Psalm 119 (A)

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Introduction

Our last time together we spent time together in Psalm 139 and it was relatively short. It was one that can be easily memorized and used in good and bad times alike. Todat we are going to begin a deep dive in Psalm 119 . This is not a short and easily memorizable Psalm. It is 176 verses and beast of a Psalm.

It is an acrostic Psalm. Each letter in the Hebrew alphabet beginnning its own section in the Psalm. The more and more I have dug into this Psalm. The more and more I believe this passage contains all that a believer needs to live a life pleasing to God. That if one would take the advice of the Psalmist, oh how richly we would be blessed. Oh how much better our life would be.

Our joy would be uncontainable. Our actions would be revealing of God’s greatness. We would be set apart and we would make an impact in the kingdom that would be unmeasurable.

But yet, I know this to be true. Far too often, my spirit is willing but my flesh is weak. I choose disobedience like I forbid from my children. I forget the statutes set before me and choose comfort over righteousness. Rather than delight and meditation and treasuring of God’s laws, I debate, reason, and ignore.

You know it is one thing to disobey bad parents. Parents that abuse you, that dont love you and neglect you. Parents you cant trust or rely on. Why would you delight or follow their instructions. But I had great parents. Parents that showed me great love and time and time again taught me in the ways of scripture and grace and forgiveness. And even then I would still disobey.

I can remember when me and my best friend Jacob first got BB guns. Its a monumental moment in every boys life. We had rules but he lived on 40 acres in the woods of Kodak TN, so the world was our battleground. The adventures we would have. It might as well have been Vietnam or whatever episode of GI Joe we had watched.

But we did have several rules that had to be obeyed. Rule 1. No shooting birds. easy. Rule 2. Dont shoot each other. Rule 3. Shoot away from homes and cars. These should be rather simple to follow. They make sense. Birds are defenseless they arent to be shot for mere game or torture. Rule 2 you think would be easy but you see we would get bored shooting at make believe people and trees so as long as you were at a decent distance it didnt hurt too too bad………… Then someone would get hurt and guess what no sympathy and no joy for those that break the rules

Then guess what rule number 3. We set up cups on the hood of his dads bronco sport……

Paintball cows……

Following rules teachings wisdom and the law are for are own good as we discussed in our introduction to the Psalms in Psalm 1.

In Psalm 119 there are 10 synonyms that are used to convey the same thought and source of delight in the heart of the Psalmist and things I would challenge each of us to find joy in as well.

The Bible Knowledge Commentary Psalm 119

The psalm is largely a collection of prayers and meditations on the Word of God, referred to by 10 synonyms.

“Law” (tôrâh), occurring 25 times in the psalm, denotes direction or instruction. More often the word refers to a body of teaching, probably Deuteronomy and Leviticus, if not the whole Pentateuch. In fact in John 10:34 the corresponding Greek word for “Law” seems to include the entire Old Testament.

“Word” (dāḇār) occurs 20 times in the psalm. It is a general term for God’s revelation, but the “Ten Commandments” are called “Ten Words” (literal Heb., Deut. 4:13).

“Saying” (’imrâh, often trans. “promise” in the NIV) occurs 19 times. It is often a poetical synonym for dāḇār.

“Commandment” (miṣwâh) occurs (in the Heb.) 21 times in the plural (usually trans. “commands” in the NIV) and once in the singular collectively. It signifies a definite, authoritative command. It is frequently joined with the next two words.

“Statutes” (ḥūqqîm) occurs 21 times. In the Psalms it is always in the plural. Literally it means “things inscribed.” So it refers to enacted Laws (and is trans. “decrees” in the NIV).

“Judgment” (mišpoṭ) occurs 19 times in the plural (often trans. “laws” in NIV), and 4 times in the singular. It represents a judicial decision that constitutes a precedence, a binding law. In the Pentateuch it referred to the laws after the Ten Commandments. The word can also mean God’s judgmental acts on the wicked.

“Precepts” (piqqûḏîm) occurs 21 times. It is a poetical word for injunctions, found only in the Psalter (always in the pl.).

“Testimony” (‘ēḏâh) occurs 22 times in the plural and once in the singular. It is a solemn attestation, a declaration of the will of God. It is a general word for ordinances that became God’s standard of conduct. It is usually rendered “statutes” in the NIV.

“Way” (derek), used five times in the plural and six times in the singular, is a metaphorical term describing the pattern of life marked out by God’s Law.

