Tag: Psalm 119 Study

Psalm 119:34-35

How important it is to follow God and His ways with our whole heart! Here, we are encouraged to observe (hedge about, guard, protect, attend to, etc.) God’s law with our whole heart. This is not half-way piddling in God’s law, but seeking, studying, and applying it – daily – to our lives.

“Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, and that seek him with the whole heart.” (Psalm 119:2)

Psalm 142:3 reminds us, “When my spirit was overwhelmed within me, then thou knewest my path. In the way wherein I walked have they privily laid a snare for me.” God is watching over the path we’re trodding and He is offering us the path of His commandments. But until we delight in His commandments, we will not desire to walk in that path.

How many times are “way” and “ways” mentioned in Psalm 119?

“Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the Lord.” (vs. 1)

“They also do no iniquity: they walk in his ways.” (vs. 3)

“O that my ways were directed to keep thy statutes!” (vs. 5)

“Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word.” (vs. 9)

“I have rejoiced in the way of thy testimonies, as much as in all riches.” (vs. 14)

“I will meditate in thy precepts, and have respect unto thy ways.” (vs. 15)

“I have declared my ways, and thou heardest me: teach me thy statutes.” (vs. 26)

“Make me to understand the way of thy precepts: so shall I talk of thy wondrous works.” (vs. 27)

“Remove from me the way of lying: and grant me thy law graciously.” (vs. 29)

“I have chosen the way of truth: thy judgments have I laid before me.” (vs. 30)

“I will run the way of thy commandments, when thou shalt enlarge my heart.” (vs. 32)

“Teach me, O Lord, the way of thy statutes; and I shall keep it unto the end.” (vs. 33)

“Turn away mine eyes from beholding vanity; and quicken thou me in thy way.” (vs. 37)

“I thought on my ways, and turned my feet unto thy testimonies.” (vs. 59)

“I have refrained my feet from every evil way, that I might keep thy word.” (vs. 101)

“Through thy precepts I get understanding: therefore I hate every false way.” (vs. 104)

“Therefore I esteem all thy precepts concerning all things to be right; and I hate every false way.” (vs. 128)

“I have kept thy precepts and thy testimonies: for all my ways are before thee.” (vs. 168)

Do we think that the way we walk is important to God after reading sixteen verses — all in one chapter — about our way?

God’s ways are there for us to learn. Are we learning and keeping them?

Psalm 119:29-32

Lying – (8267 sheqer, untruth; by implication, a sham (often adverbial):)

Before we understand the way of truth, the way of lying/error must be purged from us. We cannot walk in the way of lying and be living in God’s law. We must step off the way of lying and walk in the way of truth. Thankfully, the Lord is there to help us change from one path to the other.

“Remove from me the way of lying . . . I have chosen the way of truth.” There are two ways in which we can choose to walk. We are already on the path of lying once born, but God has given us the option to choose the way of truth.

To walk in the way of truth, we must keep God’s Word before us. If we refuse to keep God’s Word, we will inevitably start to walk in the way of lying once more.

Once we’re on this path of truth, are we sticking there? “Stuck” is an active term: “1692 dabaq, to impinge, i.e. cling or adhere; figuratively, to catch by pursuit:” Our lives must be inseparable from the Word of God. Even when others accuse us and tempt us, we should not be ashamed to stick to the Word of God – when it is considered unpopular or “old-fashioned” and ignored by others.

Other uses of the Hebrew word “Dabaq:”

“For if ye shall diligently keep all these commandments which I command you, to do them, to love the Lord your God, to walk in all his ways, and to cleave unto him; Then will the Lord drive out all these nations from before you, and ye shall possess greater nations and mightier than yourselves.” (Deuteronomy 11:22-23)

“Ye shall walk after the Lord your God, and fear him, and keep his commandments, and obey his voice, and ye shall serve him, and cleave unto him.” (Deuteronomy 13:4)

“That thou mayest love the Lord thy God, and that thou mayest obey his voice, and that thou mayest cleave unto him: for he is thy life, and the length of thy days: that thou mayest dwell in the land which the Lord sware unto thy fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give them.” (Deuteronomy 30:17)

“But take diligent heed to do the commandment and the law, which Moses the servant of the Lord charged you, to love the Lord your God, and to walk in all his ways, and to keep his commandments, and to cleave unto him, and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul.” (Joshua 22:5)

