It seems to me that it is not an accident that the longest chapter in the Bible, Psalm 119, is an exaltation of the Word of God. This article will examine the Word of God as it is portrayed in this lengthy and enlightening inspired exposition. The references in this article will be verses from Psalm 119.
Psalm 119 is an acrostic using the 22 letters of the Hebrew alphabet. An “acrostic” is a literary device when a message is given by using the first letter in a series of statements. There are eight verses for each of the Hebrew letters in their alphabet. (Some Bibles give the Hebrew symbol or letter before each section). Therefore, there are 176 verses in this Psalm.
In the New American Standard Version of this Psalm, there are only six verses which do not make some reference to the Word of God (vs. 3, 37, 84, 90, 121, 122). This number is reduced to four if in two verses (vs. 3, 37) the word “way” is taken as a term referring to the Word of God.
In each of the other 172 verses, the Word of God is referred to by such terms as “law,” “testimonies,” “precepts,” “statues,” “commandments,” “judgments,” “ordinances,” “word,” or “truth.”
The Word of God is truth. “The sum of Your Word is truth” (v. 160). If there is anything the world needs today, it’s truth. In the minds of folks today, truth has become relative. Society tells us that there is no absolute truth. (That statement is a contradiction of what it says. Is that statement absolute truth?) Because God’s Word is truth, it is said to be “a lamp to my feet, and a light to my path” (v. 105). Because God’s Word is truth, it is said to be “settled in heaven” (v. 89). It is of divine origin and can’t be changed.
The Word of God can guard us from sin. Because this is true, parents need to teach it to their children while they are young. The writer asked, “How can a young man keep his way pure?” (v. 9). The answer is given two verses later when the writer said, “Your Word I have treasured in my heart, that I may not sin against You” (v. 11).
One is never too young to begin learning God’s Word. As soon as newborns are home, they can begin to have their attitudes and character developed by God’s Word. The church helps by providing classes for children.
One should meditate on the Word of God. The writer said, “O how I love Your law! It is my meditation all the day” (v. 97). He meditated on it because, “The law of Your mouth is better to me than thousands of gold and silver pieces” (v. 72). In fact he goes on to say, “How sweet are Your words to my taste! Yes, sweeter than honey to my mouth!” (v. 103).
Look at other blessings that are promised to those who meditate on the Word of God because they love it. “Those who love Your law have great peace, and nothing causes them to stumble” (v. 165). “Your commandments make me wiser than my enemies, for they are ever mine. I have more insight than all my teachers, for Your testimonies are my meditation” (vs. 98-99). “So I will have an answer for him who reproaches me, for I trust in Your Word” (v. 42).
Let’s join the psalmist who said, “My heart stands in awe of You” (v. 161).
