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The Book of Psalms is the hymnbook of the children of Israel. This particular Psalm is an “acrostic” or an elaborate word structure in the Hebrew language intended as a hymn to the Word of God and the blessedness of obeying it.
Believer’s Bible Commentary (BBC): Concerning the 119th Psalm, C. S. Lewis said:
The poem is not, and does not pretend to be, a sudden outpouring of the heart
like, say Psalm 18. It is a pattern, a thing done like embroidery, stitch by
stitch, through long, quiet hours, for love of the subject and for the
delight in leisurely, disciplined craftsmanship.
Define: Psalms -- (Hebrew: תְּהִלִּים or תהילים Tehillim) meaning "Praises" – poems, hymns, or songs praising God
BBC: This has been called the golden alphabet of the Bible. The reason is that it is divided into twenty-two sections, one for each letter of the Hebrew alphabet. Each section has eight verses and every verse in a section begins with the corresponding Hebrew letter. Thus in the Hebrew, every verse in the first section begins with Aleph; in the second section every verse begins with Beth; and so on.
What It Says:
Psa 119:1 ALEPH. Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the LORD.
Psa 119:2 Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, and that seek him with the whole heart.
Psa 119:3 They also do no iniquity: they walk in his ways.
Psa 119:4 Thou hast commanded us to keep thy precepts diligently.
Psa 119:5 O that my ways were directed to keep thy statutes!
Psa 119:6 Then shall I not be ashamed, when I have respect unto all thy commandments.
Psa 119:7 I will praise thee with uprightness of heart, when I shall have learned thy righteous judgments.
Psa 119:8 I will keep thy statutes: O forsake me not utterly.
Psa 119:9 BETH. Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word.
Psa 119:10 With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments.
Psa 119:11 Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.
Psa 119:12 Blessed art thou, O LORD: teach me thy statutes.
Psa 119:13 With my lips have I declared all the judgments of thy mouth.
Psa 119:14 I have rejoiced in the way of thy testimonies, as much as in all riches.
Psa 119:15 I will meditate in thy precepts, and have respect unto thy ways.
Psa 119:16 I will delight myself in thy statutes: I will not forget thy word.
What It Means:
Psa 119:1 ALEPH. Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the LORD.
There are two “characters” in this Psalm: God is the first one, and the second is the psalmist who represents all sincere believers. This is a prayer of praise to God for His word and His law. It is also an expression of our need for His help to walk with Him. We, and all NT believers need His Spirit to be with us, so that we may walk undefiled in His way.
Define: Blessed -- H835, אשׁר, 'esher, eh'-sher, From H833; happiness; only in masculine plural construction as interjection, how happy!: - blessed, happy. (content, pleased, glad, joyful, fortunate, favorable, delighted, cheerful)
Define: Undefiled – untarnished, pure, unblemished, clean, spotless, shining, unsullied, faultless, immaculate
Those who keep themselves pure (undefiled) are blessed “in the way,” or, as they walk along the journey of life.
Define: Way – road, avenue, lane, street, path, track, route, direction,
In what do they walk? The law of the Lord.
God has given us guidelines, commands, and promises that show us “the way” to walk with Him. “Walk in the law of the LORD” means those who are directed by their desire to love and obey God. David called this “the way of life” as opposed to “the way of death” which is the road that sinners are walking. This is the same law that God promised to write on our hearts and minds, which was accomplished by Jesus Christ when He sent the Holy Spirit to indwell the believers who loved and followed Him.
Heb_8:10 For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people:
Act 2:2-4 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
Joh_6:63 It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.
The Bible in Basic English translates the line we are examining like this: Happy are they who are without sin in their ways, walking in the law of the Lord.” In the New Testament “walking in the law of the Lord” is the same as “walking in the Spirit.”
