Psalm 119:1-32 - His Word Is True

Over the next few days we will be reading through the longest psalm and the longest chapter in the Bible.  It may have been written by a man by the name of Ezra, who was a priest, after the temple was rebuilt; found in Ezra 6:14,15). During this time it would of been a repetitive meditation on the beauty of God's Word and how it helps us stay pure and grow in faith. Psalm 119 has 22 carefully constructed sections, each corresponding to a different letter of its section.  Almost every verse mentions God's Word.  Such repetition was common in the Hebrew culture.  People did not have personal copies of the Scriptures to read as we do, so God's people memorized his Word and passed it along orally. 

Psalm 119:9 - "How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to your word"

We are drowning in a sea of impurity.  Everywhere we look we find temptation to lead impure lives.  The psalmist asked a question that troubles us all:  how do we stay pure in a filthy environment? We cannot do this on our own, but must have counsel and strength more dynamic than the tempting influences around us.  Where can we find that strength and wisdom?  By reading God's Word and doing what it says!

Psalm 119:11 - "I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you"

Hiding (keeping) God's Word in our hearts is an encouragement for us to sin. This alone should inspire us to memorize Scripture.  But memorization alone will not keep us from sin; we must also put God's Word to work in our lives, making it a vital guide for everything we do.

Psalm 119:12-24 -- This section of Scripture is notated below. 

When it comes to rules, sometimes we are impaired to their real meaning and what they can offer us.   We sometimes think that rules restrict us from doing what we want.  At first glance, it may seem strange to hear the psalmist talk of rejoicing in following God's statues as much as in great riches.  But God's laws were given to free us to be all he wants us to be.  They restrict us from doing what might cripple us and keep us from being our best. God's guidelines help us follow his path and avoid paths that lead to destruction.

Psalm 119:19 - "I am a stranger on earth; do not hide your commands from me"

The psalmist says that he is a "stranger on earth," and so he needed guidance.  Almost any long trip requires a map or guide.  As we travel through life, the Bible should be our road map pointing out safe routes, obstacles to avoid and our final destination. We must recognize ourselves as pilgrims, travelers here on earth who eed to study God's map to learn the way.  If we ignore the map, we will wander aimlessly through life and risk missing our real destination.

Psalm 119:27,28 - "Let me understand the teaching of your precepts; then I will meditate on your wonders. 28-My soul is weary with sorrow; strengthen me according to your word"

Our lives are cluttered with rule books, but the authors never come with us to help us follow the rules. But God does.  That is the uniqueness of our Bible.  God not only provides the rules and guidelines, but comes with us personally each day to strengthen us so that we can live according to those rules.  All we must do is invite him and respond to his direction.

*** Before each section, a word and sometimes a symbol appear. These words are the English names of the letters of the Hebrew alphabet. The symbols represent the Hebrew letters. So what is their meaning?

Psalm 119, like most of the psalms, was originally composed as a song to be sung in praising God. But it is also written in a unique poetic form known as an acrostic. In an acrostic, the first verse begins with a word starting with the first letter of the Hebrew alphabet, Aleph. The second verse then begins with a word starting with the second letter, Beth. This pattern continues until the alphabet is used up.