Psalms Chapter 119 Discussion Page 8

It seems that David is under the gun. He is torn with the love he has for God and the desire to be with Him, or to face life 's incredible struggles. The apostle Paul had that struggle. In Philippians 1:23, he wrote, But I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better. David goes on to say, but I hope in Thy word. The believer in God knows the end of it all. He has read the end of the Book! It is God 's word and His promises that have sustained men even to be burned alive, that could simply have been avoided by renouncing their faith in God. Paul in that same chapter said, Philippians 4:21 for me to live is Christ and to die is gain.

David says, let my heart be sound, or better interpreted perfect. He wanted only on his mind things that would honor God. No one who is pure of thought would have reason to be ashamed. Paul, in his epistle to the Philippians wrote 4:8, finally brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report: if there be any virtue, if there be any praise, think on these things. Perhaps Paul had Psalms 119 80 in mind when he penned these words.

David says, let my heart be sound, or better interpreted perfect. He wanted only on his mind things that would honor God. No one who is pure of thought would have reason to be ashamed. Paul, in his epistle to the Philippians wrote 4 8 finally brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report: if there be any virtue, if there be any praise, think on these things. Perhaps Paul had Psalms 119 80 in mind when he penned these words.

David loved righteous men and their company. He qualifies that because they would be men of like mind knowing God 's testimonies. No man is an Island it is said and that sure holds true in the Christian walk. When we are in the struggles of life, it is a real blessing to be upheld by those who know God and to know the touch of real friends.

In vs. 78 David has found himself the target of slander and wrong doing without any cause of his. Confident that all the accusations were false, he called on the Lord to defend him and expose the lies. David is seen in this vs. as in many others, meditating on God 's word, drawing strength from it.

vs.77 is a continuation of thought of vs. 75 76. In vs. 77 David is crying out to God for his life, "Let thy tender mercies come unto me, that I might live ". David knew that every sin deserves the death penalty. Lamentations 3:22 states, it 's of the LORD 'S mercies that we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. David finishes in vs. 77 saying, for thy Law is my delight. In these three verses there are two things that stand out that show us genuine faith. The first one is repentance and the second is the Love for God 's word.

vs.77 is a continuation of thought of vs. 75 76. In vs. 77 David is crying out to God for his life, "Let thy tender mercies come unto me, that I might live ". David knew that every sin deserves the death penalty. Lamentations 3:22 states, it 's of the LORD 'S mercies that we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not.

In vs. 75 we see David is going through the discipline of the Lord. His response is a correct one that we all need to take heed . He turns his back on the wrong way and aligns his way with God. That 's called repentance. He is incurring affliction which painful, but he calls good. In vs. 76 77 David is making petition to God for mercy. Though our sin is forgiven there are still consequences that linger. David is trusting in the Lord for the strength to bear up under these afflictions. His comfort is in God 's word. We find that same comfort in verses like 1John 1:9. If we confess our sins He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

When I look around at this current generation I see mostly useless and wicked boys, and I often wonder exactly who is there going to be to actually marry the young ladies I see in my church. The young men of today are rude, simple minded, sexual, and show think that women are toys to be used and tossed aside. Now this may not be all men but as to day I have yet to see a man under the age of 20 I would put my stamp of approval on, and the answer here in this verse is clear. Our society has tossed aside the priciples of the word of God, and declared as a whole any who seek advice from the word of GOd is a fool or weak. As a result we have a society full of fatherless children, abandoned wives, and broken homes. No home,church or nation can survive if we continue to allow our young men to grow up without becoming knowledgeable of the Word of God. Notice there is no secondary option given to correct the natural base desire of men, only 1, which is to heed the Word of God.

God 's ways are higher that man 's ways. The moment we believe we deserve anything than eternal separation from God, our thinking is distorted. After being told by his wife to curse God and die, Job said, Job 2:10, "Thou speakest as one of the foolish women speaketh. What? shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil. " Abraham had it right when he spoke these words in Gen. 18:25B Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right? God can do only perfectly right. It is impossible for Him to do other than that. Our problem is when pain or lose is attached with life, we think maybe there is a problem with God. When we have gone through the trial or the discipline, we come out with the correct understanding, and that is God is good in all that He does. David understood that as we see in this verse.

