November 12, 2009
Central Truth
The key to a life filled with true peace and joy is found in a life of faith following His written Word.
How blessed are those who observe his rules,
and seek him with all their heart.
(Psalms 119:2)
1
1
119:1
This psalm is an acrostic poem of twenty-two stanzas, following the letters of the Hebrew alphabet; within a stanza, each verse begins with the same Hebrew letter
Blessed are those whose way is blameless,
who walk in the law of the LORD!
2
Blessed are those who keep his testimonies,
who seek him with their whole heart,
3
who also do no wrong,
but walk in his ways!
4
You have commanded your precepts
to be kept diligently.
5
Oh that my ways may be steadfast
in keeping your statutes!
6
Then I shall not be put to shame,
having my eyes fixed on all your commandments.
7
I will praise you with an upright heart,
when I learn your righteous rules.
2
119:7
Or your just and righteous decrees; also verses 62, 106, 160, 164
8
I will keep your statutes;
do not utterly forsake me!
9
How can a young man keep his way pure?
By guarding it according to your word.
10
With my whole heart I seek you;
let me not wander from your commandments!
11
I have stored up your word in my heart,
that I might not sin against you.
12
Blessed are you, O LORD;
teach me your statutes!
13
With my lips I declare
all the rules
3
119:13
Or all the just decrees
of your mouth.
14
In the way of your testimonies I delight
as much as in all riches.
15
I will meditate on your precepts
and fix my eyes on your ways.
16
I will delight in your statutes;
I will not forget your word.
17
Deal bountifully with your servant,
that I may live and keep your word.
18
Open my eyes, that I may behold
wondrous things out of your law.
19
I am a sojourner on the earth;
hide not your commandments from me!
20
My soul is consumed with longing
for your rules
4
119:20
Or your just decrees; also verses 30, 39, 43, 52, 75, 102, 108, 137, 156, 175
at all times.
21
You rebuke the insolent, accursed ones,
who wander from your commandments.
22
Take away from me scorn and contempt,
for I have kept your testimonies.
23
Even though princes sit plotting against me,
your servant will meditate on your statutes.
24
Your testimonies are my delight;
they are my counselors.
25
My soul clings to the dust;
give me life according to your word!
26
When I told of my ways, you answered me;
teach me your statutes!
27
Make me understand the way of your precepts,
and I will meditate on your wondrous works.
28
My soul melts away for sorrow;
strengthen me according to your word!
29
Put false ways far from me
and graciously teach me your law!
30
I have chosen the way of faithfulness;
I set your rules before me.
31
I cling to your testimonies, O LORD;
let me not be put to shame!
32
I will run in the way of your commandments
when you enlarge my heart!
5
119:32
Or for you set my heart free
When we were first told what books would be part of this year's Journey, I really wanted to get assigned a passage from Job. Job was one of the first books of the Bible that I ever read, and I have enjoyed it ever since. I prayed for whatever God wanted for me because I knew He knew what I needed to address, but I still wanted Job. I guess God knew better.
When I sat down to study this passage in Psalms, I had to pray and search my heart and the Scripture for what to say. The thing that stood out in these verses was the repetitive mention of obedience to God's Word. Every single verse referred to it in some way. It might seem that a life filled with obedience to God's Word and effort to follow all His laws, precepts, commands, and ordinances would be rather boring and filled with legalism, but these verses say otherwise.
Several verses speak of delight and joy. The first two verses refer to being blessed by following God's Word. Obedience to Scripture is also described in several instances as a means to not be ashamed. Those all sound like good things to me. Then there's this one: "I rejoice in the lifestyle prescribed by your rules as if they were riches of all kinds." (Psalm 119:14) Comparing "rules" to "riches"? That's certainly a bold move in our world!
But how are we supposed to be able to obey what we don't know? The passage answers that, too. We learn by spending time in God's Word, studying, meditating, and praying, as verses 11, 15, 23, and 27 explain.
These verses speak to all of us. They confront real people who want to do well, but who struggle with the pressures of life. I am so grateful for God's mercy and love, by which He gave us His written Word!
1. Why is praying, studying, and meditating on God's Word stressed so strongly in this passage?
2. What other Bible passages (not just in Psalms) mirror these teachings?
3. If it's so important to store up God's Word in my heart, what can I do to improve in that area? (Psalm 119:11)
4. Finally, the tough question: Have I prayed, studied, memorized, and meditated on some passage of Scripture today? This week?