Sunday, September 6, 2015 pm
STUDIES IN PSALMS
The Word of God
Psalm 119
Tonight we study the next psalm in our series.
This psalm is special in many ways.
Due to its length we will not
engage in a verse by verse study, but we will begin by noting some
background and its message.
This will be followed by word studies tonight and next week we will
notice some passages of interest from this psalm.
a.
The longest psalm in the
book and longer than any chapter in the Bible.
It is 176 verses long.
b.
It is written as Hebrew
poetry. The 176 verses is
divided into 22 sections of 8 verses each.
In Hebrew this is an acrostic (a series of lines or verses that
begin with letters that spell out a word, phrase or something else
known) poem based upon the letters of the Hebrew alphabet.
The Hebrew alphabet consists of 22 letters.
Psalm 119 is divided into 22 sections of 8 verses each.
Each verse in each section begins with a letter of the Hebrew
alphabet in order. For
example, the first 8 verses all begin with aleph, the first letter of
the Hebrew alphabet. The
next 8 begin with Beth, the second letter and so forth.
This is not brought out in our English language.
c.
The author is unknown –
though many attribute it to David, who understood the importance of
God’s word and wrote of it in other psalms (Psalm 19).
It is also described as being of the style of David.
d. The theme of this psalm is the Word of God. Numerous words that describe the word of God are used in this psalm. In our study tonight we will examine these words.
a. Throughout this psalm there are several words used to describe His word to us. In these words (and others) we find qualities about His message to us and a better understanding of its impact in our lives. Let us take a few moments to examine these words.
i.
The word “law” is used some 25
times in this psalm. In vs.
1 it is referred to as “the Law of the LORD”.
In vs. 72 it says, “The law
of Your mouth is better to me; Give me understanding that I may learn
Your commandments.”
ii.
The word “law” in Hebrew
is the word “torah”. Its
basic meaning is teaching.
In our text it is a reference to legal and binding instructions,
direction, teaching of God that gives us insight into how to live.
It’s His rules!
The use of the word law typically refers to all of God’s laws (the
system of laws – i.e. Law of Moses) (or whatever system of laws are
discussed). We will contrast
this with other words that address specific laws.
iii.
We are expected to keep
God’s laws – Galatians 6:2 speaks of fulfilling the law of Christ.
James 1:25 speaks of looking into “the perfect law of liberty” and
continuing in it.
James 2:10, whoever keeps the whole law and stumbles in one point is
guilty of all
iv.
“Law” in psalm 119 - “Give
me understanding, and I shall keep Your law; Indeed, I shall observe it
with my whole heart.” (Psalm 119:34)
“The proud have me in great derision, Yet I do not turn aside from
Your law.” (Psalm 119:51, NKJV)
v. God has given us a law that He expects us to keep.
i.
It means testimony or
witness. Vine’s says the
word is synonymous with “law”.
On occasion the word is
used in reference to the 10 commandments – (Ex. 31:18 – God gave Moses “two
tablets of the Testimony, tablets of stone, written with the finger of
God.”
The Ten Commandments were housed in the Ark of the Covenant in the
tabernacle which in Exodus 38:21 was referred to as “the
tabernacle of the Testimony.” (cf. Revelation 15:5, Acts 7:44 – the
tabernacle of testimony, tabernacle of witness)
ii.
When I think of
testimony I think of one speaking that which he knows in a given
situation. The word of
God is HIS testimony to us.
The word for “testimony” in the LXX in the NT means witness or
testimony. Consider the
following:
1 Corinthians 2:1, Paul said, “And I, brethren, when I came to you,
did not come with excellence of speech or of wisdom declaring to you the
testimony of God.”
1 Timothy 2:6 speaks of God as our Mediator, ““who gave Himself a
ransom for all, to be testified
in due time,” Vs. 8, “Therefore do not be ashamed of the
testimony of our Lord.”
Acts 4:33, with great
power, “the apostles gave
witness to the resurrection…”
iii.
Testimony in psalm 119 -
“Blessed are those who keep His testimonies, Who seek Him with the
whole heart!” (vs. 2)
“I cling to Your testimonies; O Lord, do not put me to shame!”
(31)
“I have more understanding
than all my teachers, For Your testimonies are my meditation.” (99)
iv. God HAS spoken to us! Consider who He is, we need to listen to Him!
i.
A way is a path, a
direction, or a manner of life.
In this psalm the word is used about 7 times in reference to the
way of God. However it is
also used another 10 times describing the way(s) of others.
ii.
