Today's Reading:

Psalm 119:1-88

In Psalm 119:74 it is written, “May those who fear You rejoice when they see me, for I have put my hope in Your Word.”

We are created to obey, which is the heart of this particular section of the psalm. Our lives are meant to encourage others. The psalmist did not want to be an isolated sufferer, but to have his hope be contagious! Allowing the hope in God’s Word to be visible so that other Christians notice and are strengthened. He prayed that other believers would look at him and feel renewed joy and faith, not because life is easy, but because he kept hoping in God’s Word even when life was hard.

Suffering + Hope = Powerful Testimony.

Let your hope in God’s word be so visible that it strengthens everyone around you. When people look at your life (especially if you are in a difficult situation), what do they usually see? Is it discouragement, anxiety, or hope in God’s Word? If not, how can we make our hope in Scripture more visible and encouraging to others?

 

This is the longest chapter and the longest psalm in the Bible (176 verses). It was possibly written by Ezra, the priest and scribe. This was another acrostic psalm where the first letter of the alphabet was used in each of the 22 stanzas (one for each letter of the Hebrew alphabet). Each stanza had exactly 8 verses. Here is my breakdown from major sections of Psalm 119: I will meditate on the Word, The wonderful things in your law give me understanding, this is not for selfish gain, it is good to be afflicted, although I constantly take my life in my hands, You sustain me, You give light, seven times a day, I will praise you. The overall theme of the psalm is that God’s Word is our greatest treasure. His Word is our comfort when suffering, wisdom when confused, joy when down, and our guide through each time of our life.

Here is a one-sentence summary from each stanza:

• 1-8 Aleph: Those who obey God’s law will have a blessed and blameless life.
• 9-16 Beth: Living by God’s Word is how you stay pure.
• 17-24 Gimel: When dealing with contempt, God’s Word is your counselor and comfort.
• 25-32 Daleth: God is a spiritual second wind; He lifts you up through His Word when you are struggling.
• 33-40 He: Teach me, Lord; for a heart change from my desires and self-centered things (chasing money, power, comfort, or success) and to turn toward Your laws.
• 41-48 Waw: Let me speak boldly and without shame and meditate on His laws.
• 49-56 Zayin: God’s promises bring comfort in suffering, especially in sleepless nights.
• 57-64 Heth: The Lord is enough (maybe the psalmist was a Levite?).
• 65-72 Teth: It is good to have pain (a benefit). Because through the pain we learn His ways and laws. This was not pain for punishment, but of painful circumstances.
• 73-80 Yodh: We were created by God to obey Him.
• 81-88 Kaph: Perseverance while waiting. Even when spiritually and emotionally exhausted, there is hope. This was a deliberate choice to put hope in God’s Word.
  
  

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