Deuteronomy 4:2: �You shall not add to the word which I command you, nor take anything from it� (also Deuteronomy 12:32). The reason God says this is because �The entirety of Your word is truth� (Psalms 119: 160).
1Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the LORD.
2Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, and that seek him with the whole heart.
3They also do no iniquity: they walk in his ways.
4Thou hast commanded us to keep thy precepts diligently.
5O that my ways were directed to keep thy statutes!
6Then shall I not be ashamed, when I have respect unto all thy commandments.
7I will praise thee with uprightness of heart, when I shall have learned thy righteous judgments.
8I will keep thy statutes: O forsake me not utterly.
9Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word.
10With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments.
11Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.
12Blessed art thou, O LORD: teach me thy statutes.
13With my lips have I declared all the judgments of thy mouth.
14I have rejoiced in the way of thy testimonies, as much as in all riches.
15I will meditate in thy precepts, and have respect unto thy ways.
16I will delight myself in thy statutes: I will not forget thy word.
17Deal bountifully with thy servant, that I may live, and keep thy word.
18Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law.
19I am a stranger in the earth: hide not thy commandments from me.
20My soul breaketh for the longing that it hath unto thy judgments at all times.
21Thou hast rebuked the proud that are cursed, which do err from thy commandments.
22Remove from me reproach and contempt; for I have kept thy testimonies.
23Princes also did sit and speak against me: but thy servant did meditate in thy statutes.
24Thy testimonies also are my delight and my counselors.
25My soul cleaveth unto the dust: quicken thou me according to thy word.
26I have declared my ways, and thou heardest me: teach me thy statutes.
27Make me to understand the way of thy precepts: so shall I talk of thy wondrous works.
28My soul melteth for heaviness: strengthen thou me according unto thy word.
29Remove from me the way of lying: and grant me thy law graciously.
30I have chosen the way of truth: thy judgments have I laid before me.
31I have stuck unto thy testimonies: O LORD, put me not to shame.
32I will run the way of thy commandments, when thou shalt enlarge my heart.
33Teach me, O LORD, the way of thy statutes; and I shall keep it unto the end.
34Give me understanding, and I shall keep thy law; yea, I shall observe it with my whole heart.
35Make me to go in the path of thy commandments; for therein do I delight.
36Incline my heart unto thy testimonies, and not to covetousness.
37Turn away mine eyes from beholding vanity; and quicken thou me in thy way.
38Stablish thy word unto thy servant, who is devoted to thy fear.
39Turn away my reproach which I fear: for thy judgments are good.
40Behold, I have longed after thy precepts: quicken me in thy righteousness.
41Let thy mercies come also unto me, O LORD, even thy salvation, according to thy word.
42So shall I have wherewith to answer him that reproacheth me: for I trust in thy word.
43And take not the word of truth utterly out of my mouth; for I have hoped in thy judgments.
44So shall I keep thy law continually for ever and ever.
45And I will walk at liberty: for I seek thy precepts.
46I will speak of thy testimonies also before kings, and will not be ashamed.
47And I will delight myself in thy commandments, which I have loved.
48My hands also will I lift up unto thy commandments, which I have loved; and I will meditate in thy statutes.
49Remember the word unto thy servant, upon which thou hast caused me to hope.
50This is my comfort in my affliction: for thy word hath quickened me.
51The proud have had me greatly in derision: yet have I not declined from thy law.
52I remembered thy judgments of old, O LORD; and have comforted myself.
53Horror hath taken hold upon me because of the wicked that forsake thy law.
54Thy statutes have been my songs in the house of my pilgrimage.
55I have remembered thy name, O LORD, in the night, and have kept thy law.
56This I had, because I kept thy precepts.
57Thou art my portion, O LORD: I have said that I would keep thy words.
58I intreated thy favour with my whole heart: be merciful unto me according to thy word.
59I thought on my ways, and turned my feet unto thy testimonies.
60I made haste, and delayed not to keep thy commandments.
