David Bahn – Reflections

Confession time: Psalm 119 is my least favorite. I know that all of God’s word is important. But to me Psalm 119 was always just long;  one hundred-seventy-six (176) verses long! Sometimes, however, a closer look reveals treasure where we might have missed them previously. Since God’s word is pure, true, edifying, and eternally important, today I spent some time in this Psalm. I discovered there some gems worth highlighting.

One reading discipline I use from time to time is to read through the book of Psalms and the book of Proverbs over the course of a month. On the first day of the month, I read Psalm 1, 31, 61, 91, 121, and Proverbs 1. On the second I will read Psalm 2, 32, 62, 92, 122, and Proverbs 2. On the 29th, however I almost always skip Psalm 119, reading Psalm 29, 59, 89, 149, and read Psalm 119 on the 31st of the month. It’s long enough to stand on its own!

This psalm is an acrostic. Each of the sections of verses begins with a letter of the Hebrew alphabet. Many translations will even include the name of the letter before the section. For that reason, the Psalmist seems sometimes to reach for a thought to justify the number of verses allotted to each letter. God, however, did inspire this to be written. And therefore there must be important truths in each word. And the lessons for us today is too easily overlooked: God’s word is the only source of infallible truth and eternal reliability.  These words bring the kind of invitation-challenge that we need to keep our faith active and engaged.

And this Psalm is all about God’s word. Those who walk in the law of the Lord are blessed. A man keeps his way pure by giving attention to God’s word. When we store up God’s word in our heart we are prepared to fight temptation. God’s word is eternally true, sweet to the taste, and gives insight and understanding. God’s word is a guide for living, and provides light for life. The list goes on and on. The promises and truths are worthy of the whole psalm on one day. So here, on the 31st of December, are the key promises and truths that struck me this morning. This isn’t so much about the end of the year, as it is about letting God’s word shape my heart, faith, and life. I hope it will shape yours as well. God bless you in the New Year!

Psalm 119:1, 9, 11, 89, 90, 103-105, 130, 169-176

¹ Blessed are those whose way is blameless,
who walk in the law of the LORD!

\

⁹How can a young man keep his way pure?
By guarding it according to your word.

¹¹I have stored up your word in my heart,
that I might not sin against you.

⁸⁹Forever, O LORD, your word
is firmly fixed in the heavens.

Cross references:

⁹⁰Your faithfulness endures to all generations;
you have established the earth, and it stands fast.

Cross references:

¹⁰³How sweet are your words to my taste,
sweeter than honey to my mouth!

¹⁰⁴Through your precepts I get understanding;
therefore I hate every false way.

¹⁰⁵ Your word is a lamp to my feet
and a light to my path.

Psalm 119:103 : Psalm 19:10

¹³⁰The unfolding of your words gives light;
it imparts understanding to the simple.

¹⁶⁹Let my cry come before you, O LORD;
give me understanding according to your word!

¹⁷⁰Let my plea come before you;
deliver me according to your word.

¹⁷¹My lips will pour forth praise,
for you teach me your statutes.

¹⁷²My tongue will sing of your word,
for all your commandments are right.

¹⁷³Let your hand be ready to help me,
for I have chosen your precepts.

¹⁷⁴I long for your salvation, O LORD,
and your law is my delight.

¹⁷⁵Let my soul live and praise you,
and let your rules help me.

¹⁷⁶I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek your servant,
for I do not forget your commandments.