VISITING THE PSALMS Part Five: Psalm 119 Scripture: Psalm 119:1-176 SUNDAY JULY 19, 2009 "Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished." (Jesus) Matthew 5:17,18 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away. (Jesus) Matthew 24:35 Law 25; Laws 20; Statutes 23; Precepts 21; Decrees 22; Commands 22; Word 24; Words 5; Promise 11; Promises 2; Ways 8; Way 2 1. LAW: Represents the entire BODY of what God requires. Blessed are they whose ways are blameless, who walk according to the law of the LORD. Psalm 119:1 The law from your mouth is more precious to me than thousands of pieces of silver and gold. Psalm 119:72 Great peace have they who love your law, and nothing can make them stumble. Psalm 119:165 2. LAWS: Refers to each of the individual edicts that express what God requires in SPECIFIC areas of life and worship. With my lips I recount all the laws that come from your mouth. Psalm 119:113 I have chosen the way of truth; I have set my heart on your laws. Psalm 119:30 Righteous are you, O LORD, and your laws are right. Psalm 119:137
3. COMMAND: A DIRECT ORDER from someone in authority. I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands. Psalm 119:10 I run in the path of your commands, for you have set my heart free. Psalm 119:32 I will hasten and not delay to obey your commands. Psalm 119:60 4. DECREE: An order usually having the force of law; an ordinance. Praise be to you, O LORD; teach me your decrees. Psalm 119:12 I delight in your decrees; I will not neglect your word. Psalm 119:16 Teach me, O LORD, to follow your decrees; then I will keep them to the end. Psalm 119:33 5. PRECEPTS; The underlying PRINCIPLES and concepts of God s laws, statutes, ordinances and decrees. Cambridge Advanced Learner s Dictionary Precept: A rule for action or behavior, especially obtained from moral consideration. Let me understand the teaching of your precepts; then I will meditate on your wonders. Psalm 119:27 I will never forget your precepts, for by them you have preserved my life. Palm 119:93 I have more understanding than the elders, for I obey your precepts. Psalm 119:100 I gain understanding from your precepts; therefore I hate every wrong path. Psalm 119:104 6. WORD: A VERBAL and manifest expression of God s actions, character, will and purpose; the Scripture. How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to your word. Psalm 119:9 I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you. Psalm 119:11 Your word, O LORD, is eternal; it stands firm in the heavens. Psalm 119:89
Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path. Psalm 119:105 The unfolding of your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple. Psalm 119:130 7. PROMISE: A declaration that one will DO or refrain from doing something specified; a legally BINDING declaration. I rejoice in your promise like one who finds great spoil. Psalm 119:162 May my supplication come before you; deliver me according to your promise. Psalm 119:170 Your promises have been thoroughly tested, and your servant loves them. Psalm 119:140 WAY: A path or DIRECTION; a set course. I have chosen the way of truth; I have set my heart on your laws. Psalm 119:30 WAYS: One s GUIDING principles or operational framework; one s established behavior or common PRACTICE. Blessed are they whose ways are blameless, who walk according to the law of the LORD. Blessed are they who keep his statutes and seek him with all their heart. They do nothing wrong; they walk in his ways. You have laid down precepts that are to be fully obeyed. Oh, that my ways were steadfast in obeying your decrees! Psalm 19:1-5 I meditate on your precepts and consider your ways. Psalm 119:15 Keep me from deceitful ways; be gracious to me through your law. Psalm 119:29 I have considered my ways and have turned my steps to your statutes. Psalm 119:59 I obey your precepts and your statutes, for all my ways are known to you. Psalm 119:168
RESPONSIVE READING Psalm 119:1-11,33-37 Blessed are they whose ways are blameless, who walk according to the law of the LORD. Blessed are they who keep His statutes and seek Him with all their heart. They do nothing wrong; they walk in His ways. You have laid down precepts that are to be fully obeyed. Oh, that my ways were steadfast in obeying Your decrees! Then I would not be put to shame when I consider all Your commands. I will praise You with an upright heart as I learn Your righteous laws. I will obey Your decrees; do not utterly forsake me. How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to Your Word. I seek You with all my heart; do not let me stray from Your commands. I have hidden Your Word in my heart that I might not sin against You. Teach me, O LORD, to follow Your decrees; then I will keep them to the end. Give me understanding, and I will keep Your law and obey it with all my heart. Direct me in the path of Your commands, for there I find delight. Turn my heart toward Your statutes and not toward selfish gain. Turn my eyes away from worthless things; preserve my life according to Your Word.
