Our text for today is Psalm 119 – the longest chapter in the entire Bible. No matter how length is measured, be it number of verses or number of words, this chapter remains the undisputed champion. It consists of 176 verses – 22 stanzas with 8 verses in each stanza. Interestingly, the number 176 is not a random number. Rather, this psalm is a carefully composed poem with a very tight and discernible structure. The reason that there are 22 stanzas is because there are 22 verses in the Hebrew alphabet. Each stanza represents a letter of the Hebrew alphabet because each line of that stanza starts with that letter of the alphabet. So the first 8 verses of this chapter all start with the first letter of the Hebrew alphabet. The second eight verses (the second stanza) all start with the second letter, etc. Understanding this structure is vital because it helps us understand that the length of this psalm is not the result of mere thoughtless repetition on the part of the psalmist. Rather, his very intention was to set 176 lines (i.e. “verses”) about his particular subject.
Having mentioned the subject of this psalm, it is right that we set forth that subject before examining the psalm. The psalmist’s focus, in Psalm 119, is the glorious word of God. The psalmist uses various words to describe this word (law, rule, testimony, statute, commandment, promise, precept, word, etc.), but all the different words identify the same reality – the word that God has spoken to His people. Interestingly, the longest chapter in the word of God is about the word of God – entirely appropriate. This psalm, at root, is simply an extended meditation on the word of God. As we will see, the psalmist loves this word and is extolling the many benefits of it in this psalm. The psalm does not proceed in a very logical manner – as if one stanza builds on the previous stanza. Rather, just like with a strong piece of rope, the psalmist is weaving together various meditations on the word of God – and the result is one extended and glorious declaration of the sufficiency and glory of the word that God has spoken to his people. As a result, we want to pull out the various themes that weave there way through this psalm – highlighting them as we examine them. We will first look at the psalm itself and examine what the psalmist himself says about the word, and then we will examine how the truths of this psalm apply to us so many years later.
As you walk through the psalm, you immediately become aware of the fact that the psalmist is intimately connected to the word of God. Before examining how the word of God is relevant for us, we should examine the psalm itself to see exactly how the psalmist viewed the word of God.
We see the heart of the psalmist for the word of God.
One of the first things that becomes obvious when reading through Psalm 119 is that the psalmist has an incredible affection for the word of God. In a very real sense, the word of God is his delight – that which brings him joy. The psalmist writes, “Your testimonies are my delight; they are my counselors” (v. 24). Here we see the psalmist explicitly declaring his delight in the word of God. He also says, “The law of your mouth is better to me than thousands of gold and silver pieces” (v. 72). Here the psalmist gives value to his delight – he wants the word of God more than riches. He goes on to say, “How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth” (v. 103). Here the psalmist uses a physical image to illustrate his love for the word of God – it is sweet to him. It is not just good for him but sweet to him. This is not mere acceptance but delight! The psalmist even writes, “Princes persecute me without cause, but my heart stands in awe of your words. I rejoice at your word like one who finds great spoil. I hate and abhor falsehood, but I love your law. Seven times a day I praise you for your righteous rules” (v. 161-164). The psalmist is making clear that the word of God is a treasure to him. He values it over everything else – even in the midst of persecution. It is clear, from these and other verses in the psalm (vs. 10, 13-14, 20, 97, 108-111, 127-128, 131, 147-148, 159, 171-172, 174) that the psalmist absolutely delights in the word of God.
Even more explicitly, we see that the psalmist not only delights in the word but that he actually obeys it. This is crucial for us to notice because it is possible for us to admire something and yet not do it – like exercise. But the psalmist says very clearly that he both delights in and obeys God’s word. He says, “I have chosen the way of faithfulness; I set your rules before me. I cling to your testimonies, O Lord; let me not be put to shame” (v. 30-31). The psalmist is declaring his intention to obey the word of God. He also declares that his obedience flows from his delight: “Your testimonies are wonderful; therefore my soul keeps them” (v. 129). The psalmist even makes clear that he obeys the word in the midst of persecution as he writes, “Many are my persecutors and my adversaries, but I do not swerve from your testimonies” (v. 157). So, we see in the psalm (these cited verses as well as others: vs. 59-63, 101-102, 112, 140-141, 166-168) that the psalmist not only delights in the word of God but that delight drives him to obedience.
