andrew
Layman
Still here...till the end.
Posts: 94
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Post by andrew on Jul 8, 2020 15:59:00 GMT -6
I started a study of Psalm 119 a few weeks back and have been sharing it with my wife and kids on Saturdays; I thought I'd also like to share it here. I am studying one octave per week and trying to read all the commentaries I can find on the psalm by verse. I have used previous commentaries by Spurgeon, Perowne, Bridges, Lockyer, and Augustine. I have used the structural method from Bullinger's Companion Bible. I'm compiling notes as I go and I think I'll make them into a book once I've been through the whole thing a few times and have enough notes to basically string together to make chapters in a book. I may sell printed copies, but if it ever gets that far, I still want people to be able to download the study for free.
I'll share my notes and if necessary, translate them from my stream of consciousness into something normal people can actually make sense of. I intend to enjoy this endeavor and I hope you will join me in doing so.
If that is not what you intend, why don't you just go watch a movie or something. Might I suggest Kelly's Heroes?
"Why don't you knock it off with them Negative Waves! Why don't you dig how beautiful it is out here. Why can't you say something righteous and hopeful for a change" - Oddball (Kelly's Heroes 1970)
Let's have fun!
(Upon reading this, I noticed I used "I" alot...alot. I sould like to add that the Holy Spirit has been graciously leading me to a better understanding of Him through this study. We have enjoyed it and we hope me learns to be not so much of an I-hole.)
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Post by mike on Jul 8, 2020 16:32:25 GMT -6
andrew sounds great! Thank you for sharing your study with the group!
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andrew
Layman
Still here...till the end.
Posts: 94
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Post by andrew on Jul 8, 2020 18:12:42 GMT -6
Ok. Here we go!
Psalm 119:1-8 Alef
א - strong, ox
Structure1:
A) v1 The Way
B) v2 Condition-Blessed
C) v3 They-Rightrous
D) v4 Command
A) v5 My ways
B) v6 Condition-Unashamed
C) v7 I-Righteous
D) v8 Promise to Obey
Verse #1:
“Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the LORD.”
A:”But where will any one be undefiled, save in the way? In what way, save in the law of the Lord?”2
P: Blessed-’ashrey-(Hebrew)-Happiness (1 of 26 occurrences in the Psalms) Plural of majesty or accumulation. “O the happiness!”3
B: Quoting Bishop Horne, “opens with a Beatitude for our comfort and encouragement”4
S: “True Christianity is not cold and dry.” “Lord if I am not yet so blessed to be among those who walk in the perfect way...I will set it before me as my life’s ambition.”5
Verse #2:
“Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, and that seek him with the whole heart.”
P: Same as #1, second occurance in this chapter.6
S: “First one is in the way, then one walks in the way, and then one finds and keeps the treasure of truth.”7
Verse 3:
“They also do no iniquity: they walk in his ways.”
A: Augustine translates this verse as, “They who do wickedness, walk not in His ways.”8
B: This is not our character at birth. Once, we could do nothing but iniquity.9
Verse 4:
“Thou hast commanded us to keep thy precepts diligently.”
B: We see the character of a man of God. He is commanded to diligent obedience. “He obeys for the command’s sake, however contrary it may be to his own will.”10
Verse 5:
“O that my ways were directed to keep thy statutes!”
A: He desires to keep God’s commandments but is powerless to without God’s grace.11
Me: The Lord is graceful to give us strength and guidance to keep His law.
Verse 6:
“Then shall I not be ashamed, when I have respect unto all thy commandments.”
A: See note on v.512 (Don't know what I did here, must've hit backspace accidentally. I have no idea what this means. I'll edit it later if I figure it out.) (Got it! "See note on v.5" the 12 was the footnote that didn't copy correctly. The note from #5 also applies here.)
S: “When we are on the king’s highway by daylight and engaged on royal business, we don’t need to ask anyone’s permission.”
Also quotes Issac Watts,
“Then shall my heart have inward joy,
And keep my face from shame,
When all thy statutes I obey,
And honor all thy name.”13
L: “respect” means “to look upon” as in a mirror. See James 1:23. The word is a showing man his defects.14
Verse 7:
“I will praise thee with uprightness of heart, when I shall have learned thy righteous judgments.”
S: Original is not, “when I shall have learned” but “in my learning.”15
B: Pride of knowledge is the greatest enemy of knowledge, and the strongest proof of its lack.16
Verse 8:
“I will keep thy statutes: O forsake me not utterly.”
B: Forsaken but not utterly. Compare David and Saul, Peter and Judas.17
L: “God will never forsake those who are bent on obeying His word."18
S: “This prayer is certain to be heard, for it certainly must be highly pleasing to God to see someone set on obeying His will."19
Comments:
To walk in His way makes it possible for us to be blessed more. He is happy when we are being righteous and He wants to it to show.
Sometimes He even blesses us when we are not in the way to protect and encourage us. It is not a payment for any service, but a gift from His love. He enjoys blessing us to bring us into righteousness.
He also blesses to instruct us in righteousness, some quickly, some slowly, as each can stand.
That's all for the first octave.
The footnotes didn't copy, but... A is Augustine. Exposition on Psalm 119 by Augustine B is Bridges. Psalm 119 An Exposition by Charles Bridges L is Lockyer. Psalms A Devotional Commentary by Herbert Lockyer, Sr. P is Perowne. The Book of Psalms by J.J. Stewart Perowne S is Spurgeon. The Golden Alphabet by Charles H. Spurgeon
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andrew
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Still here...till the end.
Posts: 94
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Post by andrew on Jul 11, 2020 12:01:37 GMT -6
Psalm 119:9-16 Bet
ב - household, house, tent
Structure:
A) v9 The way to be cleansed.
B) v10 What I have done, My heart.
C) v10 Prayer (negative)
B) v11 What I have done, My heart.
C) v12 Prayer (positive)
B) v13,14 What I have done, My lips.
A) v15,16 The way to be cleansed.
Verse 9:
“Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word.”
A969
The way is kept in vain if it is not kept in one’s life also. How did the prodigal correct his way but by seeing his filth in the mirror of God’s Word and longing to return to his Father’s way.
S24
There is no more important question and no better time to ask than early in life.
S26
“The narrow way was never arrived at by chance, nor did any careless man ever lead a holy life.”
S27
Verses 1 & 9 correlate.
Verse 10:
“With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments.”
S28
“We are to be such wholehearted seekers that we have neither the time nor the will to wander.”
B21
“Lord I feel my heart so prone to wander. My affections are often scattered to the ends of the earth.”
Verse 11:
“Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.”
P351
“It is to me no merely outward role of conduct: it is a power and a life within.”
Verse 12:
“Blessed art thou, O LORD: teach me thy statutes.”
A969
Those who do these things learn them, not those who merely read and remember the words.
Verse 13:
“With my lips have I declared all the judgments of thy mouth.”
Me
I pray that God teach me how to livefor Him so that I may set a better example for my children, and that I be able share what I have learned with them.
Verse 14:
“I have rejoiced in the way of thy testimonies, as much as in all riches.”
B29
“There is a real joy in despising earthly joys.”
Verse 15:
“I will meditate in thy precepts, and have respect unto thy ways.”
S35
Like a miser returns to look at his treasure, so will one who loves God’s Word return to it in his thoughts.
A970-971
There are four modes of reward:
Good for Good
Evil for Evil
Good for Evil
Evil for Good
Speaking of Evil for Good, Augustine says, “God knows not, for to none does He reward evil for good.”
God has to reward Good for evil for there are none in this world good to receive it.
Verse 16:
“I will delight myself in thy statutes: I will not forget thy word.”
S36
What one treasures, meditates upon, and speaks of is not easily is not easily forgotten.
L544
“Forget – who ever heard of a covetous manforgetting where hehad buried his treasure.”
S37
Verses 8 & 16 correlate.
B33
“I have esteemed the words of His mouth more than my necessary food.” Job 23:11,12
We delight in His statutes Whom we call for the exposing of every corrupt inclination, and the absolute surrender of all to service to God.
B34
Evidence of adoption as God’s child is when obedience is a delight, not a burden, because even though a servant may perform the statutes of God, only His child may delight in them.
Commentary on the entire octave:
L543
“God’s holy word is the mirror, revealing all spiritual deformity, and also the water, cleansing from same.”