In the New Testament,
Jesus described Himself as “the way, the truth and the life” (John 14:6)
As Jesus concluded the sermon on the mount, He made reference to the
broad way that leads to destruction and the narrow way that leads to
eternal life (Matt. 7:13-14)
In Acts 9:2, followers of Jesus were described as following “the Way”.
In 1 Corinthians 12:31 Paul spoke of “a more excellent way”
“Now may our God and Father Himself, and our Lord Jesus Christ,
direct our way to you.” (1 Thessalonians 3:11)
iii.
Psalm 119 uses the term
in vs. 3, speaking of those who seek Him with a whole heart, “They
also do no iniquity; They walk in His
ways.”
“I have rejoiced in
the way of Your testimonies,
As much as in all riches. I will meditate on Your precepts, And
contemplate Your ways.”
(Psalm 119:14–15)
Psalm 119:30, “I have chosen the
way of truth…”
iv.
God though His word
gives us direction.
i.
A word that means that
which is appointed. The idea
is a command that has been appointed by its ruler.
I think of this as an individual rule (as part of the law as a
whole).
ii.
In the New Testament the
word “precept” is used twice in the NKJV, Heb. 9:19 where we read, “Moses
spoke every precept to all the people according to the law…”
Mark 10:5, Jesus said, “Because of
the hardness of your hear he wrote you this precept…”
iii.
In Psalm 119 we find, “You
have commanded us To keep Your precepts diligently.” (Psalm 119:4,
NKJV)
“I will never forget Your
precepts, For by them You have given me life. I am Yours, save me;
For I have sought Your precepts.”
(Psalm 119:93–94)
“Through Your precepts I
get understanding; Therefore I hate every false way.” (Psalm
119:104)
iv.
Every precept of God is
important. Consider 2 Tim.
3:16-17 as good application of this.
i.
A statute is a rule or
regulation. An
ordinance or a specific decree.
As I think of this word, I think of a specific law.
One of many within the whole of a system of law.
Exodus 12:24 when
Passover was instituted the people were told, “And
you shall observe this thing as an
ordinance
for you and your sons forever.”
Genesis 47:26 where Joseph made a
law over the land of Egypt
to tax the people 1/5 of their abundance (during the prosperous years)
ii.
Note: Nehemiah 9:13-14
mentions 4 words we are discussing here – judgments, laws, precepts and
statutes. There
difference is minimal. Joe
Price in an article described the precept as instructions given by God
to direct man in his conduct while statutes are ordinance or enactments
of divine law (perhaps governing our worship and service to Him)
iii.
This word is not used in
the New Testament
iv.
Psalm 119 uses this word
in passages like:
“Oh, that my ways were directed To keep Your statutes!” (Psalm
119:5)
“Teach me, O Lord, the way of Your statutes, And I shall keep it to
the end.” (Psalm 119:33)
“Salvation is far from the
wicked, For they do not seek Your statutes.” (Psalm 119:155)
v.
As with precepts, every
statute of God is important.
i.
The word in English is
defined by Webster as, “an important rule given by God that tells people
how to behave.”[1]
It is simply a law, though the word usually has divine
implications.
ii.
The Hebrew word is
defined as a command or a precept.
A commandment is an order.
When I see think of commandments I think of something we are told to do
and expected to obey.
Much like the commands of a father whom children are to obey (cf.
1 Sam. 17:20 – David did as his father Jesse had commanded him, Prov.
6:20 keep your father’s command and the law of your mother, etc.)
TWOT describes it as “the particular conditions of the covenant.” (See
Psalm 105:8, 111:9)
iii.
God gave Israel the Ten
commandments, but His entire law or His direct instructions was also
called the commandments (Gen. 26:5, Deut. 30:11-14, Exodus 17:1, 25:22,
Leviticus 27:34, etc.)
God spoke and commanded the world and universe into existence (Psa.
33:9, Isa. 45:12)
iv.
In the New Testament we
are called upon to keep the commandments of God.
1 John 2:3-4, 5:2-3“By this we know that we love the children
of God, when we love God and keep His commandments. For this is the love
of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not
burdensome.”
v.
Commandments in Psalm
119, “With my whole heart I have sought You; Oh, let me not wander
from Your commandments!” (10)
“I will run the course of Your commandments, For You shall enlarge my
heart.” (32)
“And I will delight
myself in Your commandments, Which I love.” (47)
“I have gone astray like a lost sheep; Seek Your servant, For I do
not forget Your commandments.” (176)
h.
