Psalm 119:9–16 • THE HABIT OF GUARDING YOUR WAY

INTRODUCTION

Psalm 119:9–16 “How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word. With my whole heart I seek you; let me not wander from your commandments! I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you. Blessed are you, O Lord; teach me your statutes! With my lips I declare all the rules of your mouth. In the way of your testimonies I delight as much as in all riches. I will meditate on your precepts and fix my eyes on your ways. I will delight in your statutes; I will not forget your word.”

This morning we are going to wrap up our sermon series on holy habits and launch into a new series that will walk through Paul’s second letter to the Corinthians. It is important to point out, though, that we’re not really leaving “holy habits” behind. As we walk through Paul’s thoughts we’re going to see the challenge to compare the way of the world with Jesus’ new Kingdom. The distinctive marks of living in Jesus’ way are the marks of transformed habits of holiness.

With that in mind, I want to invite you to turn with me to Psalm 119:9-16. Most of us are probably aware that Psalm 119 is the longest chapter in the Bible. And we’re also most likely aware that the entire Psalm is about the perfection and completeness of God’s word. In the section that we will cover today, we’re going to see how the author talks about how delighting in God’s word is the key to staying on God’s right path. I hope that we will be challenged to see that in the world around us that seems to be accelerating towards chaos at a terrifying rate, we as God’s people can be centered and safe by submitting to God’s perfect parameters for life. [EDIT!!!]

Let’s read the passage and pray together.

HABITUALLY EVALUATE YOUR VALUES

Every choice that you and I make come down to judgments of value. When I choose what clothes I buy and wear, I am choosing based on internal values. Some of us value the logo on the clothing. Some of us value the durability or longevity of the clothing. Others value the money in their pocket more than the clothing itself. Either way, the choice is a value judgment. When we eat, drink, read, watch, listen, and live we are aware that in some sense we’re picking out paths. Our patterns of behavior become what the psalmist might call our “way” or our “path.” The primary question of this section of the Psalm is, “How can I have a pure or meaningful lifestyle?” (See verse 9). His answer is emphatically tied to how he approaches God’s word.

I assume that most of us in the room would say that we value God’s word. I want us to consider this morning how deeply we truly value it. When it comes down to it, are your decisions and plans consistently impacted by your understanding of God’s way? Or, would it be more accurate to say that the primary influencing factors around you are coming from a direction other that the Lord? Will you consider two questions based on this passage to help you diagnose how much you’re valuing God’s word?

Where are my eyes fixed?

The first question comes from verse fifteen:

Psalm 119:15 (ESV)

I will meditate on your precepts and fix my eyes on your ways.

The psalmist understands that where his eyes are fixed will reveal what he values so he commits to “fixing [his] eyes on [God’s] way.” If a person wants to stay of a road or a path, they’ll take special notice to keep their eyes pointed in the right direction. Vision is an important sense for the human body, and the Bible uses our dependence on our ability to see to make a deep spiritual connection: the health of our spiritual vision directly impacts our soul. Jesus said:

Matthew 6:22–23 (ESV)

“The eye is the lamp of the body. So, if your eye is healthy, your whole body will be full of light, but if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light in you is darkness, how great is the darkness!

The health of your spiritual vision is of utmost importance. What you fix your eyes on, both physically and spiritually, will reveal to you what you value the most. The Poet William Blake put it like this:

“We become what we behold.” - William Blake

What are you becoming?

I want to ask you to consider for a moment whatever it is in your life that you can’t stop thinking about. Is it that dream job? Is it your perfect idea of family life? Maybe it is a vacation you want to take. Maybe it is your bank account app. Maybe it is another person. Maybe it is a feeling of escape that you get under certain influences. Can you identify what your gaze is fixed on? Press it one step further: is what occupies your mind when you have a free moment connected to or competing with what you know to be God’s way? Hold on to this idea for a moment, we will get to the “solution” of the gospel shortly, but for now we need to see the important step of really searching our soul to ask where we have fixed our eyes.

Where are my riches?

Another evaluation of our system of value comes from asking where our riches are. This is closely connected to where we fix our eyes, but I want to point out another dimension of the temptations around us. The Bible makes it clear that in our hearts will value something as most important. The author of Psalm 119 says:

Psalm 119:14 (ESV)

In the way of your testimonies I delight as much as in all riches.

Can we say with honesty that when we look at all the things around us that the world says are of great value—money, success, relationships, legacy, possessions, etc.—we consider less valuable than knowing God and his good path for us? Here we remember Jesus’ words on our hearts and our treasures:

Luke 12:34 (ESV)

For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

I think it is important to note at this point that the things that we as people treasure above and beyond God’s goodness don’t always seem overtly evil. Our culture doesn’t often tempt us to the obviously evil idols, but to the subtle treasures that seem like things we should put a lot of value in. The question isn’t “should I value this” but “do I value this kind of treasure so much that it directs me more than God’s love? Some common “treasures” that we’re tempted to value above God are:

1. Comfort and Security. There is nothing wrong with desiring our own safety and peace, but Jesus tells us that for us to find true and eternal comfort we have to treasure our connection with him.

