ETB Psalm 119:1-16

Session 2: God’s Truth - p.16

Ask: Do you tend to read instruction manuals or ignore them? Why?

Ask: How is God’s Word a manual for believers?

My favorite answer to that question is an acrostic like the Psalm we will be studying this week, except this one is based on the word Bible: Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth.

Understand the Context

Last week we read through Psalm 1 and briefly discussed how it was considered a “wisdom” song. Today we skip over to Psalm 119 to briefly look into its instructions for living.

The Lexham Glossary of Literary Types Psalm, Didactic

Psalm, Didactic — (OT) A psalm designed to give guidance or instruction to an individual or group

The NIV Application Commentary on the Bible Psalm 119:1–176

Both texts describe the life of the faithful as they await the fullness of God’s work in the world. Waiting and hoping involves living in and living into the ways of God in the here and now. But even more, these texts remind us that our work is that of faithfulness; his work is that of deliverance (119:173–76). And so we wait—in abiding faithfulness and with much hope, we wait.

This complex psalm happens to be anonymous. Even though the identity of the writer remains a mystery, the circumstances that swirl around the composition of Psalm 119 stand out as evident. The psalm underscores the bedrock conviction that God’s Word speaks to the circumstances of life.

Reading through the lengthy psalm bears a striking resemblance to taking a journey through the life of a person who longs to be devoted to God. On the journey, the Scriptures shed light on God’s wisdom regarding the ups and downs, joys and sorrows, victories and disappointments that accompany everyday life. [LifeWay Adults (2025). Explore the Bible: Adult Leader Guide, Winter 2024-'25]

We will be looking at the first 2 portions or stanzas of the Psalm today. These represent the A & B of the alphabet. A good place to start any instructions is at the most basic level or with the ABCs.

Explore the Text

Psalm 119:1–4 ESV

1 Blessed are those whose way is blameless, who walk in the law of the Lord! 2 Blessed are those who keep his testimonies, who seek him with their whole heart, 3 who also do no wrong, but walk in his ways! 4 You have commanded your precepts to be kept diligently.

Blessed

This week’s Psalm starts off with the same word as last week’s - Blessed.

Once again it is a statement of fact about the person who follows the Lord and it is not only emotional happiness, but a full person expression of contentment and gratitude with joy only found in the presence of the Lord.

whose way is blameless

The Hebrew word (tamim) described a person of integrity who demonstrated moral soundness and wholesome character (Prov. 11:20). Such a person would avoid sinful behavior and remain blameless before God. [ETB:ALG Win'25]

The word is also the same one use to describe the lamb or goat that was to be presented to God for the sacrifice. Unmarred and without spot or blemish. The Psalmist uses it for the person’s lifestyle and habits before God.

Romans 12:1 “1 I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.”

Although the Psalmist is stating this as judicial truth for a person who is honored with God’s blessing, it can be a good practical reminder for us to examine our lives, like the priests would of the offering, to see if there is any “spot” that needs God’s healing and cleansing touch.

The second part of the verse is a reminder also that we must be actively applying God’s Word to our lives to continue in that blessed state.

Reading this verse from a New Testament believer’s perspective we have a great reason to be “completely joyous” because our life has been made perfect or blame free because of the saving work of Christ. These two views, looking forward with hope toward the fulfillment of the law and looking back at the finished work of Christ are blended throughout this Psalm. The Word is God, and Christ is the Word, and nearly every verse in this Psalm has a reference to God’s Word.

Genuine happiness is found in an ongoing devotion to God’s Word rooted in a personal relationship with Christ. [ETB:ALG Win'25]

What are some things that influence our actions, decisions, and behavior? [ETB:PSG Win'25]

What about fears? Misperceptions of the truth? Sinful desires?

What can we do to ensure that we have more godly influences in our life?

Planning ahead helps. “Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me.” When we see a pattern of failure or sin, that should prompt us to for seek God’s guidance in how to avoid, or at least mitigate, that unhealthy influence.

keep his testimonies

This phrase of “keeping His testimonies” is used in various ways in Scripture and the context here can fit more than one.

One way we “keep” things is by protecting or guarding them.

How might we guard God’s Word?

Another way we “keep” things is to treasure or preserve them, like putting something in a safe.

How can we make sure that God’s Word is still available 2 or more generations from now?

Of course, we can also “keep His testimonies” by living them out before people, much like the first verse alluded to.

seek him with their whole heart

Seek is to examine, inquire, or look into intently. This is not flippant or half-hearted effort. It is an undistracted focused pursuit. This is emphasized even more by the second part of the phrase, “whole heart.”

