Wonderfulness
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A Snippet of a Major Work
A Snippet of a Major Work
PS 119, the longest “chapter”
22 stanzas; 8 verses each; (176) Hebrew alphabet
Acrostic in form
Uses many literary devices—structure demands a LOT of work
Not a poem as we understand it
Not really a chapter; each psalm is a complete work in itself
Author is argued—not going down that path; maybe David, maybe post-exile
Recognized as God-inspired...
The Psalmist was persecuted by men of power; looking for him to surrender his faith
…stayed strong by meditating on the Word
Major Themes
Major Themes
God’s Law; Word; Sayings; Commandments; Statutes; Judgment; Precepts; Testimony
Way; Path
God’s directives to the writer were his guides in life; refreshment, the ground upon which he stood
The Word was the psalmist’s delight
The entire Psalm revolved on these points
Each stanza appears to express one facet of the Word and what it does
Pe remarks upon the wonderful nature of the Word
We could call it Wonderfulness
Response
Response
To the nature of God’s testimonies
There is a “cause and effect” relationship
...Testimonies are wonderful—cause
...Therefore my soul keeps them—effect
And
…Words give light
> imagery of unfolding…so that it all may be seen
…Imparts understanding to the simple
>…You need not be a genius to grasp the truths of the Word
>>it allows us to see our way clear
Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.
Panting in pursuit of the commandments (131)
As a deer pants for flowing streams, so pants my soul for you, O God.
…Implies that he understands the benefits of staying in touch with God’s direction for his life
>Desires that God turn to him and be gracious (132)
>…in keeping with His history with His people and nature of abounding in mercy and goodness
Seems to know God’s history e.g. Solomon’s dedication of the temple (relates to foreigners coming from afar…)
(for they shall hear of your great name and your mighty hand, and of your outstretched arm), when he comes and prays toward this house,
Asks for stability in course of life (133)
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.
In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.
When walking with God, we tend to steer clear of sinful actions
In 134 we see redemption—buying back—from man’s oppression
God’s possession of us gives us freedom to pursue Him
135, when being taught God’s ways, we should both see and display God’s glory
Regret
Regret
136 is the sad part of this stanza
He sees those living outside of God’s ways and weeps in anguish
Imagery would be uncontrollable weeping
Application and Challenge
Application and Challenge
This becomes the Q&A portion of the message…the point of conviction—hopefully, a change-point in our lives
How do we respond to God’s Word?
Do we see it as wonderful, or is a burden?
Do we long for it as that deer pants for water? …take it as it comes…only if/when convenient
Do we recognize it as making our way clear? …see it as difficult to understand?
Often that problem is because we are NOT familiar enough with it
Many of us were taught “sound-byte” theology
“I can do all things by means of a verse taken out of context”
We need to know all of Scripture—not just the pieces we like
Do we look at the Word and think that it no longer applies?…that we have a better idea?
Though the psalmist had only the OT to look back on, we have the completed revelation of God for all mankind for all time
Maybe we should be even smarter than that psalmist—but are we?
We should know this much:
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.
That takes us to that last verse of the stanza…when people do not keep God’s Law
Looking first at believers
Are we broken…do we grieve…do we even notice... when we observe believers falling away
…living in ways contrary to the ways of God…surely not in a manner befitting children of the Great God and King
…espousing non-Biblical positions, in conversation, in communication, in support...
Are we willing to reprove or correct fellow Christians when they are in error?
…the Word is there for that!
What about non-believers
Do we grieve for those who do not know Jesus? We surely should
Can we be part of unfolding the light?
Do we display the salt and light Jesus commanded believers to display?
Entering the season called Advent…marks the entry to this world of the one who is light
In him was life, and the life was the light of men.
The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
Will you be part of unfolding that light, especially in this Advent season?