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Psalms 119:57-120

Thursday Evening Bible Study

March 16, 2017

Introduction

Do people see Jesus? Is the gospel preached? Does it address the person who is: Empty, lonely, guilty, or afraid to die? Does it speak to the broken hearted? Does it build up the church? Milk – Meat – Manna Preach for a decision Is the church loved? Target 3300 words Video = 75 wpm

The English word psalm comes from a Greek word that means “a poem sung to musical accompaniment”, or in particular, “stringed instruments”.

The Hebrew name is tehillim, which means “praises.”

The book of Psalms is the hymnbook of God’s people.

It’s also the “Him” book as well. It’s all about Jesus.

The writer of Hebrews quotes from Psalm 40:8 when he writes,

(Hebrews 10:7 NKJV) Then I said, ‘Behold, I have come— In the volume of the book it is written of Me— To do Your will, O God.’ ”

The author was talking about Jesus.

We’re going to see a lot of Jesus in the Psalms.

Soul Music

Music touches the soul. It’s “soulish” in nature. It touches the emotions.

We’re going to find every kind of emotion possible expressed in the Psalms.

For every sigh there is a Psalm.

For most of us, this is what makes the Psalms so wonderful. We can identify. We can relate.

If we were honest, even darkest most depressing Psalms describe the very things we go through day by day.

It is my prayer that as we continue on this journey through the Psalms, we won’t just look at these songs academically, with our mind, but that we may also grow as worshippers.

For most of us, this is what makes the Psalms so wonderful. We can identify. We can relate.

If we were honest, even darkest most depressing Psalms describe the very things we go through day by day.

It is my prayer that as we continue on this journey through the Psalms, we won’t just look at these songs academically, with our mind, but that we may also grow as worshippers.

Psalm 119 is the longest chapter of the entire Bible.

It is an acrostic psalm

The verses are in groups of eight.

Each group begins with the same letter in Hebrew. Every line in the first group starts with the first letter of the Hebrew alphabet. Then the next eight start with the next letter (beth), and because there are 22 letters in the Hebrew alphabet, there are 22 sections of eight verses.

We think this was done as a way of teaching the alphabet.

It is a song about the Word of God.

There are only two verses (Ps. 119:122,132) where the Word of God aren’t mentioned. All the rest of the verses contain a reference to the Word of God.

The Word of God is going to be referred to by a number of various synonyms. It will be called the “law”, “word”, “saying”, “commandment”, “statutes”, “judgments”, “precepts”, “testimony”, “way”, and “path”.

The psalm is for the most part a “prayer”. The psalmist seems to have been having difficulties, particularly with people who were of high rank or influence, people who ridiculed his faith and were trying to get him to give up his beliefs.

If you haven’t noticed yet, there are various themes repeated throughout the Psalm. We won’t try to expound on each theme as we meet it, but instead will limit ourselves to looking at a lesson from one verse in each section.

119:57-64 The Word (ח Heth)

:57 You are my portion, O Lord; I have said that I would keep Your words.

:58 I entreated Your favor with my whole heart; Be merciful to me according to Your word.

:59 I thought about my ways, And turned my feet to Your testimonies.

(Psa 119:59 ICB) I thought about my life, and I decided to obey your rules.

:60 I made haste, and did not delay To keep Your commandments.

:61 The cords of the wicked have bound me, But I have not forgotten Your law.

:62 At midnight I will rise to give thanks to You, Because of Your righteous judgments.

:63 I am a companion of all who fear You, And of those who keep Your precepts.

:64 The earth, O Lord, is full of Your mercy; Teach me Your statutes.

:62 At midnight I will rise to give thanks

Lesson

Songs in the night

We can handle the difficulties in life better when we realize that God has it all in control.

It’s especially helpful when we see our affliction spoken of in God’s Word.

The Psalmist says He can get up at midnight and give thanks to God “Because of Your righteous judgments”

judgments – mishpat – judgment, justice, ordinance

This is a word that the Psalmist has been using for God’s Word.

It’s also a word that speaks of God’s decisions, what God chooses to do.

Peter and John had been arrested for healing a lame man in the Temple and then preaching about Jesus. After being released, they went back to the church.

(Acts 4:23–31 NKJV) —23 And being let go, they went to their own companions and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said to them. 24 So when they heard that, they raised their voice to God with one accord and said: “Lord, You are God, who made heaven and earth and the sea, and all that is in them, 25 who by the mouth of Your servant David have said: ‘Why did the nations rage, And the people plot vain things? 26 The kings of the earth took their stand, And the rulers were gathered together Against the Lord and against His Christ.’ 27 “For truly against Your holy Servant Jesus, whom You anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles and the people of Israel, were gathered together 28 to do whatever Your hand and Your purpose determined before to be done.

