PSALM 119 – (2)

Laindon Bible Class – 9th March 2016

Psalm 119 2

A brief recap of last week

• Looked at the structure of the Psalm• Examined the word patterns• Discovered the recurring use of 10 words• Considered who the writer might have been• Looked at some of the Psalmist’s key thoughts• Puzzled over whether the letters of the Hebrew alphabet had any

more significance

Psalm 119 3

Practical guidance &

exhortations for us

Psalm 119 4

Word cloud – NKJV

1

2

3

4

5

6

7 8

9

10

Psalm 119 5

Our approach

• The need for God’s word

• Is the law now redundant?

• The influence of God’s word over us

• Accessing God’s word

• The resulting state of mind

Psalm 119 6

The need for God’s word

• “Thy hands have made me and fashioned me: give me understanding, that I may learn thy commandments.” :73

• “My soul fainteth for thy salvation: but I hope in thy word.” :81

• “Through thy precepts I get understanding: therefore I hate every false way.” :104

• “Make thy face to shine upon thy servant; and teach me thy statutes.” :135

Psalm 119 7

Is the law now redundant?• “Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in

his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.” Romans 3:20• “For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better

hope did; by the which we draw nigh unto God.” Hebrews 7:19• “For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the

flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.” Romans 8:3-4• Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ,

that we might be justified by faith. But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster.” Galatians 3:24-25

Psalm 119 8

119th Psalm in relation to the law• The Psalm contains no direct reference to the ritual of the law• Nearest reference is to the spirit of the law: “Accept, I beseech thee, the

freewill offerings of my mouth, O Lord, and teach me thy judgments.” :108• David may well have been very conscious of Samuel’s words to Saul:

“And Samuel said, Hath the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.” 1 Samuel 15:22• The Psalm is much more concerned with the spirit of the law, described

by Jesus as: “the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith” Matthew 23:23

Psalm 119 9

The influence of God’s word over us• “My soul cleaveth unto the dust: quicken thou me according to thy

word.” :25• “Make me to go [Hebrew: bend a bow] in the path of thy commandments;

for therein do I delight.” :35• “I thought on my ways, and turned my feet unto thy testimonies.” :59• “Rivers of waters run down mine eyes, because they keep not thy

law.” :136 [Cf Romans 7:18-25]• “How sweet [Hebrew: smooth to my palate] are thy words unto my taste!

yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth!” :103• “Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend

them.” :165

Psalm 119 10

Routes and synapses in our brains…

The pathways or synapses are like paths through a forest, they disappear if unused but become clearer as they are used

Psalm 119 11

Pathways in the brain

Baby born with zero connections; up to 2 million connections/sec; by age 2, 100 trillion connections; 50% will be pared back

Psalm 119 12

Accessing God’s word• “I will meditate in thy precepts, and have respect unto thy ways.” :15• “O how love I thy law! it is my meditation all the day.” :97• “I will never forget thy precepts: for with them thou hast quickened

me.” :93• “I opened my mouth, and panted [to inhale eagerly]: for I longed for thy

commandments.” :131• “Mine eyes prevent [to anticipate or confront] the night watches, that I

might meditate in thy word.” :148• “Seven times a day do I praise thee because of thy righteous

judgments.” :164

Psalm 119 13

The resulting state of mind

• “And I will delight myself in thy commandments, which I have loved.” :47• “ Thou art my hiding place and my shield: I hope in thy word. :114

[Cf Psalm 130:5-6]• “Trouble and anguish have taken hold on me: yet thy

commandments are my delights.” :143• “Let thine hand help me; for I have chosen thy precepts.” :173• “I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek thy servant; for I do not

forget thy commandments.” [Cf Isaiah 41:17-20] :176

Psalm 119 14

“Let my supplication come before thee:

deliver me according to thy word” :170