1-- Pfhl 104-- Two Psalm 119 Responses

Preparation for Heavenly Living Correspondence School

http://www.geocities.com/bibleloverbill PFHL Course 104-- Two Psalm 119 Study Tools (7 pgs.) (by Bill Stevenson) Directions: Write a report about how you personally relate or have experienced Scripture in responding to the following Psalm 119 index and verse list. This assignment is worth 5 units, so write at least 10 quality pages (single spaced lines and no redundancies). Introduction I first read this 176 verse psalm in January '75 and ended-up underlining every word. While "flying" through it when sharing it for a March '77 week of Christian day school teacher devotions, I decided to do a detailed word study of Psalm 119 using the 1967 Scofield Reference Bible. The results are as follows in this unusual paper. Any one of the topic areas could be used for discussion and easily linked with many other Bible passages. I hope that you will be blessed as much as I have been with this word and subject study tool. Psalm 119 was titled by Scofleld “In Praise of God's Word”. It was ordered in relation to the Hebrew alphabet as an acrostic with 22 sections. The eight verses in each section began with the same letter in the proper sequence of the alphabet as was designated at the head of each section. Therefore, this Psalm was not ordered by the subject areas of the verses. That is why I grouped the key words onto index cards. As I was looking at the results, a special outline came to my mind for grouping the words into subject areas instead of alphabetizing. To God be the glory. Also, the 1967 Scofield Reference Bible has the following important notes: “This Psalm, born of love for the Law of God, extols the beauties and excellences of the written Word of God in a way found nowhere else in the Bible. God's Word is treated under these designations: (1) law, (2) word or words, (3) ordinances, (4) commandments, (5) precepts' (6) testimonies, (7) statutes, and (8) judgments. 'judgments' and 'ordinances' are translations of the same Hebrew word. Only verses 90, 121, 122, and 132 do not give a synonym for the Word of God. The shades of meaning in the words employed are as follows: 'Law' is primarily instruction or teaching, then all of God's revelation for life. 'Word' is speech or utterance, a general word for the disclosure of God's Will. 'Ordinances' (also 'judgments') refer to legal pronouncements, rules of divine administration. 'Commandments' are authoritative orders used as religious principles. 'Precepts' relate to man's moral obligations as enjoined by God. 'Testimonies' indicate God's own declarations concerning His nature and purpose. 'Statutes' refer elsewhere to civil and religious appointment of the Mosaic law. The word 'way' is used as a synonym for all of these terms.” While reading Psalm 119 carefully, I was surprised by the concepts of faith and commitment. Even though this psalm's writer was under the law of Moses and had less than one half of God's revelation of His Word, I didn't find any verse that I could not relate to. Today, believers of Jesus Christ are under the law of the Holy Spirit. In other words, the third part of the divine Trinity works in the yielded Christian the very righteousness in action that God's Law requires and in thinking which Jesus expects (Matthew 5:17-36). As you study Psalm 119, may God give you more understanding of the commitment He desires of you. I.

God and Believers A. God has... 1.established the Earth: 90 2.made me and fashioned me: 73 3.founded purpose: 152 4.delighted and counselled me: 24 5.directed my ways: 5 6.taught me: 102 7.made me wiser: 98 B. ____________________________ of God or His Word 1.Wonder: 18, 27, 129 1

