God's Word Applied (Psalm 119)

Alright, I'm thinking of the last song that we just sang, Behold our God Seated on his throne. That's Christ. As as Ryan said, no way that we behold Christ is in his word. We're going to, we're going to look at this word right now. We're going to look at Psalm 119. Many of you may be familiar with Psalm 119 as the longest chapter in the Bible. We're going to walk through the whole thing this afternoon.

Yeah. Psalm 119. It's it's a doozy, it's weighing in at a massive 176 versus but despite its size it's incredibly well structured. There's 22 sections. Each of the sections corresponding to a different letter of the Hebrew. Alphabet, the each of the sections has exactly 8 verses.

so, every verse in the first section, Begins with the letter. I left every letter of the second every letter of the first, sorry. Every verse of the second section begins with the letter Beth, right? So, it's incredibly well-structured in the structure is fascinating, but more so Is the consistent topic throughout the entire song. The primary theme throughout is the sufficiency of God's word the sufficiency of Christ using the same synonymous terms that we looked at last week in Psalm 19. God's word does testimonies precepts, law, promise statutes ways rules and Commandments I'm going to pray right now and then we'll walk through all 176 versus section-by-section to see how God's word how Christ is sufficient in every situation in life. Let's pray, father, thank you for your word. I pray that you would cause us to love you more and long for you and your word as we consider Psalm 119 right now. please show us your glory in your word and causes causes your spirit to stir up affection for you and your son in Jesus name we pray. Amen. All right, here we go. First section, I left says, 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, you have commanded your precept to be kept diligently. Oh, that my ways may be steadfast and keeping your statutes. Then I shall not be put to shame having my eyes fixed on all your Commandments. I will praise you with an upright heart. When I learned of Your Righteous rules, I will keep your statutes do not utterly forsake me.

When it says blessed, another word for that is happy. Happy happiness, or blessing comes to those who not only have or hear God's word, but who keep it and apply it to their lives. And God's word is desirous to make us happy but it's also commanded by God to obey his word. Now, we have a problem though because we cannot truly obey in our own effort. where are totally dependent on God to change our hearts to make us able to obey

and he did that. He enabled us through the death and resurrection of his son and the indwelling life-giving ministry of the Holy Spirit.

In the next section Beth says, how can a young man keep his way, pure by guarding it, according to your word, with my whole heart, I seek you. Let me not Wander from your Commandments. I have stored up your word in my heart that I might not sin against you blessed, are you? Oh, Lord, teach me your statutes with my lips. I declare all the rules of your mouth. In the way of your testimonies, I Delight as much as in all riches, 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.

There's an important question asked, at the beginning of this section and the rest of the section answers that question. How can a young man keep his way pure? The answer is by applying God's word everyday.

By God's power committing his word to memory to come back, temptations, that come all the time by repetition and experience learning to desire. God's word, more than anything else in life. Now, we are not all young men. Some of us are old men, some of us are not even then, but we at least all know a young man and we at least all know that there are struggles and temptations that beset people through life. And that's, that's what that section is about. Is about the Temptations that come and that we can, we can come back those Temptations through his word. Okay, next action demo says deal bountifully with your servant that I may live and keep your word. 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. My soul is consumed with longing for your rules at all times. You rebuked the insolent. Accursed ones, who wander from your Commandments, take away from me scorn and contempt. For I have. Kept your testimonies Even though Prince's sit plotting against me, your servant will meditate on your statutes. Your testimonies are my delight. They are my counselors How often? Do we find ourselves busy and consumed with the cares of life? Paying the bills fixing the car, going to endless meetings, making countless phone calls, Monday and errands, or even once-in-a-lifetime opportunities spending time with family. We fill up our schedules with things that appear to be quite important.

The brothers and sisters, there is nothing as important as God's word and our relationship with him through Christ. Ultimately, our very existence is due to God's grace and our lives should reflect that. Our top priority in life, should be to worship Him in obedience to his word. This world is not our final destination.

So we shouldn't live like it is.

Next section Dallas says my soul clings to the dust give me life according to your word when I told my ways you answered me teach me your statutes make me understand the way of your precepts and I will meditate on your wondrous Works. My soul, melts away for sorrow, strengthen me according to your word put false ways far from me and graciously. Teach me your law. I have chosen the way of faithfulness I set your rules before me. I cling to your testimonies. Oh Lord, let me not. Be put to shame. I will run in the way of your Commandments when you enlarge my heart.

Sorrow and depression. Can be blinding and self-perpetuating. I know this from experience.

