God’s Word Ps. 119 Described, Exalted and Praised 1

Ps. 119 is the longest chapter in the Bible with 176 verses It is divided into 22 sections and each section begins with a letter of the Hebrew alphabet 2

This chapter exalts and praises the Word of God “The greatest feature of this Psalm is it being a tribute to the Law of God.” Bill Jackson 3

I. Ten words used in this chapter to describe God’s Word 4

1. Testimonies “to bear witness or testimony” They are styled testimonies because “they are solemnly declared to the world” 5

Ps. 119:2 Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, and that seek him with the whole heart 6

2. Commandments “to command, order or ordain” God’s commandments are “given with authority and lodged with us as a trust” The commandments tell us what to do and what not to do 7

They provide the boundaries of obedience 8

Ps. 119:172 My tongue shall speak of thy word: for all thy commandments are righteousness 9

3. Precepts (directive, order, guide, prescription) “to take notice or care of a thing, to attend, have respect to, to appoint, to visit” These precepts are God’s rules which have been “prescribed to us” 10

Ps. 119:104 Through thy precepts I get understanding: therefore I hate every false way. 11

4. Word “to discourse, utter one’s sentiments (feelings or thoughts), speak intelligently” This is a favorite word of the inspired writers to refer to all of the inspired revelation – the Bible 12

Ps. 119:89 For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven. 13

5. Law “direct, guide, teach, make straight, or even, to point forward” God’s law shows us what is right and wrong It encourages us to do right 14

Ps. 119:142 Thy righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, and thy law is the truth. 15

6. Way “to proceed, go on, walk, tread” The ways of God point to His providence over us and to our obedient response to the way of life He wants us to follow 16

Ps. 119:30 I have chosen the way of truth: thy judgments have I laid before me. 17

7. Truth “to make steady, constant, to settle, trust, believe” “God’s truth may be accepted in all confidence because He cannot lie” 18

The Bible said it; that settles it; I believe it 19

Ps. 119:151 Thou art near, O LORD; and all thy commandments are truth. 20

8. Judgments “to judge, determine, regulate, order, and discern” They are called judgments because by them “we must both judge and be judged” 21

They help us to determine right over wrong 22

Ps. 119:75 I know, O LORD, that thy judgments are right, and that thou in faithfulness hast afflicted me. 23

9. Righteousness “to do justice, to give full weight” To be righteous we must give to God His due and to others their due as well 24

Ps. 119:172 My tongue shall speak of thy word: for all thy commandments are righteousness 25

10. Statutes “to mark, trace out, describe, and ordain” In God’s statutes we have marked out for us the direction for our journey; the manner of life we are to live is clearly described 26

Ps. 119:117 Hold thou me up, and I shall be safe: and I will have respect unto thy statutes continually. 27

II.“True-Hearted, Whole-Hearted” 28

The title of this section is taken from a song written by Frances R. Havergal – the music was written by George C. Stebbins 29

Ps. 119 is a clear call for the true in heart and the whole in heart to serve God 30

Ps. 119:2,10,34,69 Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, and that seek him with the whole heart. With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments. 31

Give me understanding, and I shall keep thy law; yea, I shall observe it with my whole heart. The proud have forged a lie against me: but I will keep thy precepts with my whole heart. 32

The heart in these verses refers to the heart of man – The heart consists of mans intellect, emotions, will-power and conscience 33

III. “How Shall The Young Secure Their Hearts?” 34

This is the title of a song written by Isaac Watt and set to music by Beethoven 35

Ps. 119:9-11 Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word. With my whole heart have I sought thee… 36

O let me not wander from thy commandments. Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against the. 37

The following kept their way clean by heeding the Word of God: Joseph Daniel Jesus 38

Verse 11 pictures for us the greatest thing in this world (God’s word) hidden in the greatest human vessel (man’s heart) producing the greatest fruit (not sinning against God) 39

Here is God’s formula for all – young and old and all in between – to secure their hearts 40

References Material by Robert R. Taylor Commentaries by Adam Clarke and Matthew Henry 41