Psalm 119:63-79 -

v.63 – “I am a friend to all who fear you, to all who follow your precepts.”

v.74 – “May those who fear you rejoice when they see me, for I have put my hope in your word.”

v.79 – “May those who fear you turn to me, those who understand your statutes.”

Psalm 119 sets forth the ways that God’s Word should touch our lives, including our participation in the Body of Christ.  Living in the Word means living in the Body, and living in the Body must involve certain aspects of the Word.

The New Testament instructs us to be in fellowship with a faithful church (see Acts 2:41-47; Hebrews 10:24-25).  Four letters in the New Testament refer to the church as a Body, reminding us that we are parts of a living organism (Romans 12:4-5; 1 Corinthians 10:17; 1 Corinthians 12:12-28; Ephesians 1:23; Ephesians 4:4-26; Ephesians 5:30; Colossians 1:8, 24; Colossians 2:19; Colossians 3:15).  The rest of the New Testament never refers to the church as a “body,” but instead simply use the term “church,” “saints,” or “brothers.”  The terminology varies as each passage emphasizes different aspects of fellowship.

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Psalm 119:17-19 -

Do good to your servant, and I will live; I will obey your word.

Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law.

I am a stranger on earth; do not hide your commands from me.

Psalm 119 is an extended song about God’s words – his law, his commands, his ongoing revelation in our lives, and the Living Word (Jesus).  Each verse teaches the believer something about how God intended us to interact with his words and assimilate them into our lives.

“Do good to your servant, and I will live; I will obey your word.” – Notice how the response to God’s blessing is OBEDIENCE.  Many churches recite the slogan every week that says, “God is good – all the time!”  We cannot stop there, merely reminding ourselves of God’s goodness.  God’s “kindness leads us to repentance” (Romans 2:4).  He extends his mercy with a purpose, to transform our lives.   continue

Psalm 119:29-30 -  “Keep me from deceitful ways; be gracious to me through your law.

I have chosen the way of truth; I have set my heart on your laws.”

“Keep me from deceitful ways” – LYING – Believers should show special concern about this.  This is particularly true for those who believe in the Baptism in the Spirit and revelation.  We cannot mix revealed truth with lies, or revelation with rumors.  A church that claims to follow revelation in everything cannot have leaders who exaggerate the numbers of attendees at their events, or leaders who believe any false rumors they hear about other church members or pastors.

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¹ Blessed are they whose ways are blameless, who walk according to the law of the Lord.

² Blessed are they who keep his statutes and seek him with all their heart.

³ They do nothing wrong; they walk in 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.

INTRODUCTION – Psalm 119 is unique.  It is the longest psalm, the longest chapter in the Bible, and is located in the middle of the Bible – like a “user manual” or operator instructions for the rest of the Scriptures.

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Psalm 73 - “For I envied the arrogant, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.”  (Psalm 73:3)

“When I tried to understand all this, it was oppressive to me till I entered the sanctuary of God; then I understood their final destiny.”  (vv. 16-17)

“Those who are far from you will perish; you destroy all who are unfaithful to you.  But as for me, it is good to be near God.  I have made the Sovereign Lord my refuge; I will tell of all your deeds.”  (Psalm 73:27-28)

In this Psalm, God talks about the “pure in heart,” as well as the “arrogant” and the “wicked.”  To man, the wicked may seem to have no troubles.  Those who are faithful feel that they have many struggles.  Sometimes this seems unfair, even to believers.

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Psalm 23:1-3 – “The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.

He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul.

He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.”

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Psalm 23:3 – “…He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake…”

“He guides me” – God spoke and revealed Himself through the Bible, and He still speaks today. The Bible itself teaches us that God wants to speak to us and tell us His will for our lives, so that we can obey Him fully. God promises, “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you. Do not be like the horse or the mule, which have no understanding, but must be controlled by bit and bridle or they will not come to you.” (Psalm 32:8-9).

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Psalm 23:4 – “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me…”

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Psalm 133 - “Behold how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!  It is like the precious oil upon the head, running down on the beard, the beard of Aaron, running down on the edge of his garments.  It is like the dew of Hermon, descending upon the mountains of Zion; for there the Lord commanded the blessing – life forevermore.” 

This psalm is a profound prophecy about the unity of the body of Christ in the Holy Spirit.  The Holy Spirit’s purpose is to unite God’s true servants together as one body connected to the head – Jesus Christ.   continue

Psalm 127:3- “Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord…”

In every society, most people want to have children – the desire for offspring is an instinct that the Lord put inside almost everyone.  Of course, every society or culture is different in their values about how many children are desirable, the age at which people should marry and have families, and how the children should act toward their parents.   continue