Psalm 119:7 – Aleph – With Uprightness of Heart

Psalm 119

With Uprightness of Heart

(Psalm 119:7)

ALEPH

I will praise thee with uprightness of heart, when I shall have learned thy righteous judgments.

   The heart is the beginning of the process. For the Holy Spirit might have worked for many years wooing and convicting the soul, but the heart rebels until that day, a day, an hour, or a moment that one never forgets. How can anyone explain the supernatural? One can admit that they are part of the supernatural, but how can anyone explain this supernatural act of God when one is drawn into the supernatural by the Holy Spirit of God, and the work of the Lord Jesus Christ on the cross of Calvary. One never forgets that supernatural moment driving across the Howard Franklin Bridge, a bridge too far, for it took me to my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Beyond any physical structure, beyond man’s reasoning, beyond the confines of earth, the Spirit of God met me where I was crossing Tampa Bay to St. Petersburg, Florida. The power of the Spirit of God was so strong that I had to pull over off the road as soon as there was room on the shoulder, the tears of joy of a redeemed sinner still come today when I muse on the miracle of my salvation. The heart is a strong object for it can be evil, contemptible or desperately wicked and deceitful, but when the Spirit of God comes He gives a new heart, a new soul, and a new spirit. These are three spiritual points of mankind, and these three points are changed at the new birth so that one can praise the Lord with uprightness of heart.

   The mind of man is the laboratory of his imagination, the bank of his knowledge, and the library of all his thoughts both past and present, both bad and good. But it is the heart that determines the steps of a man. Emotion comes from the heart, the heart can love, and the heart can hate, the heart can experience sadness, and the heart can experience joy, but it is the heart that is alienated from God. It is the heart that carries the enmity against God. The conscience is linked to both the brain and the heart, the soul and the spirit, and to my knowledge only the supernatural Word of God presents these facts to mortal man about himself. Only through the understanding of the Spirit of God and the Word of God can anyone see within the very depths of his own heart, his own soul, and his own spirit. Only the Word of God proves this. And it must be proven by a supernatural act of the new birth in Jesus Christ.

   When Adam brought sin into the world, his knowledge was pushed aside for his imagination. His library of thought was overturned because of his heart’s desire leaving him with a seared conscience and a lost soul. He now possessed a spirit without God. This was the inner loss that Adam suffered. The outward loss was death, for the Spirit of God had departed from both Adam and Eve. We see this in the phrase that they knew that they were naked. And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they [were] naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons. (Genesis 3:7) It was the Spirit of God within that controlled their mind, their heart, their soul and their spirit. When the glory had departed that glory was replaced with sin and death, and the bitterness of the fruit from the evil tree. All that Adam had (and all that he was) was exchanged for sin and death. Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned: (Romans 5:12)

   The tree of good and evil held the power of death. The gene of sin came from the fruit of the tree and Adam partook of the fruit and brought sin into the world. The gene of sin had and does corrupt all mankind for this gene contains the gift that Adam gave to all mankind. Sin bringeth forth death.

   In Genesis Chapters 3 and 4 we see two distinct marks put on man. The first mark was sin and death. The second mark was because of sin and death, and this mark was murder. For now there was the giant of death in the earth possessed of sin and death and an evil heart toward all man. The seed of evil had been born to destroy and not to build, to kill and not to give life, and we will see one day the fulfillment of this giant of a man in the number of man 6 – 6 – 6.

   When anyone is brought out of darkness, he is brought into the supernatural presence of all divine light, and this light is the Lord Jesus Christ. There is a supernatural desire for the knowledge of God.

As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby: (1 Peter 2:2)

If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious. (1 Peter 2:3)

To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious, (1 Peter 2:4)

Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. (1 Peter 2:5) 　

   The knowledge of the Word of God (to the new born babe in Christ) gives that soul a knowledge of God’s ways. One has trusted God, and God only could quicken that trust by the Living water which is Jesus Christ, and to magnify the Living water by His living Word, and now that soul learns the righteous judgments of God. But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life. (John 4:14) In this living reservoir of life-giving water, we have the possessor of all life, even eternal life in the Person of Jesus Christ. For He is the one who possesses and upholds and gives the power of an endless life. Who is made, not after the law of a carnal commandment, but after the power of an endless life. (Hebrews 7:16) And the deeper we drink of this endless fountain of life we acquire a deeper knowledge of the Holy. The more we know about Christ the more we know the holiness of God.