But even on another level, we see that the psalmist not only seeks to obey in the present but desires to obey even more in the future. He writes, “I will meditate on your precepts and fix my eyes on your ways. I will delight in your statutes; I will not forget your word” (v. 15-16). Here the psalmist is declaring his intention to obey the word of God in the future (“I will…”). This is the desire of his heart. He is even so bold as to say, “I will keep your law continually, forever and ever, and I shall walk in a wide place, for I have sought your precepts. I will also speak of your testimonies before kings and shall not be put to shame, for I find my delight in your commandments, which I love. I will lift up my hands toward your commandments, which I love, and I will meditate on your statutes” (v. 44-48). Once again, we see that – because of his delight in the word – the psalmist is committing to obey that word both now and forevermore. He even lifts his hands to the word (an act of worship it seems!) because he so delights in that word. The psalmist makes clear that he delights in the word, obeys it and (in these and other verses: 5-8, 32, 40, 57, 106) desires to obey it more in the future.
We even see the psalmist’s heart toward the word of God through his dislike for those who do not delight in and obey that word. He writes, “Hot indignation seizes me because of the wicked, who forsake your law” (v. 53). He even goes so far as to mention hatred: “I hate the double-minded, but I love your law” (v. 113). The psalmist does not hide his emotions regarding those who do not obey the word of God: “I look at the faithless with disgust, because they do not keep your commands” (v. 158). Here (and other places in the psalm: vs. 115, 136, 139) we see the psalmist’s heart for the word of God in his feelings toward those who do not treasure that word. He delights in the word, and – as a result – hates those who do not delight in it.
So, one of the first things that comes to our attention in this psalm is that the psalmist loves the word of God, obeys it and desires to obey it more.
We see the reason for the psalmist’s heart toward the word of God.
Seeing the psalmist’s fervent delight in the word of God, and his earnest desire to obey it, should cause us to wonder what would create such feelings in his heart. What is it that causes the psalmist to feel this way about the Word of God? Thankfully, the psalmist lays out for us some of his reasons for delighting in this word and obeying it so faithfully.
The first thing we see is that the psalmist understands that the Lord has commanded His word to be obeyed. The psalmist writes, “You have commanded your precepts to be kept diligently” (v. 4). The psalmist desires to obey because the Lord has commanded obedience. And, on top of that, the psalmist knows that the Lord’s words are true words that will endure forever and, because of that, they are worthy to be obeyed. The psalmist writes, “Righteous are you, O Lord, and right are your rules. You have appointed your testimonies in righteousness and in all faithfulness” (v. 137-138). So we see that the psalmist feels obligated to obey the commands of the Lord because the Lord is righteous. Therefore, the commands of the Lord are righteous. The point is that the value of the word is intimately connected to the giver of the word. If the giver is right and righteous, then the word is right and righteous. This is the reason the psalmist writes, “The sum of your word is truth, and every one of your righteous rules endures forever” (v. 160). These and other verses in this psalm (vs. 89-91, 96, 142, 144, 152) highlight the permanence of God’s word due to its source being God – who lasts forever as well.
Aside from the fact that God has commanded his words to be obeyed, the psalmist also spends a great deal of time highlighting the blessings of the word of God. He writes, “Blessed are those whose way is blameless, who walk in the law of the Lord! Blessed are those who keep his testimonies, who seek him with their whole heart, who also do no wrong, but walk in his ways” (v. 1-3, see also vs. 132). Here we see the psalmist highlighting, in a general fashion, that those who obey the word of God are blessed. But the psalmist also gets very specific about these blessings. The psalmist points out that the word of God helps to fight sin as he writes, “How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word” (v. 9, see also vs. 11, 133). The word of God also provides hope in the presence of enemies: “Remember your word to your servant, in which you have made me hope. This is my comfort in my affliction, that your promise gives me life. The insolent utterly deride me, but I do not turn away from your law. When I think of your rules from of old, I take comfort, O Lord” (v. 49-52, see also vs. 22-23, 41-42, 95, 121-123). Likewise, the word provides hope in others types of affliction as well: “If your law had not been my delight, I would have perished in my affliction. 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. The wicked like in wait to destroy me, but I consider your testimonies” (v. 92-94, see also vs. 153-154, 173). In other parts of the psalm, the psalmist highlights the encouragement that comes from God’s word in the midst of difficult times as he writes, “I am severely afflicted; give me life, O Lord, according to your word” (v. 107, see also vs. 25, 28, 54-56, 69-71, 75-77, 81-88, 143, 150-151). Even outside of times of difficulty, the word of God provides hope. The psalmist writes, “You are my hiding place and my shield; I hope in your word” (v. 114, see also vs. 43, 58, 80, 116-117). Alongside these benefits, obedience to God’s word serves as an encouragement to others: “Those who fear you shall see me and rejoice, because I have hoped in your word” (v. 74, see also vs. 79). The word of God also serves as a source of wisdom. The psalmist writes, “Through your precepts I get understanding; therefore I hate every false way. Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (104-105, see also vs. 98-100, 130). The word of God gives us assurance of life if we obey: “Great is your mercy, O Lord; give me life according to your rules” (156). And the word of God also provides peace: “Great peace have those who love your law; nothing can make them stumble” (v. 165). As we can see, the blessings of the word of God abound, and it is a heightened awareness of these blessings that moves the psalmist to delight in that word and obey it.
