The book of Psalms is the nineteenth book of the Holy Bible which comes after the book of Job and is preceded by the book of Proverbs.
According to a brief introduction given in the New Testament translation of the Bible, the book of Psalms is considered as an hymn and prayer book of the Bible.
This hymn and prayer book was composed by several authors over a very long period of time and were collected and used by the Jews in their worship and later was included in their Holy scriptures known as the Torah.
These hymns and prayers hiwever varies in their kinds as we have hymns of praise and worhjip to God, prayers for help, protection and salvation, pleas for forgivenesss, songs of thenksgiving to God as well as petitions for God to punish one’s eneemies.
These hymns and prayers can be taken either personally or nationally because some of them portrays the most intimate feelings of an individual while others represent the needs and feelings of all the people of God.
The book of Psalms contains 150 chapters and the longest of them all is chapter 119 which has 176 verses. and looking through the context of Psalm 119, one will realize that it tends to place much focus on the word of God.
And for that reason I am writing this sermon to show you what Psalm 119 really says about the word of God. So without wasting much time, let’s get started right away.
What Psalm 119 says about the word of God.
The general theme or message of Psalm 119 is about how human beings can study and understand the word of God so they would be able to practice and obtain all the benefits that comes with it. Below is a breakdon in context of what Psalm 119 really says about the word of God:
- Benefits of the word of God (verses 1-15)
- Obedience to the word of God (verses 9-16)
- Happiness in the word of God (verses 17-24)
- Determination to obey the word of God (verses 25-31)
- Prayer to understand the word of God (verses 33-40)
- Trusting in the word of God (verses 41-48).
- Confidence in the word of God (verses 49-56)
- Devotion to the word of God (verses 57-64)
- The value of God’s word (verses 65-72).
- The justice of God’s word (verses 73-80, 137-144).
- The word of God delivers (verses 81-88, 145-152)
- Faith in the word of God (verses 89-96)
- Love for the word of God (verses 97-104)
- Light from the word of God (verse 105-112)
- Safety in the word of God (verses 113-120)
- Obedience to the word of God (verses 121-128)
- The desire to obey God’s word (verses 129-136)
- Help that comes from the word of God (verses 153-160, 189-176
- Dedication to the word of God (verses 161-166)
1. Benefits of the word of God (verses 1-15).
This context of Psalm 119 clearly states happiness as the benefit that comes from the word of God. It shows that those who are able to obey the word of God live a faultless life in that they never do wrong and all the time walk in the ways of God.
He brings this context to a close by hoping he is going to be faithful in keeping the word of God because if he does so he will never be put to shame, and finally prays God not to abandon him as he tries to do so.
2. Obedience to the word of God (verses 9-16)
In this context, the Psalmist reveals that obedience to the word of God comes by the ability to repeatedly read out the word of God, while studying and examining it at all times.
3. Happiness in the word of God (verses 17-24)
The Psalmist implores God to be good to him so that he may live and obey His teachings, he also asks God to open his eyes so he can see the wonderful truths embedded in the word of God.
He goes on to remind himself that his time here on earth is limited and for that reason God should reveal the hidden secrets in His words to him.
He concludes this context by reaffirming that it is the word of God that gives him happiness.
4. Determination to obey the word of God (verses 25-31)
The Psalmist notes in this context that even though he lies defeated in the dust and is overcome by sorrow, he is still determined to keep the words of God.
Somewhere he notes that he has confessed all the wrongs he has done, which goes to prove that it is his disobedience that has brought him the untold sorrows.
5. Prayer to understand the word of God (verses 33-40)
In this context, the Psalmist prays that God should teach and explain to him the meaning of His words so he can obey it.
He also asks God to keep him obedient to his words and give him the desire to obey it rather than the urge to get rich.
The Psalmist prayer in this context really shows that human beings need God in order for them to be able to obey His commandments.
6. Trusting in the word of God (verses 41-48).
According to this context of Psalm 119, trusting in the word of God will make you overlook those who are trying to insult you because you are seeking to understand and obey the word of God at all times.
7. Confidence in the word of God (verses 49-56)
Psalm 119 says that it is the promise found in the word of God that gives human beings teh confidence to wait and depend on God for everything.
The Psalmist clearly states in verse 50 that even in his suffering, he was still able to find confidence in the word of God through the promises of God.
8. Devotion to the word of God (verses 57-64)
This context of Psalm 119 shows that our devotion to the word of God can only become a reality when we are able to focus on and seek God alone in your life.
9. The value of God’s word (verses 65-72)
In this context, the Psalmist observes how God punished him because he used to go wrong, but ever since he began to obey the word of God, God has been so kind and good to him.
This context really demonstrates how God repents from punishing sinners who are able to turn away from their sinful ways.
10. The justice of God’s word (verses 73-80, 137-144)
Thee justice of God’s word lies in the fact thaose who obey it will never be put to shame nor see defeat in their entire lives.
On the other hand, those who are disobedient to the word of God receives he punishment as and when due.
11. The word of God delivers (verses 81-88, 145-152)
This context of Psalm 119 shows that those who obey the word of God would be persecuted, but if they are able to face the persecution and hold on to God’s word, deliverance will finally come from God Himself.
12. Faith in the word of God (verses 89-96)
This context of Psalm 119 reveals that the word of God will last forever because it is eternal in heavven.
This knowledge will help to strengthen the faith of the believer.
13. Love for the word of God (verses 97-104)
The Psalmist shows that his love for the word of God makes him to think about it all day long.
14. Light from the word of God (verse 105-112)
According to Psalm 119, the light that comes from the word of God will always guide and light the path for the children of God who obey it to follow.
15. Safety in the word of God (verses 113-120)
In Palm 91:3, the scripture says that God will keep those who obey His words safe from all dangers and hidden diseaes.
And so the Psalmist in this context of Psalm 119 reaffirms this promise while disassociating himself from sinful people who may prevent him from obeying the word of God.
16. Obedience to the word of God (verses 121-128)
This context of Psalm 119 shows that if one is obedient to the word of God, the Lord will never abandon him to his enemies.
17. The desire to obey God’s word (verses 129-136)
The desire to obey God’s word borne out of the perfect explanation of God’s word which makes the ignorant becomes wise.
18. Help that comes from the word of God (verses 153-160, 189-176)
It is the help that comes from obeying the word of God that will crush all the enemies of God’s children.
19. Dedication to the word of God (verses 161-166)
Finally, the Psalmist shows that his dedication to the word of God is in his ability to obey the word of God because he loves it with his whole heart..
