Psalm 119 Part 1

Psalm 119 is the longest Psalm and the longest chapter in the Bible. It’s all about the Word of God. That teaches us that God’s Word is very important. And, as we will see, it’s very important for a lot of reasons.

In this psalm, numerous words are used for the Word of God. Depending on the translation, they are: law, precept, statute, command, commandment, regulation, decree, judgment, word, promise, testimony, instruction, teaching, way, path. The terms reflect different aspects of the Word of God. For example, several of the words emphasize law. Keeping the commandments of the Sinai Covenant was very important when this psalm was written. But there are other words used, like instruction or teaching, or way or path or testimony. The Word of God teaches us. It educates us. It is a way or path, leading us to the desired goal. It is a testimony, faithfully testifying to what God wants us to know and do. It’s a word or promise, letting us know the good things God has promised for those who obey His Word.

This psalm is an acrostic. There are 22 sections based on the 22 letters of the Hebrew alphabet. The acrostic goes in order, starting with alef and ending with tav. Each of the 22 sections has 8 verses, each of which starts with the same letter of the alphabet. The way this psalm is arranged speaks to us of design. Like nature, God’s Word has design written all over it.

Psalm 119 Has Four Main Themes:

The Nature Of The Word of God.

The Benefits That Come To Us From Interacting With The Word Of God.

The Ways We Interact With The Word Of God.

What God Will Do To Us To Help Us Follow His Word.

First, The Nature Of The Word of God

The Word Of God Has A Divine Origin

Over and over and over the author, praying to the Lord, declares it is “Your word, Your commandments, Your decrees, Your commands, Your regulations, Your instructions, Your laws.” Your, Your, Your.

This teaches us that the Word of God is God’s Word. It is of divine origin. Sure, the Lord used people, like Moses and the prophets and the apostles to write His Word, but behind the people is the living God who inspired them and guided them in their writing. The Lord is the true author of the Word of God. Of course, this makes the Bible the most special book ever written. How wonderful to have a book which was authored by God Himself.

The Word Of God Is A Wonder

Speaking of wonderful, 129: Your laws are wonderful. No wonder I obey them! That means that the Word of God is truly extra-ordinary. It’s a wonder, a marvel, a miracle. How blessed we are to have a book that is so exceedingly great and special.

The Word Of God Is Righteous

7: As I learn your righteous regulations, I will thank you by living as I should! 106: I’ve promised it once, and I’ll promise it again: I will obey your righteous regulations. There are so many books and other sources of information which teach things that aren’t righteous. However, there is absolutely nothing unrighteous in the Word of God.

Everything in it is right, just, fair – which isn’t surprising, since it reflects the nature of its author. You want to be right and really do what is right? You want to believe the right things, do the right things? You want to be in a right relationship with the living God? Obey the Word of God.

The Word Of God Is Truth

Most books, religions, ideologies and philosophies contain truth. However, the truth is mixed with error. Not so the Word of God. It’s 100 percent true. 151: You are near, O Lord, and all your commands are true. 160: The very essence of your words is truth; all your just regulations will stand forever.

You want the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth? You want truth not mixed with any errors? You want pure truth? Read the Word of God.

140: Your promises have been thoroughly tested; that is why I love them so much. Like silver that is tested by heat, so that it melts and the impurities are able to be removed so that only pure silver remains, the Word of God is free from any errors. There is nothing untrue in it. Nothing wrong. No lies. No distortions. No errors.

The Word Of God Is Trustworthy

It’s almost impossible to find a source of information that is reliable, whether it’s a person, a website, a media outlet. However, we have a source that is worthy of our trust. 138: Your laws are perfect and completely trustworthy. You want the most important information that is completely reliable, totally trustworthy? It’s the Word of God.

The Word Of God Is Perfect

In fact, it’s so true, so reliable, so trustworthy, it’s perfect. 96: Even perfection has its limits, but your commands have no limit. I don’t like imperfections. I like perfect. I want perfect. Thanks be to God for His Word, which is perfect.

The Word Of God Is Eternal

89: Your eternal word, O Lord, stands firm in heaven. 152: I have known from my earliest days that your laws will last forever. There are many books that were relevant for the time they were written, but over the years became irrelevant. They’re about people and subjects and situations that are no longer meaningful to people today. However, that will never be true of the Word of God. It’s is just as relevant now as it was when God used Moses to write it. It’s as meaningful today was when the Lord inspired the prophets and apostles to write it. It will never become obsolete. It will always be meaningful and relevant. And it will endure. It will last throughout the ages.

So, to summerize what Psalm 119 teaches us about the nature of the Word of God:

It’s the Word of God. God is its author. It’s written by Jewish men who were divinely inspired.

It’s a wonder, a marvel, a miracle. It’s extra-ordinary.

It’s righteous.

It’s truth.

It’s trustworthy.

It’s perfect.

It’s eternal. It’s as relevant and meaningful now as when it was written. And it will always be meaningful and relevant. It will endure throughout the ages.

Wow! What a special book! What an amazing book! What a exceedingly valuable and precious book! I want to get to know this book, and allow it to influence me, mold me, shape me, transform me. I want to base my thoughts, my beliefs, my values, my priorities on this book. I want to base my life on this book. How about you?

Second, The Benefits That Come To Us From Interacting With The Word Of God – And They Are Many, And They Are Fantastic

God’s Word Produces Joy

1: Joyful are people of integrity, who follow the instructions of the Lord. 2: Joyful are those who obey his laws and search for him with all their hearts. 14: I have rejoiced in your laws as much as in riches. 92: If your instructions hadn’t sustained me with joy, I would have died in my misery.

You’re not happy? No joy? The reason may be that you are not interacting with the Word of God frequently enough and well enough. You are not reading it enough. You are not reading it thoughtfully. You are not thinking about it. You are not hearing it taught by God-ordained teachers.

