Outlines in Psalms

 I.   The Troubled Life

      A.  Attacked by a fierce enemy.
           Verse 3a – “For the enemy hath persecuted my soul; he hath smitten my life down to the ground.”

      B.  Dwelling in dark circumstances.
           Verse 3b – “He hath made me to dwell in darkness, as those that have been long dead.”

      C.  Troubled in the inner man.
           Verse 4 – “Therefore is my spirit overwhelmed within me; my heart within me is desolate.”
           Verse 7a – “Hear me speedily, O LORD: my spirit faileth.”

           1.  Overwhelmed in heart and spirit
           2.  Desolate in heart and spirit
           3.  Failing in heart and spirit

II.  The Right Response

Outlines in Psalms

This outline is a companion to three previous outlines:
                                   O Lord, Thou Hast Searched Me, and Known Me - Psalm 139   
                                   Such Knowledge Is Too Wonderful for Me - Psalm 139:1-6     
                                   Whither Shall I Flee from Thy Presence - Psalm 139:7-12     

1.  The Lord our God sovereignly possessed me from my conception.

Psalm 139:13 – “For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother’s womb.”

2.  The Lord our God wonderfully created me for His glory.

Psalm 139:14 – “I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.”

3.  The Lord our God completely knew my substance from my beginning.

Psalm 139:15-16a – “My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.  Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect.”

4.  The Lord our God personally predetermined all of my personal characteristics.

Psalm 139:16b – “And in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them.”

5.  The Lord our God abundantly cares for me throughout my daily walk.

Psalm 139:17-18a – “How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God!  How great is the sum of them!  If I should count them, they are more in number than the sand.”

6.  The Lord our God continually remains present with me (as one of His own).

Psalm 139:18b – “When I awake, I am still with thee.”

Posted in Outlines in Psalms, Sovereignty of the Lord, The Creator God, Knowledge of the Lord, Lovingkindness of the Lord

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Weekly Sermon

In Psalm 119:25 the psalmist, this young servant of the Lord, expressed his condition and his request unto the Lord in prayer, saying, “My soul cleaveth unto the dust: quicken thou me according to thy word.”

The request of the psalmist was presented in three words – “Quicken thou me.”  In fact, the psalmist lifted up this request unto the Lord nine times in this psalm (Psalm 119:25, 37, 40, 88, 107, 149, 154, 156, 159).  Herein the word “quicken” means “to be made alive; to be enlivened; to be revived.”  Thus the psalmist was praying that the Lord might make him alive, that the Lord might enliven him, that the Lord might revive him again.  Yet in what way did the psalmist need to be made alive?  In what way did he need such enlivening and such reviving?  Certainly in order to make this request, the psalmist was physically alive; and there is no indication that he was on his deathbed, preparing to die. 

On the other hand, the psalmist was in circumstances of great distress and affliction.  Mentally and emotionally, he was in a condition of great distress and discouragement.  In the opening portion of Psalm 119:25, he proclaimed, “My soul [that is – his inner man] cleaveth unto the dust.”  Again in Psalm 119:107-110 he proclaimed, “I am afflicted very much: quicken me, O LORD, according unto thy word.  Accept, I beseech thee, the freewill offerings of my mouth, O LORD, and teach me thy judgments.  My soul is continually in my hand: yet do I not forget thy law.  The wicked have laid a snare for me: yet I erred not from thy precepts.”  Circumstantially, the psalmist was suffering the affliction of reproach and persecution from the wicked.  In Psalm 119:29-40 he expressed his request, saying, “Turn away my reproach which I fear: for thy judgments are good.  Behold, I have longed after thy precepts: quicken me in thy righteousness.”  Again in Psalm 119:81-88 he expressed his burden, saying, “My soul fainteth for thy salvation: but I hope in thy word.  Mine eyes fail for thy word, saying, When wilt thou comfort me?  For I am become like a bottle in the smoke; yet do I not forget thy statutes.  How many are the days of thy servant?  When wilt thou execute judgment on them that persecute me?  The proud have digged pits for me, which are not after thy law.  All thy commandments are faithful: they persecute me wrongfully; help thou me.  They had almost consumed me upon earth; but I forsook not thy precepts.  Quicken me after thy lovingkindness; so shall I keep the testimony of thy mouth.”  Yet again in Psalm 119:153-157 he expressed his burden and request, saying, “Consider mine affliction, and deliver me: for I do not forget thy law.  Plead my cause, and deliver me: quicken me according to thy word.  Salvation is far from the wicked: for they seek not thy statutes.  Great are thy tender mercies, O LORD: quicken me according to thy judgments.  Many are my persecutors and mine enemies; yet do I not decline from thy testimonies.” 

