Psalm 119:21-24-Gimel

-Gimel

Welcome and Greeting:

Introduction:

Context:

Sermon Idea: Living with open eyes to the wonders of God’s word.

4 Truths About Living with Open Eyes to the Wonders of God’s word:

1. To truly live, we must keep God’s word. (vs. 17)

2. To know God’s word, God must reveal it to us. (vs. 18)

3. Once God reveals His word to us, we see things from a higher perspective. (vs. 19)

4. This perspective, will result in a longing for God’s word. (vs. 20)

Reading/Prayer over the Passage:

Psalm 119:17–24 ESV

Deal bountifully with your servant, that I may live and keep your word. Open my eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of your law. I am a sojourner on the earth; hide not your commandments from me! My soul is consumed with longing for your rules at all times. You rebuke the insolent, accursed ones, who wander from your commandments. Take away from me scorn and contempt, for I have kept your testimonies. Even though princes sit plotting against me, your servant will meditate on your statutes. Your testimonies are my delight; they are my counselors.

​English Standard Version

GIMEL 17  Deal bountifully with your servant, that I may live and keep your word. 18  Open my eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of your law. 19  I am a sojourner on the earth; hide not your commandments from me! 20  My soul is consumed with longing for your rules at all times. 21  You rebuke the insolent, accursed ones, who wander from your commandments. 22  Take away from me scorn and contempt, for I have kept your testimonies. 23  Even though princes sit plotting against me, your servant will meditate on your statutes. 24  Your testimonies are my delight; they are my counselors.

Exposing the Text:

Vs. 21: The Psalmist continues to show that God is a righteous judge who does not put up with arrogance (insolence) and disobedience.

The problem, arrogance, insolence, accursed.

The problem, arrogance, insolence, accursed.

The result, rebuke.

The result, rebuke.

The resolution, not wandering from God’s commandments.

The resolution, not wandering from God’s commandments.

“Proud men are cursed men: nobody blesses them, and they soon become a burden to themselves. In itself, pride is a plague and torment.” C.H. Spurgeon

“Proud men are cursed men: nobody blesses them, and they soon become a burden to themselves. In itself, pride is a plague and torment.” C.H. Spurgeon

Vs. 22: The contempt of God toward those who disobey him can only be removed through keeping God’s testimonies.

Vs. 22: The Psalmist reveals the state of shame he is in. The contempt of God toward those who disobey him can only be removed through keeping God’s testimonies.

Vs. 23:

Vs. 23: Most likely being that the Author is David, in his high place I am sure that people looked for anyway to plot against him.

The Treasury of David, Volume 5: Psalms 111–119 Notes on Verses 17–24

Here in sum we are to gather out of this place, that if it so fall out, when we have walked uprightly and in a good conscience, that we are falsely slandered, and accused of this and that whereof we never once thought; yet ought we to bear all things patiently; for let us he sure of that, that we are not better than David, whatever great protestation of our integrity and purity we may dare to make.—John Calvin.

The best way to not focus on what others are saying about you is to focus on what God says about you.

To meditate: the Hebrew literally means to meditate with praise and thanksgiving

Vs. 24: God’s word must become our delight as they were David’s.

They are my counselors, we should seek wisdom from God’s word and not other people.

Applications:

Avoid shame by keeping God’s commands. (vs. 21-22)

Avoid worrying about others thoughts, by focusing on God’s word. (vs. 23)

Avoid bad counsel and take delight in the counsel of God. (vs. 24)