But alongside these many blessings of the Word of God, the psalmist also highlights some of the curses that go with disobeying God’s commands. We have already seen the dislike of the psalmist for those who disobey the word. And we also see his fear that if he disobeys, there will be judgment. The psalmist writes, “You rebuke the insolent, accursed ones, who wander from your commandments” (v. 21). And even more explicitly, he writes, “You spurn all who go astray from your statutes, for their cunning is in vain. All the wicked of the earth you discard like dross, therefore I love your testimonies. My flesh trembles for fear of you, and I am afraid of your judgments” (v. 118-120). Here we see that part of what motivates the psalmist to love the word of God and obey it is a healthy fear of the judgment of God on those who disobey it. We see that attitude very clearly in these verses as well as others in this chapter (vs. 78, 126, 155).
Overall, these verses give us an excellent picture of what motivates the psalmist to delight in the word of God and obey it. First, he recognizes that God has commanded people to obey it. And it is worthy of obedience because it comes from God who is perfect. Second, the psalmist understands the incredible blessings that come from the word of God, and this drives him to delight in it and obey it. It is a treasure that will reward those who obey it. Finally, the psalmist understands what awaits the one who does not obey the word – judgment. These are the reasons the psalmist has such a heart toward God’s word.
We see the psalmist pleading for God’s Help in Knowing and Obeying the Word.
Before leaving the message of the psalm itself, there is another central part of this psalm that we cannot miss. Interestingly, even though the psalmist has expressed his delight in the word of God and his desire to obey it, he explicitly – and often – requests that the Lord would teach him His word, enabling him to understand it and obey it. The psalmist writes, “Open my eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of your law. I am a sojourner on the earth; hide not your commandments from me” (v. 18-19). The psalmist is demonstrating an understanding that if the Lord does not reveal his word and enable him to understand it, he has no hope. The psalmist is even more explicit later on as he says, “Teach me, O Lord, the way of your statutes; and I will keep it to the end. Give me understanding, that I may keep your law and observe it with my whole heart. Lead me in the path of your commandments, for I delight in it. Incline my heart to your testimonies, and not to selfish gain! Turn my eyes from looking at worthless things; and give me life in your ways” (33-37). Here we see the psalmist asking the Lord for everything – help in understanding, help in delighting and help in obeying. The psalmist is expressing his understanding that God, along with giving the word, must also enable the one who comes to the word to understand it and obey it. If God does not function in this way, it does not matter if a person possesses the word because they will lack both understanding and desire (see also vs. 12, 17, 26-27, 29, 38-39, 64-68, 73, 124-125, 134-135, 145-146, 149, 169-170, 175-176).
Understanding the central message of the psalm, it really is not difficult to see how this psalm speaks to us today. As we went through Leviticus, we saw that the step from Leviticus to us in 2008 was quite large. The step from this psalm to us is much shorter. Let us look quickly at what this psalm has to say to us.
We have a better “Word.”
Even though it is not difficult to transition from Psalm 119 to us, there is one key point that must be made. As the psalmist is writing this Psalm, we must keep in mind that he is speaking primarily of the Law – the first five books of the Bible. From where we stand, we know that the Word of God is now more than just that Law. It includes the prophets and even the very psalm that the psalmist wrote. And ultimately we know that all of those Old Testament books point us to the true and ultimate Word of God – Jesus Christ. And so, for us, the Word of God is not merely the first five books or even the 39 books of the Old Testament but also the 27 books of the New Testament that explicitly tell us about Jesus Christ and the ways his work affects us.