There are many things that produce sorrow, but a child of God. Has no reason to wallow in it. Because we have a sure hope in Christ. When your sorrowful.

Tell your heavenly father.

And he absolutely hear you. And he will comfort you through his word. And through your brothers and sisters in Christ. Rather than clinging to despair cling to God's word and you will find life and joy as he reveals himself to your heart.

Next action. Hey says teach me oh 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 too selfish game.

Turn my eyes from looking at worthless things and give me Life in your ways. Confirm to your servant, your promise that you may be, feared turn away the reproach that I dread for, your rules are good. Behold I long for your precepts in your righteousness. Give me life.

This section brought to my mind, the Pilgrims Progress. Where Pilgrim and faithful had to go through. Vanity Fair on their way to Celestial city, the whole point of that fair. Ways to draw the pilgrims aside from their pursuit of the celestial City with vain pleasures and desires. In the section of Psalm 119, we read the psalmist prayer to the Lord to keep him from these vanities. We know that God's word is better than these vain things, but they're still tempting. And we must rely on his power to keep us this Desiring him and his word.

Next section.

Next section is Wawa or Bob says, let your steadfast love come to me. Oh, lord, your salvation according to your promise, then shall I have an answer for him who taunts me for, I trust in your word and take not the word of Truth. Utterly out of my mouth. For my hope is in your rules. I will keep your La 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. This section is about apologetics. How many of, you know what apologetics is? Another word apologetics comes from the Greek apologia which means to make a defense. It's also where we get the English word apology or apologize. The modern apologists say that apologetics doesn't have anything to do with evangelism. Because evangelism is telling people about Christ and apologetics is proving the existence of God and The credibility of the Bible.

There's nothing in scripture that says, we must defend the existence of God. Or The credibility of scripture, those things speak for themselves, apologetics and scripture.

Is giving a defense or a reason for the hope that is in you. Has Peter wrote in 1st Peter 3:15. The hope that is in US. Is the hope of Jesus Christ. The Apologetics is evangelism.

the next section, Zion says, 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 Adalida ride me, but I do not turn away from your law. When I think of your rules from of old. I take comfort. Oh Lord. Hot indignation. Seizes me. Because of the wicked who forsake your law. Your statutes have been my songs in the house of my sojourning. I remember your name in the night. Oh, Lord. And keep your law. This blessing has fallen to me that I have kept your precepts. Now here are two situations in life that are not unrelated. The first situation is Affliction in our comfort. In the midst of our Affliction is from God. Through his word The second situation is witnessing those who have forsaken, God, and his word. For the psalmist, the wicked had absolutely heard God's word because they lived in a nation and time where God's word was proclaimed among the whole nation.

That was probably those same people that had abandoned God's word, who were causing the afflictions in which Comfort is found in God's word. And the hot indignation felt towards the ones causing our reflection. Become overshadowed. I remember, it's of God and His blessings through his word.

The next section Hef. Says the Lord is my portion. I promise to keep your words, I entreat your favor with all my heart, be gracious to me. According to your promise, when I think on my ways, I turn my feet to your testimonies I hasten and do not delay to keep your Commandments though. The cords of the wicked ensnare me, I do not forget your law at midnight. I Rise to praise you because of your righteous rules. I am a companion of all who fear you of those who keep your precepts the earth. Oh, Lord, is full of your steadfast love. Teach me your statue. so, the song must sees the Lord as his portion rather than any other Earthly treasure. And he pleads with the Lord, with all of his heart for Grace, according to his promise, that is the promise of salvation. And then we get a picture of the unrelenting pursuit of God's word throughout life.

Feet turned toward God's testimonies hastening without delay. Yet enduring the snares of the wicked thanking. God, it all hours and running with like-minded companions. Last verse of the section is very similar to the overall point of some 19 that we looked at last week, does the whole earth declares God's steadfast love and drives us to learn more about him from his word?

The next section test does you have dealt well with your servant O, Lord, according to your word, teach me, good judgment and knowledge for. I believe in your Commandments before I was afflicted. I went astray but now I keep your word. You are good and do good. Teach me your statutes. The insulin smear me with allies, but with my whole heart, I keep your precepts. Their heart is unfeeling like fat. But I do like in your law is good for me. That I was afflicted that I might learn your statutes. The law of your mouth is better to me than thousands of gold and silver pieces. We read about afflictions already. But here we see, afflictions directly from the Lord. These hard times is difficulties, and afflictions are the discipline of the Lord to teach us his word. The lord always deals well with us. Even when it's difficult for us because he is altogether righteous. Sometimes we may be tempted to think that our Affliction is a punishment for God as other people lie and say that we must have sinned to deserve such punishment.

