I NEED THEE, O I NEED THEE; EVERY HOUR I NEED THEE! O B L E S S M E N O W, M Y S AV I O R, I C O M E T O T H E E. I Need Thee Every Hour, Traditional Hym
I NTRODUCTION
READ THIS FIRST WHY I WROTE A LITURGY OF THE HOURS Initially, I wrote this Liturgy of the Hours for my own personal use, but quickly realized the potential benefit it may have for others. After seeing fruit from my private endeavors, I want to equip others with the same resources I found helpful in my walk with Jesus. As members of the body of Christ, we have a unifying purpose to all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ (Eph. 4:13). We are called to strive together in love to grow in godliness closeness and conformity to Christ Jesus. Recognizing the grace given specially to me, according to the measure of Christ s gift (Eph. 4:7), my wiring and makeup incline me to favor structure, regiment and planning to grow in deeper love with Jesus. This may sound legalistic to some, but for myself and many like me, structure and planning actually free me to rest and rely on God s grace more fully. Know this: The Holy Spirit is active in our planning yet our plans are not the Holy Spirit. I hope this plan serves simply as a helpful aid for Christians seeking to follow Jesus wholeheartedly. May my contribution to the Church serve to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ (Eph. 4:12). I pray this Liturgy of the Hours only deepens your relationship with Jesus and spurs you toward mission for His glory, true joy and the good of others. WHAT IS A LITURGY OF THE HOURS? A Liturgy of the Hours (commonly known as a Daily Office) is an intentionally scheduled spiritual discipline meant to foster a deeper relationship with the Lord. Many times we spend our devotional times with Jesus feeding ourselves on the Word and seeking to receive fuel for our days. A Liturgy of the Hours instead focuses more on being with Jesus rather than aiming to receive anything from Him. The word liturgy means the work of the people. So, you may want to think of a Liturgy of the Hours as an intentional effort put forth at specific hours of the day to deepen your relationship with Jesus. This is by no means required for your salvation we are saved by grace alone (Eph. 2:8) but meant to be a tool to aid you toward maturity in Christ. Typically, a Liturgy of the Hours takes place at least twice daily and consists of these five elements silence, meditation, Scripture reading, contemplation and prayer. Various liturgies are employed, but we ll cover the specific layout for this Liturgy of the Hours below.
WHY FOLLOW A LITURGY OF THE HOURS? The purpose of a Liturgy of the Hours is, as Peter Scazzero puts it, to remember God and commune with him all through our days. Swallowed by the noise and busyness of our days, we can quickly forget Who is actually in control. Taking frequent rest in silence, meditation, Scripture reading, contemplation and prayer reminds us of God s sovereignty, faithfulness and grace. In addition to serving as a reminder, a consistent Liturgy of the Hours has strong biblical reasoning. Most notably, regular times away with our Heavenly Father was modeled perfectly by Jesus. To cultivate a relationship, Jesus would intentionally disconnect from crowds, including his own disciples, to spend one-on-one time with God the Father. We see this throughout the Gospels: And after [Jesus] had dismissed the crowds, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. Matthew 14:23 And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, [Jesus] departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed. Mark 1:35 But [Jesus] would withdraw to desolate places and pray. Luke 5:16 Aside from divine example, Scripture also commands us to worship in silence before the LORD. Psalm 46:10 says, Be still, and know that I am God, while the same command is echoed in Psalm 37:7, Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him. Donald Whitney explains this expression of worship clearly in his classic book, Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life: The worship of God does not always require words, sounds, or actions. Sometimes worship consists of a God-focused stillness and hush. Scriptural precedent for this includes texts like Habakkuk 2:20, But the LORD is in his holy temple; let all the earth be silent before him, and Zephaniah 1:7, Be silent before the Sovereign LORD. It s not just a silence that s enjoyed, but a silence before him, before the Sovereign Lord. That s the silence of worship. There are times to speak to God, and there are times simply to behold and adore Him in silence. (p. 187) Consider employing a Liturgy of the Hours as another tool to use as we run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus (Heb. 12:1-2). If it is helpful in your walk with Christ, great! If not, use other methods and disciplines to cultivate your relationship with Jesus. Remember, it s not what you do, but who you are a child of God, an heir to eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. God s saving actions fuel our new