Learn — Learned — Keep

   The Lord Jesus said of Himself, Learn of me. (Matthew 11:29) Was this just a earthly knowledge? Does all heavenly knowledge stop at the cross? No, the cross is the beginning, the cross is the seed of thought that leads to the knowledge of the holy in Jesus Christ. Christ must be the object of heavenly knowledge for He is the possessor of the heavens and the possessor of earth. Our object of knowledge must be Jesus Christ. In Psalm 119, verse 7 the word ‘learned’ is unique for it only appears one time in the entire Psalm of 119 of the 176 verses. And the word ‘learn’ only appears twice in the entire Psalm, (verse 71 and verse 73). This is in contrast to the word ‘keep’ for the word ‘keep’ is a divine witness to us for it appears in 22 verses in Psalm 119. And if we compare or join ‘learn,’ and ‘keep’ we would see the progression of this in Psalm 119:106. I have sworn, and I will perform it, that I will keep thy righteous judgments. The progression of learning God’s Word and keeping God’s Word leads to keeping the righteous judgments of God. The conviction that comes from verse 106 is so strong in the heart that it leads to an oath that one would swear to keep the righteous judgments of God. The word ‘keep’ is both present and future in the heart like the word ‘kept’ is to musing on the past action of the righteousness of God in the heart. The knowledge of the Holy gives confidence to the heart to keep the righteous judgments of God through the eternal righteousness of God in Jesus Christ. I like the way the soul, and the spirit speak to one’s own heart in Psalm 119. It is like a three-way conversation of heart, soul and spirit of a person under the light of God’s Word both Living and written. Leading the very footsteps of the being into the holy of holies, and to a deeper knowledge of the Holy Himself, Jesus Christ. The progression of the soul in learning the righteous judgments of God, then in verse 106 keeping them as one learns to discern between good and evil, and the heart with an oath comes in compliance to the Word of God. We see this through learning of the Holy in Hebrews 5:14. But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil. Again we see the progression, this is not the outward man it is the inward man. His spiritual senses are exercised by the Spirit of God and by the Word of God as one drinks deeper into the well of Life — Jesus Christ. This all begins by examining oneself in light of the Word of God, and also, examining the world around us by the Word of God so that we might discern between good and evil.

Righteousness Lost and Righteousness Imputed by Faith

   One thing that is exposed by learning the righteousness of God is that there is a natural element of mankind, for Adam, after bringing sin into the world, had no righteousness before God. The covering by fig leaves was symbolic of mankind being naked without the covering of the righteousness of God. Adam was totally naked: outwardly and inwardly, thus, leaving all mankind alienated from God. No man would be able to stand before God unless God performed a supernatural work in creating a new heart, a new spirit, and a new soul. The psalmist in 119 is obtaining his righteousness by faith, and through faith in God, the righteous God, for there is no other way to obtain the righteousness of God which only God possesses, for mankind lost that righteousness in the garden.

   This is only a suggestion, in the overall psalm, and the study of this psalm, we have the application of God’s divine righteousness supernaturally to the heart, the soul, and the spirit. In the book of Romans we have the battleground over the righteousness of God, for the gospel becomes the battlefield, and also the weapons of our warfare, and brings the Spirit of God to a conflict with the flesh of mankind. Sin must be defeated with death, the death of God’s beloved Son. When the smoke clears on the battlefield (to the heart, the soul, and the spirit) to the warrior there is therefore, now no condemnation to them that are in Christ Jesus. There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. (Romans 8:1)

Holiness Imputed — Holy Brethren

   The gift and calling of God are without repentance for all is examined by God’s righteousness in His holy and divine judgments. This leaves us with the knowledge of the holy in Jesus Christ so that we can be addressed by the Spirit of God as holy brethren in the bonds of Christ. Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus; (Hebrews 3:1) And because we are partakers of God’s holiness we have been given this holiness by His heavenly calling. This calling had to come from without, it was God’s calling, and not man’s calling. God was calling out to man through His Spirit. Man was not calling out to God. We mix these two ideas up terribly. Our salvation comes by a heavenly calling TO us. Wherever we are, this divine calling originates in heaven, not in the heart of man. At the very moment of God’s calling, it was not us calling out to God, but God calling from heaven (reaching out to us) with His marvelous salvation in Jesus Christ. As a result of the Holy Spirit’s conviction in our heart, soul, and spirit, we call out in response to God’s calling. Our conviction and our repentance is first initiated by the Spirit of God from heaven above. Thus, this causes us to call out to God for His heavenly salvation in Jesus Christ. Even at that point in time we do not understand all these things. This is why God has to act in a supernatural way converting the soul, and creating a new creature in Jesus Christ our Lord. All this is the result of God’s heavenly calling that we find in Hebrews 3:1. Of course, the object of this heavenly calling is Jesus Christ. He is magnified by the Spirit of God at the very point of our salvation. The heart, the soul, and the spirit hear the echo through the pages of time, the very voice of the Son of God ‘learn of me.’ We see the fullness of this in the man of Psalm 119. To learn and when learned, to keep the righteous judgments of God. And let’s not forget that within this tripartite part being there is a spiritual application to heart, soul, and spirit. For with the heart man believes unto righteousness. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. (Romans 10:10)