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2.Greatness: 156, 162, 165 3.Goodness: 39, 68, 71, 122 4.Richness or Sweetness: 14, 72, 103, 127 5.Perfection and Purity: 96, 140 6.Truthfulness: 30, 43, 142, 151, 160 7.Righteousness and Justice: 7, 21, 40, 62, 75, 106, 121, 123, 128, 137, 138, 142, 144, 149, 160, 164, 172 C. Believers' _____________for God or His Word 1. respect or fear: 6, (13), 15, (18), (24), (27), 38, (40), (42), (47), (48), (50), (54), (55), (57-62), 63, (64-66), (68-73), 74, (75-77), 79, (86), (90), 117, 120, 128, (151), (161) [Notes: The numbers in parenthesis indicate the verses in which the study word or/and words are implied. Scofield states that “'the fear of the LORD' is an Old Testament expression meaning reverential trust, including the hatred of evil.”] 2. praise: 12, 48, 54, 65, 72, 89-93, 96, 103, 105, 137, 138, 142, 162-164, 171, 175 3. delight: 24, 77, 92, 143, 174 Believers' Commitments A. Thy servant: 17, 25, 38, 49, 65, 76, 84, 94, 122, 124 125, 135, 140, 176 B. Body parts-1. soul: 20, 25, 28, 81, 109, 129, 167, 175 2. heart: 2, 10, 34, 58, 145; 7, 11, 32, 36, 80, 111, 112, 161 3. feet: 59, 101, 105 4. hands: 48, 109 5. mouth: 43, 103, 108, 131 6. lips: 13, 171 7. tongue: 172 C. Body part verbs— 1.walk: 1, 3, (105), 45 (133) 2.run: 32 3.cried: 145-147, 169 4.taste: 103 5.talk: 27 6.speak: 46, 172 7.declared: 13, 26 D. Believers’ No’s and Not’s 1. might not sin: 11 2. not wander: 10, 101 3. not declined from Thy Law: 51, 157 4. not departed from Thy judgments: 102 5. not forget Thy Law: 16, 61, 83, 93, 109, 141, 153, 176 6. not beholding vanity: 37 7. not covetousness: 36 8. not lying: 29 9. not erred: 110 10. undefiled: 1 11. no iniquity: 3 12. not ashamed: 6, 31, 46, 80, 116 E. Promising verbs-[Note: Some of the following verse numbers are arranged in order to indicate the verb tenses (past, present, & future) divided by semi-colons.] 1. hoped and hope: 43, 74, 147, 166; 49, 81, 114 2. shall observe: 34 3. meditate: 23; (97); 15, 48, 78, 148 4. consider: 95 5. learn: 71, 73 2

6. sought and seek: 10, 94; 2, 45 7. longed and longing: 40, 131, (139), 174; 20 8. take heed: 9 9. chosen: 30, 173 10. taken: 111 11. laid before: 30 12. thought and turned my feet: 59 13. run the way: 32 14. done: 166 15. perform: 106, 112 16. hate: 104, 113, 128, 163 17. trust: 42 18. believed and seen: 66, 96 19. loved and love: 47, 48; 97, 113, 119, 127, 140, 163, 165, 167; 132, 159 20. esteem: 128 21. delight: 35, 70; 16, 47 22. rejoiced, rejoicing, and rejoice: 14, 111, 162 23. praise: 7 24. kept and keep: 5, (11), 55, 56, 60, 67, 167, 168; 2, 63, 100, 101, 129; 4, 8, 17, 33, 34, 44, 57, 88, 106, 115, 134, 145, 146 25. refrained my feet: 101 26. clung or stuck: 31 27. not forgotten and not forget: 61; 83, 109, 141, 153, 176; 16, 93 F. Promising verses-1. past: 13, 14, 23, 30, 51, 52, 54-56, 59-61, 87, 102, 110-112, 152, 158 2. past with future request: 10, 11, 22, 26, 31, 40, 43, 66, 74, 101, 121, 131, 147, 166-168, 173, 174 3. future: 6-8, 15, 16, 27, 32-34, 44, 46-48, 57, 62, 69, 78, 88, 93, 95, 106, 115, 117, 134, 145, 146, 148, 171, 172, 175 4. present with future request: 19, 35, 38, 42, 45, 77, 81, 94, 119, 132, 153, 159, 176 5. unconditional present: 20, 24, 63, 67, 70, 72, 97, 99, 100, 104, 105, 109, 113, 114, 120, 127129, 140, 141, 143, 157, 161-164 III. Believers' Earthly Stay A. As a sojourner or stranger: 19, 54 B. Relationships with non-believers-1. evildoers: 115, (118), (126), (136), (150), (158) 2. wicked: 53, 61, 95, 110, 119, 155 3. proud: 21-23, 46, 51, 69, 70, 78, 85, 122 4. enemies: (42), 98, (134), 139, 157 C. Having to endure affliction: 22, 23, 29, 37, 39, 50, 51, 53, 61, 67, 69, 71, 75, 83-88, 92, 107, (133), (141), (143), 153, (161) D. God's help-1. protection: 22, 36, 37, 39, 114, 117 2. sufficiency: 57, 111, 114, 151 3. faithfulness: 86, 90, 91, 138, (151) 4. comfort: 49, 50, 52, 57, 76, 77, 82, 165 5. grace: 8, 17, 19. 22, 25, 27-29, 37, 38, 40, 41-43, 49, 50, 58, 64, 76, 77, 122, 123, 132-136, 149, 153-156, 159, 166, 169, 170, 173-176 E. Unity of believers-- 1-4, 63, 79 F. Confidence and understanding-- 7, 75, 79, 89, 90, 98-100, 104, 119, 125, 130, 142, 144, 152, 160

