God's Love for Us - Longest Chapter in The Bible

Psalm 119 (using the King James Version)

Have you read this chapter and really looked at Psalms 119 thoroughly?

It’s the longest chapter in the Bible…176 verses!  Have you ever wondered why this might be?

Have you noticed something consistent through all 176 verses?

One day while reading through it again…I noticed it…yes there are particular words that are continually being used throughout these 176 verses:

Testimonies, statues, laws, word(s), precepts, commandments, the way, judgments.

Have you noticed it too? 

I was so struck by it,

I went back through and underlined every one of these words and found there to be more than 190 of them all in this one chapter 119   Wow!  Isn’t that interesting…and fascinating…it sure got my attention!

Why I wondered…reading Psalms 119 again…why such emphasis and then continually through these 176 verses and so’ many times? 

God, I believe wanted to make it clear to His readers that “His Word” which is His testimony, His precepts, His commandment, His judgment ARE MOST IMPORTANT!  It is His spoken word, His declaration to us… we…His creation!  To live life by His word is to live in peace, grace and have sense of direction!

In the Book of John, Chapter 1 it is written: “In the Beginning was the Word and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  The same was in the beginning with God.  All things were made by Him and without Him was not anything made that was made.  In Him was life and the life was the light of men.”

 

Do you see that God is the Word, and Jesus dwelt with God in Heaven and then came down through birth (as we humans did) and became the “living” breathed/spoken Word=Jesus! 

And further on in John 1:14 we read:

”The Word became human and lived among us. We saw His glory. It was the glory that the Father shares with His only Son, a glory full of kindness and truth.”

Yes, pretty neat huh?  That God came down to us through Jesus and shared His great Love for us!  He spoke words of grace and love and forgiveness!  And most importantly, of course, re-unification – by dying on the cross, we His creation were once again (thankfully!) reunited in oneness with our Creator God!

God=Word=Jesus!  God became the spoken word through Jesus when He came to this earth!  So Jesus is God and God is Jesus…The Word!  So as we read His Words on the pages of the Bible….we ARE continually taking in the presence of God, His Word into us…letting His Word reveal to us, ministering truth in us, and restoring us and filling us…and so much more!

John 17:23 in the Bible version - GOD’S WORD Translation (GW), we read what Jesus said in His last hours before the crucifixion:

”I am in them, and You (God) are in me. So they are completely united.  In this way the world knows that You have sent me and that You have loved them in the same way You have loved me.”

So as we read through Psalms 119 – be aware and take in the descriptive words used:

 testimonies (a declaration given by a person, evidence in support of a fact or assertion, proof)

statues (a permanent rule made by a body or institution)

laws (any written or positive rule or collection of rules prescribed under authority of state or nation)

word (a spoken or written word)

precepts (a commandment, instruction, or order intended as an authoritative rule of action)

commandments (a divine rule, a rule to be observed, the act or power of commanding)

the way (a method, style, process, technique, system, or manner of doing something)

judgments (an opinion or decision that is based on careful thought, an evaluation of evidence to make a decision)

It’s always helpful to have an understanding of the meaning of words.  As you can see with these definitions of the words above, how very important it is, when reading through chapter 119 and the significance of the words God uses to talk to us through all the 176 verses.  Yes He has given us the resources to understand Him better – if we will read.

Take some time to read through the verses again.  And see how God is ever encouraging us that life is blessed when we make reading His words a part of our daily life.  As we meditate on God’s word, we are actually partaking of Him daily, receiving the power & strength we need for that particular day, receiving the wisdom we need to make right choices in all that life brings us daily, having the inner peace that we need daily in this hectic, crazy world we live in! 

Here are just a few really wonderful verses – I have used different versions of the Bible to express better each verse below.

Psalm 119:11 Living Bible (TLB)   

I have thought much about your words and stored them in my heart so that they would hold me back from sin.

Psalm 119:18 Amplified Bible (AMP)   

Open my eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of Your law.

Psalm 119:20 Good News Translation (GNT)  

 My heart aches with longing; I want to know your judgments at all times.

Psalm 119:24 21st Century King James Version (KJ21)  

Thy testimonies also are my delight and my counselors.

Psalm 119:25 Living Bible (TLB)

 I am completely discouraged—I lie in the dust. Revive me by your Word

Psalm 119:32 Good News Translation (GNT)  

 I will eagerly obey your commands, because you will give me more understanding.

Psalm 119:35 Good News Translation (GNT)  

 Keep me obedient to your commandments, because in them I find happiness.

Psalm 119:40 English Standard Version (ESV)

 Behold, I long for your precepts; in your righteousness give me life!

