Oh, let me not wander from Your commandments! (Psa 119:103-104) The sweet understanding from the word of God. (Bridges), ii. The words they wrote were breathed by God; Your word is settled in heaven. ", "This wonderful psalm, from its great length, helps us to wonder at the immensity of Scripture. He told the devil to go away (Matthew 4:10) and repeatedly relied on the word of God (Matthew 4:4, 7, 10). (Poole), iv. (Trapp), ii. (Horne), ii. "I have said; I have not only purposed it in my own heart, but have professed and owned it before others, and I do not repent of it." Even as Paul and Silas could sing in the midst of suffering (Acts 16:25), so could the Psalmist. c. Make me walk in the path of Your commandments, for I delight in it: Despite his delight and desire for God's word, the Psalmist knows he cannot walk in God's path without God's empowering. c. The wicked wait for me to destroy me, but I will consider Your testimonies: The Psalmist speaks of his enemies in an almost causal way. Surprisingly, he says that his heritage is what he has been speaking about all along: God's Word itself." b. The law of the LORD: The word here used is torah. (Spurgeon), d. And teach me Your judgments: It is very easy for us to have an sinful confidence in our own judgment; to simply "follow your heart." He was determined that others would hear him praise God, and speak of His word. I have declared to thee my ways; now, wilt thou teach me thy ways? a. "Young man, the Bible must be your chart, and you must exercise great watchfulness that your way may be according to its directions. That I may live: "[This] is the first of many such prayers … While some of them could refer simply to surviving an illness or an attack, others are clearly qualitative, speaking of life that is worthy of the name, or in our terms, spiritual life, found in fellowship with God." Many religious people long after the promises, and they do well; but they must not forget to have an equal longing for the commandments." v. "Hell is truth seen too late." Did not delay: "The original word, which we translate delayed not, is amazingly emphatical … velo hithmahmahti, I did not stand what-what-whating; or, as we used to express the same sentiment, shilly-shallying with myself: I was determined, and so set out. i. i. (Spurgeon), iii. i. (Psa 119:67-68) The goodness of God seen even in correction. iv. (Psa 119:26-27) Teach me, make me understand. When I look into all Your commandments. Ps 119:15-16, 44; 55-56 3. ii. (Luke 1:38). i. d. Give me understanding, that I may know Your testimonies: The Psalmist wanted understanding; but not so much to know the future or some hidden secrets of his soul or that of someone else. i. i. of Scripture. i. (Boice), iii. He is praying rather than preaching." b. Speaking in the manner of men, this was a plea for God to fulfill the promises stated in His word. I remembered Your judgments of old, O LORD, To use the analogy, we don't know if our foot will step on good ground or dangerous ground; we are not self-aware. In this the word of God is an accurate revelation of God, not only of His thoughts but also of His very character. (Spurgeon). It brought him great peace and stability in life (nothing causes them to stumble). Though a common verse taught to children, there is much significance to it. My eyes are awake through the night watches, that I may meditate on Your word: The Psalmist not only woke early to seek God (as in the previous verse), he also stayed away through the night to think about God and His word. It is a good thing when wicked men do not praise the truth they cannot love. (Spurgeon). i. v. "He is an exceedingly covetous fellow to whom God is not sufficient; and he is an exceeding fool to whom the world is sufficient. (Psa 119:118-120) The righteous judgment of God. … The Lord save us from the greatest of all afflictions, an affliction lost!" - Every word and every letter was counted, and if a letter were omitted, or an extra letter inserted, or if any letter touched one another, the manuscript was condemned and destroyed. (Spurgeon), vii. For I do not forget Your law: In the lives of some, affliction drives them away from God and His word. It isn't that God breathed into the human authors. It stands as the giant among the Psalms--it is the longest psalm and the longest chapter in the Bible--176 verses. At that time, the disciples remembered the line from Psalm 69:9: Zeal for Your house has eaten Me up. My soul keeps Your testimonies, and I love them exceedingly: The Psalmist kept the word of God not only with his outward actions, but also with his soul. . ii. I will keep Your statutes. For Pilate, soldiers and armies were truth; Rome was truth; Caesar was truth; and political power was truth. Before reading the text for the week, explain that Psalm 119 is the longest chapter in the Bible and that the whole chapter is about God’s law/ God’s Word. Yet he found comfort and strength in remembering the word of God. In such times, he prayed the logical prayer: Help me! c. I remember Your name in the night, O LORD: This was true both literally and figuratively. b. Deal bountifully with Your servant: This is a wonderful request; boldly asking for blessing (deal bountifully), while at the same time coming humbly before God (Your servant). Ministry-To-Children is a website that helps you with free Bible lessons, children's ministry curriculum, ideas for children's church and activities for kids Sunday school. "The prayer is not so much that the eyes may be shut as ‘turned away;' for we need to have them open, but directed to right objects." a. Ironside was stunned, and he asked the man: "Where did you get these things? (Geisler and Nix, A General Introduction to the Bible). (Morgan), ii. You can see