Bible Study - Rhythm (1) - GOD'S Word Delights - Psalm 119:1-8 - December 4, 2016

Bible Study – Rhythm (1) – GOD’S Word Delights – December 4, 2016

This is lesson one (1) in our new series entitled “Spoken: The Rhythm of GOD’S Word.”

We experience joy as we follow GOD’S Word.

Our focus scripture is Psalm 119:1-8.

For the next six-weeks our scripture will be focused on Psalm 119.

Psalm 119 is the longest psalm in the Book of Psalms. It is focused upon one central topic and that is “GOD’S Word.” The psalmist exalts GOD’S Word as a vital building block for life.

The title of our study “Rhythm of GOD’S Word” to me is so unique and expressive. When we are in perfect relationship with GOD through faith in JESUS there is a natural peace, harmony and rhythmic flow in our lives. It is like a well prepared and rehearsed orchestra that has worked hard but has enjoyed every second of its preparation to perform each note to the glory of GOD and HIS Majesty with GOD as the conductor.

Psalm 199 is an acrostic, which is an alphabetic poem. There are 22-letters in the Hebrew alphabet. Verses 1-8 in today’s study begin with the first letter of the Hebrew alphabet “alef.” Then the second set of verses 9-16 begin with the second letter of the Hebrew alphabet “bet.” The third letter of the Hebrew alphabet is “gimel” thus verses 17-24 all begin with “gimel.” This pattern is repeated in Psalm 119 using all 22-letters of the Hebrew alphabet, which totals 176 verses – 22 Hebrew letters times 8 verses for each letter equals 176 verses.

Several Bible translations give the Hebrew letter of their alphabet at the beginning of each 8-verse section or strophes.

The number 8 is a special number in Hebrew history. As you may recall a male child was circumcised on the eighth day. JESUS was circumcised on the eighth day. It relates to being in covenant with GOD. Noah and his family totaled eight people; JESUS was resurrected on the third day, which is first day (Sunday); the eighth day or the first day after the Sabbath. Eight refers to new beginnings. The number seven is considered the number of completion e.g. on the seventh day GOD rested after creating the world. On the eighth day the world functioned as GOD planned.

GOD’S Word reveals the truth about GOD, HIS nature, HIS character and HIS guidance to all people for building the right relationship with HIM. HIS Word is a lamp or light for us to get to know about GOD and ultimately to get to know GOD personally in an intimate and loving personal relationship as we put into action what HE reveals to us.

GOD’S Word is not a substitute for GOD but a guide to GOD Himself. JESUS CHRIST is the ultimate revelation of GOD in the flesh and HIS love for every human. JESUS gave HIS perfect physical, sinless life by the shedding of HIS blood for all who place their faith in HIM. The shedding of HIS blood obliterates sin for all who place their faith in HIM and imputes eternal life to them; Spiritual rebirth.

Faith in JESUS is the ultimate “new beginning” of eternal life as GOD’S Son or Daughter through the miracle of rebirth, which is assured by the resurrection of JESUS. The shed blood of JESUS redeems all who place their faith in JESUS from the consequence of sin, which is eternal death. My prayer is that all who read this will choose eternal life over eternal death by accepting JESUS as their Savior.

The Holy Spirit inspired the writer of Psalm 119 to write in this manner. Some Bible scholars believe the writer was the Prophet Ezra.

As we study Psalm 119, may the Holy Spirit reveal to us the wonders of HIS handiwork through HIS inspired Word as it relates to our lives in 2016 and beyond! GOD’S Word is just as relevant today as it was when it was penned. Let’s explore!

[]Copied from page 6, Herschel Hobbs Commentary, winter 2016-2017, printed by LifeWay, One LifeWay Plaza, Nashville, TN 37234-0175.

[For both the musician and the lover of music, rhythm is important. Rhythm provides a measured, systematic arrangement of the music so that each note is sounded at the proper time. Each note, in its proper place and time, contributes vitally to the whole, making for beautiful music.

GOD spoke HIS Word with the same systematic, measured approach. Each of the 66 books of the Bible is different in style, purpose, and/or authorship, but together the books present a beautiful complete picture of GOD’S revelation. We are reminded of this in the grand poetry of Psalm 119.

When we listen and let GOD speak through Scripture, the rhythm of GOD’ S Word becomes the rhythm of our own lives. Through the Bible, GOD has spoken all we need for life. We experience the fullness of life when we obey GOD’S Word. GOD’S Word reveals our sin by revealing HIS truth and righteousness. The Word also reveals the solution to our sin. JESUS is the ultimate Word from GOD who brings salvation. (to those who accept HIM, by faith, as their Savior. My addition)

GOD’S Word is powerful and life-changing. As believer’s, we should work together in understanding and applying GOD’S Word. In that way, we can encourage each other to stand confidently on the truth of GOD’S Word, realizing that an ever-changing culture does not change and meaning of GOD’S Word.]

