The Psalm 119 Experience

Sometimes, we pray for breakthroughs, for the waters to part and the path through to appear, just like the Israelites did as they stood at the edge of the Red Sea. Other times, though, we pray modest prayers, asking God to sustain us. When we ask God to sustain us, we are asking Him to give us what we need to continue. Faced with the realization that we lack what is demanded, we ask God to provide what is essential. The writer of Psalm 119 included this idea in one of the 22 prayers he wrote. Armed with confidence in God through God's Word, the writer cried out, "Sustain me as You promised, and I will live." One of the reasons I love this section of Psalm 119 so much is that I often pray sustaining prayers, asking God to grant me what I need to continue. What about you? Are you facing the unthinking and feeling the unbearable? Some may suggest that you pray for a miracle. If you can, do. But if you falter as I sometimes do, I encourage you to ask God to sustain you . . . for a minute, for an hour, for one more day. The Apostle Paul knew the reality of God's sustaining power and spoke of it as he said, "And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in Christ Jesus." That is a sustaining truth that empowers us to prayer sustaining prayers.     To listen to the song I wrote to help remember the words to this portion of Psalm 119, click here then look for the audio player button below the photo at the top of the post.   113 I hate the double-minded, but I love Your instruction. 114 You are my shelter and my shield; I put my hope in Your word. 115 Depart from me, you evil ones, so that I may obey my God's commands. 116 Sustain me as You promised, and I will live; do not let me be ashamed of my hope. 117 Sustain me so that I can be safe and be concerned with Your statutes continually. 118 You reject all who stray from Your statutes, for their deceit is a lie. 119 You remove all the wicked on earth as if they were dross; therefore, I love Your decrees. 120 I tremble in awe of You; I fear Your judgments. Psalms 119:113-120 (HCSB) Sustain Me Psalms 119:113-120 Verse 1 I hate the double-minded, but I love Your instruction. You're my shelter and my shield. I put my hope, put my hope in your word. Depart from me, you evil ones, so that I may obey my God's commands. Chorus Sustain me as You promised, sustain me and I will live. Don't let me be ashamed of my hope. Sustain me so that I can be safe. And be concerned with Your statutes continually. Sustain me. Verse 2 You reject all who stray from Your statutes, for their deceit, their deceit is a lie. You remove all the wicked on earth, The wicked as if they were dross; therefore, I love Your decrees. Repeat Chorus Bridge I tremble, tremble in awe of you. I fear your judgments and I tremble, tremble in awe of you. Repeat Chorus and Close Sustain me as You promised, sustain me and I will live. Don't let me be ashamed of my hope. Sustain me so that I can be safe. And be concerned with Your statutes continually. Sustain me. Sustain me. Sustain me.

