May 20, 2007 Psalm 119 class
What comes to your mind when you read the word "law" in this Psalm?
(my summary of the section, not quotes from Psalm 119 follows the verse number)
1 a person’s way is blameless when they walk according to the law of the Lord
9 keep your way pure – live according to God’s word; rejoice and delight in God’s law
17 I will obey and keep God’s statutes even though others do not
25 when I am tired and have troubles I will rely on God’s promises that he will strengthen me
33 help me know God’s law so I can remain faithful
41 I put my hope in God’s laws and know I won’t be forever put down by others
49 God’s laws comfort me and preserve me; I stay faithful even when others mock me
57 I have made a firm decision to obey God’s words and seek God’s statutes
65 I strayed, was afflicted, but now have learned God’s decrees and obey God’s word
73 those who fear God will rejoice together and seek each other
81 I am desperate in need but always remember God and hope in God’s word
89 God’s word is everlasting, God’s law stands
97 I love God’s law and it makes me wise, I reject evil ways
105 God’s word helps me see the way to go, I will keep God’s law to the end
113 I love God’s law and hope in his word, I don’t get attached to evil people, God rejects evil people
121 I have been God’s servant; God protect me; help me understand the statutes
129 God’s statutes are worth obeying; deliver me from oppression and sin
137 God is righteous and his law is right; I can delight in God’s laws even when I am distressed
145 I call to God for help; I will obey God’s law if I continue to live
153 Preserve my life, O Lord, because you love me and because of your promises
161 I love God’s law but hate what is false in the world; I obey God’s statutes out of love
169 Hear my plea O God; help me with understanding, deliverance; sustain me; seek me
verse 11 I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you. NIV
Does memorizing verses from the Bible help us in turning from sin?
What else besides memorization is needed to turn us from sin?
How did Jesus use God’s word to keep him from sinning?
Luke 4:1-12 … He was led by the Spirit in the wilderness, where he was tempted by the devil for forty days..
2 Kings 10:31 … Jehu was not careful to keep the law of the LORD, … with all his heart. He did not turn away from the sins of Jeroboam, …NIV
Psalm 119: 133 Direct my footsteps according to your word; let no sin rule over me. NIV
Jeremiah 11:10 They have returned to the sins of their forefathers, who refused to listen to my words. …NIV
Luke 8:21(Jesus)"My mother and brothers are those who hear God's word and put it into practice." NIV
verse 105 Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path. NIV
Psalm 19: 8 The commandments of the Lord are right… clear, giving insight for living. NIV
Romans 15:4 For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us…NIV
Colossians 3: 16 … Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts. NIV
2 Peter 1: 19…pay close attention to what they (prophets) wrote, for their words are like a lamp … NIV
Why do our feet need a lamp?
How can God’s word help us see the path?
Which path will God’s word show us?
In this series we studied Psalms 1, 37, 8, 19, 23, 32, 51, 63, 66, 73, 78, 84, 86, 119
Which of these is your favorite Psalm? Why?
Copyright © 2007 by Greg Clements. Permission is granted to copy and distribute these documents as long as no fee of any kind is charged and this copyright notice is included in the document.
May 20, 2007 Psalm 119 Leader
This is the final class for this series.
"Psalm 119 has 22 carefully constructed sections, each corresponding to a different letter in the Hebrew alphabet and each verse beginning with the letter of its section."
"Life Application Bible NIV" Tyndale House and Zondervan (1991) page 1036
OPTIONAL: Have groups of two write 4 verses of a new Psalm. Group 1 will start each verse with a word that begins with A, Group two will write verses with each verse starting with a word that begins with B, etc.
What comes to your mind when you read the word "law" in this Psalm?
