In today’s daily devotional, we arrive at Psalm 119—the longest chapter in the Bible, a profound tribute to the significance of God’s Word. With its 176 verses, Psalm 119 shines a spotlight on the value of God’s commandments, statutes, and promises. Today, we’ll begin with the first half, verses 1-88, saving the remainder for our next devotion. Psalm 119 is a powerful acrostic poem, structured around the Hebrew alphabet, with each stanza of eight verses dedicated to a single letter. Even if we can’t fully grasp its original Hebrew form, the psalm’s purpose is clear: every line is a meditation on God’s Word. So, let’s take a deep dive into these verses, allowing them to inspire us to hold God’s Word in our hearts as a guide, protection, and source of joy. Read or listen to Psalm 119:1-88 as we reflect on this beautiful, timeless reminder. To discover what the middle verse in all of the Bible, read the daily devotional on Psalms 114-118.
Psalm 119:1-88 Commentary by Allen J. Huth
Today is day twenty-five in our journey of thirty days in the Book of Psalms. We are on the longest chapter in the Bible, Psalm 119. We will divide it in half, verses 1-88 today and complete Psalm 119 in the next devotion. The longest chapter in the Bible elevates God’s Word. Is that a message to us? Please read or listen to Psalm 119:1-88.
Which Psalm Is an Acrostic?
Psalm 119 is one of my favorite chapters of scripture. It is all about God’s Word. This psalm is an acrostic poem of twenty-two stanzas, eight verses each, following the twenty-two letters of the Hebrew alphabet. Within a stanza, each verse begins with the same Hebrew letter. Wouldn’t you love to be able to understand Hebrew and understand how this psalm is really structured? But, we get the point, these are powerful verses about God’s Holy Word. I encourage you to go back and look at this psalm and carefully review the verses elevating God’s Word.
How Do I Protect Myself from Sin?
We will not go back through all the wonderful verses, but we will pick a few starting with verses 9-11:
How can a young man keep his way pure?
By guarding it according to your word.
With my whole heart I seek you;
let me not wander from your commandments!
I have stored up your word in my heart,
that I might not sin against you.
You want protection from sin? You want protection from temptation? Store the Word of God in your heart.
Does God Want Us to Read the Bible Everyday?
Verse 16, “I will delight in your statutes; I will not forget your word.” How do we do that? We stay in the Word each and every day. We have to delight in the scriptures and never forget God’s Word. It needs to be hidden in our hearts.
Verse 66, “Teach me good judgment and knowledge, for I believe in your commandments.” How many of us need knowledge, good judgment? Where do we find it? We find it in God’s Word.
Verse 72 is a challenge, “The law of your mouth is better to me than thousands of gold and silver pieces.” Is that true for you? Would you rather have the Word of God than money or wealth? That is how precious God sees His Word.
We will begin tomorrow with verse 89 and finish Psalm 119. Verse 89 says, “Forever, O Lord, your word is firmly fixed in the heavens.” What a great place to start tomorrow.
Are God and His Word the Same?
Psalm 119 elevates God’s Word. Psalm 138:2 says, “for you have exalted above all things your name and your word.” God’s Word is preeminent. One can make an argument that God’s name and God’s Word are one in the same:
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God (John 1:1).
And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth (John 1:14).
He is clothed in a robe dipped in blood, and the name by which he is called is The Word of God (Rev. 19:13).
We will learn more from verses 89-176 tomorrow. Suffice it to say, God thinks His Word is pretty important. Do you?
Prayer
Lord, You know I love Your Word. I pray others have a love for Your Word. You remind us right off the bat in verse 2, “Blessed are those who keep his testimonies, who seek him with their whole heart.” And verse 4, “You have commanded your precepts to be kept diligently.”
You long for our obedience. Obedience to what? Obedience to Your commands, to Your precepts, to Your statutes, all found in Your Holy Word of God. Thank You for caring enough to write down Your thoughts for us.
May we spend time every day in Your Word so You can teach us what You want us to know; how to live this thing called life, a gift from You. We give You the praise for Your Word. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
