10. The Inner Life: Part 1
The Inner Life:
Part 1
(PSALM 119:1–80)
Before you begin …
• Pray for the Holy Spirit to reveal truth and wisdom as you go through this lesson.
• Read Psalm 119:1–80. This lesson references content in Be Exultant. It will be helpful for you to have your Bible and a copy of the commentary available as you work through this lesson. Since Psalm 119 is such a long psalm, we’ll touch on just a few of the highlights in the next two sessions. There is much to discover in this psalm, so use the study questions as a starting place and feel free to spin off into exploration of the other verses as well.
Getting Started
From the Commentary
The emphasis in Psalm 119, the longest psalm, is on the vital ministry of the Word of God in the inner spiritual life of God’s children. It describes how the Word enables us to grow in holiness and handle the persecutions and pressures that always accompany an obedient walk of faith. The psalm is an acrostic with eight lines in each section, and the successive sections follow the letters of the Hebrew alphabet.
Since we do not know who wrote the psalm, we cannot know for certain when it was written, but our ignorance need not hinder us from learning from this magnificent psalm. Some attribute the psalm to Moses, which is unlikely, and others to a priest or Levite who served in the second temple after the Babylonian captivity. Whoever the author was, he is a good example for us to follow, for he had an intense hunger for holiness and a passionate desire to understand God’s Word in a deeper way. In all but fourteen verses, he addresses his words to the Lord personally, so this psalm is basically a combination of worship, prayer, praise, and admonition.
—Be Exultant, pages 106–7
1. Psalm 119 stands out as the longest psalm in the book of Psalms. What do you think made this particular psalm so important to the canon? How do the themes in this psalm line up with the themes in the other psalms you’ve studied so far? Do you agree that it doesn’t matter who wrote the psalm? Why or why not?
2. Choose one verse or phrase from Psalm 119:1–80 that stands out to you. This could be something you’re intrigued by, something that makes you uncomfortable, something that puzzles you, something that resonates with you, or just something you want to examine further. Write that here.
Going Deeper
From the Commentary
The basic theme of Psalm 119 is the practical use of the Word of God in the life of the believer. When you consider that the writer probably did not have a complete Old Testament, let alone a complete Bible, this emphasis is both remarkable and important. Christian believers today own complete Bibles, yet how many of them say that they love God’s Word and get up at night or early in the morning to read it and meditate on it (vv. 55, 62, 147–148)? How many Christian believers ignore the Old Testament Scriptures or read the Old Testament in a careless and cursory manner? Yet here was a man who rejoiced in the Old Testament Scriptures—which was the only Word of God he had—and considered God’s Word his food (v. 103) and his greatest wealth (vv. 14, 72, 127, 162)!
—Be Exultant, page 108
3. Go through Psalm 119:1–80 and circle verses that suggest practical use of God’s Word. In what ways is God’s Word like food? What are some practical ways to stay fed by God’s Word?
From the Commentary
The opening word of the psalm—“blessed”—is repeated in verse 2 but found nowhere else in this psalm. How can we receive God’s blessing? By being blameless before the Lord, obedient to His law, and wholehearted in our relationship to Him. But some of the words that follow—law, precepts, statutes, decrees, commands—have a way of frightening us and almost paralyzing us with despair. When we think of law, we usually think of “cursing” and not “blessing” (see Deut. 27:1—28:68), but we must remember that Jesus bore the curse of the law for us on the cross (Gal. 3:10–13).
—Be Exultant, pages 110–11
4. As you read Psalm 119:1–8, what do you discover about receiving God’s blessing? What are the prerequisites for receiving it? What is it about God’s blessing that makes it something to covet?
From the Commentary
The writer closed the first section determined to keep the law of the Lord (Ps. 119:8), a promise he repeated in verse 145. He began the next section (vv. 9–16) like a true Jewish teacher by asking a question of the young men he was instructing: “How can we fulfill this promise?” He also promised to meditate on the Word (vv. 15, 48, 78), to delight in the Word and not forget it (vv. 16, 47, 93), and to run in the way of the Lord (v. 32). But he knew that it is easier to make promises than to keep them, a lesson Paul learned when he tried in his own strength to obey God’s law (Rom. 7:14–25). Paul learned, as we must also learn, that the indwelling Holy Spirit enables the child of God to fulfill God’s righteousness in daily life (Rom. 8:1–11). We must live according to God’s Word, which means cultivating a heart for God. Paul called this “seeking the things that are above” (see Col. 3:1).
—Be Exultant, page 112
5. How do we cultivate a heart for God (see Col. 3:1)? In Psalm 119:9, the psalmist asks, “How can a young man keep his way pure?” How does the answer to this question give us clues into what it takes to cultivate a heart for God? What are some practical ways to accomplish the “I” phrases in Psalm 119:9–16?
From the Commentary
If ever we feel we can ignore our daily time with God in His Word, then we should heed the message of Psalm 119:17–24. We need the Word because we are servants (vv. 17, 23, 38, 49, 65, 76, 84, 122, 124, 125, 135, 140, 176), and in His Word, our Master gives us directions for the work He wants us to do. Eli the priest was wrong in many things, but he was right when he taught young Samuel to pray, “Speak, LORD, for Your servant is listening” (1 Sam. 3:9 NASB).
—Be Exultant, page 113
6. Psalm 119:19 says, “I am a stranger on earth; do not hide your commands from me.” What do you think the psalmist meant by “stranger”? The psalmist goes on to say that his “soul is consumed with longing for your laws at all times.” In light of the new covenant, how might this be rewritten for Christians today?