Judgments
– 7, 13, 20, 30, 39, 52 (judgments of old), 62, 75, 84 (execute
judgment), 102, 106 (righteous judgments), 108, 120, 137, 156, 160, 164,
175 (18x), Also - rdinances – 43, 91 (2x)
i.
A judgment is a legal
term that means a determination or decision.
It is a word that is also used to describe the sentence after
conviction.
ii.
The Hebrew word as used
in our text refers to the sovereign decisions of God (He has ultimate
authority). He has the right
to rule and issue decrees to be followed.
He can determine what is right and wrong and execute justice
accordingly.
The word of God is certainly His determination.
But it is also wise and right and good.
God does know what is best and His laws are directed toward that
end, even though we may not fully understand them.
iii.
Often judgments
accompanied commandments or precepts in His instructions (Leviticus
26:14, Num. 36:13, Deut. 5:31, etc.)
iv.
In the New Testament –
Paul in Romans 11:33 said, “Oh, the depth of the riches both of the
wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His
judgments and His ways past
finding out!”
Rev. 16:7, “And I heard another from the altar saying, “Even so, Lord
God Almighty, true and righteous are Your judgments.””
Hebrews 9:27 speaks of men being appointed to die and after this the
judgment – a day when God will judge man by His word (John 12:48, Rom.
2:16)
v.
Judgments in Psalm 119 -
“I will praise You with uprightness of heart, When I learn Your
righteous judgments.” (7)
“I know, O Lord, that Your judgments are right, And that in
faithfulness You have afflicted me.” (75)
“Righteous are You, O
Lord, And upright are Your judgments.” (137)
vi.
Let us be careful to not
question the judgments of God.
i.
A very common word that
means to speak or say something.
It can refer to the utterance of word, but often it is a
reference to the meaning of something said (understanding).
When we speak of the word of God, most often we are speaking of
that which we understand or a message that He has conveyed to us.
ii.
The most frequently used
term in our psalm is “word” as in reference to the word of God.
Within this expression we find that God has TOLD us what He wills
for us to do and in many cases why.
Not only has He told us, He has revealed it to us
iii.
Genesis 15:1 records
“the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision…”
Num. 3:51 Moses followed the commandment of the LORD, “according to the
word of the LORD.”
Deut. 5:5, Moses states that at Mt. Sinai he had declared to the people,
“the word of the LORD”
iv.
In the New Testament,
again “word” is used frequently.
Sometimes referring to mere sounds but more often as God’s word
to us. The Greek word
(λόγος, logos) describes the message of God.
John 1:1, Jesus is referred to as “the Word”
John 5:24, “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and
believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come
into judgment, but has passed from death into life.”
Gal. 6:6, “Let him
who is taught the word share in all good things with him who teaches.”
Phil. 2:16 describes it as “the word of life.”
v.
“Word” in Psalm 119 - “How
can a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed according to Your word.”
(9)
“Your word I have hidden in my
heart, That I might not sin against You.” (11)
“Your word is very
pure; Therefore Your servant loves it.” (140)
vi.
God HAS spoken His word.
Will we listen to it?
i.
The Hebrew word for
truth in this psalm most often means that which is firm or certain.
Sometimes the word “faithful” is used.
ii.
When we think of God’s word to us
we realize that it is right, as opposed to that which is false.
There is nothing wrong in His word. What He says stands.
iii.
Deut. 32:4 describes Him
as “a God of truth and without
injustice, righteous and upright is He.”
Joshua 24:14 he calls for Israel to serve God “in faithfulness and in
truth”
iv.
In the New Testament
Jesus said, “Sanctify them by Your
truth, Your word is truth” (John 17:17)
“The truth shall make you free”,
john 8:32
1 Peter 1:22, we purify our souls by obeying the truth
2 Thess. 2:10 speaks of some being deceived because “they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved.”
v.
“Truth” in Psalm 119, “I
have chosen the way of truth; Your judgments I have laid before me.”
(30)
“Your righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, And Your law is
truth.” (142)
“The entirety of Your
word is truth, And every one of Your righteous judgments endures
forever.” (160)
vi.
Do we reverence His word
as the TRUE standard to follow today?
And
thus we can see the various words that have reference to God’s word in
this psalm. While this
study has been different from others what we do learn is the depth of
God’s word and glean a better understanding of how we need to consider
it in our lives. Psalm
19:7-11 uses many of the words found in this psalm and they well
summarize the word of God in our lives.
Also worthy of note is that the various words used to describe the word
of God are clearly related to one another.
Considering the poetic nature of this psalm, they all pretty much
can be summarized by saying – God has spoken!
And you and I need to listen to Him!
Will we?