Weekly Sermon
This sermon is a companion to three previous sermons: In the Way of This Life - Psalm 119:1
In the Ways of Our Lord (Part 1) - Psalm 119:3
In The Ways of Our Lord (Part 2) - Psalm 119:3
Psalm 119:1-3 reads, “Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the LORD. Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, and that seek him with the whole heart. They also do no iniquity: they walk in his ways.”
In Psalm 119 we encounter the words “way” and “ways” eighteen times and the word “path” two times, indicating that the pathway of our lives is an important subject of this psalm. With the phrase “in the way,” Psalm 119:1 introduces us to the first category of truth concerning this subject matter – the way of this life. Thereby we learn that we all must travel along the pathway of this life, and that we all must deal with the matter of challenges, choices, and consequences in the way of this life.
With the phrase “in his way,” Psalm 119:3 introduces us to the second category of truth concerning our walk along the pathway of life – the way of our Lord. Even so, the intention of Psalm 119 is to exhort us and encourage us to choose this particular way, the way of our Lord, as the direction of our daily walk along each step of the way as we face life’s many different challenges. In addition, Psalm 119:1-3 reveals that the consequence for choosing the way of our Lord as the particular direction for our daily walk is that our Lord’s favor and blessing will be poured out upon our lives. So then, what is involved for us to follow the way of our Lord step by step in our daily walk? In the first two parts of this message, we considered the first four of the nine elements that are revealed in Psalm 119. They were the need for determination, the need for conviction, the need for passion, and the need for education. In this third part of the message, let us consider the next two of these elements.
This sermon is a companion to three previous sermons: In the Way of This Life - Psalm 119:1
In the Ways of Our Lord (Part 1) - Psalm 119:3
In The Ways of Our Lord (Part 2) - Psalm 119:3
Psalm 119:1-3 reads, “Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the LORD. Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, and that seek him with the whole heart. They also do no iniquity: they walk in his ways.”
In Psalm 119 we encounter the words “way” and “ways” eighteen times and the word “path” two times, indicating that the pathway of our lives is an important subject of this psalm. With the phrase “in the way,” Psalm 119:1 introduces us to the first category of truth concerning this subject matter – the way of this life. Thereby we learn that we all must travel along the pathway of this life, and that we all must deal with the matter of challenges, choices, and consequences in the way of this life.
With the phrase “in his way,” Psalm 119:3 introduces us to the second category of truth concerning our walk along the pathway of life – the way of our Lord. Even so, the intention of Psalm 119 is to exhort us and encourage us to choose this particular way, the way of our Lord, as the direction of our daily walk along each step of the way as we face life’s many different challenges. In addition, Psalm 119:1-3 reveals that the consequence for choosing the way of our Lord as the particular direction for our daily walk is that our Lord’s favor and blessing will be poured out upon our lives. So then, what is involved for us to follow the way of our Lord step by step in our daily walk? In the first two parts of this message, we considered the first four of the nine elements that are revealed in Psalm 119. They were the need for determination, the need for conviction, the need for passion, and the need for education. In this third part of the message, let us consider the next two of these elements.
The Need for Adoration
In Psalm 119:14 the psalmist declared, “I have rejoiced in the way of thy testimonies, as much as in all riches.” Indeed, the psalmist had developed a loving adoration for the Word and way of the Lord. Yea, this loving adoration for the Word and way of the Lord is a reoccurring theme by the psalmist throughout this psalm. Again in Psalm 119:16 he declared, “I will delight myself in thy statutes: I will not forget thy word.” Yet again in Psalm 119:20 he declared, “My soul breaketh for the longing that it hath unto thy judgments at all times.” And yet again in Psalm 119:24 he declared, “Thy testimonies also are my delight and my counsellors.” In Psalm 119:35 he prayed, “Make me to go in the path of thy commandments; for therein do I delight.” In Psalm 119:40 he proclaimed, “Behold, I have longed after thy precepts: quicken me in thy righteousness.” Again in Psalm 119:47-48 he proclaimed, “And I will delight myself in thy commandments, which I have loved. My hands also will I lift up unto thy commandments, which I have loved; and I will meditate in thy statutes.” Yet again in Psalm 119:62 he proclaimed, “At midnight I will rise to give thanks unto thee because of thy righteous judgments.” And yet again in Psalm 119:72 he proclaimed, “The law of thy mouth is better unto me than thousands of gold and silver.”
