Give Me Life! | Psalm 119

We’ve been looking through the frames of the word-brushed paintings of God’s life-creating power in Genesis 1-3 as we read Psalm 119. One of the most repeated prayers throughout Psalm 119 is for God to “give me life according to your word” (Ps 119:25). The powerful imagery from Genesis 1-2 provides a compelling, imagination-filled meditation on how God’s word gives us life. (See the show notes to the previous episode for more on what’s so unique about Psalm 119.) Psalm 119 ESV 25  My soul clings to the dust; give me life according to your word! 37 Turn my eyes from looking at worthless things; and give me life in your ways. 40 Behold, I long for your precepts; in your righteousness give me life! 50 This is my comfort in my affliction, that your promise gives me life. 88 In your steadfast love give me life, that I may keep the testimonies of your mouth. 93 I will never forget your precepts, for by them you have given me life. 107 I am severely afflicted; give me life, O LORD, according to your word! 149 Hear my voice according to your steadfast love; O LORD, according to your justice give me life. 154 Plead my cause and redeem me; give me life according to your promise! 156 Great is your mercy, O LORD; give me life according to your rules. 159 Consider how I love your precepts! Give me life according to your steadfast love. Genesis 1:1–3 NIV 1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. 2 Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters. 3 And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. Genesis 2:7 NIV Then the LORD God formed a man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being. Genesis 2:9–10 NIV The LORD God made all kinds of trees grow out of the ground—trees that were pleasing to the eye and good for food. In the middle of the garden were the tree of life and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. A river watering the garden flowed from Eden. Jesus said… John 6:63 ESV It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is no help at all. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life. The New Testament says… 2 Timothy 3:16 NIV All Scripture is God-breathed… The apostle John riffs on Genesis 1:1-3 with these words about Jesus… John 1:1–5 NIV 1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 4 In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. Psalm 36:7–9 ESV 7 How precious is your steadfast love, O God! The children of mankind take refuge in the shadow of your wings. 8 They feast on the abundance of your house, and you give them drink from the river of your delights. 9 For with you is the fountain of life; in your light do we see light. Spirit of God Word of God Identified Together—Jn 6:63; Eph 6:17 Eph 6:17 (NIV) “Take …the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” (what the Spirit uses in this conflict) John 6:63 (NIV) “The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life.” …Both are the same thing. Causes Us to be Born Again—Jn 3:5-8; Titus 3:5-6 John 3:5-8 (NIV) Jesus answered, “I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’ The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the...