The writer of Psalm 119 declared that God's word was a lamp for his feet and a light for his path. What a comforting thought. In the darkness of life, we have a light to alert us to the things immediately in front of us and a lamp to identify what waits further down the path. Seeing things ahead of us does not mean we can always avoid them. But even as we step into affliction and pain, God provides more light. We can stand in the moment of darkness yet see through it to the other side. One of the things I appreciate most about the writer of Psalm 119 is his realism. He lived with great faith and exuded confidence in God's word. But he never drew back from praying about the challenges he faced and asking God to change his circumstances. In fact, while most people associate Psalm 119 as a portion of scripture focused on the value of God's word, Psalm 119 actually highlights the power of God's word to help us navigate whatever comes in life  . . . the good and the bad, especially the bad. In this, the 14th of 22 sections in this 176-verse psalm, the writer describes God's word as his heritage. While few would walk away from a financial heritage, most of us never face that decision. We can, however, have an infinitely valuable heritage as we embrace God's word and base our lives through obedience on God's truth. Life often feels dark. Thankfully, we have God's word as our constant source of light. I hope you enjoy this song that I wrote, the 14th in the Psalm 119 Experience Music. My goal was to create songs that would help me remember all the words in all 22 sections of this incredible psalm. One of the best ways to make sure you always have God's lamb with you when you need it is to memorize God's word and hide it in your heart. In this podcast, I share some of the insights I gained through this section of Psalm 119 and let you listen to each of the key parts of the song I wrote. I hope you enjoy it. If you don't see the audio player button, click here. You'll be directed to another page. There you will find the audio player button immediately below the photo for this post.   105 Your word is a lamp for my feet and a light on my path. 106 I have solemnly sworn to keep Your righteous judgments. 107 I am severely afflicted; Lord, give me life through Your word. 108 Lord, please accept my willing offerings of praise, and teach me Your judgments. 109 My life is constantly in danger, yet I do not forget Your instruction. 110 The wicked have set a trap for me, but I have not wandered from Your precepts. 111 I have Your decrees as a heritage forever; indeed, they are the joy of my heart. 112 I am resolved to obey Your statutes to the very end. Psalms 119:105-112 (HCSB)   Your Decrees As a Heritage Psalms 119:105-112 Verse 1 Your word is a lamp for my feet and a light on my path. I have solemnly sworn to keep Your righteous judgments. I am severely afflicted; Lord, give me life through Your word. Chorus I have Your decrees as a heritage, a heritage forever. Indeed, they are the joy of my heart. I am resolved to obey Your statutes to the very end. I have Your decrees as a heritage, a heritage forever. Verse 2 Lord, please accept my willing offerings of praise, and teach me, teach me Your judgments. My life's in constant danger yet I don't forget Your instruction. Repeat Chorus Bridge The wicked have set a trap for me, but I have not wandered from, wandered from Your precepts. Final Chorus and Close I have Your decrees as a heritage, a heritage forever. Indeed,

Our sense of taste is powerful. Sometimes, we say about a particular drink of food, "It was an acquired taste." Think coffee. Most people do not like the taste initially. Yet over time, they enjoy the taste, the smell, and everything about the experience of drinking coffee. Some tastes require no acquisition. From the first time the food or liquid touches our tongues, we love the taste. Picture the expression of a small child tasting something sweet for the first time. Eyes light up and mouths open wide hoping for more. The writer of Psalm 119 described God's Word as "sweet." Perhaps that was not his initial impression. Perhaps he acquired this taste over time. But by the time he wrote this psalm, he was hooked. He loved everything about the experience with God's Word. To him, God's Word was sweet -- sweeter than honey. Our challenge as Jesus' disciples is to bring God's Word into our minds, hearts, and souls. Whether we enjoy the Bible from our first encounter or work to acquire a taste it, there is nothing more important we can do in our spiritual lives. This section of Psalm 119 provides compelling insights into the experience we can have with God through His Word, something to which we can aspire and for which we can give thanks. Oh, God, make Your Word sweeter than honey in our mouths. To listen to this podcast, click here then look for the small audio player button under the photo.    97 How I love Your teaching! It is my meditation all day long. 98 Your command makes me wiser than my enemies, for it is always with me. 99 I have more insight than all my teachers because Your decrees are my meditation. 100 I understand more than the elders because I obey Your precepts. 101 I have kept my feet from every evil path to follow Your word. 102 I have not turned from Your judgments, for You Yourself have instructed me. 103 How sweet Your word is to my taste— sweeter than honey to my mouth. 104 I gain understanding from Your precepts; therefore I hate every false way. Psalms 119:97-104 (HCSB)   How Sweet Your Word Psalms 119:97-104 Verse 1 How I love Your teaching! It's my meditation. My meditation all day long. Your command makes me wiser, wiser than my enemies for it's always with me; it's with me. Chorus How sweet Your word. Sweeter than honey to my taste; sweeter than honey to my mouth. I gain understanding from Your precepts; therefore I hate every false way. How sweet Your word; sweeter than honey to my mouth. Verse 2 I have more insight than all my teachers ‘cause Your decrees are my meditation. I understand more than the elders ‘cause I obey Your precepts. Repeat Chorus Bridge I have kept my feet from every evil path to follow your word, follow Your word. I have not turned from Your judgments for You; You, Yourself have instructed me. Repeat Verse 1 Repeat Chorus and Close How sweet Your word. Sweeter than honey to my taste; sweeter than honey to my mouth. I gain understanding from Your precepts; therefore I hate every false way. How sweet Your word; sweeter than honey, sweeter than honey to my mouth.

