Day 712: Psalm 119: 1-32~ Holistic Engagement Of God's Word

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,
3 who also do no wrong,
    but walk in his ways!
4 You have commanded your precepts
    to be kept diligently.
5 Oh that my ways may be steadfast
    in keeping your statutes!
6 Then I shall not be put to shame,
    having my eyes fixed on all your commandments.
7 I will praise you with an upright heart,
    when I learn your righteous rules.
8 I will keep your statutes;
    do not utterly forsake me!
Beth
9 How can a young man keep his way pure?
    By guarding it according to your word.
10 With my whole heart I seek you;
    let me not wander from your commandments!
11 I have stored up your word in my heart,
    that I might not sin against you.
12 Blessed are you, O Lord;
    teach me your statutes!
13 With my lips I declare
    all the rules[c] of your mouth.
14 In the way of your testimonies I delight
    as much as in all riches.
15 I will meditate on your precepts
    and fix my eyes on your ways.
16 I will delight in your statutes;
    I will not forget your word.
Gimel
17 Deal bountifully with your servant,
    that I may live and keep your word.
18 Open my eyes, that I may behold
    wondrous things out of your law.
19 I am a sojourner on the earth;
    hide not your commandments from me!
20 My soul is consumed with longing
    for your rules[d] at all times.
21 You rebuke the insolent, accursed ones,
    who wander from your commandments.
22 Take away from me scorn and contempt,
    for I have kept your testimonies.
23 Even though princes sit plotting against me,
    your servant will meditate on your statutes.
24 Your testimonies are my delight;
    they are my counselors.
 
My soul clings to the dust;
    give me life according to your word!
26 When I told of my ways, you answered me;
    teach me your statutes!
27 Make me understand the way of your precepts,
    and I will meditate on your wondrous works.
28 My soul melts away for sorrow;
    strengthen me according to your word!
29 Put false ways far from me
    and graciously teach me your law!
30 I have chosen the way of faithfulness;
    I set your rules before me.
31 I cling to your testimonies, O Lord;
    let me not be put to shame!
32 I will run in the way of your commandments
    when you enlarge my heart!
 
Meditation
God’s grace transforms the study of God’s word from duty to delight. God’s word renews our lives holistically, transforming our hearts, head, and habits of our body. God wants to revive you through His word.
 
Psalm 119 is a creative celebration of God’s word, an acrostic with each stanza beginning with a different letter from the Hebrew alphabet. Each stanza will holistically shape the one who seeks the Lord of the Word through meditating on His word.
 
Holistic transformation requires trusting God’s word with all our life. The body images used by the Psalmist make the point clear:
 
Hearts wholly seek the Lord (2), store God’s word (15), and praise God with uprightness (7).
Heads learn of God’s righteous rules (7) and meditate on God’s ways (15).
Eyes are fixed on God’s commands (6, 15, 18) and open to the wonderous things of God (18). Lips declare God’s rules (13).
Feet walk in God’s ways (3) and run in God’s commands (32).
 
The delight of studying God’s word (14, 16, 24) leads to a life that is blessed by God’s ways. We will walk in blamelessness (2), not being put to shame (6) because our path is a pure way (9). We will be compelled not to sin against God (11) and we will experience life that comes only from God (25).
 
To know the Scriptures is to know the Lord of the Scriptures and the transforming power of God’s Spirit (Matthew 22:23), who uses God’s word to give abundant life through holistic transformation.
 
Richly Dwelling
-Is studying and engaging God’s word a duty or delight for you? Why?
 
-How does God’s word transform your heart, head, and habits of your body?
 
-Where do you need to allow God’s word to shape you, experiencing His grace through trusting His revelation for abundant life?

Key Verse
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…