Remember in the Hebrew culture the “heart” was not the organ, but more like the “inner being.” The closest we have in modern English is probably “gut.”

What kind of things do we “tenaciously pursue?”

Do we really seek after God and His ways and Word with every fiber of our being?

The Psalmist is stating a future fact that will be possible as we “walk, keep, and seek” God’s Word and the God of His Word. The Holy Spirit is now available to use to show us how we can do this better, but the final fulfillment of this verse will come when we are fully blessed and cleansed forever from the taint of sin on this earth.

who also do no wrong

Uh oh, now we are in trouble of losing “Blessed” status.

If we take this verse out of its current context, that could be true but in these first 3 verse we have mentioned way, walk, or a lifestyle multiple times so this “do no” is similar in context. It is not speaking of a single act of negation but a life pattern that chooses a way that is not “blessed” or does not exemplifly God’s ways.

1 John 5:18 “18 We know that everyone who has been born of God does not keep on sinning, but he who was born of God protects him, and the evil one does not touch him.”

You have commanded your precepts to be kept

As in Psalm 1, the practice of meditating on the Word is key to practicing the Word. The Hebrew wording used here paints the picture of a leader giving an order to subordinates. The expectation is obedience without hesitation.  [ETB:ALG Win'25]

Can you think of any verses that God tells us explicitly we “shall” or “shalt not” do?

We just studied Peter’s epistle and where he quoted Leviticus.

1 Peter 1:16 “16 since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.””

The Psalmist again reminds us that such commands cannot be kept without effort and there needs to some “diligence” to our obedience to God.

The Psalmist now shifts from talking about how they have seen God working in others to requesting that He take similar actions in their life.

Psalm 119:5–8 ESV

5 Oh that my ways may be steadfast in keeping your statutes! 6 Then I shall not be put to shame, having my eyes fixed on all your commandments. 7 I will praise you with an upright heart, when I learn your righteous rules. 8 I will keep your statutes; do not utterly forsake me!

Oh that my ways may be steadfast

In the first four verses, the psalmist wrote about God’s people who lived out the exemplary model of a life-long commitment to Him. In verse 5, he turned to the reality that he himself had not been able to live up to this standard. He confessed that his ways, his lifestyle, did not always match the expectations of the Lord that he wanted to embrace.  [ETB:ALG Win'25]

Right in the middle of the stanza after the Psalmist proclaiming truths about God and His Word is this prayer for the Holy Spirit’s assistance to be able to live out those truths.

Another good verse to memorize. It is a summation or allusion to several others.

Deuteronomy 30:16 “16 If you obey the commandments of the Lord your God that I command you today, by loving the Lord your God, by walking in his ways, and by keeping his commandments and his statutes and his rules, then you shall live and multiply, and the Lord your God will bless you in the land that you are entering to take possession of it.”

John 14:15, 21“15 “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.” “21 Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me. And he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him.””

The psalmist longed to walk with the Lord in ways that demonstrated a steadfast commitment to Him all the time. But he acknowledged that such a directed heart often had eluded him. Perhaps personal circumstances had made obedience a difficult challenge. Or maybe he struggled with an adversary who served as an obstacle in his devotion to God. Just as frustrating, he may have been struggling with the temptation to choose a lifestyle that favored convenience over commitment. Whatever the case, the psalmist confessed his humanity and his tendency to fall short of God’s perfect plans and purposes as revealed in His statutes. [ETB:ALG Win'25]

Ask: What obstacles hinder you from knowing and obeying God’s Word?

I would add, “What hinders you from knowing and obeying God’s Word better?” The Psalmist tells us one way in verse 6.

having my eyes fixed

Keeping our eyes on the goal of holiness is the best way prevent go off track of God’s will.

Do you remember ever being told “eyes front?”

That command has a similar context as the Psalmist recognizes the ability of this world, and its distractions can subvert our gaze from intended duty of “being holy as God is Holy.”

Psalm 119:37 “37 Turn my eyes from looking at worthless things; and give me life in your ways.”

praise you with an upright heart

This is one of those self-propagating verses. We praise God when we realize how He has made us “upright” or righteous in our hearts, which puts us in a proper frame of mind to learn more about what He has done from His Word. Which enables us to see more of how He has saved and is saving us, which leads us back to praising Him.

Something I read this week mentioned that without that uprightness before God, it really is not praise. You cannot glorify God and His name for something or with something you do not have.

I thought that was a good reminder to prepare for worship each time we read the Bible or come to services because we can do those things from our own efforts and it not be God honoring.

