Psalm 119:160–The Precious Word of God Thy word is true from the beginning: and every one of thy righteous judgments endureth for ever. The Psalmist speaks here by inspiration of the Holy Spirit but also out of personal conviction. We see the complete confidence he had with respect to God’s revelation. He was prepared to make his stand upon it. This is where we must rest today in a confused world – and in an often confused church. We must believe that the Bible is authentic or what it claims to be. We should be able to hold our Bible in our hand and to say in regard to it: “Thy word is true from the beginning.” God is a God of truth. It is one of His attributes. Moses knew this (Deut.32:4) and so did David (Psa.31:5). If such a God has revealed Himself and spoken to men, we would expect that the result would be truth – pure truth. It is. “Every word of God is pure” (Prov.30:5). Our Saviour’s words in John 17:17 show that He had the same view of the Scriptures. The Bible is objectively true. It is absolute truth. It is the truth. It is true whether men believe it or not. It was the Psalmist’s conviction that the Scriptures were true “from the beginning.” They are true from the first page to the last. From Genesis to Revelation, in history, poetry and prophecy, we are confronted with truth only and no error. The marginal reading here is instructive: “The beginning of thy word is true.” We know how the opening chapters of the Bible are often attacked by sceptics and apostates but they are real history. The Bible is also true from its first (or chief) doctrines to its last. We are not only to receive and obey what it teaches concerning creation, providence and redemption but also every detail it prescribes for the worship of God and for our personal behaviour. The Bible is also true in the subjective sense. We mean that every believer in Jesus Christ discovers that the Scriptures are true in his own life. From the beginning of his walk with God to its end, the Bible proves to be a faithful companion. It is utterly trustworthy, an infallible interpreter and a sure guide in all his experience from regeneration to glorification. We should believe that the Bible is durable, for “every one of thy righteous judgments endureth for ever.” God preserves His own word. This is taught in many places, such as Psalm 12:6,7 and Matthew 24:35. Note what is particularly said to endure – God’s “righteous judgments.” These are His statutes, the permanent rules and fixed moral principles which are to apply to men in all dispensations. Morality does not vary with time. Our generation must learn this. We must submit to the Bible’s authority. This surely follows. We see in the next verse that David did just this. Though persecuted by princes, he trembled at God’s word and would not disobey it. This is where the believer and the world are in conflict. The Christian’s stand is “Thus saith the Lord.” The world often says to us, “How do you know the Bible is true?” We point to the external evidences of its divine origin – its antiquity, accuracy and influence for good. We also mention the internal evidences – its glory, purity and harmony. But we know that only the Holy Spirit’s blessing upon the Scriptures can give a full, saving persuasion that the Bible is the Word of God (John 16:13,14). To be finally convinced that a piece of writing is genuine, it may be necessary to meet the author. Have you met the living God in Jesus Christ? Are you seeking Him? The Lord calls you to do so, and Jesus Himself promises: “If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself” (John 7:17).