identity actions out of the overflow of His love for us, not in our attempt to try and earn His love. God is in the business of saving sinners through the working of the Holy Spirit because of what Jesus has already done, not based on your works, but His. With this in mind, consider entering into a daily rhythm of intentional awareness of God s presence through this Liturgy of the Hours. WHY A LITURGY OF THE HOURS THROUGH PSALM 119? One of the most treasured gifts God has given us is His written Word. The Word of God speaks life into His people and provides a spiritual sustenance like nothing else. We re reminded in Deuteronomy 8:3 that man does not live by bread alone, but man lives by every word that comes from the mouth of the LORD. The Scriptures are breathed out by God, making us wise for salvation by teaching, reproofing, correcting, and training us in righteousness, equipping us for every good work (2 Timothy 3:15-16). Psalm 119 captures the array of power displayed through God s written revelation from its rich wisdom, truthfulness, clarity, grace, command and authority. Divided into twenty-two stanzas of eight verses each, this acrostic (alphabetic) psalm follows the twenty-two letters of the Hebrew alphabet. This one psalm is comprised of 176 verses, nearly all of which mention the Word of God. In referring to this Word of God the psalmist uses nine main words 1 : Word what God himself has spoken, whether directly to Abraham, Moses or another prophet Laws (Heb. mišpāt) comes from the verb to give judgement ; to make a decision between what is right and what is wrong Statute comes from the verb to bear witness : in his word God bears witness to himself, his nature and his truth Decrees from the verb to engrave it points to something graven in the rock for perpetuity Testimonies eternal evidences of God and/or His ways Law (Heb. torāh) authoritative imposition or teaching Commands/commandments simple idea of doing what you are told Precepts applying the word of God to the minutiae of life Ways refers to living or lifestyle As you read through Psalm 119, consider the various applications of the Word of God to expand your perspective of who God is and what He has declared. Ultimately, your meditation on the Word should point to the Word made flesh Jesus (cf. John 1:1-18). The Gospel Transformation Bible puts it impeccably:
Reading Psalm 119 should bring Christ to mind in at least two ways. First, he lived out the principles and commandments of this psalm perfectly as he loved the law of the Lord and meditated on it day and night (Ps. 119:97; cf. 1:2). Second, his very life gave the fuller and indeed fullest expression possible of this Word, as he came as the very living Word of God himself. Jesus is himself God s message to the world. Allow Jesus, the Word of God, to be your most valuable treasure as you spend the next twenty-two days delving into the longest psalm explicitly focused on God s Word. STRUCTURE OF THIS LITURGY OF THE HOURS The following suggested format of a midday and evening Liturgy of the Hours is intended to supplement a consistent morning devotional time with Jesus. (If you are not currently in a rhythm of meeting with Jesus daily, please consider waiting to employ a Liturgy of the Hours approach, as it may be too much change at one time. Don t be discouraged, persevere, build up endurance for the long haul as you walk with Jesus daily for a lifetime.) Below is simply suggestive and you can adjust your Liturgy of the Hours as you see fit to benefit your personal journey with Christ. Step One, get alone (or with a group dedicated to intentional meditation) in a quiet setting. Set aside as many distractions as possible and prepare your mind and soul to focus on communion with the Triune God. Step Two, follow the formats below with the express purpose of intentionally being with God at specified times of your day.