Joh 7:37-39 In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)
Jesus says here: “If any man thirst (desire), let him come unto me, and drink (take Him in).” How can “drinking Jesus in” be accomplished on the man’s part? We drink or take in Jesus through reading and studying the Word of God in the Bible in faith. Then Jesus says: “He that believeth on me… out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.” Then it is explained that he was speaking of the Spirit of God which would soon be received by the believers (See above Act 2:2-4 ). “As the scripture has said.” It is the scripture that foretold the Spirit of God would give us new life in Christ. It is by the word of God or scripture that we know all of these things, but it is by the flow of living water, the Holy Spirit, that we understand, believe, and live by them.
Joh_3:5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
Since we see that Jesus previously spoke of the Spirit using the word “water” we can explain what is said here using His interpretation. He used the metaphor of “born of water” to mean “born again.” He then clarified his use of the word “water” by saying “and of the Spirit” so that he is not talking about two different things, but is clarifying one with the other. The word “and” here, could have been translated correctly with the word “even” so that it would then read: Except a man be born of water, even of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. To be born of the Spirit or, to be born again, means to be indwelt by the Holy Spirit – what many people call being saved.
Then, once Jesus died on the cross and was resurrected and had sent the Holy Spirit to be in the hearts of the believers this is how this subject matter was spoken of:
Rom_8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
Gal_5:16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.
Gal_5:25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.
If we live in the Spirit – if we have received eternal life in the Holy Spirit of Jesus Christ -- let us ALSO walk in the Spirit of Jesus Christ. Walking one step at a time, every step in the Spirit of Jesus Christ.
Rom_8:4 That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
And there is the confirmation: When we walk in the Spirit, we are fulfilling the righteousness of the law of God.
Psa 119:2 Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, and that seek him with the whole heart.
Whose testimonies are being spoken of? God's
Whose heart is being spoken of? Believer's
Define: Testimony – declaration, statement, announcement, assertion, speech, pronouncement, avowal, affirmation
Define: Seek – search for, strive for, ask for, head towards, try to find, hunt for, inquire about, request, get, take, obtain
What it means to “seek God”is to always keep our minds and our hearts and intentions focused on God and praising Him. We are to "court" him, like we would court a sweet heart.
With what are we to seek God? The whole heart.
God has given us his testimonies of Who He is, what He has done, what He expects from us, and what He will do in response to us. He has given us laws and promises to help and guide us to Himself. Since He is “The Infinite” speaking to “the finite” we see only glimpses of Him in His word. When we are “in the spirit” God reveals himself to us in amounts we can comprehend, but God sees everything. To “keep his testimonies” means to learn and then incorporate God’s word into our lives. Keep means to hold on to and to obey. Making following God’s word a habit speaks of a life spent learning what God has said, seeking Him in our daily lives, and keeping God’s Word alive inside ourselves through obedience, faith, and love for God. While this is an obligation it is also our delight.
Joh_14:15 If ye love me, keep my commandments.
In Psa 119:2 which is the verse we are examining, it says that the obedient person is “blessed” or “happy.” We are to seek God with the whole entire heart and soul because that is what He seeks us with: His entire heart and soul!
Jer 32:41 Yea, I will rejoice over them to do them good, and I will plant them in this land assuredly with my whole heart and with my whole soul.
Single minded loyalty from Him -- and to Him. Giving your whole heart to God will keep you from sinning. There is “single minded” and then there is the “unstable mind” that tries to follow two ways or to serve two masters (double minded).
Luk_16:13 "No servant can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon."
Jas_1:8 A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.
Mar_12:33 And to love him with all the heart, and with all the understanding, and with all the soul, and with all the strength, and to love his neighbour as himself, is more than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices.
The life after conversion that is governed by a single-minded whole-hearted love for the Lord is called a Life of Faith.