Me
We learn His ways so we may see them in others and others may see them in us.
(I changed how I was recording the footnotes since it didn't copy and paste very well. The letter and page number are given. The works are listed in the previous post. "Me" denotes a comment I have.)
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andrew
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Still here...till the end.
Posts: 94
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Post by andrew on Jul 15, 2020 12:29:31 GMT -6
Psalm 119:17-24
Gimel - ג – to lift up, pride, benefit, a camel
Structure:
A) v.17-19 His prayer and the reasons for it.
B) v.20,21 Himself compared to the wicked.
A) v.22 His prayer and the reasons for it.
B) v.23,24 Himself compared to the wicked.
Verse 17:
“Deal bountifully with thy servant, that I may live, and keep thy word.”
B36
Speaking of the certainty of blessings, “is he not his own gift to his children, as the pledge of every other gift.”
B37
Concerning God’s wisdom, “he only waits for an empty vessel, into which to pour his supply.”
Me
We are like a vessel filled with mud. There is little room for water. We need God to clean out the mud as He keeps it filled with water.
P351
“The gift of life...shall be devoted to the keeping of God’s word.”
S40
“He takes pleasure in acknowledging his duty to God, and he considers it the joy of his heart to be in the service of his God.”
S41
v1 blesses the holy man, v.9 asks how he can be holy, v.17 shows how to seek such a blessing from God.
Verse 18:
“Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law.”
CB838
“Unveil Thou mine eyes, that I may see clearly wondrous things out of Thy law.”
L544
Lockyer points out that this verse speaks of David’s, and our own, condition, a conscious darkness, a dimness of spiritual vision, a powerlessness to remove that defect, and a full assurance that God can remove it.” Compare this with Jesus giving sight to the blind.
B38
We don’t pray for a bible that is easier to understand, but for the wisdom to understand the one we have.
B39
“let the veil be taken away from the law, that I may understand it; and from my heart, that I may receive it.”
Me
God has given us a wonderful treasure in His Word. It’s not until we study it that we begin to see what a truly precious possession it is.
Verse 19:
“I am a stranger in the earth: hide not thy commandments from me.”
B41
“We know, indeed, that we cannot - we would not – call this world our home, and that it is far better to be without it, than to have our portion in it.”
“Let us not forget, that we are looking forward, and making a progress toward a world, where none are strangers – where all are children of one family, dwelling in one eternal home.”
S44
God’s commandments remind us of home and point the Way to get there.
Compare v.11 with v.19, hiding in versus hiding from.
Me
Sprugeon’s heart was breaking, because he, like David, like us all, falls so short of where God is leading him to be.
God’s Word shows us the standard we should hope to attain. We judge ourselves by how far we miss the mark. He wants us, and we want, to do better the next time. One day, He’ll get us there.
A971
Augustine knows, “that the life of man on earth is a temptation;” (Job 7:1) and that “there is a heavy yoke upon the sons of Adam.” (Sirach 40:1)
Verse 20:
“My soul breaketh for the longing that it hath unto thy judgments at all times.”
L545
David wanted God’s revelation “at all times,” such as:
“In the time of adversity to comfort him.
In the time of prosperity to humble him.”
David knew it would keep him from both pride and despair.
B42
It is not a moment’s rapture, but a lifetime’s habit, constant and uniform, “at all times.”
P352
An intensity of desire which seems to pervade the whole man, and leave him crushed and powerless.
S46
Compare v.20 to v.28
A972
“My soul has coveted to desire your judgements.”
Verse 21:
“Thou hast rebuked the proud that are cursed, which do err from thy commandments.”
B47
The whole plan of salvation is intended to humble the pride of man, by restoring him to divine favor as a gift, a gift paid for by the blood of Jesus on the cross, received when we turn to Him as our only hope.
S47
“If people were not arrogant, they would not be disobedient.”
A972
Not those that DID err, but who DO err.
Verse 22:
“Remove from me reproach and contempt; for I have kept thy testimonies.”
Me
Reproach and contempt, coming from the world, for keeping His testimonies, is a sign, that even Moses treasured (Hebrews 11:24-26), which shows our work for the Lord.
B49
“reproach and contempt” are the badge of the disciple.
S48
“The best way to deal with slander is to pray about it. God will either remove the slander or remove its sting.” (I can personally attest to this.)
A972
μαρτύριον – mar-too’ree-on; to be testified, testimony, witness (Strong’s G3142) - translated into the latin “testes.” Comes from the root meaning, “martyr.”(G3144)
“O turn from me shame and rebuke; because I have sought out your martyrdoms.”
The christian prays that his oppressor be saved thereby causing them to stop shaming and rebuking Christ’s own.
“For my enemies, whom Thou enjoinest to be loved by me, who more and more die and are lost, when they despise Your martyrdoms and accuse them in me, will indeed be recalled to life and be found, if they reverence Your martyrdoms in me.”
In eternity, not only are martyrs no longer despised, they will hold a place of honor for ever.
Verse 23:
“Princes also did sit and speak against me: but thy servant did meditate in thy statutes.”
B51
In the world ye shall have tribulation, in Jesus ye shall have peace. (John 16:33)
S50
David’s scorners sat together and spoke against him. David sat with God and searched His Word. David answered his slanderers by never answering them at all.
Verse 24:
“Thy testimonies also are my delight and my counsellors.”
B55
We don’t want a fresh revelation from above with each new emergency. It is enough that He has given us His, “word as a light to our feet, and a lamp to our path.” (Psalm119:105 compare to Proverbs 6:23)
S50
If we want to find comfort in His Word, we must submit ourselves, with delight, not reluctance.
S51
Compare v.16 to v.24.
A973
Compare with Matthew 5:44 “But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;”
“Testimonies are acts of martyrdom. Remember that among the statutes of the Lord there is none more difficult and more worthy of admiration, than that every man should love his enemies.”
Acts of martyrdom testify to the glory of Jesus Christ.
Me
The very day I read and copied the note above from Augustine, I had learned of the severe persecution of our brothers and sisters in Nigeria in this, the year of our Lord 2020. We have been blessed in one way by being safe in America, but have used it to curse ourselves and become weak, tolerating the things God hates without protest, or sometimes protesting to support these abominations. The judgement that will soon fall on America is well earned. It will be a kindness for God to end the evil in our land.
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andrew
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Still here...till the end.
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Post by andrew on Jul 18, 2020 19:44:37 GMT -6
Psalm 119:25-32
Dalet - ד - pathway, to enter, door
Structure:
A) v25 Depression
B) v25 “Quicken me”
C) v26 Profession
D) v26 Prayer “Teach me”
D) v27 Prayer (future)
C) v27 Profession “I will tell”
A) v28 Depression
B) v28 “Strengthen me”
C) v29 Prayer “Remove”
D) v30,31 Profession (past)
C) v 31 Prayer “Put not to shame”
D) v32 Profession (future)
Octave Commentary:
S54
“It sings of depression, in the spirit of devotion, determination, and dependence.”
Verse 25:
“My soul cleaveth unto the dust: quicken thou me according to thy word.”
CB838
Quicken- 1st of 9 prayers for quickening: 25, 37, 40, 88, 107, 149, 154, 156, & 159.
L546
Cleaving to dust is a figure of death (Psalm 22:24), deep degradation, and dishonor (Psalm44:25).
It is like a dry hot dust of despondency and spiritual depression.
S54
“The serpent seed can find their food in the dust, but the seed of the woman will never be degraded in this manner.”
We seek solace and sustenance in the Word of God.
“Quicken me” - David understands more life is the cure, not more comfort, or solace. He wants God to make his life more alive!
Compare v17 to v25. “That I may live” & “Quicken me”
Unbelievers neglect the soul and seek riches; believers seek the true riches of eternal life.
B59
“Blessed Saviour! It is nothing but thy everlasting merit, covering my person, and honouring my sacrifice, that satisfies the justice of an offended God, and restrains it from breaking forth as a devouring fire, to consume me upon my very knees.”
A973
To cling to the earthly is deadly to our souls.
We will have new bodies, which will be eternal, “but then because they will not be corruptible, nor will they weigh down our souls, if we view it strictly, we shall not cling unto them, but they rather unto us, and we unto God.”
Verse 26:
“I have declared my ways, and thou heardest me: teach me thy statutes.”
