Tag: Psalm 119
Sunday rest–“This is the Day!”
Greetings in the Wonderful Name of Jesus Christ!
As we reflect on the readings of this past week, one of the psalms comes immediately to mind: Psalm 118. The very center of the Bible, as far as number of verses, is Psalm 118:8: “It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in man”. This really mirrors the theme of the entire Bible. This chapter occurs between the shortest chapter in the Bible, Psalm 117, and the longest chapter in the Bible, Psalm 119.
This chapter is also the last of a series of psalms called the “Hallel”, which is the Hebrew word for “praise the Lord”! This series from Psalm 111-118 was read during Passover week and Psalm 118 concluded the Passover meal as the final cup was taken and the coming Messiah was anticipated. Jesus most likely would have read this psalm at the Last Supper with His disciples before He led them out to the Garden of Gethsemane.
The psalm begins with thanks to the Lord for His goodness and love. The psalmist recorded his anguish of crying out to the Lord and the Lord setting him free. (Psalm 118:5-6) He was convinced that the Lord was with him and that was all the help he would need in this painful situation. The psalmist was surrounded by the nations on every side, but in the name of the Lord he cut them off. They swarmed around him like bees, but he cut them off again. (Psalm 118:10-12) He was about to fall, but the Lord helped him. He became his strength and song, and ultimately his salvation. (Psalm 118:15-16)
The psalmist proclaims that he will live and not die, but proclaim what the Lord has done! God had chastened him severely, but not given him over to death. He cried out for God to open the gates of righteousness which the righteous may enter and thank the Lord for His goodness and salvation. God, Himself, had become his salvation! The Lord, Himself had done this–what a marvelous sight! (Psalm 118:17-23) The cornerstone that the builders had rejected had become the chief cornerstone!
Psalm 118:24 declares that: “This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it!” That Passover day was the crucifixion of Jesus Christ for our sins! He was not given over to death, only chastened severely by the Lord! The gate of righteousness was opened for all who would believe! The Lord did it all! It is marvelous in our eyes! Hallelujah!
The matchless Word of God
Scripture reading for June 26: Psalm 119
My favorite person to study is God! In order to know Him, I must study His matchless Word! Jesus was the Word made flesh who lived among us. (John 1:14) His Word is truth just as He is the Truth! (John 17:17) His Word is eternal just as He is eternal, without beginning or ending! (Psalm 119:89) (Matthew 24:35) His Word contains all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge just as in Christ are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge! (Colossians 2:2-3) His Word is Spirit and Life, bringing God’s Spirit and Life into my inner man and bringing Light to my eyes. (Psalm 119:105) (John 6:63) His Word keeps me from sin and purifies my life, because the Word is righteous and true! (Psalm 119:11) (John 17:17)
In all but two verses, this psalm uses one of six different terms that refer to God’s Word. The first term is the “law” of the Lord. (Psalm 119:1) Laws are unchanging truths written down declaring God’s will. Laws are used to judge and to decree acceptable and unacceptable behavior. They are written down to be learned and obeyed! The next word is “statutes” (Psalm 119:2) A statute gives us instruction. They are like laws, but with more wisdom and instruction. “Precepts” is another term used by the psalmist, and is a statement of truth that is binding and permanent. God’s precepts are made for obedience! (Psalm 119:4) A “decree” is a statement of revealed truth about any given subject. God’s decrees are truth to be obeyed! (Psalm 119:5) “Commands” are forceful statements used to declare a direction or act that is imperative. Commands possess authority to command action! (Psalm 119:9, 11) “Promise” is something that is decreed to happen or be fulfilled by the Giver of the promise: God Who is totally trustworthy.
These terms help us to understand the beautiful holiness of God and His matchless Word. In the final chapter of Scripture, an angel tells the Apostle John that his Words are trustworthy and true! (Revelation 22:6) He is further warned against adding to or taking away from the Word given to him! Anyone who tries to change God’s Word is in danger of losing their share in the tree of Life and the Holy City! (Revelation 22:18-19) What attribute of God’s Word fascinates you the most and why?
God’s everlasting Word!