SELECTED SCRIPTURES BY SPECIFIC WORD GROUPINGS LAW/LAWS Blessed are they whose ways are blameless, who walk according to the law of the LORD. Psalm 119:1 Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law. Psalm 119:18 Give me understanding, and I will keep your law and obey it with all my heart. Psalm 119:34 The law from your mouth is more precious to me than thousands of pieces of silver and gold. Psalm 119:72 If your law had not been my delight, I would have perished in my affliction. Psalm 119:92 Oh, how I love your law! I meditate on it all day long. Palm 119:97 Your righteousness is everlasting and your law is true. Psalm 19:142 Great peace have they who love your law, and nothing can make them stumble. Psalm 119:165 I long for your salvation, O LORD, and your law is my delight. Psalm 119:174 I will praise you with an upright heart as I learn your righteous laws. Psalm 119:7 With my lips I recount all the laws that come from your mouth. Psalm 119:113 I have chosen the way of truth; I have set my heart on your laws. Psalm 119:30 I know, O LORD, that your laws are righteous, and in faithfulness you have afflicted me. Psalm 119:75 Righteous are you, O LORD, and your laws are right. Psalm 119:137 Your compassion is great, O LORD; preserve my life according to your laws. Psalm 119:156
COMMAND I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands. Psalm 119:10 I run in the path of your commands, for you have set my heart free. Psalm 119:32 I will hasten and not delay to obey your commands. Psalm 119:60 Teach me knowledge and good judgment, for I believe in your commands. Psalm 119:66 Your hands made me and formed me; give me understanding to learn your commands. Psalm 119:73 To all perfection I see a limit; but your commands are boundless. Psalm 119:96 Your commands make me wiser than my enemies, for they are ever with me. Psalm 119:98 Those who devise wicked schemes are near, but they are far from your law. Psalm 119:150 Yet you are near, O LORD, and all your commands are true. Psalm 119:151 I wait for your salvation, O LORD, and I follow your commands. Psalm 119:166 May my tongue sing of your word, for all your commands are righteous. Palm 119:172 I have strayed like a lost sheep. Seek your servant, for I have not forgotten your commands. Psalm 119:176 DECREES Oh, that my ways were steadfast in obeying your decrees! Psalm 119:5 I will obey your decrees; do not utterly forsake me. Psalm 119:8 Praise be to you, O LORD; teach me your decrees. Psalm 119:12 I delight in your decrees; I will not neglect your word. Psalm 119:16
Teach me, O LORD, to follow your decrees; then I will keep them to the end. Psalm 119:33 Your decrees are the theme of my song wherever I lodge. Psalm 119:54 You are good, and what you do is good; teach me your decrees. Psalm 119:68 It was good for me to be afflicted so that I might learn your decrees. Psalm 119:71 May my heart be blameless toward your decrees, that I may not be put to shame. Psalm 119:80 Salvation is far from the wicked, for they do not seek out your decrees. Palm 119:155 May my lips overflow with praise, for you teach me your decrees. Psalm 119:171 PRECEPTS You have laid down precepts that are to be fully obeyed. Psalm 119:4 Let me understand the teaching of your precepts; then I will meditate on your wonders. Psalm 119:27 I will walk about in freedom, for I have sought out your precepts. Psalm 119:145 This has been my practice: I obey your precepts. Psalm 119:56 I will never forget your precepts, for by them you have preserved my life. Palm 119:93 Save me, for I am yours; I have sought out your precepts. Psalm 119:94 I have more understanding than the elders, for I obey your precepts. Psalm 119:100 I gain understanding from your precepts; therefore I hate every wrong path. Psalm 119:104 The wicked have set a snare for me, but I have not strayed from your precepts. Psalm 119:110