2. Relationships. God create us to relate to himself as well as to relate to others. Our desire for the love of others is not always unhealthy; however, when we treasure the affirmation of people more than we treasure God’s love, we’ll do whatever it takes to win approval. Sadly, many people don’t learn until it is too late that when they make another person their chief treasure, they’ll be crushed beyond repair when the other person doesn’t respond the way they hope, or when the other person doesn’t live up to their expectations.

3. Influence. Other generations might have labeled this treasure or idol as “power.” Today we call it “influence.” Basically, in our hearts we treasure up the idea that we’re meaningful and that the world needs us. The more influence we can acquire, the more internal happiness it creates. Or does it? Often we don’t see the cost to chasing influence until it is too late. Treasuring influence above all is a lot like treasuring one relationship above all except that you trade the need of one person’s affirmation to the need of a crowd’s affirmation.

4. Possessions. This one is more explanatory. Often times what we treasure is literal treasure. We put money or the possessions and experiences that money can buy as our chief value. Our decisions are impacted not by asking what makes the most eternal sense, but by asking what best benefits the bottom line.

The list is obviously not exhaustive. Each of these categories could be broken down into countless sub-categories. As a parent, I am often tempted to treasure my kids’ well being and comfort above their discipleship. As a person who gets caught up in competition I am tempted to value the treasure of entertainment and sports above everything else.

Summary Conclusion

Where are our eyes fixed? What are we “storing” in our hearts? As we move on to what the Psalmist describes as the the GPS system that will keep our souls on the right track, I really want to challenge us to consider what it would look like for us to to replace our idols and treasures with deeper delight in God’s truth.

HABITUALLY DELIGHT IN GOD’S WORD

We have seen in step one that calibrating our life according to God’s will begins by really considering what our hearts are currently delighted in. But, we can’t stop at evaluating what the current guiding principles are, we have to compare and contrast the with God’s way. How do we get on the right track? The theme of Psalm 119 (and this section) is that we guard our behavior and path by pursuing God’s will according to his word. God’s word claims to be active and alive. By the power of the Holy Spirit, the written words of Scripture are what reveal to us the truth about who God is, what he has done, and how we can be loved and cared for in relationship with him.

I want us to see how the Psalmist describes his pursuit of a “pure way” or pattern of behavior:

He guards his way according to God’s word. (9)

He seeks God by not wandering from God’s commandments. (10)

He stores up God’s word in his heart so that he won’t sin. (11)

He asks God to teach him. (12)

He declares God’s rules. (13)

He delights in God’s testimonies more than any other wealth. (14)

He Meditates on God’s precepts and fixes his eyes on God’s way. (15)

He delights in and commits to remembering God’s word. (16)

Most of us would probably love to have this kind of attitude toward God and his word, but the truth is that this kind of passion feels distant from our experiences. We try to read our Bibles and pray. We try and pay attention at church. But, can we honestly say, “In the way of your testimonies I delight as much as in all riches?” Sometimes sermons on this topic make us feel guilty or become legalistic.

I want to propose to you this morning, though, that I believe many Christians miss out on deeply engaging with God’s word, because (1) they approach the Bible on their own terms rather than God’s, (2) they misunderstand what the Bible is and how God speaks through it, or (3) they see engaging with the Bible as a chore rather than an opportunity.

This morning, I want to encourage you to embrace habitually delighting in God’s word by embracing the author’s attitude toward Scripture. Let’s see how we can delight by (1) remembering God’s record and by (2) repeating God’s rules.

Delight by Remembering God’s Record

I think it is important to note that the Psalmist understands that he isn’t coming to the Scriptures simply as an academic exercise or because he wants to be smarter than everyone else. Rather, the Psalmist loves God, and because he loves God, he pursues God with his whole heart by seeking out God’s will through God’s word. In verse 16 he writes,

Psalm 119:16 (ESV)

I will delight in your statutes; I will not forget your word.

The author knows that to continually delight in God’s character and nature we have to commit to remembering who God is and what he has done. We delight in and remember God’s word, because it is in God’s word that we learn what God is like. The Bible is a record of God’s character, nature, and action in history. In any relationship that we value, we take the time to get to know what the other person is like, where they have been, and what makes them tick.

The Psalmist talks about engaging with God’s record of faithfulness. Look at the dimensions and vocabulary used to describe the Scripture. The Bible is God’s word, his commandments, his statutes, his rules, his testimonies, his precepts, and his ways.

Are we approaching God’s word to delight in seeing how every story, commandment, miracle, and song in Scripture reveals more of who God is? Are you committed to remembering God’s character? Do you see how remembering what God is like in your daily circumstances the begins to guard you against sin and danger?

