Psalm 119

Intro:

In 2010, Denzel Washington starred in a movie called The Book of Eli. The film is set in a post-apocalyptic world where all forms of books are being hunted. Ultimately, one book is said to hold the means of power and salvation that would allow its possessor to rule with utmost authority. Eli, the protagonist, has this book, which is the last of its kind. He is tasked with taking it to a man who can make copies and redistribute it in the American wasteland. By the end of the movie, the antagonist gains possession of Eli’s book, while Eli, now growing old, begins reciting Genesis 1 and onward from memory, revealing that the book he carried was the Bible, which he had memorized entirely.

As we gather here today, another Sunday, another sermon, and another reading from the Word of God, we might ask ourselves: What is it that makes this Bible so unique? Why is the whole of our service centered around the Word and the preaching of it? Why should Christians desire the Word? What makes these 66 books of antiquity superior to the Quran, the Book of Mormon, or the Hindu Vedas?

While The Book of Eli is not a Christian movie, it captures the truth that the Bible contains the very words of God. It holds everything we need to know for salvation and joy. This truth was so compelling that Martin Luther felt compelled to translate the Bible into German, the vernacular of his time, so that those who could read might understand and experience it for themselves. Luther’s translation, completed in 1534, was pivotal in making the Scriptures accessible to the common people.

Those who came before and after Luther also understood the necessity of making the Word of God understandable and readable. John Wycliffe, in the 14th century, translated the entire Bible into English from the Latin Vulgate. William Tyndale, in the early 16th century, translated the Bible into English from Hebrew and Greek texts. He completed the New Testament and parts of the Old Testament before he was executed for his work. These men understood that the Bible was the Word of God, a treasure worth any sacrifice.

The Bible's uniqueness lies not only in its divine inspiration but also in its transformative power. Hebrews 4:12 tells us, "For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart." The Bible is not just a book; it is the living Word of God, powerful and effective.

In comparison, while other religious texts like the Quran, the Book of Mormon, and the Hindu Vedas have significant religious and cultural importance, the Bible stands apart in its claim to be the infallible Word of God, revealed over centuries through various authors inspired by the Holy Spirit. It provides a cohesive narrative of God’s redemptive plan for humanity, culminating in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

In our text today, we encounter a man who has a love for the Word of God. One author describes the authors tones as this, “he knows the difference between life and death, heaven and hell, it is the Word of God.” (Hamilton, Psalms: Volume II Psalms 73-150: Evangelical Biblical Theology Commentary, 378)

My desire is that we would come to love the very words of our God even more and run to them in time of need and distraught just like the psalmist does. The we would delight in the words and they would be to us a lamp to our feet and guide our paths.

Before we begin we must understand the 8 words the psalmist uses for the Scriptures

law

The writer of the psalm uses Torah this is the most used word for the Scripture throughout the psalm. It means ‘teach or direct’. It is direct teaching from the lord and in it we find the whole body of the law or commands of God. We see many authors of scripture in both the Old and new testaments use this to describe the whole counsel of Scripture or just a command or even the Pentateuch which is the first five books of the bible.

testimonies

or witnesses. We see this word used as the book of the law is placed besides the ark of the covenant and it would be a witness. Deut 31:26.

scripture is a faithful witness to the truth of God’s word and its dependability as the word

precepts

This word is seen in the way that the Lord attends to his flock and he takes action in a situation. The word points to particular instructions of the Lord as one who cares about the details

statutes

binding force and permanence of scripture

commandments

this word is the straight authority of what is said or the right to give orders

ordinances

this word has an understanding of the all wise judge in a human situation where they reveal rights and duties in the fair dealings between man and man.

word

God’s truth stated, promised or commanded in any form

promise

comes from the word to say. The psalmist is aware that the Lord is saying these things and in them there is truth and an expectation of completion.

Ultimately what you see with all the uses of and different words to describe scripture is the psalmist’s love for the word not for study but his understanding that he is refreshed, informed and nourished by all of scripture.

Read all of the psalm

The scriptures bring delight, joyful obedience and love

delight

Psalm 119:1 “Blessed are those whose way is blameless, who walk in the law of the Lord!”

Psalm 119:14 “In the way of your testimonies I delight as much as in all riches.”

Psalm 119:16 “I will delight in your statutes; I will not forget your word.”

Psalm 119:72 “The law of your mouth is better to me than thousands of gold and silver pieces.”

Psalm 119:111“Your testimonies are my heritage forever, for they are the joy of my heart.”

Psalm 119:127 “Therefore I love your commandments above gold, above fine gold.”