Who do you know who lives/lived like this? Mother Theresa, Billy Graham, Paul, Jesus
Those people whom we know have lived a life dedicated to God, such as Mother Theresa, or Billy Graham, or Paul, or David did not just start off knowing God. They were just like us: ignorant of Him. They had to be taught. They had to learn. They first studied His word and drank in Jesus. Then they did what the Psalmist has described in the verses we’ve been looking at. They prayed and sought to know God in both spirit and in truth. They looked for Him every day in their lives. They dedicated their lives to God in the way that He laid out before them in the law which He wrote on their hearts and in their minds by His Holy Spirit.
It is WHAT THEY DID with the Word of God and the knowledge of God that changed their hearts and lives. They lived with faith in God. The perfection of God was awesome to them. The holiness of God was on their minds. The nearness of God was real to them. They depended on God’s faithfulness; and His love was real to them, in them, and around them. They knew their home was in heaven with the Holy God and Jesus Christ, His Holy Son, and that was where they were headed. They walked His path on the way to heaven and God.
Psa 119:3 They also do no iniquity: they walk in his ways.
What does it mean to “do no iniquity?” It means to do no sin.
What does it mean to “walk in his ways?” It means to obey him.
BBC: The surest way to abstain from evil is to be completely occupied with doing good.
Psa 119:4 Thou hast commanded us to keep thy precepts diligently.
What has God commanded us to do? Keep His precepts diligently.
What are precepts? Guiding principles, rules, or instructions for good moral behavior
Define: Diligently – industriously, meticulously, conscientiously, thoroughly, attentively, carefully
Define: Keep – continue, persist in, persevere with, maintain, cling to, honor, fulfill, carry out, comply with, obey
God has commanded us to obey his laws conscientiously and thoroughly. We must aim our minds toward obedience in the heart. Some interpret the word “sin” as “missing the mark” – meaning we took bad aim and did not meet the goal of obedience. We all do it from time to time. As true believers we take our sins to our High Priest and Redeemer, Jesus Christ, for repentance and reconciliation.
Psa 119:5 O that my ways were directed to keep thy statutes!
What desire do you see being expressed here? The desire to be obedient.
Whose “statutes” is he talking about? God's statutes or laws
Whose “ways” is he talking about? His own ways.
Define: Directed – governed, ruled by, managed, regulated, heading for, bound for, going to, aimed at, intended for
What is being expressed here is the desire to have the personal inner power, or self control, to keep God’s laws. “That my ways were directed” – always heading in the direction of keeping God’s statutes. Always governed by conscientious will to keep God’s statutes.
BBC: The psalmist now moves from what is true in general to what he wants to be true in his own life. In moving insensibly (effortlessly) from precept to prayer, he acknowledges that the desire as well as the power to be steadfast in obedience must come ultimately from God.
Eph_3:16 That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man;
He is comparing his own ways with the statutes of God and desires that they be balanced equally with each other – or match each other. This is the thing that all true believers desire: that there would be no gap between what they believe and what they do, in their own lives.
From where/whom do we get our “directions for living?” God's word in the Bible.
If we keep God’s precepts (concepts, ideas, principles), our ways will be directed, and we shall end up keeping His statutes (decrees, laws, word).
Psa 37:23-25 The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way. Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the LORD upholdeth him with his hand. I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread. He is ever merciful, and lendeth; and his seed is blessed.
The steps of a good man are set in order, directed by the LORD. Just as the Lord establishes us in every good word and work, He is putting order in our steps. Notice the colon after the word “LORD:” – this means that the Lord delights in the ways of the good man who is walking as the Lord directs him. The Lord delights in a good man, and a good man delights himself in the Lord and in His word. Even if that man were to stumble or fall, the Lord will uphold him and help Him to get back into the right steps.
2Co 4:6-10 For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us. We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed; Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body.
Then the psalmist continues with his witness of what he has seen of the Lord in his own life: whether old or young, the righteous are not forsaken and their children have provision for life. The good man is ever merciful and lends to others what the Lord has given to him. Even his seed is blessed as he has been blessed.
Psa 119:6 Then shall I not be ashamed, when I have respect unto all thy commandments.
In verse 5 the psalmist shared his desire to be obedient and in verse 6 he tells us the desirable results of obedience.