Let’s read Psalm 119: 1-3:

Delight in God's Word

Alef  - The First Letter of the Hebrew Alphabet

1 How happy are those whose way is blameless, who live according to the law of the Lord!

This psalm begins with the Beatitude “How happy.” This is another way of saying “blessed” which means “happy.” JESUS taught the characteristics a Christian should have in HIS sermon on the mount, called the Beatitudes.

Happy can relate to the state the person is in or a prayer for the person to be in when he or she discovers GOD, Who loves him or her totally, as he or she comes to HIM just the way he or she is. As the person seeks GOD, he or she will find HIM. Once they encounter JESUS, the indwelling Holy Spirit begins the process of sanctification, which is to make us more like JESUS. When we live in harmony with GOD we have an inner peace. Living in this inner peace means that we are putting into action what we are gleaning from GOD’S Word.

The word “blameless” means living before GOD in total and complete purity. It carries the idea of perfection, in thought, intention and action. In the flesh that seems totally impossible and it is. However, today we have the added knowledge that those who accept the redemptive work of JESUS through HIS shed blood, stand before GOD as righteous and are under GOD’S grace. Through GOD’S plan of reconciliation each person’s faith in JESUS cleanses and restores that person to the original pure sinless condition GOD intended. All Christians are in this state of purity, so why don’t we live like it?

2 Happy are those who keep His decrees and seek Him with all their heart.

Keeping GOD’S Decrees and seeking HIM with all their heart involves continuous activity thus becomes the lifestyle of the person. This means building an obedient, intimate relationship with GOD and allowing the Holy Spirit to lead and guide you.

GOD’S desire is for each of HIS children to love HIM with all of his or her heart because HE loves him or her with all of HIS heart. The key in any relationship is for that relationship to grow as we learn about the nature and characteristics of each other and work together. GOD knows us but we do not know HIM. As we keep the decrees of GOD, it leads us to know more about GOD. The more we know GOD, the more we love and trust HIM.

3 They do nothing wrong; they follow His ways.

When HIS child is in right relationship with HIM obedience becomes a way of life. We, as GOD’S children, desire to be obedient but we often fail. That is why GOD’S grace is sufficient to always keep us in relationship with HIM. Thus, GOD’S true children can do nothing wrong for them to lose their salvation but are always GOD’S Son or Daughter. There will be varying rewards based upon the obedience of Christians but Christians will never lose their salvation.

Satan will do all he can to make us believe that GOD has abandoned us. When we realize that we have sinned we are to confess our sin, repent (stop doing it) and GOD’S part is to forgive, cleanse and restore. GOD does not abandon HIS Children.

Let’s read Psalm 119:4-6:

4 You have commanded that Your precepts be diligently kept.

Precepts carry the idea “to exercise oversight over a subordinate.” GOD’S Word is sufficient to guide you through life. The word “kept” carries the idea of paying close attention to the areas in life that GOD has considered important and vital for living in relationship with HIM. We are to be diligent about the study HIS Word so that we will know about these precepts and be obedient to what HE reveals to us. To be diligent is to be relentless about knowing what GOD’S Word reveals about GOD and how those who are in right relationship with HIM are to live.

5 If only my ways were committed to keeping Your statutes!

The psalmist acknowledges that our human nature falls short of our desire to be totally committed to living according to what GOD reveals through HIS Word. Often, most Christians have this sense of not measuring up to GOD’S standard. But once GOD’S Child, always GOD’S Child through faith in JESUS. JESUS said it best in Matthew 28:20:

20 teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age."

Never give up on your quest to obediently serve GOD no matter how overwhelming it may seem to you. YOU CANNOT MEASURE UP IN YOUR OWN STRENGTH. CHRISTIANS MUST ALLOW THE HOLY SPIRIT TO LIVE THROUGH THEM. WHEREAS YOU CANNOT, THE HOLY SPIRIT CAN.

6 Then I would not be ashamed when I think about all Your commands.

Adam and Eve were ashamed after they sinned and hid themselves from GOD. They were coming from perfection to sinners. We are coming from sinners to perfection through faith in JESUS by HIS shed blood. Adam and Eve’s first response was to cover their sin by to sowing together fig leaves. GOD had to shed the blood of an animal, the first animal sacrifice, to provide garments of skin to cover Adam and Eve. Their provision was inadequate to deal with their sin but GOD in HIS love dealt with their core problem the sin of disobedience. The shed blood of the animal was a place holder for Adam and Eve until the ultimate sacrifice was made by the shedding of blood by GOD’S only sinless Son, JESUS.  

