Psalm 119
This is the last lesson in the psalms. We have had quite a journey. We have studied many themes: thankfulness and gratitude, looking at the craziness and injustice of the world and responding to it correctly, dealing with enemies, being shepherded by God, and many others. It is appropriate that this lesson is the last, because it points us beyond the psalms to the whole counsel of God.
When the psalmist meditates on and extols the excellence of the word of God, in his mind at the time it was basically the first five books of the OT. We today have the completed canon. Understanding why the Bible is the Bible, where it came from, and how to properly study it is an interesting and important study. So in this lesson we are going to look at what the psalmist says about the excellencies of the Word and what we should do about it, because this is my key point: No matter how excellent and powerful the Scriptures are, they are not magic. God uses them mightily in our lives but we have a part in that; He doesn’t barge in and automatically change us with the word; we have to interact with it, study it, obey it, and learn to love it.
Why do I say that? Because some of the foremost scholars of the text of the Bible are not Christian believers. How could that be? How could the Jewish people who study the OT not see the Messiah? Because the human heart can be very dark and stubborn, and even the mighty scriptures cannot get past that alone.
Part I—the excellencies of the Word
Read 1-16. Now you can see that there are many more verses here. Clearly the psalmist is saying that the revelation of God, whether he calls them testimonies, the law, precepts, statutes, commandments, judgments, ways, is perfect and a trustworthy way to lead one’s life. Each of those words has a special significance. Just three:
Law – torah, teaching. The law isn’t just rules, but teachings about God
Testimonies – truthful witness to the past, present, and future
Statutes – comes from a word meaning inscribed in stone, permanent
If we were to read the rest of the psalm, we would find many other descriptions:
1. The word is a lamp v. 105
2. The word is precious like gold
3. The word is sweet like honey 103
4. The word is cleansing v 9
In other parts of the Bible we learn that the word is like
1. A mirror – James 1
2. A weapon, Eph. 6
3. A sword, Heb. 4
4. Water Eph. 5:26
5. Bread, nourishment Matthew 4
The people of the psalmist's time did not have a printing press. There was not a real, functional, inexpensive way to print until about 1450. So it wasn’t as if each person had a copy of the torah and other holy writings of the Jews. So how did they do this? They memorized it. We are amazed if a preacher today memorizes a chapter of scripture, but that was no big deal, just child’s play, in the ancient Jewish world. So they were able to “study” the Word at all time and truly had “hidden it in their heart” v. 11
We today? How many study guides, etc. do we need? It’s not an issue of how, or why, or what? It’s an issue of when? When are we going to make the study and application of the Word a priority?
And that brings me to the second part of this study. As excellent as the written revelation of God is, we don’t get its benefits from having copies of it on our shelves, or even from reading a few verses every day. It’s not a fortune cookie or talisman or magic formula, although we act like it, and sometimes preachers talk like it is. The power of the word takes two people—us, to diligently study it, and the Holy Spirit to guide us. I think that is the clearest lesson here. We know the word is precious; Psalm 19 was our first lesson, and it speaks of this subject as much as 119 does. But it must be utilized carefully and correctly, by the Holy Spirit and by our minds.
Many of the word pictures show that: a sword has to be wielded correctly. Has anyone ever used the word like a crazy person swinging a sword? How would that happen?
Inflicting it on people, out of context, in a mean spirit?
What about the mirror metaphor? Let’s look at James 1:22-24. We don’t look in a mirror and say “I look perfect.” We look into it to adjust something in our appearance. We don’t look into the Bible and say, “I’ve got it together, I’m good.” But we open our eyes to see wonderful things out of his law (v. 18) and to get a true view of our real spiritual appearance.
As I read Psalm 119, it came back to me over and over: we have a responsibility to be diligent, studious, open-minded, correct interpreters of the word from our part and to respond to what the Holy Spirit is teaching us from His part. There is a three fold partnership: the word, the Spirit, and we (both individually and corporately, because there are some people who are gifted at explaining and clarifying the scriptures). Take one out of the equation, and we have trouble. Take two out and we have heresy.
So where does that leave us? Let me suggest six steps.
1. Have you ever read the Bible all the way through? One reason I like the Explore the Bible series is that it doesn’t skip anything. Perhaps that would be a good choice or goal for the new year. Why is it important? To get the big picture. Should you do it over and over? I don’t think so. I’m due for another one, for it has been several years. Should you do it fast? Personally, I wouldn’t, but that’s me. Some people need the challenge and discipline of getting through the Bible in one year. If you choose to do that, you don’t need to buy a special Bible. There are guides on the Internet, but you can just divide it up, so many chapters in NT and so many in OT. We read through the Bible in devotions with Paul from 6th grade to 12th grade! And we read out of order, but we did get through it.
2. Prayerfully. We can’t approach the word with a cold and doubting heart, and the Holy Spirit is the one to change that. Hebrews 4:2: the scriptures are not effective if they are not mixed with faith in those who hear it. Psalm 119 says, several times, “Open my eyes, Lord.”