Kind of like Jobe. Has counselor said, surely you must have done something really bad so just to deserve this punishment.

Or the man who man who was blind from birth of the disciple. Said, who sends this man? Or his parents? That he would be born this way. It's not about that. God's glory.

The Lord disciplines Those whom he loves. He disciplines us to teach us and to grow us into the likeness of Christ. And when we experience his discipline, We can take comfort from his word that he loves us. And I have the next section. You owed, says your hands have made. And fashioned me, give me understanding that. I may learn your Commandments, those who fear you shall see me and rejoice because I have hoped in your word. I know. Oh, Lord, that your rules are righteous. And that in faithfulness, you have Afflicted, me let your steadfast love comfort me, according to your promise, to your servant, let your mercy come to me that I may live for your law is my delight. Let the insulin be put to shame because they have wronged me with falsehood. As for me, I will meditate on your precepts. Let those who fear you turn to me, that they may know your testimonies may my heart be blameless in your statutes that I may not be put to shame. This section sounds very similar to the previous one, doesn't it? But this one's responding to the Lord's discipline.

Beginning with the Lord's, perogative to discipline us because he made us.

And then it highlights others rejoicing at our Godly response and learning from our example, versus 74. And 79 indicate that there's also a contrast between the insolent being put to shame for their false accusation inverse 78 and the psalmist and not being put to shame because the Lord would make his heart blameless. According to God's word,

we are made blameless through Christ. Is when God looks at us. He sees his son. Not our feelings. The next section cough, says my soul Longs for your salvation. I hope in your word, my eyes long for your promise. I asked, when will you comfort me? For I have become like a wineskin in the Smoke yet. I have not forgotten your statutes. How long must your servant and do her? When will you judge those who persecute me? The insolent have Doug pitfalls for me. They do not live. According to your law. All your Commandments are sure they persecute me with falsehood, help me. They have almost made an end of me on Earth but I have not forsaken, your precepts in your steadfast love. Give me life. That I may keep the testimonies of your mouth.

We're in the second section, we read of the young man. Who can keep his way pure here. We see the perseverance of the elderly. The shriveled wineskin parched by smoke.

We all have our own salvation stories, but imagine if you will, a person who has been a Believer, since they were a small child, they live their life, always looking and hope to the promise of God's being fulfilled in their lifetime after a while. The question of how long drift into their mind, but they still remain faithful. Throughout their long years. They have endured much persecution, but still, they remain faithful. And now at the end of their life, there only request is to be given the chance to continue in obedience to God's word. We will all continue our joyful, obedience to God's word into eternity. May we all aspire to such faithfulness to God's word as the psalmist has depicted here.

All right. How we feeling good? This is the halfway point or halfway through. The next section. Ahmed says forever. O Lord, your word is firmly. Fixed in the heavens, your faithfulness in doors to all generations, you have established the Earth, and it stands fast by your appointment. They stand this day, for all things. Are your servants. If your law had not been my delight? I would have perished in my Affliction, I will never forget your precepts for buy them. You have given me life. I Am Yours. Save me for I have sought your precepts. The wicked lie in wait to destroy me, but I consider your testimonies. I have seen a limit to all Perfection but your commandant is exceedingly Broad. This is almost a continuation of the thoughts of the previous section. As the psalmist has come to the end of his long life. He reflects on the Lord's faithfulness and sovereignty, displayed in the all of creation. He also considers the difficulties. He enjoyed in life and attributes his perseverance to God's word. Then he concludes the section by considering how God's word is beyond the limited Perfection. We can consider as finite creatures.

The next section. Meme says, oh, how I love your law. It is my meditation all the day. Your commandment makes me wiser than my enemies. For it is ever with me. I have more understanding than all my teachers for your testimonies are my meditation. I understand more than the agent for. I keep your precepts. I hold back my feet from every evil way. In order to keep your word. I do not turn aside from your rules for you. Have taught me? How sweet are your words to my taste sweeter than honey to my mouth? Through your precepts. I get understanding. Therefore I hate every false way.

I hear the psalmist. Considers. His love for God's word and why he loves it so much. He loves it because it imparts wisdom and knowledge beyond anything humanly. Derived Because of God's word, we can have more wisdom knowledge and understanding than anyone, whether they be enemies teachers or the elderly. The psalmist also loves God's word because it is more desirous than anything else and he prays that the Lord would keep him from Desiring anything else above it. The next section noon says your word is a lamp unto my feet and a light to my path. I have sworn an oath and confirmed it to keep your righteous rules. I am severely Afflicted, give me life. Oh, Lord. According to your word except my Freewill offerings of Praise. Oh, Lord. And teach me your rules. I hold my life in my hand continually but I do not forget your law. The wicked have laid a snare for me, but I do not stray from your precepts, your testimonies on my Heritage forever for they are the joy of my heart. I am flying my heart to perform your statutes forever to the end.

