Read, Learn and Digest
Opening Prayer
Father, I pray that You will speak to me through Your Word and give me strength to put what You say into practice.
Read Psalm 119:1–24
For additional translations of the passage, use this link to Bible Gateway.
1 Blessed are those whose ways are blameless,
who walk according to the law of the Lord.
2 Blessed are those who keep his statutes
and seek him with all their heart—
3 they do no wrong
but follow his ways.
4 You have laid down precepts
that are to be fully obeyed.
5 Oh, that my ways were steadfast
in obeying your decrees!
6 Then I would not be put to shame
when I consider all your commands.
7 I will praise you with an upright heart
as I learn your righteous laws.
8 I will obey your decrees;
do not utterly forsake me.
ב Beth
9 How can a young person stay on the path of purity?
By living according to your word.
10 I seek you with all my heart;
do not let me stray from your commands.
11 I have hidden your word in my heart
that I might not sin against you.
12 Praise be to you, Lord;
teach me your decrees.
13 With my lips I recount
all the laws that come from your mouth.
14 I rejoice in following your statutes
as one rejoices in great riches.
15 I meditate on your precepts
and consider your ways.
16 I delight in your decrees;
I will not neglect your word.
ג Gimel
17 Be good to your servant while I live,
that I may obey your word.
18 Open my eyes that I may see
wonderful things in your law.
19 I am a stranger on earth;
do not hide your commands from me.
20 My soul is consumed with longing
for your laws at all times.
21 You rebuke the arrogant, who are accursed,
those who stray from your commands.
22 Remove from me their scorn and contempt,
for I keep your statutes.
23 Though rulers sit together and slander me,
your servant will meditate on your decrees.
24 Your statutes are my delight;
they are my counselors.
New International Version (NIV)
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
On a scale from 1–10 how much do you love God’s Word? How does it compare to the psalmist’s love for the Word?Psalm 119 is the longest psalm in the Bible. It consists of blocks of eight verses. Each block uses a consecutive letter of the Hebrew alphabet to begin each verse. Verses 1–24 are the first three blocks. Verses 1–8 focus on God’s Word as the basis for ethical living. Verses 9–16 focus on God as the teacher of wisdom and the psalmist’s need for God’s help to live that out. In verses
17–24 the psalmist complains about the distressing circumstances of persecution he faces. The psalmist himself is the young man he speaks of in verse 9.
As you read, look for the positive reasons for living according to God’s Word (1,2,6,7,14,22). What are some of the implied consequences of not living according to God’s Word (6,8,9,11,21)?
Remember that this psalm is a prayerful meditation of the place of God’s Word in the life of the person who wants to live for God. It isn’t an argument for a legalistic keeping of God’s Word. Like the psalmist, we need the Holy Spirit to bring God’s Word to life for us and to help us to live it out (10).
Apply
Which verse sums up what you want to live out according to God’s Word? Write it down and make it your prayer this week.
Closing prayer
Father, I pray for those who preach Your Word, that they do so with clarity and a love for the Word.
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