For those who may wish to ‘study’ this chapter, the following simple resources are provided for you. Each passage has a four-Part approach to help you take in and think further about what you have read.

Passage: Psalm 119:57-64

57 You are my portion, Lord;
    I have promised to obey your words.
58 I have sought your face with all my heart;
    be gracious to me according to your promise.
59 I have considered my ways
    and have turned my steps to your statutes.
60 I will hasten and not delay
    to obey your commands.
61 Though the wicked bind me with ropes,
    I will not forget your law.
62 At midnight I rise to give you thanks
    for your righteous laws.
63 I am a friend to all who fear you,
    to all who follow your precepts.
64 The earth is filled with your love, Lord;
    teach me your decrees.

A. Find Out:

1. How does he see the Lord & what has he promised? v.57
2. What has he done & what does he rely on? v.58
3. What has he considered, done, and will do? v.59,60
4. Who will he resist doing what, and how? v.61
5. When will he rise to do what? v.62
6. To whom will he be a friend? v.63
7. What does he know, so what does he ask? v.64

B. Think:

1. If v.61,62 are physical, what do they suggest?
2. If they are spiritual, what do they suggest?
3. What is his general intent throughout this stanza?

C. Comment:

We’ve commented that there is one reason that appears in each stanza that reveals what the stanza is about. Verses 61 & 62 give the reason. When he speaks of the wicked binding him with ropes, that could be physical (meaning they restrict his life) but it is more likely to have a spiritual meaning – they oppress him. The fact that he rises at midnight suggest an inability to sleep, that follows what is happening to him or what he feels. When people oppress us, physically or spiritually, we feel hemmed in and cast down.

It is perhaps in the light of this that he writes the rest of the stanza. He’s fixed on the Lord (v.57), he seeks Him whole heartedly (v.58), he’s made sure he’s walking in God’s law (v.59), he will instantly obey whatever he sees in it (v.60). In all these ways he will resist the pressures put upon him by others, to give up on God (implied by the restrictions that seek to put on him).

The result of what has been happening to him is that he is open to the community of God’s people, those who fear Him (v.63); he will be a friend to them all. He has come to appreciate good company. He sees with a clearer sight; he sees that this world is filled with God’s love (v.64) and so he wants to know more of God’s ways.

D. Application:

1. When others seek to oppress you, turn to the Lord.
2. Let God’s word act as an anchor for you during such times.

Passage: Psalm 119:65-72

65 Do good to your servant
    according to your word, Lord.
66 Teach me knowledge and good judgment,
    for I trust your commands.
67 Before I was afflicted I went astray,
    but now I obey your word.
68 You are good, and what you do is good;
    teach me your decrees.
69 Though the arrogant have smeared me with lies,
    I keep your precepts with all my heart.
70 Their hearts are callous and unfeeling,
    but I delight in your law.
71 It was good for me to be afflicted
    so that I might learn your decrees.
72 The law from your mouth is more precious to me
    than thousands of pieces of silver and gold.

A. Find Out:

1. What does the psalmist first ask the Lord? v.65,66
2. How had he been, what happened & now what does he do? v.67
3. What does he affirm? v.68
4. What had others done? v.69
5. What had they been like? v.70
6. How does he view what happened? v.71
7. What does he now feel about God’s Law? v.72

B. Think:

1. How had he been?
2. How had he been chastised?
3. How did that leave him feeling?

C. Comment:

This stanza is all about correction. The psalmist confesses that he had “gone astray” (v.67a), but then things started going wrong. Others come against him with lies (v.69), those he describes as arrogant and whose hearts were callous and unfeeling (v.70). Twice he describes what happened as being afflicted (v.67,71) and the implication is that it was brought by the Lord. When, in v.68, he says “You are good and what you do is good” this follows on from speaking about being corrected and it is as if he says, I realise that your correcting of me was for my good, because he specifically says that in v.71 and sees that it was so that he would learn that God’s will (His laws, decrees etc) is good.

