How Do You Respond to the Bible?
COUNTDOWN WEEKLY. The articles below build upon one another as they take you through a study of 22 eight verse sections of Psalm 119. By Monday morning each week we will add a new article (#0 is the newest). It is best to begin with article #22 (scroll down to view all articles in the countdown).
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Bible Answer #0 – CONCLUSION
Conclusion: How Do You Respond to God’s Word?
After reading the 176 verses found in Psalms 119, there are two conclusions the author wants the reader to reach. They can be summarized into two thoughts: one, God’s word can be expressed in various ways; and two, there are many proper responses to the word of God.
The psalmist used words like law, testimonies, commandments, precepts, statutes, and even word to describe God’s word. All of these words have different meanings and show different aspects of God’s word, but together they form God’s word; the message God wants mankind to know and practice.
By describing his different emotional responses to God’s word, the psalmist indicates how important the word of God is to him. It is something he holds very dear to him; it is something that is of great value; it is something he is willing to defend; to tell others about as well as put into practice in his life.
For the true follower of God these attitudes, emotions and actions must be something that will be seen by others. When the non-believer sees the actions of the Christian, he notices the contrast between himself and the Christian.
One final thought about this psalm is to consider the benefits that are missed by those who reject God’s word.
One benefit they are missing is how to live in this world and be the happiest. The pursuit of riches, fame and power are worthwhile ambitions, however they will not bring about true happiness. The reason – once they are obtained, the pursuit is conquered, the challenge is won, the goal is achieved. It is happiness that is short lived; it is not permanent happiness.
Another benefit missed by not concluding to respond to God’s word is purpose to one’s life. While the non-believer may think there are many purposes for life, the purpose described in God’s word should be the most important. The believer will be striving to please God and to live according to His word. They will also encourage other people to live according to God’s word; both followers and non-followers.
Perhaps the greatest benefit lost is the opportunity to be with God eternally. Without the proper understanding of God’s word, the correct attitude towards God’s word, and the proper practicing of God’s word in their life, those who reject God’s word will not be anticipating living with God eternally.
Psalms 119 is one of the greatest poems describing how a person should respond to God’s word. It is an important psalm to spend countless hours thinking about and considering how to implement into our lives. By faithfully obeying God’s word, a Christian will demonstrate they are truly living God’s way.
We invite you to contact us if you have any questions or would like to learn more about God’s word. – Carlton G. McPeak
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Bible Answer #1
Pleading for, Praising and Practicing God’s Word
The last eight verses, of Psalm 119 (verses 169 to 176) mentions three things this psalmist will do in regards to God’s word. He will plead for it; he will give praise for it; and he will practice it.
As this poet writes the last of twenty-two stanzas, he expresses some of his most earnest feelings and desires toward the word of God. Notice his words; my cry, my supplication, my lips, my tongue, my soul. He is wanting God’s hand, help, salvation, deliverance, law. He wants God to give him “understanding according to [God’s] word.” He wants God to teach him God’s statutes. He wants God to seek him when he has “gone astray like a lost sheep.”
All of God’s commandments are righteous according to this psalmist. He chooses God’s precepts. He delights in God’s law. He wants to practice them constantly.
He says he has a longing for God’s salvation. He gives one reason for his existence is to praise God. He will not forget God’s commandments, even though he has gone astray.
His emotional appeal is seen by him crying out for God’s word as should the Christian. Christians should want to have a proper understanding of God’s word. They should find delight in studying the Bible so they can practice God’s word.
The Christian should also be praising God for overseeing the preserving of the Bible. While many will attempt to say the word of God has been corrupted from its original writings, the Christian can and should have the fullest of confidence that the writings found within their modern Bible are truly and accurately the message God wanted people to hear. Only with an accurate translation can mankind know how to practice God’s way of living.
The concept behind the phrase “gone astray” is that a person is wandering away from or vacillating from a pathway; they are not steadfast. The psalmist is wanting God to “seek him” when he has “gone astray.” He is wanting God to put forth an extreme amount of effort to find him when he has drifted away from living the godly life.
The Christian should have a strong emotional desire for God’s word and should be asking for a proper understanding of God’s word. They should frequently be praising God for their personal copy of the Bible. They should never forget God’s message even though they may go astray sometimes.
After reading this psalm, everyone should conclude that God’s word is very important in their lives; they will never forget it. Even though the Christian may sometimes go astray, they will always remember God’s word and return to living God’s way.
We invite you to contact us if you have any questions or would like to learn more about God’s word. – Carlton G. McPeak
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Bible Answer #2
Having a Love for God’s Word
The next to the last stanza of Psalm 119 (verses 161-168), expresses the psalmist having a love for God’s word. Regardless of what happens to him, he will always have this love for God’s word.
When persecuted, even unjustly by princes, his heart (mind) will “stand in awe of [God’s] word.” He will not let anything cause him to stumble. This word “stumble” could mean to “trip on,” but it could also mean to cause one to fall and never get back up.
In addition to stating he loves God’s word, notice other words he uses to express the different actions he has toward God’s word. He will “rejoice.” He has “peace.” He has “hope.” He “keeps” God’s testimonies and he loves “them exceedingly.”
The psalmist recognizes that his “ways are before [God],” therefore he will “keep [God’s] precepts and [God’s] testimonies.” He has the hope of God’s salvation, that God has promised, and therefore he will “do [God’s] commandments.” He has strong emotions against “falsehood,” which is said to contrast how much he loves God’s law. He will even perpetually “praise” God because of God’s “righteous ordinances.”
Maybe the overall impression to be gained from this stanza is how much affection the psalmist has for the word of God. It is more than just “a gentle feeling of fondness” toward the Bible, it is a deep-seated feeling which results in one holding God’s word in high esteem to the point of obedience regardless of what happens in life.
In our world today, Christians are persecuted in ways different from past generations. However, they still need to have this same love for God’s word. Regardless of what happens in their world, Christians should be praising God for revealing His word so people can obey Him, hold Him in awe, and have the hope of the salvation God has promised to those who keep His word.
In order for someone to find “great spoils” they must be the victor in a battle. The Christian should have the same feelings as a victorious warrior when they recognize that God’s word will help them overcome some of the battles of life. God’s word should be regarded as a “great treasure” worth going into battle to obtain.