Scripture reading for June 27th: Psalm 119
My favorite person to study is God! In order to know Him, we must study His matchless Word! Jesus was the Word made flesh who lived among us. (John 1:14) His Word is Truth! (John 17:17) His Word is eternal just as He is eternal! (Psalm 119:89) (Matthew 24:35) His Word contains all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge! (Colossians 2:2-3) His Word is Spirit and life, bringing God’s life into our inner man and light to our eyes instead of darkness! (Psalm 119:105) (John 6:63) His Word keeps us from sin and purifies us! (Psalm 119:11) (John 17:17)
In all but two verses, this psalm uses one of six different terms that refer to the Word of God. The first term is the “law” of the Lord (Psalm 119:1) Laws are unchanging truths written down to know God’s will. Laws are used to judge and to decree acceptable and unacceptable behavior. The next word is “statute” (Psalm 119:2) A statute gives us instruction. “Precepts” is another term used by the psalmist. A precept is a statement of truth that is binding and permanent. (Psalm 119:4) The next word is “decree”. A decree is a statement of revealed truth about any given subject. (Psalm 119:5) Another word used is “command”. Commands are forceful statements used to declare a direction or act that is imperative. Commands possess authority to command action! God is a God with absolute authority whose “Word” is to be respected, heeded, taken into our hearts, and obeyed! (Psalm 119:9, 11) “Promise” is used in Psalm 119:38. A promise is something that is decreed to happen or be fulfilled by the giver of the promise! God’s promises are true and trustworthy!
These terms help us to understand the beautiful holiness of God and His matchless Word. In the final chapter of Scripture, an angel tells the Apostle John that his Words are trustworthy and true! (Revelation 22:6) He is further warned against adding to or taking away from the Word given to him! Anyone who tries to change God’s Word is in danger of losing their share in the tree of Life and the Holy City! (Revelation 22:18-19) Let us honor God’s Word every day by reading it, meditating on it, memorizing it, and putting it into daily practice! Honor God and claim His promises by faith!
God’s eternal Word!
Scripture reading for June 27th: Psalm 119
My favorite person to study is God! In order to know Him, I must study His matchless Word! Jesus was the Word made flesh. (John 1:14) His Word is truth just as He is the Truth! (John 17:17) His Word is eternal just as He is eternal! (Psalm 119:89) (Matthew 24:35) His Word contains all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge as in Christ are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge! (Colossians 2:2-3) His Word is Spirit and Life, bringing God’s Spirit and Life into my inner man! (Psalm 119:105) (John 6:63) His Word keeps me from sin and purifies my life! (Psalm 119:11) (John 17:17)
Psalm 119 uses six different terms that refer to the Word of God. These words help us to understand the nature of God’s Word and God Himself! The first term is the “law” of the Lord (Psalm 119:1) Laws are unchanging truths written down to know God’s will. Laws are used to set forth acceptable and unacceptable behavior. They are written down to be learned and obeyed!
The next word is “statute.” (Psalm 119:2) A statute gives us instruction. They are like laws, but with more wisdom and instruction. “Precept” is another term used by the psalmist. A precept is a statement of truth that is binding and permanent. God’s precepts are made for obedience! (Psalm 119:4) Another word is “decree”. A decree is a statement of revealed truth about any given subject. (Psalm 119:5) The next term used is “command”. Commands are forceful statements used to declare a direction or act that is imperative. Commands possess authority to command action! God’s commands are to be respected, heeded and obeyed! (Psalm 119:9, 11) “Promise” is the sixth term used in Psalm 119:38. A promise is something that is decreed to happen or be fulfilled by God! God’s promises are true and trustworthy!
These terms help us to understand the beautiful holiness of God and His matchless Word. In the final chapter of Scripture, an angel tells the Apostle John that His Words are trustworthy and true! (Revelation 22:6) He further warned us against adding to or taking away from the Word! Anyone who tries to change God’s Word is in danger of losing their share in the tree of Life and the Holy City! (Revelation 22:18-19) Let us honor God’s Word every day by reading it, meditating on it, memorizing it, and putting it into daily practice!
Wonderful Word of God!