3. Regularly. Every day is best, but I’m not here to put restrictions on people. If you miss a day, and trust me, I do, I’m not going to act like a spiritual giant because I’m not—if you miss a day, just jump back on. God is God of the past, present, and future. I said the other day to my husband that even God can’t change the past, and he laughed at that and said God could do what he wanted. God does not change the facts of the past but he forgives it and frees us from it. He uses the past in our lives to move us closer to Him, not to keep us tied up. He does not want us to be in bondage to the past, but I meet so many people who are, and I am tempted that way, too. Oh, please let him free you. I spoke with a woman in this church this week, I would say by accident but it was a divine appointment I know, because it was in a place I rarely go. She is so clearly held captive by something from years ago. When she first started talking I thought it had happened a few years ago, but then she said it was 15. What had happened was terrible, but it was clear it held her in emotional bondage—or she was letting it. It was sad. Past failures and successes can both be bondage, as well as past tragedies.
Why do I say that? If you have failed at Bible study in the past, you are not your failures. Every dawn is a new gift for you to get into the word and walk with God, not just another day to trudge through your activities. God is a God of the present and future as well as the past.
4. Get some help to study. The gift of the Reformers was 1. Multiple copies of the Bible in our own language and 2. The teaching that all people are capable of studying the word by themselves. Priesthood of the believer rather than a layer of priests who are the only interpreters. But don’t get all your help from one place.
5. Don’t jump to do. Wait on the Lord. If your heart is obedient, the body will follow. I think sometimes we read a short passage of the word, and say, “What does this mean for me to do today,” instead of “what does this mean?”
6. Share publicly. Proclaim the testimonies to others. Focus on the word, not your feelings and experience. Be winsome about it, not as if you were an oracle of God with special revelation. “The scriptures says,” or “Psalm 119 has a verse that says,” is better than “God showed me through my daily study.”
I cannot help but finish this lesson with a third part, which will lead us into our next study in Mark, one of the gospel or “evangelists.” John 1 refers to Jesus Christ as “the Word.” I have heard preachers imply that this equates Christ with the Bible. That is so wrong. The Bible teaches us of Christ, but it is not Christ. It is the messenger. If you read Psalm 119, over and over it says “You are my portion” “You are my shield,” speaking not of the scriptures but of God Himself. We must not confuse them, we must not praise the word so much that we stop praising God. Baptists call themselves “people of the book,” and that is great—we do it distinguish ourselves from creedal or confessional groups (we don’t stand up and say the Apostle’s Creed). But we are people of the book because it leads us the the Living Lord. I think this is the final lesson of Psalm 119. Don’t deify and worship the Bible, but study it for all its/it’s worth to know Christ.
When the psalmist meditates on and extols the excellence of the word of God, in his mind at the time it was basically the first five books of the OT. We today have the completed canon. Understanding why the Bible is the Bible, where it came from, and how to properly study it is an interesting and important study. So in this lesson we are going to look at what the psalmist says about the excellencies of the Word and what we should do about it, because this is my key point: No matter how excellent and powerful the Scriptures are, they are not magic. God uses them mightily in our lives but we have a part in that; He doesn’t barge in and automatically change us with the word; we have to interact with it, study it, obey it, and learn to love it.
Why do I say that? Because some of the foremost scholars of the text of the Bible are not Christian believers. How could that be? How could the Jewish people who study the OT not see the Messiah? Because the human heart can be very dark and stubborn, and even the mighty scriptures cannot get past that alone.
Part I—the excellencies of the Word
Read 1-16. Now you can see that there are many more verses here. Clearly the psalmist is saying that the revelation of God, whether he calls them testimonies, the law, precepts, statutes, commandments, judgments, ways, is perfect and a trustworthy way to lead one’s life. Each of those words has a special significance. Just three:
Law – torah, teaching. The law isn’t just rules, but teachings about God
Testimonies – truthful witness to the past, present, and future
Statutes – comes from a word meaning inscribed in stone, permanent
If we were to read the rest of the psalm, we would find many other descriptions:
1. The word is a lamp v. 105
2. The word is precious like gold
3. The word is sweet like honey 103
4. The word is cleansing v 9
In other parts of the Bible we learn that the word is like
1. A mirror – James 1
2. A weapon, Eph. 6
3. A sword, Heb. 4
4. Water Eph. 5:26
5. Bread, nourishment Matthew 4
The people of the psalmist's time did not have a printing press. There was not a real, functional, inexpensive way to print until about 1450. So it wasn’t as if each person had a copy of the torah and other holy writings of the Jews. So how did they do this? They memorized it. We are amazed if a preacher today memorizes a chapter of scripture, but that was no big deal, just child’s play, in the ancient Jewish world. So they were able to “study” the Word at all time and truly had “hidden it in their heart” v. 11
We today? How many study guides, etc. do we need? It’s not an issue of how, or why, or what? It’s an issue of when? When are we going to make the study and application of the Word a priority?