I will keep

From what I have read and trust, this last verse is less of a boast and more of a continuation of the prayer started in verse 5. It is apparent from the rest of the Psalm that the writer acknowledges that they cannot adhere to all of God’s commands without His help. This a prayer of affirmation about the Lord’s help and His promise never to “leave or forsake” His people.

Psalm 119:9–16 ESV

9 How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word. 10 With my whole heart I seek you; let me not wander from your commandments! 11 I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you. 12 Blessed are you, O Lord; teach me your statutes! 13 With my lips I declare all the rules of your mouth. 14 In the way of your testimonies I delight as much as in all riches. 15 I will meditate on your precepts and fix my eyes on your ways. 16 I will delight in your statutes; I will not forget your word.

young man ways

If you read the entire Psalm, you will probably agree with most scholars that the range of emotions expressed, and the depth of faith displayed could not have been done by someone who was younger. So, this question raises a question.

Why was the Psalmist asking about guidance for someone else?

Psalm 119:136 “136 My eyes shed streams of tears, because people do not keep your law.”

The Psalmist seems to take some responsibility for teaching others of God’s truths (v.13) and could be acknowledging his need to be a part of the solution for his tears and influencing the next generation toward God’s Word.

Another option for this question may be that the writer is reflecting on his own life and acknowledging that early in his life the Lord had a hand in guiding his actions. Using this hindsight, the Psalmist now sees how those lessons he had early in his life kept them from going down the wrong path.

Can you point to moments in your younger life that you can now see God’s hand guiding you away a path of sinful practices?

let me not wander from your commandments

The Psalmist comes back to the present life and again acknowledges the need for the Lord’s empowerment to be able to keep His commandments. Proverbs mentions this “guidance” multiple times as well. Later in this Psalm the writer points out how God is opposed to those who do “wander”

Psalm 119:118 “118 You spurn all who go astray from your statutes, for their cunning is in vain.”

stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin

This is probably the number one reason to memorize Scripture. We cannot act upon what we do not know.

I know that some say they cannot memorize things very well. Everyone with a healthy brain is capable of memorizing things. We do it every day. If you have recalled anything from memory in the past day or have gone through a routine that you have done for more than week, that was something you memorized. The difficulty with doing Scripture memory is not physical, as much as it is spiritual. This sin tainted fleshly vessel does not want God’s Word stored in it. Memorizing therefore becomes our sacrificial act of worship to “buffet our body” into submission and working hard at God’s command here to store His Word within the vessel His has grant us for a time to use.

Exalting Jesus in Psalms 101–150 Stanza Beth: Those Who Treasure God’s Word in Their Heart Will Live a Life that Pleases the Lord (Psalm 119:9–16)

Here is not a person who is sinless. It is, however, a person who sins less.

Blessed in verse 9 is a different word in the Hebrew than the first word of the Psalm. This one is more of an expression back to God because of the first "blessed” or His joy being true in our life.

As the Psalmist considered the impact of God’s Word, the his joyful heart responded with praise. He gave himself to worshiping the Lord and blessing Him (Ps. 103:1). After all, God alone had provided His instructions for His people (Deut. 6:4-9). Nothing satisfied him more than learning God’s ways through His Word.  [ETB:ALG Win'25]

with my lips I declare

Once God reveals Himself through His word and shows us His truth, it becomes our desire to share it directly with others.

As he continued to worship, the writer affirmed that the joy in his heart produced a declaration of God’s Word to everyone who would listen. Through his voice, words passed through his lips. However, the words that he proclaimed were rooted in God’s Word. In particular, he proclaimed God’s rules. [ETB:ALG Win'25]

What are the action verbs in these last 8 verses? (Hint: There are one or two in every verse)

Keep, guarding, seek, not wander = stand firm, stored, not sin = remain pure, teach, declare, delight, meditate = fix eyes, not forget = remember.

If you look at these, especially in a list, you will notice the “teach” is in the middle. Teach is an action requested of God directly. But as He does that for us, it enables us to do all the other actions in the list.

Apply the Text

Do you Agree or Disagree with the following statements?

Partial obedience is better than no obedience.

People can meditate on Scripture while multitasking.

Studying God’s Word is always a delight.

Hebrews 10:25 “25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.”

How can we “encourage one another” in the study and obedience of God’s Word during the rest of the week?

Pray: Heavenly Father, You have given us an immeasurable gift by writing down Your Word. Teach us to treasure, study, obey, and apply it to our lives more and more each day. God, You did not give it to us for it to be ignored. You are in Your Word and we can know You better if we are willing to commit to seeking You within it. Show us how this week at least one way that we can memorize and apply in our lives better than we did last week. Holy Spirit, guide our hearts and minds as we come to You each day in Your Word and open our eyes that we may behold wonderous things from it.