Ira Baptist Church
Sunday, November 23

      • Colossians 3.12-13ESV

      • Colossians 3.14-15ESV

      • Colossians 3.16-17ESV

  • By Faith
  • Come Ye Thankful People Come

      • 1 Thessalonians 5.14-18ESV

      • 1 Thessalonians 5.19-24ESV

  • Your Words Are Wonderful (Psalm 119)
  • Psalm 119
    Longest psalm in the Bible
    All about God’s Word
    Psalm 119 Praises God for giving us His Word, because it is through His Word that we learn about him and find life, salvation, and our very reason for praise and thanksgiving.
    What was given to us as a seed in Psalm 1:2 is a full flower in Psalm 119.
    Psalm 1:2 ESV
    but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night.
    Synonyms for God’s Word in Psalm 119 - law, testimony, word, commandment, statute, judgment, precept, and promise
    Of the 176 verses, at least 171 of those reference God’s Word with one of those synonyms.
    Also, as far as a poem, it is structured as an Acrostic
    22 sections, each with 8 verses. And each sections of 8 verses all begin with a subsequent letter of the Hebrew alphabet.
    As a work of devotion, the psalmist exercised his mind to pause and consider carefully how God’s Word enriched every portion of life.
    We can’t study the whole thing at this time, but I wanted to select one of the sections for our consideration today. And that is the 8th section, beginning in verse number 57.

    The journey from our head to our heart can be the longest distance to travel; but when God’s Word grips your heart, your hands and feet will soon follow and lead a life of praise.

    8 Key (letter) words
    57 - heleq - portion, share of the spoils, possession
    because the Lord is my portion, I will keep his words.
    58 - hilith - to request from deep weakness or feeling of pain
    Out of my pain and weakness, I ask for help because I know God’s promises are true.
    59 - hasab - To consider carefully, weave word picture
    When I consider my own ways, I have to turn toward God’s testimonies - they are so much better.
    60 - hasti - to hurry, hasten, move fast
    I run quickly to keep God’s commandments. I have to! They are my pursuit and goal!
    61 - heble - a snare, rope
    The enemy has laid out many traps and distractions - all the more reason to remember God’s law.
    62 - hasotlay - midnight
    In the darkest hour, at my weakest, God is still worth praising and thanking because of his rules.
    63 - haber - companion
    I want to surround myself with those who follow God’s precepts.
    64 - hesed - steadfast love
    I look around now and all I see is God’s faithful love in everything - I want to learn your statues, God!

    Knowing (in our head) - 59, 61, 64

    Psalm 119:59 ESV
    When I think on my ways, I turn my feet to your testimonies;
    59 - hasab - To consider carefully, weave word picture
    When I consider my own ways, I have to turn toward God’s testimonies - they are so much better.
    Psalm 119:61 ESV
    Though the cords of the wicked ensnare me, I do not forget your law.
    61 - heble - a snare, rope
    The enemy has laid out many traps and distractions - all the more reason to remember God’s law.
    Psalm 119:64 ESV
    The earth, O Lord, is full of your steadfast love; teach me your statutes!
    64 - hesed - steadfast love
    I look around now and all I see is God’s faithful love in everything - I want to learn your statues, God!
    We begin there, with truth entering the mind through the eyes and ears.
    Romans 10:17 ESV
    So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.
    Where does it go?
    Psalm 119:34 ESV
    Give me understanding, that I may keep your law and observe it with my whole heart.

    Believing (in our heart) - 57-58, 63

    Psalm 119:57–58 ESV
    The Lord is my portion; I promise to keep your words. I entreat your favor with all my heart; be gracious to me according to your promise.
    57 - heleq - portion, share of the spoils, possession
    because the Lord is my portion, I will keep his words.
    58 - hilith - to request from deep weakness or feeling of pain
    Out of my pain and weakness, I ask for help because I know God’s promises are true.
    Psalm 119:63 ESV
    I am a companion of all who fear you, of those who keep your precepts.
    63 - haber - companion
    I want to surround myself with those who follow God’s precepts.
    Matthew 15:7–9 ESV
    You hypocrites! Well did Isaiah prophesy of you, when he said: “ ‘This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me; in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’ ”
    Some dangers of head-only religion without God’s word affecting the heart
    Coldness
    Hypocrisy
    self-deception
    pride
    prevents genuine worship
    distorts our view of God
    leads others astray
    no hope of genuine transformation
    Ezekiel 36:26 ESV
    And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.
    Romans 10:9–10 ESV
    because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.

    Living (hands and feet) - 59-60, 62

    Psalm 119:59–60 ESV
    When I think on my ways, I turn my feet to your testimonies; I hasten and do not delay to keep your commandments.
    59 - hasab - To consider carefully, weave word picture
    When I consider my own ways, I have to turn toward God’s testimonies - they are so much better.
    60 - hasti - to hurry, hasten, move fast
    I run quickly to keep God’s commandments. I have to! They are my pursuit and goal!
    Psalm 119:62 ESV
    At midnight I rise to praise you, because of your righteous rules.
    62 - hasotlay - midnight
    In the darkest hour, at my weakest, God is still worth praising and thanking because of his rules.
    Other examples from Psalm 119
    Psalm 119:11 ESV
    I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.
    Romans 12:1 ESV
    I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.

      • Psalm 1:2ESV

      • Psalm 119:59ESV

      • Psalm 119:61ESV

      • Psalm 119:64ESV

      • Romans 10:17ESV

      • Psalm 119:34ESV

      • Psalm 119:57–58ESV

      • Psalm 119:63ESV

      • Matthew 15:7–9ESV

      • Ezekiel 36:26ESV

      • Romans 10:9–10ESV

      • Psalm 119:59–60ESV

      • Psalm 119:62ESV

      • Psalm 119:11ESV

      • Romans 12:1ESV

  • How Great Thou Art

      • 1 Thessalonians 5.14-18ESV

      • 1 Thessalonians 5.19-24ESV

Ira Baptist Church
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