S3E281 – Psalm 119: Ode To the Owner’s Manual

Transcript Podcast Introduction Today is Psalms Wednesday and we’ll read chapter 119. Last week we read the shortest Psalm and the shortest chapter in the Bible. Psalm 119 is the longest. Today we’re going to skip on this date in church history I’m calling today’s episode “Ode To the Owner’s Manual.“ Design: Steve Webb | Photo: Timothy Eberly on Unsplash Comments on Psalm 119 Introduction to Psalm 119 We do not know the author of this, the longest psalm and the longest chapter in the Bible. Psalm 119 is another acrostic. There are 22 sections of 8 verses each, and each section is assigned one of the 22 Hebrew letters in succession, with each verse in each section beginning with that letter. Psalm 119 is written to glorify God and His Word. Nearly every verse mentions Scripture in one way or another. The most common word used is Law, or in Hebrew, torah. It appears 25 times. The Hebrew word dabar, which is translated as “word” in English, appears 24 times. Judgements, or mispatim (Hebrew) is used 23 times. Testimonies (edut/edot Hebrew) is also used 23 times. Commandments (miswah/miswot) shows up 22 times. Statutes (huqqim), 21 times. Precepts (piqqudim) 21 times. Word (imrah) 19 times. It is important to note that without exception, every mention of the Scripture is tied to its author…God. This psalm is not a celebration simply of Scripture, but of Him, the giver of Scripture. “This wonderful psalm, from its great length, helps us to wonder at the immensity of Scripture. From its keeping to one subject it helps us to adore the unity of Scripture; for it is but one. Yet, from the many turns it gives to the same thought, it helps you to see the variety of Scripture…. Some have said that in it there is an absence of variety, but that is merely the observation of those who have not studied it. I have weighed each word, and looked at each syllable with lengthened meditation; and I bear witness that this sacred song has no tautology in it, but is charmingly varied from beginning to end. Its variety is that of a kaleidoscope: from a few objects a boundless variation is produced. In the kaleidoscope you look once, and there is a strangely beautiful form. You shift the glass a very little, and another shape, equally delicate and beautiful, is before your eyes. So it is here.” (Charles Spurgeon) “Luther professed that he prized this Psalm so highly, that he would not take the whole world in exchange for one leaf of it.” (Charles Bridges) Comments on Psalm 119 As I said in the Introduction, the word for Scripture that is used most in this psalm is torah, which is rightly translated as “law.” But isn’t it interesting that the second, perhaps more nuanced definition of Torah is direction? God’s Law is very accurately described by some as an Owner’s Manual for us.  Several years ago, the church where I was in charge of the tech used in the sanctuary for over 20 years did a complete remodel in the sanctuary. It was over a year long undertaking, and part of project was to upgrade the sound system. Since I was tech guy, it was been my job to recommend new equipment. once the new equipment arrived, I had to learn how to use it. Guess what the first thing was I looked for when I opened the boxes. Right. The Owner’s Manual. I wanted to be sure we got the best sound out of the new hardware, and I wanted to be sure I don’t break anything. I wanted to use the equipment as it was made to be used.  God created us, and He knows how we best operate, and how we can best reach our highest potential. And that is why His law was given to us. It was because of His great loving kindness. God didn’t want us thrashing about trying to figure things out on our own. And Psalms chapter 119 is filled with praise to God for giving us directions for our life. Thank you Lord, for your loving kindness, and for revealing yourself to us through your Word. Today’s Bible Translation Bible translation used in today’s episode: Ch. NLV Support This a value for value podcast. There are no advertisers because advertising=censorship. If you enjoy the Lifespring Family Audio Bible, decide how much value it brings to you. Only you can make that determination. Then put a number on the value and send it to me here: SUPPORT. Transcript Download .txt file. STEVE WEBB – 0:00I had to learn how to use it. INTRO S12E280 – 0:09Coming to you from Riverside, California, this is the Lifespring Family Audio Bible. And podcasting since 2004, I’m your OG Godcaster, Steve Webb. This is the daily show where we’re reading through the entire Bible in a year. Today is Psalms Wednesday and we’ll read chapter 119. Last week we read the shortest Psalm and the shortest chapter in the Bible. Psalm 119 is the longest. We’re going to skip the On This Date in Church History segment, but I will have an introduction for you on Psalm 119 after which I’ll have some comments. The title of today’s episode is “Ode to the