61The bands of the wicked have robbed me: but I have not forgotten thy law.
62At midnight I will rise to give thanks unto thee because of thy righteous judgments.
63I am a companion of all them that fear thee, and of them that keep thy precepts.
64The earth, O LORD, is full of thy mercy: teach me thy statutes.
65Thou hast dealt well with thy servant, O LORD, according unto thy word.
66Teach me good judgment and knowledge: for I have believed thy commandments.
67Before I was afflicted I went astray: but now have I kept thy word.
68Thou art good, and doest good; teach me thy statutes.
69The proud have forged a lie against me: but I will keep thy precepts with my whole heart.
70Their heart is as fat as grease; but I delight in thy law.
71It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes.
72The law of thy mouth is better unto me than thousands of gold and silver.
73Thy hands have made me and fashioned me: give me understanding, that I may learn thy commandments.
74They that fear thee will be glad when they see me; because I have hoped in thy word.
75I know, O LORD, that thy judgments are right, and that thou in faithfulness hast afflicted me.
76Let, I pray thee, thy merciful kindness be for my comfort, according to thy word unto thy servant.
77Let thy tender mercies come unto me, that I may live: for thy law is my delight.
78Let the proud be ashamed; for they dealt perversely with me without a cause: but I will meditate in thy precepts.
79Let those that fear thee turn unto me, and those that have known thy testimonies.
80Let my heart be sound in thy statutes; that I be not ashamed.
81My soul fainteth for thy salvation: but I hope in thy word.
82Mine eyes fail for thy word, saying, When wilt thou comfort me?
83For I am become like a bottle in the smoke; yet do I not forget thy statutes.
84How many are the days of thy servant? when wilt thou execute judgment on them that persecute me?
85The proud have digged pits for me, which are not after thy law.
86All thy commandments are faithful: they persecute me wrongfully; help thou me.
87They had almost consumed me upon earth; but I forsook not thy precepts.
88Quicken me after thy lovingkindness; so shall I keep the testimony of thy mouth.
89For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven.
90Thy faithfulness is unto all generations: thou hast established the earth, and it abideth.
91They continue this day according to thine ordinances: for all are thy servants.
92Unless thy law had been my delights, I should then have perished in mine affliction.
93I will never forget thy precepts: for with them thou hast quickened me.
94I am thine, save me: for I have sought thy precepts.
95The wicked have waited for me to destroy me: but I will consider thy testimonies.
96I have seen an end of all perfection: but thy commandment is exceeding broad.
97O how love I thy law! it is my meditation all the day.
98Thou through thy commandments hast made me wiser than mine enemies: for they are ever with me.
99I have more understanding than all my teachers: for thy testimonies are my meditation.
100I understand more than the ancients, because I keep thy precepts.
101I have refrained my feet from every evil way, that I might keep thy word.
102I have not departed from thy judgments: for thou hast taught me.
103How sweet are thy words unto my taste! yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth!
104Through thy precepts I get understanding: therefore I hate every false way.
105Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.
106I have sworn, and I will perform it, that I will keep thy righteous judgments.
107I am afflicted very much: quicken me, O LORD, according unto thy word.
108Accept, I beseech thee, the freewill offerings of my mouth, O LORD, and teach me thy judgments.
109My soul is continually in my hand: yet do I not forget thy law.
110The wicked have laid a snare for me: yet I erred not from thy precepts.
111Thy testimonies have I taken as an heritage for ever: for they are the rejoicing of my heart.
112I have inclined mine heart to perform thy statutes alway, even unto the end.
113I hate vain thoughts: but thy law do I love.
114Thou art my hiding place and my shield: I hope in thy word.
115Depart from me, ye evildoers: for I will keep the commandments of my God.
116Uphold me according unto thy word, that I may live: and let me not be ashamed of my hope.
117Hold thou me up, and I shall be safe: and I will have respect unto thy statutes continually.
