Category: “Listening to God” Devotional

Read chapter in full: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?version=ESV&search=Psalms+119

 

 

Reading Psalm 119

 

• This is the longest psalm in the Bible. It contains a series of eight-line meditations based on each of the 22 letters of the Hebrew alphabet. The psalm celebrates a revelation which brings delight, because each fresh word from God reveals not just information but its author.

 

• Here are some characteristics of this psalm:
  • Psalm 119 is written in the form of an acrostic poem. An acrostic is a series of lines or verses, which begin with or contain particular letters that, when taken in order, spell out a word or phrase. For example, GRACE – God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense – is an example of acrostic. Acrostics are often used as tools to help with memorization.
  • It is divided into 22 stanzas of 8 verses each.
  • It uses 8 different words for God’s law. The psalm uses the full meaning of these 8 words to elaborate on The Word of God.
  • Beginning with verse 17, it is written in the form of a prayer.
• The eight different Hebrew synonyms used throughout this psalm in referring to Scripture are:
  • Law, a teaching, indicating a single command, the Books of Moses, or all of Scripture.
  • Testimonies, vivid and unmistakable witnesses to man of God’s will.
  • Way, the pattern of life required by God’s law.
  • Precepts, detailed instructions given by God as guardian of his people.
  • Statutes, binding laws engraved on a permanent record.
  • Commandments, orders or decrees given by competent authority.
  • Promise, a term often translated “word”, suggesting the trustworthiness of divine truth in any form.
  • Rules (Ordinances/Judgment), judgments made by God, containing God’s judgments concerning man’s rights and duties.

 

• Together these words form a clear picture of the Scriptures. They are God’s authoritative word, in which we can have complete confidence, and through which we learn to trust God and to live a life characterized by godliness.
• These can be taken as twenty-two brief meditations, each launched with a different letter of the Hebrew alphabet, and easy for memorization. They speak of the love revealed in words which unveil the author-God and serve as light to guide God’s children all his/her life.
• The psalmist who wrote this longest psalm sought refuge from his persecutors and found strength by meditating on the Word of God. This psalm is largely a collection or anthology of prayers and thoughts about God’s Word. C. S. Lewis compared it to a piece of embroidery, done stitch by stitch in the quiet hours for the love of the subject and for the delight in leisurely, disciplined craftsmanship.

 

 

 

 

Psalm 119-1 (vv1-16)

English Standard Version (ESV)

Aleph – The Blessing of Obeying God’s Word­

1 Blessed are those whose way is blameless,
  who walk in the law of the Lord!
2 Blessed are those who keep his testimonies,
  who seek him with their whole heart,
3 who also do no wrong,
  but walk in his ways!
4 You have commanded your precepts
  to be kept diligently.
5 Oh that my ways may be steadfast
  in keeping your statutes!
6 Then I shall not be put to shame,
  having my eyes fixed on all your commandments.
7 I will praise you with an upright heart,
  when I learn your righteous rules.
8 I will keep your statutes;
  do not utterly forsake me!

Beth – The Cleansing Power of God’s Word­

9 How can a young man keep his way pure?
  By guarding it according to your word.
10 With my whole heart I seek you;
  let me not wander from your commandments!
11 I have stored up your word in my heart,
  that I might not sin against you.
12 Blessed are you, O Lord;
  teach me your statutes!
13 With my lips I declare
  all the rules of your mouth.
14 In the way of your testimonies I delight
  as much as in all riches.
15 I will meditate on your precepts
  and fix my eyes on your ways.
16 I will delight in your statutes;
  I will not forget your word.

 

Reflection

• In the first paragraph, the psalmist rejoiced in the fact that people who obey God’s word wholeheartedly enjoy God’s blessing. The word “blessed” also translates as “happy”. Re-read verses 1-2 again substituting ‘happy’ in place of ‘blessed’. Based on these verses, how can we pursue happiness?
• God’s word is not a set of rules and regulations to keep us pure and moral. It is God’s total wisdom for creation, protection and redemption. Our only proper response is to wholeheartedly obey and follow.
• To store up God’s word in our heart (v11) is not limited to the memorization of individual verses or even whole passages. It extends to a holistic living in a person’s devotion to the Lord.
• Memorize v11 and ask the Holy Spirit to help you live the verse out in your daily life. You may memorize it by learning this children song by Steve Green. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cOoeQoRHZVs

 

Prayer & Journaling:

Stay with God for a little longer. Continue to converse with God and listen to what he wants to tell me. Then write down any thought and/or prayer in the “Spiritual Journal” book.