“But cleave unto the Lord your God, as ye have done unto this day.” (Joshua 23:8)

“Else if ye do in any wise go back, and cleave unto the remnant of these nations, even these that remain among you, and shall make marriages with them, and go in unto them, and they to you:” (Joshua 23:12)

“Of the nations concerning which the Lord said unto the children of Israel, Ye shall not go in to them, neither shall they come in unto you: for surely they will turn away your heart after their gods: Solomon clave unto these in love.” (1 Kings 11:2)

“Nevertheless he cleaved unto the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, which made Israel to sin; he departed not therefrom.” (2 Kings 3:3)

“My soul followeth hard after thee: thy right hand upholdeth me.” (Psalm 63:8)

It is clear that we will cleave to one way or another: to God’s way or the world’s way, to God or to gods. But we must realize that this cleaving doesn’t happen by default; we choose where we will cleave.

Continuing on the thought of the way of truth or the way of lying, we are in a race. There are several verses that indicate life as running:

“Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.” (1 Corinthians 9:24-27)

“Ye did run well; who did hinder you that ye should not obey the truth? This persuasion cometh not of him that calleth you. A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump.” (Galatians 5:7-9)

“Do all things without murmurings and disputings: That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world; Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain.” (Philippians 2:14-16)

“Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Hebrews 12:1-2)

“Wherein they think it strange that ye run not with them to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you: Who shall give account to him that is ready to judge the quick and the dead.” (1 Peter 4:4-5)

In a sense, God “broadened” our heart at salvation. Are we being faithful to now run in His ways?

This verse makes me think of Job in his trials. When our soul “cleaves to the dust,” where do we turn? “Quicken” gives the idea of living and reviving. Do we turn to God’s Word to lift us up? to give us new meaning to our life? As Hebrews 4:12 explains, “For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” God’s Word is alive and it has the power to make us alive and revived again.

It is not wrong to tell our ways to the Lord. Proverbs 16:9 says, “A man’s heart deviseth his way: but the Lord directeth his steps.” God knows all of our ways anyway, and He is able to direct our steps. If our ways are not in line with His ways, He is able to lead us to be in line – to teach us His statutes.

This verse seems to correlate with two previous verses: “Blessed art thou, O LORD: teach me thy statutes.” (Psalm 119:12), “Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law.” (Psalm 119:18) God is willing, ready to teach us His ways. But are we ready to receive it? Are we willing to understand the way of His precepts? To the heart that is willing to learn, God is more than willing to teach.

The more we learn God’s ways, the more we should be talking of His wondrous works.

Similar to verse 25 (“My soul cleaveth unto the dust: quicken thou me according to thy word.”), we must recognize that God’s Word is able to strengthen. There will be days when our soul “cleaves to the dust” or “melts for heaviness.” As believers, we are not exempt from these days. But do we use these days to strengthen our reliance on Jesus Christ and His Word?

Psalm 119:21-24

Those who err (stray, mistake, transgress) from God’s Word are not left unpunished. This standard was given at the very beginning of the law. We see the choice to follow God’s law given to Adam, but he chose to err. Again and again, we see examples in Scripture, warning us to follow God’s laws.  “But it shall come to pass, if thou wilt not hearken unto the voice of the Lord thy God, to observe to do all his commandments and his statutes which I command thee this day; that all these curses shall come upon thee, and overtake thee:” (Deuteronomy 28:15)

For the new testament believer, we are not exempt. “Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.” (John 14:23) As believers, we are still responsible to keep God’s Word: “If ye love me, keep my commandments.” (John 14:15)

When we keep God’s testimonies, He will not hold us in reproach of contempt.

There are blessings for all who will keep God’s Words and His testimonies:

“Ye have not left your brethren these many days unto this day, but have kept the charge of the commandment of the Lord your God. And now the Lord your God hath given rest unto your brethren, as he promised them: therefore now return ye, and get you unto your tents, and unto the land of your possession, which Moses the servant of the Lord gave you on the other side Jordan.” (Joshua 22:3-4)

“I was also upright before him, and have kept myself from mine iniquity. Therefore the Lord hath recompensed me according to my righteousness; according to my cleanness in his eye sight.” (2 Samuel 22:24-25)

“Concerning the works of men, by the word of thy lips I have kept me from the paths of the destroyer. Hold up my goings in thy paths, that my footsteps slip not.” (Psalm 17:4-5)

“If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love.” (John 15:10)

According to these verses, the benefits to keeping God’s laws are:

– God’s promises fulfilled

– God cleansing us and seeing us as righteous and clean

– God holding our footsteps

– Abiding in God’s love

If we do our part, God will do more than His part back to us. With these promises, why do we hesitate to keep God’s commandments?