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G. Timing for seeking and obeying God-1.Clock-wise: 97, 164, 147, 55, 148, 62 2.Consistency: 1-4, 9-18, 20, 22-24, 30, 31, 44, 51, 52, 55, 61, 80, 97, 109, 112, 117 3.Eternity: 20, 33, 44, 98, 111, 112 H. Relationship to God's Word 1.Principles: 1-4, 9, 21, 64, 90, 91, 96, 99, 100, 105, 119, 142, 144, 155, 160, 165 2.Way or ways: 1, 3, 5, 9, 14, 15, 26, 27, 32, 33, 37, 101, 104, 128, 168 3.According to Thy Word: 9, 25, 28, 41, 58, 65, 76, 91, 107, 116, (124), 154, 156, 169, 170 IV. Requests to God A. Key words-1.Consider...: 153, 159 2.Hear me: 145, 149 3.Seek me: 176 4.Look upon me: 132 5.Be merciful unto me: 132 6.... that I may live: 17, 77, 116, 144 7.Revive me: 25, 37, 88, 107, 149, 154, 159 8.Give me life: 40, 50, 93 9.Deliver me...: 134, 153, 154, 170 10.Remove from me: 22, 29 11.Turn away: 37, 39 12.Deal with thy servant: 17, 124, (135) 13.Make me: 27, 35 14.Grant me thy law: 29 15.Order my steps: 133 16.Teach me: 12, 26, 33, 64, 66, 68, 108, 124, 135, (171) 17.Give me understanding or make me understand: 34, 73, 125, 144, 169, (18), 27 18.Establish Thy Word: 38 19.Remember the word unto thy servant: 49 20.Incline my heart: 36, 112 21.Enlarge my heart: 32 22.Strengthen me: 28 23.Uphold me: 116 24.Hold me up: 117 25.Help me: 86, 173, 175 26.Hide not: 19 27.Leave me not: 121 28.Forsake me not: 8 29.Let not: 122, 133 30.Let: 10, 41, 76-80, 169, 170, 173, 175 31.Be surety for Thy servant: 122 32.Plead my cause: 154 33.Accept: 108 B. Verses-- 5, 10, 12, 17-19, 22, 25-29, 31-41, 43, 49, 58, 64, 66, 68, 71, 73, 74, 76-80, 82, 84, 86, 88, 107, 108, 116, 117, 122, 124-126, 132-135, 144-146, 149, 153, 154, 156, 159, 169, 170, 173, 175, 176 My Changes In Relation to Psalm ll9 (by Bill Stevenson-- 8/24-26/94) I decided to see how much I don't need of Psalm 119 because of the New Testament. In my first reading of Psalm 119 in November or December of 1974, I underlined every verse, all 176, because I was still Old Testament in much of my thinking. I had personally studied only the Gospel of John, Job, and 4

