Why a 176 Verses on God’s Word? | Psalm 119

Psalm 119 is the longest of the biblical psalms and the longest chapter in the entire Bible. And it is about one thing: God’s word. It’s artistic construction begins with being arranged as a Hebrew acrostic poem in the order of the Hebrew alphabet, with each Hebrew letter having 8 stanzas beginning with that Hebrew letter. Each verse is something about God’s word, using 8 additional synonyms for God’s word: law, testimonies, ways, precepts, statutes, promises, commandments, rules, and of course, word (in the ESV). It is significant that the longest psalm and longest chapter in the Bible is about the Bible. We’re going to devote a few episodes to see how the powerful imagery from Genesis 1-3 provides a compelling, imagination-filled meditation on Psalm 119’s meditation on God’s word. Genesis 1:2–3 NIV 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. 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… Psalm 119:1–2 ESV 1 Blessed are those whose way is blameless, who walk in the law of the LORD! 2 Blessed are those who keep his testimonies, who seek him with their whole heart. Psalm 1:1–3 NIV 1 Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, 2 but whose delight is in the law of the LORD, and who meditates on his law day and night. 3 That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither— whatever they do prospers. Psalm 119:18 ESV Open my eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of your law. 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 Spirit.” Identified Together—Jn 6:63; Eph 6:17 Eph 6:17 (NIV) “Take …the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” 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.” Causes Us to be Born Again—Jam 1:18; 1 Peter 1:23 James 1:18 (NIV) “He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created.” 1 Peter 1:23 (NIV) “For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God.” Well, which IS it? Unless both are the same! Saves Us—2 Cor 3:6 Sanctifies Us—Rom 15:15-16; 1 Peter...