Scripture reading for June 28th: Psalms 119
“Your statutes are wonderful; therefore I obey them. The unfolding of your words gives light; it give understanding to the simple.” (Psalm 119:129-130)
Psalm 119 is all about the word of God! The psalmist used every letter of the Hebrew alphabet to build successive eight verse stanzas for this magnificent tribute to God’s word. Every verse, except four, contains a reference in some form to the word of God.
God’s word has many practical uses for those who love it and obey. One of the things mentioned in this psalm is the fact that God’s word is a light to our path and a lamp to our feet. (Psalm 119:105) The word of God can show us daily the steps we need to take. It can keep us from stumbling on the path of life because it exposes the dangers and pitfalls. It also tells us how to live successfully in the blessing of God by living a life of integrity and righteousness. God directs our path, laying out a purpose and plan for us. It is wonderful not to have to stumble along through life, not knowing where we are going or what life is all about! It is all about God and His word when we love it and believe it!
The psalmist also mentions afflictions several times. “It was good for me to be afflicted so that I might learn your decrees. The law from your mouth is more precious to me than thousands of pieces of silver and gold.” (Psalm 119:71-72) Trials and troubles can either help us or cause us to turn away from the Lord. When we turn to God’s word during our afflictions, we learn how precious God is to us. He becomes more valuable than silver or gold and He is always with us and desires our highest good!
“Let me live that I may praise You, and may your laws sustain me. I have strayed like a lost sheep. Seek your servant, for I have not forgotten your commands.” (Psalm 119:175-176) The set of eight verses is a cry for help from the psalmist to the Lord for mercy through His word. God’s word reveals His compassion and desire to help us be over comers. We need a Shepherd for we are like lost sheep. In Jesus Christ, the Word made flesh, these prayers are fully answered!
God’s Eternal Word!
Scripture reading for June 27th: Psalm 119
My favorite person to study is God! In order to know Him, I must study His matchless Word! Jesus was the Word made flesh who lived among us. (John 1:14) His Word is truth just as He is the Truth! (John 17:17) His Word is eternal just as He is eternal, without beginning or ending! (Psalm 119:89) (Matthew 24:35) His Word contains all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge just as in Christ are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge! (Colossians 2:2-3) His Word is Spirit and Life, bringing God’s Spirit and Life into my inner man and bringing Light to my eyes instead of darkness! (Psalm 119:105) (John 6:63) His Word keeps me from sin and purifies my life, because the Word is righteous and true for all peoples of all time and into eternity! (Psalm 119:11) (John 17:17)
In all but two verses, this psalm uses one of six different terms that refer to the Word of God. These words help us to understand the nature of God’s Word and to honor and respect it and God Himself! The first term is the “law” of the Lord (Psalm 119:1) Laws are unchanging truths written down to know God’s will. Laws are used to judge and to decree acceptable and unacceptable behavior. They are written down to be learned and obeyed! The next word is “statutes” (Psalm 119:2) A statute gives us instruction. They are like laws, but with more wisdom and instruction. “Precepts” is another term used by the psalmist. A precept is a statement of truth that is binding and permanent. God’s precepts are made for obedience! (Psalm 119:4) The next word is “decree”. A decree is a statement of revealed truth about any given subject. God’s decrees are truth to be obeyed! (Psalm 119:5) The next term used is “commands”. Commands are forceful statements used to declare a direction or act that is imperative. Commands possess authority to command action! God is a God with absolute authority whose “Word” is to be respected, heeded, taken into our hearts, and obeyed! (Psalm 119:9, 11) “Promise” is another term used in Psalm 119:38. A promise is something that is decreed to happen or be fulfilled by the giver of the promise! God’s promises are true and trustworthy!
These terms help us to understand the beautiful holiness of God and His matchless Word. In the final chapter of Scripture, an angel tells the Apostle John that his Words are trustworthy and true! (Revelation 22:6) He is further warned against adding to or taking away from the Word given to him! Anyone who tries to change God’s Word is in danger of losing their share in the tree of Life and the Holy City! (Revelation 22:18-19) Let us honor God’s Word every day by reading it, meditating on it, memorizing it, and putting it into daily practice!