We do need to see this, although it is not specifically stated, that all God laws, decrees, commands etc. are simply His perfect will for mankind expressed as rules for living. Coming out of this period of discipline he simply has a desire for Gods word which he speaks of as “knowledge and good judgement” (v.66). Even in the midst of the disciplining he learned to hold onto God’s will (v.69b). Now he just wants to learn more (v.68b) for he delights in it (v.70) and it is more precious than anything else (v.72). He has learned!

D. Application:

1. God’s discipline is to draw us back to Himself.
2. As He does that we learn that His will is best.

Passage: Psalm 119:73-80

73 Your hands made me and formed me;
    give me understanding to learn your commands.
74 May those who fear you rejoice when they see me,
    for I have put my hope in your word.
75 I know, Lord, that your laws are righteous,
    and that in faithfulness you have afflicted me.
76 May your unfailing love be my comfort,
    according to your promise to your servant.
77 Let your compassion come to me that I may live,
    for your law is my delight.
78 May the arrogant be put to shame for wronging me without cause;
    but I will meditate on your precepts.
79 May those who fear you turn to me,
    those who understand your statutes.
80 May I wholeheartedly follow your decrees,
    that I may not be put to shame.

A. Find Out:

1. How does the psalmist see himself? v.73
2. Who does he hope to influence? v.74
3. What does he feel the Lord has done? v.75
4. In what does he take comfort and hope? v.76,77
5. Who does he want the Lord to sort out? v.78
6. Who, again, does he want to influence? v.79
7. What does he desire of himself? v.80

B. Think:

1. How has he suffered?
2. Who does he want to bless and how?

C. Comment:

As with some of the previous stanzas this one speaks about the discipline of the Lord. The psalmist sees that the Lord has afflicted him (v.75) and it seems to have been through the words or actions of those he describes as the arrogant (v.78) who have wronged him. Those in opposition to him have been one group mentioned, and presumably they are godless men, those against God.

But there is another group that the psalmist refers to twice, those who fear the Lord (v.74,79). These will be God’s faithful people. He hopes that his coming through discipline into a good place of trusting in God’s word will cause the other believers to rejoice (v.74). But he also hopes that seeing him restored they will turn to him and fellowship with him as fellow believers (v.79).

Under-girding all this is the awareness that he sees that he is a product of God’s activity (v.73). Now whether this means from conception or simply through discipline being made a new man, is not made clear. But as this man of God now, he desires the Lord to teach him so that he will have understanding to have a heart to learn God’s commands (v.75) and he takes comfort in God’s love (v.76) and hope for his future in God’s compassion (v.77). He wants help to be blameless to avoid shame of failure (implied) (v.80).

D. Application:

1. Do others turn to us as people of the Word?
2. Do others come to fellowship with us as God’s people?

Passage: Psalm 119:81-88

81 My soul faints with longing for your salvation,
    but I have put my hope in your word.
82 My eyes fail, looking for your promise;
    I say, ‘When will you comfort me?’
83 Though I am like a wineskin in the smoke,
    I do not forget your decrees.
84 How long must your servant wait?
    When will you punish my persecutors?
85 The arrogant dig pits to trap me,
    contrary to your law.
86 All your commands are trustworthy;
    help me, for I am being persecuted without cause.
87 They almost wiped me from the earth,
    but I have not forsaken your precepts.
88 In your unfailing love preserve my life,
    that I may obey the statutes of your mouth.

A. Find Out:

1. What is the psalmist waiting for and feels he needs? v.81,82
2. What does he feel he is like? v.83
3. How is he suffering? v.84-87
4. What does he ask of the Lord? v.88

B. Think:

1. What has been happening to the psalmist?
2. What do you think v.83 says he’s like?
3. What do verses 81 & 82 convey?

C. Comment:

This stanza that takes us up to half way through the psalm is a prayer of anguish really, in the face of persecution. These constant references to those who oppose him, make us wonder if this psalm if almost a poetic diary of David’s, focused on God’s word and His will, expressing the anxieties that come with opposition.