S56
“Our confessions aren’t to make God know our sins, but to make us know them.”
A973
“I have acknowledged my ways; You have blotted them out; Teach me yours.”
Verse 27:
“Make me to understand the way of thy precepts: so shall I talk of thy wondrous works.”
P352, CB838, S58
“talk” would be better translated “meditate”
S59
The word “meditate” is very closely related to the word “talk” and it is right that they should be because only fools talk without thinking.
B62
We should humbly and simply ask God to “make me to understand” instead of leaning to our own understanding and the pride of our assured knowledge.
B64
“Humility, teachableness, simplicity, it will bring light into the understanding, influence the heart, “open the lips,” and unite every member that we have in the service and praise of God.”
A974
A prayer by Augustine, “Establish Thou me therefore in those words of Thine that I already hold, that I may be able to reach unto others through edification.”
Verse 28:
“My soul melteth for heaviness: strengthen thou me according unto thy word.”
L547
Lockyer points out that Gensenius translated, “strengthen me” as “keep me alive”.
S60
“it is better to be melted with grief than to be hardened by lack of repentance.”
Verse 29:
“Remove from me the way of lying: and grant me thy law graciously.”
P352
“The way of falsehood (lying), not in the common sense, but unfaithfulness to God.” Faithfulness is chosen in the next verse.
L547
“The whole life of sin is a lie, from beginning to end.”
S61
“The trueborn child of heaven sighs and cries out against a lie, desiring to have it taken away as much as one desires to be set at a distance from a venomous serpent or raging lion.”
“If the law is not in our hearts, the lie will enter in.”
B68
The believer prays for God to remove any error in our doctrine or practice.
Verse 30:
“I have chosen the way of truth: thy judgments have I laid before me.”
S63
“The commands of God must be set before us like the target to aim at.”
Me
The Way is narrow, speaking not of the path traveled so much as the destination aimed for. The Way is narrow, like a bull’s eye. An arrow that hits even slightly off the mark has sinned; it has missed the mark, regardless how straight a path it has flown. The Way is narrow; only one path from where you stand leads there; there are infinite ways to miss. Everyone’s path is different, but all who are going the right Way will converge in the end. Unbelievers, no matter how close the may get to the path of a believer, will still miss the mark; the Way is narrow.
Verse 31:
“I have stuck unto thy testimonies: O LORD, put me not to shame.”
L547
In v25, his soul cleaves to the dust. Here he cleaves to God’s testimonies.
S64
“Perseverance in the truth when it is unfashionable is the test of a real believer.”
We should not be ashamed to give answer to those who oppose God.
B75
“O Lord, put me not to shame.” Don’t leave me to myself, lest I shame myself and cause others to stumble.
Verse 32:
“I will run the way of thy commandments, when thou shalt enlarge my heart.”
S65
“It is one of the great deficiencies of our age that heads count for more than hearts, and people are readier to learn than to love, though they are by no means eager to move in either direction.”
B76
The Holy Spirit points us to the Author of our faith, until He becomes the Finisher of our faith.
B79
Don’t say, “I’m not going to do anything, I’ll just wait on God.” We want Him to enlarge our heart, so we can RUN!
“Godly sorrow had made me serious. Now let holy joy make me active.”
Me
This is when I understood this verse, Phillipians 3:13-14.
“Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.”
The race we are running is to run the way of His commandments. All fall short, but some may drastically improve their present condition, and receive a reward for their job well done.
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andrew
Layman
Still here...till the end.
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Post by andrew on Jul 30, 2020 9:03:32 GMT -6
Psalm 119:33-40
He - ה - “the”, to reveal, behold
Structure:
A) v33 Eyes. Make me to see.
B) v34 Mind. Its comprehension.
C) v34 Heart.
D) v35 Feet. Practical walking.
C) v36 Heart.
A) v37-39 Eyes. Turn them away.
B) v40 Mind. Its desires.
Octave commentary:
L550
Past fruits of grace are the basis of the plea for further blessing, and we seek to move toward a more righteous spiritual life.
Verse 33:
“Teach me, O LORD, the way of thy statutes; and I shall keep it unto the end.”
L548
I shall keep it unto the end could be rendered so that I may attend to it as a reward.
The Hebrew unto the end could be translated as to the heel or quite thorough, thus thoroughly, from head to toe. It will be kept with body, soul, and spirit.
Me
We attend to it as a reward in that we desire to be obedient. Only he can give us the strength to run our race to obtain a reward.
It’s complicated, but it’s the simplest thing ever!
A975
David seeks God’s law like a thirsty man seeks water; he drinks a full cup yet still prays for more.
We examine God’s law and progress in it, both by knowing and loving it; it is there for our enjoyment, not just our examination.
B80
“The outward revelation is of no avail without the inward teaching.”
We know nothing spiritually except what He reveals to us. The more we learn, the more we see the need for further instruction.
B81
“In this path we realize union with the Saviour (1 John 3:24); “the love of God is perfected in us” (1 John 2:5); and our confidence is established before God (1 John 3:21).
S68
“A sense of great slowness to learn drives us to seek a great teacher.”
Verse 34:
“Give me understanding, and I shall keep thy law; yea, I shall observe it with my whole heart.”
A975
We keep it with our heart when we love God enough to love our neighbors as He wants us to. Understanding His Word is a blessing.
B82
Service without the whole heart is hateful in God’s sight (Isaiah 1:11-15; Hosea 10:2; Acts 5:1-10).
Our growth in spiritual understanding will be evident in the steady consistency of a well ordered life (James 3:13).
Me
Lord, work in me, that I may will and do your good pleasure. (2 Corinthians 5:18; Philippians 2:13)
S70
We are in a state of complicated ruin; only simple grace can deliver us. Let us cry, “Give me understanding.”
“The gospel gives us grace to keep the law. The free gift leads us to holy service. There is no way of achieving holiness except by accepting the gift of God.”
Verse 35:
“Make me to go in the path of thy commandments; for therein do I delight.”
Me
When we finally go in the path of His commandments, and delight in doing so, we may count it perfect freedom because we will be ruled by His love, mercy, and grace.
S72
“You have made me to know, now make me to go.”
Verse 36:
“Incline my heart unto thy testimonies, and not to covetousness.”
A976
Incline my heart that I may love Him in myself and Him in my neighbors, or in order to help them know His love.
P353
Covetousness could also be translated gain unjustly acquired.
B86
Every person who acknowledges his own sinful ways will pray that God will incline his heart.
S74
“Our wills are free, and yet, without violating their liberty, grace can bring us around in the right direction.” This happens as we understand the value of obedience.
Covetousness is selfishness which places our own desires above those of God.
Verse 37:
“Turn away mine eyes from beholding vanity; and quicken thou me in thy way.”
A976
Christ is the Way in which we wish to be quickened.
B91
“I want to be quickened to more life, energy, delight, and devotedness in the way of my God. The secret to Christian progress is simplicity and diligence.”
See Isaiah 33:15-17
S75
“If the eyes do not see, perhaps the heart might not desire.” Sin is vanity. We need more life to look at the greater things of God. “Vitality is the cure for vanity.” Life is the only cure for death.
Me
The sin of selfishness is the sin of our age. We covet to have our fleshly desires fulfilled as we have been programmed to consume with our eyes to cause us to desire for the flesh since we were born. Man arrogantly thinks more will be better. More always ends up being more of the evil that is in the heart of man.
Verse 38:
“Stablish thy word unto thy servant, who is devoted to thy fear.”
A977
We fear offending God because He loves us.
B92
“It is an obedience of choice, of reverence, and of love.”
S78
“If we are devoted to God’s fear, we will be delivered from all other fear.”
Verse 39:
“Turn away my reproach which I fear: for thy judgments are good.”
P354
Keep him from reproach, both for breaking God’s commandments, and from the scorn of his enemies.
B97
Let us learn to accept our earthly punishment for our sin, and when we think of the righteousness of His judgements, venture to hope and know that He will bring good from it in His gracious glory.
S78
Turn away glaring inconsistencies in my walk and turn away slander which wounds my heart.
Thy judgements are good. When people denounce God, His Word, His Son, we should openly declare to them the Truth of His good judgements.
Verse 40:
“Behold, I have longed after thy precepts: quicken me in thy righteousness.”
L550
“Revival comes through the Word, through conformity to the Divine Law.”