However, this servant of the Lord did not make his request to be quickened, to be enlivened, to be revived, simply concerning his mental and emotional need.  Rather, he made his request concerning his deeper, spiritual need.  In Psalm 119:36-37 he expressed his request, saying, “Incline my heart unto thy testimonies, and not to covetousness. Turn away mine eyes from beholding vanity; and quicken thou me in thy way.”  The psalmist, this young servant of the Lord, understood that spiritual revival was necessary for mental and emotional enlivening.  He understood that the spiritual reviving of his heart would enter him into the blessed fellowship of the Lord wherein he would experience the wonderful peace of God (Isaiah 57:15, 18-19).  Furthermore, he understood that experiencing the wonderful peace of God in his inner man would be the very means by which his mental and emotional condition might be enlivened and guarded.  Even so, Philippians 4:7 declares, “And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”

So then, as we consider the psalmist’s request throughout this psalm for spiritual reviving and for mental and emotional enlivening thereby, we shall encounter the Source of this reviving, the foundation for this reviving, the means of this reviving, and the purpose for this reviving.

Outlines in Psalms

Psalm 19:14 – “Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.”

1.  The Priority for Life

“Let . . . be acceptable . . . .”

2.  The Pursuit after Righteousness

“Let the words of my mouth . . . .”

3.  The Penetration (Depth) of Submission

“. . . And the meditation of my heart . . . .”

4.  The Principle of Success

“. . . Acceptable in thy sight, O LORD . . . .”

5.  The Power for Victory

“. . . O LORD, my strength . . . .”

6.  The Provision for Failure

“. . . And my redeemer.”

Posted in Outlines in Psalms, Walk in Righteousness, Serving the Lord

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Weekly Sermon

Psalm 119:25-29 reads, “My soul cleaveth unto the dust: quicken thou me according to thy word.  I have declared my ways, and thou heardest me: teach me thy statutes.  Make me to understand the way of thy precepts: so shall I talk of thy wondrous works.  My soul melteth for heaviness: strengthen thou me according unto thy word.  Remove from me the way of lying: and grant me thy law graciously.”

In Psalm 119:25-29 the psalmist, this young servant of the Lord, presented a series of requests unto the Lord.  Then in Psalm 119:30-32 he presented a series of commitments unto the Lord.  However, it is important that we understand the circumstances and context out of which the psalmist expressed these requests and commitments.  Even so, the psalmist cried out in the opening line of Psalm 119:25, “My soul cleaveth unto the dust.”  Again in the opening line of Psalm 119:28, he cried out, “My soul melteth for heaviness.”  The psalmist, this young servant of the Lord, was suffering under a great trial of affliction.  Yea, he was suffering so much that his soul, his inner man, was pressed down unto the lowest point, to the very level of the dust.  Yea, he was suffering so much that his soul, his inner man, was melting away with grief and sorrow, possessing no strength to go forward.  In like manner, we ourselves may also suffer under such a great trial of affliction.  That great trial of affliction may come through opposition and oppression, through trouble and tribulation, or through discouragement and depression.  At such times we may also find our inner man pressed down to such a low and weak condition, to such a condition of hopelessness and helplessness.  At such times, what can we do?  At such times, we should follow the psalmist’s example by looking up unto our Lord in prayer.  So then, for what did the psalmist, this young servant of the Lord, pray in his time of hopelessness and helplessness; and for what should we pray in our times of such hopelessness and helplessness?

