Week 47, November 17–23: Hebrews 10–13; Daniel; James 1–2; Psalm 119–124

• Sun      11/17  Heb 10–13     
• Mon     11/18  Psalm 119
• Tue      11/19  Dan 1–2, Psalm 120
• Wed     11/20  Dan 3–5, Psalm 121
• Thu      11/21  Dan 6–8, Psalm 122
• Fri        11/22  Dan 9–12, Psalm 123
• Sat       11/23  James 1–2, Psalm 124

This week we read Psalm 119. It is a long psalm, composed in an acrostic pattern with every line in each of the twenty-two stanzas beginning with a subsequent letter of the Hebrew alphabet—one stanza for each letter. The psalm is all about the Torah, which is translated “law” in our ESV Bibles, but it means “teaching” more broadly. It refers to Scripture, God’s word. The psalmist uses several words, basically as synonyms for “Torah”, to refer to what God has said, revealed through the writing of Moses and the other biblical authors: law, testimonies, statutes, commandments, precepts, rules, etc. These all refer to the word of God, and Psalm 119 shapes our own hearts and minds to seek the Lord in our Bibles too.

The psalm begins in a way that recalls the opening of the Psalter in Psalm 1. Those who walk in the Torah of the Lord, keep his testimonies, and seek the Lord with their whole hearts will be blessed (Ps. 119:1–2), just as the one whose delight is in the Torah of the Lord and who meditates on the Torah day and night. (Ps. 1:1–2)

Psalm 119 explores and extols Scripture from several angles. Here are a few representative verses for some of the main motifs interwoven throughout Psalm 119.

• God’s word is a guide to living a life pleasing to God.

How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word. With my whole heart I seek you; let me not wander from your commandments! I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you. (vv9–11)

Turn my eyes from looking at worthless things; and give me life in your ways. (v37)

Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. (v105)

• We should seek and long for God’s word.

With my whole heart I seek you; let me not wander from your commandments! (v10)

My soul is consumed with longing for your rules at all times. (v20)

My soul longs for your salvation; I hope in your word. My eyes long for your promise; I ask, “When will you comfort me?” (vv81–82)

• God’s word is a comfort in suffering.

My soul melts away for sorrow; strengthen me according to your word! (v28)

Remember your word to your servant, in which you have made me hope. This is my comfort in my affliction, that your promise gives me life. The insolent utterly deride me, but I do not turn away from your law. When I think of your rules from of old, I take comfort, O LORD. (vv49–52)

It is good for me that I was afflicted, that I might learn your statutes. (v71)

I am severely afflicted; give me life, O LORD, according to your word! (v107)

Trouble and anguish have found me out, but your commandments are my delight. (v143)

• God’s word judges those who reject it.

You rebuke the insolent, accursed ones, who wander from your commandments. (v21)

You spurn all who go astray from your statutes, for their cunning is in vain. All the wicked of the earth you discard like dross, therefore I love your testimonies. (vv118–119)

Salvation is far from the wicked, for they do not seek your statutes. (v155)

• We should be grieved and troubled when God’s word is neglected and rejected.

It is time for the LORD to act, for your law has been broken. Therefore I love your commandments above gold, above fine gold. Therefore I consider all your precepts to be right; I hate every false way. (vv126–128)

My eyes shed streams of tears, because people do not keep your law. (v136)

My zeal consumes me, because my foes forget your words. (v139)

I hate and abhor falsehood, but I love your law. (v163)

• We should declare God’s word to others.

With my lips I declare all the rules of your mouth. (v13)

I will also speak of your testimonies before kings and shall not be put to shame. (v46)

My lips will pour forth praise, for you teach me your statutes. My tongue will sing of your word, for all your commandments are right. (vv171–172)

• God’s word is a joyful delight.

In the way of your testimonies I delight as much as in all riches. (v14)

How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth! (v103)

Therefore I love your commandments above gold, above fine gold. (v127)

• We need God’s help to love and know him through his word.

Deal bountifully with your servant, that I may live and keep your word. Open my eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of your law. (vv17–18)

Teach me, O LORD, the way of your statutes; and I will keep it to the end. Give me understanding, that I may keep your law and observe it with my whole heart. (vv33–37)

• Praising God cannot be separated from reading and loving his word.

Blessed are you, O LORD; teach me your statutes! (v12)

The earth, O LORD, is full of your steadfast love; teach me your statutes! (v64)

Accept my freewill offerings of praise, O LORD, and teach me your rules. (v108)

My lips will pour forth praise, for you teach me your statutes. (v171)

We are investing time and effort into doing this Bible read thru, and it is because we believe what Psalm 119 has to say. Let us remind ourselves of why we are doing this by returning to this psalm again in times of joy and in times of weariness or struggle.

The sum of your word is truth, and every one of your righteous rules endures forever. (v160)