 

Subtitle of each paragraph is from http://www.soniclight.com/constable/notes/htm/OT/Psalms/Psalms.htm

Read chapter in full: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?version=ESV&search=Psalms+118

 

 

Psalm 118

English Standard Version (ESV)

His Steadfast Love Endures Forever

118 Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
  for his steadfast love endures forever!

2 Let Israel say,
  “His steadfast love endures forever.”
3 Let the house of Aaron say,
  “His steadfast love endures forever.”
4 Let those who fear the Lord say,
  “His steadfast love endures forever.”

5 Out of my distress I called on the Lord;
  the Lord answered me and set me free.
6 The Lord is on my side; I will not fear.
  What can man do to me?
7 The Lord is on my side as my helper;
  I shall look in triumph on those who hate me.

8 It is better to take refuge in the Lord
  than to trust in man.
9 It is better to take refuge in the Lord
  than to trust in princes.

10 All nations surrounded me;
  in the name of the Lord I cut them off!
11 They surrounded me, surrounded me on every side;
  in the name of the Lord I cut them off!
12 They surrounded me like bees;
  they went out like a fire among thorns;
  in the name of the Lord I cut them off!
13 I was pushed hard, so that I was falling,
  but the Lord helped me.

14 The Lord is my strength and my song;
  he has become my salvation.

 

Reflection

• The psalmist expresses thanks to God for delivering Israel from her many enemies. They had much to thank God for, especially His love which endures forever (vv1-4).
• Then, the psalmist gave personal testimony to God’s deliverance of him in answer to his prayer. God was with him, so he was not afraid of what others might do to him. The Lord would be his helper, even when his enemies surrounded him, The Lord gave him confidence that he could prevail over his adversaries.
• When God’s people discover that everything we have experienced actually demonstrates God’s enduring love for us, then whenever believers gather, it will be a Thanksgiving service. “Not that we have loved Godbut that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins” (1 John 4:10)
• For what events in your life are you particularly grateful to God?
• How did God prove to be your helper, your strength or your salvation?
• Give thanks to the Lord (v1) for his goodness and his forever steadfast love for you.

Prayer & Journaling:

Stay with God for a little longer. Continue to converse with God and listen to what he wants to tell me. Then write down any thought and/or prayer in the “Spiritual Journal” book.

Read chapter in full: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?version=ESV&search=Psalms+117

 

 

Psalm 117

English Standard Version (ESV)

The Lord’s Faithfulness Endures Forever

117      Praise the Lord, all nations!
  Extol him, all peoples!

2          For great is his steadfast love toward us,
  and the faithfulness of the Lord endures forever.
Praise the Lord!

 

Reflection

• This shortest of all the psalms focuses attention on the importance of praising God for two of His most wonderful qualities, namely: his loyal love and his faithfulness.
• Here the psalmist celebrates a truth of which the prophets often spoke. God is the savior not only of Israel, but of the world. In Christ, the vision of this psalm has been fulfilled. All the nations, all peoples, praise and extol the Lord for the salvation Jesus has won.
• Recount your experience and knowledge of God’s love and faithfulness. Draw close to Him in praise and thanksgiving and tell Him how grateful you are for all His blessings in your life.

 

 

Prayer & Journaling:

Stay with God for a little longer. Continue to converse with God and listen to what he wants to tell me. Then write down any thought and/or prayer in the “Spiritual Journal” book.

Read chapter in full: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?version=ESV&search=Psalms+116

 

 

Psalm 116

English Standard Version (ESV)

I Love the Lord

116      I love the Lord, because he has heard

  my voice and my pleas for mercy.