Or, if you are relating to the Word of God by reading it and thinking about it and hearing it taught, you are not obeying it. You are not putting it into practice. You want to be happier? You want joy? Immerse yourself in the Word of God.

God’s Word Produces Freedom

45: I will walk in freedom, for I have devoted myself to your commandments. This world is fallen. It’s satanically controlled. Human nature is fallen and enslaved to sin and the dark powers. You don’t want to be controlled by a world dominated by lies? You want to be to go against the dictates of the godless majority? You don’t want to be imprisoned by dark spiritual powers? You want the freedom to believe the right things, think the right way, live the right way, and be who God made you to be? God’s Word will do that for you. It will set you free.

God’s Word Produces Holiness

 

11 I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you. 9 How can a young person stay pure? By obeying your word. This fallen world which is in rebellion against God is filled with sin and sinners. The world is filled with young people who are driven by impure desires and give in to those impure desires. You want to be different? You don’t want to sin against God? You want to stay pure? You want to be holy? Obey the Word of God. Have it and keep it in the deepest recesses of who you are – in your heart.

In a fallen world dominated by sin and the sin nature, and the fallen angels who lie to us, many don’t know right from wrong, good from evil. God’s Word Helps Us Discern Good From Evil, The Righteous From The Wicked. And It Protects Us From Evil And From Wicked People.

61: Evil people try to drag me into sin, but I am firmly anchored to your instructions. 115: Get out of my life, you evil‑minded people, for I intend to obey the commands of my God. 128: Each of your commandments is right. That is why I hate every false way. 133: Guide my steps by your word, so I will not be overcome by evil.

You want to be able to discern good from evil? You want to know what is right and what is wrong? Distinguish the good way from the many false ways? Be able to resist being carried along by evil people and their evil ways? You don’t want to be overcome by evil? Anchor yourself to the Word of God.

God’s Word Eliminates Shame

80 May I be blameless in keeping your decrees; then I will never be ashamed. In this fallen world which is satanically controlled and is in rebellion against God and is under a curse, it’s easy to do things that will embarrass you. I’ve done things I’m ashamed of – too many. And the things we do for which we are ashamed can bring shame to those who love us and dishonors the God who loves us. You don’t want to be ashamed or bring shame to others? Carefully follow the Word of God.

God’s Word Produces Righteous Indignation And Godly Sorrow

136: Rivers of tears gush from my eyes because people disobey your instructions. 158: Seeing the false, the faithless, makes me sick at heart, because they care nothing for your word. 53: I become furious with the wicked, because they reject your instructions. When we know the Word of God, and know what is what is good and right and faithful and true, and when we see what wrong, unjust, faithless, twisted, perverted and dishonoring to God taking place, we can get angry. And we can become sad.

For example, Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, who claims to be a Christian, recently tweeted that she will appear on a popular drag queen show, and that it was an honor to make an appearance on it, and she is inspired by the contestants, and their freedom of expression is what America is all about. Another example: There are libraries that encourage transvestites to read children books advocating their sexual perversion.

When we see people, especially leaders who claim to be Christians, like Nancy Pelosi and Joe Biden, advancing perversion and abortion, and other evils, it’s OK to get angry and it’s OK to be sad. Messiah said it best: Blessed are those who mourn.

God’s Word Produces Wisdom

Wisdom, which includes knowledge and understanding, is valuable, so precious, so beneficial. It helps us overcome all of life’s challenges. 32: I will pursue your commands, for you expand my understanding. 24 Your laws please me; they give me wise advice. 98: Your commands make me wiser than my enemies, for they are my constant guide. 99: Yes, I have more insight than my teachers, for I am always thinking of your laws. 100: I am even wiser than my elders, for I have kept your commandments. 105: Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path. 130: The teaching of your word gives light, so even the simple can understand.

You want a successful life? A victorious life? A blessed life? You need wisdom, knowledge and understanding – which come from the Word of God.

God’s Word Revitalizes Us When We Are Low, Depressed, Discouraged. It Comforts Us In Our Troubles.

25: I lie in the dust; revive me by your word. 28: I weep with sorrow; encourage me by your word. 50: Your promise revives me; it comforts me in all my troubles. 149: In your love, O Lord, hear my cry; let me be revived by following your regulations. 156: Lord, how great is your mercy; let me be revived by following your regulations.

You’re depressed, sad, discouraged? You’re weighed down by troubles? You feel like you’re drying up, withering, dying? You want to be revitalized? Renewed? Revived? You need encouragement? You need to be interacting with the Word of God.

God’s Word Produces Stability, Peace, Confidence In Dangerous And Difficult Circumstances

95: Though the wicked hide along the way to kill me, I will quietly keep my mind on your laws. 109: My life constantly hangs in the balance, but I will not stop obeying your instructions. 110: The wicked have set their traps for me, but I will not turn from your commandments. 143 I’m experiencing trouble and distress, but I find joy in your commands. 165: Those who love your instructions have great peace and do not stumble.

We live in a world filled with troubles, trials, problems and hardships. You want peace and confidence, and even some happiness while living in such a world? You’re in a dangerous situation? You need to be reading and thinking about and obeying the Word of God.

This is the end of part 1. There’s more that Psalm 119 has to teach us about the Word of God. Lord willing, we’ll do that next week.

Let’s pray:

Lord God, help us really know and love You and Your Word. Lord, be our Rabbi, our teacher. Teach us Your Word. Help us understand it. Help us treasure it, read it, think about it, meditate on it, hear it taught by teachers You gift to teach Your Word. Help us remember it and never forget it. Help us keep it in our minds and hearts. Help us obey it, follow it, practice it carefully and consistently.