God’s word should not only be something worth fighting for, but should also be something the Christian will love exceedingly. We love the things that we hold dear and consider of great value.
While love is an inward emotion, it can only be seen in our actions. Our love for God’s word is a must if we are going to obtain God’s salvation as a result of constantly living God’s way.
We invite you to contact us if you have any questions or would like to learn more about God’s word. – Carlton G. McPeak
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Bible Answer #3
Holding On to the Lord
In three separate verses in the twentieth stanza of Psalm 119 (verses 153-160), the author makes a request for God to “revive [him].” As one reads through this stanza, they should be impressed with the different words the poet uses to express his desire to hold on to the Lord.
He does not “forget [God’s] law. He loves God’s precepts. He testifies to how the “sum of [God’s] word is truth and every one of [God’s] ordinances is everlasting.”
He wants God to see his life’s circumstances and “rescue” him, “redeem” him, “revive” him. He wants God to protect him from his “adversaries” and his “persecutors.” He understands the “mercies” and “lovingkindness” of God.
Regardless of the events in his life, this author is always going to be holding on to the Lord. He will not “turn aside from [God’s] testimonies.” He will not let go of God. Until the end of his days, he will be persistent in obeying and conducting his life in accordance with God’s word.
He also has some negative feelings toward the “wicked” because they do not “seek [God’s] statutes.” He knows that salvation for the wicked is “far from” them. He sees the “treacherous and loathe(s) them” because “they do not keep [God’s] word.”
The Christian would do well to have these same actions and attitudes toward God’s word, the Bible. Personally, he will be holding on to the Lord because he wants God’s help with various situations in his life. He will also have the psalmist’s mindset toward those who are not holding on to the Lord; who are not keeping God’s word; who are not seeking the statutes of God.
In our society, we might find the feelings of this psalmist toward the wicked and treacherous as unacceptable. However, having these same feelings toward the actions of the wicked and treacherous, indicates how much the Christian loves God; how much he appreciates God’s mercy and lovingkindness.
Without having a love for the wicked and treacherous, the Christian will not be seeking to change their life. The Christian wants them to enjoy the benefits in this life of holding on to the Lord. The ultimate benefit for holding on to the Lord is eternal life.
The final verse in this stanza informs us that we must take the “sum” of God’s word and apply it to our lives. We cannot pick and choose the portion of God’s word that we are going to obey. Everything God has said on a subject must be taken into consideration.
Never letting go of the Lord, but always holding on to Him, is absolutely necessary for one to be living God’s way.
We invite you to contact us if you have any questions or would like to learn more about God’s word. – Carlton G. McPeak
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Bible Answer #4
Actions After Crying Out to the Lord
In the nineteenth stanza of Psalm 119 (verses 145-152), the writer speaks of differing times when he cried out to the Lord. He is not reacting to some hurt or crisis, but rather is calling out for assistance in living according to God’s word.
His intensity is evidenced by him crying out “with all his heart.” He wants the Lord to answer his prayer. The author responds by saying he will “observe [God’s] statutes.”
Possibly for emphasis, he called out again asking God to “save” him. He responds similar; he will “keep [God’s] testimonies.”
The third crying out is for “help.” He responds by saying he will “wait for [God’s] word.” He anticipates the night watches when he can “meditate” upon God’s word.
He is relying upon the lovingkindness of God to hear his voice and to “revive” him “according to [God’s] “ordinances.” He acknowledges God is near him.
Contrasting himself with the wicked who are far from God’s law, he is near God’s law. He says God’s commandments (laws) are truth. God’s testimonies (law) have been around “forever.” For him personally, he has known God’s testimonies for a long time possibly implying all his life.
Maybe the most important thing a Christian can learn from this section of Psalm 119 is he should desire to use God’s word as the basis for his life. Like the psalmist, the Christian should want to observe, keep, wait for, and meditate upon God’s word.
A Christian should rely upon God’s word for answers as to how to and for guidance in living a godly life. Established over a very long period of time, God’s word has been proven to contain truth about how to handle difficult, complicated issues in life.
Christians should allow God’s word to strengthen them when times are tough during their walk with God. It should provide assurance that what they are doing is truly how God wants them to live their life. It should provide the evidence for their hope of one day living with God eternally.
These verses should encourage the Christian of the necessity of anticipating the time when they can meditate upon God’s word. It should be something they look forward to; not something they dread. It should not be regarded as a duty or obligation, but rather a pleasurable time in their life.
Crying out audibly is not the only way to cry out to the Lord; it can be done in silent prayer. Regardless of how it is done, one’s main concern should be, “What will I do after I have cried out to the Lord?” Imitating this psalmist generates confidence I am living God’s way.
We invite you to contact us if you have any questions or would like to learn more about God’s word. – Carlton G. McPeak
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Bible Answer #5
Praising God for His Righteousness
In his eighteenth stanza of Psalm 119 (verses 137-144), the psalmist is expressing his praise for God’s righteousness. This praise is not limited to God’s being, but also for God’s laws, commandments, testimonies and judgments.
More often than not, when we think of someone being “righteous” we are thinking about mankind. However, in these verses the writer is stating God is righteous and His judgments are righteous.
Mankind describing God as being “righteous” is hard to comprehend. Is not God always “righteous”? Is He not always morally good? The answer to the last two questions is, Yes!
Because God is righteous, we can trust His standards for how to conduct our lives. We can trust He will always do the right thing. We can trust His decisions about right and wrong will always be just and fair. His “righteousness is an everlasting righteousness.” We can know He will never be deceitful. He will never do anything wrong.
God’s “word is very pure.” His “law is truth.” His “testimonies are righteous forever.” Because of God’s righteous character, we can be zealous for God’s word and have the confidence that what we are telling God’s adversaries is correct.
Even though the psalmist considers himself “small and despised” and that “trouble and anguish have come upon” him, he will not forget God’s precepts; he will take “delight” in them. He loves God’s word. He wants to have a better understanding of God’s word.
