The utmost importance of God’s Word throughout our daily lives cannot be overstated. The Psalm writer in Psalm 119 knew this, lived it, and exhorts us in it. God’s Word dominated this writer’s life daily from before sunrise to after sunset. For example, before dawn (v147), daily (v97), 7 times daily (v164), nightly (vv55, 148), and at midnight (v62). All 176 verses (longest chapter in God’s Word) are addressed to the Lord except vv1-3, and v115. Psalm 119 gives us the principle that God’s Word contains everything a person needs to know on this side of heaven.

There are eight different Hebrew words that refer to Scripture (God’s Word) in this one chapter, Ps. 119, with all but three verses (90, 122, 132) mentioning at least one of them. Using the NKJV as a base translation, here are those words:

1) Law; from the Hebrew word ‘torah’; meaning direction, instruction, revelation from God; Ps. 119:1 Blessed are the undefiled in the way, Who walk in the law of the LORD!

2) Testimonies; always plural in Ps. 119, and always of laws as divine testimonies of God; NIV statutes; NLT decrees; Ps. 119:2 Blessed are those who keep His testimonies, Who seek Him with the whole heart!

3) Ways; God’s moral course of life He has set before us; NLT path; TMSG road Ps. 119:3 They also do no iniquity; They walk in His ways.

4) Precepts; commands, principles, orders from God; NLT commandments; TMSG right way to live; Ps. 119:4 You have commanded us To keep Your precepts diligently.

5) Statutes; ordinances, limits, things prescribed or due, decrees, laws in general from God; NIV decrees, NLT principles, TMSG course you set; Ps. 119:5 Oh, that my ways were directed To keep Your statutes!

6) Commandments; an order from God; TMSG counsel; Ps. 119:6 Then I would not be ashamed, When I look into all Your commandments.

7) Judgments; justice, ordinances from God; NIV righteous laws; ESV righteous rules; TMSG righteous ways; Ps. 119:7 will praise You with uprightness of heart, When I learn Your righteous judgments.

8) Word; saying, utterance from God; Ps. 119:9 How can a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed according to Your word.

This high priority of God’s Word was a daily habitual pattern, a passionate commitment for this writer inspired by God. How about us? What role does God’s Word have in our daily life? Is it a high priority? Are we learning it by way of the Holy Spirit? Are we living it by way of the Holy Spirit? Are we proclaiming it by way of the Holy Spirit? Are we praying it by way of the Holy Spirit?

Do you like milk? It seems as though the Mullins family needs to buy 2 gallon jugs of milk when we go out to get milk because there is a lot of milk drinking in our home. Do you ever thirst for milk? Sometimes when I am eating a chocolate brownie type of dessert, I crave milk to go with it. The Apostle Peter used a baby’s craving for milk in association with what our craving for spiritual growth through God’s Word should be.

1 Peter 2:2 as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby, 3if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is gracious.

A great biblical example of craving spiritual growth through God’s Word is found throughout Ps. 119. Let’s get to know Ps. 119 real well and more importantly, know God through His word real well by studying and living out such passages as Ps. 119. May His Word continue to transform us more and more into Christ-likeness for His glory. This will happen by God’s grace as we prioritize spending quality time in God’s Word on a regular basis. Let’s not just rely on a sermon or two a week or a bible study or two a week. Let’s personally be in God’s Word daily, regularly, learning it, living it, proclaiming it, and praying it!

Pastor Mike