A977
We are quickened by the righteousness of Jesus Christ. The Word was made flesh that we may one day be His neighbor.
B98
“A longing therefore after the precepts, marks the character of the child of God: and may be considered as the pulse of the soul.”
S80
He who has begun a good work in us will perfect us. (Philippians 1:6)
Never let us forget to pray for quickening every hour of the day.
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Post by bondservant on Jul 30, 2020 13:12:55 GMT -6
Thank you Andrew for putting this together. I started really digging into Psalm 119 a few years ago and was even trying to memorize the entire chapter. The more I learn about that chapter the more blown away I am with it as well as the Hebrew language. I feel like we have barley scratched the surface with the richness and depth in that chapter.
I ran across a guy that plays worship at his church and was writing music for each letter and it helped a lot. I put together a playlist of each song here:
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andrew
Layman
Still here...till the end.
Posts: 94
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Post by andrew on Jul 31, 2020 9:22:13 GMT -6
Thank you Andrew for putting this together. I started really digging into Psalm 119 a few years ago and was even trying to memorize the entire chapter. The more I learn about that chapter the more blown away I am with it as well as the Hebrew language. I feel like we have barley scratched the surface with the richness and depth in that chapter. I ran across a guy that plays worship at his church and was writing music for each letter and it helped a lot. I put together a playlist of each song here: It sounded like a good idea to memorize it first a couple of years back. It wasn't. I still haven't managed that, so I moved on to trying to learn the content instead. It struck me that many great leaders of various types have found this psalm to be very important in their lives. As I am excellent at leading things into a ditch at high speed, this seemed like it might be a good thing to learn. I really have learned alot so far. It is kinda like a clifs notes on how to understand the will of God. The personal nature of salvation is something that I wasn't really expecting to find, but have found it as a highlight of this psalm. The song is awesome! I generally don't like praise and worship music because alot of it sounds whiney and it's light on theology. My lack of musical talent severely interferes with me learning any of the better gospel to any large extent, though I do listen to it often. I had purchased a couple of books about the Anglican church using psalms with plainchant, but haven't gotten into it enough to learn. I'm glad someone with talent just set them to music. Thanks for pointing that out!
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andrew
Layman
Still here...till the end.
Posts: 94
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Post by andrew on Aug 9, 2020 8:57:15 GMT -6
Psalm 119:49-56
Zayin - ז – cut, to cut off, weapon, sword
Structure:
(echoed by both Bullinger and Lockyer)
A) v49 “Remember...Thou”
B) v50-51 Statement as to consequences
A) v52 “I remembered”
B) v53-54 Statement as to consequences
A) v55 “I have remembered”
B) v56 Statement as to consequences
Verse 49:
“Remember the word unto thy servant, upon which thou hast caused me to hope.”
L553
“God cannot forget promises given, and cannot therefore, disappoint any expectation which He Himself has raised.”
S98
David doesn’t think God forgot His promises, but uses them as the basis of his pleas. “Lord remember Your word of pardon, and therefore remember my sins and iniquities no more.”
This thought is echoed by the thief on the cross who asks Jesus to remember him.
Verse 50:
“This is my comfort in my affliction: for thy word hath quickened me.”
P355
God’s comfort, as in Job 6:10, “Then should I yet have comfort; yea, I would harden myself in sorrow: let him not spare; for I have not concealed the words of the Holy One.” the only other place this word for comfort is used. God’s sayings revive the heart.
L554
Comfort – Nachmah – consolation
S101
God comforts believers in tribulation. By giving us more life, we can better deal with the problems of this world. “If we cannot clear away the fog, it might be better to rise to a higher level and get above it.”
B124-125
“We have always some word exactly suited to our affliction, and which we could not have understood without it!”
B126
The work to bring us enough life to overcome our afflictions is the Lord’s, “and nothing is left for us, but self renunciation and praise.”
Verse 51:
“The proud have had me greatly in derision: yet have I not declined from thy law.”
P355
Irreligious scoffing is the fruit of pride.
S102
Proud people hate the righteous because they fear they are correct. As to their mocking and scorning, “Their unholy humor won’t harm us if we pay no attention to it, just as the moon doesn’t suffer anything from the dogs that howl at it.”
A981
The exceeding wicked, not just the wicked, in that they try to make the godly wicked. The Holy Spirit gives believers strength to persevere.
B126
“Faith in the doctrine of Christ, and conformity to the strict commandments of the gospel, must expose us to the taunts of the unbeliever and the worldling.” We will suffer as Jesus suffered. Psalm 22:6-8 “But I am a worm, and no man; a reproach of men, and despised of the people. All they that see me laugh me to scorn: they shoot out the lip, they shake the head, saying, He trusted on the LORD that he would deliver him: let him deliver him, seeing he delighted in him.”; 1Peter 2:23 “Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously:”
Verse 52:
“I remembered thy judgments of old, O LORD; and have comforted myself.”
L555
Remembering what we read is important because if the Word doesn’t stay in our memory, we cannot rely on it to comfort us in a time of trial.
S103
“The grinning of the proud will not trouble us when we remember how the Lord dealt with their predecessors in former times.” Psalm 2:4-5 “He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh: the LORD shall have them in derision. Then shall he speak unto them in his wrath, and vex them in his sore displeasure.”
S104
“When a godly person is unjustly treated, he finds comfort in the fact that there is a Judge of all the earth who will avenge His own elect and set right the troubles of their disordered times.”
B129
His judgements of old are important for our patience and comfort (Romans 15:4) in our Christian life. His judgement of the wicked is recorded for our comfort (1 Peter 1:12), that we know He can deliver us out of temptation (2 Peter 2:5-9) as He did others, such as Noah and Lot. One day we will be free from our iniquities and sins forever (Micah 7:19).
Verse 53:
“Horror hath taken hold upon me because of the wicked that forsake thy law.”
S105
“Compassion is shown far better by trying to save sinners than in attempting to make things seem pleasant for all.”
B131
“A burning horror hath seized me.” -Ainsworth
B133
“Help us by thy gracious influence to plead with sinners for God, and to plead for sinners with God.”
Verse 54:
“Thy statutes have been my songs in the house of my pilgrimage.”
S106
“The wicked shun the law, but the righteous sing about it.”
B134
The song of Psalm 23.
B135
“It is dull, heavy, wearisome, to be a pilgrim without a song. And yet it is only the blessed experience of the Lord’s statutes, that will tune our song.”
Verse 55:
“I have remembered thy name, O LORD, in the night, and have kept thy law.”
P355
“In the earth I am but a passing guest, as at some wayside inn.”
A982
Night is the time of our pilgrimage in this world.
S107
We must ask for help remembering what we learn because, “Forgetfulness in mind leads to forgetfulness in life.”
“If we don’t think about Him privately, we will not obey Him openly.”
Nations and individuals can be judged by their songs, whether in righteousness or wickedness.
B136
God’s law is the pilgrims song in the day and his meditation at night. God will rest us; “he giveth his beloved sleep.” (Psalm 127:2)
B138
“Obedience will partake far more of the character of privilege than of duty, when an enlightened knowledge of God is the principle of action.”
Me
As you obey, it will become less of a, “I have to,” and more of a, “I want to.”
Verse 56:
“This I had, because I kept thy precepts.”
P356
This verse could be rendered, “This has been (vouchsafed) to me, this has been my reward, that I have kept thy precepts.”
A982
Referring most likely to “this night” from the previous verse, God’s righteousness shining to him like a light.
A983
“For that low estate of mortality is not absurdly understood as night, where the hearts of mortals are hid to one another, so that from such darkness innumerable and heavy temptations arise.”
Me
An unrelated comment by the previous owner of Perowne’s The Book of Psalms, Leslie Cotsamire, “Today we are pros with artificial lighting.” (written in Psalm 127 on page 395) makes me think of the false veneer of happiness which covers our own age.
S108
When God blesses us, it is not payment of debt for works performed, but the grace of His love.
B138
“How is it believer, that you are enabled to sing of the Lord’s statutes – and to remember his name? This you have because you keep his precepts.”
Isaiah 32:17 “And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance for ever.”
Me
Jeremiah 6:16 “Thus saith the LORD, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk therein.”, but we will say, “We WILL walk therein!”
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andrew
Layman
Still here...till the end.
