Archives for July 2025

OVERVIEW:

The greatness, power, and perfection of God’s holy word.

HIGHLIGHTS & INSIGHTS:

Psalm 119 is nothing short of a masterpiece. It is an “alphabet Psalm”, meaning that in that each of the 22 stanzas that are each comprised of 8 verses, each stanza begins with the 22 consecutive letters of the Hebrew alphabet (i.e. Alpha, Beth, Gimel, etc.) There is no greater treatise concerning the word of God in the entire Bible, or in all of existence for that matter, than this Psalm. Note that 173 verses, out of the 176, specifically refer to the word of God, keeping in mind that there are at least eight different terms used in referring to God’s perfect word:

1. law
2. testimonies
3. way/ways
4. precepts
5. statutes
6. commandments
7. judgments
8. word/words

Notice also that all eight of these terms are found in the first nine verses.

In terms of providing an overview of this incredible psalm, it is difficult to even know where to begin. There are just so many moving parts, and all worthy of discussion, making a simple overview almost seem to diminish the beauty and significance of this incredible work of art. But do know this, any person who is serious about God and His word needs to immerse themselves in this psalm, not only repeatedly, but continuously! This psalm reveals the key to becoming a man or woman of the word because it deals with our heart attitude toward the word of God. It beautifully reveals to us that the real issue concerning God’s word is NOT, first and foremost, our “KNOWLEDGE” of the Bible, but our “LOVE” for the Bible. (John 14:15, 23)

In light of that reality, as we approach this psalm today, perhaps the best question we could ask ourselves is, “Do I genuinely LOVE the word of God?” It is extremely important for us to realize that answering that question isn’t as easy as pointing to the fact that we have been faithful through the 365 Days of Pursuit, having already read through half of the entire Bible. That is certainly commendable, and yet, it isn’t necessarily an indication of our love for the word of God. For example, something as seemingly “spiritual” as reading through the Bible, might actually be something “carnal” because our motivation for doing it is the key! If our motivation for reading through the Bible is so we can “flaunt” that fact to others, or if it is somehow causing us to “feel good about ourselves” as Christians, it might be, that rather than our faithfulness being an indication of our LOVE for GOD and HIS WORD, it might actually be an indication of our LOVE for OURSELVES! (2^nd Timothy 3:1–2) Rather than revealing our PURSUIT of GOD it may reveal that we are PURSUING OURSELVES! Rather than our pursuit being to “KNOW GOD” by pursuing Him through the pages of His word, our real pursuit might be to impress others with our “KNOWLEDGE” of His word! (1^st Corinthians 8:2) Do recognize that many times the “love of self”, that Paul prophesied would be the overarching characteristic of believers in the last days, often comes in a very spiritual-looking package!

So, as we approach Psalm 119 today, would you take the time for some honest introspection to determine whether or not you genuinely “love” the word of God? Perhaps you’re thinking, “Well, if it’s not as easy as pointing to the fact that I faithfully read it and seek to know it, how can I determine whether or not I love it, biblically?” That’s one of the tremendous qualities of this incredible psalm! Because, as God inspired the “man after His own heart” (obviously, a man who loved God passionately!) to pen the psalms he composed, it is interesting that seldom does God choose to record those times when David actually expressed His love for Him! There are only two occasions where he actually does so, and as we read them, though they are certainly beautiful declarations, we’re probably not going to be overwhelmed by what might be considered the “heartfelt passion” of his expression! (See Psalms 18:1 and 116:1) In Psalm 119 alone, however, David passionately expresses his love for the word of God a whopping 11 times! There are certainly many lessons to glean and apply from that observation, but perhaps the most practical and applicable being the simple fact that it is impossible to separate LOVING the GOD of the WORD from LOVING the WORD of GOD!

