61 PSALMS OF JOY AND PRAISE Part Two Psalm 119 May 4

Transcription

1 61 PSALMS OF JOY AND PRAISE Part Two Psalm 119 May 4 This amazing psalm deserves an entry all its own (one day of reading), partly because it is the longest chapter in the bible, and partly because it just has too many wonderful lessons too gloss over. This is an acrostic poem, which means that the first letter of each paragraph was significant. In this case, I believe the first letters match the letters in the Hebrew alphabet. There are 22 sections in all; each one with its own theme, with the overall message of the psalm being MEDITATIONS and PRAYERS RELATING TO and PRAISING GOD FOR HIS LAW, even when going through hard times. I have attempted to focus on the theme of each paragraph, as well as highlight favourite illuminations, insights and personal applications. (There are more insights in the beginning sections because I tried to not be repetitive.) Enjoy! 1) "Aleph" v1-8 Theme - The Way of Obedience v1 The obedient's way v3 God's ways v5 My ways What kind of obedience? v1 blameless obedience v2 wholehearted obedience v4 full obedience v5 consistent obedience v6 thoughtful obedience v7 praise-filled obedience Blessed means, "o how abundantly happy". We are truly happy when we are obedient. Just as a waterfall is beautiful as it observes the laws of nature and physics, so man, as God's creation, is beautiful when submissive to God's Laws. Verse 8 holds the key to growth - decision! We must decide to obey! Wow, I'm convicted after the first section! 2) "Beth" v9-16 Theme - Eliminating Sin This section reminds me of Paul's writings to Timothy, the young evangelist. Paul told him to "flee the evil desires of youth" (2 Timothy 2:22) and here, in Ps 119, we see how to do that - "by living according to your word." Just as we have seen all through the Old Testament, God wants our hearts! We are to treasure his word in our hearts as well. Does the word of God mean as much to me now as it did when I was a young Christian? If so, I must rejoice and delight IN it, meditate ON it, and not FORGET it! In other words, I need to enjoy reading it, thinking about it, talking about it and, most importantly, obeying it!

2 3) "Gimel" v17-24 Theme - Tuning in the Spiritual I look at this section as telling me to follow the word no matter what others do. I especially love v18, "Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law." Sometimes we may struggle to get insights but God will answer a prayer like this! Even if others in positions of influence make fun of us for our stand, we should still delight in God's word and let it be our counsellor! 4) "Daleth" v25-32 Theme - Deep Dependency Sometimes we are filled with grief at life's events, or at how people are treating us, but at these times we should cling to God and his word more than ever. His word is the answer to everything. When I ask God to keep me from deceitful ways, I am saying that his words and ways are true. "Holding fast to God's statutes" reminds me of Deut 11:22 "If you carefully observe all these commands I am giving you to follow to love the LORD your God, to walk in all his ways and to hold fast to him..." and also John 8:31a-32, "If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. 32 Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." Not surprising that this section of 119 concludes with the phrase, "for you have set my heart free." In times of trouble, we must HOLD FAST! Only then will we feel free! 5) "He" v33-40 Theme - God is The Teacher The writer of this psalm knew that God was his teacher. He knew that only God gives understanding and again refers to the importance of the heart! Remember the old memory verse about repentance from 2Cor 7:11? "what earnestness, what eagerness to clear yourselves, what indignation, what alarm, what LONGING, what concern, what readiness to see justice done..." Sounds like the way this writer felt about God's laws! 6) "Vav" v41-48 Theme - Boldness When we are daily in God's word, reading it, meditating on it, growing in our understanding of it, and ultimately becoming more Christ-like by practicing it, we will naturally be BOLD! The reason we can walk in freedom (v45) is that when we are following God's commandments, we don't have a guilty conscience and we therefore aren't living in fear of others. 7) "Zayin" v49-56

