 Longest Psalm (longest chapter in Bible)  Each verse (176) speak of God’s word  22 sections of 8 verse each  Each section relates to one Hebrew letter  Each verse in the section starts with that letter  A-Z arrangement  Aids memorization  Implies comprehensive coverage

There may be something more than fancy in the remark, that Christ’s name, “the alpha and omega”— equivalent to declaring him all that which every letter of the alphabet could express—may have had a reference to the peculiarity of this Psalm, a Psalm in which every verse speaks of God’s revelation of himself to man. —Andrew Bonar

Matthew Henry, writing in reference to his father, was taught, “ he advised us to take a verse of this Psalm every morning to meditate upon, and so go over the Psalm twice in the year; and that, he said, will bring you to be in love with all the rest of the Scriptures. All grace grows as love to the word of God grows.”

Again and again have we cried while studying it, “Oh the depths!” Yet these depths are hidden beneath an apparent simplicity, as Augustine has well and wisely said, and this make the exposition all the more difficult. Its obscurity is hidden beneath a veil of light” —Charles Spurgeon

 Psalm 1, Psalm 19, Psalm 119  Purposes  Show result of a life lived following God in contrast to a life lived in opposition to God’s ways (anti- theses)  Show the glory of God’s word, ways, character  Present the blessings of a life lived “God’s way”  Show us our shortcomings, our need for a Savior  Juxtaposed in each case to Messianic Psalms (2, 18, 118)

1.His law, (or instruction): enacted out of his sovereignty, may include directions, commands, orders, and advice 2.His way: because they perfectly describe how He works/acts 3.His testimonies: solemnly declared to the world 4.His commandments: given with authority, demanding our obedience 5.His precepts: what has been prescribed for us 6.His Word: it is the declaration of His mind 7.His judgments: the source by which we judge and we are judged; also refer to his providential working 8.His righteousness: reflects that His law reflects His nature 9.His statutes: fixed, and our perpetual obligation 10.His truth: What God declares is “really real,” right regardless of whether we perceive it to be our not

1 How blessed are those whose way is blameless, Who walk in the law of the Lord. 2 How blessed are those who observe His testimonies, Who seek Him with all their heart. 3 They also do no unrighteousness; They walk in His ways. 4 You have ordained Your precepts, That we should keep them diligently. 5 Oh that my ways may be established To keep Your statutes! 6 Then I shall not be ashamed, When I look upon all Your commandments. 7 I shall give thanks to You with uprightness of heart, When I learn Your righteous judgments. 8 I shall keep Your statutes; Do not forsake me utterly!

1 How blessed are those whose way is blameless, Who walk in the law of the Lord. 2 How blessed are those who observe His testimonies, Who seek Him with all their heart. 3 They also do no unrighteousness; They walk in His ways. 4 You have ordained Your precepts, That we should keep them diligently. 5 Oh that my ways may be established To keep Your statutes! 6 Then I shall not be ashamed, When I look upon all Your commandments. 7 I shall give thanks to You with uprightness of heart, When I learn Your righteous judgments. 8 I shall keep Your statutes; Do not forsake me utterly!

“Faithful Christians are concerned about the letter of God’s law, but beyond that they are also concerned about the spirit, the deeper will and purpose that lie behind the letter.” “To claim to follow the spirit without obeying the letter is to be a liar. To follow the letter without following the spirit is to be a hypocrite. To follow the Spirit in the right attitude and the letter in the right action is to be a faithful child of God and a loyal subject to the kind.” — John MacArthur

9 How can a young man keep his way pure? By keeping it according to Your word. 10 With all my heart I have sought You; Do not let me wander from Your commandments. 11 Your word I have treasured in my heart, That I may not sin against You. 12 Blessed are You, O Lord; Teach me Your statutes. 13 With my lips I have told of all the ordinances of Your mouth. 14 I have rejoiced in the way of Your testimonies, As much as in all riches. 15 I will meditate on Your precepts, and regard Your ways. 16 I shall delight in Your statutes; I shall not forget Your word.