We have a picture in the book of Philippians that best illustrates this verse. Philippians 1:14 And many of the brethren in the Lord, are waxing confident by my bonds, are more bold to speak the word without fear. When others of like faith see a brother going though a severe trial and his faith in God increases, it 's like a fire that spreads that cannot be extinguished. That person becomes a beacon for God, testifying that God can be trusted. Where there is hope there is joy right along side of it. That person brings glory to God for simply trusting God in the trial.

Let me start by saying David had no problem believing in creation. In other Psalms he made mention of that. David 's view of God was lofty and believed rightly that God being as Great as He is, and was able to speak things into existence, would be worth listening to about the matters concerning life. David now is asking God for understanding of His commandments. It 's one thing to have a copy of them and another to understand them. 1 Cor. 2: 14 shows us that human intellect isn 't enough when coming to God 's word. The Holy Spirit brings understanding, otherwise it is all foolishness. What David asked God for, we all need to ask.

A way to get the mind of David is to imagine you live in a country and the scriptures don 't exist in your language. Then a missionary comes and translates the Bible into your language. For the first time in that country there is a copy of the words of God 's mouth, God breathed scripture. You are finally fortunate enough to get one page of one book. What would be value if you could have the entire Bible? Men have died trying to get this book into the hands of others. It is the Book of all books. Within it lies the salvation for the soul. No other book in the history of man could offer that. With that said, what would it be worth to you? David had it right when he said the riches of the Law far exceed any temporal riches found on this earth.

This is almost a repeat of verse 67. Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I have kept thy word. David knew there was value in afflictions. Hebrews states 12:11 now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: but afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby. Every mature Christian can attest to that fact that trials, wearisome as they are, bring them closer to the Lord than they were before the test or chastening. They are distasteful but beneficial in the maturing process. David looked at these as just that, beneficial, and counted as good.

This verse is a continuation of thoughts from vs.69. In this verse David describe the heart of the wicked as being fat. He acknowledges them as prosperous without discernment. Many times when one lives in pleasure with all this world has to offer, they become dull to the things of God to the point rebellion. They simply have everything they could wish for. One thing that escapes them is the end of it all. Jesus asked the question in Matthew 16: "For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul. " My mind goes to Psalms 73 where Asaph wrote concerning the wicked. In verses 1-12 his eyes were on the wicked and their prosperity. In verses 13-16 he had his eyes on self and his problems, however in verses 17-20 His eyes were fixed on God and His truth. He said I verse 17, " until I went into the sanctuary of God then understood I their end. It 's that understanding that drove David to God when the wicked prospered around him and he experienced trials. The law comforted David.

My thoughts went immediately to 1 Peter 2:20 For what glory is it, if when being buffeted for your faults, you take it patiently? But if when you do well, and you suffer for it, and you take it patiently, this is acceptable with God. David was no stranger to unjust accusations and neither will the practicing Christian, who openly share his faith. They that live godly will suffer persecution. David demonstrated the right response under the attack of liars. He simply trusted God and went on living and seeking God. A pastor years ago was facing all sorts of lies. When asked of his wife, aren 't you going to defend yourself, he replied, "I will live my life in such a way that no one will believe what 's being said about me. "

David is acknowledging God is good with praises of His goodness. He desires those same qualities in his own life. As God was good to him, he in turn might demonstrate goodness to others. David believes, and rightly so , that instruction for such a life will only be found in scripture, hence he says, teach me Your statutes. When one seriously considers God 's goodness, they could spend a long, long time trying to exhaust the matter. As I read this verse my mind went to Psalms 17:15 David writes, " as for me, I will behold thy face in righteousness: I shall be satisfied, when I awake with thy likeness. " His thinking was correct. On this side of the grave we can only strive to move into His likeness, but one day we will be changed, separated from sin, and become like Him.

David is acknowledging God is good with praises of His goodness. He desires those same qualities in his own life so as God was good to him, he in turn might demonstrate goodness to others. David believes, and rightly so , that instruction for such a life will only be found in scripture, hence he says, teach me Your statutes. When one seriously considers God 's goodness, they could spend a long, long time trying to exhaust the matter. As I read this verse my mind went to Psalms 17:15 David writes, as for me, I will behold thy face in righteousness: I shall be satisfied, when I awake with thy likeness. His thinking was correct. On this side of the grave we can only strive to move into His likeness, but one day we will be changed, separated from sin, and become like Him.