Define: Ashamed – embarrassed, regretful, feeling guilty, feeling shame, mortified, humiliated, reluctant, uncomfortable
What keeps us from being ashamed? Respecting God's word.
Define: Respect – value, reverence, esteem, have a high opinion of, look up to, admire (Antonym: disregard)
What would cause us shame? Disobedience which is sin.
Psa_31:17 Let me not be ashamed, O LORD; for I have called upon thee: let the wicked be ashamed, and let them be silent in the grave.
Rom_10:11 For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.
Psa_25:20 O keep my soul, and deliver me: let me not be ashamed; for I put my trust in thee.
Psa 119:7 I will praise thee with uprightness of heart, when I shall have learned thy righteous judgments.
We will praise God with what? Uprightness of heart.
Define: Uprightness – decency, honesty, respectability, morality, honorableness, honor, worthiness, moral uprightness
To praise God with uprightness of heart means: expressing sincere admiration for him, with thankful, loyal, and faithful hearts. Uprightness of heart is the opposite of being ashamed.
Psa_95:6 O come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the LORD our maker.
When shall we praise and worship? (Psa 119:7) When I have learned Thy righteous judgments.
This is like saying “hindsight is 20/20”. When all things are done we shall end up seeing the righteous judgments of God for ourselves and praising Him. Even when we do not know the specific outcome we remain steadfast in the Lord with an upright heart full of praise for Him because we trust in His righteousness and power to make all things good.
Joh_4:23-24 But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.
Our worship must come not only from the Spirit of God in our hearts (in spirit), but in knowledge of the truth. “In truth” also means “in actuality” or by the deeds in our lives rather than by only the words we speak. To worship God in spirit and in truth means to worship him in the heart and live by His laws which we demonstrate by our good deeds.
Mat 12:35 A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things.
Psa 119:8 I will keep thy statutes: O forsake me not utterly.
What does the psalmist promise to do? Keep God's statutes.
What does he seek from God? That God will not abandon him.
What do you think might prompt statements like this? The realization of who we are. The understanding that we are weak but God is Almighty.
This is the prayer of repentance and desire for new life in Christ. These statements come from a realization of our own powerlessness. Repentance means a change of heart toward God -- the desire to keep God’s statutes where there may have been failure in the past. He also gives the reason for repentance which is the desire to remain close to the Lord. Since the Lord is Holy, he only draws near to the Holy. He has provided the way for us to “achieve” holiness through Jesus Christ, our Savior.
Gal_2:20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.
Did you notice that he says in Gal 2:20: “I live by the faith of the Son of God”? He did not say “faith in,” he said “faith of.” The faith that Jesus, the Son of God, had in His Father is what has given us new life. He accomplished His mission by His faith in God. It is His faith that has saved us and accomplished all the works He set out to do!! We put our faith in His faith and live in Him. Amen!! We also can say: “I will keep thy statues: O forsake me not utterly” – and He promises to never leave us nor forsake us. Amen!!
Heb_13:5 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.
Psa 119:9 BETH. Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word.
Define: Wherewithal – necessary means, ability, resources, money, finances, funds
First the psalmist asks a question, then he gives the answer.
What is the question? With what resources shall a young man cleanse his way?
What is the answer? By paying attention to obey God's word.
With what resources shall a young woman cleanse her way? What source of supply is needed in order to keep God’s statutes? The answer is by taking heed, paying attention to, keeping their life in harmony or accord with God’s word – and ultimately with God, Himself. Jesus Christ is the resource that cleanses our way when we take heed to Him according to His word.
Psa 119:10 With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments.
First the psalmist testifies of what he has done, and then he asks God for something he needs.
What does he testify: I have sincerely sought to know, You, Dear Father.
What does he request: Do not let me wander away from keeping they commandments.
With his testimony of faith and his plea for help he shows his dependence upon the power and the love of God. It is God who directs our paths so it seems only right that we need to ask Him to keep us on the path. It is not good for us to wander from His path.