118Thou hast trodden down all them that err from thy statutes: for their deceit is falsehood.
119Thou puttest away all the wicked of the earth like dross: therefore I love thy testimonies.
120My flesh trembleth for fear of thee; and I am afraid of thy judgments.
121I have done judgment and justice: leave me not to mine oppressors.
122Be surety for thy servant for good: let not the proud oppress me.
123Mine eyes fail for thy salvation, and for the word of thy righteousness.
124Deal with thy servant according unto thy mercy, and teach me thy statutes.
125I am thy servant; give me understanding, that I may know thy testimonies.
126It is time for thee, LORD, to work: for they have made void thy law.
127Therefore I love thy commandments above gold; yea, above fine gold.
128Therefore I esteem all thy precepts concerning all things to be right; and I hate every false way.
129Thy testimonies are wonderful: therefore doth my soul keep them.
130The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple.
131I opened my mouth, and panted: for I longed for thy commandments.
132Look thou upon me, and be merciful unto me, as thou usest to do unto those that love thy name.
133Order my steps in thy word: and let not any iniquity have dominion over me.
134Deliver me from the oppression of man: so will I keep thy precepts.
135Make thy face to shine upon thy servant; and teach me thy statutes.
136Rivers of waters run down mine eyes, because they keep not thy law.
137Righteous art thou, O LORD, and upright are thy judgments.
138Thy testimonies that thou hast commanded are righteous and very faithful.
139My zeal hath consumed me, because mine enemies have forgotten thy words.
140Thy word is very pure: therefore thy servant loveth it.
141I am small and despised: yet do not I forget thy precepts.
142Thy righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, and thy law is the truth.
143Trouble and anguish have taken hold on me: yet thy commandments are my delights.
144The righteousness of thy testimonies is everlasting: give me understanding, and I shall live.
145I cried with my whole heart; hear me, O LORD: I will keep thy statutes.
146I cried unto thee; save me, and I shall keep thy testimonies.
147I prevented the dawning of the morning, and cried: I hoped in thy word.
148Mine eyes prevent the night watches, that I might meditate in thy word.
149Hear my voice according unto thy lovingkindness: O LORD, quicken me according to thy judgment.
150They draw nigh that follow after mischief: they are far from thy law.
151Thou art near, O LORD; and all thy commandments are truth.
152Concerning thy testimonies, I have known of old that thou hast founded them for ever.
153Consider mine affliction, and deliver me: for I do not forget thy law.
154Plead my cause, and deliver me: quicken me according to thy word.
155Salvation is far from the wicked: for they seek not thy statutes.
156Great are thy tender mercies, O LORD: quicken me according to thy judgments.
157Many are my persecutors and mine enemies; yet do I not decline from thy testimonies.
158I beheld the transgressors, and was grieved; because they kept not thy word.
159Consider how I love thy precepts: quicken me, O LORD, according to thy lovingkindness.
160Thy word is true from the beginning: and every one of thy righteous judgments endureth for ever.
161Princes have persecuted me without a cause: but my heart standeth in awe of thy word.
162I rejoice at thy word, as one that findeth great spoil.
163I hate and abhor lying: but thy law do I love.
164Seven times a day do I praise thee because of thy righteous judgments.
165Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them.
166LORD, I have hoped for thy salvation, and done thy commandments.
167My soul hath kept thy testimonies; and I love them exceedingly.
168I have kept thy precepts and thy testimonies: for all my ways are before thee.
169Let my cry come near before thee, O LORD: give me understanding according to thy word.
170Let my supplication come before thee: deliver me according to thy word.
171My lips shall utter praise, when thou hast taught me thy statutes.
172My tongue shall speak of thy word: for all thy commandments are righteousness.
173Let thine hand help me; for I have chosen thy precepts.
174I have longed for thy salvation, O LORD; and thy law is my delight.
175Let my soul live, and it shall praise thee; and let thy judgments help me.