In difficult outward circumstances (accusation, murmuring against, etc.) how do we respond? Do we let ourselves get crushed by the enemy’s attacks? or do we meditate in God’s Words? What comfort do we find in God’s Word? Can we bring it to our mind to meditate on it at any time? How important it is to hide God’s Words in our heart so that we can meditate on it.

Going back to verse 20, “My soul breaketh for the longing that it hath unto thy judgments at all times.” Do we long for and delight in God’s Words? Can we truly say that “This is my delight.”

Above that: who – or what – counsels us?

“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.” (2 Timothy 3:16-17)

“According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.” (2 Peter 1:3-4)

God has given us all the things we need for counsel in any decision. But we don’t gain it immediately because we’re Christians. As Psalm 119 has been reiterating, we must seek God and His Word and then apply it.

Psalm 119:17-20

Why do we want God to deal bountifully with us? Honestly? We like to live a successful life; we like to be at ease, in comfort. But why? So we can live how we want to.

But what is the Psalmist’s motive for asking for God’s bountiful dealings? To the end that he could live to keep God’s Word.

It is interesting to compare this with a couple Proverbs:

“He taught me also, and said unto me, Let thine heart retain my words: keep my commandments, and live.” (Proverbs 4:4)

“Keep my commandments, and live; and my law as the apple of thine eye.” (Proverbs 7:2)

When we keep God’s law, we will find that life is more abundant for living. Also, keeping God’s law protects our lives.

Before any person can behold wondrous things from God’s law, their eyes must be opened. “But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.”(1 Corinthians 2:14)

Once our eyes are opened, we still can pray for God to reveal His Word to us, that we can learn as we read.

As strangers and pilgrims in this earth, we need God’s commandments to guide us. God’s Word is our instruction book to reach His home, are we using it? If we but seek Him, He will guide us.

What do we long (desire) for? Do we long for God’s judgments so much that our soul breaks (crush, dissolve) for it? How do we treat God’s judgments? Do we long for it? Do we desire it? If so, then that should show in our life, our behavior. How often do we turn to God’s Word? Only on Sundays? Once a day? That does not reflect someone who truly desiresGod’s Word. Oh, may the Lord increase my desire for His Word that I desire it more and more!

Delight – OT:8173 sha`a` (shaw-ah’); a primitive root; (in a good acceptation) to look upon (with complacency), i.e. fondle, please or amuse (self); (in a bad one) to look about (in dismay), i.e. stare:

“In the multitude of my thoughts within me thy comforts delightmy soul.” (Psalm 94:19)

“And I will delight myself in thy commandments, which I have loved.” (Psalm 119:47)

“Their heart is as fat as grease; but I delight in thy law.” (Psalm 119:70)

All of these verses have one thing in common: delighting in God’s words. Do we find God’s Word our delight? or has something else taken its place?

Forget – OT:7911 shakach (shaw-kakh’); or shakeach (shaw-kay’-akh); a primitive root; to mislay, i.e. to be oblivious of, from want of memory or attention:

If God’s statutes are my delight, then I won’t easily forget them. In a way, this makes me think of 2 Timothy 2:15, “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” I have found that whenever I put forth effort to study God’s Word, I am less likely to forget it than if I merely read it over or hear someone else mention it. If we are applying the former verses of this passage and seeking God and His Word, we will not be likely to forget it. If we find that we are forgetting God’s Word, perhaps we should dedicate more time to seriouslyseek His Word.

There are so many verses referencing our ability to forget God and His Word – may we not be proud to think that “I’ll never forget” but take these warnings to heart.