Weekly Sermon

In Psalm 119:22-23 the psalmist, this faithful servant of the Lord, stated, “Remove from me reproach and contempt; for I have kept thy testimonies.  Princes also did sit and speak against me: but thy servant did meditate in thy statutes.”

As a whole, the theme of Psalm 119 is – The desire of the Lord’s suffering servant to seek the Lord through His holy Word.  In Psalm 119:22-23 the psalmist speaks for the first time concerning the affliction and reproach under which he was suffering.  Indeed, he was suffering reproach and contempt.  He was being slandered.  Many were speaking against him.  Yet the psalmist, as a faithful servant of the Lord, also presented his response unto that affliction and reproach.  In the closing portion of Psalm 119:23, he declared, “But thy servant did meditate in thy statutes.”  Even so, with a study throughout Psalm 119, we may learn how a faithful servant of the Lord responds in the face of affliction and reproach.

Weekly Sermon

Psalm 119:23-24 reads, “Princes also did sit and speak against me: but thy servant did meditate in thy statutes.  Thy testimonies also are my delight and my counsellors.”

In Psalm 119:17-24 the psalmist referred to himself as a servant of the Lord twice.  In Psalm 119:17 he prayed unto the Lord, saying, “Deal bountifully with thy servant, that I may live, and keep thy word.”  Again in Psalm 119:23 he expressed his commitment unto the Lord, saying, “Princes also did sit and speak against me: but thy servant did meditate in thy statutes.”  Indeed, the psalmist presented himself as a faithful servant of the Lord who had committed himself to walk in a right relationship with God’s Word.  Furthermore, the psalmist presented himself as a faithful servant of the Lord in contrast to the proud of this world, who walked in disobedience to God’s Word.  In Psalm 119:21-22 he revealed this contrast, saying, “Thou hast rebuked the proud that are cursed, which do err from thy commandments.  Remove from me reproach and contempt; for I have kept thy testimonies.”  Finally, the psalmist presented himself as a faithful servant of the Lord who was suffering reproach and was responding aright to that reproach.  In Psalm 119:23 he indicated this response, saying, “Princes also did sit and speak against me: but thy servant did meditate in thy statutes.”  Even so, throughout this passage this faithful servant of the Lord revealed four ingredients whereby we also might walk as faithful servants of the Lord.  

 Weekly Sermon

Psalm 119:21-23 reads, “Thou hast rebuked the proud that are cursed, which do err from thy commandments.  Remove from me reproach and contempt; for I have kept thy testimonies.  Princes also did sit and speak against me: but thy servant did meditate in thy statutes.”

As we consider the message of these three verses, a contrast is revealed to us.  In this passage we find a contrast revealed between the proud of this world and the servant of the Lord.  Psalm 119:21 speaks concerning the proud of this world, saying, “Thou hast rebuked the proud that are cursed, which do err from thy commandments.”  Whereas, the closing portion of Psalm 119:23 speaks concerning the servant of the Lord, saying, “But thy servant did meditate in thy statutes.”  First, this contrast can be seen in the definition of their character.  On the one had is the category of the proud ones; on the other hand is the category of the Lord’s servants.  Clearly there is contrast between pride and servanthood.  Second, this contrast can be seen in their relationship to God’s Word.  The closing portion of Psalm 119:21 speaks concerning the proud of this world, saying, “Which do err from thy commandments.”  Whereas, the closing portion of Psalm 119:22 speaks concerning the servant of the Lord, saying, “For I have kept thy testimonies;” and the closing portion of verse 23 adds, “But thy servant did meditate in thy statutes.”  The proud of this world err from and rebel against God’s Word; whereas, the servant of the Lord keeps and meditates in God’s Word.  Third, this contrast can be seen in their position in this world.  The opening portion of Psalm 119:23 describes the proud of this world as princes.  Whereas, the opening portion of Psalm 119:22 indicates that the servant of the Lord was under “reproach and contempt.”  So then, the proud ones are often in the position of success; whereas, the Lord’s servants are often in a position of contempt.