Because I love your commands more than gold, more than pure gold, and because I consider all your precepts right, I hate every wrong path. Psalm 119:127,128 Redeem me from the oppression of men, that I may obey your precepts. Psalm 119:134 See how I love your precepts; preserve my life, O LORD, according to your love. Psalm 119:159 I obey your precepts and your statutes, for all my ways are known to you. Psalm 119:168 May your hand be ready to help me, for I have chosen your precepts. Psalm 119:173 WORD/WORDS How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to your word. Psalm 119:9 I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you. Psalm 119:11 I delight in your decrees; I will not neglect your word. Psalm 119:16 My soul is weary with sorrow; strengthen me according to your word. Psalm 119:28 Turn my eyes away from worthless things; preserve my life according to your word. Psalm 119:37 Do not snatch the word of truth from my mouth, for I have put my hope in your laws. Psalm 119:43 Do good to your servant according to your word, O LORD. Psalm 119:65 Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I obey your word. Psalm 119:67 My soul faints with longing for your salvation, but I have put my hope in your word. Psalm 119:81 Your word, O LORD, is eternal; it stands firm in the heavens. Psalm 119:89 I have kept my feet from every evil path so that I might obey your word. Psalm 19:101 Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path. Psalm 119:105
Direct my footsteps according to your word; let no sin rule over me. Psalm 119:133 Rulers persecute me without cause, but my heart trembles at your word. Psalm 119:161 May my cry come before you, O LORD; give me understanding according to your word. Psalm 119:169 May my tongue sing of your word, for all your commands are righteous. Palm 119:172 How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth! Psalm 119:103 The unfolding of your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple. Psalm 119:130 All your words are true, all your righteous laws are eternal. Psalm 119:160 PROMISE/PROMISES Fulfill your promise to your servant, so that you may be feared. Psalm 119:38 May your unfailing love come to me, O LORD, your salvation according to your promise; then I will answer the one who taunts me, for I trust in your word. Psalm 119:41,42 My comfort in my suffering is this: Your promise preserves my life. Psalm 119:50 I have sought your face with all my heart; be gracious to me according to your promise. Psalm 119:58 May your unfailing love be my comfort, according to your promise to your servant. Psalm 119:76 Defend my cause and redeem me; preserve my life according to your promise. Psalm 119:154 I rejoice in your promise like one who finds great spoil. Psalm 119:162 May my supplication come before you; deliver me according to your promise. Psalm 119:170
Your promises have been thoroughly tested, and your servant loves them. Psalm 119:140 My eyes stay open through the watches of the night, that I may meditate on your promises. Psalm 119:148 WAY/WAYS How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to your word. Psalm 119:9 I have chosen the way of truth; I have set my heart on your laws. Psalm 119:30 Blessed are they whose ways are blameless, who walk according to the law of the LORD. Blessed are they who keep his statutes and seek him with all their heart. They do nothing wrong; they walk in his ways. You have laid down precepts that are to be fully obeyed. Oh, that my ways were steadfast in obeying your decrees! Psalm 19:1-5 I meditate on your precepts and consider your ways. Psalm 119:15 I recounted my ways and you answered me; teach me your decrees. Psalm 119:26 Keep me from deceitful ways; be gracious to me through your law. Psalm 119:29 I have considered my ways and have turned my steps to your statutes. Psalm 119:59 I obey your precepts and your statutes, for all my ways are known to you. Psalm 119:168