In a time of peace and prosperity is is very easy to become complacent and to begin to forget God. This may have happened when David should have been with his troops but chose to stay behind. As a result of that decision a series of sin occurred in which David experienced the discipline of God. Discipline is never pleasant when one is going through it but at the end of it we draw in to God and our love for Him grows. It also has a purifying effect, as we don 't want to stay away again.

Even as a young boy David had a strong faith in God. He knew especially where God was dishonored there was a cause, as in the story of Goliath. David knew from first hand experience that God is a promise keeping God. In 1 Samuel, Samuel is instructed by God to go to Jesse the Bethlehmite and God chose David to be King. A lot of things happened and it was not an easy road yet David knew the promises of God would be fulfilled. Then throughout David 's life, as he read and meditated on God 's law he learned to trust God in all areas of life. David looked back and states God has done all things well and his word is trustworthy.

Not many think on the truth of this verse. Every breath we take is a gift of God. There are times every one of us have had a close call that could have cost us our lives. Most people say they we lucky, yet it was God 's mercy at work. Lamentations 3:22, It 's of the Lord 's mercy we are not consumed, because His Compassions fail not. Every sin against God deserves the death penalty, yet we read 2Peter 3 9B God is longsuffering, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. David knew God 's mercy extended even to the unjust in a temporal sense, however His mercy and blessing went specifically to those who were His own, and I believe this is why David desired to know perfectly God 's statutes.

I like the book of Psalms because I find it very interesting to read.It gets me to like reading the bible.

This would be a good verse for dads to study with their family. Be not on equally yoked to the unbeliever. That verse doesn 't just mean in marriages but in all relationships in our lives. We try our best to evangelize the lost, but they are not our Companions. David 's didn 't choose his friends because of how well they served him or what gifts he might have received from them but rather his friends were those with like faith, worshippers of his God. It is good we train our children and help choose, as best we can, good godly friends for them.

David knew what it was to pray and what praise truly was. Jesus said in Luke 18:1, men ought to pray and not to faint. David was consistent in his prayer life. Night time seems to be a time when one 's prayer life seems to come alive. We are to pray without ceasing, however it seems God has respect those who lose sleep to be with Him. Notice David praises God and honors Him. God ' glory should be the main focus of every prayer.

There is no doubt that David had been robbed of his earthly possessions along with his good reputation throughout his life. King Saul at one time and his own son Absalom on another. There were other enemies David faced on other occasions, however the things that David possessed did not possess him. The reason for that can only accredited to his faith in God because of his love for the Law of God. It is sometimes said, there are no uhauls following the hearse, or better translated, you can 't take it with you. Unlike our earthly treasures, God 's word is eternal. David writes in Psalms 119:89, For ever, o LORD, thy word is settled in heaven. You never see David complaining for the loss of material possessions even when he was displaced from his kingdom by his son, for David trusted in the Living God and God 's promises.

My last comment should have read "delayed obedience is sin "

It is said disobedience is sin and delayed disobedience is sin also. David practiced instant obedience. A great example of delayed obedience is found in Deut. 1 where God was ready for Israel to inherit the land, however they rebelled out of fear but after repented, then they came back and said they would do all that the LORD commanded but it was to late. All that generation died as they wandered in the wilderness for the next 40 years.

This is one of my favorite verses In Psalms 119. David penned words that best sum up a consistent Christian walk. I believed David was saying that he was ordering his life through what was written in scripture. He said he thought on his ways. I believe that 's everything he would involve himself in, not just moral issues, but the decisions of life. The thinking would involve praying and then turning to reading God 's word for direction. That would be the turning of the feet to God 's testimonies. The end result would be the stamp of God 's approval.

This shows David 's humility, bowing the knee and the heart before God, asking 1.for God 's favor and 2. for God 's mercy. We all come to God as sinners knowing we have no favor of God but we find the favor of God through His Son. As David did, we cry out for mercy, and we find that also comes to us through His Son. David knew God was Holy and His word was true, which gave David and us great hope. Those who study God 's word will also find comfort there.

Jesus asked a question in Matthew 16 26, for what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his soul?, or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? It is said that every man has his price. David is one who proved that statement a lie. In this verse David draws the line and states, God is his portion, In other words, He is where all my desires and affections are. There is no room left, for God has filled the room. His commitment follows and that 's to keep God 's word at all cost.