So often the Bible gets framed as this list of rules and restrictions that limits our ability to do what we want. The Bible is consistently accused of taking away human freedom and autonomy. Is that what is really going on? Or, could it be that what the Bible does in us is help us see who God is and what parameters he has set up for our relationship to thrive? When we really think about it, every relationship that is healthy will have healthy parameters. Imagine if I were to go to the grocery store today and come home and pout to Natalie that I saw a really attractive woman who asked for my phone number, but I knew not to give it to her because it was one of the rules of marriage that I don’t get other girls phone numbers. My wife’s heart would be broken because in effect I would be saying, my heart doesn’t really belong to you even if I try and follow your rules. I might have obeyed the rule and missed the relational delight. Or, on the flip side, what if I just didn’t follow the rule and said, “If Natalie really loves me, she’ll just accept that I’m going to need other girls phone numbers. It is who I am.” Both approaches miss the heart of what it means to delight in relationship. Both approaches are decidedly self-focused. And both approaches are ones that we regularly take when it comes to our relationship with God.

I want to challenge you at this point to consider your relationship with God. What is your love and delight for God based on? We cannot be satisfied with a “contact” delight in God that comes from being around God’s people and hoping someone is growing in their walk with Jesus. We can’t be satisfied with a shallow relationship with God that never gets to the depths of true life transformation.

To guard our path and grow in our relationship with God we have to practice the habit of remembering God’s record. We engage with God’s word to continually remind ourselves that God made us, that he revealed himself to us in the Old Testament through his special covenants, that in Christ Jesus he displayed his love and character, and that he is working in the church to make delight in him the eternal reality for every Christian.

Delight by Repeating God’s Rules

I will plea with you this morning to commit to delighting in God through delighting in his word, and I also want to plea with you to take it one step further: delight in God not just by remembering the word, but by repeating the word. The author writes:

Psalm 119:13 (ESV)

With my lips I declare all the rules of your mouth.

To declare the rules of God’s mouth, “May take the form of preaching, prophetic rebuke, or a private rehearsal.” (Faithlife Study Bible, Psalm 119:13.) If you study what the Old Testament teaches us about “meditating” on God’s word, you’ll find that there are two aspects: (1) considering the truth and character of God and (2) “expressing the results of that process.” (FSB, Ps. 104:34.) The culture’s idea of meditation is that you empty yourself of distractions and thoughts. The Bible’s definition is that your fill yourself with truth and then outwardly reflect on the truth both in prayer to God and in relationships with others.

Though not all of us are called to be public teachers of God’s word, we are all called to find ways to “repeat God’s rules” in the rhythms and circles of influences of our lives. We start by repeating God’s rules to ourselves. Young people can talk about how God’s word is impacting them to their friends and parents. Adults can explain to their coworkers and neighbors how God’s parameters shape their decision making process. Parents can repeat the truths of Scripture to their children both in formal and informal ways. One of the best tests of if we are growing in understanding God is how well we’re able to communicate what we’re learning with others.

Summary Conclusion

Tapestry members, let’s commit to delighting in God’s word by remembering God’s record and repeating God’s rules!

CONCLUSION

Today it is my hope that you have been challenged to consider what path you’re on. A huge part of our Christian discipleship is consistently evaluating what we’re valuing and consistently delighting in God’s character through his word. As we do both of these steps, we see the soul transformation take place that only comes when we are guarding our lives according to God’s word. By God’s grace, we will be filled with delight in God’s goodness and be forever changed. Amen.

SMALL GROUP QUESTIONS

How often do you evaluate what your heart and mind see as most valuable? What help does Psalm 119:9-16 give us in this process?

What worldly “treasures” most tempt you to “forget God’s word?” (I.E. Comfort & security, relationships, influence, possessions…)

What are some wrong approaches we take to engaging with Scripture?

How is our delight in God connected to our ability to remember his word?

What are areas of your life that you want to grow in “[declaring] all the rules of [God’s] mouth.” (Verse 13)

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Augustine of Hippo. “Expositions on the Book of Psalms.” In Saint Augustin: Expositions on the Book of Psalms, edited by Philip Schaff, translated by A. Cleveland Coxe, 8:562. A Select Library of the Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers of the Christian Church, First Series. New York: Christian Literature Company, 1888.

Barry, John D., Douglas Mangum, Derek R. Brown, Michael S. Heiser, Miles Custis, Elliot Ritzema, Matthew M. Whitehead, Michael R. Grigoni, and David Bomar. Faithlife Study Bible. Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2012, 2016.

Biblical Studies Press. The NET Bible First Edition Notes. Biblical Studies Press, 2006.

Carson, D. A., ed. NIV Biblical Theology Study Bible. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2018.

Longman, Tremper, III. Psalms: An Introduction and Commentary. Edited by David G. Firth. Vol. 15–16. Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries. Nottingham, England: Inter-Varsity Press, 2014.

Spurgeon, C. H. The Treasury of David: Psalms 111-119. Vol. 5. London; Edinburgh; New York: Marshall Brothers, n.d.