And that brings me to the second part of this study. As excellent as the written revelation of God is, we don’t get its benefits from having copies of it on our shelves, or even from reading a few verses every day. It’s not a fortune cookie or talisman or magic formula, although we act like it, and sometimes preachers talk like it is. The power of the word takes two people—us, to diligently study it, and the Holy Spirit to guide us. I think that is the clearest lesson here. We know the word is precious; Psalm 19 was our first lesson, and it speaks of this subject as much as 119 does. But it must be utilized carefully and correctly, by the Holy Spirit and by our minds.
Many of the word pictures show that: a sword has to be wielded correctly. Has anyone ever used the word like a crazy person swinging a sword? How would that happen?
Inflicting it on people, out of context, in a mean spirit?
What about the mirror metaphor? Let’s look at James 1:22-24. We don’t look in a mirror and say “I look perfect.” We look into it to adjust something in our appearance. We don’t look into the Bible and say, “I’ve got it together, I’m good.” But we open our eyes to see wonderful things out of his law (v. 18) and to get a true view of our real spiritual appearance.
As I read Psalm 119, it came back to me over and over: we have a responsibility to be diligent, studious, open-minded, correct interpreters of the word from our part and to respond to what the Holy Spirit is teaching us from His part. There is a three fold partnership: the word, the Spirit, and we (both individually and corporately, because there are some people who are gifted at explaining and clarifying the scriptures). Take one out of the equation, and we have trouble. Take two out and we have heresy.
So where does that leave us? Let me suggest six steps.
1. Have you ever read the Bible all the way through? One reason I like the Explore the Bible series is that it doesn’t skip anything. Perhaps that would be a good choice or goal for the new year. Why is it important? To get the big picture. Should you do it over and over? I don’t think so. I’m due for another one, for it has been several years. Should you do it fast? Personally, I wouldn’t, but that’s me. Some people need the challenge and discipline of getting through the Bible in one year. If you choose to do that, you don’t need to buy a special Bible. There are guides on the Internet, but you can just divide it up, so many chapters in NT and so many in OT. We read through the Bible in devotions with Paul from 6th grade to 12th grade! And we read out of order, but we did get through it.
2. Prayerfully. We can’t approach the word with a cold and doubting heart, and the Holy Spirit is the one to change that. Hebrews 4:2: the scriptures are not effective if they are not mixed with faith in those who hear it. Psalm 119 says, several times, “Open my eyes, Lord.”
3. Regularly. Every day is best, but I’m not here to put restrictions on people. If you miss a day, and trust me, I do, I’m not going to act like a spiritual giant because I’m not—if you miss a day, just jump back on. God is God of the past, present, and future. I said the other day to my husband that even God can’t change the past, and he laughed at that and said God could do what he wanted. God does not change the facts of the past but he forgives it and frees us from it. He uses the past in our lives to move us closer to Him, not to keep us tied up. He does not want us to be in bondage to the past, but I meet so many people who are, and I am tempted that way, too. Oh, please let him free you. I spoke with a woman in this church this week, I would say by accident but it was a divine appointment I know, because it was in a place I rarely go. She is so clearly held captive by something from years ago. When she first started talking I thought it had happened a few years ago, but then she said it was 15. What had happened was terrible, but it was clear it held her in emotional bondage—or she was letting it. It was sad. Past failures and successes can both be bondage, as well as past tragedies.
Why do I say that? If you have failed at Bible study in the past, you are not your failures. Every dawn is a new gift for you to get into the word and walk with God, not just another day to trudge through your activities. God is a God of the present and future as well as the past.
4. Get some help to study. The gift of the Reformers was 1. Multiple copies of the Bible in our own language and 2. The teaching that all people are capable of studying the word by themselves. Priesthood of the believer rather than a layer of priests who are the only interpreters. But don’t get all your help from one place.
5. Don’t jump to do. Wait on the Lord. If your heart is obedient, the body will follow. I think sometimes we read a short passage of the word, and say, “What does this mean for me to do today,” instead of “what does this mean?”
6. Share publicly. Proclaim the testimonies to others. Focus on the word, not your feelings and experience. Be winsome about it, not as if you were an oracle of God with special revelation. “The scriptures says,” or “Psalm 119 has a verse that says,” is better than “God showed me through my daily study.”
I cannot help but finish this lesson with a third part, which will lead us into our next study in Mark, one of the gospel or “evangelists.” John 1 refers to Jesus Christ as “the Word.” I have heard preachers imply that this equates Christ with the Bible. That is so wrong. The Bible teaches us of Christ, but it is not Christ. It is the messenger. If you read Psalm 119, over and over it says “You are my portion” “You are my shield,” speaking not of the scriptures but of God Himself. We must not confuse them, we must not praise the word so much that we stop praising God. Baptists call themselves “people of the book,” and that is great—we do it distinguish ourselves from creedal or confessional groups (we don’t stand up and say the Apostle’s Creed). But we are people of the book because it leads us the the Living Lord. I think this is the final lesson of Psalm 119. Don’t deify and worship the Bible, but study it for all its/it’s worth to know Christ.
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