Understanding this point is crucial for us to properly apply this text to ourselves. We have already seen the incredible delight that the psalmist had in the Word of God as well as his fervent desire to obey it. And the psalmist only had the shadow of the Word of God! As Paul makes clear in Romans 7, the Law was good, but – as we saw two weeks ago in Leviticus – it was incomplete. Nonetheless, that did not prevent the psalmist from treasuring it. It is crucial for us to understand that while this psalm is easily applied to us, we deal with a fuller, more complete Word of God than the psalmist had. The emotions and attitudes we should have are the same but we deal with a fuller word.
We, even more so than the psalmist, should delight in and obey the Word.
Understanding the difference between the word spoken about by the psalmist and the word we now have helps us understand this reality. If the psalmist, having the mere shadow, demonstrated such delight in the Word of God, we – even more so – should delight in the Word of God what we have. Standing in our position, we have all the more reason to delight and obey. If the psalmist did so, we should do so all the more.
We see this reality come up in various ways in the New Testament. Paul exhorts the Colossians by saying, “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God” (Col. 3:16). Paul wants the Colossians to meditate on the word and let it grow in them and dwell in them. Interestingly, he makes clear that as this happens, the result will be that they will be able to teach and admonish one another better because they will be filled with the Word of God.
The New Testament also makes clear that the Word of God is not only to be stored up in the heart but obeyed. One central point of the entire New Testament is that the Word of God is the absolute standard and that it is to be obeyed. Paul, in 2 Thessalonians 2:15, writes, “So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the traditions that you were taught by us, either by our spoken word or by our letter.” Here, Paul makes clear that the words of the apostles are to be obeyed. Even in the stipulations for elders, this reality is made clear. In Titus 1:9, Paul says that an elder “must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it.” So obedience to the word is so vital that the leaders of God’s people must be able to teach that word and combat those who speak against it. In this same vein, Paul tells Timothy to “preach the word” (2 Tim. 4:2). Interestingly, if Paul tells Timothy to teach the word, it is logical to believe that those listening to Timothy are supposed to obey the word. The centrality of the Word of God permeates the New Testament. Just like the psalmist made clear in Psalm 119, we are to treasure and obey the Word of God.
We are to treasure and obey the Word of God because of what we know to be true about it.
Just like the psalmist, we do not have to obey the Word of God blindly. Rather, like the psalmist, we obey the word because we know what is true of it. Paul, in 2 Timothy 3:16 writes, “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work.” Here, just like in Psalm 119, we see that we are not only supposed to obey the Word of God but that it is eminently reasonable to do so. First of all, the word we have is “breathed out by God.” Just like the psalmist, we can trust the word because we trust the source. Why would we neglect the wisdom of the all-wise God? Why would we neglect the instruction of the very One who will serve as our Judge? We are to love the Word because it comes from God.
Even further, we are to cherish and obey the Word because of its many blessings. Paul is very explicit about what things the word can accomplish. He makes clear that it is useful for a wide variety of things. Are you lacking in understanding and wisdom? The word is useful for teaching. Are you struggling with sin or do you know someone struggling with sin? The word is useful for reproof and correction. Are you wondering how you might live a life pleasing to God? The word is useful for training in righteousness. All in all, the word is useful to make us competent and to equip us for every good work. These are incredible blessings that are available to us because we have the Word of God. Is it not to our shame that we would neglect the very word that is able to make us wise for salvation (2 Tim. 3:15)? Why are we so quick to search around for answers and neglect the very word that was given to equip us? We must understand the incredible blessings of the Word of God and act appropriately.
So, in light of these realities, how should we then live? In light of the greatness of the word of God, the most basic application for those of us who are believers is that we should read it faithfully. The word of Christ will not dwell in us richly if we are not consuming it voraciously. We should read and read and read some more. And more than reading, we should study and meditate on the things we read. We should store them up in our hearts and treasure them. We should feed on the word of God – feasting on it because we understand that we do not live by bread alone but by every word that proceeds from God.
Also, for those of us who are believers, we should speak the word of God to one another. If we truly understand the incredible need that every person has for the precious word of God, why would speak anything else to one another. We should speak to one another often and encourage one another daily from the Word. It is our greatest need.
For those who are not believers, you might wonder what in the world the word of God can offer to you. In short, it offers you life. In the word of God, you will find the only means by which you can be saved from your sins and have eternal life. The word will tell you very clearly that you are a sinner who is by nature under the wrath of God. And that word will also tell you that Jesus died on the cross and rose from the dead so that if you believe in him, you will be saved. If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. Believe the word this morning, and you will live. Amen.