Week #7 Zayin Psalm 119:49-56 Memories (Rehearsing God s Might ) This week you, the student, are going to write the Answer Key. It s all about your memories. So get a pen and paper, and if you haven t already, write out your answers to each of the questions. Yes, you can just think through the answers, but you ll be surprised at the increased impact these verses will have if you take the time and effort to write out your answers. As you bring to mind some of the things we will be discussing, take note of how you respond to your memories. Psalm 119:49-56 49 Remember the word to Your servant, Upon which You have caused me to hope. Is there a Bible story or scripture that comes to your mind when you remember the time you accepted Jesus as your Savior? Write out your story of the time you gave your heart to Him. Was there a scripture which opened your eyes to your need of a Savior? 1
50 This is my comfort in my affliction, For Your word has given me life. How did God s Word give you life when you first believed? As you answer this question, reflect on the difference between your life before Christ (you were dead then), and your life after coming to know Christ (from that point on you were alive) Is it comforting to remember that time in your life? Why? 2
51 The proud have me in great derision, Yet I do not turn aside from Your law. Do you remember a time when anyone has made fun of you or hated you - for being a believer in Jesus? What gave you courage during that time? Have you ever given up on God because people were making it too hard for you? 3
52 I remembered Your judgments of old, O LORD, And have comforted myself. From memory, without looking at your Bible, make a list of all the stories you remember about God: (as you write out this list, notice whether or not those stories comfort you) 53 Indignation has taken hold of me Because of the wicked, who forsake Your law. Search your memory what have been the times you have been indignant at the sin in our world? Does this indignation frustrate you, because you feel powerless to change the world? Or does it drive you to the foot of the cross, praying for our world? 4
54 Your statutes have been my songs In the house of my pilgrimage. What songs do you remember which have come directly from God s Word? (you can use your Bible for this question I have just read through the book of Psalms sometimes and found verses I realized I could sing because I had learned them long ago) 55 I remember Your name in the night, O LORD, And I keep Your law. Have you ever awakened in the middle of the night and needed to call out to the Lord? What are some of the names of the Lord? Why do these names give us hope? 5
56 This has become mine, Because I kept Your precepts. What is one way to be sure we can remember the words, works, and names of God when we need them? (hint: the word kept in the verse above doesn t mean obey.it means tucked safely away. ) What do we learn from today s passage? 1. Stuff the stories of God, the names of God, and the Words of God deep down into your memory. God will bring them to the surface when you need them. 2. Keep yourself faithfully attending church, going to Bible studies and Bible classes. You are exposing yourself to God s own thoughts and ideas. 3. As the Psalmist tells us over and over and over again in Psalm 119 ask God Himself to teach you. When He does, you are getting richer and richer every day. The wealth of this world will pass away. The wealth of God will only grow. If your memory someday fails you, the wealth you have stored in your spirit will be perfectly safe. Your memories of God s might will serve you well all your life, and into the next. Write them down and every once in awhile re-read them. When you grow old and your memory dims, have someone remind you of them. God Himself is our hope and our joy and our every breath. Think often of what He has done. 6
Your Assignment for next week: Read Heth Psalm 119:57-64 (about one verse per day) Use the following questions to help you think through these verses Memorize Psalm 119:63 I am a companion of all those who fear You, and those who keep your precepts. Psalm 119:57-64 In verses 57-62 the Psalmist mentions 6 things which have already changed in his life since he began loving God s Word. Can you see what they are? 57 You are my portion, O LORD; I have said that I would keep Your words. 1) 58 I entreated Your favor with my whole heart; Be merciful to me according to Your word. 2) 59 I thought about my ways, And turned my feet to Your testimonies. 3) 7
60 I made haste, and did not delay To keep Your commandments. 4) 61 The cords of the wicked have bound me, But I have not forgotten Your law. 5) 62 At midnight I will rise to give thanks to You, Because of Your righteous judgments. 6) Now, in verse 63, the Psalmist mentions something new something he hasn t talked about before. We re going to park here for the rest of our lesson and think through this important aspect of our walk with the Lord: 63 I am a companion of all who fear You, And of those who keep Your precepts. How does the Psalmist describe his friends? Who are your friends? Do they meet this description? Can you think of any other friendships in scripture which might give us a model for our friendships? 64 The earth, O LORD, is full of Your mercy; Teach me Your statutes. The Psalmist seems to be overwhelmed with the goodness of God he has made so many great changes in his life he is surrounded by excellent friends. What is still his plea to God? Is this our plea even when surrounded by good and wonderful things? 8