Psalm 119 -- The Longest Psalm Just Can't Be Finished In One Day!

The longest psalm in the Bible takes up four whole pages in my Bible.  Over the years, I’ve made lots of notes in the margins, and by the time I’d reread the psalm and my notes, I’d run out of time to consider reading the 15 pages my commentary devoted to it!  So I’ll have to stay on this psalm for more than one day!  It’s worth reading regularly, and here are the notes I’d made about various verses:

Verse 1-3 are a recipe for happiness.

Verse 4 is not an option or a suggestion.

Verses 4-6 speak of missing the mark and hating it.

Verse 7 shows that our instinct is to not believe this.  It must be learned.

Verse 9 gives a simple answer to its question.

Verse 10 is a cry, “Help me not to sin!”

Verse 11 is the key to obedience.

Verse 14 describes obedience as real happiness, not a lack of freedom.

Verse 16 says it takes real effort to obey, because sin tries to make us willfully forget God’s Word.

Verse 18 is a cry to remove spiritual blindness.

Verse 20 describes a proper hunger for something of great value.

Verses 28-29 remind us that when we’re sad and tired, we’re most susceptible to breaking His rules.

Verse 34 is asking God to make sure we buy into His rules completely.

Verse 36 is asking God to give us a desire that we don’t naturally have.

Verse 52 speaks of us becoming comfortable with God’s rules, much like a horse gets comfortable when wearing a familiar saddle and carrying a familiar rider.

Verses 59-60 speak of making correct choices and not hesitating to start obeying.

Verse 96 tells me there’s never a point where God’s rules cease to apply.

Verse 115 reminds us of the importance of not hanging around people who might cause us to fall.

Verse 120 shows the importance of having a healthy understanding of just who God is.

Verse 133 is an important cry out to God for each of us – “Don’t let any sin control me,” for we each can have a besetting sin.

Verses 145 and 146 are amazing because we read, “Lord, I call to You … answer me … I call to You.  Save me …” and this is a rule obeyer crying out like this!

Verse 154 asks God not just to be our Judge, but also our defense attorney – the role Jesus fulfilled!

Verses 156 and 159 remind us that a respect of God’s laws only comes by an acceptance of His love. 

Verse 176 reminds us that even though we stray, He comes looking for us!

Father, please continue to reveal Yourself to me in this psalm as I continue to go through it.

Your Brother In Christ,

Gary Ford