In a changing world, we long for something that does not change. The writer of Psalm 119 affirmed that he found the unchanging in God's Word because God's Word told him about an unchanging God. In spite of wicked people intent on harming him, the psalmist discovered a way to empower his soul and disempower his adversaries. By focusing on God's Word, he discovered a solid place to stand. Here he found life and so can we. To listen to this podcast and to hear the song that I wrote to remember the verses from this section of Psalm 119, click here and then look for the audio player button below the picture.     89 Lord, Your word is forever; it is firmly fixed in heaven. 90 Your faithfulness is for all generations; You established the earth, and it stands firm. 91 They stand today in accordance with Your judgments, for all things are Your servants. 92 If Your instruction had not been my delight, I would have died in my affliction. 93 I will never forget Your precepts, for You have given me life through them. 94 I am Yours; save me, for I have sought Your precepts. 95 The wicked hope to destroy me, but I contemplate Your decrees. 96 I have seen a limit to all perfection, but Your command is without limit. Psalms 119:89-96 (HCSB)     Lord, Your Word is Forever Psalms 119:89-96 Chorus Lord, Your word is forever. It's firmly fixed in heaven. Your faithfulness is for all generations. You established the earth and it stands firm. Lord, Your word is forever. Verse 1 They stand today in accordance with Your judgments, For all things are Your servants. If your instruction had not been my delight, I would have died in my affliction. Repeat Chorus Verse 2 I will never forget Your precepts. You've given me life through them. I am Yours; save me, for I have sought Your precepts. Bridge The wicked hope to destroy me but I contemplate Your decrees. I've seen a limit to all perfection but Your command is without limit. Final Verse and Close Lord, Your word is forever. It's firmly fixed in heaven. Your faithfulness is for all generations. You established the earth, and it stands firm. Lord, Your word is forever. Lord, Your word is forever.

One of the things that drew me into Psalm 119 was that the writer expressed real emotions. While he praised God and affirmed the value of God's Word, he also prayed heart-wrenching prayers about waiting and longing. If the writer of Psalm 119 had been writing modern songs, at least a few of them could have been the Blues. You may not be a fan of the Blues, but I am. There are times when things feel bad. That's when the Blues feel good. Often, modern day Blues express despair and hopelessness. The writer of Psalm 119 expressed deep concern, telling God how he felt with vivid images. Yet he never lost hope that God would come through. One of the great benefits of living life anchored on God's Word is that we can stand in the midst of the trials life brings. That's why this section of Psalm 119 is one of my favorites. When you listen to the song I used to help me remember these words, you'll see why I connect these words with the Blues. To listen to this episode of the Psalm 119 Experience Podcast which includes the 11th song in the Psalm 119 Experience Music. Just click on the small audio player box below the picture. If you don't see the box, click here.    81 I long for Your salvation; I put my hope in Your word. 82 My eyes grow weary looking for what You have promised; I ask, “When will You comfort me?” 83 Though I have become like a wineskin dried by smoke, I do not forget Your statutes. 84 How many days must Your servant wait? When will You execute judgment on my persecutors? 85 The arrogant have dug pits for me; they violate Your instruction. 86 All Your commands are true; people persecute me with lies—help me! 87 They almost ended my life on earth, but I did not abandon Your precepts. 88 Give me life in accordance with Your faithful love, and I will obey the decree You have spoken. Psalms 119:81-88   How Many Days Psalms 119:81-88 Verse 1 I long for Your salvation, put my hope in your word. My eyes grow weary looking for what you've promised. I ask, “When will you comfort me?” Though I've become like a wineskin dried by smoke, I do not forget, do not forget your statutes. Chorus How many days must your servant wait? When will you execute judgment on my persecutors? How many days must your servant wait? When will you execute judgment on my persecutors? How many days? How many days? How many days must your servant wait? Verse 2 The arrogant have dug pits for me. They violate, violate your instruction. All your commands are true. People persecute me, persecute me with lies. Help me! They almost ended my life. Repeat Chorus Bridge Help me! Help me! They almost ended my life on earth But I did not abandon your precepts. Give me life in accordance with your faithful love And I will obey the decree you've spoken.  Final Chorus and Close How many days must your servant wait? When will you execute judgment on my persecutors? How many days must your servant wait? When will you execute judgment on my persecutors? How many days? How many days? How many days must your servant wait?

