Message Notes

INTRODUCTION

1. An Unknown Author

2. But important details may be discovered about the Psalmist

3. Understanding and appreciating   (Psalm 119)

4. Written by a Skilful writer

a) Acrostic Style

b) The Hebrew Alphabet   (22 letters)

c) The entire Psalm has 22 stanzas

d) Each Stanza has 8 verses

e) In each Stanza a special focus is dealt with

f) All the Stanzas are intricately connected and interwoven

THE FIRST STANZA

(Aleph Stanza: Psalm 119:1-8)

1. Observation of those who are truly righteous

a) They are undefiled   (Psalm 119:1a)

b) They walk in the law of the LORD   (Psalm 119:1b)

c) They keep His testimonies   (Psalm 119:2a)

d) They seek God with the whole heart   (Psalm 119:2b)

e) They are blessed!   (Psalm 119:1a, 2a)

2. Clear Command of God remembered

To keep His precepts diligently   (Psalm 119:4a)

3. Obvious failure in the life of the Psalmist

a) He compares his life

b) He confesses his lack

4. Commencement of a New Walk with God

a) He will direct his ways to keep God’s statutes   (Psalm 119:5a)

b) He looks forward to learning God’s judgments   (Psalm 119:7b)

c) He determines to keep God’s statutes   (Psalm 119:8a)

THE SECOND STANZA

(Beth Stanza: Psalm 119:9-16)

1. The New Chapter of life

a) Cleansing

i) Recognition of the need of cleansing   (Psalm 119:9a)

ii) Recognition of the place of God’s word   (Psalm 119:9b)

b) Seeking God

i) With the whole heart   (Psalm 119:10a)

ii) Dealing with the problem of straying   (Psalm 119:10b)

c) Hiding God’s word in the heart

i) The battle against sin   (Psalm 119:11a)

ii) The Vital role of God’s word   (Psalm 119:11b)

d) Prayer to God

i) That God would teach   (Psalm 119:12b)

ii) Blessing God for being Teacher   (Psalm 119:12a)

e) Appropriate Response to God’s word

i) To rejoice in the Lord’s testimonies   (Psalm 119:14a)

ii) To meditate on God’s precepts   (Psalm 119:15a)

iii) To contemplate on God’s ways   (Psalm 119:15b)

iv) To delight in God’s statutes   (Psalm 119:16a)

v) Determining not to forget God’s word   (Psalm 119:16b)

THE THIRD STANZA

(Gimel Stanza: Psalm 119:17-24)

1. Vital Prayers

a) That God would deal bountifully   (Psalm 119:17a)

b) That God would open the eyes to see
wondrous things from His law   (Psalm 119:18)

2. Struggles in life

a) A stranger on earth   (Psalm 119:19a)

b) The proud people who despise the righteous   (Psalm 119:21-23)

THE FOURTH STANZA

(Daleth Stanza:Psalm 119:25-32)

1. The Rough times of life

a) When the soul “clings to the dust”   (Psalm 119:25a)

b) When Revival is needed   (Psalm 119:25b)

c) Heaviness of the heart

“My soul melts from heaviness”   Psalm 119:28a

2. When Understanding is not forthcoming easily

a) An appeal to God to teach   (Psalm 119:26b)

b) A stronger appeal made

“Make me understand”   Psalm 119:27a

3. The Place of Meditation

a) Understanding of the need for Meditation

“So shall I meditate on Your wonderful works”   Psalm 119:27b

b) A prayer for strength

“Strengthen me according to Your word”   Psalm 119:28b

c) A humble plea

“Grant me Your law graciously”   Psalm 119:29b

CONCLUSION

1. Choice

“I have chosen the way of truth”   Psalm 119:30a

2. Clinging

“I cling to Your testimonies”   Psalm 119:31a

3. Running the course

“I will run the course of Your commandments”   Psalm 119:32a