Psalm 119 is the longest psalm in the Bible, comprised of 176 verses divided into 22 sections of 8 verses each. This psalm highlights the importance and value of God’s Word in the life of the believer. Though long, the entire psalm focuses on the blessing and benefits of God’s law, testimonies, precepts, statutes, commandments, and judgments. By studying this psalm, we can learn the following lessons:
1. The Word of God brings blessing and benefits.
Throughout Psalm 119, the author emphasizes how adherence to God’s Word brings blessing: “Blessed are those who keep his testimonies, who seek him with their whole heart” (Psalm 119:2). He finds great value in Scripture, declaring “I have rejoiced in the way of your testimonies as much as in all riches” (Psalm 119:14) and asking God to “open my eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of your law” (Psalm 119:18). For the psalmist, the Word of God is to be desired more than “thousands of gold and silver pieces” (Psalm 119:72). As we read Psalm 119, we are reminded of the infinite value of Scripture and encouraged to prize God’s Word.
2. The Word of God brings purity and discernment.
Psalm 119 emphasizes that saturating our hearts and minds in Scripture cleanses us from sin and sharpens our discernment between right and wrong. The writer prays, “With my whole heart I seek you, let me not wander from your commandments” (Psalm 119:10)! He asks God, “keep steady my steps according to your promise, and let no iniquity get dominion over me” (Psalm 119:133). The psalmist understands that hiding God’s Word in our hearts guards us from sinning against the Lord (Psalm 119:11). As we come to the Word, we pray along with the psalmist, “give me understanding, that I may keep your law and observe it with my whole heart” (Psalm 119:34).
3. The Word of God revives the soul.
Psalm 119 is filled with verses speaking of how God’s Word revives and strengthens the inner person. The writer says of Scripture, “this is my comfort in my affliction, that your promise gives me life” (Psalm 119:50) and “your testimonies are my delight, they are my counselors” (Psalm 119:24). He values the life-giving power of the Word, praying “My soul clings to the dust, give me life according to your word” (Psalm 119:25)! For the psalmist, God revives the soul through His Word and use it to find comfort, delight, and counsel. Studying this psalm shows us the power of Scripture to encourage and enliven our inner being.
4. The Word of God leads to obedience.
One of the main themes of Psalm 119 is that saturating our minds with Scripture leads us into greater obedience. The writer declares, “Oh that my ways may be steadfast in keeping your statutes” (Psalm 119:5) and prays, “incline my heart to your testimonies” (Psalm 119:36). He does not study God’s Word simply to gain knowledge, but to live differently. The psalmist asks God to use Scripture to “put false ways far from me and graciously teach me your law” (Psalm 119:29). As we soak in Psalm 119, we are reminded that the Bible transforms, not just informs. It renews our mind and empowers righteous living.
5. The Word of God brings peace and stability.
Psalm 119 frequently mentions how building our lives on God’s unchanging Word brings security amidst life’s ups and downs. The writer prays, “give me life in your ways…establish your word to your servant, which leads to the fear of you” (Psalm 119:37-38). He asks the Lord to “be my rock and fortress” (Psalm 119:114) and bring order to his steps by His Word: “sustain me according to your promise, that I may live…uphold me according to your word, that I may live” (Psalm 119:116-117). The psalmist is convinced that basing his life on the solid foundation of Scripture will stabilize him through every season. As we study this psalm, we are reminded that His truth anchors our lives.
6. The Word of God must be studied continually.
One takeaway from Psalm 119 is that we must continuously meditate on and memorize Scripture. The writer pleads, “teach me, O Lord, the way of your statutes” (Psalm 119:33) and prays “give me understanding that I may learn your commandments” (Psalm 119:73). He is convinced that consistently abiding in the Word is essential, proclaiming “Oh how I love your law! It is my meditation all the day” (Psalm 119:97). The psalmist models intentionally filling his mind and heart with God’s truth at all times. Psalm 119 challenges us to constantly read, study, memorize, meditate upon, and apply the Bible.
7. The Word of God must be obeyed with our whole heart.
According to Psalm 119, obeying God’s Word must flow from a heart of sincerity and undivided devotion. The writer prays, “give me an undivided heart to fear your name” (Psalm 119:36) and pleads, “with my whole heart I seek you, let me not wander from your commandments” (Psalm 119:11). For him, Scripture is not merely an intellectual exercise but the guiding lamp for all of life: “your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Psalm 119:105). The psalmist desires to follow God’s Word with consistency, intentionality, and passion. Psalm 119 challenges us to approach the Bible with wholehearted commitment to obey its commands.
8. The Word of God is trustworthy and true.
Though Psalm 119 focuses on the reader’s response to Scripture, it also repeatedly highlights the divine authorship of the Bible. The writer describes the Word as “righteous…forever…firmly fixed in the heavens” (Psalm 119:89), testifying to its eternal truthfulness. He says to God, “all your commandments are true” (Psalm 119:151) and “the entirety of your word is truth” (Psalm 119:160). Because God’s “faithfulness endures to all generations” (Psalm 119:90), His Word is completely reliable. Psalm 119 reminds us that the Bible is absolutely authoritative as the very words of God Almighty.
9. The Word of God deserves to be praised.
Interspersed throughout Psalm 119 are exclamations of praise for God’s perfect Word. The writer proclaims, “how sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth” (Psalm 119:103) and declares, “I hate the double-minded, but I love your law” (Psalm 119:113). He is filled with awe at the wisdom of Scripture, proclaiming, “how I love your law! It is my meditation all the day” (Psalm 119:97). For the psalmist, God’s Word rightfully deserves our delight, love, and adoration. As we study Psalm 119, we are compelled to join the psalmist in wholehearted praise of the glorious Scriptures.
10. The Word of God requires help from God Himself.
One final lesson from Psalm 119 is that understanding and obeying God’s Word requires divine help. The psalmist consistently prays for God’s assistance in clinging to Scripture, asking Him to “open my eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of your law” (Psalm 119:18) and pleading, “teach me your statutes” (Psalm 119:12). He knows that illuminating the eyes of his heart requires a gracious work of God. The writer understands that obeying the Bible flows from the work of the Holy Spirit. Through Psalm 119, we are reminded to depend on God Himself as we read His Word.
Psalm 119 provides a rich, lengthy meditation on the blessings of God’s perfect Word. Studying this psalm reinforces the importance of Scripture in the life of a believer and challenges us to treasure God’s Word as the psalmist did. This magnificent psalm testifies to the power, sufficiency, and beauty of the Bible, teaching us enduring lessons about clinging to the Word of God with all our heart. Psalm 119 calls followers of Christ to find supreme joy in the life-giving Scriptures and to meditate on them day and night.