The longest psalm in the Bible, Psalm 119, is a magnificent celebration, meditation, and commitment to God's law. This lovely poem expresses the law as liberating and "blessed" rather than viewing it negatively and restrictively.
I am aware that the New Covenant gives us a broader understanding of God's law (i.e., the law of Christ as best summed up in the Sermon on the Mount), but even so, examining the law from a Christian perspective can yield amazing revelations.
I haven't studied Psalm 119 in a while, but after being away from it and going through a lot of changes in my life since I last read it, I felt driven to start over and see what I could learn.
I'll share a few verses that particularly appeal to me and, when necessary, provide some discussion. I hope you have fun on this adventure and share your thoughts as well!
Psalm 119:1-2
King James's New Version
Thoughts on the Magnificence of God's Word
1 Those who walk in the Lord's law and are [a]undefiled in the path are blessed!
2 Those who seek Him fervently and who adhere to His testimony are blessed!
Meditations on the Excellencies of the Bible Gateway, Psalm 119:1-2 NKJV
I adore the title that Bible Gateway (see above) assigns to this Psalm: "Meditations on the Excellencies of the Word of God."
Our thinking should be based on God's Word, and as the psalmist states at the beginning, we should also be abiding by the Lord's law.
The law is not a burden, as we particularly understand it now from Jesus' teachings. It sets expectations and provides us with boundaries between right and wrong. Its ultimate purpose is to protect and guide us.
We must pursue God "...with the whole heart," as Jesus reiterates.
Matthew 22:37–38
King James's New Version
37 “You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind,” Jesus told him. 38 The first and most important commandment is this one.
I am aware that the New Covenant gives us a broader understanding of God's law (i.e., the law of Christ as best summed up in the Sermon on the Mount), but even so, examining the law from a Christian perspective can yield amazing revelations.
I haven't studied Psalm 119 in a while, but after being away from it and going through a lot of changes in my life since I last read it, I felt driven to start over and see what I could learn.
I'll share a few verses that particularly appeal to me and, when necessary, provide some discussion. I hope you have fun on this adventure and share your thoughts as well!
Psalm 119:1-2
King James's New Version
Thoughts on the Magnificence of God's Word
1 Those who walk in the Lord's law and are [a]undefiled in the path are blessed!
2 Those who seek Him fervently and who adhere to His testimony are blessed!
Meditations on the Excellencies of the Bible Gateway, Psalm 119:1-2 NKJV
I adore the title that Bible Gateway (see above) assigns to this Psalm: "Meditations on the Excellencies of the Word of God."
Our thinking should be based on God's Word, and as the psalmist states at the beginning, we should also be abiding by the Lord's law.
The law is not a burden, as we particularly understand it now from Jesus' teachings. It sets expectations and provides us with boundaries between right and wrong. Its ultimate purpose is to protect and guide us.
We must pursue God "...with the whole heart," as Jesus reiterates.
Matthew 22:37–38
King James's New Version
37 “You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind,” Jesus told him. 38 The first and most important commandment is this one.