Posts: 94
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Post by andrew on Aug 15, 2020 19:02:47 GMT -6
Psalm 119:57-64
Chet - ח - private, to separate, fence, inner room
Structure:
(both Bullinger and Lockyer concur)
A) v57-60 Jehovah my portion.
B) v61 Statement regarding the work of the lawless.
A) v62-63 Jehovah my praise.
B) v 64 Statement regarding the favor of Jehovah.
Psalm 119:57
“Thou art my portion, O LORD: I have said that I would keep thy words.”
A983
Our feet are turned by the grace of God, “For it is God who works in us.” (Philippians 2:13)
P356
It might also be rendered, “Jehovah is my portion, I said, that I might keep Thy words.”
L557
Better rendered, “I have said, Jehovah is my portion, that I might keep Thy Word.”
L558
“We should meet all trial and temptation with The Lord is my portion!”
S110
David chooses the Lord as his portion; “This is a large and lasting inheritance, for it includes everything, yet no one chooses it for himself until God has chosen and renewed him.”
B143
A heart that both fears God and loves to serve Him, “points at the love of election. He that loves may be sure he was loved first.” John 4:19 “We love him, because he first loved us.”
Psalm 119:58
“I intreated thy favour with my whole heart: be merciful unto me according to thy word.”
S112
The idea expressed in the Hebrew is to seek God’s face.
“All of God’s favors make us bold in prayer, but it never teaches us to live without prayer, and it never justifies us in being anything other than humble beggars at mercy’s gate.”
B145
“You may indeed be a child of God without the enjoyment of the blessing; but not so if you be content without it.”
Psalm 119:59
“I thought on my ways, and turned my feet unto thy testimonies.”
L558
Pascal singled out this verse as the turning point of man’s character and destiny.
Me
Pascal’s Wager has since become a major philosophical tool showing the utter foolishness of atheism.
S113
When David came to the Word, he considered his own sin; this made him rise and go to his Father as the prodigal son.
“Action without thought is foolishness, and thought without action is laziness.”
B146-147
The aphorism, ‘Know Thyself’, has no means of successful resolution without viewing ourselves in the mirror of God’s law. We are broken without remedy aside from Jesus Christ. As Basil said, ‘Give me any cross that may bring me into subjection to thy cross; and save me in spite of myself!’
Psalm 119:60
“I made haste, and delayed not to keep thy commandments.”
L559
“Duty discovered should be instantly discharged.”
B148
“If ever delays are dangerous, much worse are they in this concern of eternity.”
Psalm 119:61
“The bands of the wicked have robbed me: but I have not forgotten thy law.”
P356
Instead of robbed, it might be better translated wound about or entangled.
Me
Rapid advancement follows rapid obedience. v60-61
Psalm 119:62
“At midnight I will rise to give thanks unto thee because of thy righteous judgments.”
L560
“If he was awake at midnight, or asleep then, he arose to bless God for His righteous judgements or ordinances.” How many of us are willing to do the same?
S116
“Thanksgiving turns night into day and consecrates every hour to the worship of God.”
S117
“While His judgements reveal the side of God that God that may cause dread terror in the hearts of the wicked, they offer no terror to the righteous.”
B155
“The more the flesh is denied for the service of God, the more we shall be elevated for the enjoyment, and realize the privilege of the work.”
Psalm 119:63
“I am a companion of all them that fear thee, and of them that keep thy precepts.”
S118
David was pleased to sit with the righteous, regardless of their rank. “He looked for inward godly fear, but he also expected to see outward piety in those with whom he associated.”
B156
Living among the ungodly day to day drains the soul. It is tiresome, only refreshed by communion with the Lord and those who love Him.
Psalm 119:64
“The earth, O LORD, is full of thy mercy: teach me thy statutes.”
S120
Declaring He is my portion O Lord is followed by teach me, “because the heir of a great estate should be thoroughly educated so his behavior can agree with his fortune. What manner of disciples ought we to be whose inheritance is the Lord of hosts!”
S121
“He who does not care to be instructed by the Lord has never honestly resolved to be holy.”
B160
God shows mercy in the world through His providence. He allows the abuse of His abundance, patiently waiting for the prodigal son, certain of his return.
Me
“Praise God, from whom all blessings flow; Praise Him, all creatures here below; Praise Him above, ye heav’nly host; Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost!
Praise God the Father who’s the source; Praise God the Son who is the course; Praise God the Spirit who’s the flow; Praise God, our portion here below!”
-Episcopal Doxology, Anglican Bishop Thomas Ken (1637–1711) Written in 1709.
Octave Commentary:
Me
Shortly before this weeks study began, the Lord sent my brother, John, to reveal to me not just the sovereignty of God’s will, but also the beauty and perfection of it; I can more clearly see the absolute love God has for His own. Hallelujah, Praise be to Yah!; Praise God from Whom all blessings flow!
Thank you Lord Jesus for teaching us to pray.
May this prayer be seen as righteous in your eyes.
Our Father in heaven is an ALL mighty God!
Hallelujah! His name is hallowed in our hearts!
His Kingdom comes!
His Will BE done on earth as it is in heaven!
This, our daily bread, is sweet!
Our trespasses are forgiven! Help us forgive those who trespass against us!
We will not enter that great temptation which is coming upon the earth!
We are delivered from the hand of evil one!
Claim Thy Kingdom!
Show Thy Power!
Reveal Your Glory to Your People and Your Creation!
Maranatha! Come quickly, Lord Jesus!!!
We love You and we can’t wait to behold your face!
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andrew
Layman
Still here...till the end.
Posts: 94
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Post by andrew on Aug 22, 2020 14:42:08 GMT -6
Psalm 119:65-72
Teth - ט - to surround, snake,
Structure:
A) v65 Thy dealings good.
B) v66 Thy judgements good. Teach me.
C) v67 Affliction good. Result.
B) v68 Thou art good. Teach me.
C) v69-71 Affliction good. Result.
A) v72 Thy law good.
Octave commentary:
L561
They all begin with Teth in Hebrew, and would easily be T in English with ‘Till and ‘Tis.
French King Francis came to appreciate his sufferings when he heard this octave sang in a monastery in which he was imprisoned.
Psalm 119:65
“Thou hast dealt well with thy servant, O LORD, according unto thy word.”
A984
The sweetness is better said to be a spiritual goodness. “When that which is good delights, it is a great gift of God. But when the good work which the law commands is done from a fear of punishment, not from a delight in righteousness, when God is dreaded not loved; it is the act of a slave, not of a freeman.”
S124
This verse summarizes David’s life, as well as our own.
S125
“We cannot say that we have dealt well with our Master, for when we have done everything we can, we are only unprofitable servants. (Luke 17:10); but as for our Lord, He has given us light work, large support, loving encouragement, and generous wages.”
“We lose ourselves in gratitude, and we find ourselves again in careful thanks-giving.”
Psalm 119:66
“Teach me good judgment and knowledge: for I have believed thy commandments.”
L564
Teach me good taste, would be a literal translation.
P357
Literally means, goodness of perception.
A985
“Teach me therefore sweetness by inspiring charity, teach me discipline by giving patience, teach me knowledge by enlightening my understanding: ‘For I have believed Your commandments.’”
Me
Lord, give me good knowledge and good judgement!
B165
“For what blessings can be more suitable to an ignorant sinner, than good judgment and knowledge: knowledge of ourselves, our Saviour, of the way of obedience – and good judgment, to apply this knowledge to some valuable end?”
“Knowledge is the speculative perception of general truth. Judgment is the practical application of it to the heart and conduct.”
B166
“We cannot fail to observe a very common defect in Christians; - warm affections connected with a blind or loose judgement.”
Conscience must not be trusted outside the knowledge of God’s Word; many bad decisions, which feel good, are made when judgement is disregarded.
Me
Verse 66 sums up God’s aim for a believer’s study of the 66 books of His Word.
B171
“Let my heart never condemn me where it ought not. Let it never fail to condemn me when it ought.”
Psalm 119:67
“Before I was afflicted I went astray: but now have I kept thy word.”
A985
It is, “profitable to the vessels of mercy to feel, that by throwing down pride, obedience might be loved, and misery perish, never again to return.”
S128
“Whipping will not turn a rebel into a child of God, but for the true child, a touch of the rod is a sure means of correction.”