such things, though you can't see everything, and sometimes you will think you see things that are not really there. My soul keeps Your testimonies, . The Psalmist was willing to have faith until the experience came, and would wait for God's salvation, and wait as long as it took. "They who ‘fear God' are naturally ‘glad when they see' and converse with one like themselves; but more especially so, when it is one whose faith and patience have carried him through troubles, and rendered him victorious over temptations; one who hath ‘hoped in God's word,' and hath not been disappointed." ii. GenesisExodusLeviticusNumbersDeuteronomyJoshuaJudgesRuth1 Samuel2 Samuel1 Kings2 Kings1 Chronicles2 ChroniclesEzraNehemiahEstherJobPsalmsProverbsEcclesiastesSong of SongsIsaiahJeremiahLamentationsEzekielDanielHoseaJoelAmosObadiahJonahMicahNahumHabakkukZephaniahHaggaiZechariahMalachiMatthewMarkLukeJohnActsRomans1 Corinthians2 CorinthiansGalatiansEphesiansPhilippiansColossians1 Thessalonians2 Thessalonians1 Timothy2 TimothyTitusPhilemonHebrewsJames1 Peter2 Peter1 John2 John3 JohnJudeRevelation, Select an Ending Point "Why then is the Bible read only - not meditated on? i. - Job could say in his affliction, blessed be the name of the LORD (Job 1:21). It expresses the eagerness of a hungry or thirsty animal (e.g. "They have no one to consider their affliction - no one to deliver them - no one to plead their cause. It may seem to fail on earth; but it is for ever settled in heaven." Knowing God’s Word takes commitment and effort. ADDRESS: Ministry-To-Children a. (Trapp), iv. a. (Psa 119:74) The common gladness of those who fear God. No gun in all our arsenals can match it." i. But when they would tempt us to a devious or backsliding step - when our connexion with them entices us to a single act of conformity to their standard, dishonourable to God, and inconsistent with our profession - then we must take a bold and unflinching stand." Turn to its pages by day and by night. (Bridges). It can also be prayed for with an eye to honoring the justice of God on earth, especially when wickedness abounds. This verse is not a renunciation of those teachers. a. "My meditations; the matter of my constant and most diligent study." God's gracious mercy to us is so great that it can only be described in the plural, with mercy piled on top of mercy. The picture of a lamp says something. He sorely needs succour and strength. (Boice). Seven times a day I praise You, Despite his many problems and pains, he looked to God's word for a reviving of life and for it to happen according to His word. i. (Poole), iii. 4. ", - He saw the danger of living as a stranger in a strange land; therefore he prayed, "Do not hide Your commandments from me. "We need no instruction in the way of sin. (Boice), iii. i. ii. Hence the wonderful efficacy of prayer, because prayer is the embodiment of a longing inspired of God because he intends to bestow the blessing. He wrote out a covenant with God, and in a very serious and solemn way he even signed it with his own blood. We believe that children and parents benefit from a  strong Christian education program in the church. The sense and context lead us to see that the sense of personal weakness and injustice has led the Psalmist to such distraction and despair that he has lost focus on God's word. Poetical Books "There may be no beauty of elocution about such prayers, no length of expression, no depth of doctrine, nor accuracy of diction; but if the whole heart be in them they will find their way to the heart of God." This tells us that revival itself is according to God's word. I hope in Your word. i. Which I love. He lived a life that experienced affliction. But my heart stands in awe of Your word: Difficult trials - even persecution by those in authority - would not make the Psalmist lose his awe of God's word. . . (Spurgeon), iii. Sweeter than honey to my mouth! The word is settled in heaven; not merely in the heart or mind of the Psalmist. b. -------------------- And take not the word of truth utterly out of my mouth, vi. b. Some heavenly reward? (Boice). viii. GenesisExodusLeviticusNumbersDeuteronomyJoshuaJudgesRuth1 Samuel2 Samuel1 Kings2 Kings1 Chronicles2 ChroniclesEzraNehemiahEstherJobPsalmsProverbsEcclesiastesSong of SongsIsaiahJeremiahLamentationsEzekielDanielHoseaJoelAmosObadiahJonahMicahNahumHabakkukZephaniahHaggaiZechariahMalachiMatthewMarkLukeJohnActsRomans1 Corinthians2 CorinthiansGalatiansEphesiansPhilippiansColossians1 Thessalonians2 Thessalonians1 Timothy2 TimothyTitusPhilemonHebrewsJames1 Peter2 Peter1 John2 John3 JohnJudeRevelation, Select a Beginning Point Because of the vast number and quality of ancient Greek manuscripts, and the existence of relatively early copies, scholars often say that error rate is between 0.5% and 2%. ii. "What a mighty plea is this - ‘according to thy word.' 5 Truths to Know About Psalm 119: - This Psalm is actually written as an acrostic poem. Every kids church ministry deserves the very best resources for teaching God’s Word, even when they don’t have the financial resources. With both he would meditate on God's wonderful works. ii. (Bridges). At midnight I will rise to give thanks to You: The heart and the mind of the Psalmist are so filled with thanks and appreciation towards God that he finds his sleep interrupted by these high thoughts. For they have regarded Your law as void. i. In the midst of affliction, the Psalmist proclaims his comfort: this is my comfort. Your righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, Open my eyes, that I may see He feels the weakening of his very life under the pressure of circumstances." Be merciful to me according to Your word. Please see Blue Letter Bible's Privacy Policy for cookie usage details. We can say