Yet in this passage, not only is a contrast revealed, but also a conflict is indicated.  The opening portion of Psalm 119:23 indicates that the proud of this world, who are in positions of success, are the very ones who speak against the servants of the Lord, the very ones who pour out reproach and contempt upon the servants of the Lord.  So then, there is not simply a contrast between these two categories, but also a conflict between them.  However, in this passage there is also a comfort provided unto the servants of the Lord.  Although at the present time the servants of the Lord may be in a position of reproach and contempt, spoken against by the proud of this world, yet the servants of the Lord are also in a position to call out in prayer unto the Lord for deliverance.  In Psalm 119:22 the psalmist, this servant of the Lord, did just that, praying, “Remove from me reproach and contempt; for I have kept thy testimonies.”  In addition, while in the midst of reproach and contempt from the proud of this world, the servants of the Lord also possess the comforting assurance that the Lord will eventually judge the proud and will deliver His servants thereby.  Even so, in the opening portion of Psalm 119:21, the psalmist, this servant of the Lord, expressed his assurance, saying, “Thou hast rebuked the proud that are cursed.”

So then, for the remainder of this message, let us focus our attention upon what this passage says about the proud of this world.  In Psalm 119:21-23 we encounter the character of the proud, the conduct of the proud, the contempt of the proud, and the curse of the proud.

Outlines in Psalms

This outline is a companion to two previous outlines:
                                   O Lord, Thou Hast Searched Me, and Known Me - Psalm 139   
                                   Such Knowledge Is Too Wonderful for Me - Psalm 139:1-6     

1.  The Lord our God is ever present wherever we go.
     Thus we can know His fellowship at all times.

Psalm 139:7-8 – “Whither shall I go from thy spirit?  Or whither shall I flee from thy presence?  If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there.”

2.  The Lord our God is ever directing in our lives.
     Thus we can trust His upholding for each day.

Psalm 139:9-10 – “If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea; even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me.”

3.  The Lord our God is ever observing what we do.
     Thus we cannot hide our sinful behavior from Him.

Psalm 139:11-12 – “If I say, Surely the darkness shall cover me; even the night shall be light about me.  Yea, the darkness hideth not from thee; but the night shineth as the day: the darkness and the light are both alike to thee.”

Posted in Outlines in Psalms, Greatness of the Lord, Lovingkindness of the Lord, Knowledge of the Lord

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Weekly Sermon

Psalm 119:18-20 reads, “Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law.  I am a stranger in the earth: hide not thy commandments from me.  My soul breaketh for the longing that it hath unto thy judgments at all times.”

Through these three verses, the psalmist, this young man of God, this faithful servant of the Lord, expressed the burden of his heart for the Lord’s guidance in his life.  Even so, in these three verses we find nine characteristics concerning the burden of the Lord’s servant for the Lord’s guidance.  Thus if we would also walk as faithful servants of our Lord, we must also maintain a burden for our Lord’s guidance in our lives.  Yea, we must also maintain these same characteristics in our burden for our Lord’s guidance.

Outlines in Psalms

This outline is a companion to a previous outline:  O Lord, Thou Hast Searched Me, and Known Me - Psalm 139   

Psalm 139:1 – “O LORD, thou hast searched me, and known me.”

1.  The Lord our God knows all our conduct (behavior).

Psalm 139:2a – “Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising.”

2.  The Lord our God knows (and even understands) all our considerations (thoughts).

Psalm 139:2b – “Thou understandest my thought afar off.”

3.  The Lord our God knows all our character (motivations, priorities, and direction).

Psalm 139:3 – “Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways.”

4.  The Lord our God knows all our communications (words).  

Psalm 139:4 – “For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O LORD, thou knowest it altogether.”

