11. The Inner Life: Part 2
The Inner Life:
Part 2
(PSALM 119:81–176)
Before you begin …
• Pray for the Holy Spirit to reveal truth and wisdom as you go through this lesson.
• Read Psalm 119:81–176. 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.
Getting Started
From the Commentary
The focus in Psalm 119:81–88 is on the responses of the believer while he waited for the Lord to judge his enemies and deliver him from persecution and danger. His oppressors were also the enemies of the Lord and of Israel, so his concern was more than personal. Satan has been seeking to exterminate the Jews (v. 87) since the time the nation was in Egypt, and he will continue until the end times (Rev. 12). The Christian life is a battleground, not a playground, and we must expect tribulation (John 16:33).
—Be Exultant, page 126
1. Read Psalm 119:81–88. What sort of circumstance does the psalmist describe in these verses? What sort of persecution did the Israelites face? What are examples of persecution that Christians face today, both in America and around the world? What message does this passage have for all who suffer from persecution?
2. Choose one verse or phrase from Psalm 119:81–176 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
So much truth is buried in Psalm 119:96, you could meditate on it for hours. Whatever mankind does will never reach perfection, because our human work comes from our limited mind, strength, and ability. Perhaps the psalmist was reading the book of Ecclesiastes, for the limitations of human achievement is one of the themes of that book. “Vanity of vanities, all is vanity!” (see Eccl. 1:2) In contrast to the limits of mankind, God’s Word and works have no limits. His commandment (singular—it is one united Book) is limitless, boundless, immeasurable. Though Jesus lived, taught, and died in the little land of Palestine, His life and ministry have reached a whole world. Mary gave her sacrificial offering to Jesus in a home in Bethany, but what she did has blessed generations of people around the world (Mark 14:1–9).
—Be Exultant, page 128
3. Read Psalm 119:96. Why is this such a rich verse? What does it tell us about God’s character? What does it suggest to us about how we ought to approach the life of faith God has granted us?
From the Commentary
Never have there been so many tools available for serious Bible study, and we are grateful for them. However, the Word of God is unlike any other book: we must be on good terms with the Author if we are to learn from what He has written. Our relationship to the Lord is determined by our relationship to His will, and that is determined by how we relate to His Word. Too many believers have only academic head knowledge of the Word, but they do not know how to put this knowledge into practice in the decisions of daily life. What we all need is a heart knowledge of the Word, and this means being taught by God (Ps. 119:102). Verses 97–104 show us the conditions we must meet.
—Be Exultant, page 129
4. What are some of the more common Bible study tools? How can they help with the study of Scripture? What does the psalmist mean when he writes, “For you yourself have taught me” (v. 102)? How does God speak to us directly through His Word?
From the Commentary
If the life of faith consisted only of meditating on the Word and loving God, life would be easy, but people of faith have enemies, and life in this world is not easy. “Through many tribulations we enter the kingdom of God” (Acts 14:22 NKJV). Like the ten faithless men who spied out Canaan, if we look only at the enemy and ourselves, we will be discouraged and want to quit. But if, like Caleb and Joshua, we look to the Lord, we can conquer the enemy (Num. 13:27–33). Four assurances in Psalm 119:113–120 help us face the enemy with courage and win the battle.
—Be Exultant, page 132
5. Circle the assurances in Psalm 119:113–120 that help us face our battles with the enemy. How do these help us avoid discouragement in trying times? Why does the psalmist repeat how much he loves God’s laws (or statutes)? What does that mean for Christians today?
From the Commentary
In our impatience, we sometimes want God to work immediately and set everything right, but His ways and times are not always the same as ours. Faith and patience go together (Heb. 6:12), and God’s delays are not God’s denials. The day will come when the truth will be revealed and sin will be judged; meanwhile, instead of complaining about what we have paid or lost, let us rejoice in the wealth that we have in God’s Word, wealth that can never be taken from us. All of God’s precepts concerning all things are always right, so we can depend on the Scriptures (Ps. 119:126–128) and have the guidance that we need. If we love the Word, we will hate the wrong paths of sinners and stay away from them. We do not even put one foot on the path of the wicked (Prov. 1:15)!
—Be Exultant, page 135
6. Read Psalm 119:133. What does “according to your word” mean in practical terms? Why is it so difficult to trust God’s timing? How does the psalmist illustrate the ache that accompanies those times when the law is not obeyed?