B172
“A time of wealth is indeed a time of special need. It is hard to restrain the flesh, when so many are the baits for its indulgence.”
B174
“Heavenly Father! Keep thy poor, weak, erring child from this fearful doom. Let not that measure of prosperity which thou mayest be pleased to vouchsafe, prove my curse. But especially, let every cross, every affliction which thou art pleased to mingle in my cup, conform me more to my Saviour’s image, restrain my heart from its daily wanderings, endear thy holy ways and word to my soul, and give me sweeter anticipations of that blessed home, where I shall never wander more, but find my eternal happiness in keeping thy word.”
Psalm 119:68
“Thou art good, and doest good; teach me thy statutes.”
B175
“The revealed ‘goodness’ of God made to Moses in answer to his prayer - ‘I beseech thee, show me thy glory’ - shows it to be not a single attribute, or a display of any particular feature of the divine character, but rather the combined exercise of all his perfections. (Exodus 33:18-19; 34:5-7)”
B177
On prayer for God’s teaching, “and let me ever make it new by the remembrance of that one display of goodness, which casts every other manifestation into the shade – John 3:16 ‘For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.’”
Psalm 119:69
“The proud have forged a lie against me: but I will keep thy precepts with my whole heart.”
S130-131
God may turn the slander of our enemies to our good in our seeking faithfulness and Truth.
“Malice hesitates if we persevere in holiness despite all opposition.”
Psalm 119:70
“Their heart is as fat as grease; but I delight in thy law.”
S132
“As a man thinks in his soul, so is he. (Proverbs 23:7)”
B180
The repentant heart is one which has become sensible of its own insensibility to its sin.
“What, oh, what shall I render to the Lord! (Psalm 11:12) – Prayer for them who are still lying in death – praise for myself quickened in death.”
Psalm 119:71
“It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes.”
S132-133
“Our worst is better than the sinner’s best. It is bad for sinners to rejoice and good for saints to sorrow. A thousand benefits have come to us through pain and grief, and among the rest is that we have been taught in the law.”
“There is no royal road to learning the royal statutes. God’s commands are best read by eyes wet with tears.”
Me
When we despise affliction, we must love His grace even more.
When I mess up so bad that I am ashamed of myself, God still loves me and is working it for my good.
Psalm 119:72
“The law of thy mouth is better unto me than thousands of gold and silver.”
L565
Many godly men, throughout history, have laid up the treasures of God’s Word in mind and heart, including Nepotiamus, King Alfonsus, Cranmer, Ridley, Thomas a Kempis, and Beza.
S134
“Wealth is good in some respects, but obedience is better in all respects. It is good to keep the treasures of this life, but it is far more commendable to keep the law of the Lord.”
“Lord, make us good, through Your good Word!”
Me
Although it may seem at times like all hope is lost, and we will never recover in this lifetime, although we may curse God for our troubles, He still loves us enough to bear our indignation and work everything for our eventual blessing and sanctification.
Even a world which hates God and His Word with a passion values it, jealous of its knowledge. The movie Book of Eli is evidence of this.
In having God’s law as a reward, we know we are running the race in the right direction.
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andrew
Layman
Still here...till the end.
Posts: 94
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Post by andrew on Sept 2, 2020 18:51:53 GMT -6
Psalm 119:73-80
Yod – י – work, a deed, to make, hand
Structure:
A) v73 Prayer. “I”
B) v74 “They that revere Thee.”
C) v75 Affliction. “I”
D) v76 Lovingkindness.
D) v77 Tender mercies.
C) v78 Affliction. “I”
B) v79 “They that fear Thee.”
A) v80 Prayer. “I”
Octave commentary:
L565
Every verse begins with the letter Yod, the jot, by which we are reminded not one jot or tittle will pass from His law.
S136
This octave, Yod, “is the anxious yet hopeful cry of one who is heavily afflicted by cruel adversities, and therefore makes his appeal to God as his only friend.”
Psalm 119:73
“Thy hands have made me and fashioned me: give me understanding, that I may learn thy commandments.”
L566
Hugo saw that this verse highlights those vices which those who love God’s word should seek to avoid:
Thou hast made me – Avoid ingratitude.
And fashioned me – Avoid pride.
Give me understanding – Avoid confidence in our personal judgement.
That I may learn thy statutes – Avoid learning for the sake of mere curiosity.
“Open my mind that I may read
More of Thy love in word and deed;
What shall I fear while yet Thou dost lead?
Only for light from Thee I plead.” - Lockyer
S137
“Grant me now Your grace that my soul may know Your will, and my body can join in performing it.”
The care and detail with which God worked in creating our bodies is a type of the care and detail He will work in our soul.
“A man without a mind is an idiot – the mere mockery of a man, and a mind without grace is wicked – the sad perversion of a mind.”
S138
“I can learn other things with the mind. I have, but Your law is so pure, perfect, spiritual, and sublime, that I need to have my mind enlarged before I can become proficient in it.”
B190
”If I am conscious of being the workmanship of God, I shall feel my relationship to him, and the responsibility of acting according to it.”
1Corinthians 6:19 -20 “What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.”
Psalm 119:74
“They that fear thee will be glad when they see me; because I have hoped in thy word.”
A988
“The same persons, who see the Church and are glad, are the Church.”
They that fear You is present tense because in the present fallen world is fear. Those who will see me and be glad, looks toward a reward yet future.
S138
“It is one of the joys of Christians to hold conversations with more spiritually mature brothers and sisters.”
S139
“We do not only want to share each other’s burdens, but we also meet to partake in each other’s joys.”
“When those who profess to know Christ chill all hearts by their freezing words, the godly avoid their company.”
B192-193
“Believer! What have you to tell to your discouraged brethren of the faithfulness of God? Cannot you put courage into their hearts, by declaring that you have never been ‘ashamed of your hope?’ Cannot
you tell them from your own experience, that Jesus ‘is for a foundation stone, a tried stone, a sure foundation?’ Cannot you show them, that, because he has born the burden of their sins, he is able to ‘bear their griefs, and to carry their sorrows’ that you have tried him, and that you have found him so? Oh! Be animated to know more of Christ yourself; let your hope in him be strengthened, that you may cause gladness in the hearts of those that, see you; so that, ‘whether you be afflicted, or whether you be comforted, it may be for their consolation and salvation.’”
Psalm 119:75
“I know, O LORD, that thy judgments are right, and that thou in faithfulness hast afflicted me.”
R.C. Sproul video (?)
God’s oracles of weal and woe. God pronounces His blessings, Blessed be, as He pronounces His curses, Woe!
S140
“Our heavenly father is no Eli. He will not allow his children to sin without discipline. His love is too intense for that.”
B194-195
The believer deserves worse than God afflicts him with. God is merciful in making those afflictions work in us to conform us to His image. We get farther from death every day.
B196
God’s afflictions will humble a man to the point where he can bear great responsibility and riches like David.
Psalm 119:76
“Let, I pray thee, thy merciful kindness be for my comfort, according to thy word unto thy servant.”
P357-358
“Even when a man recognizes that affliction is sent in ‘faithfulness,’ that God has a wise purpose of love in sending it, still it is in itself bitter, and therefore he prays that he may have God’s ‘loving-kindness’ and His ‘tender mercies’ as his comfort in the midst of affliction. Compare Hebrews 12:11.”
Hebrews 12:11 “Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.”
S140
God’s mercy comforts us in our affliction.
S141
“Our prayers are according to the mind of God when they are according to the Word of God.”
B198
“Holiness is our service – affliction is our exercise – comfort is our reward.”
Psalm 37:4 “Delight thyself also in the LORD: and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.”
B199-200
Our desire to wallow in our suffering, when receiving affliction, and after, is dishonorable to God; He wishes to bless us. Refusing His mercies is refusing His will. He afflicted us, that we might bear His blessings honorably.
Psalm 119:77
“Let thy tender mercies come unto me, that I may live: for thy law is my delight.”
A988
God’s comforts console us in this miserable existence, and one bright day will be our joy!
S141
An unbeliever says, “While I breathe, I hope.” A Christian says, “Though I die, I still hope!”
B202
We must first receive God’s mercy before we can show it to others. “We must receive life from Christ, not bring it to him.”
Psalm 119:78
“Let the proud be ashamed; for they dealt perversely with me without a cause: but I will meditate in thy precepts.”
