Psalm 119:1-8 1 Blessed are they whose ways are blameless, who walk according to the law of the Lord. 2 Blessed are they who keep his statutes and seek him with all their heart. 3 They do nothing wrong; they walk in his ways. 4 You have laid down precepts that are to be fully obeyed.

5 Oh, that my ways were steadfast in obeying your decrees! 6 Then I would not be put to shame when I consider all your commands. 7 I will praise you with an upright heart as I learn your righteous laws. 8 I will obey your decrees; do not utterly forsake me.

“The Alphabet Psalm” Psalm 119 Psalm 119 is the longest psalm. Authorship uncertain: Ezra, David, Unknown Acrostic poem

Music makes us Useful Sweet Instruments to get Close to people. Reynalda Nasis 2002

The MUSIC acrostic is the simplest form. This psalm is longer, more elaborate. 22 letters of the Hebrew alphabet with 8 verses beginning with that letter. 22 letters X 8 verses = 176 verses total It made it easier for people to memorize…the order of the letters is automatic in our minds.

Unfortunately, we lose the beauty of the Hebrew letters in the translation process. But it is interesting to understand how it worked to help the people memorize God’s word.

While the form of the poem uses a clever writing device, the theme of the poem focuses on God’s word. 174 verses, all but two verses (v. 122, 132), uses a synonym which refers to God’s law… His teachings, instructions.

God’s law His word His way His testimonies His commandments His precepts His judgments His righteousness His statutes His decrees His truth

Psalm 119:1-24 Brown Bible: p957 Blue Bible: p521 א Aleph v. 1-8 ב Beth v ג Gimel v

The focus is definitely God’s word. Whatever era you live in: Stone tablets Scrolls Oral tradition Printed Bibles Cassette tapes/CD’s ipad or mobile device It is important to hear, read, and know God’s Word.

But the desire of the author is to have more than to have a surface knowledge of God’s Word. The author seeks a deep understanding of the Lord’s law, command, statutes… Not just a superficial reading.

“Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things” (v. 18) Cat alarm clock The verse doesn’t refer to our physical eyes.

Rather, the psalmist's prayer is for spiritual insight. Go from simply seeing…to having insight. “Give me understanding, and I will keep you law and obey it with my heart” (v. 34) The Pharisee’s knew the Law, but they didn’t get it!! They were spiritually blind.

Matthew “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. 26 Blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and dish, and then the outside also will be clean.

27 “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of dead men’s bones and everything unclean. 28 In the same way, on the outside you appear to people as righteous but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness.

“Blind fools!” Our eyes are useless without light. Have you walked in the dark? Likewise, our spiritual eyes are useless until we have the Holy Spirit to illuminate God’s Word.

Flashlight with dead batteries is useless. The Bible is useless without the Spirit. The Bible is a dead letter except to those whom the Spirit reveals its message through a personal revelation. Every week I am amazed what the Spirit teaches me through the course of my contemplation of the scripture.

Many words are used to talk about meditating on God’s word. It is not a quick process. Speed reading is not a benefit. It takes time, thought and the Spirit’s leading to understand the depth of God’s word and how it applies to our lives.

“Thy word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.” (v 105) God’s word is not a flood light. Not like those lights they use for night construction. Uses “lamp” & “light” for a reason. Just enough light to see step by step. We might like to see the finish line, but God gives us light for today.

It is over a lifetime of study, and the Spirit’s help, that we come to understand God’s word more and more… and apply it to our lives. It helps form our worldview. It helps us understand life, and find true happiness. Shows us what is important and worthwhile.

Putting it together from John Piper’s “Desiring God” There are wonderful things in the Word of God. In fact, they are so wonderful they can change us profoundly and empower us for love and mission. That is why it is important to know and meditate on the Word of God.

Putting it together We cannot see the wonderful things for what they really are without God’s supernatural help. If God does not open our eyes, we cannot see the wonder of the Word. The glory of God in its teachings is like the sun shining in the face of a blind man.

Putting it together We must pray for God’s supernatural illumination when we read the Bible. Since we are helpless in ourselves to see spiritual truth, we must pray for God to “open our eyes” to the wonder of His Word.