Order my steps in thy word: and let not any iniquity have dominion over me.
- Psalm 119:133
David knows where his bread is buttered — where his future lies. He understands how iniquity waits on the path of every unwary sojourner to apprehend his or her life. It lies in wait like a stagecoach bandit holding us up on our path, and seeking to steal our integrity.
One Bible version renders the verse, “Direct my footsteps according to your word; let no sin rule over me.”
This rendering is insufficient and quite different from the original translators' thoughts.
The word ‘Order’ in Strong’s concordance H3559, is rendered ‘prepare, establish, ready (make-ready).
When we come to Christ we have declared war on Satan, sin and iniquity. Therefore our steps — how and where we put our feet — needs to be in the light of the word at all times. God prepares our steps by speaking to us through His word and quietly talking to our conscience. That word becomes the light of our pathway.
Psalm 119:105, “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.”
It doesn't matter in which years of David’s life the Psalms were written, they were all focussed on overcoming this world and pleasing God.
Psalm 17:4-5 reiterates the same thought as our key verse, as David goes on, “Concerning the works of men, by the word of thy lips I have kept me from the paths of the destroyer. Hold up my goings in thy paths, that my footsteps slip not."
He attributes God for the power, reliability and uprightness of His word, and how it continues to align his pathway with the Father's, despite the wickedness chasing him in the form of evil men.
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David is not the only one who can use the word to prepare, establish and make ready his next steps; we can do the same. God's word has the same power and guiding principles as it did in David’s time.
Today’s prayer: Dear Lord, thank you for the ability of your word to order my steps — to prepare and establish me in the way I should walk and the work I am to do for you. Please help me to be more attentive to your word, and look to it as the foremost guide in my life.
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