Life hurts. We struggle. We seek comfort . . . sometimes in the wrong places. What grace to know that God knows us and feels our pain. In His faithful love, He reaches out to us in faithful love. In this section of Psalm 119, the writer shares his hurts as well as his hopes. Aware of His creator, He turned to God and sought God's compassion. As critics slandered him, the writer found solace in the One who knew him fully and loved him completely. God's faithful love provided comfort through faith.     73 Your hands made me and formed me; give me understanding so that I can learn Your commands. 74 Those who fear You will see me and rejoice, for I put my hope in Your word. 75 I know, Lord, that Your judgments are just and that You have afflicted me fairly. 76 May Your faithful love comfort me, as You promised Your servant. 77 May Your compassion come to me so that I may live, for Your instruction is my delight. 78 Let the arrogant be put to shame for slandering me with lies; I will meditate on Your precepts. 79 Let those who fear You, those who know Your decrees, turn to me. 80 May my heart be blameless regarding Your statutes so that I will not be put to shame. Psalms 119:73-80 (HCSB) Faithful Love Psalms 119:73-80 Verse 1 Your hands made me and formed me; give me understanding so that I can learn Your commands. Those who fear You will see me and rejoice, for I put my hope in Your word. I know, Lord, that Your judgments are just and that You've afflicted me fairly, fairly. Chorus May Your faithful love comfort me as You promised Your servant. May Your compassion come to me so that I may live, For Your instruction is my delight, my delight. May Your faithful love comfort me; may Your faithful love comfort me. Verse 2 Let the arrogant be put to shame for slandering me with lies. I will meditate on Your precepts. Let those who fear You turn to me. Let those who fear you, those who know Your decrees turn to me, to me. Repeat Chorus Bridge May my heart be blameless regarding Your statutes so that I will not be put to shame. Final Chorus and Close May Your faithful love comfort me, as You promised Your servant. May Your compassion come to me so that I may live, for Your instruction is my delight, my delight. May Your faithful love comfort me; may Your faithful love comfort me.

Once we believe that God exists, we must answer an important question: "Is God good?" Of course, that question begs for a definition of "good." By what criterion would we evaluate God? The writer of Psalm 119 walked through a difficult time of affliction that helped him solid his answer to the question, "Is God good?" The writer declared, "You're good and you do what is good." This section of Psalm 119 offers profound insights into some of the most difficult questions in life. We may not understand the answers fully but we can affirm that the answers are true based on what God has revealed in HIs Word and demonstrated most fully in the Gospel. This episode of The Psalm 119 Experience Podcast focuses on the 9th section of Psalm 119 and examines the message of hope we find in these evocative words.     65 Lord, You have treated Your servant well, just as You promised. 66 Teach me good judgment and discernment, for I rely on Your commands. 67 Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I keep Your word. 68 You are good, and You do what is good; teach me Your statutes. 69 The arrogant have smeared me with lies, but I obey Your precepts with all my heart. 70 Their hearts are hard and insensitive, but I delight in Your instruction. 71 It was good for me to be afflicted so that I could learn Your statutes. 72 Instruction from Your lips is better for me than thousands of gold and silver pieces. Psalms 119:65-72 (HCSB)   You're Good Psalms 119:65-72 Opening Chorus You're good and You do what's good. You're good and You do what's good. Do what is good; teach me Your statutes. Verse 1 The arrogant have smeared me with lies but I obey you precepts with all my heart. Their hearts are hard and insensitive, but I delight, delight in Your instruction. Chorus Lord, You've treated your servant well just as you promised. Teach me good judgment, discernment, for I rely on your command. Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I keep your word. You're good and you do what's good. You're good and you do what's good. Do what is good; teach me your statutes. Verse 2 It was good for me to be afflicted so, so that I could learn, could learn your statutes. Instruction from your lips is better for me than thousands of gold and silver pieces. Repeat Chorus Bridge Instruction from your lips is better for me than thousands of gold and silver pieces. Better for me, so much better for me than thousands of gold and silver pieces. Final Chorus Before I was afflicted I went astray, but know I keep Your word. You're good and you do what's good. You're good and you do what's good. Do what is good; teach me your statutes.