Psa 119:11 Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.
How do you hide God’s word in your heart? Read and study the Bible. Pray for God to open your understanding of what you are reading in the Bible. Ponder and seek to understand and then begin to live by God's word.
Why does he want to do that? So he won't sin against God, through ignorance.
Notice that “wandering from thy commandments” is the same as sinning.
It requires study of the word of God to position it in your heart. It requires knowing the word of God to keep it steadfastly in your heart. It requires acceptance and faith in the truth of the word of God to hide it deep inside your heart. It requires being born of the Spirit who teaches and reminds us to obey God’s word which keeps us from sinning.
Jas 1:21-22 Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls. But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.
Notice that Jas 1:21-22 says that if you know the word but do not do it, you are deceived.
Define: Deceived – fooled, mislead, tricked, taken in, betrayed, lied to, swindled, conned, misinformed, cheated, hoodwinked, duped, deluded
Who has tricked or fooled you? You own selves.
If you are a hearer of the word and not a doer of it, you have deceived your own self. You have pulled the wool over your own eyes!!
Psa 119:12 Blessed art thou, O LORD: teach me thy statutes.
What does the psalmist say to praise the Lord? O LORD, thou art happy!! Thou art the source of joy! Blessed art thou, O LORD!!
What does he request of the Lord? Teach me thy statutes!!
Joh_14:17 Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.
Luk_12:12 For the Holy Ghost shall teach you in the same hour what ye ought to say.
Joh_14:26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.
By faith in Jesus Christ we receive the gift of the Holy Ghost who teaches and reveals to us ALL things about the Father and the Son. Then later on when we need that information, He brings all things to our remembrance. We know the “whatsoever I have said unto you” by the record of His spoken word which is written in the Bible. You can only “remember” what has first been placed into your memory. Once the Word of God has been hidden in your own heart, it is the Holy Spirit who brings it all to mind. He teaches us so that as we read we understand by the power of the Holy Spirit. He reveals the meaning to us. Then He brings the word up into our memory to speak to us once more when it is needed. Notice that all this happens after we have opened ourselves up to God, Himself, and to His word. When we seek Him wholeheartedly, He has promised that we shall find Him.
Jer_29:13 And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.
Joel_2:12-13 Therefore also now, saith the LORD, turn ye even to me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning: And rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the LORD your God: for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repenteth him of the evil.
God sees our repentance as a turning back to Him and seeking for Him – with the whole heart.
Psa 119:13 With my lips have I declared all the judgments of thy mouth.
What have my lips declared? All the judgments of thy mouth.
Define: Judgments – rulings, decisions, findings, verdicts, sentences, conclusions, results, opinions, views, feelings, thoughts, way of thinking, reasoning, belief, assessment, wisdom, discrimination, intelligence
How do we know these judgments of God? We find them in His word.
How do we declare them? We share them with others. We share "What God has done for me."
Psa 119:14 I have rejoiced in the way of thy testimonies, as much as in all riches.
In what two things has the psalmist rejoiced? 1. The way of thy testimonies, 2. all riches He gave me
He rejoices in “the way” – the path that has been laid out – by the testimonies of the Lord. He has rejoiced in the commands, the promises, and the path that has been ordained for him by the Word of God just as much as he rejoiced in God's blessings.
Joh_15:16 Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.
Eph_2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
He has rejoiced in the way of the testimonies of the Lord just as much as in all the riches that the Lord has given Him. This is the attitude of gratitude that we must also share – for the word of God and for the blessings of God that have been shed upon us.
Psa 119:15 I will meditate in thy precepts, and have respect unto thy ways.
Now the psalmist shares his plans for the future.
What two things is he planning to do? 1. He is going to ponder or meditate in God's precepts which are found in His word, and 2. He plans to respect God's ways of doing things.