S142
“Shame is for the proud, for it is a shameful thing to be proud. Shame is not for the holy, for there is nothing in holiness to be ashamed of.”
B203
“David, however, prayed for the confusion of his enemies – not in a vindictive spirit, as if thirsting for their destruction; but as opening the way for his own more free service of God, and as a chastening, that might eventually turn to their salvation.”
Luke 18:7-8 “And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them? I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?”
Psalm 119:79
“Let those that fear thee turn unto me, and those that have known thy testimonies.”
P358
They shall know by their own experience.
L568-569 (also applies to verse 80)
“All who discredit the Divine inspiration and perfection of Scripture have every reason to be ashamed of themselves. The reason why the ministry of such is powerless, is because victory is not to be achieved by holding a blunt or damaged sword. Spiritual success ever crowns the witness of those who are sound in their acknowledgment and appreciation of the Word as God’s infallible revelation of Himself and of His purposes concerning mankind.”
S143
David wants to know all types of believer, both beginners and those mature in their faith, those that fear Thee and those that have known Thy testimonies.
S144
“When fearing and knowing walk hand in hand, they cause people to be thoroughly furnished unto all good works (2 Timothy 3:17).”
B206
“But as ‘the communion of saints’ was the peculiar feature of primitive Christianity, and ever since has formed an article of faith; in proportion as we fellowship with each other – as ‘members of one body’ - ‘considering one another, to provoke unto love and good works’ - ‘bearing one another’s burdens’ - and ‘receiving one another, as Christ also received us, to the glory of God.’”
B208
“But let us mark the completeness of the Christian – combining the fear with the knowledge of God. Knowledge without fear would be self-confidence. Fear without knowledge would be bondage.”
Psalm 119:80
“Let my heart be sound in thy statutes; that I be not ashamed.”
A988
“The heart then of the members and the body of Christ is made unspotted, through the grace of God, by means of the very Head of that Body, that is, through Jesus Christ our Lord, by the ‘laver of regeneration,’ wherein all our past sins have been blotted out; through the aid of the Spirit, whereby we lust against the flesh, that we be not overcome in our fight; through the efficacy of the Lord’s prayer, wherein we say, ‘Forgive us our trespasses.’ Thus regeneration having been given to us, our conflict having been aided, prayer having been poured forth our heart is made unspotted, so that we be not ashamed.
S144
“If the heart is firm in obedience to God, all is well, or will be well.”
B212
1 John 4:17 “Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world.”
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andrew
Layman
Still here...till the end.
Posts: 94
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Post by andrew on Sept 5, 2020 15:25:49 GMT -6
Psalm 119:81-88
Kaf - כ - to cover, to open, allow, the palm of the hand
Structure:
A) v81-82 Two complaints with plea between.
B) v82 Question. When comfort?
A) v83-84 Two complaints with plea between.
B) v84 Question. When comfort?
C) v85 Enemies. “They...Me”
D) v86 Statement “Thy”
C) v86 Enemies. “They...Me”
D) v86 Statement “Thou”
C) v87 Enemies. “They...Me”
D) v87-88 Statement “Thy”
Verse Commentary:
L569
Signifying the bottom of the hand, Caph begins every verse. “The whole scope of the section before us is a prayer for speedy help, with David holding out his hand as a beggar, supplicating the mercy of God.” David eagerly desires the day when God’s Kingdom is established on earth, as it is in heaven.
S148
This is the midnight of the psalm. It shows us that even David suffered for his belief. This low point of the psalm also shows that what follows is even more beautiful when compared to the afflictions we face.
Psalm 119:81
“My soul fainteth for thy salvation: but I hope in thy word.”
A989 & Me
“My soul has failed for Your salvation: and I have hoped because of Your word.” This is a declaration that we cannot save ourselves, but we must trust in the Word, Jesus, that He shed His blood for our sin and rose again, as we will one day.
S148-149
We, like David, eagerly await our full salvation. We weary ourselves in longing for it. “While the grace of desire throws us down, the grace of hope lifts us up again.”
B213
Isaiah 25:9 “And it shall be said in that day, Lo, this is our God; we have waited for him, and he will save us: this is the LORD; we have waited for him, we will be glad and rejoice in his salvation.”
Isaiah 61:10 “I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels.”
The Old Testament saints KNEW the Messiah was coming. They looked forward to Him. This continued until one of them, Simeon, SAW Him.
Luke 2:25-32 “And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him. And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord's Christ. And he came by the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law, Then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said, Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word: For mine eyes have seen thy salvation, Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people; A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.”
Me
We learn how to be patient and wait on the Lord, when He makes sure our election in our hearts by His love. Our souls may faint, but we have the sure Hope of their revival.
Psalm 27:13-14 “I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.”
Psalm 119:82
“Mine eyes fail for thy word, saying, When wilt thou comfort me?”
L570
“God is never before His time, and never behind.”
S150
“Blessed are the eyes that are strained in looking after God. The eyes of the Lord will see to it that such eyes do not fail. How much better to watch for the Lord with aching eyes than to have them sparkling at the glitter of empty desires.”
B216
Compare the following verses.
2Peter 3:9 “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.”
Isaiah 5:19 “That say, Let him make speed, and hasten his work, that we may see it: and let the counsel of the Holy One of Israel draw nigh and come, that we may know it!”
Isaiah 28:16 “Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation: he that believeth shall not make haste.”
“Waiting time – whatever weariness may attend it – is precious time, and not a moment of it will be lost.”
B217
Concerning salvation by the blood of Jesus, combining conviction and faith, conviction without faith is sorrow, and assurance of faith without conviction is mere presumption.
B218
Isaiah 30:18 “And therefore will the LORD wait, that he may be gracious unto you, and therefore will he be exalted, that he may have mercy upon you: for the LORD is a God of judgment: blessed are all they that wait for him.”
“Thou mayest seek after honours , and not obtain them; thou mayest labour for riches, and yet remain poor; thou mayest dote on pleasures, and have many sorrows. But our God, of his supreme goodness, says – Who ever sought me, and found me not? Who ever desired me, and obtained me not? Who ever loved me and missed of me? I am with him, that seeks for me. He hath me already, that wisheth for me; and he that loveth me, is sure of my love. The way to come to me, is neither long nor difficult.” -Augustine
Psalm 119:83
“For I am become like a bottle in the smoke; yet do I not forget thy statutes.”
P358
A wineskin in the smoke, shriveled and useless; but also wine in the bottle having its flavour mellowed, denoting the mellowing and ripening of character through affliction.
B219
“Now – Christian – do not expect a new way to heaven to be made for you. Prepare for the cross. It may be – as with David – a heavy, long-continued burden, and, should it come – look on it as your appointed trial of faith, and your training discipline for more enduring conflicts.”
Me
Understanding God’s statutes is vital to understanding the necessity of our afflictions.
Psalm 119:84
“How many are the days of thy servant? when wilt thou execute judgment on them that persecute me?”
S151-152
“Lord, since I am to live a short time, be pleased to shorten my sorrow also.” We, like David, wish to see an end to our affliction. We groan at the days of suffering we must endure, while we long for God to judge the wicked and set creation in order again.
B221 (also applies to verse 85)
“To complain of God is dishonourable unbelief. To complain to God is the mark of His “elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bears long with them.”
Psalm 119:85
“The proud have digged pits for me, which are not after thy law.”
A991
“Because truth, not words, pleases me therein.”
S153
“If people kept the statutes of the Lord, they would lift the fallen out of the pit, or they would fill it up so no one else would stumble into it.”
“It was good for David that his enemies were God’s enemies, and that their attacks upon him had no approval from the Lord. It was also much to his advantage that he wasn’t ignorant of their schemes, because it prepared him to put up his guard, and he watched his ways for fear he might fall into their pits. While he kept the law of the Lord, he was safe though even then it was an uncomfortable thing to have his path made dangerous by the work of willful malice.”
Psalm 119:86
“All thy commandments are faithful: they persecute me wrongfully; help thou me.”
Me
When my life was at its lowest, darkest point, I was turned to God’s Word. I had considered myself a believer long before, but only at this time did that become a reality. Had not my life gotten so dark that I prayed to Him every night that I would not see the dawn, had not he denied those request during those long years, I would not have come to love His law as I do. Knowing the fullness of His blessing makes possible the patience to wait for His return.