As we contemplate these verses about God’s righteousness, it gives us a goal to attain. The most extensive manifestation of God’s righteousness was seen in the life of Jesus. At the Last Supper, Jesus told the apostles that if they had seen Jesus, they had seen the Father (cf. John 14:9). In our world today by studying and imitating the life of Jesus, we can be working towards attaining God’s righteousness.
Some might think this is an unattainable goal. To the degree God is righteous, they are correct (cf. Romans 3:23). However, this statement of fact should not keep the Christian from striving to be “righteous” as God is righteous. By thinking we cannot achieve this goal, most of the time we do not try. When we entertain these thoughts, God’s major adversary, Satan, is happy.
Christians today should join this psalmist in giving praise to God for His character and His deeds being righteous. These basic characteristics of God should motivate everyone to not only become a Christian, but to remain a Christian all the days of their life.
Imitating God’s righteousness is a very noble life ambition. Implementing God’s righteousness as revealed in the Bible will assure Christians, they are living God’s way.
We invite you to contact us if you have any questions or would like to learn more about God’s word. – Carlton G. McPeak
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Bible Answer #6
Allegiance to God’s Word
In the seventeenth stanza of Psalm 119 (verses 129-136), there are several expressions of the psalmist’s allegiance to God’s word. He has a commitment to obey God’s word, to allow God’s word to teach him so he can obey it, and a sadness when others do not obey God’s word.
Even though the word allegiance is not used frequently in the modern vernacular, it is a very good word describing one of the responses we should have towards the word of God. Allegiance could also be described as loyalty, commitment or fidelity to an idea or country. However, in this section of Psalm 119 God’s word is under consideration.
With regard to obeying God’s word the psalmist says because God’s “testimonies are wonderful,” he will observe them. He will “keep” the precepts of God. He will use the word of God as a guide for his footsteps.
He says the word of God “gives understanding to the simple.” In a complimentary way, he labels a person as “simple,” because they are humble, willing to be taught, one who is modest about what they know and what they can do. The “simple” person is not a know-it-all or someone who thinks they are better than the other person.
In contrast, the “complex” person will not understand the word of God because they will not give consideration to what the word of God says. It is not that they cannot understand the word of God, but rather they are not willing to dedicate the time to learn the word of God. The psalmist does not want to be “complex”, but “simple.”
The psalmist is like the animal who pants for and has a longing for God’s commandments. He desires God to be “gracious” to him. He wants God to “redeem” him and to have God’s “face to shine” upon him. He wants to keep God’s precepts. He wants to be taught God’s statutes.
He does not want iniquity to “have dominion” over him. He “shed[s] streams of water” from his eyes because people “do not keep [God’s] law.” He wants people to “observe” God’s testimonies and, like him, allow the graciousness of God to be upon them because they love God.
It may seem strange for someone who is loyal and committed to God’s word to have such strong emotions for the disobedient. However, they want other people to have this same devotion, this same allegiance to God.
Christians are committed to God’s word. They are devoted to being taught and understanding the word of God. Their faithfulness to God’s word and their allegiance to God’s word motivates them to be striving daily to be living God’s way.
We invite you to contact us if you have any questions or would like to learn more about God’s word. – Carlton G. McPeak
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Bible Answer #7
God’s Servant Requests His Help
After identifying himself as a servant of God, in the sixteenth stanza of Psalm 119 (verses 121-128), the psalmist makes several requests for God’s help. He is seeking God’s help regarding those who are oppressing him. He is desiring God to show him lovingkindness, along with God teaching him about God’s statues, testimonies, and law.
The poet says he has “done justice and righteousness.” His “eyes fail with longing for [God’s] salvation and righteous word.” He considers the word of God as being of more value than “fine gold.” He “esteems [as] right” all of God’s “precepts concerning everything,” hating “every false way.”
This servant wants God to give him “understanding, that [he] may know [God’s] testimonies.” He wants to perceive God’s communications to mankind.
A very unusual request, in our minds, is made by this servant. He wants “the Lord to act” against lawbreakers and punish them.
The psalmist wants God to be his guarantee when those who are in opposition to him oppress him. He wants to know that God’s way is the correct way.
There will always be those who are arrogant towards those who are servants of God. They will put pressure upon them to forsake God’s testimonies, laws, and statutes. However, the servant of God should always be expecting God to help him when there is opposition.
Christians should have the same attitude when faced with similar situations as this psalmist. When confronted by people who aggressively want them to do evil things, Christians should seek God’s help.
Christians should place a high value on the word of God. The Bible should have a value “above fine gold.” In other words, the Bible should be the most precious thing to them.
But what about the Christian hating “every false way”? Does the Christian consider those who are teaching a “false way” as God’s enemies who need to be punished by God?
For our generation, these are hard questions to answer. But, what is our attitude towards the actions of such arrogant people? We, like God, should want everyone to be saved, but do we realize that there are going to be some people, because of their actions towards the word of God, who are God’s enemies?
Christians should have so much love for these arrogant people that they will want them to change their lives. Christians should, with urgency, be willing to persuade people to seek and apply the laws, testimonies, and statues of God.
Like in the days of the psalmist, Christians should be requesting God to help them in all of life’s circumstances. Their high esteem for the Bible will be evident because they are living God’s way.
We invite you to contact us if you have any questions or would like to learn more about God’s word. – Carlton G. McPeak
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Bible Answer #8
Devoted To God’s Word
After pointing out that God’s word is a “light” to his pathway, the psalmist speaks, in the fifteenth stanza of Psalms 119 (verses 113-120), of being devoted to God’s Word. Using several contrasts, he illustrates this devotion.
He begins by saying he hates “those who are doubled-minded.” The idea is of a person who is not totally, but only half-heartedly devoted, to God’s word. The psalmist on the other hand says he loves God’s law, it provides protection and a “hiding place.”
He wants the “evildoers” to depart from him so that he “may observe the commandments of [his] God.” He wants the word of God to “sustain” him so that he may live and have the hope God has promised.
There are those whom God has “rejected” because they have wandered from God’s “statutes” and their “deceitfulness” is falsehood. God has “removed all the wicked of the earth,” but [this poet] loves God’s “testimonies,” he “trembles for fear of [God] and [he is] afraid of [God’s] judgments.”