Define: Meditate – contemplate, ponder, think about, consider, deliberate, turn over in your mind, mull over, reflect upon
Define: Precepts – a rule, instruction, or principle that guides ones’ actions, especially that guides moral behavior
Define: Ways – habits, conduct, customs, behavior, traditions
Not only is he planning to “meditate in thy precepts” which means not only to read them but to study and ponder them (search the scriptures for the full meaning of God’s word and understanding). But he is also planning on having respect unto His ways. He has already made the decision to live by and to obey the word of God. Have we made the same plans for our lives? Are we planning to meditate on God’s word, and to value and respect God’s ways?
Psa 119:16 I will delight myself in thy statutes: I will not forget thy word.
What else is he planning to do? 1. Delight himself in God's statues and laws, and 2. Remember God's word.
He is also planning on finding pleasure in God’s word and “not forgetting” what God has said. This is not going to be merely a duty he takes on but a way of engaging and rejoicing in God. Reading and doing God’s word is going to be “his pleasure and delight.” Have we made the same plans for our lives? Are we planning to delight in God’s word, and to remember and practice God’s ways?
Define: Delight – enjoyment, take pleasure in, happiness, joy, gladness, satisfaction, appreciate, revel in, relish, enjoy, savor, bask in, (Antonym: displeasure, dislike)
Define: Statutes – decree, act, law, ruling, edict, bill, order
Define: Remember (not forget) – keep in mind, bear in mind, retain information, memorize, learn by heart, commit to memory, consider, take into account, recall, think of, recollect, hark back to, reminisce, summon up, bring to mind.
Define: Word – utterance, sound, statement, expression, speech, remark, declaration, written word
Matthew Henry Concise Commentary: To original corruption all have added actual sin. The ruin of the young is either living by no rule at all, or choosing false rules: let them walk by Scripture rules. To doubt of our own wisdom and strength, and to depend upon God, proves the purpose of holiness is sincere. God's word is treasure worth laying up, and there is no laying it up safe but in our hearts, that we may oppose God's precepts (place God’s precepts in opposition) to the dominion of sin, his promises to its allurements, and his threatenings to its violence. Let this be our plea with Him to teach us his statutes, that, being partakers of his holiness, we may also partake of his blessedness. And those whose hearts are fed with the bread of life, should with their lips feed many. In the way of God's commandments there is the unsearchable riches of Christ. But we do not meditate on God's precepts to good purpose, unless our good thoughts produce good works. I will not only think of thy statutes, but do them with delight. And it will be well to try the sincerity of our obedience by tracing the spring of it; the reality of our love by cheerfulness in appointed duties.
1Ki_18:36 And it came to pass at the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice, that Elijah the prophet came near, and said, LORD God of Abraham, Isaac, and of Israel, let it be known this day that thou art God in Israel, and that I am thy servant, and that I have done all these things at thy word.
Joh_17:17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.
Psa_119:105 NUN. Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.
Read our study verses again:
Psa 119:1 ALEPH. Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the LORD.
Psa 119:2 Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, and that seek him with the whole heart.
Psa 119:3 They also do no iniquity: they walk in his ways.
Psa 119:4 Thou hast commanded us to keep thy precepts diligently.
Psa 119:5 O that my ways were directed to keep thy statutes!
Psa 119:6 Then shall I not be ashamed, when I have respect unto all thy commandments.
Psa 119:7 I will praise thee with uprightness of heart, when I shall have learned thy righteous judgments.
Psa 119:8 I will keep thy statutes: O forsake me not utterly.
Psa 119:9 BETH. Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word.
Psa 119:10 With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments.
Psa 119:11 Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.
Psa 119:12 Blessed art thou, O LORD: teach me thy statutes.
Psa 119:13 With my lips have I declared all the judgments of thy mouth.
Psa 119:14 I have rejoiced in the way of thy testimonies, as much as in all riches.
Psa 119:15 I will meditate in thy precepts, and have respect unto thy ways.
Psa 119:16 I will delight myself in thy statutes: I will not forget thy word.
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