What Is the Covenant Path?

My Come Follow Me studies for this week took me to Psalms 100-150 in a lesson titled “Let Every Thing That Hath Breath Praise the Lord.” The following information introduced the lesson. 

The traditional Jewish name for the book of Psalms is Tehillim, a Hebrew word that means “praises.” It’s related to the exclamation hallelujah (meaning “praise Jehovah” or “praise the Lord”). If you had to choose one word to sum up the main message of the Psalms, praise would be a good choice. Some psalms contain the direct invitation to “praise ye the Lord” (see especially Psalms 146-50), and all of them can inspire worship and praise. The Psalms invite us to acknowledge the Lord’s power, His mercy, and the great things He has done. We can never repay Him for any of this, but we can praise Him. That praise might take different forms for different people – it might involve singing, praying, or bearing testimony. It often leads to a deeper commitment to the Lord and to following His teachings. Whatever “praise ye the Lord” means in your life, you can find inspiration to do it as you read and ponder the Psalms.

The scripture block teaches several principles, including (1) The Lord can comfort me in my suffering (Psalms 102-3; 116). (2) Jesus Christ fulfilled prophecies from the Psalms (Psalms 110; 118). (3) God’s word will keep me on His path (Psalm 119). (4) The Lord is more powerful than any idol (Psalms 134-36). (5) The Lord knows my heart (Psalm 139). (6) “Praise ye the Lord” (Psalms 146-50). This essay will discuss principle #3 about the scriptures helping us to stay on the covenant path (Psalm 119).

Psalm 119 contains many phrases that compare our lives to a journey back to Heavenly Father. There are words such as “walk,” “path,” “way,” “feet,” and “wander.” During my lifetime, I have traveled many paths and roads where I hoped that I would arrive at the desired destination. The scriptures and the servants of God urge us to stay on the covenant path because they know that this path leads back into the presence of God. President Russell M. Nelson gave the following counsel about the journey through life and the value of staying on the covenant path (“Living by Scriptural Guidance,” Ensign, Nov. 2000, 17). 

If our journey through life is to be successful, we need to follow divine direction. The Lord said, “Look unto me in every thought; doubt not, fear not” [Doctrine and Covenants 6:36]. And the Psalmist wrote, “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path” [Psalm 119:105]….

In your journey through life, you meet many obstacles and make some mistakes. Scriptural guidance helps you to recognize error and make the necessary correction. You stop going in the wrong direction. You carefully study the scriptural road map. Then you proceed with repentance and restitution required to get on the “strait and narrow path which leads to eternal life” [2 Nephi 31:18]” (“Living by Scriptural Guidance,” Ensign, Nov. 2000, 17).

Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf of the Quorum of Twelve Apostles also spoke about the journey through life. After teaching the Parable of the Prodigal Son, Elder Uchtdorf said that the parable is about each person living today. “The Prodigal and the Road That Leads Home,” Liahona, Nov. 2023, 86-88). 

 My beloved brothers and sisters, dear friends, like all of the Savior’s parables, this one is not just about people living long ago. It’s about you and me, today.

Who among us has not departed from the path of holiness, foolishly thinking we could find more happiness going our own self-centered way?

Who among us has not felt humbled, brokenhearted, and desperate for forgiveness and mercy?

Perhaps some may even have wondered, “Is it even possible to go back? Will I be labeled forever, rejected, and avoided by my former friends? Is it better to just stay lost? How will God react if I try to return?”

This parable gives us the answer.

Our Heavenly Father will run to us, His heart overflowing with love and compassion. He will embrace us; place a robe around our shoulders, a ring on our finger, and sandals on our feet; and proclaim, “Today we celebrate! For my child, who once was dead, has come back to life!”

Heaven will rejoice at our return.