5.  The Lord our God knows all our condition (circumstances, choices, and consequences).

Psalm 139:5 – “Thou hast beset me behind and before, and laid thine hand upon me.”

6.  The Lord our God knows us completely (infinitely better than we know oursleves).

Psalm 139:6 – “Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain unto it.”

Posted in Outlines in Psalms, Knowledge of the Lord

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Weekly Sermon

Psalm 119:17-24 reads, “Deal bountifully with thy servant, that I may live, and keep thy word.  Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law.  I am a stranger in the earth: hide not thy commandments from me.  My soul breaketh for the longing that it hath unto thy judgments at all times.  Thou hast rebuked the proud that are cursed, which do err from thy commandments.  Remove from me reproach and contempt; for I have kept thy testimonies.  Princes also did sit and speak against me: but thy servant did meditate in thy statutes.  Thy testimonies also are my delight and my counsellors.”

The theme of Psalm 119 as a whole is – The desire of the Lord’s suffering servant to seek the Lord through His holy Word.  In verse 17 this servant of the Lord sought the Lord in prayer, saying, “Deal bountifully with thy servant, that I may live, and keep thy word.”  Herein the psalmist, this servant of the Lord, expressed his desire to walk aright with the Lord his God – to live a godly life of obedience unto God’s Word.  Yet herein the psalmist, this servant of the Lord, also expressed his understanding of his need for the Lord to help him so that he might walk aright – to deal bountifully with him so that he might live a godly life.  Even so, we also should maintain a desire to walk aright with our Lord; and we should make request daily that our Lord might help us to walk aright.  In Psalm 119:17 we find four ingredients to this request by the Lord’s servant.

Weekly Sermon

In Psalm 139:23-24 the man of God David prayed, “Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: and see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.”

In these two verses, the man of God David expressed a three-fold request unto the Lord.  First, he prayed that the Lord might search and try the character of his inner man.  Second, he prayed that the Lord might reveal any wicked characteristics that might be in his inner man.  Third, he prayed that the Lord might lead him in the way of “righteousness and true holiness.”  Even so, with these requests David was coming before the Lord in order that they together might look back concerning what he had been and where he was at the present and might look forward concerning what he ought to be and how to progress forward.  Furthermore, in these requests is implied David’s genuine burden, desire, and purpose to respond aright concerning each of the areas for which he prayed.  So then, in like manner we also ought to examine ourselves concerning what and where we are and to consecrate ourselves unto what and how we ought to grow.

Now, David’s three-fold request unto the Lord in Psalm 139:23-24 serves as the conclusion for this Psalm.  As such, these requests are founded upon the truths that were presented earlier in the Psalm.  In Psalm 139:1-6 David recognized the truth that the Lord our God does completely know us, saying, “O LORD, thou hast searched me, and known me.  Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off.  Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways.  For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O LORD, thou knowest it altogether.  Thou hast beset me behind and before, and laid thine hand upon me.  Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain unto it.”  Even so, he founded his request for the Lord to search and try the character of his inner man upon this truth. 

In Psalm 139:7-12 David recognized the truth that the Lord our God is continually present with us, saying, “Whither shall I go from thy spirit?  Or whither shall I flee from thy presence?  If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there.  If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea; even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me.  If I say, Surely the darkness shall cover me; even the night shall be light about me.  Yea, the darkness hideth not from thee; but the night shineth as the day: the darkness and the light are both alike to thee.”  Even so, he founded his request for the Lord to reveal any wicked characteristics that might be in him upon this truth.

In Psalm 139:13-18 David recognized the truth that the Lord our God has wonderfully created us and does abundantly care for us, saying, “For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother’s womb.  I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.  My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.  Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them.  How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God!  How great is the sum of them!  If I should count them, they are more in number than the sand: when I awake, I am still with thee.”  Even so, he founded his request for the Lord to lead him in the way of righteousness upon this truth.

So then, what burden, desire, and purpose of heart do we need in order to pursue growth and transformation in our spiritual character?

Weekly Sermon

Psalm 119:12 reads, “Blessed art thou, O LORD: teach me thy statutes.”