Another of the beautiful things about David’s expressions of his love for the word of God in Psalm 119, is that each time, God was careful in inspiring him to do so, also included the characteristic his love for the word of God actually produced in his life. What these expressions of David’s love for the word of God then become for us is a way for us to search our own hearts to determine biblically whether or not we love the word of God! We can simply look at what God, through the psalmist, reveals were the practical and observable characteristics loving the word of God produced in his life, and then seek to determine whether or not those characteristics are likewise present and observable in our own lives! What Psalm 119 reveals to us are:

SEVEN WAYS TO KNOW IF YOU LOVE THE WORD OF GOD:

1. You know you LOVE the word of God BY WHAT YOU HATE. (119:127–128)

1. You will HATE every FALSE WAY. (119:127–128)
2. You will HATE LYING. (119:163)
3. You will HATE VAIN THOUGHTS. (119:113)

2. You know you LOVE the word of God BY THE HOLY ATTITUDE WITH WHICH YOU VIEW IT. (119:140, 160, 164, 72, 93, 103, 128, 131, 161)

3. You know you LOVE the word of God BY WHAT CONSUMES YOUR THOUGHTS.  (119:97, 15, 23, 48, 78, 99, 148)

4. You know you LOVE the word of God BY THE JOY YOU RECEIVE FROM GETTING INTO IT AND LIVING IT. (119:47)

5. You know you LOVE the word of God BY YOUR SURRENDER TO IT. (119:48)

6. You know you LOVE the word of God BY YOUR INABILITY TO BE OFFENDED. (119:165)

7. You know you LOVE the word of God BY THE DESIRE IN YOUR INNERMOST BEING TO OBEY IT. (119:116–167)

Based on those seven divinely inspired characteristics, can you honestly say that you love the word of God?

CHRIST IS REVEALED:

By the PSALMIST WHO DELIGHTED IN FULFILLING GOD’S WILL — Psalm 119:47 (John 6:38; 15:10; 4:34)

OVERVIEW:

The Lord gives dominion to the King; the psalmist’s praise for the works of the Lord; the blessed man; the Lord’s exaltation of the humble; God’s deliverance of Israel from Egypt; the heathen idols contrasted with Jehovah; thanksgiving for deliverance from death; a psalm of praise; thanksgiving for the Lord’s saving goodness.

HIGHLIGHTS & INSIGHTS:

Psalm 110 is a very significant (and magnificent!) psalm. It is specifically this psalm that Jesus used to prove His deity when He sought to shut the mouths of the Saducees and Pharisees in Matthew 22. (see Matthew 22:23–35) The passage says, “While the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them, Saying, What think ye of Christ? whose son is he? They say unto him, The Son of David. He saith unto them, How then doth David in spirit call him Lord, saying, The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, till I make thine enemies thy footstool? If David then call him Lord, how is he is his son? And no man was able to answer him a word, neither durst any man from that day forth ask him any more questions.” (Matthew 22:41–46)

Notice in verse one of Psalm 110, that 1000 years before Jesus Christ was born in Bethlehem, David recognized that the Messiah, not only, existed (“The Lord said unto my Lord”), but acknowledged that the Messiah was “his Lord” (“The Lord said unto ‘MY’ Lord”) and understood that the Messiah would one day come in judgment upon His enemies (“Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool.”) Psalm 110 is quoted no less than seven times in the New Testament: Hebrews 1:13; 5:6; 7:17; Matthew 22:43–44; Mark 12:36; Acts 2:33–34; Luke 20:42–43.

Psalm 111 is a psalm of praise for the “works of the Lord.” (111:2) God’s “works” in this psalm are mentioned in five different verses and described in nine different ways. Notice, God’s works are:

1. Great. (111:2)
2. To be sought out. (111:2)
3. Honorable. (111:3a)
4. Glorious. (111:3b)
5. Wonderful. (111:4a)
6. To be remembered. (111:4b)
7. Powerful. (111:6)
8. True. (111:7a) 
9. Judgmental. (11:7b)

Verse 10 of Psalm 111 is a great reminder to those of us living in the last days, because we have been brainwashed before coming to Christ, and for most of us, after coming to Christ, not to believe it! It is true as it stands, however, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom!” Notice, not “reverential trust”! Not “holy reverence”! But “FEAR”! All of our lives, Satan has been bent on teaching us to FEAR what God told us NOT TO FEAR (2^nd Kings 17:7, 25) and teaching us NOT TO FEAR what God TOLD US TO FEAR! (Exodus 20:20) It basically comes down to this: we will either fear God or we will fear man. (Proverbs 29:25) Jesus helps us get the issue in perspective in Matthew 10:28: “And fear not them which kill the body (i.e. men), but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him (i.e. God) which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.” How’s that for tact and political correctness?