It seems this devotee desires two things. He does not want to associate with those who are not committed to God, but he personally wants to be connected to God.
Based upon the testimonies of God, he recognizes that God will not have anything to do with those who are not loyal to God’s message; the non-believers in God. Those who will not make a firm decision to be a follower of God.
This is not to say that God does not loves these individuals, but rather to say that God will not be helping those who are not devoted to Him and His message. God is very patient with people, but His patience with doubters is limited, it will come to an end one day.
This stanza provides some encouragement to Christians. If we want to have God “sustain” us during hard times, we must be devoted to Him. If we want Him to “shield” us from the evils of life, we must be devoted to Him.
God wants total commitment from people. He is very patient while humanity is learning about Him and His expectations. A great example is God sending an overabundance of prophets to Israel. God sending His Son is the ultimate manifestation of His efforts to work with people.
As Christians our desire must be that we are totally committed to the word of God. We are going to devote our lives to learning and observing God’s word.
Christians must not only place their hope in God’s word, but they must never be ashamed of God’s word. The world can see we are devoted to God’s word because we are living God’s way.
We invite you to contact us if you have any questions or would like to learn more about God’s word. – Carlton G. McPeak
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Bible Answer #9
God’s Word Provides Guidance
When one is walking in darkness, the most important thing they need is a light. Even a small candle will provide a large amount of light when walking on a dark path. The psalmist says, for him, God’s word is like a “light” providing guidance in living his life.
The fourteenth stanza of Psalm 119 (verses 105-112) is connected to the previous stanza (verses 97-104). In that stanza the poet is contemplating the word of God. In this stanza he is applying his contemplations to his life.
Referring to God’s word as a “light” or a “lamp,” he is acknowledging that the Bible will show him how to live a godly life as well as the stumbling blocks to living a godly life. He recognizes that God’s word will revive him when he is tempted to forsake God and His ways. He will not go “astray from [God’s] precepts” when the wicked lay “a snare” for him.”
All of this is possible because of his commitment, his oath, to remain faithful and true to God’s word. He has determined in his heart that he “will keep [God’s] ordinances.” He will not “forget [God’s] law.” He has “inclined [his] heart to perform [God’s] statutes forever, even to the end.”
Maybe the most remarkable thing about this writer’s comments is the joy he has in his heart for what the word of God will do for him. God’s testimonies are something this poet has inherited, possibly from his parents or those around him, and he will hold them as a possession for the remainder of his life.
Because of his thankfulness for receiving this “inheritance,” he will offer to God a “freewill offering.” This type of sacrifice is one that will be done, not because it is commanded by God, but rather because the worshiper wants to offer praise to God. His attitude of thankfulness will lead to him being taught more of God’s “ordinances.”
Modern day believers should hold God’s word in such high esteem. Christians should use the Bible to show them how to live righteous lives and to avoid temptations from those who would live wickedly. They should have “joy” in their heart because of the guidance God’s word provides for their lives.
The word of God can only be beneficial to someone if they are willing to allow it to guide their life. It not only informs them as to how to live, but also how not to live.
It should be easy for the Christian to offer a freewill offering, a word of praise to God, for the Bible’s guidance. The Christian realizes that without this “light” they cannot be living God’s way.
We invite you to contact us if you have any questions or would like to learn more about God’s word. – Carlton G. McPeak
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Bible Answer #10
Benefits from Contemplating the Bible
When it comes to living life, there are some benefits from contemplating the Bible. The psalmist mentions several of these benefits in the thirteenth stanza of Psalm 119 (verses 97-104).
In two verses the psalmist uses the word meditation, meaning to place one’s attention on something. In his case it is the “law” of God and the “testimonies” of God. When he is contemplating, he is looking thoughtfully into how to practice God’s commandments.
Personal contemplation upon the word of God comes from a love for the word of God. There is a “longing for,” a “strong desire for” the word of God. Contemplating the Bible’s contents is sweeter to one’s mental taste buds than “honey to the mouth.”
By having the word of God in one’s mind and by focusing on it metaphorically “all the day,” the person becomes “wiser than [their] enemies,” they have “more insight than all [their] teachers,” and they have more understanding “than the aged.” Their feet are kept from “every evil way.” They have “not turned aside” from the ordinances they were taught by God.
Another benefit the poet derives from contemplating God’s word is understanding God’s precepts and how they have led him to “hate every false way.” Because he “loves” God’s word so much it has produced within him a strong dislike for the actions of those who are in opposition to God’s ways.
The Bible teaches a person so many things and concepts about life. The more we are able to contemplate what the word of God says and meditate upon how we can put it into practice in our life, the better our life will be. In many cases, the Bible has more wisdom than our mentors. The Bible gives us understanding as to how and why those who are enemies of the Bible are thinking and therefore we know how better to deal with them.
Not only will we know how to better deal with these types of people, we will know how better to deal with ourselves. The more we contemplate the teachings of the Bible, the more they will help us to restrain our “feet from every evil way.” By focusing on the “ordinances” of God, we will be better able to implement them into our lives and will not depart from them.
For most people, eating something sweet, brings pleasure to their life. In a similar way, contemplating the Bible brings pleasure to the Christian. Realizing these benefits to our life, we will meditate frequently upon the contents of the Bible. For the Christian, the Bible is very “sweet” and helps them to be better and more consistently living God’s way.
We invite you to contact us if you have any questions or would like to learn more about God’s word. – Carlton G. McPeak
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Bible Answer #11
Physical Evidence for the Bible Enduring
The psalmist makes a very bold statement about God’s word, the Bible, enduring. He gives some physical evidence for the logic to his conclusion that God’s word is permanently “settled in heaven.”
The twelfth stanza of Psalms 119 (verses 89-96) uses a very common form of logic. It uses what can be seen to prove what cannot be observed.
Proving to Americans that the sun came up in Europe today is an example. While we are not there to witness this event, we can know it happened because we have observed the sun rising in the east. We know Europe is east of America. Therefore, the sun came up in Europe today.
The word of God standing firm in heaven cannot be seen by humans. However, mankind can see the world is still standing. The psalmist has the confidence that everything we can see, especially things on the earth, came into existence because of the word of God; because “God said” and it happened (consult Genesis 1).