that God has provided for this sense of wonder by giving us His word. (Boice). C. Gimel ג: The Word of God and the Trials of Life. "There is a time in which I may be called to suffer in secret; then thou hidest me. It is time for You to act, O LORD, Turn to me: "As the believer finds trouble from the world, he prays that he may find help from the Lord's people … It is painful therefore to see Christians often walking aloof from each other, and suffering coldness, distance, differences and distrust to divide them from their brethren." (Spurgeon), ii. iii. (Spurgeon). He had come near to the Psalmist, and one way was through the word of God itself. "Persecution, to the false professor, is an occasion of apostasy (Matthew 12:20-21); to the faithful servant of Christ, it is the trial of his faith (1 Peter 1:6-7), the source of his richest consolations (Matthew 5:10-12, Acts 13:50-52, 1 Peter 4:12-16), the guard of his profession (Matthew 10:16, Philippians 2:14-16), and the strength of his perseverance (Acts 20:22-24)." d. Revive me according to Your word: This thought is repeated from previous passages in this Psalm (119:25, 119:107). The LORD Himself is satisfaction to the Psalmist because God has come to him through His word. a. i. (Horne). (Psa 119:169-170) "According to Your word.". (Bridges). It does not take great intellect or mental powers to benefit from God's word. "I have voluntarily hired myself unto thee, chosen the things that please thee, and taken hold of the covenant … Now, this is all the wages I crave of thee, ‘Give me understanding.'" The proud have me in great derision, Reproach is unpleasant; it is the expression of disapproval or disappointment. i. Ah, when a soul is full of itself, and of the world, and of the pleasures of sin, I do not wonder that it sees no sweetness in Christ, for it has no appetite!" i. i. "The initial letter with which every verse commences sounds like the Hebrew word for righteousness: our keynote is righteousness." I believe that, when a man altogether doubts the power of God to save him, and gives himself up to sin because he thinks he cannot be saved, so far from there being any humility in it, it is the prouder action that depraved flesh and blood can perform. Finding Stillness in the Study of Psalm 119 I will never forget the day Psalm 119 found me. He praised God and His word (Your testimonies) as righteous measures of judgment. Blue Letter Bible offers several daily devotional readings in order to help you refocus on Christ and the Gospel of His peace and righteousness. I am Your servant; c. This is my comfort in my affliction, for Your word has given me life: When the Psalmist recalled how faithfully and powerfully God's word had brought him life in the past, he then found comfort in his present affliction. I have nothing else to fill it but thy word, and the comforts I have from it; but their hearts are fat hearts; fat with the world, fat with lust; they hate the word. Shame is not for the holy, for there is nothing in holiness to be ashamed of." "He wished for no deliverance but that which came from God, his one desire was for ‘thy salvation.' The fifteenth letter, Samech, denotes a prop or pillar, and this agrees well with the subject matter of the strophe, in which God is twice implored to uphold his servant (119:116,117). ii. Our rejoicing will be measured by our reverencing." (Boice), iii. Conscience, therefore, must not be trusted without the light of the word of God; and most important is the prayer - Teach me good judgment and knowledge." (Bridges), iii. (Spurgeon), ii. iv. i. He is the fifth letter of the Hebrew alphabet, and it is used at the beginning of verbs to make them causative. The request for God to teach the psalmist is found in Ps. This was his testimony to answered prayer. The one is the merit and fruit of sin; the other is an act of grace. Who stray from Your commandments. (Spurgeon), iv. (Morgan), ii. (VanGemeren). "‘Shame' is the fruit of sin; confidence is the effect of righteousness." (Boice). It refers principally to those integri viae (vitae). i. I have sworn and confirmed: Bridges tells of a man named Pearce, who read a book titled Rise and Progress of Religion, and from it decided that he would live a more dedicated and obedient life. i. i. It made things more clear, not less. Indeed, all the misery that an immortal soul is capable of enduring throughout eternity is included in this sentence - Salvation is far from the wicked." A lover finds it easy to think about, to meditate upon, the one he loves. If we do not tremble before God, the world's system will seem wonderful to us and consume us pleasantly." "From the heartfelt prayers of the surrounding verses it would seem that the young man is the psalmist himself in the first place. And so it has ever been; that those who love and trust God's word - especially with the depth and passion reflected by the Psalmist in this mighty Psalm - these ones are mocked by the proud who want nothing to do with God and His word. i. "And yet who of us are fit to praise, except those whom God has taught? Surely when I consider my own natural aversion and enmity to the law of God, and the danger of self-deception in the external service of the Lord, I have much need to pray." What they meant by clarity of perspicuity is that the Bible is basically comprehensible to any open-minded person who reads it." This is one reason why God appoints affliction for His people (1 Thessalonians 3:3). 3. And will not be ashamed. "The word furnished his hope, and his hope his prayer." Other times spoil is found, and the riches from God's word are simply received. Directed towards God 's word. in living a pure life with the eyes he already.... 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