We live in a "hurry up" world. We race from activity to activity, connected constantly to mobile devices, talking, listening, or watching as we go. Anything that causes us to wait frustrates us. Moving toward whatever comes next reigns as our top priority. Surprisingly, the Bible affirms the value of hurrying. The question is not, "Are you hurrying?" In Psalm 119 we discover a more important question, "To what are you hurrying?" The writer of this psalm discovered a lesson that can change our lives. If we hurry toward the right things we can gain what we need to deal with everything else in life.   57 The Lord is my portion; I have promised to keep Your words. 58 I have sought Your favor with all my heart; be gracious to me according to Your promise. 59 I thought about my ways and turned my steps back to Your decrees. 60 I hurried, not hesitating to keep Your commands. 61 Though the ropes of the wicked were wrapped around me, I did not forget Your law. 62 I rise at midnight to thank You for Your righteous judgments. 63 I am a friend to all who  fear You, to those who keep Your precepts. 64 Lord, the earth is filled with Your faithful love; teach me Your statutes. Psalms 119:57-64 (HCSB) Hurried, Not Hesitating Psalms 119:57-64 Verse 1 The Lord is my portion; I have promised To keep Your words, I've promised to keep Your words. I've sought Your favor with all my heart; Be gracious to me according to Your promise. Chorus I thought about my ways and turned my steps, Turned my steps back to your decrees. I hurried, not hesitating to keep your commands. I hurried, not hesitating to keep your commands. Verse 2 Though the ropes of, of the wicked Were wrapped around me, I did not forget your law. I rise at midnight, at midnight to thank You For Your righteous, for Your righteous judgments. Repeat Chorus Bridge I am a friend to all who fear you, to those who keep your precepts. Lord, the earth is filled with your faithful love, with your faithful love. Teach me your statutes. Repeat Chorus and Close I thought about my ways and turned my steps, Turned my steps back to your decrees. I hurried, not hesitating to keep your commands. I hurried, not hesitating to keep your commands.

In a song, a theme is a recurring melody, something distinctive that causes us to remember it. The writer of Psalm 119 wanted his life to have a theme . . . and it did. Comparing life to a song, he declared, "Your statutes are the theme of my song." As people observe your life and my life closely, what would they identify as the theme of our lives? Entertainment? Pleasure? Professional pursuits? Personal time? None of these is bad, but none rise to the standard as a worthy theme for our lives. For that, we need a deeper focus, a priority on God and His Word. To live lives we will not regret, we must establish the right theme for our lives. In this section of Psalm 119 and this podcast episode, we will seek to discover how.    49 Remember Your word to Your servant; You have given me hope through it. 50 This is my comfort in my affliction: Your promise has given me life. 51 The arrogant constantly ridicule me, but I do not turn away from Your instruction. 52 Lord, I remember Your judgments from long ago and find comfort. 53 Rage seizes me because of the wicked who reject Your instruction. 54 Your statutes are the theme of my song during my earthly life. 55 I remember Your name in the night, Lord, and I keep Your law. 56 This is my practice: I obey Your precepts. Psalms 119:49-56 (HCSB)   Your Statutes Psalms 119:49-56 Verse 1 Remember your word, your word to your servant. You've given me hope through it. This is my comfort in my affliction. Your promise has given me life. Given me life. Chorus Your statutes are the theme of my song during my earthly life. I remember your name in the night, Lord, and I keep your law. This is my practice: I obey your precepts. Your statutes are the theme of my song during my earthly life. Verse 2 The arrogant constantly ridicule me but I do not turn away From your instruction, Lord I remember Your promise from long ago. Long ago. Repeat Chorus Bridge Lord, I remember your judgments from long ago and find comfort. Rage seizes me because of the wicked who reject your instruction. Repeat Chorus and Close Your statutes are the theme of my song during my earthly life. I remember your name in the night, Lord, and I keep your law. This is my practice: I obey your precepts. Your statutes are the theme of my song during my earthly life. Your statutes are the theme of my song during my earthly life.