In Psalm 119:77 he prayed, “Let thy tender mercies come unto me, that I may live: for thy law is my delight.” In Psalm 119:97 he exclaimed, “O how love I thy law! It is my meditation all the day.” Again in Psalm 119:103 he exclaimed, “How sweet are thy words unto my taste! Yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth!” In Psalm 119:111 he stated, “Thy testimonies have I taken as an heritage for ever: for they are the rejoicing of my heart.” Again in Psalm 119:113 he stated, “I hate vain thoughts: but thy law do I love.” Yet again in Psalm 119:119 he stated, “Thou puttest away all the wicked of the earth like dross: therefore I love thy testimonies.” And yet again in Psalm 119:127 he stated, “Therefore I love thy commandments above gold; yea, above fine gold.” In Psalm 119:131 he declared, “I opened my mouth, and panted: for I longed for thy commandments.” In Psalm 119:140 he proclaimed, “Thy word is very pure: therefore thy servant loveth it.” In Psalm 119:143 he stated, “Trouble and anguish have taken hold on me: yet thy commandments are my delights.” In Psalm 119:161-165 he declared, “Princes have persecuted me without a cause: but my heart standeth in awe of thy word. I rejoice at thy word, as one that findeth great spoil. I hate and abhor lying: but thy law do I love. Seven times a day do I praise thee because of thy righteous judgments. Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them.” In Psalm 119:167 he proclaimed, “My soul hath kept thy testimonies; and I love them exceedingly.” Finally, in Psalm 119:175 he stated, “I have longed for thy salvation, O LORD; and thy law is my delight.”
Even so, we also must develop a loving adoration for the Word and way of our Lord. Indeed, we must make a determined choice to follow the Word and way of our Lord; and we must hold a deep conviction that His Word and way is always right. Indeed, we must maintain a passionate commitment to follow the Word and way of our Lord; and we must seek after the instruction and direction of our Lord in His right way. Yet we must go further in this matter; we must develop a loving adoration for the Word and way of our Lord. Now, for the psalmist the Lord’s way was the way of truth; and the way of truth was the way of the Lord’s Word. Therefore, we must not simply develop a loving adoration for the wisdom that our Lord’s Word teaches, but also for the way that our Lord’s Word reveals. We must not simply develop a loving adoration for the information of our Lord’s Word, but also for the instruction of our Lord’s Word. We must not simply develop a loving adoration for the doctrine of our Lord’s Word, but also for the direction of our Lord’s word. Our Lord’s Word is not only profitable to teach us the doctrine of truth, but also to reprove us and correct us of our sinful error, and to instruct us in the way of righteousness. Thus we must develop a longing desire, a joyful delight, and a loving adoration for the truth and teaching of God’s Word, for the counsels and commands of God’s Word, for the standards and statutes of God’s Word, for the principles and precepts of God’s Word, for the reproofs and rebukes of God’s Word, for the wisdom and warnings of God’s Word. Indeed, there is a need for loving adoration. Yet in order for this loving adoration for the Word and way of our Lord to be maintained, it must be inseparably joined with another element.