The psalmist has seen that God’s “faithfulness continues throughout all generations.” He has observed that things are happening in the physical world because of the ordinances of God; things like summer and winter, planting and harvesting, the circular paths in the sea, and other routine, cyclical things in nature.
Because of his confidence that the word of God is “settled in heaven,” he knows that he has not “perished in [his] affliction.” By God’s word he has been revived, he has been saved, and the wicked have not destroyed him.
Why has all this happened to him? Because of his actions towards the word of God. He has “delight” in God’s law; he has not forgotten God’s precepts, but “sought” them; and he has “diligently considered [God’s] testimonies.”
Finally, he states that God’s “commandment is exceedingly broad.” He seems to be indicating that the word of God is not limited in its scope or jurisdiction. Not only is everyone accountable to the word of God, but God’s word pertains to every aspect of our lives.
Based upon the same physical evidence and logic, we can have the same confidence that God’s word will always be enduring. The world is still standing. The cycles of life are still repeating. The lovingkindness of God is still being manifested. The Bible is still in existence.
Can the word of God save us today from some physical afflictions? Yes! Can it save us from our spiritual afflictions? Yes!
Using this ancient poet’s logic, Christians today can come to the same conclusion that the Bible is “settled in heaven.” By trusting and obeying God’s enduring word, Christians will be living God’s way.
We invite you to contact us if you have any questions or would like to learn more about God’s word. – Carlton G. McPeak
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Bible Answer #12
Remaining Faithful During Life’s Difficulties
Everyone will face difficulties in their life. Rather than forsaking or giving up on God’s word, the author of the eleventh stanza of Psalm 119 (verses 81-88) describes how he will remain faithful to God’s word during the difficulties of his life.
He speaks of his failing eyesight. Metaphorically he describes his old age as being like “a wineskin in the smoke.” He expresses his feelings towards the “arrogant” who have “dug pits” for him, “persecuted” him and “almost destroyed” him. During all of these difficulties, the psalmist wants God to “revive” him so he can remain faithful to God.
The poet gives some possible answers to the question, “How can one remain faithful during such difficult times?”
He says his “soul languishes for Your salvation; I wait for Your word.” He is totally consumed with the anticipation of the salvation God will provide; possibly both physical as well as spiritual. He could be asking God to allow him to die and to allow him to begin living with God eternally.
He remains faithful because of his confidence in knowing God will one day “execute judgment on those who persecute” him. Those whom he defines as “men who are not in accord with [God’s] law,” the “arrogant.” Those who have “persecuted [him] with a lie.” Those who have “almost destroyed” him.
His strong inner trust in God’s word comes because of his hope and expectation he has learned from God’s word. His trust is intensified because of his life’s experiences of not forgetting God’s statutes, not forsaking God’s precepts, keeping “the testimonies of [God’s] mouth” and realizing that all of God’s “commandments are faithful.”
By saying he will “wait,” he acknowledges his submission to God’s timing and not God to his timing. He asks God “when” will you “comfort me” and “execute judgment.” He petitions God to “revive” him. While not knowing the “when,” he is not discouraged. He knows God can be trusted. He admits it is God’s decision, not his decision.
This section of Psalm 119 emphasizes how one can remain faithful to God regardless of their difficulties in life. It is a great encouragement to Christians to remain faithful to God’s word all the days of their life.
Eventually all of us will grow old, our eyesight will fail, our skin will wrinkle. However, Christians should never be discouraged by the difficulties in their life.
Christians should consider this life’s difficulties as minor inconveniences, because they are focused on preparing for eternal life with God. They understand God’s lovingkindness and that He cares for them. Therefore, regardless of what happens in their life, Christians will always remain faithful to living God’s way.
We invite you to contact us if you have any questions or would like to learn more about God’s word. – Carlton G. McPeak
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Bible Answer #13
Requesting God’s Word to Influence Our Lives
The author of the tenth stanza of Psalm 119 (verses 73-80) makes several statements about how God and His word have and will influence his life. Because of the influence of God’s word, he wants to be an example of a follower of God to those who fear God and know God’s testimonies.
The poet states that God’s hands made and fashioned him. He may be saying that God has specifically made him. If that is true, then why is he making a request for God to give him “understanding, that I may learn Your commandments?” It seems logical that God would have given him this understanding when He made and fashioned him.
If on the other hand, he is acknowledging that God is responsible for creating and influencing humanity, then making these and other requests would be appropriate. The poet knows it is God’s word (the Bible) that has given him his knowledge about God and his confidence in God.
Based upon his confidence in what the Bible teaches, he knows that God’s “judgments are righteous,” that God’s lovingkindness will comfort him, and God will have compassion upon him. Even after being “afflicted” he has the confidence that God will continue to influence him during his difficulties in life.
Observe the different ways he acknowledges his emotions concerning God’s influence. He will “wait for” or put his hope and expectation in God’s word. He has “delight” in God’s word. He meditates “on [God’s] precepts.” He is not “ashamed.” He desires his “heart” to be blameless with respect to God’s statutes.
It is worthy of note that he has the confidence that when “arrogant” people “subvert” or attempt to ruin him by telling a lie about him, they will be put to shame. When these hurtful things are spoken about him, he will focus more on God’s precepts to gain the reassurance that his actions and thoughts are godly.
Today, Christians can learn God’s commandments. Christians can know that God’s decisions are always righteous. They can have the confidence that God’s word will be influencing them during the most difficult of times. They can have the assurance of being “blameless” before God and that others can imitate their lives. They will not be shaken from living a godly life regardless of the form of persecution they might encounter.
Christians today should be asking, “Are we allowing God (through His word) to influence us?” Are we meditating upon, delighting in, and placing our confidence in the Bible? If we answer yes to these questions, then we will be blameless in God’s statutes and unashamed to be one of God’s followers, Christians living God’s way.
We invite you to contact us if you have any questions or would like to learn more about God’s word. – Carlton G. McPeak
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Bible Answer #14
The Believer’s Mindset Towards God
What mindset should the believer have towards God? What should their established attitudes be about their life? The ninth stanza of Psalm 119 (verses 65-72) describes several elements of the believer’s mindset towards God.