The church saw that the persecution they were going through had been spoken of in God’s Word, in Psalm 2. They didn’t have to be surprised by it, but instead saw it as part of God’s plan. Then they prayed…

29 Now, Lord, look on their threats, and grant to Your servants that with all boldness they may speak Your word, 30 by stretching out Your hand to heal, and that signs and wonders may be done through the name of Your holy Servant Jesus.” 31 And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness.

Paul and Silas had that same kind of trust in God when they went through a rough patch. They had been arrested and beaten for casting a demon out of a slave girl. Look how they responded:

(Acts 16:25 NLT) Around midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening.

How could Paul and Silas do such a crazy thing like praising God after having been arrested and beaten?

Perhaps it was because they trusted God’s “judgment”.

They trusted God knew what He was doing.

When we trust God’s Word, we learn to trust God’s judgment.

We too can even praise God at midnight in a prison cell.

119:65-72 The Word (ט Teth)

:65 You have dealt well with Your servant, O Lord, according to Your word.

:66 Teach me good judgment and knowledge, For I believe Your commandments.

:67 Before I was afflicted I went astray, But now I keep Your word.

:68 You are good, and do good; Teach me Your statutes.

:69 The proud have forged a lie against me, But I will keep Your precepts with my whole heart.

:70 Their heart is as fat as grease, But I delight in Your law.

:70 Their heart is as fat as grease

fat – taphash – (Qal) to be gross, be insensitive, be fat

grease – cheleb – fat; choicest, best part, abundance (of products of the land)

Sounds like someone’s been eating too many Krispy Kremes and has a cholesterol count through the roof.

It could mean that they are just “thick” and unable to think about spiritual things.

(Psalm 119:70 NLT) Their hearts are dull and stupid, but I delight in your instructions.

(Psalm 119:70 HCSB) Their hearts are hard and insensitive, but I delight in Your instruction.

“Fat” is also considered the choicest part of the meat. It might carry the idea that these people grow fat through their fleshly pursuits rather than pursuing God’s Word.

:71 It is good for me that I have been afflicted, That I may learn Your statutes.

:72 The law of Your mouth is better to me Than thousands of coins of gold and silver.

:67 Before I was afflicted I went astray

Lesson

Course Correction

Sometimes God when we’ve gone off course with God, He will have to “raise His voice” to get us back on track.

Illustration

Three brothers, ages 12, 8 and 4, were playing in the afternoon on the family acreage. Dad had a special call when it was time to come in. Supper time came and dad called. The busy boys weren’t ready to come in and kept playing. Later, dad called a second time and the boys still wouldn’t come. They were busy playing. The third time dad called in a “huff,” threateningly. The boys came running into the house. When the four-year-old passed dad, he said, “Daddy, we didn’t hear you the first two times you called.”

Sometimes going through a difficult time is how God will “raise His voice” to get our attention.

The prophet Jonah had been commanded by God to go to the city of Nineveh and warn them about their wickedness.

Nineveh was the capital of the evil Assyrian empire.

Jonah hated the people of Nineveh and the last thing he wanted to do was warn them about God’s judgment. He wanted them to experience God’s judgment.

Today, Nineveh is known as the city of Mosul in Iraq.

You know the story.

Instead of heading to Nineveh, Jonah headed in the opposite direction and boarded a ship heading to Tarshish.

The first thing God did to get Jonah’s attention was to cause a storm at sea to threaten the ship.

When the sailors find out that Jonah was the reason for the storm, they tossed Jonah overboard, at Jonah’s request.

(Jonah 1:17 NKJV) Now the Lord had prepared a great fish to swallow Jonah. And Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights.

God didn’t intend for Jonah to die in a storm. That’s why He had a fish prepared. He is just trying to get Jonah’s attention and get him to change course in life.

(Jonah 2:1-2 NKJV) Then Jonah prayed to the Lord his God from the fish’s belly. 2 And he said: “I cried out to the Lord because of my affliction, And He answered me. “Out of the belly of Sheol I cried, And You heard my voice.

Jonah was certainly one stubborn fellow.

When the storm hit, he wasn’t ready.

When he was tossed overboard he wasn’t ready.

When he was swallowed by a fish he wasn’t ready.

It took three days and nights in the fish’s belly before he was ready to surrender to God.

Jonah’s affliction finally got through to him. He finally cried out to God for help.

If you’ve been going through a tough time, perhaps it’s time to do some soul searching.

Have you been going the wrong way? Is God trying to get your attention? Does He have it yet?