The Need for Meditation
In Psalm 119:15 the psalmist declared, “I will meditate in thy precepts, and have respect unto thy ways.” Immediately after expressing his loving adoration for the Word and way of the Lord, the psalmist declared his commitment to meditate continually in the Word of the Lord and thus show respect unto the way of the Lord. In fact, loving adoration for the Word and way of our Lord will naturally lead to continual meditation in the Word of our Lord. Furthermore, continual meditation in the Word of our Lord will maintain and enhance our loving adoration for the Word and way of our Lord. Even so, in this psalm the psalmist connects his loving adoration for and his continual meditation in God’s Word on a number of occasions. In Psalm 119:23-24 he declared, “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.” Herein we observe that the psalmist’s continual meditation supported his loving adoration. Again in Psalm 119:47-48 he proclaimed, “And I will delight myself in thy commandments, which I have loved. My hands also will I lift up unto thy commandments, which I have loved; and I will meditate in thy statutes.” Herein we observe that the psalmist’s loving adoration naturally led to his continual meditation. Yet again in Psalm 119:78-79 he prayed, “Let thy tender mercies come unto me, that I may live: for thy law is my delight. Let the proud be ashamed; for they dealt perversely with me without a cause: but I will meditate in thy precepts.” And yet again in Psalm 119:97 he exclaimed, “O how love I thy law! It is my meditation all the day.” Herein we observe the intimate and inseparable connection between loving adoration and continual meditation.
Indeed, meditating in our Lord’s Word means that we think upon the truths and teachings of His Word in order that we might acquire a deeper, more substantial understanding therein and a better, more specific application thereof. First, meditation in the truths and teachings of our Lord’s Word should be continual throughout every step of our daily walk. Even so, Psalm 1:2 speaks concerning the godly man, saying, “But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.” Furthermore, meditation in the truths and teachings our Lord’s Word should always be for the purpose of spiritual understanding and obedient application. Even so, Joshua 1:8 states, “This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, [Why?] that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.”
In Psalm 119:14 the psalmist declared, “I have rejoiced in the way of thy testimonies, as much as in all riches.” Indeed, the psalmist had developed a loving adoration for the Word and way of the Lord. Yea, this loving adoration for the Word and way of the Lord is a reoccurring theme by the psalmist throughout this psalm. Again in Psalm 119:16 he declared, “I will delight myself in thy statutes: I will not forget thy word.” Yet again in Psalm 119:20 he declared, “My soul breaketh for the longing that it hath unto thy judgments at all times.” And yet again in Psalm 119:24 he declared, “Thy testimonies also are my delight and my counsellors.” In Psalm 119:35 he prayed, “Make me to go in the path of thy commandments; for therein do I delight.” In Psalm 119:40 he proclaimed, “Behold, I have longed after thy precepts: quicken me in thy righteousness.” Again in Psalm 119:47-48 he proclaimed, “And I will delight myself in thy commandments, which I have loved. My hands also will I lift up unto thy commandments, which I have loved; and I will meditate in thy statutes.” Yet again in Psalm 119:62 he proclaimed, “At midnight I will rise to give thanks unto thee because of thy righteous judgments.” And yet again in Psalm 119:72 he proclaimed, “The law of thy mouth is better unto me than thousands of gold and silver.”
In Psalm 119:77 he prayed, “Let thy tender mercies come unto me, that I may live: for thy law is my delight.” In Psalm 119:97 he exclaimed, “O how love I thy law! It is my meditation all the day.” Again in Psalm 119:103 he exclaimed, “How sweet are thy words unto my taste! Yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth!” In Psalm 119:111 he stated, “Thy testimonies have I taken as an heritage for ever: for they are the rejoicing of my heart.” Again in Psalm 119:113 he stated, “I hate vain thoughts: but thy law do I love.” Yet again in Psalm 119:119 he stated, “Thou puttest away all the wicked of the earth like dross: therefore I love thy testimonies.” And yet again in Psalm 119:127 he stated, “Therefore I love thy commandments above gold; yea, above fine gold.” In Psalm 119:131 he declared, “I opened my mouth, and panted: for I longed for thy commandments.” In Psalm 119:140 he proclaimed, “Thy word is very pure: therefore thy servant loveth it.” In Psalm 119:143 he stated, “Trouble and anguish have taken hold on me: yet thy commandments are my delights.” In Psalm 119:161-165 he declared, “Princes have persecuted me without a cause: but my heart standeth in awe of thy word. I rejoice at thy word, as one that findeth great spoil. I hate and abhor lying: but thy law do I love. Seven times a day do I praise thee because of thy righteous judgments. Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them.” In Psalm 119:167 he proclaimed, “My soul hath kept thy testimonies; and I love them exceedingly.” Finally, in Psalm 119:175 he stated, “I have longed for thy salvation, O LORD; and thy law is my delight.”