Have any of you ever had to make important decisions in a life-or-death situation? I know there are number of nurses in here so I can see you not in your heads. No, I haven't. but I understand as the section points out, that God's word is the best source of wisdom especially When I life is on the line. It's in these moments when we can very easily be tempted to forsake God's word. but in his strength,

we persevere. And find that the Lord upholds us to the end.

The next section stomach says, I hate the double-minded, but I love your law. You are my Hiding Place in my shield. I hope in your word depart from me. You evildoers that. I may keep the Commandments of my God, uphold me according to your promise that I may live and let me not be put to shame in my hope. Hold me up that I may be safe and have regard for your statutes, continually 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. The first half of the section again deals with afflictions from enemies, who have forsaken, God's word. The psalm is praised that the Lord would deliver him from his enemies so that he can continue honoring God. Honoring God's word and that he would not be shamed for hoping in it. In the second half is a negative argument. For holding to the word of God, where the psalmist highlights, the negative aspects of forsaking God's word to encourage the opposite.

Alright, next section i m says I have done. What is just and right. Do not leave me to my oppressors. Give your servant a pledge of good. Let not the insulin depressed. Me my eyes long for your salvation for the Fulfillment of your rights as promised deal with your servant, according to your steadfast love, and teach me your statutes. I am, your servant. Give me understanding that. I may know your testimonies It is time for the Lord, to act for your loss. Has been broken there for. I love your Commandments above gold above, find gold there for I consider all your presets to be right. I hate every false way.

Play the song, This refers to his insolent oppressors again. The ones he is already mentioned to have forsaken God's word. He asked the Lord not to allow their oppression. Because he has remained faithful to keep God's word. The rest of the section is proof that he is not like his oppressors, he Longs for God's promise, to be fulfilled, he desires to be taught God's word, he yearns for justice against God's broken law, he desires God's word Above All Else. He hates anything that goes against God's. Absolute truth. Maybe may we learn to have the same proof of affection for God's word. The next section says, your testimonies are wonderful there for my soul, keeps them the unfolding of your words gives light it imparts understanding to the simple. I open my mouth and pant because I long for your Commandments turn to me and be gracious to me as is your way with those who love your name. Keep Steady My Steps according to your promise and let no iniquity get dominion over me. Redeem Me from man's oppression, that I may keep your precepts, make your face shine upon your servant and teach me your statutes, my eyes shed streams of Tears because people do not keep your law.

The passion. The psalmist exudes in. This section reminds me again of Psalm 19, God's word is wonderful and makes wise, the ignorant. The psalmist desires that like he would pants for water on a hot summer day. He highlights three aspects of sin that only God can fix. Our own indwelling sin sin against us from others and send that we otherwise witness in the world. You can see that in verse 133, says, keep Steady My Steps according to your promise. Let no one Nick would he get dominion over me? That's our indwelling sin that he deals with, and then 134 sin against us from others, redeemed, me from man's oppression, And then, the last verse 136 is the sin that we witness in the world. Like I said, streams of Tears. Because people do not keep your lung. The good news is that because of the death and resurrection of Christ on our behalf.

We've been redeemed by faith in him. And one day God will wipe away every tear from their eyes and we will live with him in perfect. Joyful, obedience forever.

The next section Posada says Your Righteous are you. Oh Lord. And right, are your rules. You have appointed your testimonies in righteousness and in all faithfulness my Zeal consumes me, because my foes forget your words, your promise is well tried and your servant loves it. I'm small and despised yet. I do not forget your precepts. Your righteousness is righteous forever and your law is true. Trouble and anguish have found me out but your Commandments are my delight. Your testimonies are righteous forever. Give me understanding that. I may live.

This section is about humility. The psalmist confesses God as righteous and that his judgments are right and his testimonies are faithful. This is in contrast to the proud who would be so bold as to judge God for his actions or the criticize, the Bible is myth.