176I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek thy servant; for I do not forget thy commandments.
Sorry, about the length, but G-d's law cannot by measured, it's SO GREAT!!!!! God Bless you for taking the time to read, and this means YOU!!!:winksmile:
God Bless you sister for reading Psalm 119 which is one of my favorites!
Originally, I was just going to post the first paragraph of this thread, but when it related to this psalm I could not resist but posting it all...please don't be mad at me brethren.
Sorry, brother Scott, was not done to be disrespectful in light of your last post, usually I like to post short and sweet because believe it or not I agree with you in keeping it simple.
I hope I didn't put you to sleep Elisha, if you read through it you will be blessed dear sister.
I can also be a bit of a rebel at times, like my brother Agape.:laugh:
I am SO gonna tell brother Scott on you, Miss sister, shalom, woman!
You are in TROUBOH!
I saw Sister Elisha fall asleep like 7 times while she was trying to read this.
I am SO gonna bring this up in front of the church and get you excommunicated there, young lady! *inserts dorky looking angry dude icon here*
On a serious note, I always used to claim verse ask the Lord to make me emulate verse 98.
*nudges sister Donna looks at sister shalom, smiles and whispers to Donna* Hey Donna! We gotta keep our eye on this "Shalom" woman. She is SO not peaceful like her name says it is. I think she should be excommunicated. You agree with me right?!
*looks at Shalom and says* I love you my dear wonderful sister!
*winks at sister Donna and whispers* She is such a trouble maker.
PSALM 119:97-104 THY LAW�MY DAILY LOVE & MEDITATION
O how love I thy law! it is my meditation all the day.
Although we believe fervently: doctrine of the inspiration/Bible, yet beyond establishing its fact, there is very little else we can say about it.
We believe it preserves/writers from recording error, for we believe not only in an inspired Bible, but also in an inerrant/infallible Bible also. Basic Christian doctrine. However, we cannot adequately describe the process/inspiration simply because we are not told. 2 Peter 1:21 (Quote) records the fact, but not the actual process.
From our verse (and many others of a similar nature) we know: the fact & process did not override the personalities/writers.
Nothing mechanical about inspiration.
Text: we have the Psalmist crying out/bursting forth & recording how he felt about the Bible.
It does not compromise the doctrine of verbal/plenary inspiration by allowing such exclamation to appear in the text/Bible.
A heartfelt emotion.
Not stage managed in any way�such would be rank hypocrisy. It was real.
It was heartfelt & yet its inclusion/Bible by the H/Spirit renders it an infallible expression to be believed & repeated according as it becomes our experience also. Full verse�we see 4 main points:
1) PSALMIST RECOGNISED THE AUTHORITY/GOD'S WORD:
"�thy law�"
A/ David uses many/varied descriptions/titles re: God's word. A different shade/meaning suggests itself upon individual study. None may be taken in any way which lessens their impact as anything less fully authoritative. Title: Law is self explanatory. It is something to be obeyed. Constitutes a guideline to be followed. More than a suggestion/hint or a mere sense/direction. Bible is not only a lawful Book, but itself constitutes what is/what is not lawful. Last verse/section establishes the benchmark idea (v104) Again v128 is of a similar nature. Bible is authoritative.
B/ David (as King) Himself had over legislated many laws/reign in Israel. These were laws/obeyed. Where the word/king is, there is power� (Eccles 8:4) i.e. His word carries weight. Authoritative.
C/ It is this view/Bible which marks us out as Christians. Read Matthew 7:21-29 Notice it all�but especially/last verse (v29)
Like Luther (Diet/Worms): We are captive to a Book. It is binding upon us. Paul considered himself: a slave/Jesus Christ because he recognised Christ's word (Bible) had the last word. Sure, such might cramp our style�but if our style is taking us out into a Christless hell, then our style needs to be cramped & we are thankful God has provided that which does it.