“Only take heed to thyself, and keep thy soul diligently, lest thou forget the things which thine eyes have seen, and lest they depart from thy heart all the days of thy life: but teach them thy sons, and thy sons’ sons;” (Deuteronomy 4:9)

“Take heed unto yourselves, lest ye forget the covenant of the Lord your God, which he made with you, and make you a graven image, or the likeness of any thing, which the Lord thy God hath forbidden thee.” (Deuteronomy 4:23)

“Then beware lest thou forget the Lord, which brought thee forth out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage.” (Deuteronomy 6:12)

“Beware that thou forget not the Lord thy God, in not keeping his commandments, and his judgments, and his statutes, which I command thee this day:”(Deuteronomy 8:11)

“All this is come upon us; yet have we not forgotten thee, neither have we dealt falsely in thy covenant.” (Psalm 44:16)

“If we have forgotten the name of our God, or stretched out our hands to a strange god; Shall not God search this out? for he knoweth the secrets of the heart.”(Psalm 44:20-21)

“Now consider this, ye that forget God, lest I tear you in pieces, and there be none to deliver.” (Psalm 50:22)

“That they might set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments:” (Psalm 78:5)

“Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits:” (Psalm 103:2)

“I will never forget thy precepts: for with them thou hast quickened me.”(Psalm 119:93)

“I am small and despised: yet do not I forget thy precepts.” (Psalm 119:141)

“My son, forget not my law; but let thine heart keep my commandments:”(Proverbs 3:1)

Psalm 119:13-15

From God’s mouth to our lips. Do we take what God has taught us and, in return, teach others? This reminds me of the Psalm I read this morning: “God be merciful unto us, and bless us; and cause his face to shine upon us; Selah. That thy way may be known upon earth, thy saving health among all nations.” (Psalms 67:1-2) God has given us amazing blessings and mercy – do we, in return, share that with others? that His way may be known upon the earth? We must remember our responsibility: “For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more.” (Luke 12:48)

Rejoiced – (7797 – siys) be bright, i.e. cheerful

We are not to simply rejoice in God’s testimonies – but in the way of His testimonies! If we were to suddenly gain wealth, wouldn’t our way seem so much brighter? Our fears dissolved? In the same way, we are to view God’s testimonies. We have all that we need by God’s testimonies (“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.” 2 Timothy 3:16-17). Are we rejoicing in that way or view it as a burden? (a ridiculous response to wealth: “*Sigh* I have all this money; it’s such a burden to deal with, to provide what I need.” – but how often is that our attitude towards God’s Word?)

Meditate – OT:7878 siyach (see’-akh); a primitive root; to ponder, i.e. (by implication) converse (with oneself, and hence, aloud) or (transitively) utter:

It is interesting that this Hebrew word is translated not only as “meditate” but also “to speak.” To meditate on God’s Word is not only to hoard it to ourselves, but to think on it so much that it then becomes our manner of speech:

“Sing unto him, sing psalms unto him: talk ye of all his wondrous works.” (Psalm 105:2)

“Princes also did sit and speak against me: but thy servant did meditatein thy statutes.” (Psalm 119:23)

“Make me to understand the way of thy precepts: so shall I talk of thy wondrous works.” (Psalm 119:27)

“My hands also will I lift up unto thy commandments, which I have loved; and I will meditate in thy statutes.” (Psalm 119:48)

“Let the proud be ashamed; for they dealt perversely with me without a cause: but I will meditate in thy precepts.” (Psalm 119:78)

“Mine eyes prevent the night watches, that I might meditatein thy word.” (Psalm 119:148)

“I remember the days of old; I meditate on all thy works; I museon the work of thy hands.” (Psalm 143:5)

“I will speak of the glorious honour of thy majesty, and of thy wondrous works.” (Psalm 145:5)

Respect – OT:5027 nabat (naw-bat’); a primitive root; to scan, i.e. look intently at; by implication, to regard with pleasure, favor or care:

To respect God’s ways is not to merely think highly of them. It gives the same implication as verse 14, “I have rejoiced in the way of thy testimonies, as much as in all riches.”God’s ways, to the believer, should be that which we dive into with delight and carefulness.