Psalm 119:42 Good News Translation (GNT)

Then I can answer those who insult me because I trust in your word.

Psalm 119:52 Modern English Version (MEV)  

 I remembered Your judgments of old, O Lord, and I have comforted myself.

Psalm 119:59 Modern English Version (MEV) 

 I consider my ways, and I turn my feet to Your testimonies.

Psalm 119:66 Amplified Bible (AMP)

 Teach me good judgment, wise and right discernment, and knowledge, for I have believed (trusted, relied on, and clung to) Your commandments.

Psalm 119:67 Modern English Version (MEV)

Before I was afflicted I wandered, but now I keep Your word.

119:80 Names of God Bible (NOG)

Let my heart be filled with integrity in regard to your laws so that I will not be put to shame.

Psalm 119:92 Living Bible (TLB)

 I would have despaired and perished unless your laws had been my deepest delight.

Psalm 119:97 Amplified Bible (AMP)

 Oh, how I love Your law! It is my meditation all the day.

Psalm 119:103 Common English Bible (CEB)

 Your word is so pleasing to my taste buds— it’s sweeter than honey in my mouth.

Psalm 119:105 King James Version (KJV)

 Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.

Psalm 119:112 Expanded Bible (EXB)

 I will ·try [^Lincline my heart] to do ·what you demand [^Lyour statutes/ordinances] forever, until the end.

Psalm 119:130 GOD’S WORD Translation (GW)

 Your word is a doorway that lets in light, and it helps gullible people understand.

Psalm 119:135 English Standard Version (ESV)

 Make your face shine upon your servant, and teach me your statutes.

And the last, three of my very own favorites…..

Psalm 119:140 King James Version (KJV)

Thy word is very pure, therefore thy servant loveth it.

Psalm 119:165 King James Version (KJV)

Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend me.

Jeremiah 15:16 (This one is out of Jeremiah but I just had to share it with you!!!!)

Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and Thy word was unto me the JOY and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by Thy name, O Lord God of hosts.

I hope you too, as I did, see through all these verses how God is reaching out to us and saying:

“Read My words, let them wash you and strengthen you!  Allow My words to encourage you daily in your walk & life, oh do you see My child – how I love you and want so much for you to have a strong & steady walk daily while you are living & breathing on this earth?  I will go before you to help you, but read My words because they will open your daily path and bring light to your steps & path, choices & decisions to make every day of your life” 

Oh, do enjoy reading Psalm 119 next time around, and see how Your loving God, wants to fill you, equip you, strengthen & encourage you with his living word.  It is yours for the taking & may it be forever an “anchor” for your new day!

God Bless you and be filled with His all-powerful words!

InSight on Psalms 121

Psalms 121 (KJV)

                                    

“I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help.

 My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth.

 He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: He that keepeth thee will not slumber.

 Behold, He that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep.

⁵The Lord is thy keeper: the Lord is thy shade upon thy right hand.

 The sun shall not smite thee by day, nor the moon by night.

 The Lord shall preserve thee from all evil: He shall preserve thy soul.

The Lord shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore.”

Here we have only 8 verses in this chapter in this Psalm, one of the shorter chapters in Psalms – yet there is so’ much said in these scriptures!

I think the main key of these verses – is – that you keep your eyes on the Lord…lifting your eyes upward.  Because our Creator God is our everyday need & help!  God is there for us in every part of our day and night!  He who created us, He who knows our every thought, He who knows the count of our hairs on our heads, He who created us in His Image, yes, He is our ultimate and fulfilling need in this life as we daily walk it out! 

Oh our Heavenly Father is our help & strength…there are many other ways in this life to get help…but they are temporary.  It might be that our problem, circumstance, situation we are confronted with can be ‘fixed’ – but bringing our need to God – this will be the sustaining help and provision we are needing and seeking!   

“And why is that, you say?” Because He is God the Creator of Heaven and Earth.  When you bring your need or problem before God, He will answer you with an eternal answer.  Long term and safe & secure!  Because He will never let you wander off the path you are on.

You say “how will I know it is Him whom I hear?”  Now that is a good question!  When God speaks – it always aligns with the scriptures.  Because the Bible is His words to us and He speaks through the scriptures.  The Holy Spirit speaks through the scriptures and guides us to the Truth – Always! 

When you hear yourself say “I   better do this or I   better do that”  it is you talking!  This is your own will wanting it your “way!”  When you hear a voice say “You better do this”  “You better do that” well that will be the enemy of your soul speaking because he always is speaking to you through guilt and accusation!