“Path” (’ōraḥ), used five times in Psalms, is parallel to “way.”

You will hear each of these even as we read just the 16 verses we will cover today.

The New International Version Psalm 119

1 Blessed are those whose ways are blameless,

who walk according to the law of the LORD.

2 Blessed are those who keep his statutes

and seek him with all their heart—

3 they do no wrong

but follow his ways.

4 You have laid down precepts

that are to be fully obeyed.

5 Oh, that my ways were steadfast

in obeying your decrees!

6 Then I would not be put to shame

when I consider all your commands.

7 I will praise you with an upright heart

as I learn your righteous laws.

8 I will obey your decrees;

do not utterly forsake me.

ב Beth

9 How can a young person stay on the path of purity?

By living according to your word.

10 I seek you with all my heart;

do not let me stray from your commands.

11 I have hidden your word in my heart

that I might not sin against you.

12 Praise be to you, LORD;

teach me your decrees.

13 With my lips I recount

all the laws that come from your mouth.

14 I rejoice in following your statutes

as one rejoices in great riches.

15 I meditate on your precepts

and consider your ways.

16 I delight in your decrees;

I will not neglect your word.

There is a goal to be found in the Psalms, there is a goal to be found in the scriptures and it is given to us right out of the shoot in the first 3 verses.

The New International Version Psalm 119

1 Blessed are those whose ways are blameless,

who walk according to the law of the LORD.

2 Blessed are those who keep his statutes

and seek him with all their heart—

3 they do no wrong

but follow his ways.

‌When I read these verses. There are several thoughts that cross my mind. 1.) I sure would love to meet this guy. He sounds perfect. Like who can be as good as this person. 2. I am super convicted because my heart knows this is true. The Law that is wrtten on my heart knows its true. In Jeremiah and in 1 Corinthians It is written on our hearts, the law of God. And we know it to be true with the laws also like a mirror, as Paul tells us in Romans, and that tells us rather shows us our need for Jesus I cannot look at myself.

I cannot look at myself and see someone who is blameless, someone who constantly walks according to the law of the Lord, someone who has kept every statute, has done wrong, and has always sought God with my whole heart. Therefore, left with these verses in these goals, I indeed fall short Falls short for there to be any blessing they would indeed deed to be someone who was blameless, who always walked according the law of the Lord, who always kept the statutes of God, always sought God with their own heart, and never did any wrong. And this folks is Jesus Christ.

Jesus Christ is not excuse for us not to seek after God. It is not an excuse For us to not go after a blameless life, to follow after his statutes. Rather, it is motivation for us as the believer to seek. After these things all the more and in return God's grace gives us blessings. Blessings of eternal life and blessings here in this world.

The New International Version Psalm 119

4 You have laid down precepts

that are to be fully obeyed.

5 Oh, that my ways were steadfast

in obeying your decrees!

6 Then I would not be put to shame

when I consider all your commands.

Listen, the Psalmist makes no mistakes and says very clearly, there is no suggestion in the plans of God and the schemes in which he is layed out for all of us. We cannot pick and choose what we want to follow. Mac cannot pick and choose the type of God that we should follow but yet we only follow after God and the precepts that he is laid before us the standard is not that we keep most of them, but it is that we fully obey the precepts that God is laid before us.

Scripture tells us that God's ways are not our ways, and that we cannot understand them yet that is no excuse to not follow after his precepts, the things in the schemes he is placed before us. This creates a problem for us and created a problem for the psalmist as well. He says oh, that my ways were steadfast and obeying your decree and other words, if I would just obey your word, if I would just stick to what you've placed before me, and do what you've asked me to do fall in love with your decrease your precepts, then all the blessings of versus one through three that I would have. That I would understand all of your commands that you're written on my Heart

One of the reasons that I believe we have all of these words, all the synonyms and psalm 119 is merely just translating it as the Bible, or as the pent took, or as the scriptures, there are many Pharisees that would've fulfilled the law. Or at least they thought they would have, but it Isn't just about reading God's word and memorizing God's word, or even obeying to the letter of the law, but it is about being one with God's word, submission to his law, and it be written on each of our hearts. Even the demons and the Pharisees knew the Scriptures. They had them memorized better than any of us in this room, but yet they were as far away from God's blessings, as one could ever be.

So what is the answer? What can we do? Let's read and we will find out.

The New International Version Psalm 119

7 I will praise you with an upright heart

as I learn your righteous laws.

8 I will obey your decrees;

do not utterly forsake me.