Psalms 1-118 at that time. After my underlining experience, I did a thorough study of Psalm 119, of key words and phrases, and developed a special index of it. Later I did a special formatting of the Psalm showing relationships of the verses by indenting. I also put “Psalm 119” below my signature in many of my personal letters to others because I loved it so much. So I was surprised by how many verses I don't need because of New Testament Christianity. For example, I don’t need to proclaim Psalm 119:6-8 anymore. Verse 6-- “Then shall I not be ashamed, when I have respect unto all Thy commandments.” I don't need to think about or meditate on or respect the Old Testament ordinances. Jesus Christ said to obey His commandments that He taught when on Earth which are supported and amplified in the commandments in the Epistles. Also, there is no link of shame with such respect and obedience in the New Testament. Verse 7-- “I will praise Thee with uprightness of heart, when I shall have learned Thy righteous judgments.” Because of the New Testament, I have learned God's righteous judgments already and because of heeding to 1 John 1:9, I can praise God with uprightness of heart at anytime, without thinking of His righteous judgments. Verse 8-- “I will keep Thy statutes: O forsake me not utterly.” I will always try to keep the New Testament Christianity Biblical statutes. I don't need to worry about God forsaking me because of His promise of never leaving me or forsaking me. See Hebrews 13:5-6. By the way, the word “precepts” means “commands or/and principles intended as general rules of actions or conduct”. The word “testimonies” means “solemn declarations and evidence of truth”. The word “statutes” means “laws”. Verses that I still completely identify with-- 55% of the Psalm: Psalm 119:1 Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the Law of the LORD. Psalm 119:2 Blessed are they who keep His testimonies, and who seek Him with the whole heart. Psalm 119:3 They also do no iniquity: they walk in His ways. Psalm 119:4 Thou hast commanded us to keep Thy precepts diligently. Psalm 119:5 O that my ways were directed to keep Thy statutes! Psalm 119:11 Thy Word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against Thee. Psalm 119:15 I will meditate in Thy precepts, and have respect unto Thy ways. Psalm 119:17 Deal bountifully with Thy servant, that I may live, and keep Thy Word. Psalm 119:20 My soul breaks for the longing that it has unto Thy judgments at all times. Psalm 119:22 Remove from me reproach and contempt; for I have kept Thy testimonies. Psalm 119:24 Thy testimonies also are my delight and my counsellors. Psalm 119:26 I have declared my ways and Thou heard me: teach me Thy statutes. Psalm 119:27 Make me to understand the way of Thy precepts: so shall I talk of Thy wondrous works. Psalm 119:28 My soul melts for heaviness: strengthen Thou me according unto Thy Word. Psalm 119:30 I have chosen the way of truth: Thy judgments have I laid before me. Psalm 119:31 I have stuck unto Thy testimonies: O LORD, put me not to shame. Psalm 119:36 Incline my heart unto Thy testimonies, and not to covetousness. Psalm 119:37 Turn away mine eyes from beholding vanity; and quicken Thou me in Thy way. Psalm 119:41 Let Thy mercies come also unto me, 0 LORD, even Thy Salvation, according to Thy Word. Psalm 119:42 So shall I have wherewith to answer him or her that reproaches me: for I trust in Thy Word. Psalm 119:45 And I will walk at liberty, for I seek Thy precepts. Psalm 119:47 And I will delight myself in Thy commandments, which I have loved. Psalm 119:49 Remember the word unto Thy servant, upon which Thou hast caused me to hope. Psalm 119:50 This is my comfort in my affliction: for Thy Word has quickened me. Psalm 119:51 The proud have had me greatly in derision: yet have I not declined from Thy Law. Psalm 119:57 Thou art my portion, O LORD: I have said that I would keep Thy words. 5

Psalm 119:58 Psalm 119:59 Psalm 119:63 Psalm 119:64 Psalm 119:65 Psalm 119:66 Psalm 119:68 Psalm 119:69 Psalm 119:71 Psalm 119:73 Psalm 119:74 Psalm 119:76 Psalm 119:77 Psalm 119:78 Psalm 119:80 Psalm 119:81 Psalm 119:85 Psalm 119:86 Psalm 119:87 Psalm 119:88 Psalm 119:89 Psalm 119:90 Psalm 119:92 Psalm 119:93 Psalm 119:94 Psalm 119:96 Psalm 119:101 Psalm 119:103 Psalm 119:104 Psalm 119:105 Psalm 119:111 Psalm 119:112 Psalm 119:113 Psalm 119:114 Psalm 119:116 Psalm 119:117 Psalm 119:122 Psalm 119:123 Psalm 119:124

