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Psalm 119 begins with blessing – and we have been thinking of ways in which we can be blessed and ways by which we can share that blessing and these blessings.

The Psalm are Hebrew poetry – and poetry deals with feelings – rather than information – and in our Bible, and in our faith, we require both feelings and content.

Poetry can bring one into that area of wonder – and that can help us to worship – the worship songs we sing from the Psalm are based upon Hebrew – and the Psalm make up the Jewish Praise Book.

The Psalm help us to meditate – to contemplate – and poetry is visual as well as verbal – we see this in the Psalm. Poetry paints pictures – and here we have the picture of a man who wants to serve Almighty God with an undivided heart.

Think of these words – As the deer pants for the water.

Psalm 119 is a most unusual piece of writing – each verse, 1to 8, begins with the same letter – all these verses begin with Aleph . It is called an acrostic. It is work of art – pointing to the work of God.

It was away back in 1860 that someone in England gave us the gist of the Hebrew poetry in English – each verse beginning with Aleph .

A recent translation/paraphrase follows – simply to illustrate -

All whose ways are blameless, who walk according to the Law of the Lord are blessed.

All who keep His statues and who seek him wholeheartedly are blessed.

As they walk in His ways, they do nothing wrong.

According to Your wishes Your precepts must be fully obeyed.

Alas my ways fall short of steadfast obedience to Your decrees!

Ashamed I am when I consider all Your commands.

Adoration flows from an upright heart as I learn Your righteous laws.

As of now I will obey Your decrees – abandon me not, O Lord.

Verse 1 – Blessed are those whose ways are blameless – who walk according to the law of the Lord. This is not always easy – in fact it is never easy – it is something we work and battle with during our entire Christian lives – but it is possible to be blameless - it is attainable.

The Psalmist is meditating upon the blessing which comes from seeking to keep God’s Word and walk in God’s ways.

The style of the Psalm is devout – devotional – rather than didactic – it is not written for the purposes of teaching – but O how it teaches us.

The first verse sets the theme – and what follows develops that glorious theme – this goal which God sets before us. If people who on their first coming to faith in Jesus Christ were presented with these aims and goals – what a difference it could make – and perhaps fewer would fall by the wayside – and wander – and disappear.

Yes – there is teaching here – it is a HOLY EMOTION. Here we have in a different form of words what Jesus said – Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these other things will follow.

The road may be rough at times – the discipline firm – the rule and law appearing almost impossible – but then we discover the blessing of God flowing – the presence of Jesus ministering to us – the refreshing renewing reviving ministry of the Holy Spirit.

Verse 2 – Blessed are those who keep His statutes – and seek Him with all their heart – here we have another blessing. There is repetition here – emphasising – underlining – making sure that we get the message.

This continues in the Gospels – we read of two or three accounts of what Jesus did – and of what Jesus taught – and of how Jesus ministered.

The lesson has not been taught until the pupil learns. God knows that children need to be told things time and time again – and reminded – and sometimes we have to ask – “Now, have you done what I told you?” There is that sincere desire to follow Jesus – and at times it can be intense.

Jesus calls – but equally vital is our positive response.

This is different from seeking God academically – intellectually – from the type of questions that may arise and be asked in our Colleges and Universities.

I think of an old friend – Rueben Osih from Cameroon – after hearing some lectures at Edinburgh – and having to read a certain book which questioned the miracles of Jesus – coming to my room saying – “If I went back to Cameroon and preached that, I would be shot!” But – Rueben came to believe some of these teachings and views – and he went back and taught them.

In these verses we read – walk – seek – keep – consider – obey – learn. These are strong motivations and inspirational words – helping us to be disciples.

Blessing is a consequence of obedience as well as a mark of grace.

Verse 3 – they do nothing wrong – they walk in His ways. Again, it is not easy – but neither is it complicated. Walking – is simply taking one step at a time in a way whereby we do not fall – nor go astray – but make progress.

Walk – walking – is a familiar theme throughout the Psalm. They do nothing wrong – we do not need to live in fear of being found out.

Verse 4 – You have laid down precepts that are to be fully obeyed. The writer realised that what GOD has said – this is a serious Book – and is not to be taken lightly – not to be played around with.

We are not to be selective in what we are going to obey and what we are going to overlook. God does not give us that choice.

We have no choice – perhaps that is something else people who come to believe in Jesus need to be told very early on. That may not be all that welcome and all that popular – but it is necessary. And that may mean finding out God’s ways gradually – there is no point in travelling fast if you are on the wrong road!

Our governments today are so bent on making laws – new laws – more laws – different laws. The problem is keeping them.

GOD says – Keep the ones I have given you – ten very simple words.

Verse 5 – Here we are beginning to read of PURE PRAYER. I go up and down – I want to obey You – and yet I know I do not obey You – such honesty and openness.

Paul found that – he writes about it in Romans Chapter 7 . It is the experience of every disciple of Jesus Christ. Sin will do all it can to prevent us and keep us from obeying our Lord Jesus Christ and His Word.

Lord Jesus – help me in this – strengthen me – keep me from being a yo-yo disciple.

There is a sigh at the beginning – Oh! We would have more keepers of God’s Word and God’s ways if we had more sighs – and cries for mercy and grace and help.

When you discover that you have been disobedient – do not think you are the first disciple to have disobeyed. Peter knew what it was to let down Jesus – and to be forgiven – and to be used!

Verse 6 – We can read part of the Bible and see where we have fallen short of what God expects – this is the experience of us all. We need to know that – not so that we can continue being disobedient – but so that we can examine our ways – our words – our lives – and correct and adjust – and bring things into line with God’s holy word. Sin does bring shame – and Jesus can deal with sin and all the consequences of sin.

Verse 7 – the writer’s desire is to praise God – pouring out his worship from an upright heart – which will be acceptable to the one who has called him – and had him anointed. There is nothing cold and clinical and dry and formal about all this – it is really inspiring and uplifting, and at times even exciting.

And – from prayer to praise is not a long journey.

Verse 8 – I will obey. GOD, I have made a decision – the hardest part for some is just getting round to making that decision – and to do that the Psalmist realises that he is going to need God’s help.

What kind of life do I want to live? This Psalm will help us. This is seldom an emotional matter – it is usually a calm resolve – a choice – but an important choice – a significant decision.

I will praise – should be followed by – I will keep. Do not utterly forsake me – what a request – what a prayer – he is aware of the possibility – and there is almost a trembling at the thought.

The two “I wills” need to be seasoned with such humble petition – with such realistic prayer. His success is not going to be fixed solely upon his determination – but upon dependence – his depending upon GOD. And the words of Jesus answer us as we travel along the road of discipleship – “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”

“Lord God, help us and teach us from this powerful Psalm – help us to meditate upon Your Holy Word – help us to Praise You and Worship You. We want to – we have that desire and longing – Holy Spirit, help us to read and understand the Scriptures, and to have a closer walk and communion – we pray in Jesus Name. Amen”

"Word from Scotland" from Sandy Shaw

"Lord God, You Have a Funny Way of Working at Times"