God revealed in His Word what He wanted us to know about Him. As a result, we love Him based on His revelation, not on ideas about God we made up. The Christian life is the long process of replacing our ideas about God with the truth about God. One of the reasons the psalmist focused on God's word is that the Bible is the way God chose for us to learn about Him -- His plans, His ways, and His gospel seen in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. Face it -- if God had not told about Himself and His plan for us to have a right relationship with Him, we could have never guessed it. In a sense, religion is man's best guess about God. Christianity is God's revelation that makes guessing unnecessary.   41 Let Your faithful love come to me, Lord, Your salvation, as You promised. 42 Then I can answer the one who taunts me, for I trust in Your word. 43 Never take the word of truth from my mouth, for I hope in Your judgments. 44 I will always keep Your law, forever and ever. 45 I will walk freely in an open place because I seek Your precepts. 46 I will speak of Your decrees before kings and not be ashamed. 47 I delight in Your commands, which I love. 48 I will lift up my hands to Your commands, which I love, and will meditate on Your statutes. Psalms 119:41-48   Never Take the Word Psalms 119:41-48 Verse 1 Let your faithful love come to me, Lord; your salvation as you promised. Then I can answer the one who taunts me; for I trust in your word. Chorus Never take the word of truth from my mouth. For I hope in your judgments. I will always keep, always keep your law; keep your law forever and ever. Keep your law forever and ever. Verse 2 I will walk freely in an open place because I seek your precepts. I will speak of your decrees before kings and not be ashamed. Repeat Chorus Bridge I delight in your commands, your commands which I love. I will lift, lift up my hands to your commands which I love And will meditate on your statues. Repeat Chorus and Close Never take the word of truth from my mouth. For I hope in your judgments. I will always keep always keep your law; keep your law forever and ever. Keep your law forever and ever.

The Bible is central to the Christian life, but in a practical, not abstract way. We don't reverence the physical book. Unread Bibles on shelves do not transform us. But reading the words in the Bible and placing God's truth at the center of our lives changes everything. In this episode, we will focus on the fifth section of Psalm 119, and draw practical insights from eight verses that help us turn our lives and hearts in a productive direction. Plus, we'll begin learning a song based on these words that will equip us to respond quickly and appropriately to God no matter what comes our way.    33 Teach me, Lord, the meaning of Your statutes, and I will always keep them. 34 Help me understand Your instruction, and I will obey it and follow it with all my heart. 35 Help me stay on the path of Your commands, for I take pleasure in it. 36 Turn my heart to Your decrees and not to material gain. 37 Turn my eyes from looking at what is worthless; give me life in Your ways. 38 Confirm what You said to Your servant, for it produces reverence for You. 39 Turn away the disgrace I dread; indeed, Your judgments are good. 40 How I long for Your precepts! Give me life through Your righteousness. Psalms 119:33-40 (HCSB)   Give Me Life In Your Ways Psalms 119:33-40 Verse 1 Teach me, Lord, the meaning of your statutes and I'll always keep them. Help me understand your instruction and I will obey it. And follow it with all my heart. Help me stay on the path of your commands. For I take pleasure in it. Chorus Turn my heart to your decrees and not to material gain. Turn my eyes from looking at what is worthless; give me life in your ways. Turn my heart; turn my eyes. Give me life in your ways. Verse 2 Confirm what You said to Your servant for it produces reverence for You. Turn away disgrace, the disgrace I dread. Indeed, Your judgments, judgments are good. How I long for Your precepts! Give me life through Your righteousness. Final Chorus Turn my heart to your decrees and not to material gain. Turn my eyes from looking at what is worthless; give me life in your ways. Turn my heart; turn my eyes. Give me life in your ways. Turn my heart; turn my eyes. Give me life in your ways.