He is grateful that God has kept His word in how God has “dwelt well” with him. He has the desire to learn God’s “good discernment and knowledge.” He admits God does good things and is good. He has a strong desire to be taught by God as well as to learn from God when he has made a mistake or accidentally left God’s law.
This mindset prompts the different actions the poet takes towards God’s instructions. He believes in God’s commandments. He keeps God’s word. His heart’s desire is to observe God’s precepts and to delight in God’s law. Mentally, he values the law God has spoken more “than thousands of gold and silver pieces.”
He admits he has gone astray from God’s word, but because he was “afflicted” he is now keeping God’s word. He says it was “good for [him] that [he] was afflicted” so that he might learn God’s statutes. He is confessing that it was a good thing for him to be humbled or to endure hard times or embarrassing times so that he might realize that he had left God’s word.
With these firmly established attitudes, it is no wonder this believer is living this way of life. It demonstrates that his thinking is dictating his actions. Even when he makes a mistake, when he accidently goes astray, the word of God is influencing the correction he should make in his life.
He is not like the “arrogant,” those who are presumptuous in thinking their way of life is better than God’s way. These unbelievers have expressed things which are not true about this believer, they are trying to smear his name. The reason for the actions of the “arrogant” is that “their heart is covered with fat,” meaning their mind is covered by their own standards, which is preventing them from observing and delighting in God’s precepts and law.
The question for the modern day believer is, are we living up to the mindset of this author? Do we desire to have the ability to make judgments about living our life which are according to God’s commandments? Are we willing to change our life to be back in conformity with God’s word when we have gone astray?
Having these established attitudes is of utmost importance if one is going to be a true follower of God. Having this mindset towards God and His word will continuously motivate the believer to be living God’s way.
We invite you to contact us if you have any questions or would like to learn more about God’s word. – Carlton G. McPeak
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Bible Answer #15
Seeking God and His Followers
In five of the eight verses in the eighth stanza of Psalm 119 (verses 57-64), the psalmist states in several different ways that he will seek God. In other verses he says he will give thanks to God, he will seek those who keep God’s precepts and he acknowledges the earth is full of God’s lovingkindness.
At the beginning of this stanza, the poet is anticipating the Lord’s portion or inheritance as a result of his promise to keep God’s word. His heart’s desire is to receive what God is offering. Based upon God’s word, he accepts the graciousness of God.
After reflecting on his life and considering his ways, he turns his feet to God’s testimonies. He compared his life to God’s way of living, saw that it did not “matchup” and he “did not delay” in making the necessary changes.
He did not forget God’s law when wicked people, who were around him, tempted him to do evil things. During sleepless nights, he would give thanks to God which might include how thankful he was for God’s “righteous ordinances.” When seeking companionship, he sought “those who fear [God] and those who keep [God’s] precepts.”
Knowing about God’s lovingkindness, he made a request for God to “teach [him God’s] statutes.” He wants to be ever learning about God, His ways and how he can comply with God’s way of living. He wants to associate with those having the same desire.
The desire of this godly poet sets a great example for Christians today. Christians should be wanting to seek God and the lifestyle He wants them to live. They should have a strong desire to be around people who also are wanting to seek God.
There are several ways in which this could be seen in the Christian’s life. In our quiet time, are we honestly examining our life to see if it conforms to God’s written word? When changes need to be made, do we make them with a sense of urgency? Do we do it without delay?
Equally important is the desire to be with fellow Christians. Do we seek opportunities to be around fellow believers such as at a Bible class on Sunday morning and maybe one night of the week? Do we yearn for situations when we can go and listen to the word of God proclaimed? Do we crave social fellowship with fellow believers?
The true feelings of our heart are seen in our actions. We can say we seek God and His followers, but what do our actions show other people? Christians should set the example of seeking God and His followers because we are living God’s way.
We invite you to contact us if you have any questions or would like to learn more about God’s word. – Carlton G. McPeak
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Bible Answer #16
Comfort, Indignation and Joy
The Bible generates some strong emotions in the Psalmist. In Psalm 119 (verses 49-56), the seventh stanza, this poet expresses three emotions about God’s word; one is comfort, another is indignation and the third is joy.
To him, God’s word provides hope that is necessary to live in this life. This hope produces a degree of comfort which enables a person to have purpose and to continue to live. Having God’s word as part of one’s life for an extended period of time brings comfort; it is like an old pair of shoes, ragged blue jeans or an old worn out chair.
When a person is confronted with afflictions, having the knowledge presented in God’s word that He cares for His people is very comforting. When confronted with ridicule, when being laughed at, when being derided, God’s word can bring comfort, because it will help the believer know that what they are doing is correct.
A contrasting emotion is the feeling of indignation. This feeling comes about as a reaction one has to someone who is wicked, “who forsake[s] [God’s] law.” The believer is responding to how a person is treating the word of God in an unjust, offensive, or insulting manner. These wicked people do not have a high regard for God’s word, and therefore this causes the believer to experience great displeasure.
A third emotion is one of joy. Remembering the word of God will bring a song to his mind, heart or vocal chords. During the loneliness of night, it will be something that will bring him joy. Knowing he has God’s word brings great pleasure and happiness to him. Having access to the Bible is something in which he will rejoice.
This wide range of emotions should be felt by the Christian in our world today. God’s word should bring us comfort in times of trouble or affliction. We should get very angry when we hear the word of God being insulted, ridiculed or spoken of in a very base manner. There should be joy in our hearts along with expressions of rejoicing knowing that we have the privilege of possessing a Bible, God’s word.
Christians live in a very remarkable time. Having the opportunity to not only possess one Bible, but many, as well as access on multiple electronic platforms, should bring about some strong emotions such as these, along with thankfulness and gratitude because God has preserved the Bible throughout history.
These three emotions – comfort, indignation and joy – should be an embedded part of the Christian life. Christians hold the Bible in very high esteem because we know that it is, in every aspect, the basis for living God’s way.
We invite you to contact us if you have any questions or would like to learn more about God’s word. – Carlton G. McPeak
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Bible Answer #17
Confidence in God’s Word Prompts Action
The sixth stanza of Psalm 119 (verses 41-48), gives several actions the author will exhibit because he has confidence in God’s word. He has assurance in his salvation. He will testify to others what God has done. He will acknowledge in worship his confidence in God’s word.
