This is a wonderful Scripture tucked away in the Old Testament. What did
king David mean here, “Great peace have they which love thy law: and
nothing shall offend them.”
First, let me tell you what it doesn't mean. It does not mean that you'll never get your feelings hurt or be offended by mean or hurtful people. That is not what this Scripture means at all. Yet, I've heard some people attempt to use this Bible verse to teach just that. Jesus plainly said that people would rob us of our joy in John 16:22, “And ye now therefore have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and YOUR JOY NO MAN TAKETH FROM YOU.”
And again Jesus said in Matthew 18:7: “Woe unto the world because of offences! for it must needs be that offences come; but woe to that man by whom the offence cometh!” Jesus taught that offences are a part of enduring this sinful life on earth; but woe unto the person who causes the offence. We are living in perilous times today, when people are hurting each other like never before. If you live for money, friends, or even family you will be disappointed.
So what does Psalm 119:165 mean then? Let's look at a couple words here. The Hebrew word for “peace” is shalom shalom and means “safe.” The Hebrew word for “offend” is mikshol mikshol and means “stumblingblock.” The Bible is teaching that there is abundant safety in the Scriptures to keep us from stumbling or falling.
In this apostate generation, most people look to the television for guidance and information with which to form their opinions. This is why people are so blinded these days to reality. It is tragic that tens-of-millions of Americans have bought into the heathen philosophies and demonic New Age indoctrination of Oprah Winfrey, James Van Praagh, Jonathan Edward, Dr. Phil, Montel Williams, The View, and a host of other celebrities, authors, and shows on TV. Psalm 1:1, “Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.” Amen!
It is tragic that tens-of-millions of people have bought into the demonic health, wealth, and prosperity heresy of greedy televangelists on television. These televangelists are ungodly. Physical healing is not guaranteed in Christ's work of redemption.
If you listen to all the so-called experts, know-it-alls, televangelists, and professionals on TV, you're building a house upon the sand that will surely crumble during high-tide. Instead, SEARCH THE SCRIPTURES!
Psalm 119:165 teaches that those who love the Word of God will be safe and nothing will cause them to stumble. That means God keeps His PROMISES! You can count on Jesus! You won't go wrong from taking God's advice. There is great peace in knowing that God stands behind His promises in the Bible. You can't get any safer than obeying God.
If you listen to Oprah Winfrey and take her New Age advice, then you will stumble. If you listen to The View and travel down their wayward path of feminism and haughty ignorance, then you will fall. If you are wise, then you'll search the Scriptures. There is great safety in the Bible. God's track record is pretty good. In fact, it's perfect. I'll side with God. I'll take God's advice. I want to form my opinions from the Scriptures. That means that I must SEARCH THE SCRIPTURES as Jesus commanded in John 5:39. I am saddened that so many people form their opinions from the TV. Nearly all of what people see and hear on TV is censored, controlled, twisted, immoral, and fabricated. If it weren't for the TV, many people wouldn't know what to believe. You'd be much better off totally ignorant than brainwashed. Woe unto TV minds.
The greatest truth of all is the holy Scriptures. Tragically, most people couldn't care less about the Bible. It is sad that millions of people run to buy Bill Wiese's bizarre book, 23 MINUTES IN HELL, who claims he went to Hell and came back; but people won't believe the Bible itself. Many people are insatiably looking for more proof of God and the Bible, but all the proof they need is outside their front door (Romans 1:20). The truth is that skeptics won't believe the Bible no matter how much evidence is presented to them (Luke 16:31). To those who believe not, no explanation is possible; to those who believe, no explanation is necessary.
It is wonderful to know that we can rest safely in the PROMISES of God almighty. Society is confused about everything today. People aren't sure about abortion. They're not sure about homosexuality. People are confused about politics. Nearly everyone is confused about the way to Heaven. There's only ONE WAY.
Psalm 119:165 is teaching that there is abundant safety in the Scriptures to keep us from stumbling or falling. The question is: Do you love God's Law? Psalm 119:165 simply means that there is great safety in the Scriptures to keep us from falling.