It's easy to feel down. That's why this episode is so important. We will focus on the fourth section of Psalm 119, and discover practical principles for relating to God when we feel discouraged, low, and blue. Some people are naturally upbeat. Others tend to be melancholy. But all us experience times when life presses us down in the dirt. Our goal is to be ready with God's truth and a song in our hearts, to push up when everything in life pushes us down. 25 My life is down in the dust; give me life through Your word. 26 I told You about my life, and You listened to me; teach me Your statutes. 27 Help me understand the meaning of Your precepts so that I can meditate on Your wonders.  28 I am weary from grief; strengthen me through Your word.  29 Keep me from the way of deceit, and graciously give me Your instruction. 30 I have chosen the way of truth; I have set Your ordinances before me. 31 I cling to Your decrees; Lord, do not put me to shame. 32 I pursue the way of Your commands, for You broaden my understanding. Psalms 119:25-32 (HCSB)   Life Through Your Word Psalms 119:25-32 Chorus My life is down, my life is down in the dust; give me, give me, life through Your word. My life is down, my life down in the dust; give me life through Your word. Verse 1 I told You about my life, and You listened to me; teach me Your statutes. Help me understand the meaning of Your precepts so that I can meditate on Your wonders. I am weary from grief; strengthen me through Your word. Repeat Chorus My life is down, my life is down in the dust; give me, give me, life through Your word. My life is down, my life down in the dust; give me life through Your word. Verse 2 Keep me from the way of deceit, and graciously give me, give me Your instruction. I have chosen the way of truth; I have set Your ordinances before me. I cling to Your decrees; Lord, do not put me to shame. Bridge I pursue the way of Your commands, for You broaden my understanding. I pursue the way of Your commands, for You broaden my understanding. Final Chorus My life is down, my life is down in the dust; give me, give me, life through Your word. My life is down, my life down in the dust; give me life through Your word. Give me life through your word. Give me life through your word.

Everything in our lives springs from the generosity of God. In this episode, we will focus on the third section of Psalm 119 and discover practical insights for tapping into the practical help that God offers us each day. If you're struggling with pressures at work, at home, at church, or in any other setting, the words of this section of Psalm 119 will help you face whatever comes your way today.  17 Deal generously with Your servant so that I might live; then I will keep Your word. 18 Open my eyes so that I may see wonderful things in Your law. 19 I am a stranger on earth; do not hide Your commands from me. 20 I am continually overcome by longing for Your judgments. 21 You rebuke the proud, the accursed, who wander from Your commands. 22 Take insult and contempt away from me, for I have kept Your decrees. 23 Though princes sit together speaking against me, Your servant will think about Your statutes; 24 Your decrees are my delight and my counselors. Psalms 119:17-24 (HCSB)   Wonderful Things In Your Law Psalms 119:17-24 Chorus Deal generously with Your servant so that I might live; then I will keep Your word. Open my eyes so that I may see wonderful things in Your law. Verse 1 I am a stranger on earth; do not hide Your commands from me. I am continually overcome by longing for Your judgments. Repeat Chorus Verse 2 You rebuke the proud, the accursed, who wander from Your commands. Take insult, contempt away from me, for I have kept Your decrees. Bridge Though princes sit together speaking against me, Your servant will think about Your statutes; Your decrees Your decrees are my delight and my counselors. Chorus Deal generously with Your servant so that I might live; then I will keep Your word. Open my eyes so that I may see wonderful things in Your law. Wonderful things from Your law.  