2) PSALMIST LOVINGLY BOWED TO THE AUTHORITY/GOD'S WORD:
"O how I love thy law�"
A/ Certainly not a grit-your-teeth-and-bite-your-lip tolerance. A lot of us abide certain laws/state like that. Hang our heads in shame because our country legislates for things like sodomy etc., Not very much we can do about it. Have to tolerate it as a law (although we can speak out & denounce it etc.,) Such is life.
This was not David's experience with the Bible. Grown up with this Book. Inherited most of it. His education had centred around it (2 Timothy 3:15-16) he had been chastened by His father on the basis of it. It had cramped his style on many occasions (v67) but still, on speaking about this Book, He expresses love for it.
B/ This love expresses itself in a two fold manner. It was:
As if he is putting himself forth again as the main contender for loving/Bible. Just as once he took the field against Goliath�with no rivals from within the Israelite camp�again he feels as if he stands alone in his love/Bible. Words cannot express his love. (Obviously he was not alone�but he can hardly express the depth of his own feelings�never mind try & articulate others)
[ii] PRACTICAL: Expand more/next verse but note how this love for the Bible laid to his daily meditating upon the same. He did not love in word only�but also in very deed. Otherwise words are but mere froth. Fanciful but meaningless. An insult.
C/ Can we match this? Object: David was an exceptional believer & therefore the challenge is unreasonable. Ans:- True, David was exceptional (Acts 13:22) but this does not negate the force of the challenge. Although only recorded in the Bible of one�yet history will record millions who could match David's love/zeal. Don't hunt around for excuses�let the verse break powerfully over our heads/hearts & rally to the challenge immediately!
3) PSALMIST MADE EVERY EFFORT TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE BIBLE:
It is my meditation all the day.
A/ We will never attain to such fervent love/Bible without going the way set forth here. Sometimes we hear great sermons etc., Where did they come from? Ans: A heart that took a long time meditating upon the Bible. No easy road. It is a spiritual thing & spiritual things cannot be manipulated or tweaked or made/suit. Psalmist put in the hours - willingly - in his meditation/Bible.
B/ He did not merely read or even study (Both highly recommended: 1 Tim 4:13/2 Tim 2:15) but he meditated. When he had done the "homework" - took time to do the "heart work"
C/ Furthermore, he did not adapt other men's meditations. He created his own. It is one thing to use someone else's milk (daily devotionals/commentaries etc.,) but do churn your own butter! I get great blessing out of the writings of others: Ryle/Calvin/CHS etc., but the meditations must be mine. Sometimes, I find myself reading a paragraph & then almost unconsciously being winged away in thought. Make sure you meditate upon the Law/God.
D/ He did not leave the meditating part to the various church services. Things we do together as a church�meditating upon the Law/God must also be done as individuals.
E/ Notice too when he mediated: all the day David was a very busy man. He occupied a lot of different offices/relationships:
[i] A King. A very busy one at that. A man/war.
[ii] A Son. Due obligations/ageing father/mother
[iii] A Husband. (Alas! To more than 1 wife)
[iv] A Father (to many children)
[v] A Friend/Neighbour also.
And yet, not merely despite this (but because of it) he took the time & effort to meditate upon the word/god. What a challenge!
4) HE TOLD GOD ALL ABOUT IT:
Although we have the privilege of sharing his thoughts here� remember they are directed first/foremost: God. Significant.
A/ Bible is only a means to an end. Given by God to reveal Himself to us. We read the Book in order to know the Author. We cannot know the Author without the Book.
B/ If we are strong on the Bible but weak in the devotional aspects of love to God etc., then we have missed something. Likely we are not meditating upon the word. Amassing large amounts of information/Bible but not feeding upon it. Soul could starve while we've enough information to write a Bible dictionary!
C/ Let's go to God & tell Him exactly how we feel about His word. If we cannot honestly match David�at least tell him that we would love to & seek His help to attain by the appointed way such a love. Such a prayer will not go unanswered. Why do you think such an exclamation was included in the first place?