In humility. we have a Zeal for God's word over our own and I sure hope in his promises, which will be fulfilled to Eternity as our troubles in this life are fleeting

The next section cough, says with my whole heart. I cry. Answer me. Oh, Lord, I will keep your statutes. I called to you, save me that I may observe your testimonies I Rise Before Dawn and cry for help. I hope in your words. My eyes are awake before the watches of the night that I may meditate on your promise, hear my voice. According to your steadfast love of the Lord. According to your Justice, give me life. They draw near who persecute me with evil purpose. They are far from your law. But you are near a Lord and all your Commandments are true. Long have I known from your testimonies that you have founded them forever.

Have any of you ever been persecuted? To the point that you weren't sure if your life would be taken or not. We don't experience that. Here in United States. Least not yet. I haven't, but I've read many stories from the voice of the martyrs and the book tortured for Christ by Richard wurmbrand, in the section, strikes me as a plea for help and a reminder of Hope for those in such situations.

Our hope is found in God's word. In Christ. Next section rush, says, look on my Affliction and deliver me for, I do not forget your law plead, my cause and redeem me give me life. According to your promise, salvation is far from the wicked. For they do not seek your statutes. Great is your mercy. Oh, Lord. Give me life. According to your rules, many are my persecutors and my adversaries, but I do not swerve from your testimonies. I look at the faceless with disgust because they do not keep your commands consider how I love your precepts. Give me life. According to your steadfast, love the sum of your word is truth and every one of your righteous rules endures forever.

Now, I'm considering the differences between the persecutors and the ones being persecuted. The main difference is how God's word is viewed. Much like how Mark as read? Play the parable of the sower.

What is God's word do in your heart? The Fall Away to the sink deep.

Is it loved and embraced? Or is it spurned and discarded? The ones, who love God's word are persecuted. They have pain and trouble and life seemingly because of God's word. But they have salvation through faith in the promise of the Messiah. The ones who hate God's word are not persecuted their life. Does not have that pain in trouble, but they also do not have salvation

Which is the worst situation. Momentary Affliction, but peace, and joy forever, or momentary, peace, but Agony, and torment forever.

The next section sin or Shane says Prince's 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 a nap or falsehood but I love your law seven times a day. I Praise You for Your Righteous rules. Great peace. Have those who love your law, nothing can make them stumble. I hope for your salvation O Lord and I do commit, do your Commandments, my soul keeps your testimonies, I love them exceedingly. I keep your precepts and testimonies for all my ways are before you. Many things can tempt us to compromise on our devotion to God in his worth the psalmist highlights, just two of them here, it can be tempting to just go with the flow.

Under governmental persecution. And when wealth is obtained by compromising, God commands.

But our hope. is not in pleasing influential people, or in monetary gain, our hope is in God and his promises, which are greater than the greatest wealth and bigger than the biggest influencer.

Next section. Last section. Talk. Says Let My Cry. Come before you oh Lord, give me. Understanding according to your word, let my plea come before you deliver me according to your word, my lips will pour forth, praise for you, teach me your statutes, my tongue will sing of your word for all your Commandments are, right? But your hand be ready to help me for. I have chosen your precepts, I long for your salvation O Lord and your law is my delight. Let my soul live and praise you and let your rules help me. I've gone astray like a lost sheep. Seek your servant for. I do not forget your Commandments. The conclusion of this song focuses on our prayers and God's answer to these prayers based on his word. In all the situations in life throughout this song, from the youth who seeks to keep his way pure to the elderly Saint who has experienced a lifetime of persecution. Prayer and God's word are the means of community with God in Reliance upon his strength to remain faithful and overcome our Temptations. The final verse.

Thumbs up our situation. We've heard God's commands. In his word. Such that we cannot forget them. Yet we still wander like sheep.

We can't do it on our own. We can't keep God's word perfectly in our own strength and ability. We cannot save ourselves from our sin and from God's Wrath against our sin. We need him to rescue us. To seek us to pursue us.

And you did that. He did that through the death and resurrection of his son. Now, if you've heard God's word and you understand that you cannot be righteous before him without the righteousness of Christ. But you've not put your faith in him to save you. But I beg you right now, do it. Do it right now. God's word tells us that Jesus is the only way to be right with God. And the only way to have eternal life in joyful obedience In God's Presence, forever, Let's pray.

Father. In your kindness and Grace, you have given us your word so that we can know you.

Thank you for this reminder that in every situation, in life, Our Hope. And our help. Is in the Gospel of Jesus Christ, found in your word. I pray that you would keep the truth of your word in front of our eyes, make it so evident that we cannot help. But see it I love you more because of it.

Please give us power in your spirit to rejection and embrace you every moment of every day.

Help us to remember that. Others are battling sin as well so that we can encourage each other in the fight.

Give us compassion for the lost and use us to further the gospel in our community.

We pray this in Jesus name, amen.