The foundation for a person being saved is God’s lovingkindness. God wants to do what is good for His people because of the covenant He made with mankind, because of His love for mankind.
The author recognizes that people will “reproach” him because he has put his confidence in God’s word. People will try to shame or taunt him, but because he has confidence in God’s word he will not be shaken. He will “wait” for God’s “ordinances,” he will “seek [God’s] precepts,” he will “meditate” upon God’s statutes.
The psalmist will also display his willingness to “speak of [God’s] testimonies before kings and shall not be ashamed.” This is a very bold action, especially if the king does not like what he will hear. The psalmist is saying he will not be bashful when it comes time to inform the most important person in his world the laws, commandments and actions of his God.
Because of his love for God’s word, he will have a longing for God’s commandments. He will worship God because of the things which God has done and commanded.
Maybe the most interesting action the poet will have is to meditate upon God’s word. He will muse or think about God’s word in a very careful and thoughtful way. God’s word will always be in front of him, something he will study, something he enjoys constantly discussing with other people.
Christians today should have the same confidence in God’s word, the Bible that this poet had in God’s word. We should have the confidence God will keep His covenant He has made with people. We should be willing to endure the degrading comments people will make about our faith because our confidence in the Bible is so strong.
We should be willing to share our confidence with everyone we meet. If we have the opportunity to share it with some high-level government official, then we would not be ashamed to do so. If these officials are not believers, then they need to experience God’s lovingkindness also.
Maybe the most important reaction Christians can have as a result of their confidence in the Bible, is that they love the Bible. It is the basis for their walk in life, their interaction with other people and their worship. The deeper one’s confidence is in the Bible, the more they will be living God’s way.
We invite you to contact us if you have any questions or would like to learn more about God’s word. – Carlton G. McPeak
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Bible Answer #18
Desiring to Learn the Bible
The fifth stanza of Psalm 119 (verses 33-40), is the psalmist’s petition expressing his earnest desire to learn more and understand better God’s word so he can put it into practice in his life. A major goal in his life is obeying God’s instructions.
He recognizes the relationship between learning and living the word of God. He recognizes God has a part in his learning, but he also realizes he must be utilizing God’s message to influence his conduct in life.
God’s method of teaching is not identified in this section of the poem. The author’s desire to learn the word of God is seen by such phrases as “teach me,” “give me understanding,” “make me walk,” “incline my heart,” “turn away my eyes,” “revive me,” and “establish Your word.” He has a strong passion for learning God’s message.
Notice the phrases he uses to describe his intentions to use what he has learned. He says he will “observe it to the end,” “keep it with all my heart,” “I delight in it,” and “I long for Your precepts.” He has a strong determination to be obedient to God.
This portion of Psalm 119 teaches Christians today much about the desire they should have towards learning the word of God, the Bible. We can take the poet’s statements and turn them into questions about our desire to learn the Bible. Do we want to “observe” the teaching of the Bible until our time on this earth comes to an end?” Do we “delight” in what the Bible says? Do we have a longing for knowing what the Scriptures teach us about how we should live our life?
Our daily living will answer these questions. Do we enjoy learning things in the Bible? Are we enthusiastic about hearing someone talk about the word of God, such as a Sunday sermon, on a podcast, or religious video?
In our personal study time, are we looking for the meaning the author intended, or are we looking at how we can interpret the message to conform to our life? Do we want to understand the point the author was making, or are we looking for what we want the passage to mean?
The main reason for wanting someone to “teach” us is to learn what they know. It should not be to affirm what we already know.
The same should be true about us learning the Bible. We should be having the attitude that we want God to “teach me.” Our heart should be inclined, have a longing for, and maintain an earnest desire to learn the Bible because our life’s major goal is to be living God’s way!
We invite you to contact us if you have any questions or would like to learn more about God’s word. – Carlton G. McPeak
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Bible Answer #19
Clinging to the Bible
The poet, in the fourth stanza of Psalm 119 (verses 25-32), expresses his frustrations about his life. However, he believes the word of God will revive him, and so, he will cling to the Bible.
He expresses two different emotions about something in his life. He says he “cleaves to the dust” (verse 25) and his “soul weeps because of grief” (verse 28). Something in his life may have brought him to some low point, or something has happened to bring about deep sorrow or sadness in his life. On the other hand, these expressions may refer to different emotions for the same event.
In either case, he says God’s word, statutes, wonders, testimonies, ordinances, and commandments will do great things for him. They will revive him, strengthen him, and he will “run the way” God would have him live his life.
He says, “I have told of my ways, and You have answered me; teach me Your statutes” (verse 26). This indicates the writer was praying to God about his situation and God provided an answer to his circumstances through the things He has said. We might say God provided the answers when the man consulted the Bible.
The Bible can help us when we are facing difficult or frustrating times in our life. The Bible can provide context, a framework in which to look at the situation. The Bible can give recommendations as to how to handle certain difficult situations. The Bible can give us God’s perspective on any situation which will provide us with correct, righteous wisdom concerning the situation.
However, just reading the Bible will only provide an attitude towards those things which bring about grief in our lives. The psalmist points out that he has “chosen the faithful way,” he has “placed [God’s] ordinances before” him, he will “cling to [God’s] testimonies, and he will “run the way of [God’s] commandments.”
By doing all of these things, God will be the reason for him having an “enlarged heart.” This is not a medical condition, but rather God’s word has made room in his heart for him to be glad, to no longer be frustrated with or grieving about something difficult or frustrating in his life.
The Bible is something every Christian should be cleaving to, holding on to tightly. It should be ever present in the Christian’s life. On a daily basis, it should be consulted and applied, especially when hard times or frustrating circumstances happen in our life.
By following the actions and attitudes of this psalmist and by meditating, understanding and practicing God’s precepts, Christians will be revived. By clinging to the Bible, Christians will be living God’s way.