Yet be careful – not all affliction is due to our disobedience. There are many reasons for affliction.

119:73-80 The Word (י Yod)

:73 Your hands have made me and fashioned me; Give me understanding, that I may learn Your commandments.

:74 Those who fear You will be glad when they see me, Because I have hoped in Your word.

:75 I know, O Lord, that Your judgments are right, And that in faithfulness You have afflicted me.

:76 Let, I pray, Your merciful kindness be for my comfort, According to Your word to Your servant.

:77 Let Your tender mercies come to me, that I may live; For Your law is my delight.

:78 Let the proud be ashamed, For they treated me wrongfully with falsehood; But I will meditate on Your precepts.

:79 Let those who fear You turn to me, Those who know Your testimonies.

:80 Let my heart be blameless regarding Your statutes, That I may not be ashamed.

:74 Those who fear You will be glad when they see me

Lesson

Be an Example

In vs. 74 and 79, the writer mentions those who “fear God”.

In each case, the writer is asking that he be an example to others who are following God.

Sometimes we aren’t the best of examples to each other and we just end up encouraging others to do stupid things.

There’s a story about a janitor who was having trouble with school girls leaving lipstick prints on the bathroom mirror:

Video: Janitor Cleaning Lipstick

God wants us to be good examples to each other.

(Hebrews 10:24 NKJV) And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works,

Paul wrote to Timothy,

(1 Timothy 4:12 NKJV) Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity.

119:81-88 The Word (כ Kaph)

:81 My soul faints for Your salvation, But I hope in Your word.

:82 My eyes fail from searching Your word, Saying, “When will You comfort me?”

:83 For I have become like a wineskin in smoke, Yet I do not forget Your statutes.

:83 like a wineskin in smoke

Spurgeon: The skins used for containing wine, when emptied, were hung up in the tent, and when the place reeked with smoke the skins grew black and sooty, and in the heat they became wrinkled and worn.

(Psalm 119:83 NLT) I am shriveled like a wineskin in the smoke, but I have not forgotten to obey your decrees.

In other words, I may feel like I’m wasting away, but I’m still clinging to God.

:84 How many are the days of Your servant? When will You execute judgment on those who persecute me?

:85 The proud have dug pits for me, Which is not according to Your law.

:86 All Your commandments are faithful; They persecute me wrongfully; Help me!

Unjust persecution makes me think of Jesus being persecuted.

:87 They almost made an end of me on earth, But I did not forsake Your precepts.

:88 Revive me according to Your lovingkindness, So that I may keep the testimony of Your mouth.

:88 Revive me according to Your lovingkindness

Lesson

What moves you?

What keeps you going? What motivates you? What influences your life the most?

For some of us, others would have to define us by our troubles.

All that others hear from our mouths is how difficult life is.

We get bounced from one hardship to the next.

Paul didn’t have an easy life. He shared some of his rough life with the Corinthians:

(2 Corinthians 11:24–27 NLT) —24 Five different times the Jewish leaders gave me thirty-nine lashes. 25 Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked. Once I spent a whole night and a day adrift at sea. 26 I have traveled on many long journeys. I have faced danger from rivers and from robbers. I have faced danger from my own people, the Jews, as well as from the Gentiles. I have faced danger in the cities, in the deserts, and on the seas. And I have faced danger from men who claim to be believers but are not. 27 I have worked hard and long, enduring many sleepless nights. I have been hungry and thirsty and have often gone without food. I have shivered in the cold, without enough clothing to keep me warm.

We believe that the book of 2Corinthians was written somewhere around the time of Acts 20:1.

After Acts 20:1, Paul is making his way back to Jerusalem, when he starts getting warnings from various prophets. He told the elders at Ephesus,

(Acts 20:22–24 NKJV) —22 And see, now I go bound in the spirit to Jerusalem, not knowing the things that will happen to me there, 23 except that the Holy Spirit testifies in every city, saying that chains and tribulations await me. 24 But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.

Throughout Psalm 119 we will be talking about how God uses affliction in our lives.

Paul had experienced plenty of affliction in life, but affliction wasn’t the thing that “moved” him.

God’s purpose in his life was his main motivation.

The Psalmist is asking God to revive him, or influence his life with lovingkindness.

His purpose is to keep God’s Word, to live a life of obedience to God.

119:89-96 The Word (ל Lamed)

:89 Forever, O Lord, Your word is settled in heaven.

:90 Your faithfulness endures to all generations; You established the earth, and it abides.

:91 They continue this day according to Your ordinances, For all are Your servants.

:92 Unless Your law had been my delight, I would then have perished in my affliction.

