives him wisdom that surpasses that of his enemies, teachers, and elders. This is the reason he meditates on it. It protects him from doing evil things. He has tasted the goodness of God’s word and described it as sweeter than honey in his mouth.

In verse 97, he exclaims, “Oh, how I love your law. It gives him the impetus to reflect on it the whole day. In verse 98, he gives the reason as making him wiser than his enemies. He says that the wisdom he gleans from it will stay with him forever. He has wisdom beyond his teachers after meditating on it the whole day (v. 99).

A person who spends his time studying and reflecting on the word of God will benefit greatly from it. He can go further than those who taught him. God’s word can enlighten our minds and give us wisdom that is far beyond what any human can give to us. King Solomon is an example of one who has benefited from studying and meditating on God’s law.

In verse 100, the psalmist says that God’s law gives him more understanding than those who are older than him. However, we must do what it says, or it will be just mere knowledge and theories that we know. Doing proves its wisdom is indeed truly superior to human wisdom, and it helps us to stop doing evil or wicked things when we obey it (v. 101). The law teaches us not to break the rules and obeying it will lead us to live a righteous life (v. 102).

God’s word provides a wisdom that is above what human wisdom can grant us. However, if we do not act on what it says, then it is useless. It remains merely as knowledge in our minds. But acting on it will prove its superiority over human wisdom. Human wisdom is limited. But divine wisdom teaches us to handle issues without resorting to doing evil.

In human wisdom, one would harm his enemies. Jesus, in His wisdom, did not destroy evil with evil, but with love. He cried, “Father, forgive them for they do not know what they do.” David had several opportunities to kill Saul, who wanted to kill him, but he did not because he feared God more than Saul. He refused to strike God’s anointed, Saul. The wisdom of God does the opposite of human wisdom. Love replaces hate. God rewarded Jesus and David. They both gained their rightful place on the throne as king, one in heaven, the other on earth.

In verse 103, the psalmist says that God’s word is so good that it tastes better than honey. He exclaims, “How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth!”

In verse 104, he says convincingly that it is “Through your precepts I get understanding; therefore, I hate every false way.” The taste for doing as God says is sweeter than honey in one’s mouth because it is the gift of an abundant and eternal life. Therefore, like the psalmist, we must hate every falsehood or wicked way but live in accordance with what the word of God says! It is the wisdom of God for our lives as His children.

Prayer:

I will live in accordance with what Your word says, O Lord, I pray. Let my heart heed what Your word is saying to me every day. Grant me the wisdom to understand and gain insight into living a righteous and holy life for You.