He speaks of persecutors (v.84b) arrogant men who seek to bring him down (v.85a), men who live their lives contrary to God’s law (v.85b) and who come against him without cause (v.86b) and who he feels have almost removed his life and influence from the earth (v.87a). These men are godless and unrighteous and oppose the righteous children of God. They are a force to be reckoned with for they have the potential to bring us down if we allow them.

He almost feels weak with the longing he has to experience God’s saving power (v.81a) for it is to that that he looks, having put his hope in God’s word (v.81b). God’s word promises blessing for the righteous and he almost feels his sight is failing, having strained and strained looking to see signs of God coming to comfort him and change the circumstances (v. 82). We sometimes hear the expression, “I’ve been hung out to dry”, meaning they gave me up, and that’s what is in v.83. He feels the effects of this ongoing opposition have left him dried out and wrinkled, yet despite all this, he is going to hang on to God’s word (v.83b, 87b,88b) and cries to the Lord to preserve his life (v.88a).

D. Application:

1. Life does involve opposition. Jesus warned that it would be so.
2. In such times, trust in the Lord, look to His word.

Passage: Psalm 119:89-96

89 Your word, Lord, is eternal;
    it stands firm in the heavens.
90 Your faithfulness continues through all generations;
    you established the earth, and it endures.
91 Your laws endure to this day,
    for all things serve you.
92 If your law had not been my delight,
    I would have perished in my affliction.
93 I will never forget your precepts,
    for by them you have preserved my life.
94 Save me, for I am yours;
    I have sought out your precepts.
95 The wicked are waiting to destroy me,
    but I will ponder your statutes.
96 To all perfection I see a limit,
    but your commands are boundless.

A. Find Out:

1. What does the psalmist say about God’s word? v.89
2. What does he say about God’s faithfulness? v.90
3. What does he say about His laws? v.91
4. What did His law save him from? v.92,93
5. Why should God save him? v.94
6. What threat was he still under? v.95
7. To what does he compare God’s commands and why? v.96

B. Think:

1. What declaration do the first three verses make?
2. From what does he consider God’s law has saved him?
3. How does he consider it will save him?

C. Comment:

As with most of these stanzas there is reference to difficulties. They are first described as affliction (v.92) which is usually used in respect of an illness, and this, whatever it was, had obviously threatened his life (v.93). The psalmist see that by keeping these laws, they have been the means of preserving him (v.92,93). Even more than that, there are wicked (unrighteous) men who are waiting to pull him down and destroy him (v.95a), but he sees that by remaining in God’s word he will be saved from them (implied v.95b).

To see why he has this assurance we need to look at the other verses. The first three verses declare the steadfastness of God’s declared will. His word is eternal (v.89) and God’s faithfulness, His constant presence that is there, unchanging, always ready to uphold what He has said, will be continued as long as there are people on the earth, and because the Lord has established the earth, it goes on and on (v.90). God had declared His will through His laws and they remained applicable to that very day (v.91); nothing had changed, for everything was subject to His will. For these reasons he hangs on to God’s declared will and trusts that God will uphold him in compliance with that declared will. The extent of the things covered by His will are limitless (v.96)

D. Application:

1. God’s declared will never changes. It can be replied upon.
2. Living within the will of God brings security.

Passage: Psalm 119:97-104

97 Oh, how I love your law!
    I meditate on it all day long.
98 Your commands are always with me
    and make me wiser than my enemies.
99 I have more insight than all my teachers,
    for I meditate on your statutes.
100 I have more understanding than the elders,
    for I obey your precepts.
101 I have kept my feet from every evil path
    so that I might obey your word.
102 I have not departed from your laws,
    for you yourself have taught me.
103 How sweet are your words to my taste,
    sweeter than honey to my mouth!
104 I gain understanding from your precepts;
    therefore I hate every wrong path.