:93 I will never forget Your precepts, For by them You have given me life.

:94 I am Yours, save me; For I have sought Your precepts.

:95 The wicked wait for me to destroy me, But I will consider Your testimonies.

:96 I have seen the consummation of all perfection, But Your commandment is exceedingly broad.

:96 the consummation of all perfection

(Psalm 119:96 NLT) Even perfection has its limits, but your commands have no limit.

He’s seen the best of what man can do, but God’s Word is better.

All earthly things are limited, but His Word is infinite.

:92 Unless Your law had been my delight, I would then have perished in my affliction.

delight – sha‘shua‘– delight, enjoyment

Lesson

Keep going

If the Psalmist had not learned to make God’s Word his delight, he would have sunk under the difficult times he was facing.

God’s word is like a candle burning during the dark night of affliction.

It gives us direction and hope to keep going.

I would imagine that more than a few of you have experienced this.

I want to take a few minutes at the end to share some of the verses that have gotten you through those dark nights.

119:97-104 The Word (מ Mem)

:97 Oh, how I love Your law! It is my meditation all the day.

:98 You, through Your commandments, make me wiser than my enemies; For they are ever with me.

:99 I have more understanding than all my teachers, For Your testimonies are my meditation.

:100 I understand more than the ancients, Because I keep Your precepts.

:101 I have restrained my feet from every evil way, That I may keep Your word.

:102 I have not departed from Your judgments, For You Yourself have taught me.

:103 How sweet are Your words to my taste, Sweeter than honey to my mouth!

:104 Through Your precepts I get understanding; Therefore I hate every false way.

:99 I have more understanding than all my teachers

I used to think this meant that I’d be smarter than my teachers. This was one of my favorite verses in high school.

Lesson

Wisdom

This is not about having more “knowledge” than your teachers, but having more “understanding”, or “wisdom” than your teachers.

Knowledge is about facts.

Wisdom is knowing what to do with those facts.

It’s one thing to know that the black furry animal with the white stripe down it’s back is a skunk. It’s one thing to know that a skunk is an omnivore, that it eats small mammals, birds, eggs, insects, and that it loves honey and bees. It’s one thing to know about the smelly liquid that it sprays from glands as a defense mechanism.

It’s wisdom to stay away from it.

Illustration

A young executive was leaving the office late one evening when he found the CEO standing in front of a shredder with a piece of paper in his hand. “Listen,” said the CEO, “this is a very sensitive and important document here, and my secretary has gone for the night. Can you make this thing work?” “Certainly,” said the young executive. He turned the machine on, inserted the paper, and pressed the start button. “Excellent, excellent!” said the CEO as his paper disappeared inside the machine. “I just need one copy.”

When we spend time in God’s Word, our goal is not to acquire facts so we can win at Bible Trivia.

Our goal is to learn to apply God’s Word to our lives.

The writer to the Hebrews rebuked his readers for their immaturity.

(Hebrews 5:12–14 NLT) —12 You have been believers so long now that you ought to be teaching others. Instead, you need someone to teach you again the basic things about God’s word. You are like babies who need milk and cannot eat solid food. 13 For someone who lives on milk is still an infant and doesn’t know how to do what is right. 14 Solid food is for those who are mature, who through training have the skill to recognize the difference between right and wrong.

“Training” is all about putting God’s word into practice in your life.

The thing that marks a mature believer is not how many Bible verses they know, but how many Bible verses they live.

119:105-112 The Word (נ Nun)

:105 Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path.

:106 I have sworn and confirmed That I will keep Your righteous judgments.

:107 I am afflicted very much; Revive me, O Lord, according to Your word.

:108 Accept, I pray, the freewill offerings of my mouth, O Lord, And teach me Your judgments.

:109 My life is continually in my hand, Yet I do not forget Your law.

:110 The wicked have laid a snare for me, Yet I have not strayed from Your precepts.

:111 Your testimonies I have taken as a heritage forever, For they are the rejoicing of my heart.

:112 I have inclined my heart to perform Your statutes Forever, to the very end.

:105 Your word is a lamp to my feet

Lesson

God’s guidance

Sometimes life can feel like living in the dark.

We spent the first night of our honeymoon at a friend’s cabin up in Big Bear. We’d never been to the place before. We got there late at night and it was dark. There were very few lights in the area. We couldn’t even figure out how to turn the lights on in the cabin once we got inside because we couldn’t find the switches, and we hadn’t brought a flashlight (and those were before the days of cell phones with lights). It was all a bit spooky.

Learning to let God’s Word take a priority in our lives is like having a candle in a dark room.

The most basic way God guides us is through the principles the Word teaches.

