Word on Wednesday: Psalm 119:97

As I mentioned yesterday, I’ve been reading a lot of great books this summer.

Our family goes to the pool several times a week, and my husband and I spend most of our time there reading poolside while the children swim.

Unfortunately, Doug loves the sun, and I love the shade (primarily because he tans and I burn), so we are usually sitting on opposite sides of the pool while we read.

He soaks up the rays while I hide from them.

We both love to read and to discuss what we are reading, so we’ll sometimes venture to the other side of the pool if we come across a particularly compelling passage that begs to be shared immediately.

But if we can get that excited about the words of mere men, how much more delight we should be taking in the Word of God!

This seems to be the reaction of the psalmist in today’s Bible verse:

“O how I love Your law! It is my meditation all the day. Your commandments make me wiser than my enemies, for they are ever mine.” (Psalm 119:97-98, NASB)

Can’t you just see him with the Word of God in his lap, soaking it all in like my husband soaks in the sun’s rays? Reading a few pages every chance he gets? Carrying it with him wherever he goes? Thinking on it? Pondering it? Perhaps even taking notes (like I am wont to do in the margins of every book I get my hands on, including the Bible)? Eagerly discussing it with whomever will listen?

Honestly, I can’t help but feel convicted by this week’s memory verse.

I do read my Bible regularly, but I sometimes act as if it is more of a chore than a delight — especially when it comes to reading the books of the law (think Deuteronomy or Leviticus).

Yet elsewhere in God’s Word, He assures us that “All Scripture is inspired by God and is profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness.” (2 Timothy 3:16)

The Psalmist instinctively understood this and studied God’s Word thoroughly enough to become wiser than all his enemies.

And if we want to grow in wisdom, we would do well to follow that example, hiding God’s Word in our heart and letting it soak into our innermost being.

This week’s verse can be found in the fourth set of our Scripture Memory Flashcards:

Free printable Bible memory flashcards from www.flandersfamily.info — [click on image to print]

And for extra practice on Psalm 119:97 (and other passages), I’ve made more handwriting printables, as well:

Plus, in case you missed them, here are links to the first three sets of flashcards and practice sheets, too:

And I’ve also uploaded a progress chart to help you keep track of which verses your child has already memorized (some of the verses listed are from sets of flashcards that will be published in the future).

May God honor your efforts to hide His Word in your heart!