How can we live pure lives in a tragically polluted world? In this episode, we're going to focus on the second of the 22 songs in The Psalm 119 Experience Music. While the world bombardes us with filth, this second section in Psalm 119 gives us a practical strategy to counteract the negative forces and live lives marked by purity as God works in us. The process is simple but not simplistic. Throughout history, Christians have shared how applying the principles in this section of Psalm 119 have preserved their lives in a world designed to drag them down. If you're struggling right now with sin and temptation, and even if are you not right now, this episode will give you practical insights and encouragement to help you live a life marked increasingly by purity. 9 How can a young man keep his way pure? By keeping Your word. 10 I have sought You with all my heart; don't let me wander from Your commands. 11 I have treasured Your word in my heart so that I may not sin against You. 12 Lord, may You be praised; teach me Your statutes. 13 With my lips I proclaim all the judgments from Your mouth. 14 I rejoice in the way revealed by Your decrees as much as in all riches. 15 I will meditate on Your precepts and think about Your ways. 16 I will delight in Your statutes; I will not forget Your word. Psalms 119:9-16 (HCSB)   Pure Through God's Word Psalms 119:9-16 Verse 1 How can a young man keep his way pure? By keeping Your word. I have sought You with all my heart; don't let me wander from Your commands. Chorus I have treasured Your word in my heart so that I may not sin against You. Lord, may You be praised; teach me Your statutes. With my lips I proclaim all the judgments from Your mouth. I have treasured Your word in my heart so that I may not sin against You. Verse 2 I will meditate on Your precepts and think on Your ways. I will delight in Your statutes; I will not forget, forget Your word. Repeat Chorus Bridge I rejoice in the way revealed by Your decrees as much as in all riches. Close How can a young man keep his way pure? By keeping your word. How can we all keep our way pure? By keeping your word.    

We cannot imagine living a blameless life. We struggle, fail, and sin. Yet the writer of Psalm 119 wrote about living a blameless life. How is that possible? But in this podcast, we're going to focus on the first of the 22 songs in The Psalm 119 Experience Music. In the process, we're going to discover important truths about how we become blameless before God, and how people who are counted blameless before God can live. The writer of Psalm 119 affirms the joy of living this kind of life. Our goal is to understand how, and to begin to live that way today. 1 How happy are those whose way is blameless, who live according to the law of the LORD! 2 Happy are those who keep His decrees and seek Him with all their heart. 3 They do nothing wrong; they follow His ways. 4 You have commanded that Your precepts be diligently kept. 5 If only my ways were committed to keeping Your statutes! 6 Then I would not be ashamed when I think about all Your commands. 7 I will praise You with a sincere heart when I learn Your righteous judgments. 8 I will keep Your statutes; never abandon me. Psalms 119:1-8 (HCSB)   Blameless Way Psalms 119:1-8 Verse 1 How happy are those whose way is blameless, who live according to the law of the Lord! Happy are those who keep His decrees and seek Him with all their heart. They do nothing wrong; they follow His ways. You have commanded that Your precepts be diligently kept.   Verse 2 If only my ways, my ways were committed, committed to keeping Your statutes! Then I would not be ashamed when I think about all Your commands. I will praise You with a sincere heart, when I learn your  righteous judgments. I will keep your statues never abandon me. Close How happy are those whose way is blameless Who live according to the law of the Lord.

Have you ever taken a long trip to a new place, an adventure for which you did not know what to expect? Then once you completed your journey, you couldn't wait to tell others about it and invite them to make a return trip with you? If so, you know how I feel as I launch this inaugural episode of the Psalm 119 Experience Podcast. My goal in this episode is to tell you about what started my adventure with Psalm 119, what I experienced along the way, and how God changed me through the process. You can encounter God in a deeper way through the timeless words of the longest and most intriguing chapter in the Bible. Why can I say this with confidence? Because that's what happened to me. Talking about an experience is not nearly as fun as having an experience. So dive in to the podcast. See if the story of adventure I share peaks your interest. If so, we're going to have a wonderful time today.