Psalm 112 describes the “blessed man” that we met in Psalm 1.

Psalm 113 describes the millennium.

Psalm 114 is a very brief overview of the events recorded in the books of Exodus and Joshua, and that will be repeated at the Second Coming of Christ.

Psalm 115 admonishes three groups of people to “trust in the Lord” and find Him as their “help” (aggressive action AGAINST the enemy) and their “shield” (protection FROM the enemy). The three groups are “Israel” (verses 9, 12a), the “house of Aaron” (verses 10, 12b), and “ye that fear the Lord” (verses 11, 13). Recognize that in the prophetic application, the reference to “Israel” is specifically the Jews in the Tribulation. The reference to the “house of Aaron” points to the Levitical priests who will be serving in the Millennial temple. The prophetic reference to those who “fear the Lord” is pointing to Gentile converts during the Tribulation. When you factor in the Millennial application of verse 18, it takes on even more beauty and significance: “…we will bless the Lord from this time forth and for evermore. Praise the Lord.” Won’t that be awesome?! Hallelujah!

Psalm 116 is a Messianic Psalm.

Psalm 117 is short and sweet!

Psalm 118 is the middle of the Bible and specifically verse 8: “It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man.” Verses 22 and 23 of Psalm 118 are incredibly significant, and will be quoted at key places in the ministry of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Apostle Peter, and the Apostle Paul. Psalm 118:22–23 says, “The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner. This is the Lord’s doing; it is marvelous in our eyes.” Jesus quoted this verse to the chief priests, scribes, and elders of Israel to show them that they were about to be the ones who fulfilled this prophecy. (Matthew 21:42; Mark 12:35–36: Luke 20:42–43) When Peter preached to the high priest, scribes, rulers, and elders of Israel in Acts 4, he quoted this verse to explain to them that they had actually fulfilled this prophecy. (Acts 4:5–11) When God inspired Paul to write the book of Ephesians to reveal the mystery of the church, the body of Christ, he, too, quoted this verse in Ephesians 2:19–21.

CHRIST IS REVEALED:

As the ONE SEATED AT THE FATHER’S RIGHT HAND — Psalm 110:1 (Ephesians 1:20; Colossians 3:1)

As the STONE WHICH THE BUILDERS REFUSED — Psalm 118:22 (Matthew 21:42; Mark 12:35–36; Luke 20:42–43)

OVERVIEW:

A recounting of Israel’s rebellion and the Lord’s faithfulness to deliver them; the deliverance of the Lord in the troubles of life; the psalmist’s praise of the Lord and his cry of supplication for victory; the vengeance of God meted out upon His enemies.

HIGHLIGHTS & INSIGHTS:

As we pick up in Psalm 106 of today’s reading, the psalmist continues his praise and thanks to the Lord as he recounts God’s mercy through Israel’s history. Note that verse 8 identifies God’s ultimate purpose in Israel’s deliverance through the exodus: “Nevertheless he saved them for his name’s sake, that he might make his mighty power to be known.” That is a monumental declaration! To make sure we didn’t miss the point, God repeats that overarching principle in several places in the Old Testament. In Exodus 9:16, again, God was careful to let Israel know that the real issue of their exodus was “that my name may be declared throughout all the earth.” As God told Ezekiel what to say to the elders of Israel, as He recounted WHY He delivered them out of Egypt, again He said in Ezekiel 20:9: “But I wrought for my name’s sake, that it should not be polluted before the heathen, among whom they were, in whose sight I made myself known unto them, in bringing them forth out of the land of Egypt.” So, as you can see, God repeatedly lets Israel know, “I did what I did, and I worked how I worked, not first and foremost for YOU but for ME! It was for MY NAME’S SAKE! It was so My name would no longer be polluted! It was so Who I really am could be known by the whole world! It was so My power could be known!”

