The Psalm of the Word (cover)The Psalm of the Word is a 22-part series focused on Psalm 119. This material is also available in paperback.

Contents:

November 9, 2015

The Psalm of the Word (Part 17): Grace

The Psalm of the Word

Your testimonies are wonderful;
Therefore my soul observes them.

The unfolding of Your words gives light;
It gives understanding to the simple.

I opened my mouth wide and panted,
For I longed for Your commandments.

Turn to me and be gracious to me,
After Your manner with those who love Your name.

Establish my footsteps in Your word,
And do not let any iniquity have dominion over me.

Redeem me from the oppression of man,
That I may keep Your precepts.

Make Your face shine upon Your servant,
And teach me Your statutes.

My eyes shed streams of water,
Because they do not keep Your law.

(Psalm 119:129-136)

We typically think of grace as a New Testament feature, and it is certainly emphasized there. “For the Law was given through Moses; grace and truth were realized through Jesus Christ” (John 1:17). However, grace still existed in the Old Testament and this passage reminds us of that fact. Let us notice how God’s grace and God’s word are related.
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November 2, 2015

The Psalm of the Word (Part 16): Riches

The Psalm of the Word

I have done justice and righteousness;
Do not leave me to my oppressors.

Be surety for Your servant for good;
Do not let the arrogant oppress me.

My eyes fail with longing for Your salvation
And for Your righteous word.

Deal with Your servant according to Your lovingkindness
And teach me Your statutes.

I am Your servant; give me understanding,
That I may know Your testimonies.

It is time for the Lord to act,
For they have broken Your law.

Therefore I love Your commandments
Above gold, yes, above fine gold.

Therefore I esteem right all Your precepts concerning everything,
I hate every false way.

(Psalm 119:121-128)

The psalmist made a contrast between the commandments of God and gold. As we consider these verses, we can see why the riches of God’s word are so much more valuable than gold.
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October 26, 2015

The Psalm of the Word (Part 15): Consistency

The Psalm of the Word

I hate those who are double-minded,
But I love Your law.

You are my hiding place and my shield;
I wait for Your word.

Depart from me, evildoers,
That I may observe the commandments of my God.

Sustain me according to Your word, that I may live;
And do not let me be ashamed of my hope.

Uphold me that I may be safe,
That I may have regard for Your statutes continually.

You have rejected all those who wander from Your statutes,
For their deceitfulness is useless.

You have removed all the wicked of the earth like dross;
Therefore I love your testimonies.

My flesh trembles for fear of You,
And I am afraid of Your judgments.

(Psalm 119:113-120)

This lesson will focus on the theme of consistency. Though the word is not used in these verses, the concept certainly is. If God’s word was not consistent, we could not trust it or follow it. But because it is consistent, it provides us with protection, sustenance, and safety if we follow it.
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October 19, 2015

The Psalm of the Word (Part 14): Guidance

The Psalm of the Word

Your word is a lamp to my feet
And a light to my path.

I have sworn and I will confirm it,
That I will keep Your righteous ordinances.

I am exceedingly afflicted;
Revive me, O Lord, according to Your word.

O accept the freewill offerings of my mouth, O Lord,
And teach me Your ordinances.

My life is continually in my hand,
Yet I do not forget Your law.

The wicked have laid a snare for me,
Yet I have not gone astray from Your precepts.

I have inherited Your testimonies forever,
For they are the joy of my heart.

I have inclined my heart to perform Your statutes
Forever, even to the end.

(Psalm 119:105-112)

Many people wonder why we are here and where we are going. The word of God provides the answers for us and guides us in the path we should go.
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October 12, 2015

The Psalm of the Word (Part 13): Understanding

The Psalm of the Word

O how I love Your law!
It is my meditation all the day.

Your commandments make me wiser than my enemies,
For they are ever mine.

I have more insight than all my teachers,
For Your testimonies are my meditation.

I understand more than the aged,
Because I have observed Your precepts.

I have restrained my feet from every evil way,
That I may keep Your word.

I have not turned aside from Your ordinances,
For You Yourself have taught me.

How sweet are Your words to my taste!
Yes, sweeter than honey to my mouth!

From Your precepts I get understanding;
Therefore I hate every false way.

(Psalm 119:97-104)

God meant for His word to be understood and it can be understood by anyone. Furthermore, with the right attitude, we can continue to progress in our understanding, even to the point that we surpass those who might be expected to be “older and wiser” than we are. So let us consider what the psalmist said about the understanding we gain from God’s word.
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October 5, 2015

The Psalm of the Word (Part 12): Stability

The Psalm of the Word

Forever, O Lord,
Your word is settled in heaven.

Your faithfulness continues throughout all generations;
You established the earth, and it stands.

They stand this day according to Your ordinances,
For all things are Your servants.

If Your law had not been my delight,
Then I would have perished in my affliction.

I will never forget Your precepts,
For by them You have revived me.

I am Yours, save me;
For I have sought Your precepts.

The wicked wait for me to destroy me;
I shall diligently consider Your testimonies.

I have seen a limit to all perfection;
Your commandment is exceedingly broad.

(Psalm 119:89-96)

The world around us is constantly changing. Yet God’s word is “firmly fixed in the heavens” (Psalm 119:89, ESV). This allows us to have stability in our lives if we follow God’s word.
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September 28, 2015

The Psalm of the Word (Part 11): Persecution

The Psalm of the Word

My soul languishes for Your salvation;
I wait for Your word.

My eyes fail with longing for Your word,
While I say, “When will You comfort me?”

Though I have become like a wineskin in the smoke,
I do not forget Your statutes.

How many are the days of Your servant?
When will you execute judgment on those who persecute me?

The arrogant have dug pits for me,
Men who are not in accord with Your law.

All Your commandments are faithful;
They have persecuted me with a lie; help me!

They almost destroyed me on earth,
But as for me, I did not forsake Your precepts.

Revive me according to Your lovingkindness,
So that I may keep the testimony of Your mouth.

(Psalm 119:81-88)

This lesson is about the persecution that comes from following God’s word. This is important for us to remember as we will face persecution as well (2 Timothy 3:12). These verses not only speak of the reality of persecution, but the hope we have despite of it.
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