Psalm 119:1-16

Psalm 119 is the longest Psalm and the longest chapter in the Bible. It is a Psalm that is broken into very distinct sections which each one corresponding to a letter in the Hebrew alphabet. For example, you should have a heading in your Bible at the beginning of Psalm 119 that says ALEPH. That is the first letter of the Hebrew alphabet. This interesting division most likely was a tool used by the author to add in memorization. What we take for granted is having printed copies of God’s word whereas those in the days when the Psalms were written often had to rely on memorization. Written copies were very few. As we keep in mind the importance of memorization to believers in the past, it makes the words in this first section of this Psalm very applicable. It is obvious that the writer believes in the importance of knowing and following God’s word. He opens with the words, “Blessed are those whose way is blameless, who walk in the law of the Lord!” Later the Psalmist asks this question, “How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word.” Clearly the Psalmist understands that God’s word is important to a life which seeks to live pleasing to God and one that seeks to be blameless and pure. Therefore, one must make a commitment to know God’s word and memorize it. Too often we take God’s word for granted or fail to understand how much it can truly direct our path in the right way. We must never lose a love and joy for reading God’s word, memorizing God’s word and letting it guide our lives. The Psalmist even helps us understand the commitment we need when he declares, “I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.” When you store God’s word in your heart you have a great aid in knowing what is right in each decision you make. That is also why it is important that you do what the Psalmist did when he said, “I will meditate on your precepts and fix my eyes on your ways. I will delight in your statues; I will not forget your word.” My prayer for us all today is that we would make God’s word a priority in our lives. That we would store it in our hearts. You may not always have a written copy of God’s word with you but you can always have it in your heart. If you have it in your heart it will be ready to guide you each and every moment and keep your way pure. Continue to store God’s word in your heart today by reading all of Psalm 119:1-16 and finding at least one part to memorize.