Read Psalm 119 A (v. 1-32)
א Aleph
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.
ד Daleth
25 I am laid low in the dust;
preserve my life according to your word.
26 I gave an account of my ways and you answered me;
teach me your decrees.
27 Cause me to understand the way of your precepts,
that I may meditate on your wonderful deeds.
28 My soul is weary with sorrow;
strengthen me according to your word.
29 Keep me from deceitful ways;
be gracious to me and teach me your law.
30 I have chosen the way of faithfulness;
I have set my heart on your laws.
31 I hold fast to your statutes, Lord;
do not let me be put to shame.
32 I run in the path of your commands,
for you have broadened my understanding.
Editors Note
For the next few days, we’re changing our rhythm. Normally we read one chapter a day, but this week we’re going to spread out this one chapter over the next six days. Psalm 119 is the longest chapter in all of Scripture, so squeezing it all into one day could make it hard to absorb. While we don’t know who wrote this psalm, we do know that it was written as a collection of thoughts and prayers largely focused on one main idea: God’s Word. Today, we’ll read verses 1-32. Thanks for reading along!
Go Deeper
If you were blindfolded and dropped off in the middle of nowhere and told to find your way home, one thing can make or break your journey: a map. We have been given a roadmap to help guide us through life. We can either study it, learn from it, and let it become part of us or we can ignore it, keep it in our pocket, and just try and figure it out on our own.
The first section of this chapter sets the table for what this entire psalm is about: God’s Word is the foundation for all who follow Him. It is all we need—like spiritual oxygen. The author of this psalm uses several different words when talking about God’s instructions: law, commands, precepts, decrees, and more. While each of these words has a slightly different meaning, they convey the same message: following God’s Word always leads to life. Sin and disobedience, however, always leads to death. So, if it’s that simple, why does it feel so difficult sometimes?
When we rely on our own hearts, we allow ourselves to be deceived by our own wants and desires. Psalm 119:11 says, “I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.” That’s the psalmist’s answer to his own question regarding how to stay on the path of purity. Meditating on God’s Word and burying it deep inside our hearts changes everything. Jesus, in Luke 6:45, tells us that the mouth speaks what the heart is full of. If our hearts are full of Scripture, we will speak Scripture and life into the people around us. And if they aren’t, we won’t.
If we believe that Scripture is inspired by God and was preserved for thousands of years, we would be foolish to not learn from each and every page of it. Whether the passage is descriptive (describing something that happened) or prescriptive (teaching or commanding something that should happen), all of Scripture is useful as we try to know and understand the character of God.
Questions
- Which word for God’s instructions stuck out to you the most? Why?
- What are some practical ways to hide God’s Word in your heart? How can you tell if you have been doing that or not?
- Which of these first 32 verses can you memorize, or “hide in your heart” this week? Why did you pick the one that you did?
Listen Here
Why is reading scripture such an important part of the Christian life? Check out this episode of Becoming Something: “Why Should I Read the Bible?”
4 responses to “Psalm 119: Part One (v. 1-32)”
This, chapter, is a spiritual journey of our inner life that helps with our endeavors to be holy like He is holy and to have success with obedience to walk by faith. There will always be persecutions and pressures that fire darts to make us stumble. This chapter is such a lamp unto our feet. It is a great way to increase with the holiness we desire and the passion we have to understand God’s word more deeply. This chapter, is about practical use of the Word of God in our life.
20 My soul is consumed with longing for your laws at all times. We were born to love God and to want, desire and follow Him, that is your purpose. The desire to or the longing to be obedient to what God has set in order for us is natural. Yes our flesh, that sin nature is the battle. Deep in inner being is the desire to be known by and to know God.
Thank God for Jesus Christ because of what He did that none of us could do. Because of His sinless life do we have the opportunity to follow Him and to be a child of God. Because of Jesus we can, as believers, be holy and without blame before Him (Eph 1:4). God’s love is in our hearts and His Spirit enables us to be obedient because His commandments are not burdensome (1 John 5:3).
God help me to seek You because Your Word says I will find You. God help me not stray from having a teachable spirit. Open my eyes of understanding to follow Your laws, precepts, statues, commandments with all of my heart. Thank You for bringing Your word to my mind and heart as the minutes of the day go. God Your word will give me victory over the sin that tries to entangle me. James 1 says that blessings come by doing the word not just by hearing it. God let me not just read, write and go on about business but let me be a “doer” let me live what I say, today and every day and all the rest of the minutes of my life, let it glorify and honor You in Jesus name amen.
WOOHOO!!!!
In God’s gracious kindness he preserved holy scripture that we might have a blueprint of his wonderful ways. Traces of his character are evidenced on every page as he invites us to know and follow him. May we not neglect this treasure trove designed to guide our pathways that lead to abundant life.
I enjoyed the map reference in the Digging Deeper comments. It made me think of the importance of a compass and how with faith, we acknowledge it points due north. Without understanding the origin and science of magnetic fields, we simply trust due north.
Why are we not the same way with God? As man we have to understand so many things before we can put our trust in something we can’t see. Yet He is “true north.”
The psalmist understood this. I liked v9 “How can a young person stay on the path of purity? By living according to your word.” This is true for older persons too! I pray I remember that and use His word as my compass.
BTW, thanks for breaking this Psalm into sections.
Yes, knowing that Psalm 119 was the longest chapter in the Bible, I was a little daunted before I opened up today’s reading plan! Good to split it up over a few days!
32 “I will run in the way of your commandments when you enlarge my heart!”
Love this idea of running in the way of God’s commandments. And an enlarged heart can make that running more effecient!