Luke 22:31 “And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.”
As much as I hate that time of suffering, I love it. I would endure it a thousand years if necessary to be with Jesus for eternity.
Psalm 41:11 “By this I know that thou favourest me, because mine enemy doth not triumph over me. And as for me, thou upholdest me in mine integrity, and settest me before thy face for ever.”
By this, I know that the worst of my affliction is past, regardless of the circumstances of the present.
Psalm 119:87
“They had almost consumed me upon earth; but I forsook not thy precepts.”
L572
“Divine help is only promised to those who forsake not God’s precepts.”
S154-155
David’s enemies wore away at his earthly life, but they could not touch the eternal rewards he had laid up by obeying God’s law.
Me
No mercy of this earth compares to the mercy we know in Jesus.
B227 & Names of God by Rose Publishing
Bridges speaks of how this relates to two of God’s names:
Jehovah-Jireh, “The Lord Will Provide” &
Jehovah-Nissi, “The Lord Is My Banner”
Psalm 119:88
“Quicken me after thy lovingkindness; so shall I keep the testimony of thy mouth.”
A992
Again, testimonies here is the Greek Martaria, speaking of those who are martyred for Christ through the age, who hope for His quickening.
S155-156
The only solution to the problems of this world which threaten death continually is life, and that more abundant. When God refreshes our life, we are enabled to keep His Word more fully, in a way which we cannot on our own.
B229
Bridges prays, “Quicken me – Quicken this slothful heart of mine. Enkindle afresh the sacred spark within, and let me be alive for thee.”
John 6:63 “It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.”
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andrew
Layman
Still here...till the end.
Posts: 94
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Post by andrew on Sept 13, 2020 19:47:53 GMT -6
Psalm 119:89-96
Lamed - ל - control, authority, the tongue, cattle goad
Structure:
A) v89-91 Jehovah’s Word settled and eternal.
B) v92 Affliction cannot destroy my delight.
C) v93 Statement and reason. “For”.
C) v94 Statement and reason. “For”.
B) v95 The wicked cannot destroy my meditation in it.
A) v96 Jehovah’s Word settled and eternal.
Verse commentary:
The first eleven octaves effectively ask, “Hitherto hath the Lord brought me: shall it be that I now perish?” The next eleven state, “The Lord’s Word changeth not; in spite of all evil forebodings, the Lord will perfect concerning me the work He hath already begun.”
Psalm 119:89
“For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven.”
L572-573
“Is this not one of the most outstanding statements in Scripture?”
B230-231 & Me (also v90 & 91)
One lesson in the death of the flesh is for man to learn that he is not the giver of Life. We were not, are not, and never will be God.
“Man - the child of his Maker – ‘created in His image’ – destined for his glory – is only rebel and revolter.”
“Indeed, the very fact of a creation in ruins – a world in rebellion against its Maker, failing on the grand end of existence, and yet still continued in existence - manifests his faithfulness unto all generations.
Psalm 119:90
“Thy faithfulness is unto all generations: thou hast established the earth, and it abideth.”
L574 (Also for v91)
“Say not, my soul, ‘From whence
Can God relieve my care?’
Remember that Omnipotence
Has servants everywhere.”
Psalm 119:91
“They continue this day according to thine ordinances: for all are thy servants.”
A873a
Augustine makes note that the day belongs to God’s people.
Psalm 118:24 This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.
Romans 13:13 Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying.
Ephesians 5:8 For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light:
Psalm 119:92
“Unless thy law had been my delights, I should then have perished in mine affliction.”
A873a
“This is the law of faith, not a vain faith, but that which worketh through love.”
L574
Martin Luther wrote this verse on his own bible.
“Phillip Melanchton, friend of Luther, said that the handmaid Heme told him at Dresden that it would have been impossible for him to bear up under the manifold miseries of so long an imprisonment, had it not been for the comfort of the Scriptures in his heart.”
S161
“At times, nothing has stood between us and self-destruction except for faith in the eternal Word of God.”
B235
“But in order to derive support from the law, it must be our delights – yea – that it may be our delights it must be the matter of our faith. For what solid delight, can we have in what we do not believe? Must it not also be our joy in prosperity, if we would realize its support in affliction?”
“I have covenanted with my Lord, the he not send me visions, or dreams, or even angels. I am content with this one gift of the Scriptures, which abundantly teaches and supplies all that is necessary both for this life and that which is to come.”-Martin Luther
Bridges highlights how Isaiah 53 illustrates various characteristics of Jesus.
v1-2 His person
v3 His life
v4-5, 12 His offices
v7-8 His His sufferings
v 9 His character
v10,12 His resurrection
Psalm 119:93
“I will never forget thy precepts: for with them thou hast quickened me.”
A874a
David seeks to be God’s man, not his own, because he knows his own strength can only lead to ruin.
S161
“When we feel the quickening power of a precept, we can never forget it. We may read it, learn it, repeat it, and think we have it, yet it can slip out of our minds; but once it has given us life or renewed our life, there is no fear of it slipping from our recollection. Experience teaches, and it teaches effectively.”
B237-238
“But this resolution is the language of sincerity, not of perfection. The child of God is humbled in the conscious forgetfulness of the Lord’s precepts. And this consciousness keeps his eye fixed on Jesus for pardon and acceptance: while every fresh sense of acceptance strengthens his more habitual remembrance. Then as for his natural inability to preserve an accurate recollection of Divine things – let him not estimate the benefit of the word by the results in the memory, so much as the impression upon the heart.”
Psalm 119:94
“I am thine, save me: for I have sought thy precepts.”
L575
“Literally, save implies, ‘put me in a large place’ or ‘set me at large, give me a wide berth.’”
S163
Christians know that only Jesus saves, that we are powerless to save ourselves. We can ask for provision when we pray, I am thine. We can know this because no rebel or hypocrite seeks His precepts.
B238-239
“’Whom we serve’ will prove ‘whose we are.’”
B239
“Lord, I would humbly plead thine own act, thine free and sovereign act, that made me thine. Save me, because thou hast brought thy salvation near to me, and sealed me thine. I need mercy to begin with me; mercy to accompany me; mercy to abide with me forever. I am thine; save me.”
Psalm 119:95
“The wicked have waited for me to destroy me: but I will consider thy testimonies.”
A874a
“’I understood Thy testimonies.’ The Greek word, Μαρτύρια, soundeth more familiarly to the ears of the Church. For though they should slay me not consenting unto them, yet while I confessed Thy testimonies (martyria) I should not perish; but they who, that they might destroy me, were waiting till I should consent unto them, tortured me even when I did confess them.”
S164
“If the Enemy cannot cause us to withdraw our thoughts from holy study, our feet from holy walking, or our our hearts from holy desires, he has not had much success in his attack.”
We should never abandon our study of God’s Word, regardless of what occurs in our lives.
B241
“We hear indeed the roaring of the winds and waves; but we hear also the voice hushing the storm to rest – ‘Peace, be still.’”
Psalm 119:96
“I have seen an end of all perfection: but thy commandment is exceeding broad.”
A874a
Augustine translates this, “I have seen an end of all consummation: but Thy commandment is exceeding broad.” He comments, “Now ‘all consummation’ appeareth to me in this place to signify, the striving even unto death for the truth, and the endurance of every evil for the true and chief good: the end of which consummation is to excel in the kingdom of Christ, which hath no end; and there to have without death, without pain, and with great honour, life, acquired by the death of this life, and by sorrows and reproaches.”
P359
“There is nothing upon earth to which there does not cleave some defect.”
L575
“The term perfection means, ‘the farthest limit,’ or ‘the remotest point in space.’”
L576
Though accused of being narrow minded, only one who adheres to the infallibility of Scripture is broad minded enough to take God for His Word.
B164-165
“Some people see no end to their own perfection, but this is because they are perfectly blind. The experienced believer knows that there is no true perfection in himself, in his brothers, or in the best person’s best work.”
Me
Until we see our own imperfections, we cannot understand the breadth of God’s commands or the depth of His love.
B243
“’All is vanity.’ And yet such is the alienation of heart from God, that it is first tried to the very uttermost, before any desire to return homeward is felt or expressed. And even then, nothing but the Almighty power of God can bring the sinner back. He would rather perish in his misery, than ‘return to his rest.’”
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