The Bible: What It Is Psalm 119:1-8

Introduction

is the longest chapter in the Bible with a total of 176 verses. Those verses are combined in groups of eight verses each. The theme of the whole book is the Bible. Today we are going to look at the first eight verses to find out more about the Bible.

1 How blessed are those whose way is blameless, Who walk in the law of the Lord. 2 How blessed are those who observe His testimonies, Who seek Him with all their heart. 3 They also do no unrighteousness; They walk in His ways. 4 You have ordained Your precepts, That we should keep them diligently. 5 Oh that my ways may be established To keep Your statutes! 6 Then I shall not be ashamed When I look upon all Your commandments. 7 I shall give thanks to You with uprightness of heart, When I learn Your righteous judgments. 8 I shall keep Your statutes; Do not forsake me utterly!

Each of those verses has a word that is underlined and in bold. Those words are synonyms for the Bible. We will look at each one of them to find out what God wants us to know about the Bible.

The Bible is God’s law

Laws tell people how they are to live, so the Bible is our guideline for living.

The Bible is God’s testimonies

Testimonies are a declaration of God’s will, so the Bible shows us God’s will for how we are to live our lives.

The Bible is God’s way of living

“Ways” is a word that refers to the practical, everyday, habitual direction of following the teaching of the Bible.

The Bible is God’s precepts

“Precepts” are the precise way that God wants His people to live.

The Bible is God’s statutes

“Statutes” would tell us that what God says is permanent and authoritative.

The Bible is God’s commandments

“Commandments” are orders given by some who is in a superior position, like God. If He tell us to do something, then we do it! It is not a suggestion or an option.

The Bible is God’s judgments

“Judgments” are words that have been given that are to be followed because they are fair. There are rewards for obedience and punishment for disobedience.

2 What do we do with the Bible?

2 What do we do with the Bible?

Obey, “walk” observe” “keep” “look” “learn”

how to obey: diligently, uprightness of heart

3 What happens when we obey the Bible?

Blessed = happy

Who walk in the law of the Lord. How blessed are those who observe His testimonies, Who seek Him with all their heart. They also do no unrighteousness; They walk in His ways. You have ordained Your precepts, That we should keep them diligently. Oh that my ways may be established To keep Your statutes! Then I shall not be ashamed When I look upon all Your commandments. I shall give thanks to You with uprightness of heart, When I learn Your righteous judgments. I shall keep Your statutes; Do not forsake me utterly!

Conclusion

Read the Bible Each day you should find some time to read the Bible carefully (if reading the Bible is difficult, you can listen to it; ask for help). For some, it would be reading a chapter a day (maybe five minutes or so). Others may want to read for 15-20 minutes (or longer!). It might be reading through a book of the Bible, a little bit each day.

Study the Bible Studying the Bible takes different forms. It is helpful to have a study Bible that has notes to explain what a verse means. Sometimes you might study just a verse or two each day. Other times you might spend a longer period of time on just one passage or Bible story. The goal is to understand what God wants you to learn.

Apply the Bible The Bible is meant to change you. It changes the way you think and the way you act. It could be helpful to memorize a verse that you find encouraging for problems in your life.