Owner’s Manual”. If you’d like to make a comment on today’s episode, go to lifespringmedia.com/s12e280, where you’ll find the show notes, scroll to the very bottom of the page and you’ll find a place there to leave your comment. If you’d like to send me an email, I’d like to get it. Send it to st***@*************ia.com. Let’s get started. INTRO TO PSALM 119 – 1:06We don’t know who the author of Psalm 119 is, but we do know that it’s another acrostic. There’s 22 sections of eight verses each in this psalm and each section is assigned one of the 22 Hebrew letters in succession, with each verse in each section beginning with that letter. Psalm 119 is written to glorify God and His Word, and nearly every verse mentions scripture in one way or another. The most common word used in 119 for the scriptures is “law”, or in Hebrew, “torah”. It appears 25 times, but there are other words used. There’s the Hebrew word “dabar” or “debar”, which is translated as “word” in English, and that appears 24 times. “Judgments” or “mispatim” is used 23 times. “Testimonies” in Hebrew is used 23 times. “Commandments” is used 22 times. “Statutes” is used 21 times, “precepts” 21 times, and another form of the word “word” or “imrah” is used 19 times. Now it’s important to note that without exception, every mention of the Scripture is tied to its author, God. This Psalm is not just a celebration of Scripture, but of God, the giver of Scripture. I like what Charles Spurgeon had to say about Psalm 119. He said, “This wonderful psalm, from its great length, helps us to wonder at the immensity of Scripture. From its keeping to one subject it helps us to adore the unity of Scripture; for it is but one. Yet, from the many turns it gives to the same thought, it helps you to see the variety of Scripture…. Some have said that in it there is an absence of variety, but that is merely the observation of those who have not studied it. I have weighed each word, and looked at each syllable with lengthened meditation; and I bear witness that this sacred song has no tautology in it, but is charmingly varied from beginning to end. Its variety is that of a kaleidoscope: from a few objects a boundless variation is produced. In the kaleidoscope you look once, and there is a strangely beautiful form. You shift the glass a very little, and another shape, equally delicate and beautiful, is before your eyes. So it is here.” That was good. Charles Bridges said, “Luther professed that he prized this psalm so highly, that he would not take the whole world in exchange for one leaf of it.” So enough introduction, let’s read Psalm 119. PSALMS 119 (NLV) – 3:56Psalms, chapter 119. (1) Happy are those whose way is without blame, who walk in the Law of the Lord. (2) Happy are those who keep His Law and look for Him with all their heart. (3) They also do not sin, but walk in His ways. (4) You have set down Laws that we should always obey. (5) O, that my ways may be always in keeping with Your Law! (6) Then I will not be put to shame when I respect Your Word. (7) I will praise You with a heart that is right when I learn how right You judge. (8) I will obey Your Law. Do not leave me all alone. (9) How can a young man keep his way pure? By living by in Your Word. (10) I have looked for You with all my heart. Do not let me turn from Your Law. (11) Your Word have I hid in my heart, that I may not sin against You. (12) Great and honored are You, O Lord. Teach me Your Law. (13) I have told with my lips of all the Laws of Your mouth. (14) I have found as much joy in following Your Law as one finds in much riches. (15) I will think about Your Law and have respect for Your ways. (16) I will be glad in Your Law. I will not forget Your Word. (17) Do good to Your servant so I may live and obey Your Word. (18) Open my eyes so that I may see great things from Your Law. (19) I am a stranger on the earth. Do not hide Your Word from me. (20) My soul is crushed with a desire for Your Law at all times. (21) You speak sharp words to the proud, the hated ones, because they turn from Your Word. (22) Take away shame and bad feelings from me, for I have kept Your Law. (23) Even if rulers sit together and speak against me, Your servant thinks about Your Law. (24) Your Law is my joy and it tells me what to do. (25) My soul is laid in the dust. Give me new life because of Your Word. (26) I have told about my ways, and You have answered me. Teach me Your Law. (27) Make me understand the way of Your Law so I will talk about Your great works. (28) My soul cries because of sorrow. Give me strength because of Your Word. (29) Take the false way from me. Show Your loving-favor by giving me Your Law. (30) I have chosen the faithful way. I have set Your Law in front of me. (31) I hold on to Your Law, O Lord. Do not put me to shame. (32) I will run the way of Your Law, for You will give me a willing heart. (33) O Lord, teach me the way of Your Law and I will obey it to the end....