(15-25 MINUTES) Read the Excerpt Verse silently or aloud at least 3 times (1 minute) Spend 2-5 minutes in silence, reciting the Excerpt Verse silently in your mind Read the full Passage slowly pausing often for comprehension & contemplation (4-7 minutes) Answer the Contemplation Question (2-3 minutes) Pray through the Prayer Themes as you re-read the Passage these should serve as fuel for personal & specific prayer (5-7 minutes) Close with 1-2 minutes of additional silence, considering the Passage, the Excerpt Verse, the Contemplation Question and Prayer Themes (8-13 MINUTES) Read the Excerpt Verse silently or aloud at least 3 times (1 minute) Spend 1-2 minutes in silence, reciting the Excerpt Verse silently Read the full Passage slowly (3-5 minutes) Pray and reflect over the Prayer Themes and how they may have been displayed in your personal actions throughout the day (3-5 minutes)
LITURGY OF THE HOURS PSALM 119
DAY 1: WALK IN THE LAW OF THE LORD Oh that my ways may be steadfast in keeping your statutes! (Ps. 119:5) READ PASSAGE (PSALM 119:1-8) Are the things I m learning from God s Word staying in my mind or translating to outward praise (see v. 7)? Adoration: Lord, Your testimonies are true & perfect. Your ways lead to a blessed life. Confession: More often I turn to my own rules rather than Yours & too often live aimlessly. Thanksgiving: Thank you for providing Jesus, the Way, that I may joyfully follow him! Supplication: Attune my heart to Your Word & may my actions reflect a saving knowledge of You with steadfastness & perseverance which comes from You alone. Oh that my ways may be steadfast in keeping your statutes! (Ps. 119:5) READ PASSAGE (PSALM 119:1-8)
DAY 2: AS MUCH AS IN ALL RICHES In the way of your testimonies I delight as much as in all riches. (Ps. 119:14) READ PASSAGE (PSALM 119:9-16) What am I delighting in more than God and what He s said of Himself in His Word? Adoration: God of truth, what you have declared of Yourself is true, pure and trustworthy. Confession: I have failed to store up Your truth in my heart & I seek You half-heartedly. Thanksgiving: Thank you for offering me true delight & satisfaction within Yourself. Supplication: Fix my eyes on Your ways & fill my heart with Your Word, that I might not sin against You. In the way of your testimonies I delight as much as in all riches. (Ps. 119:14) READ PASSAGE (PSALM 119:9-16)
DAY 3: OPEN MY EYES Open my eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of your law. (Ps. 119:18) READ PASSAGE (PSALM 119:17-24) If not Jesus, as revealed in Scripture, where do my eyes turn for comfort, guidance, encouragement & delight? Adoration: Gracious God, You are the Giver of life and all good things. Confession: My soul is consumed with longing for temporal & meaningless things. Thanksgiving: Thank you for guiding each step of my sojourn on the earth with illumined eyes & wise counsel. Supplication: Grant me the perseverance to follow Your rules & delight in Your Word. Open my eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of your law. (Ps. 119:18) READ PASSAGE (PSALM 119:17-24)
DAY 4: SET MY HEART FREE I will run in the way of your commandments for you set my heart free! (Ps. 119:32) READ PASSAGE (PSALM 119:25-32) Have I been following Jesus by simply aiming to follow His rules or am I actually living in the freedom of His gracious way? Adoration: Giver of life, You are always faithful & forever true. Confession: I often choose faithlessness, sorrow & false ways. Thanksgiving: Thank you for teaching me a better way that leads to life & freedom! Supplication: Please remind me of Your works & strengthen me according to Your Word. I will run in the way of your commandments for you set my heart free! (Ps. 119:32) READ PASSAGE (PSALM 119:25-32)