So we have to discern the difference.  Whatever we are dealing with – when we bring it to the Lord in prayer, leave it there and trustingly wait for the answer, you will hear His voice & unction.  But our own voice speaks with “I”   I want to do this now… I want this…or I want that… well “our will” can surely get in the way of God’s will.  When we listen carefully and discern the voice speaking and the voice is using the “you”   be aware!  The arch enemy of our soul is trying to involve himself – recognize it! 

To clarify:

 

1) God speaks through His Word – a still and gentle encouragement

2) “I” is my free will and be sure that our action aligns and adheres to His Word or we are making decisions in the “flesh” (I want to do it my way!)

3) “You” when we hear “you” speaking it will be the enemy trying to sway you in his direction!

“you have got to do it this way, you better do it or you will lose out”  Wrong! Turn back!

An acquaintance once shared this with me…and it stayed with me all this time:  to help recognize ‘who’ is speaking…it goes like this:  ‘the devil pushes and the Lord leads’ so learn to recognize the voice...and always remember the Lord leads gently.

Yes God will not cause you to fall.  He will not suffer it to be!  He does not cause you to fall or fumble!  It is His desire to bless you and prosper you!  He won’t allow you to be moved away from Him…He will always keep you in His Way and keeping!  God is ever watching and guiding us - His flock!  He does not need to sleep – for He is God!  He is ever watching, keeping, caring and guiding us along on our path of life!  What a secure feeling…yes!  He is ever watchful!

 But God knows and respects our ‘free will’.  Of course His desire is a surrendered spirit so we will always be ‘intuned’  to Him…and we try daily to do so…right?  But the free will does get us into trouble at time, like sheep, we tend to wander off!  Thank God He is faithful and even though He has given us this free will – we with His help will stay close to Him and trust His leading daily!  We are not robots!  We are created in His Image with a free will - a mind to think and a life to live freely.  

We, as His children are His Israel!  But there is also a physical Israel – “the Land of milk and honey” as Israel is called.  God has set aside Israel for Himself.  When Abraham was called out of a group of people from the land of Ur, he was called out to become a separate people.  And that is so, and we cannot deny it.  Israel is not only a geographical piece of land but also a people called and set aside for God.  It was the Israels' people who were called out and given the 10 Commandments.  Yes it was originally given to this group…the Israelites. 

We, who are not of the tribe of Israel have been blessed to know those commandments and through the Israeli people we have come to know the Savior of the World – Jesus Christ, and yes…He was Jewish!  God choose to reveal Himself through the people of Israel – born in a manger in a small town, and we accept it to be so.  God opened His arms to all of mankind…offering hope and salvation to whoever will call upon His name. Jew, and non-Jew, all men are invited to come unto Him – the Savior who saves us from our fallen and sinful nature! 

Yes God is our “keeper” He desires to keep us…His creation…we who were created in His Image…He desires to keep us and He desires to be “the shade” and covering upon us.  God is saying to us here that He is shading/covering us – we are shaded and covered in a right handed place of authority & honor and it is He who has put us in that place because of the decision we made “that special moment in time” when we asked the Creator of the Universe to save us from our sins!  Yes, now, we have a personal relationship with Him, our Savior, our Lord, our Creator God!  “Walking in righteousness and right living” yes He  so’ desires to keep us in that path for His own name sake!  Now isn’t that worth a “hallelujah!” …Indeed it is!

There are times in life when things are going extremely well with you and with me – He is with us on these mountain tops!  Everything is bright and cheery and life is good!  God blesses these special times and we all love these wonderful & pleasurable times…yes?!

And then there are times when things seem very dark, cold, and we feel distant from God, and everything is going wrong!  Do not dismay! God is still with you – even in your “night hours” He is faithfully there.  The bright sun will not cast you down, nor will the shimmering darkness of the night make you afraid.  Whatever life brings you…Your Heavenly Father will preserve you and keep you and your soul will be safe – ever and always…why?  Because He promises! 

The Lord, He preserves you!  He it is that keeps you!  In all your going and comings – He will faithfully keep you – He has a plan and that plan will come to be!  When we have professed to be His child, bowing our knee and will to Him, He is faithful to keep you and preserve you!  Yes – Forever!

In the meantime, keep your eyes lifted up towards the hills of Heaven – a day at a time!  Know that God will never leave you or forsake you…that is a promise!   

So when the “ups and downs of life come – and they will…stand firm, stand still, don’t rush and panic…stay steady and look upward!  God is faithful to help you & me through the high mountain experiences and also the low valley situations! 

Your God will be forever faithful to take you by the hand and daily lead You!

Amen? Yes! Amen!