This is the same Hebrew word used in the following verses:

“Then shall I not be ashamed, when I have respect unto all thy commandments.” (Psalm 119:6)

“Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law.” (Psalm 119:18)

“Let thine eyes look right on, and let thine eyelids look straight before thee.” (Proverbs 4:25)

Psalm 119:9-12

Cleanse – OT:2135 zakah (zaw-kaw’); a primitive root [compare OT:2141]; to be translucent; figuratively, to be innocent:

Way – OT:734 ‘orach (o’-rakh); from OT:732; a well-trodden road (literally or figuratively); also a caravan:

Taking heed – OT:8104 shamar (shaw-mar’); a primitive root; properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e. guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc.:

This verse begins with a question, then gives the answer. Every person has the opportunity to cleanse his way. I found it interesting that the Hebrew word for “way” means, “a well-trodden road.” Is there any road that takes us too far from Christ’s cleansing?

The whole reason that Christ came was to purchase for Himself the church. To wash and cleanse her: “Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,”(Ephesians 5:25-26) God has made every way available for our cleansing – but it is our choice whether or not to accept this cleansing. We can be cleansed for salvation and then we can be cleansed after salvation: “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9)

God’s Word has proven to us that It is cleansing – that He cleanses. Will we take heed to it? Will we walk by It?

This verse reminds me of a previous verse: “Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, and that seek him with the whole heart.”(Psalm 119:2) By seeking God wholly, we will learn His commandments. But then we have a responsibility – will we keep the commandments that we have sought? It takes effort to seek, and it takes effort to keep.

“Hid” means, “to hide (by covering over); by implication, to hoard or reserve; figuratively to deny; specifically (favorably) to protect, (unfavorably) to lurk:” (6845, tsaphan)

I like the idea to “hoard of reserve.” This thought usually takes one’s mind to treasure – which God’s Word is (“More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward.” Psalm 19:10-11). Do we hoard this revenue of treasure given to us? Or do we take it for granted – looking at it only when is convenient? Our heart is but a jewelry box waiting to be filled – are we going to the dollar store (the world) and buying all of these artificial pearls and glass jewelry to fill our jewelry box? That is the easy – and cheap – way to be filled. But what about the lasting way? To seek, search, and find treasures that are eternal and everlasting!

Am I asking God to teach me His statutes? He will, if I only ask Him.

It is interesting before the request, David said, “Blessed art Thou, O Lord.” To me, this seems to indicate his adoration and thanksgiving to God. What is our attitude towards God? We will not be receptive to His teaching if our hearts do not acknowledge Who He is.

Psalm 119:5-8

Who else can direct our ways but God Himself? But God does not force His ways upon us. Instead, He extends to us the choice whether or not we will seek Him and His direction.

“In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” (Proverbs 3:6)

“A man’s heart deviseth his way: but the Lord directeth his steps.” (Proverbs 16:6)

There seems to be a fine line between our hearts and our ways with the Lord’s direction. If we never acknowledge Him and His ways, He will not direct us. So the question is: do I want God to direct me? If so, am I moldable to where He can direct me?

What does it mean to “have respect” to God’s commandments? The Hebrew word nabat (5027) means, “to scan, i.e. look intently at; by implication, to regard with pleasure, favor or care:” There is no shame for the believer who relies heavily on God’s Word and finds It their source of pleasure.

Are we ashamed of God’s Word? or are we ashamed because we’ve not been in God’s Word?

“Let my heart be sound in thy statutes; that I be not ashamed.” (Psalm 119:80)

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.” (Romans 1:16)

“For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.” (2 Timothy 1:12)

The more we learn of God’s righteous judgments, the more we will realize how we should praise Him. Take, for instance, the Psalms:

            – 132 verses mention “praise”

            – 19 verses “praises”

            – 6 verses “praised”

That is a total of 157 verses (188 individual times) that a form of “praise” is mentioned in the Psalms. If we poured over the Psalms alone, we would glean so many reasons to praise our Lord.

We expect God to keep His promises (“O forsake me not utterly”), but do we intend to show effort on our part? If God’s promises were based on how we performed, we would not be as richly blessed as we are daily. Are we willing to, in gratitude, keep God’s statutes because He is faithful?

Just a few promises of God’s faithfulness:

“And they that know thy name will put their trust in thee: for thou, Lord, hast not forsaken them that seek thee.” (Psalm 9:10)

“I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.” (Psalm 37:25)

“For the Lord loveth judgment, and forsaketh not his saints; they are preserved for ever: but the seed of the wicked shall be cut off.” (Psalm 37:28)

“For the Lord will not cast off his people, neither will he forsake his inheritance.” (Psalm 94:14)