Blessed [or Happy] are those whose ways are blameless,
who walk
according to the law of the Lord.
Blessed are those who keep his statutes
and seek him with
all their heart (Ps. 119:1,2)
Psalm 119 is an acrostic using
the 22 letters of the Hebrew alphabet:
Aleph, Beth, Gimel … all the way to Tav. So, theoretically, you could read one section
each hour within a day! Each group of
eight verses starts with the same Hebrew letter. This a mnemonic, an aid in memory. I memorized the solution to the Rubik’s cube
with such tricks. I never did get very
fast … it usually took me five minutes.
Every verse in Psalm 119
refers to Scripture; however, there are some exceptions such as Ps. 119:90: “Your
faithfulness continues through all generations; you established the earth, and
it endures.” See also verses 84, 121
& 122. Do we love God? Do we desire his Word? If we say “Jesus is Lord,” how do we obey
him? We follow the commands in the
Bible.
As for the author of Psalm 119,
David, Daniel & Ezra have been suggested.
An excellent book that references
Psalm 119 numerous times is Knowing God by JI Packer (d. 2020). Here is the 50th anniversary
edition (>1M copies sold!):
https://www.amazon.com/Knowing-God-IVP-Signature-Collection/dp/1514007762
A Packer bio by Sam Storms
(OKC):
https://www.samstorms.org/enjoying-god-blog/post/the-life-of-j-i-packer--1926-2020-
I heard Packer preach at
Metropolitan Bible Church (OKC) ages ago.
There is a special blessing
when we study, meditate on, obey and apply God’s Word, “Blessed is the one who
reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and
take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near” (Rev. 1:3).
Several synonyms for Scripture
are used in Psalm 119: law, way, testimonies, commands, precepts, word,
judgments, statutes, promise and decrees.
Let’s consider some choice
passages from Psalm 119.
“How can a young person stay
on the path of purity? By living
according to your word” (Ps. 199:9) Purity
not only means rejecting sexual sin, but also keeping our minds free from
deceptive distractions. Job 31:1
applies: “I made a covenant with my eyes not to look lustfully at a young
woman.”
Two themes in the Bible are Conviction
and Forgiveness. “I seek you with all my
heart; do not let me stray from your commands” (Ps. 119:10). The Psalmist admits that he has a tendency to
veer off the straight and narrow. We
have redemption and forgiveness through the shed blood of the Lord Jesus
Christ. “Help us, God our Savior, for
the glory of your name; deliver us and forgive our sins for your name's sake”
(Ps. 79:9).
“I have hidden your word in my
heart that I might not sin against you” (Ps.
119:11). We need to memorize
Scripture so that we have ammunition in the spiritual battle we face daily. See also Psalm 119:93.
“Open my eyes that I may see, wonderful
things in your law” (Ps. 119:18). You thought
metamorphosis was fantastic … we all should make it a priority to study, meditate
on and obey God’s Word so that we may know the Lord more clearly.
“I am a stranger [or
sojourner] on earth; do not hide your commands from me” (Ps. 119:19). Heaven is our ultimate destination. We are just pilgrims passing through this
world of woe. God’s Word gives us the
comfort and guidance we need.
Are you consumed with headlines,
sports, fast cars or fine cuisine? Take
heed what the Psalmist said, “My soul is consumed with longing for your laws at
all times” (Ps. 119:20).
Are you headed for serious
trials or experiencing a hard providence right now? “I am laid low in the dust; preserve my life
according to your word” (Ps. 119:25).
See also Psalm 119:161.
Psalm 119 may remind us of the
19th Psalm which focuses on God’s World and God’s Word - Creation and
the Bible! The entire 119th
Psalm focuses on the glories of Scripture.
The witness of the created order can only lead us so far in knowing our
Creator (Rom. 1:18-23). We need God’s
direct message contained in the Old and New Testaments:
The law of the Lord is perfect,
refreshing the
soul.
The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy,
making wise the
simple. (Ps. 19:7)
Do you delight in God’s
Word? “Direct me in the path of your
commands, for there I find delight” (Ps.
119:35). See also Psalm 119:111.
How much time do we spend
gaming or scrolling in a day? “Turn my
eyes away from worthless things; preserve my life according to your word” (Ps.