HEARING Romans 10:17 Hearing the Word from godly pastors and teachers provides insight into others' study of the Scriptures as well as stimulating your own appetite for the Word. READING Revelation 1:3 Reading the Bible gives an overall picture of God's Word. Many people find it helpful to use a daily reading program which takes them systematically through the Bible. STUDYING Acts 17:11 Studying the Scriptures leads to personal discoveries of God's truths. Writing down these discoveries helps you organize and remember them. MEMORIZING Psalm 119:9, 11 Memorizing God's Word enables use of the Sword of the Spirit to overcome Satan and temptations...to have it readily available for witnessing or helping others with a "word in season.” MEDITATING Psalm 1:2, 3 Meditation is the thumb of the Word Hand, for it is used in conjunction with each of the other methods. Only as you meditate on God's Word--thinking of its meaning and application in your life--will you discover its transforming power at work within you. Trademarked by The Navigators

17 Deal bountifully with Your servant, That I may live and keep Your word. 18 Open my eyes, that I may behold wonderful things from Your law. 19 I am a stranger in the earth; Do not hide Your commandments from me. 20 My soul is crushed with longing after Your ordinances at all times. 21 You rebuke the arrogant, the cursed, who wander from Your commandments. 22 Take away reproach and contempt from me, For I observe Your testimonies. 23 Even though princes sit and talk against me, Your servant meditates on Your statutes. 24 Your testimonies also are my delight; They are my counselors.

25 My soul cleaves to the dust; Revive me according to Your word. 26 I have told of my ways, and You have answered me; Teach me Your statutes. 27 Make me understand the way of Your precepts, So I will meditate on Your wonders. 28 My soul weeps because of grief; Strengthen me according to Your word. 29 Remove the false way from me, And graciously grant me Your law. 30 I have chosen the faithful way; I have placed Your ordinances before me. 31 I cling to Your testimonies; O Lord, do not put me to shame! 32 I shall run the way of Your commandments, For You will enlarge my heart 50 This is my comfort in my affliction, that Your word has revived me.

33 Teach me, O Lord, the way of Your statutes, And I shall observe it to the end. 34 Give me understanding, that I may observe Your law and keep it with all my heart. 35 Make me walk in the path of Your commandments, For I delight in it. 36 Incline my heart to Your testimonies, and not to dishonest gain. 37 Turn away my eyes from looking at vanity, and revive me in Your ways. 38 Establish Your word to Your servant, as that which produces reverence for You. 39 Turn away my reproach which I dread, For Your ordinances are good. 40 Behold, I long for Your precepts; Revive me through Your righteousness.

41 May Your lovingkindnesses also come to me, O Lord, Your salvation according to Your word; 42 So I will have an answer for him who reproaches me, For I trust in Your word. 43 And do not take the word of truth utterly out of my mouth, For I wait for Your ordinances. 44 So I will keep Your law continually, Forever and ever. 45 And I will walk at liberty, For I seek Your precepts. 46 I will also speak of Your testimonies before kings and shall not be ashamed. 47 I shall delight in Your commandments, Which I love. 48 And I shall lift up my hands to Your commandments, Which I love; And I will meditate on Your statutes.

 God’s word and His ways are the path to a significant, meaningful, purposeful, “blessed” life that is pleasing to God  God’s word is our absolute authority (not popes, church councils, pastors, teachers)  God’s word is discoverable, understandable, relevant, and practical  God’s word will refresh us, comfort us, instruct us

 Do you have a steady intake of God’s word? Reading, hearing, studying  What can you do to “treasure God’s word in your heart?” Memorize? meditate? pray for a deeper desire?  Does you inner life match your outer life? Are you only cleaning the “outside of the cup?” Or maybe you are reborn on the inside, but your external life is not being renewed?