From the Commentary
Just as children long to share the love of their parents, so the child of God experiences God’s love through the Word (John 14:21–24). To love God’s name is to love God, for His name reveals all that He is. The psalmist in Psalm 119:132 is claiming the covenant promises that the Lord gave to the nation of Israel (69:36). Had Israel loved the Lord and kept the terms of the covenant, God would have blessed them and exhibited to them His power and mercy.
—Be Exultant, page 136
7. What is the redemption the psalmist is asking for in Psalm 119:134? In what ways are Christians oppressed today? How does God respond to that oppression?
From the Commentary
Over many centuries, the Scriptures have been thoroughly tested in the fires of persecution and criticism, the way a goldsmith tests precious metals (Ps. 12:6–7; 18:30), and the Word has been found pure. One of the joys of the Christian life is to find new promises in the Word, test them in daily life, and find them trustworthy. The enemy wants to forget the Word (v. 139), but we remember the Word and depend on it. The world may look upon God’s people as “small and despised,” but when you stand on God’s promises, you are a giant.
—Be Exultant, pages 137–38
8. Read verses 140–141. What does it mean that God’s promises have been “thoroughly tested”? Why does the psalmist say he is “lowly and despised”? In what ways are Christians today looked upon as lowly? How does this compare to the way God sees us?
From the Commentary
The writer prayed throughout this entire psalm, but in verses 145–152 he concentrated on prayer and cried out to God day and night. From his experience, we receive some basic instructions about successful prayer.
—Be Exultant, page 138
9. What are the key instructions in verses 145–152 on prayer? What does the fact that the psalmist was praying throughout the entire psalm tell us about prayer? What does the phrase “My eyes stay open through the watches of the night” suggest about prayer?
From the Commentary
Have you noticed that the writer became more urgent as he drew near the end of the psalm? The Hebrew alphabet was about to end, but his trials would continue, and he needed the help of the Lord. The last three stanzas all speak of persecution and trials, yet the writer still trusted the Lord. The Christian life is like the land of Canaan, “a land of hills and valleys” (Deut. 11:11), and we cannot have mountaintops without also having valleys. The key phrase in Psalm 119:153–160 is “revive me” (vv. 154, 156, 159 NKJV), which means “give me life, lift me up, and keep me going.” He had prayed this prayer before (vv. 25, 37, 40, 88, 107, and 149), and the Lord had answered. The psalmist not only prayed but also gave reasons why the Lord should answer.
—Be Exultant, page 140
10. What are the clues that illustrate the psalmist’s urgency in the last verses of Psalm 119? What are some of the urgent things that compel the church today? In what ways is such urgency a good thing? What are the risks or dangers of reacting out of urgency?
More to Consider: Read Psalm 119:169–176. In what ways is each of these verses a prayer? How is each prayer applicable to today’s Christian?
Looking Inward
Take a moment to reflect on all that you’ve explored thus far in this study of Psalm 119:81–176. 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. Have you ever felt persecuted for your beliefs? Describe the circumstances. How did you respond to that persecution? What role did your study of God’s Word play in dealing with persecution? What did you learn through that experience?
12. What tools do you use for serious Bible study? How do they help you get to know God and His Word? How successful has your study been when you’ve been distant from God’s will? When you’ve been close? What does this tell you about the best way (and time) to study God’s Word? About the importance of seeking God even when you don’t feel like it?
13. Describe a time when you had to wait on God for something. Perhaps this is something you’re still waiting on. How do you respond to the silence of God? What has that waiting done for your relationship with God? What are some of the things you’ve learned in that process?
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 to trust God’s timing? Be specific. Go back through Psalm 119:81–176 and put a star next to the phrase or verse that is most encouraging to you. Consider memorizing this verse.
Real-Life Application Ideas: Find out what you can about Christians who are being oppressed because of their beliefs. This might be something dramatic, as in a country where Christianity is illegal, and therefore people are physically punished for it. Or it might be something as simple as a workplace oppression where Christians are demeaned or frowned upon for their beliefs. Then take action to respond to that oppression. This might mean simply spending time in prayer or standing up for your fellow believer in a meeting at work. In all things, be humble yet confident in what you know.
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 Psalms 146—150. For more in-depth lesson preparation, read the related commentary in Be Exultant.