2          Because he inclined his ear to me,
  therefore I will call on him as long as I live.

3          The snares of death encompassed me;
  the pangs of Sheol laid hold on me;
  I suffered distress and anguish.

4          Then I called on the name of the Lord:
  “O Lord, I pray, deliver my soul!”

5          Gracious is the Lord, and righteous;
  our God is merciful.

6          The Lord preserves the simple;
  when I was brought low, he saved me.

7          Return, O my soul, to your rest;
  for the Lord has dealt bountifully with you.

8          For you have delivered my soul from death,
  my eyes from tears,
  my feet from stumbling;

9          I will walk before the Lord
  in the land of the living.

10        I believed, even when I spoke:
  “I am greatly afflicted”;

11        I said in my alarm,
  “All mankind are liars.”

12        What shall I render to the Lord
  for all his benefits to me?

13        I will lift up the cup of salvation
  and call on the name of the Lord,

14        I will pay my vows to the Lord
  in the presence of all his people.

15        Precious in the sight of the Lord
  is the death of his saints.

16        O Lord, I am your servant;
  I am your servant, the son of your maidservant.
  You have loosed my bonds.

17        I will offer to you the sacrifice of thanksgiving
  and call on the name of the Lord.

18        I will pay my vows to the Lord
  in the presence of all his people,

19        in the courts of the house of the Lord,
  in your midst, O Jerusalem.
Praise the Lord!

 

Reflection

• The psalmist gave thanks to God for delivering him from imminent death and for lengthening his life. He promised to praise God in the temple for these blessings.
• This is a hymn of individual thanksgiving, and it is also messianic. This is a good psalm to read when you need to recommit yourself to serving God.
• Recall a time when you did call on God and he answered you and showed you great and mighty things. What was this experience like for you? What “sacrifice of thanksgiving” could you give to God?

 

Prayer & Journaling:

Stay with God for a little longer. Continue to converse with God and listen to what he wants to tell me. Then write down any thought and/or prayer in the “Spiritual Journal” book.

Read chapter in full: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?version=ESV&search=Psalms+115

 

 

Psalm 115

English Standard Version (ESV)

To Your Name Give Glory

115      Not to us, O Lord, not to us, but to your name give glory,

                for the sake of your steadfast love and your faithfulness!

2          Why should the nations say,
  “Where is their God?”

3          Our God is in the heavens;
  he does all that he pleases.

4          Their idols are silver and gold,
  the work of human hands.

5          They have mouths, but do not speak;
  eyes, but do not see.

6          They have ears, but do not hear;
  noses, but do not smell.

7          They have hands, but do not feel;
  feet, but do not walk;
  and they do not make a sound in their throat.

8          Those who make them become like them;
  so do all who trust in them.

9          O Israel, trust in the Lord!
  He is their help and their shield.

10        O house of Aaron, trust in the Lord!
  He is their help and their shield.

11        You who fear the Lord, trust in the Lord!
  He is their help and their shield.

12        The Lord has remembered us; he will bless us;
  he will bless the house of Israel;
  he will bless the house of Aaron;

13        he will bless those who fear the Lord,
  both the small and the great.

14        May the Lord give you increase,
  you and your children!

15        May you be blessed by the Lord,
  who made heaven and earth!

16        The heavens are the Lord’s heavens,
  but the earth he has given to the children of man.

17        The dead do not praise the Lord,
  nor do any who go down into silence.

18        But we will bless the Lord
  from this time forth and forevermore.
Praise the Lord!

 

Reflection

• This is a hymn sung by the whole community, rejoicing in its solidarity as a people of the Lord. We are taught to give glory to God, and not to ourselves (v 1); and not to idols (vv 2-8). We must give glory to God by trusting in him, in his promise and blessing (vv 9-15); and by blessing him (vv 16-18). 
• Passover recalls events which set the God of Israel apart from the deities of all nations. Pagans scoff because God cannot be seen, yet their idols of silver and gold are inanimate lumps. Therefore, God’s people cry out together:

O Israel, trust in the Lord!
  He is their help and their shield.

O house of Aaron, trust in the Lord!
  He is their help and their shield.

You who fear the Lord, trust in the Lord!
  He is their help and their shield.

• What are some modern idols? Christian idols? In what sense do you become what you worship? Are there any ideas, things, people that you trust more readily than God?
• Consider how vastly superior God is to all idols. Ask God to help you forsake the idols in your life.

Prayer & Journaling:

Stay with God for a little longer. Continue to converse with God and listen to what he wants to tell me. Then write down any thought and/or prayer in the “Spiritual Journal” book.