DAY 5: INCLINE MY HEART & EYES Incline my heart to your testimonies, and not to selfish gain. (Ps. 119:36) READ PASSAGE (PSALM 119:33-40) What does a life with a heart-level understanding of the gospel look like? Am I living it? Adoration: Good Teacher, You have provided a path of righteousness & goodness. Confession: My heart is inclined more toward my own selfish gain rather than Your testimonies & rules. Thanksgiving: Thank you for setting me on a better path leading to joy & delight! Supplication: Keep my eyes fixed on You. You are worthy of my whole heart. Incline my heart to your testimonies, and not to selfish gain. (Ps. 119:36) READ PASSAGE (PSALM 119:33-40)
DAY 6: LET YOUR STEADFAST LOVE COME Let your steadfast love come to me, O LORD, your salvation according to your promise. (Ps. 119:41) READ PASSAGE (PSALM 119:41-48) In what areas of life have I relied on my own efforts instead of God s power? Adoration: Sovereign God, Your love precedes all I ve done & enables all I do. Confession: I confess my over-reliance on myself, instead of looking to You first. Thanksgiving: Thank you for Your loving promise to save me, by Your grace alone. Supplication: Enable me to keep, speak, delight in & worship Your every word. Let your steadfast love come to me, O LORD, your salvation according to your promise. (Ps. 119:41) READ PASSAGE (PSALM 119:41-48)
DAY 7: YOUR PROMISE IS MY COMFORT This is my comfort in my affliction, that your promise gives me life. (Ps. 119:50) READ PASSAGE (PSALM 119:49-56) How often do I turn to the Word of God when I m overstressed, burdened or afflicted? Adoration: Heavenly Father, You ve given me a promise of life through faith in Jesus. Confession: Even so, I seek comfort in worldly pleasures & lesser idols. Thanksgiving: Thank you for putting songs on my lips even in my wandering. Supplication: Remind me of Your presence in the darkest night & help me keep Your law. This is my comfort in my affliction, that your promise gives me life. (Ps. 119:50) READ PASSAGE (PSALM 119:49-56)
DAY 8: MAY I THINK WITH MY FEET When I think on my ways, I turn my feet to your testimonies. (Ps. 119:59) READ PASSAGE (PSALM 119:57-64) When I reflect on my actions, attitudes & aspirations, are they in pursuit of Christ? Adoration: Gracious Lord, the whole earth is full of Your steadfast love. Confession: I confess my doubt in the strength & persistence of Your promise. Thanksgiving: Thank you for being far more faithful than I am & turning my steps. Supplication: May my walk & way of life be evidence of Your infinite grace. When I think on my ways, I turn my feet to your testimonies. (Ps. 119:59) READ PASSAGE (PSALM 119:57-64)
DAY 9: YOU DO WHAT YOU ARE You are good and do good; teach me your statutes. (Ps. 119:68) READ PASSAGE (PSALM 119:65-72) Have I been able to see God s goodness in my afflictions, as part of His working, for my good? Adoration: Good & gracious Father, You have given me life when I deserved death. Confession: My heart gets hard & my judgement cloudy. Thanksgiving: Thank you for teaching me good through suffering. Supplication: Give me joy through affliction to be able to say, You are always good. You are good and do good; teach me your statutes. (Ps. 119:68) READ PASSAGE (PSALM 119:65-72)
DAY 10: YOU MADE & FASHIONED ME Your hands have made and fashioned me; give me understanding that I may learn your commandments. (Ps. 119:73) READ PASSAGE (PSALM 119:73-80) How can I better understand myself in order to more clearly see who God is? Adoration: Creator God, Your hands shaped me, even my very conscious. Confession: I wrongfully allow my own faulty intellect to rule my judgement. Thanksgiving: Thank you for granting me understanding of Your Word through Your Word. Supplication: Allow & enable me to boldly proclaim Your excellencies & Your gospel. Your hands have made and fashioned me; give me understanding that I may learn your commandments. (Ps. 119:73) READ PASSAGE (PSALM 119:73-80)