We invite you to contact us if you have any questions or would like to learn more about God’s word. – Carlton G. McPeak
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Bible Answer #20
Requesting Help for Living Godly
The psalmist, in the third stanza of Psalm 119 (verses 17-24), is asking God for help in living and keeping God’s word. He requests God to open his eyes so that he may learn. He requests God’s help because he knows how God treats “the arrogant, the cursed,” those who wander from God’s commandments.
These verses also show his motivation for wanting this help to live godly. He has a desire, a longing to learn. Knowing he is a “stranger in the earth,” he acknowledges he lacks knowledge as to how to live godly on this earth. He wants God’s forgiveness. He seeks the counsel of God to counter the verbal criticism against him by those in positions of authority.
When the author requests God to deal with him “bountifully,” he wants God to treat him with generosity. He wants God to be lavish in dealing with him because he desires to “live and keep” God’s word.
When he says, “open my eyes” he is requesting God to give him opportunities to “behold wonderful things” which are found in God’s law. How God would “open” his eyes, we are not told. However, the writer has the confidence that God, in His own way, will help this “servant.”
There also is a request for God to “take away reproach and contempt” from this sojourner because he is trying to observe [God’s] testimonies. He is putting forth his best effort to live a life that would be pleasing to God.
As we consider this portion of Psalm 119 and its application to our life today, there are some lessons we can learn. We need to focus on God wanting certain things for us. He wants us to meditate upon His statutes, to delight in His testimonies and for His word to be the dominate influence in our lives.
Once again, there are many different ways the “word of God” is described; each focusing on the many different aspects of God’s message. When we look at them in totality, we see they all refer to our Bible.
The question Christians need to be asking is, “How much do we desire and delight, not only knowing the Bible, but how we can apply the Bible to our lives?” The Bible relates wonderful things about God and all of those things show His ability to work in the affairs of mankind and to help us live righteously.
By requesting God’s help in learning about and applying what is in the Bible, Christians can accomplish two things. We will not wander away from God and we will be ever more diligent in following God’s message, resulting in us living God’s way.
We invite you to contact us if you have any questions or would like to learn more about God’s word. – Carlton G. McPeak
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Bible Answer #21
Helping Youth Live Godly
The author of Psalm 119, in the second stanza (verses 9-16), asks the question, “How can a young man keep his way pure?” His answer, “By keeping it according to Thy word.”
In the following verses he makes it personal by saying “I” followed either by “have,” “may,” “will,” or “shall.” Notice the different words he uses to demonstrate his willingness to live a godly life: he “sought [God],” “treasured in my heart,” “may not sin against Thee,” “[he] told of all the ordinances,” “rejoiced,” “meditate[s] on Thy precepts,” “regard[s] Thy ways,” “delight[s] in Thy statutes,” and “[does] not forget Thy word.” These phrases express many actions taken by this youth, his attitude about the word of God, and what he will do with his mind in regards to the word of God.
We commonly will state that the young are not interested in spiritual things, but rather are only interested in “sowing their wild oats.” But this should not be the case. We should be expecting and helping the young ones to live a godly life; to have these attitudes and thoughts about the word of God.
Based upon these descriptions, a course of action is revealed. It begins by seeking the word of God, spending time thinking about the word of God, and having a positive attitude toward the word of God. All of this will produce some actions: they will speak about the word of God, they will use it to keep themselves from sinning against God, and they will always have it as part of their life.
One very interesting statement, a thankful request, is made by the young man. “Teach me Thy statutes.” He has an attitude of wanting to be taught how God wants him to live his life.
Sometimes we forget that we at one time had to learn the statutes of God so we could apply them to our own life. The younger generation is no different from us. They must learn also.
The older generation speaks frequently about the lifestyle of the younger generation. This has been happening for centuries. However, if the younger are going to experience the true happiness and real meaning in life, then they must be taught and practice the word of God.
They are asking everyone, including themselves, “What is the purpose of life?” Their answer can be found in living by the word of God. When the young are seeking God “with all [their] heart,” thinking about the word of God, holding it like a treasure, never letting it depart from their life, then they will truly be happy and will have found their purpose because they are living God’s way.
We invite you to contact us if you have any questions or would like to learn more about God’s word. – Carlton G. McPeak
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Bible Answer #22
Obtaining the Ultimate Happiness
Psalm 119 is a very lengthy poem; beautifully written and well thought out. The overall message of these 176 verses divided into 22 groups of 8 verses is one’s attitude and actions towards the word or instruction of the Lord.
In the first section (verse 1-8) there is a description of a man who is truly blessed. It is not based upon his investments, his bank account or his other assets. It is based upon a person trying to implement all the revelation of God to mankind as it relates to his interaction with God and his fellowman.
The word blessed in this context has the meaning of truly being happy. This happiness comes about by putting into practice God’s information resulting in a person experiencing genuine pleasure; true contentment.
Notice the different expressions of these instructions – law of the Lord, His testimonies, His ways, Your precepts, Your statues, Your commandments, and Your righteous judgments. These phrases are used continuously throughout the remainder of the poem to express the instructions of God.
The blessed person will have the following reactions. They will walk in them, observe them and keep them diligently. They will seek God with all their heart. They will do no unrighteousness. They will put forth much effort to make God’s ways their own ways. They will not be ashamed of God’s commandments. They will be thankful for learning the righteous judgments of God.
While many will say that no one can keep all the laws, statues, commandments and testimonies of God, this should not influence people to give up on trying to meet God’s revealed standards. Daily there should be the constant effort to make one’s lifestyle match that of God’s expectations.
In one’s daily reading of the Bible, there should be the focus on how does this verse or these verses help me to be living in the image of God? How can they help me to manifest to the world the lifestyle that Jesus wants people to imitate?
Some passages help us to know more about the character of God along with the many wonderful works God has done. Other passages will display God’s reaction to those who are disobedient as well as those obedient to His instructions.
It is admirable to pursue things in this world like having a good job, a comfortable home, and a nice family. Pursuing enjoyable recreation and other pastime events are equally honorable.
However, the most important pursuit to finding true contentment, true happiness, to truly being blessed, is the chasing after learning the word of God and practicing it in our lives daily. A blessed person is the one who is living God’s way.
We invite you to contact us if you have any questions or would like to learn more about God’s word. – Carlton G. McPeak
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