No Greater Love

   Why is the heart so important in this tri part spiritual being? It is important because the heart is the seat of affection. It is with the heart that mankind loves, or hates, however, the heart of God is far different from the heart of man. For it is the supernatural heart of a supernatural being that possesses, upholds, and maintains His own supernatural righteousness. If God declares that He is love, there is no greater love. For His love is upheld on the mercy seat of His righteousness, and based on this righteousness and the work of the Lord Jesus Christ on the cross of Calvary, God can declare that He so loved the world, that HE gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him shall not perish, but have everlasting life. And bind that birth with Romans 10:10.

The Heart

   As  the heart is the seat of affection, God made it that way in all mankind — good or bad — all mankind is subject to their own heart, and only by a divine miracle can that heart be changed to a heart in subjection to God. The heart examines man by his own condition, and the heart applies that condition to man’s conscience. And when anyone turns aside desiring sin more than the love of God then this heart is hardened against the mercies of God. We should remember that we come into the world with the heart of Adam, and this heart is deceitful and desperately wicked.

O Jerusalem, wash thine heart from wickedness, that thou mayest be saved. How long shall thy vain thoughts lodge within thee? (Jeremiah 4:14)

My bowels, my bowels! I am pained at my very heart; my heart maketh a noise in me; I cannot hold my peace, because thou hast heard, O my soul, the sound of the trumpet, the alarm of war. (Jeremiah 4:19)

The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it? (Jeremiah 17:9) I the LORD search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings. (Jeremiah 17:10)

   In these verses we not only see the condition of the heart of man, but we also see the collective heart of mankind. In verse 10 of Chapter 14 of Jeremiah we see the examination of the heart of man for it is the Lord, Himself, who searches the heart of every man, and it is God who judges the condition of the heart before Him. As the steps of man are numbered, and all are counted by God, so too the action of the heart of every man is examined by God Himself. Let’s look at Jeremiah Chapter 17, verses 7 and 8.

Blessed is the man that trusteth in the LORD, and whose hope the LORD is. (Jeremiah 17:7)

For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and that spreadeth out her roots by the river, and shall not see when heat cometh, but her leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit. (Jeremiah 17:8)

   These two verses harmoniously resonants with the thoughts of the psalmist. For who can forget the man of Psalm 1, or Psalm 119. It is the same heart that binds them together. It is the same heart that finds the living water and brings forth his fruit in his season. It is the heart that has been changed by God. It is the heart that is in subjection to God. Jeremiah does not forget the heavenly calling in Christ Jesus. Consider two more verses in Jeremiah Chapter 17, verses 13 and 14.

O LORD, the hope of Israel, all that forsake thee shall be ashamed, and they that depart from me shall be written in the earth, because they have forsaken the LORD, the fountain of living waters. (Jeremiah 17:13)

Heal me, O LORD, and I shall be healed; save me, and I shall be saved: for thou art my praise. (Jeremiah 17:14)

   The fountain head of the spring of Living water is the Lord of glory, Jesus Christ. (John 4:10) All mankind must come through Him, and by Him. In Psalm 119 we have this three way conversation between the heart, the soul and the spirit. This conversation, however, is enlightened by heavenly life from above. It is the Spirit of God (by the Word of God) guiding us in a very dark and wicked world. Therefore, the psalmist declared that the Word of God is a lamp unto his feet, and a light unto his path completely being illuminated by the words and the Spirit of God. And in searching the heart who can forget the 73 Psalm of Asaph.

The Sanctuary — The Presence of God

   What self examination we see here. A man before God examining all his thoughts good and bad, and laying them before the Almighty God, and then the wonderful confession that when he comes into the sanctuary, when he comes into the presence of God all the unrighteous thoughts that Asaph had disappear and are replaced with the righteous thoughts of God. In the presence of God he then understands the end of evil men. Until I went into the sanctuary of God; then understood I their end. (Psalm 73:17) But this does not finish this wonderful psalm of Asaph because we see the expansion of his heart, soul, and spirit in verses 25 through 28.

Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee. (Psalm 73:25)

My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever. (Psalm 73:26)

For, lo, they that are far from thee shall perish: thou hast destroyed all them that go a whoring from thee. (Psalm 73:27)

But it is good for me to draw near to God: I have put my trust in the Lord GOD, that I may declare all thy works. (Psalm 73:28)

    This wonderful psalm begins with a troubled heart looking around at an evil world and evil men. How do they prosper? Why should they prosper? And it upsets the heart of Asaph, but when he goes into the sanctuary, he understands the movement of God in the hearts of man. He now has the desire of his own heart to seek and to behold God for Himself. His eyes are removed from the world to the heavens. He sees the One in heaven who is for him, and only Him. There is a bond of God’s righteousness with Asaph, and therefore, he draws near unto God, and puts his trust in the Lord, and then through praise he declares all of God’s righteous works before men.

Praise

   We see that same desire of the heart in the man of Psalm 119, whom have I in heaven but thee O Lord. What is so wonderful is his desire is not based on the knowledge of his reflection of mankind, but on the knowledge of the Holy, and the object of that holiness is the Lord Jesus Christ. He is the only object in heaven for us. He is the only object in heaven who can reach from heaven’s glory to earth to separate us supernaturally from the world of man to God’s glory at the right hand of the majesty on high. The Lord Jesus Christ is made higher than the heavens. For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens; (Hebrews 7:26)

   In Psalm 119:7 the first phrase ‘I will praise thee’ is very important in this Psalm, and in the entire book of Psalms. The word ‘praise’ is recorded in 132 verses in the book of Psalms. Sometimes, it is mentioned more than once in a single verse, and therefore, this makes the word ‘praise’ a very important word in the mind of the Spirit. In Psalm 119 the word ‘praise’ only appears in four verses (7, 164, 171, 175).

 I will praise thee with uprightness of heart, when I shall have learned thy righteous judgments. (Psalm 119:7)

Seven times a day do I praise thee because of thy righteous judgments. (Psalm 119:164)

My lips shall utter praise, when thou hast taught me thy statutes. (Psalm 119:171)

Let my soul live, and it shall praise thee; and let thy judgments help me. (Psalm 119:175)

   In considering each one of these verses, we see different and distinct emotion of the heart. In verse 7, we have the uprightness of heart, this is a heart that has been cleansed by God. In verse 164 it is seven times a day do I praise thee, showing the continued guidance of the Spirit of God and the Word of God throughout the completeness of the day in the number seven. In verse 171 ‘my lips shall utter praise’ this shows us the fullness of the heart being expressed by the lips in praising the most high God, possessor of heaven and earth.

 Note: And in this we do not forget faithful Abraham in Genesis 14 when he lifted up his hand to the most high God possessor of heaven and earth, With his lips Abraham proclaimed the most high God, and with the mouth profession is made unto salvation, the outpouring of the fruit of the heart.

   In verse 175, ‘let my soul live, and it shall praise thee’ this is wonderful, and we could say with the psalmist, it is too high for me. (Psalm 131:1) But as we travel the path through salvation, through the Word of God, it is line upon line, precept upon precept, here a little, there a little, thus, we will understand more of the Holy in the face of Jesus Christ. In Psalm 135:1, the word praise is recorded three times. Praise ye the LORD. Praise ye the name of the LORD; praise him, O ye servants of the LORD. Three times the word ‘praise’ is found. The first mention is to the glory of God Himself from a full heart, the next mention of ‘praise’ is the praise of the name of the LORD that at the name of Jesus every knee shall bow, and every tongue shall confess Him to the glory of the Father of lights and perfection. And then those who serve the Lord in gladness shall praise Him in their service to the Almighty God. Each and every thing that we do should be to the glory and honor of the Lord Jesus Christ. How fitting that in Psalm 119 verse 7 that we have the first mention of ‘praise’ and then when we consider verse 164 seven times a day I will praise thee. This is the first and second mention of the word ‘praise’ and notice that it is surrounded by the number 7 as the Spirit of God magnifies the highest Himself, the Lord Jesus Christ. We see in verse 7, the uprightness and the righteousness of all God’s judgments. And then, at the end of the book of Psalms we have this unique ending in Psalm 150 verse 6. Let every thing that hath breath praise the LORD. Praise ye the LORD. This verse is full of the simplicity of divine thought. It is also full of the majesty of divine thought. For it takes a heart that is full of God’s Spirit to relate these wonderful thoughts of the majesty on high. Let us close these thoughts with Philippians 2:10 and 11.

That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; (Philippians 2:10)

And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (Philippians 2:11)

   May the Holy Spirit magnify the Lord Jesus who is the Living Word of God in our hearts more and more until that perfect day when we shall see Him face to face, God bless, see you soon. M. H. Amen.

© Copyright 2018, Michael Haigh

Article may be used, but not for gain. Freely ye have received, freely give.

All Scripture references are from the Authorized King James Bible. (KJV)