DAY 11: I HOPE IN YOUR WORD My soul longs for your salvation; I hope in your word. (Ps. 119:81) READ PASSAGE (PSALM 119:81-88) Am I able to cry for help while still holding fast to the God who promised me salvation? Adoration: Saving Lord, Your steadfast love sustains me through even the hardest times. Confession: My hope so easily fades in the midst of struggles & pitfalls. Thanksgiving: Thank you for providing me perseverance & endurance beyond my abilities. Supplication: Remind me over & over of Your promise to save & raise my hope in You. My soul longs for your salvation; I hope in your word. (Ps. 119:81) READ PASSAGE (PSALM 119:81-88)
DAY 12: FOREVER FIXED IN THE HEAVENS Forever, O LORD, your word is firmly fixed in the heavens. (Ps. 119:89) READ PASSAGE (PSALM 119:89-96) How often do I consider the forever nature of God & have I been putting limits on Him? Adoration: Eternal God, Your faithfulness, sovereignty & power are incomprehensible. Confession: I have wrongly limited Your strength in my mind as made evident by my actions. Thanksgiving: Thank you for Your forever grace, stretching from before the foundations of the world to beyond Your second coming. Supplication: Help me grasp my limitations to see more fully Your limitlessness. Forever, O LORD, your word is firmly fixed in the heavens. (Ps. 119:89) READ PASSAGE (PSALM 119:89-96)
DAY 13: SWEETER THAN HONEY How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth! (Ps. 119:103) READ PASSAGE (PSALM 119:97-104) Do I view God s Word as a legalistic checklist or as a refreshing source of life? Adoration: God of all understanding, You have taught me more than I deserve to know. Confession: At times, I either think too highly of my wisdom or don t trust the understanding You ve given. Thanksgiving: Thank you for Your gentle patience & continued instruction. Supplication: Teach me to love You more wholly & how to joyfully keep Your Word. How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth! (Ps. 119:103) READ PASSAGE (PSALM 119:97-104)
DAY 14: YOUR WORD IS A LAMP TO MY FEET Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. (Ps. 119:105) READ PASSAGE (PSALM 119:105-112) Have the testimonies of God been the joy of my heart? Do I respond to Him with praise? Adoration: Lord of life, You give the eternal reward of life & joy according to your Word. Confession: Even so, I run into snares of death set by others and, worse, myself. Thanksgiving: Thank you for keeping & confirming Your oath in Your Son Jesus. Supplication: Incline my heart to Your well-lit path of righteousness & strengthen me to perform Your statutes forever. Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. (Ps. 119:105) READ PASSAGE (PSALM 119:105-112)
DAY 15: YOU HOLD & UPHOLD ME Uphold me according to your promise, that I may live, and let me not be put to shame in my hope! (Ps. 119:116) READ PASSAGE (PSALM 119:113-120) How often do I recognize the wisdom in the fear of the LORD (cf. Prov. 9:10)? Adoration: Savior & Sustainer, You ve given me hope & provided me safety through Christ. Confession: Wrongly, I often jump from Your arms or neglect the fact You re carrying me. Thanksgiving: Thank you for holding onto me while I try to run from you & also when I shake & tremble in fear of You. Supplication: Remind me of Your promises & stir my affections for Your Way. Uphold me according to your promise, that I may live, and let me not be put to shame in my hope! (Ps. 119:116) READ PASSAGE (PSALM 119:113-120)
DAY 16: ABOVE FINE GOLD My eyes long for your salvation and for the fulfillment of your righteous promise. (Ps. 119:123) READ PASSAGE (PSALM 119:121-128) Have I done what is just and right? Do I consider all of God s precepts to be right? Adoration: Perfect Law Giver, You are always just & always loving. Confession: My eyes grow weak looking for Your salvation & I quickly turn to lesser gods. Thanksgiving: Thank you for patiently loving me & causing me to treasure Your Word. Supplication: Teach me Your statutes & deepen my love for You far & above all gold. My eyes long for your salvation and for the fulfillment of your righteous promise. (Ps. 119:123) READ PASSAGE (PSALM 119:121-128)