119:37). The Message puts it like this, “Divert
my eyes from toys and trinkets, invigorate me on the pilgrim way” (Ps. 119:37,
MSG)
We must be assured in our
Salvation before we can answer the critics:
May your unfailing love come to me, Lord,
your salvation,
according to your promise;
then I can answer anyone who taunts me,
for I trust in
your word. (Ps. 119:41,42)
The author of Psalm 119 was
not riding the Gravy Train, but experienced serious difficulties:
My comfort in my suffering is
this:
Your promise preserves my life.
The arrogant mock me unmercifully,
but I do not turn from your law. (Ps. 119:50,51)
See also verses 75,78 and Lamentations
3:37,38.
Do you know rage-bait when you
see it?
https://www.merriam-webster.com/slang/rage-bait
Indignation [rage] grips me because of the wicked,
who have forsaken
your law.
Your decrees are the theme of my song
wherever I lodge.
In the night, Lord, I remember your name,
that I may keep
your law.
This has been my practice:
I obey your
precepts. (Ps. 119:53-56)
The answer for rage … sing praises
to the Lord and obey His decrees! “If
you love me, keep my commands” (Jn. 14:15).
By what standard do you define
“good”? “You are good, and what you do
is good; teach me your decrees” (Ps. 119:68).
Goodness, Beauty and Truth are part of God’s character.
God’s Word is worth more than
gold (Au) or silver (Ag): “The law from your mouth is more precious to me than
thousands of pieces of silver and gold” (Ps. 119:72).
“Your hands made me and formed
me; give me understanding to learn your commands” (Ps. 119:73). Evolution is false, Creation is true.
Often Psalm 119 shifts gears
frequently; however, the section for letter Khaf (×›) hangs together:
My soul faints with longing for your salvation,
but I have put my
hope in your word.
My eyes fail, looking for your promise;
I say, “When will
you comfort me?”
Though I am like a wineskin in the smoke,
I do not forget
your decrees.
How long must your servant wait?
When will you
punish my persecutors?
The arrogant dig pits to trap me,
contrary to your
law.
All your commands are trustworthy;
help me, for I am
being persecuted without cause.
They almost wiped me from the earth,
but I have not
forsaken your precepts.
In your unfailing love preserve my life,
that I may obey
the statutes of your mouth. (Ps. 119:81-88)
Psalm 119:96 reminds us of
Calculus: “To all perfection I see a limit, but your commands are boundless.” Limits are real - no horse runs 60 mph … not even
at Remington Park (OKC).
Do you seek wisdom?
Your commands are always with me
and make me wiser
than my enemies.
I have more insight than all my teachers,
for I meditate on
your statutes.
I have more understanding than the elders,
for I obey your
precepts. (Ps. 119:98-100)
What’s for dinner? Steaks, shrimp, BBQ? “How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter
than honey to my mouth!” (Ps. 119:103).
“Your word is a lamp for my
feet, a light on my path” (Ps. 119:105).
Without illumination, we stumble around in the dark. During WWII, many servicemen received a New
Testament:
https://gideons.org/blog/equipping-the-worlds-military-for-spiritual-battle
Does the longest Psalm deal
with addiction? “Direct my footsteps
according to your word; let no sin rule over me” (Ps. 119:133).
“I obey your precepts and your
statutes, for all my ways are known to you” (Ps. 119:168). We can’t hide from God’s watch (cf. Heb.
4:13).
We close with this prayer from
the Valley of Vision:
O God of Truth,
I thank thee for the holy
Scriptures,
their precepts, promises.
directions, light.
In them may I learn more of
Christ,
be enabled to retain his truth
and have grace to follow it.
Help me to lift up the gates
of my soul that he may come in
and show me Himself when I
search the Scriptures,
for I have no lines to fathom
its depths,
no wings to soar to its
heights.
By His aid may I be enabled to
explore all its truths,
love them with all my heart,
embrace them with all my power,
engraft them into my life.[1]
For further Study from Sermon
Audio:
https://www.sermonaudio.com/search?q=Psalm%20119
Our new podcast:
https://thenewscasters.com/true-truth-weekly/
My site: https://totalyouth.us/
Note:
1) Valley of Vision ed.
by Arthur Bennett (Banner of Truth, Edinburgh, 1975), p. 190.
** kudos – graphic sources:
https://www.blueletterbible.org/images/calendar/imageDisplay/2020-calendar_psa_119_90_nasb_b
https://storage.googleapis.com/dxjbedthjfpije/letters-in-hebrew-alphabet.html
https://chatgpt.com/c/69e16ac3-7f40-83ea-98d4-90d374de678c
https://www.craiyon.com/en/image/lztJIRZrS8KcELQ_0y9FTg
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