A. Find Out:

1. Who is the psalmist wiser than? v.98
2. Of whom does he have more insight, and why? v.99
3. Of whom does he have more understanding, and why? v.100
4. What has he ensured? v.101,102
5. What does he feel about God’s word? v.103
6. What does he do with them? v.97
7. With what result? v.104

B. Think:

1. When it comes to the Law who is he better than?
2. To what does he put that down?

C. Comment:

This might appear as a psalm where the psalmist boasts but it is really a straight forward declaration of truth. It focuses, as the whole psalm does, on God’s law, but more especially about what he does with it, and the outcome of what he does.

Perhaps we should start with what he does. He meditates on God’s law all day long (v.97), he meditates or thinks on God’s statutes or written laws (v.99b) but even more, he obeys all of God’s instructions (precepts) (v.100b). He ever holds God’s demands before him (v.98b). Knowing God’s will, understanding it and obeying it are key to his life.

He has enemies (v.98), yes, but the focus is not on them. The focus is on the effect of meditating on, holding to and obeying what God has said. That is the all-important thing.

Result number 1: he is wiser than his enemies (v.98a) because God’s law bring wisdom and understanding.

Result number 2: he has more insight into God’s heart than even his teachers (v.99b) because of the thought and effort he puts in.

Result number 3: he has more understanding of God’s ways than even the town elders (v.100a) because he not only knows and understands God’s law, he does what it says and sees the fruit of it.

He stays from evil (v.101), he has learnt from God (v.102) and the truth has become a delight (v.103) so he hates all wrong (v.104).

D. Application:

1. Putting effort into understanding God’s word brings blessing.Knowledge, understanding and obedience need to go together.

Passage: Psalm 119:105-112

105 Your word is a lamp for my feet,
    a light on my path.
106 I have taken an oath and confirmed it,
    that I will follow your righteous laws.
107 I have suffered much;
    preserve my life, Lord, according to your word.
108 Accept, Lord, the willing praise of my mouth,
    and teach me your laws.
109 Though I constantly take my life in my hands,
    I will not forget your law.
110 The wicked have set a snare for me,
    but I have not strayed from your precepts.
111 Your statutes are my heritage for ever;
    they are the joy of my heart.
112 My heart is set on keeping your decrees
    to the very end.

A. Find Out:

1. What is God’s word like? v.105
2. For what has he taken an oath? v.106
3. What does he feel about his life? v.107,109,110
4. Despite this, what will he do? v.108
5. What does he feel about God’s law? v.111
6. So what has he determined? v.112

B. Think:

1. How would you put v.105 in your own words?
2. How does he describe his life?
3. So what does he determine to do?

C. Comment:

Yet again the psalmist conveys a sense that at times his life is difficult, that there are moral challenges that come, but more than that, that his life is sometimes under threat. When he says he has suffered much (v.107a), he asks the Lord to preserve his life (107b), which indicates that it has been under threat. He speaks about taking his life in his hands (v.109) which again speaks of a risky life and then adds that the wicked set a snare for him (v.110), and the second half of the verse, “I but I have not strayed”, suggests that the snare is to lead him astray from God’s commands, God’s law, God’s will. That is the challenge to our lives that comes again and again from the enemy: temptation to lead us off the path of righteousness.

He sees God’s word as a means of revealing that path and showing him the way (v.105), and he has promised himself and the Lord that he will keep to those laws that show him the way (v.106). He asks the Lord to keep him (v.107b), and teach him (v.108b). For his part, he will praise the Lord (v.108a) despite the enemy’s activity; he won’t let the enemy make him forget God’s will (v.109b) for he see the laws of God as part of his inheritance (v.111a) which bring him joy and so he has set his heart to make sure he keeps to God’s will (v.112) whatever happens, to the very end.

D. Application:

1. Are we as set on living within God’s will as the psalmist is?
2. Do we see the enemy’s threat and know what we have to resist?