Song of God's Word

Introduction

What is your favorite Bible passage? Can some of you tell us what it is? Just call it out. There are a variety of reasons why we like certain texts over others. Sometimes a text became clear to us during times of distress; sometimes a text is invaluable because of a promise or the comfort it brings or the insight it provides. Whatever reason, there is some text which speaks to us more loudly than others.

Just a few weeks ago, I encouraged us to return to reading our Bibles. Last week Bob encouraged us to increase our study time in the scriptures. Not to just read the words but to spend time reflecting, thinking, finding other texts which illuminate, and discovering afresh God’s word. Today, we are going to look at Psalm 119. It is the longest chapter in the Bible. It is an interesting writing on several levels. Psalm 119 is an elaborate poem with one main subject or theme—“The Word of God.” Many synonyms are used. The Psalmist talks about: laws, statutes, precepts, decrees, commands and promises; all of them referring to the same thing—God’s Word. It is divided according to the Hebrew alphabet, 22 sections (one for each letter) with 8 verses in each section; each verse begins with that particular letter in the alphabet.

This psalm values God’s word. The Psalm opens by pronouncing a blessing upon those who keep God’s commandments (verses 1,2). The Word is more precious than silver and gold (72); and sweeter than honey (103). The Word is awesome (120), true (160), trustworthy (86), and eternal (89, 152). The Word provides wisdom (99, 100) understanding (130), and stability (165). And very importantly, the Word makes purity possible (9–11).

The psalm affirms not only the value of God’s word, it also states that God’s word has significant benefits. “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.” (105) “Great peace have they who love your law, and nothing can make them stumble.” (165) Verse 71, “It was good for me to be afflicted so that I might learn your decrees.” Not many “Amens” to that verse—we don’t do afflictions!

God’s word is highly prized in this song. The point of today’s lesson is really very simple—God’s word needs to be in our hearts. The word of God matters. The word of God is to be highly prized. The law of God is sweeter than honey. The word of God serves as our guide for life. God’s law is not optional, but is to be hidden in our hearts so that we may follow his ways when life’s challenges come. We are going to concentrate on one section this morning (verses 9–16) and allow that section to teach us.

Law and Legalism

Loving God’s law and legalism are not the same thing. Legalism is often misunderstood. Strict adherence to law does not make one guilty of legalism. Legalism in theological terms is trusting one’s ability to keep the law and thus secure relationship with God. It does include a strict adherence to law, but it is adherence for the purpose of securing heaven or one’s relationship with God. Such a view is condemned in scripture. Paul, in both Romans and Galatians, goes to great lengths to demonstrate that legalism is not from God. But Paul nor any other writer denigrates God’s law. Paul says in Romans 7:12 that God’s law is holy. Law is not bad. As with so many things it is our attitude toward God’s law that often results in an unholy view.

The songwriter of Psalm 119 understood the holiness and beauty of God’s law. He understood that the decrees, commands, and precepts of God are meant to keep him close to God. These same laws were meant to help him; to assist him in living a productive and meaningful life in this world. In our section, the psalmist recognizes the benefit of God’s word.

Sin is so easy for us. It is a part of our lives. But the righteous person recognizes that God’s word shields him from sin. How can a young man keep his way pure? By God’s word. Purity is not just a young person’s sin problem. Even adults have difficulty in maintaining purity. Purity includes more than just sexual holiness. Purity includes the idea of not giving in to sin. Young people face a number of temptations. The temptations are often magnified and amplified because of so many changes which are occurring physically, emotionally, psychologically, and spiritually. This writer understood that if a young person is going to weather the temptation storms, then the word of God is going to be a shield against sin.

Notice where the emphasis is placed in this text. Verse 10, “I seek you with all my heart.” Verse 11 “I have hidden your word in my heart.” Verse 13, “with my lips I recount all the laws that come from your mouth.” Verse 14, “I rejoice in your statutes.” Verse 15 “I meditate on your precepts.” Verse 16, “I delight in your decrees.” There is a real emphasis on an attitude which searches for God’s word—an attitude which desires to be in God’s word—an attitude which finds peace and joy in reading, studying, knowing, and memorizing God’s word.

Application

If the word of God is so valuable, why is it so difficult for us to spend time with it. There are some cultural changes which have taken place. We read less now than we used to. The Bible can seem boring when there are so many images available for us to see. What little we read, must be quickly digested. We are far better at reading Reader’s Digest than the full length book. We need to be in God’s word regularly if not everyday.

In general science you learned that there are three states of matter—solid, liquid, and gas. Solid has a definite size, shape, and can be measured. Liquid has volume and can be measured. A gas is different. It is often unseen, has no size or shape. Instead it takes on the shape of the container which holds it. In other words, a gas is shaped by its environment. Too many of us have allowed our hearts to be like a gas. We are shaped by our environment. The word of God has not been implanted in our minds and on our hearts. We can’t discern what is truthful from what is false because we are not prepared to face those challenges head on. Purity is defined by our environment and our dedication to God follows.

We have not committed verse 10 to memory: “I seek you with all my heart.” We seek comfort, pleasure, wealth, and leisure with far greater commitment than we do God and his word. We haven’t hidden God’s word in our hearts and sin has taken hold of us. We see God as someone who can’t possibly understand how much fun there is to have in this world and God’s rules are just kill joys. We have neglected the word of God and as a result we are not able to deal with sin and the thoughts which capture our minds are more from this world than from God’s word.

Do we not read our Bibles because God’s word is boring, unappealing, outdated, or because we are lazy, distracted, or apathetic? Centuries ago some in a mediaeval village ridiculed a rabbi for his people’s preoccupation with God’s law. They likened God’s word to a large body of water: cold, murky, unappealing. Whereupon the rabbi told them that God’s word is indeed like water: God’s law is to the Jew what water is to the fish. It’s the only place the fish can thrive. Does any fish feel better for being out of the water? Does a fish look happier when out of the water? Is a fish profoundly free when it’s “free” of the water? The law of God is the natural habitat of God’s people; it’s where God’s people thrive. Can you say as the psalmist said, “I will not neglect your word?” Are you willing to be like a fish in water, thriving in God’s Word?

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