From the Commentary
Paul (2 Tim. 4:6–8) and Jesus (John 17:4) both ended well, to the glory of God, but not every believer achieves that coveted goal. A good beginning ought to lead to a good ending, but that is not always the case. Lot, Samson, King Saul, Ahithophel, and Demas all made good beginnings, but their lives ended in tragedy. The psalmist wanted to end well (Ps. 119:33), but ending well is the consequence of living well. What are the essentials for a consistent life that ends well?
—Be Exultant, page 116
7. Read 2 Timothy 4:6–8 and John 17:4. How do these verses show us that both Paul and Jesus “ended well”? What does Psalm 119:33 suggest about one of the keys to ending well? What additional guidance for ending well does the rest of that section (vv. 34–40) offer?
From the Commentary
If the psalmist was a priest or a Levite, and he probably was, then he was required to be an expert on the book of Deuteronomy. Deuteronomy means “second law.” The book records Moses’ farewell speech that he gave to prepare the new generation of Israelites for the conquest of Canaan. After forty years of wandering, the nation would stop being nomads and would become settlers, but new generations would come along and be prone to forget the lessons of the past. In Deuteronomy, you find the word remember fifteen times and the word forget fourteen times. Some things in the past we must forget (Phil. 3:12–14), but some things we must never forget. “He who does not remember the past is condemned to repeat it” (George Santayana).
—Be Exultant, pages 119–20
8. Why is “remembering” such an important aspect of the Israelites’ faith? What are some of the things the psalmist chooses to remember in Psalm 119:49–56? What are some of the things today’s church needs to remember? What are some of the things we should forget (see Phil. 3:12–14)?
From the Commentary
Whenever the people of Israel failed God and turned to idols for help, it was evidence that they did not really believe Jehovah was adequate to meet their needs. In the time of Elijah, Israel tried to remedy the drought by turning to Baal, the Canaanite storm god, but it was the Lord who sent the rain in answer to the prophet’s prayer. When the enemy threatened to invade their land, the leaders of Israel often ran to Egypt for help, as though Jehovah was unconcerned and unable to deliver them. Psalm 119:57–64 makes it clear that the Lord God Almighty is all we need.
—Be Exultant, page 122
9. What led the Israelites to turn to idols instead of God? What are some of the things today’s believers turn to rather than God? How does Psalm 119:57–64 speak to this issue of turning to God in all circumstances? What does it mean today for Christians to turn their steps to God’s statutes (v. 59)?
More to Consider: Read Psalm 119:65–72. What does this section of the psalm teach us about what is “good” in the life of the believer?
From the Commentary
Led by God’s Spirit, the author wrote this long psalm to convince us to make knowing and obeying the Word of God the most important activities in our lives. In Psalm 119:65–72, he reminded us how necessary God’s Word is when we are experiencing difficulties, but it does not stop there. We need God’s Word for all of life. In verses 73–80, he mentioned several ministries of the Word that are necessary in the life of the faithful child of God.
—Be Exultant, pages 124–25
10. What are the ministries of God’s Word described in Psalm 119:73–80? Why is each of these important to believers? What does it look like in practical terms to be blameless toward God’s decrees (v. 80)?
Looking Inward
Take a moment to reflect on all that you’ve explored thus far in this study of Psalm 119:1–80. Review your notes and answers and think about how each of these things matters in your life today.
Tips for Small Groups: To get the most out of this section, form pairs or trios and have group members take turns answering these questions. Be honest and as open as you can in this discussion, but most of all, be encouraging and supportive of others. Be sensitive to those who are going through particularly difficult times and don’t press for people to speak if they’re uncomfortable doing so.
11. Describe your regular interaction with God’s Word. How successful are you at daily study? How might you improve your study of God’s Word? Consider time of day, length of study time, additional resources, etc.
12. When have you enjoyed God’s blessing? What were the circumstances that led to that sense of being blessed? What role did your understanding of God’s Word play in that situation?
13. How are you cultivating a heart for God? What are the specific things you’re doing in your study, worship, and interaction with other believers? If there are areas in your life that make it difficult to cultivate a heart for God, think of ways you can eliminate those things.
Going Forward
14. Think of one or two things that you have learned that you’d like to work on in the coming week. Remember that this is all about quality, not quantity. It’s better to work on one specific area of life and do it well than to work on many and do poorly (or to be so overwhelmed that you simply don’t try).
Do you need to learn how to be a better student of God’s Word? Be specific. Go back through Psalm 119:1–80 and put a star next to the phrase or verse that is most encouraging to you. Consider memorizing this verse.
Real-Life Application Ideas: Evaluate your Bible study habits. Make note of the things that are working and things that need improvement. Meet with an accountability partner and determine a new plan for assuring diligence in your study of God’s Word. While it’s important to cultivate good study habits, you can avoid turning the practice into a meaningless ritual by sharing what you learn with friends and family members regularly.
Seeking Help
15. Write a prayer below (or simply pray one in silence), inviting God to work on your mind and heart in those areas you’ve previously noted. Be honest about your desires and fears.
Notes for Small Groups:
• Look for ways to put into practice the things you wrote in the Going Forward section. Talk with other group members about your ideas and commit to being accountable to one another.
• During the coming week, ask the Holy Spirit to continue to reveal truth to you from what you’ve read and studied.
• Before you start the next lesson, read Psalm 119:81–176. For more in-depth lesson preparation, read the related commentary in Be Exultant.