Throughout Psalm 119 we encounter four primary themes.  First, we encounter the theme concerning God’s Word as the perfect guide for life.  Second, we encounter the theme concerning God’s servant in his right relationship with God’s Word.  Third, we encounter the theme concerning God’s servant in his desire to walk with the Lord through God’s truth.  Finally, we encounter the theme concerning God’s servant in his suffering for the Lord’s sake.  Thus the theme of Psalm 119 as a whole might be viewed as – The desire of the Lord’s suffering servant to seek the Lord through His Holy Word.

Yet why did the Lord’s suffering servant have such a driving desire to seek the Lord through His Word?  Why did he exclaim in verse 5, “O that my ways were directed to keep thy statutes!”  Why did he make searching request in the opening portion of verse 9, “Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way?”  Why did he express the burden of his heart in the opening portion of verse 10, saying, “With my whole heart have I sought thee”?  The answer is to be found in the opening portion of verse 12, wherein this young servant of the Lord proclaimed, “Blessed art thou, O LORD.”  This young servant of the Lord was motivated to seek the Lord with all his heart through God’s Word because he was convinced with full assurance of faith that the Lord was abundantly worthy of his love, trust, submission, and service.  

In fact, throughout this psalm the psalmist gives notice to seven characteristics by which he was convinced that the Lord was so abundantly worthy, and by which he was moved to proclaim, “Blessed art thou, O LORD.”

Weekly Sermon

Psalm 119:9-16 reads, “Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way?  By taking heed thereto according to thy word.  With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments.  Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.  Blessed art thou, O LORD: teach me thy statutes.  With my lips have I declared all the judgments of thy mouth.  I have rejoiced in the way of thy testimonies, as much as in all riches.  I will meditate in thy precepts, and have respect unto thy ways.  I will delight myself in thy statutes: I will not forget thy word.”

Through the grammatical constructions of Psalm 119:9-16, we may note five elements of truth in these eight verses.  The first element that we note in this passage is the concern of God’s man.  In the opening portion of verse 9, the psalmist, this young man of God, expressed his spiritual concern and burden through the grammatical form of a searching question – “Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way?” 

The second element that we note in this passage is the responsibility of God’s man.   In the closing portion of verse 9, this responsibility was delivered through the grammatical form of an instructional answer – “By taking heed thereto according to thy [God’s] word.” 

The third element that we note in this passage is the praise of God’s man.  At the center of these eight verses, in the opening portion of verse 12, the psalmist, this young man of God, revealed the spiritual assurance and faith of his heart through the grammatical form of an exclamatory praise – “Blessed art thou, O LORD.” 

The fourth element that we note in this passage is the request of God’s man.  In these eight verses, the psalmist, this young man of God, lifts up two requests unto the Lord through the grammatical form of a heart-felt prayer.  In the closing portion of verse 10, this young man of God lifted up his first request unto the Lord – “O let me not wander from thy commandments.”  Then in the closing portion of verse 12, this young man of God lifted up his second request unto the Lord – “Teach me thy statutes.” 

The fifth and final element that we note in this passage is the commitment of God’s man.  Actually, this matter of commitment encompasses the majority of these eight verses, including the opening portion of verse 10, all of verse 11, and all of verses 13-16.  In these verses, the psalmist, this young man of God, presented his fervent and faithful commitment through the grammatical form of a personal declaration.  In verses 10-11 he declared, “With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments.  Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.”  Then in verses 13-16 he declared, “With my lips have I declared all the judgments of thy mouth.  I have rejoiced in the way of thy testimonies, as much as in all riches.  I will meditate in thy precepts, and have respect unto thy ways.  I will delight myself in thy statutes: I will not forget thy word.”

In this message let us focus our attention upon the fourth element of the passage – the request of God’s man; and let us consider the two-fold request that this young man of God lifted up unto the Lord.  Yea, let us consider these two requests with the recognition that we ourselves also ought to lift them up from our hearts unto the Lord each and every day.