Lamp and Light

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November 16, 2008 - Psalm 119

Open It

1.             How do you feel when you receive a long letter from a close friend?

2.             What role does communication play in relationships?

3.             What causes friendships to deteriorate?

Explore It

4.             Who will be blessed by God? (119:1-3)

5.             What is the central message of this devotional psalm? (119:1-176)

6.             What was the psalmist's motivation in writing this poem? (119:1-176)

7.             How is God's Word described in this passage? (119:1-176)

8.             How is the psalmist's devotion to God's Word revealed? (119:1-176)

9.             What advice does this psalm give to young people? (119:9-16)

10.         What attitude did the psalmist want to have toward God's Word? (119:17-24)

11.         What did the psalmist ask the Lord to do for him? (119:33-40)

12.         How had the psalmist demonstrated his commitment to the Lord? (119:44-64)

13.         What role did God's Word play in the psalmist's life? (119:49-64)

14.         What attitude did the psalmist have toward the Lord's discipline? (119:65-72)

15.         What happens when we read and think about God's Word? (119:97-104)

16.         From what did the psalmist want the Lord to deliver him? (119:121-152)

17.         What confession concludes this psalm? (119:176)

Get It

18.         How has God communicated with us?

19.         What can we learn about God's Word from this psalm?

20.         What role should God's Word play in our lives?

21.         How should we read and study God's Word?

22.         How would you like to change the way you read or study God's Word?

23.         How can we show our respect for God's written Word?

24.         What benefits can we expect from disciplined meditation on God's Word?

25.         According to the many clues in this psalm, how can we prevent ourselves from sinning against the Lord?

26.         What does it mean to hide God's Word in our heart?

27.         What specific instructions from this psalm would you like to apply to your life?

Apply It

28.         What verse or passage from this psalm would you want to memorize? Why?

29.         How could you improve the quality or quantity of the time you spend reading and thinking about God's Word this week?

30.         In what specific ways could you demonstrate your love for God's word in the next few weeks?

Notes

Psalm 119:1ff: This is both the longest psalm and the longest chapter in the Bible. It may have been written by Ezra after the temple was rebuilt (Ezra 6:14-15) as a repetitive meditation on the beauty of God's Word and how it helps us stay pure and grow in faith. Psalm 119 has 22 carefully constructed sections, each corresponding to a different letter in the Hebrew alphabet and each verse beginning with the letter of its section. Almost every verse mentions God's Word. Such repetition was common in the Hebrew culture. People did not have personal copies of the Scriptures to read as we do, so God's people memorized his Word and passed it along orally. The structure of this psalm allowed for easy memorization. Remember, God's Word, the Bible, is the only sure guide for living a pure life.

Psalm 119:9: We are drowning in a sea of impurity. Everywhere we look we find temptation to lead impure lives. The psalmist asked a question that troubles us all: how do we stay pure in a filthy environment? We cannot do this on our own, but must have counsel and strength more dynamic than the tempting influences around us. Where can we find that strength and wisdom? By reading God's Word and doing what it says.

Psalm 119:11: Hiding (keeping) God's Word in our hearts is a deterrent to sin. This alone should inspire us to memorize Scripture. But memorization alone will not keep us from sin; we must also put God's Word to work in our lives, making it a vital guide for everything we do.

Psalm 119:12-24: Most of us chafe under rules, for we think they restrict us from doing what we want. At first glance, then, it may seem strange to hear the psalmist talk of rejoicing in following God's statutes as much as in great riches. But God's laws were given to free us to be all he wants us to be. They restrict us from doing what might cripple us and keep us from being our best. God's guidelines help us follow his path and avoid paths that lead to destruction.

Psalm 119:19: The psalmist says that he is a "stranger on earth," and so he needed guidance. Almost any long trip requires a map or guide. As we travel through life, the Bible should be our road map, pointing out safe routes, obstacles to avoid, and our final destination. We must recognize ourselves as pilgrims, travelers here on earth who need to study God's map to learn the way. If we ignore the map, we will wander aimlessly through life and risk missing our real destination.

Psalm 119:27-28: Our lives are cluttered with rule books, but the authors never come with us to help us follow the rules. But God does. That is the uniqueness of our Bible. God not only provides the rules and guidelines, but comes with us personally each day to strengthen us so that we can live according to those rules. All we must do is invite him and respond to his direction.

Psalm 119:36: In today's world, people most often covet financial gain. Money represents power, influence, and success. For many people, money is a god. They think about little else. True, money can buy certain comforts and offer some security. But far more valuable than wealth is obedience to God because it is a heavenly treasure rather than an earthly one (Luke 12:33). We should do what God wants, regardless of the financial implications. Make the psalmist's prayer your own, asking God to turn your heart toward his statutes and not toward making money; it's in your own best interest in the long run.

Psalm 119:44-46: The psalmist talks about keeping the laws and yet being free. Contrary to what we often expect, obeying God's laws does not inhibit or restrain us. Instead it frees us to be what God designed us to be. By seeking God's salvation and forgiveness, we have freedom from sin and the resulting oppressive guilt. By living God's way, we have freedom to fulfill God's plan for our lives.

Psalm 119:97-104: God's Word makes us wise-wiser than our enemies and wiser than any teachers who ignore it. True wisdom goes beyond amassing knowledge; it is applying knowledge in a life-changing way. Intelligent or experienced people are not necessarily wise. Wisdom comes from allowing what God teaches to guide us.

Psalm 119:105: To walk safely in the woods at night we need a light so we don't trip over tree roots or fall into holes. In this life, we walk through a dark forest of evil. But the Bible can be our light to show us the way ahead so we won't stumble as we walk. It reveals the entangling roots of false values and philosophies.

Study the Bible so you will be able to see your way clear enough to stay on the right path.

Psalm 119:113: Double-minded people cannot make up their minds between good and evil. But when it comes to obeying God, there is no middle ground; you must take a stand. Either you are obeying him or you are not. Either you are doing what he wants or you are undecided. Choose to obey God, and say with the psalmist, "I love your law."

Psalm 119:125: The psalmist asked God for discernment. Faith comes alive when we apply Scripture to our daily tasks and concerns. We need discernment so we can understand, and we need the desire to apply Scripture where we need help. The Bible is like medicine-it goes to work only when we apply it to the affected areas. As you read the Bible, be alert for lessons, commands, or examples that you can put into practice.

Psalm 119:160: One of God's characteristics is truthfulness. He embodies perfect truth; therefore, his Word cannot lie. It is true and dependable for guidance and help (see John 17:14-17). The Bible is completely true and trustworthy.

Psalm 119:165: Modern society longs for peace of mind. Here is clear-cut instruction on how to attain this: if we love God and obey his laws, we will have "great peace." Trust in God, who alone stands above the pressures of daily life and gives us full assurance.

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