DAY 17: KEEP STEADY MY STEPS Keep steady my steps according to your promise, and let no iniquity get dominion over me. (Ps. 119:133) READ PASSAGE (PSALM 119:129-136) Do I weep over sin (in myself or others) or do I succumb to the same iniquities? Adoration: Wonderful Counselor, Your Word gives light & imparts wisdom. Confession: Yet, I get lost in the darkness of the world & foolishly squander Your grace. Thanksgiving: Thank you for turning to me & being gracious beyond my understanding. Supplication: Make Your face shine upon me & redeem me from my indwelling sin. Keep steady my steps according to your promise, and let no iniquity get dominion over me. (Ps. 119:133) READ PASSAGE (PSALM 119:129-136)
DAY 18: FOREVER RIGHTEOUSNESS Righteous are you, O LORD, and right are your rules. (Ps. 119:137) READ PASSAGE (PSALM 119:137-144) Do I long for righteousness & find it in the testimony of Jesus (cf. 1 Tim. 2:5-6)? Adoration: God of Righteousness, Your law is true & Your rules are right. Confession: Sinfully, I add to Your law in order to justify my self-righteousness. Thanksgiving: Thank you for Your presence even in my trouble & anguish. Supplication: In Your faithfulness, give me understanding that I may live. Righteous are you, O LORD, and right are your rules. (Ps. 119:137) READ PASSAGE (PSALM 119:137-144)
DAY 19: YOU ARE NEAR, O LORD Long have I known from your testimonies that you have founded them forever. (Ps. 119:152) READ PASSAGE (PSALM 119:145-152) In times of trouble, do I call to God for help? Do I put my hope in His words & promises? Adoration: Rescuer of the weak, Your love is steadfast & all Your commandments are true. Confession: Too often, I call to the false saviors of the world & put my hope in empty promises. Thanksgiving: Thank you for delivering me from the bondage of sin through Jesus. Supplication: Redirect my desires to Your Word from Your Word. Long have I known from your testimonies that you have founded them forever. (Ps. 119:152) READ PASSAGE (PSALM 119:145-152)
DAY 20: GIVE ME LIFE The sum of your word is truth, and every one of your righteous rules endures forever. (Ps. 119:160) READ PASSAGE (PSALM 119:153-160) Do I believe that the Word of God is wholly & completely true that it is truth? Adoration: Giver of life, Your promise, rules & steadfast love offer abundant & eternal life. Confession: In the face of persecution or adversity, I swerve from Your testimonies. Thanksgiving: Thank you for directing my path to true life in Christ! Supplication: Grant me mercy & redeem me from my own faithlessness. The sum of your word is truth, and every one of your righteous rules endures forever. (Ps. 119:160) READ PASSAGE (PSALM 119:153-160)
DAY 21: LIKE ONE WHO FINDS GREAT SPOIL I rejoice at your word like one who finds great spoil. (Ps. 119:162) READ PASSAGE (PSALM 119:161-168) How can I treasure God s Word more each day? Adoration: O LORD, Your salvation & commandments are worthy of all praise. Confession: My heart is frequently dull & unimpressed with You. Thanksgiving: Thank you for revealing the beauty of Your law & ways. Supplication: Resuscitate my lifeless heart & yield praise from my life & lips! I rejoice at your word like one who finds great spoil. (Ps. 119:162) READ PASSAGE (PSALM 119:161-168)
DAY 22: I WILL SING OF YOUR WORD My tongue will sing of your word, for all your commandments are right. (Ps. 119:172) READ PASSAGE (PSALM 119:169-176) Am I wandering from the Good Shepherd or running to the God of grace? Adoration: Gracious Master, You pursue me & deliver me according to Your Word. Confession: I ve gone astray like a lost sheep with no words of praise to sing. Thanksgiving: Thank you for delivering me & giving me clear understanding. Supplication: Open my mouth to sing Your Word & live obediently in Your grace. My tongue will sing of your word, for all your commandments are right. (Ps. 119:172) READ PASSAGE (PSALM 119:169-176)