I entreated Thy favor with my whole heart: be merciful unto me according to Thy Word. I thought on my ways, and turned my feet unto Thy testimonies. I am a companion of all of them that fear Thee, and of them that keep Thy precepts. The Earth, O LORD, is full of Thy mercy:, teach me Thy statutes. Thou hast dealt well with Thy servant, O LORD, according unto Thy Word. Teach me good judgment and knowledge: for I have believed Thy commandments. Thou art good, and doest good; teach me Thy statutes. The proud have forged a lie against me: but I will keep Thy precepts with my whole heart. It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn Thy statutes. Thy hands have made me and fashioned me: give me understanding, that I may learn Thy commandments. They that fear Thee will be glad when they see me, because I have hoped in Thy Word. Let, I pray Thee, Thy merciful kindness be for my comfort, according to Thy Word unto Thy servant. Let Thy tender mercies come unto me, that I may live: for Thy law is my delight. Let the proud be ashamed; for they dealt perversely with me without a cause: but I will meditate in Thy precepts. Let my heart be sound in Thy statutes, that I be not ashamed. My soul faints for Thy Salvation: but I hope in Thy Word. The proud have dug pits for me, which are not after Thy Law. All Thy commandments are faithful: they persecute me wrongfully; help Thou me. They had almost consumed me upon Earth; but I forsook not Thy precepts. Quicken me after Thy loving kindness; so shall I keep the testimony of Thy mouth. For ever, O LORD, Thy Word is settled in Heaven. Thy faithfulness is unto all generations: Thou hast established the Earth, and it abides. Unless Thy Law had been my delights, I should then have perished in mine affliction. I will never forget Thy precepts: for with them Thou hast quickened me. I am Thine, save me: for I have sought Thy precepts. I have seen an end of all perfection, but Thy commandment is exceeding broad. I have refrained my feet from every evil way, that I might keep Thy Word. How sweet are Thy Words unto my taste! Yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth! (Jeremiah 15:16) Through Thy precepts I get understanding: therefore I hate every false way. Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. Thy testimonies have I taken as an heritage for ever: for they are the rejoicing of my heart. I have inclined mine heart to perform Thy statutes always, even unto the end. I hate vain thoughts: but Thy Law do I love. Thou art my hiding place and my shield: I hope in Thy Word. Uphold me according unto Thy Word that I may live, and let me not be ashamed of my hope. Hold Thou me up, and I shall be safe: and I will have respect unto Thy statutes continually. Be surety for Thy servant for good; let not the proud oppress me. Mine eyes fail for Thy Salvation, and for the Word of Thy righteousness. Deal with Thy servant according unto Thy mercy, and teach me Thy statutes. 6

Psalm 119:125 Psalm 119:126 Psalm 119:127 Psalm 119:128 Psalm 119:129 Psalm 119:130 Psalm 119:132 Psalm 119:133 Psalm 119:134 Psalm 119:137 Psalm 119:138 Psalm 119:140 Psalm 119:141 Psalm 119:142 Psalm 119:143 Psalm 119:144 Psalm 119:145 Psalm 119:153 Psalm 119:154 Psalm 119:156 Psalm 119:159 Psalm 119:160 Psalm 119:162 Psalm 119:163 Psalm 119:164 Psalm 119:165 Psalm 119:166 Psalm 119:167 Psalm 119:168 Psalm 119:169 Psalm 119:170 Psalm 119:172

I am Thy servant; give me understanding, that I may know Thy testimonies. It is time for Thee, LORD, to work- for they have made void Thy Law. Therefore I love Thy commandments above gold; yea, above fine gold. Therefore I esteem all Thy precepts concerning all things to be right; and I hate every false way. Thy testimonies are wonderful: therefore doth my soul keep them. The entrance of Thy Words gives light; it gives understanding unto the simple. Look Thou upon me and be merciful unto me, as Thou uses to do unto those that love Thy Name. Order my steps in Thy Word; and let not any iniquity have dominion over me. Deliver me from the oppression of mare so will I keep Thy precepts. Righteous art Thou, O LORD, and upright are Thy judgments. Thy testimonies that Thou hast commanded are righteous and very faithful. Thy Word is very pure: therefore Thy servant loves it. I am small and despised: yet do not I forget Thy precepts. Thy righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, and Thy Law is the truth. Trouble and anguish have taken hold on me: yet Thy commandments are my delights. The righteousness of Thy testimonies is everlasting: give me understanding, and I shall live. I cried with my whole heart; hear me, O LORD: I will keep Thy statutes. Consider mine affliction and deliver me, for I do not forget Thy Law. Plead my cause and deliver me; quicken me according to Thy Word. Great are Thy tender mercies, O LORD: quicken me according to Thy judgments. Consider how I love Thy precepts: quicken me, O LORD, according to Thy loving kindness. Thy Word is true from the beginning: and every one of Thy righteous judgments endures for ever. I rejoice at Thy Word, as one that finds great spoil. I hate and abhor lying: but Thy Law do I love. Seven times a day do I praise Thee because of Thy righteous judgments. Great peace have they who love Thy Law: and nothing shall offend them. LORD, I have hoped for Thy Salvation, and done Thy commandments. My soul has kept Thy testimonies, and I love them exceedingly. I have kept Thy precepts and Thy testimonies, for all my ways are before Thee. Let my cry come near before Thee, O LORD; give me understanding according to Thy Word. Let my supplication come before Thee: deliver me according to Thy Word. My tongue shall speak of Thy Word, for all Thy commandments are righteousness

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