"’Law’ in the OT should not be confused with Pharisaic legalism. The Hebrew word is tora, meaning ‘teaching.’ It stands for the will of God revealed to Israel. It is the loving instruction of a parent. (Proverbs 4:1,2)"
"The New Bible Commentary Revised" D. Guthrie and J. Motyer eds. Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co. (1970) page 526
We will read the first verse of each section:
(my summary of the section, not quotes from Psalm 119 follows the verse number)
1 a person’s way is blameless when they walk according to the law of the Lord
9 keep your way pure – live according to God’s word; rejoice and delight in God’s law
17 I will obey and keep God’s statutes even though others do not
25 when I am tired and have troubles I will rely on God’s promises that he will strengthen me
33 help me know God’s law so I can remain faithful
41 I put my hope in God’s laws and know I won’t be forever put down by others
49 God’s laws comfort me and preserve me; I stay faithful even when others mock me
57 I have made a firm decision to obey God’s words and seek God’s statutes
65 I strayed, was afflicted, but now have learned God’s decrees and obey God’s word
73 those who fear God will rejoice together and seek each other
81 I am desperate in need but always remember God and hope in God’s word
89 God’s word is everlasting, God’s law stands
97 I love God’s law and it makes me wise, I reject evil ways
105 God’s word helps me see the way to go, I will keep God’s law to the end
113 I love God’s law and hope in his word, I don’t get attached to evil people, God rejects evil people
121 I have been God’s servant; God protect me; help me understand the statutes
129 God’s statutes are worth obeying; deliver me from oppression and sin
137 God is righteous and his law is right; I can delight in God’s laws even when I am distressed
145 I call to God for help; I will obey God’s law if I continue to live
153 Preserve my life, O Lord, because you love me and because of your promises
161 I love God’s law but hate what is false in the world; I obey God’s statutes out of love
169 Hear my plea O God; help me with understanding, deliverance; sustain me; seek me
Several sections bring forth the sentiment that there are those who treat God’s followers badly. But the Psalmist is faithful to follow God’s laws and to maintain his hope that God will rescue him.
Memorable verses
verse 11
I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you. NIV
I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you. Today’s NIV
Your word I have treasured in my heart, That I may not sin against You. NASB
I've banked your promises in the vault of my heart so I won't sin myself bankrupt. MESSAGE
Your word have I laid up in my heart, that I might not sin against You. Amplified
I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you. New Living Translation
Does memorizing verses from the Bible help us in turning from sin?
What else besides memorization is needed to turn us from sin?
How did Jesus use God’s word to keep him from sinning?
Luke 4:1-2 Then Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan River. He was led by the Spirit in the wilderness, 2 where he was tempted by the devil for forty days. Jesus ate nothing all that time and became very hungry. …
Luke 4:4 But Jesus told him, "No! The Scriptures say, ‘People do not live by bread alone.’
Luke 4:8 Jesus replied, "The Scriptures say, ‘You must worship the Lord your God and serve only him.
Luke 4:12 Jesus responded, "The Scriptures also say, ‘You must not test the Lord your God.’
2 Kings 10:31 … Jehu was not careful to keep the law of the LORD, … with all his heart. He did not turn away from the sins of Jeroboam, …NIV
Psalm 119: 133 Direct my footsteps according to your word; let no sin rule over me. NIV
Jeremiah 11:10 They have returned to the sins of their forefathers, who refused to listen to my words. …NIV
Luke 8:21(Jesus)"My mother and brothers are those who hear God's word and put it into practice." NIV
Colossians 3: 16 Let the message about Christ… fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts. NIV
verse 105
Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path. NIV
Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path. Today’s NIV
Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path. NASB
By your words I can see where I'm going; they throw a beam of light on my dark path. MESSAGE
Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. Amplified
Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path. New Living Translation
Why do our feet need a lamp?
How can God’s word help us see the path?
Which path will God’s word show us?
Psalm 19: 8 The commandments of the Lord are right, bringing joy to the heart. The commands of the Lord are clear, giving insight for living. NIV
Romans 15:4 For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. NIV
2 Peter 1:19 You must pay close attention to what they (prophets) wrote, for their words are like a lamp shining in a dark place—until … Christ the Morning Star shines in your hearts. NIV
In this series we studied Psalms 1, 37, 8, 19, 23, 32, 51, 63, 66, 73, 78, 84, 86, 119
Which of these is your favorite Psalm? Why?
Future Psalm studies? 89, 90, 92, 95, 96, 101, 103, 104, (125,126,127), 139, 147, 148
Copyright © 2007 by Greg Clements. Permission is granted to copy and distribute these documents as long as no fee of any kind is charged and this copyright notice is included in the document.