Bible: Why is it important to read?

Introduction

The Bible

Collection of God’s revelations.

Message originates from God and written down by Holy Spirit inspired/guided Men.

It is for understanding/knowing God and his will, Salvation and Sanctification.

Why is it important to read it?

“This psalm celebrates the gift of God’s Torah, or covenant instruction, as the perfect guide for life.” (Crossway Bibles. The ESV Study Bible. Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2008. Print.)

“This psalm is an acrostic poem of twenty-two stanzas, following the letters of the Hebrew alphabet; within a stanza, each verse begins with the same Hebrew letter.” (The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016. Print.)

There is a lot of things that the psalmist says about the Word of God, But I will be pointing out only 5. I would encourage you to take the time to read the entire Psalm for yourselves.

Blessed (1-4)

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 are those...

Blessed - “blessed adj., characterized by happiness and being highly favored (as by divine grace)” (The Lexham Analytical Lexicon of the Hebrew Bible 2017 : n. pag. Print.)

Blessed - “blessed!, happy!, a heightened state of happiness and joy, implying very favorable circumstances, often resulting from the kind acts of God.” (Mounce, William D. Mounce’s Complete Expository Dictionary of Old & New Testament Words 2006 : 901. Print.)

Same word and Idea used in Psalm 1 - “Blessed is the man”, and by Jesus in the beatitudes (Matt 5:2-11)

Walk in the Law of the Lord… (1)

Walk - “to walk (behavior) v., to live or behave in a specified manner.” (The Lexham Analytical Lexicon of the Hebrew Bible 2017 : n. pag. Print.)

There is a sense of blessedness in a persons life that is seeking to walk according to the Word of God.

“who keep his testimonies" (2a)

Psalmist uses many phases to point to the Torah (His law or laws, His decrees, His light, His commands/commandments, His principles, His rules, His ways, His statutes, His judgments or decisions, etc.) Testimonies is another one.

“who seek him with their whole heart, who also do no wrong, but walk in his ways!” (2b-3)

Seek - “to seek v., to try to get or reach something one desires.” (The Lexham Analytical Lexicon of the Hebrew Bible 2017 : n. pag. Print.)

We seek the Lord through the Word and walk in accordance with His Word.

“You have commanded your precepts to be kept diligently.” (4)

God gives his commands to be followed. those that seek Him and walk according to His Word will be blessed.

Pure Heart (9-13)

Psalm 119:9–13 (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.

“How can a young man keep his way pure?“ (9a)

"By guarding it according to your word." (9b)

Guard - “to keep (maintain) v., to keep in a certain state, position, or activity.” (The Lexham Analytical Lexicon of the Hebrew Bible 2017 : n. pag. Print.)

“Let me not wander from your commandments!” (10)

Wander - “to go astray v., to wander from a proper belief or course of action.” (The Lexham Analytical Lexicon of the Hebrew Bible 2017 : n. pag. Print.)

The Psalmist is saying that we keep our ways pure by guarding our hearts through seeking God in His Word and not wondering away from it.

“I have stored up your word in my heart,...” (11)

Stored up - “to treasure v., to regard as highly valued.” (The Lexham Analytical Lexicon of the Hebrew Bible 2017 : n. pag. Print.)

“Teach me your statutes!” (12)

Comfort in Affliction (49-56)

Psalm 119:49–56 (ESV)

49 Remember your word to your servant, in which you have made me hope. 50 This is my comfort in my affliction, that your promise gives me life. 51 The insolent utterly deride me, but I do not turn away from your law. 52 When I think of your rules from of old, I take comfort, O Lord. 53 Hot indignation seizes me because of the wicked, who forsake your law. 54 Your statutes have been my songs in the house of my sojourning. 55 I remember your name in the night, O Lord, and keep your law. 56 This blessing has fallen to me, that I have kept your precepts.

Gives Hope (49)

Hope

“to cause to hope v., to cause to be full of hope; have hopes.” (The Lexham Analytical Lexicon of the Hebrew Bible 2017 : n. pag. Print.)

