Psalm 119
Human Writer Unknown
But many scholars of old believe it to be David.
The Story Behind The Psalm
This Psalm is referred to as an alphabetical Psalm. It is divided into twenty-two parts, answering to the number of letters in the Hebrew alphabet. Every part is divided into eight verses; and each verse begins with that letter of the Hebrew alphabet which forms the title of that part of this Psalm.
In this Psalm, the writer magnifies the Word of God and makes it honorable. There are ten words by which Divine revelation is called in this Psalm. Each expresses what God expects from us, and what we may expect from him.
1. God’s law; this is enacted by him as our Sovereign.
2. His way; this is the rule of his providence.
3. His testimonies; they are solemnly declared to the world.
4. His commandments; given with authority.
5. His precepts; not left as indifferent matters to us.
6. His word, or saying; it is the declaration of his mind.
7. His judgments; framed in infinite wisdom.
8. His righteousness; it is the rule and standard of what is right.
9. His statutes; they are always binding.
10. His truth or faithfulness; it is eternal truth, it shall endure forever.
It equals in bulk twenty-two psalms of the average length of the Songs of Degrees.
The Way It Was Used By God’s People
This is a Psalm of praise and thanksgiving for God’s word. It is significant that this is the longest of the Psalms. This is also the longest chapter in the Bible.
A very good way for the Christian to study this Psalm, would be to:
1. Go through the Psalm, finding all of the things the Bible will do for the Christian
2. List all the things the Christian is supposed to do with your Bible
3. Search out all the things the Word of God is like. Example: a lamp – a light
etc.
Let’s look at some verses in this Psalm. Time does not permit to explore them all in this lesson. But you can search them for your selves an learn a lot.
Vs 9 – God’s Word cleanses when we take heed = to do what it says.
Vs 11 – If God’s word is carved in our hearts, we will be more able to resist the
assaults of Satan: and therefore the prophet desires God to instruct him
daily more and more in God’s Word. If God’s Word is only in our
Bibles and not in our hearts, we have failed to learn it and can easily fall
into a besting sin.
Vs 28 – “Strengthen” = endure, succeed.
“Soul melts …” If God did not maintain us by his word, our life would
drop away like water.
Strengthen me to do the duties, resist the temptations, and bear up
under the burdens, of an afflicted state, that the spirit may not fail.
Vs 81 – Though my strength fails me, yet my soul groans and sighs, resting still in
God’s Word.
Vs 105 – Not only does the Word of God inform us of His will, but, as a light on
a path in darkness, it shows us how to follow the right and avoid the
wrong way.
The lamp of the Word is not the sun, as the sun would blind our eyes.
The lamp is fed with the oil of the Spirit.
Vs 140 – “pure” = refined – without the least mixture of falsehood.
One great old preacher said, regarding this verse.
Our love to the word of God is then an evidence of our love to God when we love it for the sake of its purity, because it bears the image of God’s holiness and is designed to make us partakers of his holiness.
It commands purity, and, as it is itself refined from all corrupt mixture, so if we receive it in the light and love of it it will refine us from the dross of worldliness and fleshly-mindedness.
Vs 165 – “Great peace have they which love thy law .. ”
In the middle of the storms and trials of this world, there is a perfect
calm in the heart of the Christian, who not only does the will of God,
but “love” to do it.
They are at peace with God, by the blood of reconciliation; at peace
with themselves.
“and nothing shall offend them.”
When we abide in the “Light of this world” we can see and avoid
stumbling blocks.
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Comment by Elouise Liebert February 18, 2012 @ 4:27 pm