Psalm 119:162 “I rejoice at your word like one who finds great spoil.”

joyful obedience

The Psalmist doesn't find rules as a burden but rather obedience is wrapped in the joy of the Lord.

James 1:19–25 “Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God. Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls. But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing.”

To doubt of our own wisdom and strength, and to depend upon God, proves the purpose of holiness is sincere. God’s word is treasure worth laying up, and there is no laying it up safe but in our hearts

love

Psalm 119:132 “Turn to me and be gracious to me, as is your way with those who love your name.”

The Psalmist loves the words of God because in them they reveal God to us.

In the word he finds strength, he sees the word as righteous

Psalm 119:7 “I will praise you with an upright heart, when I learn your righteous rules.”

Psalm 119:75 “I know, O Lord, that your rules are righteous, and that in faithfulness you have afflicted me.”

123, 139, 144, 172

It is dependable

Psalm 119:43 “And take not the word of truth utterly out of my mouth, for my hope is in your rules.”

It is unshakeable

Psalm 119:89–91 “Forever, O Lord, your word is firmly fixed in the heavens. Your faithfulness endures to all generations; you have established the earth, and it stands fast. By your appointment they stand this day, for all things are your servants.”

Jesus says in Matthew 24:35 “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.”

In the scriptures we find freedom, illumination, life, and salvation.

freedom

breaking sins dominion

Psalm 119:133 “Keep steady my steps according to your promise, and let no iniquity get dominion over me.”

The word helps the christian rid themselves of sin

greater wisdom and vision

In the Psalm a greater wisdom is found

The prophet has two reasons for making it; first, to teach us that our life must be entirely under the direction of God; and, secondly, that we may more diligently and carefully attend to his doctrine

illumination

to the way of the lord

Psalm 119:105 “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.”

to the wisdom of the lord

Psalm 119:130 “The unfolding of your words gives light; it imparts understanding to the simple.”

To the right direction

Psalm 119:104 “Through your precepts I get understanding; therefore I hate every false way.”

life

The psalmist sees the gift of life that is found in the scripture.

Psalm 119:25 ESV

My soul clings to the dust; give me life according to your word!

Psalm 119:50 “This is my comfort in my affliction, that your promise gives me life.”

Psalm 119:107 “I am severely afflicted; give me life, O Lord, according to your word!”

Psalm 119:154 “Plead my cause and redeem me; give me life according to your promise!”

The keeping of God’s words is restorative and life giving for the psalmist.

they revive him 25, give him life, 37 and 40 they preserve his life 149 and 159

They mend his soul when his heart is on the brink of pain and death

salvation

Psalm 119:41 “Let your steadfast love come to me, O Lord, your salvation according to your promise;”

Psalm 119:81 “My soul longs for your salvation; I hope in your word.”

Psalm 119:123 “My eyes long for your salvation and for the fulfillment of your righteous promise.”

Psalm 119:166 “I hope for your salvation, O Lord, and I do your commandments.”

Psalm 119:174 “I long for your salvation, O Lord, and your law is my delight.”

The promise of the coming savior was sweet for his mind and heart as he meditated upon the word.

Romans 10:5–17 ESV

For Moses writes about the righteousness that is based on the law, that the person who does the commandments shall live by them. But the righteousness based on faith says, “Do not say in your heart, ‘Who will ascend into heaven?’ ” (that is, to bring Christ down) “or ‘Who will descend into the abyss?’ ” (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead). But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith that we proclaim); because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. For the Scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.” For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him. For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!” But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed what he has heard from us?” So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.

In the scriptures, God reveals his plan and his will to us

God reveals his plan

The psalmist understood this

2 Timothy 3:16–17 “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.”

God reveals his will

Psalm 119:1–8 “Blessed are those whose way is blameless, who walk in the law of the Lord! Blessed are those who keep his testimonies, who seek him with their whole heart, who also do no wrong, but walk in his ways! You have commanded your precepts to be kept diligently. Oh that my ways may be steadfast in keeping your statutes! Then I shall not be put to shame, having my eyes fixed on all your commandments. I will praise you with an upright heart, when I learn your righteous rules. I will keep your statutes; do not utterly forsake me!”

Psalm 119:170–176 “Let my plea come before you; deliver me according to your word. My lips will pour forth praise, for you teach me your statutes. My tongue will sing of your word, for all your commandments are right. Let your hand be ready to help me, for I have chosen your precepts. I long for your salvation, O Lord, and your law is my delight. Let my soul live and praise you, and let your rules help me. I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek your servant, for I do not forget your commandments.”

Let this be our plea with Him to teach us his statutes, that, being partakers of his holiness, we may also partake of his blessedness