The reason these verses are so significant is because they have a very distinct application and a very direct impact on us as in the “Church Age saints”! God tells us something very important in 1^st Corinthians 10:1–6 and 11! He lets us know that Israel’s exodus out of their bondage in Egypt was just a picture of our exodus from our bondage to sin and the world! (2^nd Timothy 2:26; Ephesians 2:2. Note that Egypt is always a picture of sin and/or the world in the Bible!) Oh, sure, everything that happened concerning Israel all happened exactly as it was recorded in the Old Testament! It is historically accurate from beginning to end! But God so orchestrated the recording of it, to make sure that we understood that in the final analysis, contrary to “fundamental, Bible-believing, Laodicean” thought and teaching, God’s motivation behind OUR exodus was the same as it was for ISRAEL’s exodus! It was for HIS GLORY! It was for “HIS NAME’S SAKE”! (Psalm 106:8a; Ezekiel 20:9) He saved us so that His “mighty power could be known”! (Psalm 106:86) He saved us so His name could be “declared throughout all the earth!” (Exodus 9:16) In other words, the purpose God had in saving us, wasn’t first and foremost, for US it was for HIM! It was to display His glory! That’s certainly not to discount or diminish what incredible beneficiaries we are in that display; oh my, it could not be more wonderful and spectacular! But it screams to us that the theme of the Bible, the theme of salvation, and the theme of every dimension of existence is not about US, or for US; it is about our holy, magnificent, omnipotent, omniscient, and omnipresent GOD!

Be sure that you understand, this is no small thing! This is not just some moot point! Understanding this truth is the difference between a “ME-centered” Christianity and a “CHRIST-centered” Christianity! This simple point concerning God’s real purpose in our salvation smacks totally against everything that even fundamental, Bible-believing Christianity in the Laodicean Age believes and teaches! In effect, the “Christianity” OF OUR DAY:

• Says that Christianity is primarily about God benefiting His creatures. (i.e. God exists for us.)
• Says that the most important thing to God is people.
• Asks, “How should I position my life to gain the most blessing?” (i.e. Seeks God’s hand.)

The “Christianity” OF THE BIBLE:

• Says that Christianity is primarily about God glorifying His Son. (i.e. We exist for God.)
• Says that the most important thing to God is His glory. (i.e. His name.)
• Asks, “How should I position my life to bring God the most glory?” (i.e. Seeks God’s face.)

No wonder Paul said, “In the last days perilous times shall come” (2^nd Timothy 3:1), and that “in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils.” (1^st Timothy 4:1) We must be very careful and discerning!

Based on what 1^st Corinthians 10:6 and 11 teaches us about how God recorded the history of Israel’s exodus so that what happened to them doesn’t happen to us, the things the psalmist lays out about Israel’s history, in Psalm 106, provide limitless application for our lives.

The theme of Psalm 107 is, “Oh that men would praise the Lord of his goodness, and for his wonderful works, to the children of men!” (See verses 8, 15, 21, and 31) All of the verses in-between are designed to help us to do just that!  Again, the application of these verses to our lives is limitless!

In Psalm 108, note that the first five verses are a replica of Psalm 57:7–11 and verses 7–10 are a replica of Psalm 60:6–9.

There is certainly an historical application to David’s life in Psalm 109, but the psalm is not primarily about David’s situation; it’s about the Messiah’s humiliation, His confrontation with Satan, His exaltation over death, and the ultimate vindication of His life as the Father executes His vengeance. Though David composed this psalm under the inspiration of God, of course, the words actually compose the prayer of the Lord Jesus Christ, and every aspect of the prayer will be answered to the letter!

CHRIST IS REVEALED:

As the ONE WHO MAKES THE STORM A CALM — Psalm 107:29 (Matthew 8:27; John 14:27)