Blessed are those whose lives have integrity, those who follow the teachings of the Lord.
Blessed are those who obey his written instructions. They wholeheartedly search for him. They do nothing wrong. They follow his directions.
You have commanded that your guiding principles be carefully followed.
I pray that my ways may become firmly established so that I can obey your laws.
Then I will never feel ashamed when I study all your commandments.
I will give thanks to you as I learn your regulations, which are based on your righteousness. I will obey your laws. Never abandon me. [vss 1-8—Aleph]
How can a young person keep his life pure? ⌊He can do it⌋ by holding on to your word.
I wholeheartedly searched for you. Do not let me wander away from your commandments.
I have treasured your promise in my heart so that I may not sin against you. Thanks be to you, O Lord. Teach me your laws.
With my lips I have repeated every regulation that ⌊comes⌋ from your mouth.
I find joy in the way ⌊shown by⌋ your written instructions more than I find joy in all kinds of riches.
I want to reflect on your guiding principles and study your ways. Your laws make me happy. I never forget your word. [vss 9-16—Beth]
Be kind to me so that I may live and hold on to your word. Uncover my eyes so that I may see the miraculous things in your teachings.
I am a foreigner in this world. Do not hide your commandments from me. My soul is overwhelmed with endless longing for your regulations.
You threaten arrogant people, who are condemned and wander away from your commandments.
Remove the insults and contempt that have fallen on me because I have obeyed your written instructions.
Even though influential people plot against me, I reflect on your laws.
Indeed, your written instructions make me happy. They are my best friends. [vss 17-24—Gimel]
(Psalms 119:1-24 GW)
What do you treasure? What is it that you value and cherish most in life? Perhaps it's people who you're close with, which is good, or it may be status or riches.
Whatever we hold closest in our hearts reveals what governs our life. Jesus said, "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." (Matt 6:21 NIV)
Psalm 119 is the longest of all the Psalms—176 verses! It's also laid out as an acrostic where each verse starts with the same letter in each stanza for all 22 characters of the Hebrew alphabet. The first 24 verses would be similar to the first three letters of the English alphabet—A, B, C—Aleph, Beth, Gimel.
This ancient poetic form provided a structure that is memorable and instructional. Using the whole alphabet shows completeness, as the English expression goes—"from A to Z." Each stanza of eight verses reinforces the theme which focuses on the Word or Law of God and the God of the Word.
Woven around this theme are confessions of faith and failure, pleas and prayers, and promises. These thoughts are intended to stir reflection and encourage meditation on the truth of God's Word and what it reveals about God Himself and His promises.
Several verses stand out and are memorable to me that are representative of the psalm's theme. Here's one that sums up the intent and purpose of this instructional psalm—
I have treasured your promise in my heart so that I may not sin against you. (Psa 119:11 GW)
Another familiar verse representative of Psalm 119 is—
Your word is a lamp for my feet and a light for my path. (Psa 119:105 GW)
Do you treasure the truth of God's Word in your heart?
God's Word of truth can be a blessing to guide and strengthen you in daily life.
©Word-Strong_2017
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I won't cover all 150 Psalms, but do selective devotionals through the rest of Psalms.
So if I skip one that you like... let me know and I'll try to cover it!