GOD had told Adam the consequence of eating the fruit from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, death. GOD had placed Adam in-charge of the Garden. Adam did not prevent Eve from tasting the fruit but instead he joined her.

Adam and Eve violated GOD’S spoken Word, which led to sin and eternal death. GOD came to their rescue and provided for their redemption and for the redemption of all their off-spring through the ultimate sacrifice of JESUS. We are the off-spring of Adam and Eve. As GOD gave Adam and Eve the freedom to choose, HE gives every person that same right to choose. GOD’S Word reveals the areas which we are to avoid in our lives. We have the choice to be obedient or to reject. When we reject what GOD reveals as truth, we suffer the consequence. Satan’s lies are to go-ahead and do what GOD says you shouldn’t! GOD’S Word reveals the consequence of disobedience.

Do you want to build a lifestyle and be in right relationship with GOD? If so, study HIS Word and diligently apply HIS Word to your life.

When we read GOD’S Word, it exposes us to truth from GOD’S perspective. 

HIS Word convicts us of our sin and reveals our shortcomings according to GOD’S standard of righteousness. When GOD’S Word reveals truth that applies to our lives, we are to pay attention and act upon this revealed truth. GOD’S Word is designed to bring all people either to a saving knowledge of HIM through faith in JESUS or to equip those who have placed their faith in JESUS to obediently and confidently serve HIM as led by the indwelling Holy Spirit. The process of sanctification builds an intimate, loving, personal relationship with GOD through JESUS. JESUS is the gateway to GOD. JESUS said it best in John 14:6:

6 Jesus told him (Thomas), "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.

We have the privilege of this confirmed knowledge today, whereas GOD had placed this yearning into the heart of the psalmist.

We as Christians fall short of GOD’S ideal but the shed blood of JESUS covers them such they are never ashamed because they are always in right standing with GOD as HIS Son or Daughter through the miracle of rebirth.

Do you recall 2 Corinthians 5:21?

21 He (GOD) made the One (JESUS) who did not know sin to be sin for us, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

Let’s read Psalm 119: 7-8:

7 I will praise You with a sincere heart when I learn Your righteous judgments.

This knowledge of GOD’S Provision for all who, by faith accept JESUS as their Savior should result in an outpouring of praise. GOD is eager for all people to come to HIM as they are and HE provides the cleansing and restoration as they study HIS Word. Walking with GOD becomes a lifestyle and not a flash in the pan.

The psalmist acknowledges that he is in the learning process and as he studies GOD’S Word he will praise HIM and be obedient to what GOD reveals. The psalmist trusts GOD to reveal truth as he studies HIS Word and lives accordingly. The psalmist is aware of GOD’S righteous judgment and because GOD is a righteous judge, he can be totally honest with GOD and 

praise HIM even when in despair over his failures.

8 I will keep Your statutes; never abandon me.

The psalmist commits to keeping GOD’S Word and he knows the unspeakable joy that will be revealed to him. GOD’S Word leads to solutions, even though it first may condemn.

As the psalmist builds this intimate relationship with GOD, he expresses his heart’s desire for their relationship to never end. He pleads with GOD never to leave him. In essence, he seems to be asking GOD to hold him such that he does nothing to break their relationship. The psalmist did not want his discovery of truth to lead him to becoming unacceptable to GOD.

What joy Christians have in that the Holy Spirit confirms that we are GOD’S children and empowers, enlightens, guides, assures, teaches and protects us.

Some people may think that they have GOD figured out and can arrive at a point where there is nothing else to learn about GOD or from GOD. They become self-sufficient or self-righteous. That is Satan’s deception. GOD tells us in Isaiah 55:6-9:

6 Seek the LORD while he may be found; call on him while he is near.

7 Let the wicked forsake their ways and the unrighteous their thoughts. Let them turn to the LORD, and he will have mercy on them, and to our God, for he will freely pardon.

8 “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the LORD.

9 “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.

GOD is magnificent and majestic. HE is loving, caring and desires for every person to come to HIM and love HIM. HE forgives, cleanses and restores when asked through faith in JESUS.

Reach out to HIM because HIS hand and arm is not so short that HE will not reach you and lift you up from your sin. Rejoice in HIM as HE restores you to full fellowship and relationship with HIM. HE is waiting for you to respond to HIS call. Do not delay. Eternity is but a heartbeat away. This world has nothing to offer except an opportunity to accept CHRIST as your Savior and for you to experience the miracle of rebirth through faith in JESUS. Now is the moment of salvation or restoration. Blessings!!!