“to hope; to wait expectantly. This verb expresses the idea of hopeful waiting.” (Kugler, Chris. “Faith.” Ed. Douglas Mangum et al. Lexham Theological Wordbook 2014 : n. pag. Print. Lexham Bible Reference Series.)

Hope is found in the words/promises of God and His faithfulness to his Word.

Brings Comfort (50, 52)

Comfort (50) - “consolation (cause of) n., something that gives consolation or comfort:” (The Lexham Analytical Lexicon of the Hebrew Bible 2017 : n. pag. Print.)

Comfort (52) - “to comfort v., to alleviate sorrow or distress; give emotional strength to.” (The Lexham Analytical Lexicon of the Hebrew Bible 2017 : n. pag. Print.)

The Word of God gives comfort in the times of distress. We are also comforted when we think about God’s Word.

Comfort in sojourning (54)

sojourning - sojourn n., a temporary stay as a foreigner; often with limited rights: (The Lexham Analytical Lexicon of the Hebrew Bible 2017 : n. pag. Print.)

God’s Word gives comfort in a foreign land. (Daniel)

Knowledge/Wisdom (97-104)

Psalm 119:97–104 (ESV)

97 Oh how I love your law! It is my meditation all the day. 98 Your commandment makes me wiser than my enemies, for it is ever with me. 99 I have more understanding than all my teachers, for your testimonies are my meditation. 100 I understand more than the aged, for I keep your precepts. 101 I hold back my feet from every evil way, in order to keep your word. 102 I do not turn aside from your rules, for you have taught me. 103 How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth! 104 Through your precepts I get understanding; therefore I hate every false way.

Meditate on God’s Word (97)

Meditate

meditation n., contemplation of religious matters: (The Lexham Analytical Lexicon of the Hebrew Bible 2017 : n. pag. Print.)

Intentional time spent thinking about the Word and application.

Joy in the Word (97, 103)

“Oh how I love your law! It is my meditation all the day.” (97a)

“How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth!” (103)

The psalmist is meditating on the Word because he loves it.

The psalmist is comparing the meditation of God’s word to the enjoyment of the sweetness of honey.

Gain wisdom and understanding (98, 99-100)

Wise

to make wise v., to cause to be marked by the exercise of good judgment. (The Lexham Analytical Lexicon of the Hebrew Bible 2017 : n. pag. Print.)

“‘wisdom’ as that knowledge of God which leads to living godly lives in conformity with the divine character.” Renn, Stephen D., ed. “Wisdom, Wise.” Expository Dictionary of Bible Words: Word Studies for Key English Bible Words Based on the Hebrew and Greek Texts 2005 : 1050. Print.)

“I hold back my feet from every evil way, in order to keep your word. do not turn aside from your rules, for you have taught me.” (101-102)

Understanding - to have insight, wisdom, understanding; to prosper, successful; the potent capacity to understand and so exercise skill in life, a state caused by proper training and teaching, enhanced by careful observation. (Mounce, William D. Mounce’s Complete Expository Dictionary of Old & New Testament Words 2006 : 1047. Print.)

We get understanding about God and his ways from meditating on the word.

Guidance for Life (105)

Psalm 119:105 (ESV)

105 Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.

Guidance for godly living

Psalm 119:104 (ESV)

104 Through your precepts I get understanding; therefore I hate every false way.

The precepts of God gives us understandings to avoid false ways.

False ways = deceptive conduct

Psalm 119:110 (ESV)

110 The wicked have laid a snare for me, but I do not stray from your precepts.

Lamp (105)

lamp n. — a small container with a wick that extending from it; typically burned oil in order to give light to a room. (Sense)

“The lamp allows the psalmist to see along his path so that he does not leave it and go astray.” (Barry, John D. et al. Faithlife Study Bible. Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2012, 2016. Print.)

Just like the lamp helps to stay on the right path, God’s word keeps on the right path of godliness.

Takeaways

The Word of God is important to Read and Study because...

We are blessed if we make His Word a priority in our lives.

We know how to live a godly lives and pure of heart.

We find comfort in times of difficulty.

We find the understanding and wisdom needed to make right decision.

We find guidance to keep us on the right path.

Psalm 119:169–176 (ESV)

Let my cry come before you, O Lord; give me understanding according to your word! 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.