(2 Timothy 3:16–17 NKJV) —16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.

When God’s Word warns you against living your life for the love of money, you take it seriously.

When God’s Word warns you against living your life for immoral sexual pleasures, you take it seriously.

When God’s Word teaches you to learn to pray and trust God with your life, you do it.

God can also use His word to give you specific direction in your life.

In 1993 we were living in a condo in Placentia, and our family was outgrowing the space. We put an offer down on a house, but things started getting scary with the finances. God spoke to me one day through a verse in my normal daily reading schedule:

(Deuteronomy 1:21 NKJV) Look, the Lord your God has set the land before you; go up and possess it, as the Lord God of your fathers has spoken to you; do not fear or be discouraged.’

Things worked out and we moved.

A few years later in 1994, when we were beginning to think about starting Calvary Fullerton. I had been thinking that I wanted to wait until I knew there were enough people to pull it off. But God challenged me to take a step of faith. It happened when I was teaching on a Sunday night at Calvary Anaheim, and the passage we were in was:

(Hebrews 11:8 NKJV) By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going.

We took that step of faith and God provided the people.

In 2004 we realized we would need to move to Fullerton in order for all our boys to attend the same High School. We were able to sell our house immediately, but were unable to find a new house in the area we wanted. God used a Scripture from my wife’s daily reading to comfort us:

(Genesis 46:3 NKJV) So He said, “I am God, the God of your father; do not fear to go down to Egypt, for I will make of you a great nation there.

Within a few days a house opened up.

When it comes to these special “words” from God, be careful about “looking” for them. You can find a Scripture to give you permission to do anything.

Learn to read your Bible every day and follow a routine.

Let God speak in your daily, scheduled reading.

Instead of looking for a word that you want to hear, let God’s Word find you.

119:113-120 The Word (ס Samek)

:113 I hate the double-minded, But I love Your law.

:114 You are my hiding place and my shield; I hope in Your word.

:115 Depart from me, you evildoers, For I will keep the commandments of my God!

:116 Uphold me according to Your word, that I may live; And do not let me be ashamed of my hope.

:117 Hold me up, and I shall be safe, And I shall observe Your statutes continually.

:118 You reject all those who stray from Your statutes, For their deceit is falsehood.

:119 You put away all the wicked of the earth like dross; Therefore I love Your testimonies.

:120 My flesh trembles for fear of You, And I am afraid of Your judgments.

:113 I hate the double-minded

double-minded – ce‘eph – ambivalent, divided, half-hearted; from ca‘aph – to cut off, lop off boughs

Lesson

Doubting in trials

Keep in mind that the psalmist is a fellow going through “afflictions”. He’s going through trials.

(James 1:2–8 NKJV) —2 My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.

One of the reasons God may allow trials in your life is to produce patience, endurance.

4 But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.

Don’t be bummed when God is trying to grow you in patience.

God uses trials to mature you, to make you “perfect”.

5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.

In context, James is talking about asking God for wisdom in trials. God wants to guide you through your difficulty.

6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. 7 For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; 8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.

If you’re going to ask for wisdom, you need to ask “in faith”, to trust that God is going to give it to you.

The opposite of asking in faith is wondering if God can help you.

This is being a “double-minded” man.

It’s not about being confident in what you hope God will do, but being confident that God will do what’s best.

Peter knew what it was like to be tossed about by the wind and waves.

One night the disciples were crossing the Sea of Galilee when they ran into a storm. Jesus showed up walking on the water. Peter got a crazy idea and asked Jesus if he could join Jesus walking on water.

(Matthew 14:29–31 NKJV) —29 So He said, “Come.” And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus. 30 But when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, “Lord, save me!” 31 And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him, and said to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?”

Peter’s “faith” got shaken because he was looking at the storm and not at Jesus.

Oh that we wouldn’t panic when the storms hit, but would learn to keep our eyes on Jesus and trust Him through the storm.

Discussion

:92 Unless Your law had been my delight, I would then have perished in my affliction.

Has God used a special verse to give you guidance?

Do you have some favorite verses that have gotten you through difficult times?

(Psalm 46:1–2 NKJV) —1 God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble. 2 Therefore we will not fear, Even though the earth be removed, And though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;

(Isaiah 57:15 NKJV) —15 For thus says the High and Lofty One Who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: “I dwell in the high and holy place, With him who has a contrite and humble spirit, To revive the spirit of the humble, And to revive the heart of the contrite ones.

(2 Corinthians 4:16–18 NKJV) —16 Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. 17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, 18 while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.

(Jeremiah 29:11 NKJV) —11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.

(Romans 8:38–39 NKJV) —38 For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, 39 nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.