3 Theme - Comfort of the Word God's word gives hope, brings comfort and revives us. This comes when we know the bible so well that we sing scriptural songs and think of God's word whenever we wake up in the middle of the night (also see v62 for a passage on "midnight meditation"). 8) "Heth" v57-64 Theme - Enthusiastic Response The writer of this psalm wrote, "The Lord is my portion," in v57. I have a note in my bible which says, "Don't starve yourself!" This section emphasizes the need to repent without delay. I AM GUILTY HERE. I am so good at making excuses about why I can't repent today or how I'll repent tomorrow. Help me to keep the words of Ps 119 in my heart. I was also moved by the part about seeking God s face. I don t usually think along that line to seek God s face. It is an upward call to me. 9) "Teth" v65-72 Theme - Right Attitude It seems that the psalmist is saying that he has been through hard times and that those difficulties were good for him because they helped him to learn obedience. Reminds me of Hebrews 5:7f about Jesus learning from his suffering and Romans 5:3-5, which tells us that suffering helps us. Also, the writer asks that God does good to him, according to your word, O Lord. When we know the bible well, we can ask God to keep his promises, the way that David and Moses did asked him. 10) "Yodh" v73-80 Theme - Molding the Heart By acknowledging God as our creator, we humble ourselves and can put our hope in his words even more. God's love & compassion comfort us when we delight in his laws. 11) "Kaph" v81-88 Theme - Faithful Through Adversity When our mortal lives are so wonderful or when we are too enamored with and consumed by this life on earth, our souls don't languish for God! When we go through hard times, we feel desperate for God's words and truly rely on Him! 12) "Lamedh" v89-96 Theme - Scope of the Word God's word is eternal, everlasting, established, and, unlike other "perfect" things, it is limitless! 13) "Mem" v Theme - God's Word Brings Wisdom

4 I have always enjoyed showing this passage to disciples in the campus ministry - "I have more insight than all my teachers, for I meditate on your statutes" (v99). Knowledge is one thing, but wisdom and insight come firstly when we LEARN the word and secondly, APPLY it! I also have a note from a previous reading of this bible which reads, Karen, keep your feet from every evil path especially food pleasure and let yourself be satisfied with God s word which is sweeter than honey!! Hate compulsive eating!! 14) "Nun" v Theme - The Shining Light Verse 105 is one of the most well-known verses, thanks to Amy Grant's gospel hit in the early 1980s. Her song, taken from the KJV, says, "Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path." This section ends by saying how the statutes of God should be the joy of our hearts. 15) "Samekh" v Theme - Separation from the Ungodly The Psalmist wrote of his strong feelings against those who don't obey God's word. He hates the double-minded, banishes evildoers, rejects those who wander, and knows their ultimate outcome is destruction. Why such antipathy? Because he fears God and doesn't want anyone to lead him astray. 16) "Ayin" v Theme - Loving the Truth, Hating what is False The writer here is concerned again with justice. He loves the word more than all else, and hates everything false. 17) "Pe" v Theme - The Beatitudes of Ps 119 I feel that many of concepts taught by Jesus in the Beatitudes (Matthew 5:3-12) appear in this section - being poor in spirit, mourning over sin, being meek and humble, hungering and thirsting for righteousness, and needing mercy. 18) "Tsadhe" v Theme - The Refined Truth The psalmist uses the language of refining gold, which gets purified and tested until it is pure. God's word is pure and true! We must have this attitude with God's word! This takes reading, meditating, considering and applying. 19) "Qoph" v Theme - Reliance on God

5 In times of trouble, we must pray for help, crying out to God for intervention as we read and obey his words. This section reminds us that we should wake up early to pray and read our bible, but that we should think of God during those times that we can t sleep in the middle of the night! Midnight meditations!! 20) "Resh" v Theme - The Word Revives Focusing on God's precepts gives hope when being persecuted, especially when we know "the sum of Thy word is truth" (v160 in the New American Standard Version). 21) "Shin" v Theme - The Value of God's Word Love for and obedience of the law causes us to stand up under persecution, hate falsehood and praise God continually. 22) "Tav" v (The last section) Theme - A Closing Prayer The Psalmist ends his song with a closing prayer, asking God to help him, as he cries out to God, signing off with the admission that, "I have strayed like a lost sheep. Seek your servant, for I have not forgotten your commands." What a great way for us to end our study of this amazing psalm. "O God, please hear our prayers. Give us understanding of your word. We delight in your law and will praise you. Help us to long for your salvation. We are but lost sheep, but we will never forget your commands." karenlouis@seachurches.org