Even so, we also must develop a loving adoration for the Word and way of our Lord. Indeed, we must make a determined choice to follow the Word and way of our Lord; and we must hold a deep conviction that His Word and way is always right. Indeed, we must maintain a passionate commitment to follow the Word and way of our Lord; and we must seek after the instruction and direction of our Lord in His right way. Yet we must go further in this matter; we must develop a loving adoration for the Word and way of our Lord. Now, for the psalmist the Lord’s way was the way of truth; and the way of truth was the way of the Lord’s Word. Therefore, we must not simply develop a loving adoration for the wisdom that our Lord’s Word teaches, but also for the way that our Lord’s Word reveals. We must not simply develop a loving adoration for the information of our Lord’s Word, but also for the instruction of our Lord’s Word. We must not simply develop a loving adoration for the doctrine of our Lord’s Word, but also for the direction of our Lord’s word. Our Lord’s Word is not only profitable to teach us the doctrine of truth, but also to reprove us and correct us of our sinful error, and to instruct us in the way of righteousness. Thus we must develop a longing desire, a joyful delight, and a loving adoration for the truth and teaching of God’s Word, for the counsels and commands of God’s Word, for the standards and statutes of God’s Word, for the principles and precepts of God’s Word, for the reproofs and rebukes of God’s Word, for the wisdom and warnings of God’s Word. Indeed, there is a need for loving adoration. Yet in order for this loving adoration for the Word and way of our Lord to be maintained, it must be inseparably joined with another element.
The Need for Meditation
In Psalm 119:15 the psalmist declared, “I will meditate in thy precepts, and have respect unto thy ways.” Immediately after expressing his loving adoration for the Word and way of the Lord, the psalmist declared his commitment to meditate continually in the Word of the Lord and thus show respect unto the way of the Lord. In fact, loving adoration for the Word and way of our Lord will naturally lead to continual meditation in the Word of our Lord. Furthermore, continual meditation in the Word of our Lord will maintain and enhance our loving adoration for the Word and way of our Lord. Even so, in this psalm the psalmist connects his loving adoration for and his continual meditation in God’s Word on a number of occasions. In Psalm 119:23-24 he declared, “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.” Herein we observe that the psalmist’s continual meditation supported his loving adoration. Again in Psalm 119:47-48 he proclaimed, “And I will delight myself in thy commandments, which I have loved. My hands also will I lift up unto thy commandments, which I have loved; and I will meditate in thy statutes.” Herein we observe that the psalmist’s loving adoration naturally led to his continual meditation. Yet again in Psalm 119:78-79 he prayed, “Let thy tender mercies come unto me, that I may live: for thy law is my delight. Let the proud be ashamed; for they dealt perversely with me without a cause: but I will meditate in thy precepts.” And yet again in Psalm 119:97 he exclaimed, “O how love I thy law! It is my meditation all the day.” Herein we observe the intimate and inseparable connection between loving adoration and continual meditation.
Indeed, meditating in our Lord’s Word means that we think upon the truths and teachings of His Word in order that we might acquire a deeper, more substantial understanding therein and a better, more specific application thereof. First, meditation in the truths and teachings of our Lord’s Word should be continual throughout every step of our daily walk. Even so, Psalm 1:2 speaks concerning the godly man, saying, “But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.” Furthermore, meditation in the truths and teachings our Lord’s Word should always be for the purpose of spiritual understanding and obedient application. Even so, Joshua 1:8 states, “This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, [Why?] that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.”
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