So, our Bible study for this morning is taken from the book of Psalms, as we're working through. Psalms 119, chapter 119, verses 41 through 48. And the section of this psalm, the Hebrew alphabet letter is ba. I believe that's the way it's pronounced. Before I start this though, I wanted to read two scriptures because it's Easter and such a blessed day because the revival of our Lord, I mean, it's just such an amazing thing.

It's just, I mean, it proved all the scoffers and naysayers wrong and went down in history because he appeared to a bunch of people after he rose from the dead. So they couldn't say that it didn't happen. They couldn't say that everything that was prophesied wasn't true.

Matthew chapter 28, verse six. He is not here, for he is risen. As he said, come, see the place where the Lord lay. In Luke chapter 24. Luke chapter 24, verses 44 through 47. And he said unto them, this is Christ, these are the words which I spake unto you while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses and in the prophets and in the Psalms concerning me.

This book is the hymn book, and Jesus just said it. The whole book is about him, from the prophets through the Psalms, all the way from the beginning to the end. Verse 45, then opened he their understanding that they might understand the scriptures. And just as John mentioned a minute ago, if God does not do that, we will understand nothing.

Verse 46, and said he unto them, Jesus said, thus it is written, and thus it behooved Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day, and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Israel and following through to America right here.

Remission, that is a beautiful word. Repentance, that is a command from God. Remission, that's the beauty, because remission means that your signs or your symptoms of a disease is gone. Wiped clean, that is the amazing thing. That is Jesus Christ our Lord conquering sin and death and hell by the finished work of his perfect plan of salvation. And that's what this revival day is about. It's not about Easter bunnies and eggs. It's about the fulfillment of prophecy. And it's just an amazing day.

So in Psalms, just like we read in Luke, the Psalms are about Jesus. And we're gonna pull out whatever we can about Jesus in the Psalms too. Psalm 119 verses 41 through 48 is the sixth stanza of Psalm 119. And for the sake of anyone who hasn't heard the previous Bible studies I've presented here on Psalms 119, I'm going to review real quick what it means, what the form is.

It's acrostic form. And in this case, you know, the form is like a poem. And they've used it kind of like a puzzle or a rhyme. In this case, they're using it as a rhyme for memory, for remembering. It was all set up like this so they can memorize it.

Each verse in each chapter actually starts with the letter two, but like I've mentioned before, that doesn't the case with the English language. So we lose a little bit in the translation because of that. But we can still pick out the meaning of each verse by remembering what the Hebrew letter for that chapter is talking about. So in this case, in verses 41 through 48, which is the sixth letter, Aleph, Beth, Gimel, Dillet, Hay, Va, the sixth letter.

It means nail, hook, tent peg, or spear. So we'll try to relate some of the scriptures to that as we go through. The author of this section is not clearly known. Traditionally, this chapter is attributed to King David, as with most of the Psalms, but many scholars suggest it may have been written by Ezra, Daniel, or another post-exiled prophet. So, as for who the author is, we don't know, and I'll refer to the author as the psalmist. Regardless of the author, though, the scripture here is regarded as a devouring scripture inspired by God. detailing the believers' deep love and need for God's word, particularly in times of struggle and trials.

And my goal in this Bible study, Lord willing, is for us to gain understanding of God's word, and that the accompanying scriptures we read will give glory to our Lord, the King, Jesus Christ, for he is the author and finisher of our faith and understanding. So that'll be the first accompanying scripture we read, Hebrews chapter 12, verse two. Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. Ponder that scripture for a minute, because I can only imagine Jesus, you know, for the joy that was set before him.

This was not like a secondary plan. This wasn't like an alternative plan. Jesus is the lamb slain before the foundation of the world. So he had a long time to think about this, and he knew he was gonna suffer, worse than any of us could ever imagine, but for the joy of redeeming his people and reconciling this to God. And that is a love that surpasses all knowledge, my friends. That is a love that surpasses all knowledge.

2 Timothy 3, verse 16. All scripture is given by inspiration of God. and it is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction, and righteousness. And in Isaiah 55, chapter 11, so shall my word be that go forth out of my mouth, it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it. Psalm 119, verses 41 through 48, bah, Let thy mercies come unto me, O Lord, even thy salvation according to thy word.

So shall I wherewith to answer him that reproacheth me, for I trust in thy word. I take not the word of truth utterly, and take not the word of truth utterly out of my mouth, for I have hoped in thy judgments. So shall I keep thy law continually forever and ever, and I will walk at liberty, for I seek thy precepts. I will speak of thy testimonies also before kings and will not be ashamed. I will delight myself in thy commandments, which I have loved. My hands also will I lift up to thy commandments, which I have loved, and I will meditate in thy statutes. In verse 41, Bah, let thy mercies come unto me, O Lord, even thy salvation according to thy word. In verse 41, the psalmist prays to God, let thy mercies come unto me, Lord. This is the prayer of any regenerated soul.

Amen. For every safe center knows that unless God shows mercy, there will be no mercy in Romans chapter nine, verse 15 and 16. For he said to Moses I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion that is God saying that to Moses. God's mercy is plentiful and it is found only in Christ. So, for this first verse of Psalm 119, Ba, I would like to point out the correlation or symbiotic relationship of the meaning of the letter.

The letter means nail in this case, in my opinion, as for how mercy is only found in God, with God in Christ, is because Christ was crucified, nailed to a cross. In that final act of love and mercy, God, in the person of Jesus Christ, nailed our sins to the cross. The maker of heaven and earth humbled himself to become his creation. Our great God became a man and laid his life down so that we may have life in him. Oh, what great mercy our Lord God, the great three in one, has upon us.

Psalm 119 verse 41 bought, let thy mercies come unto me, O Lord, even thy salvation, according to thy word. The psalmist prays to God for mercy, for salvation, according to thy word. And the word of God is all powerful. Not only did God speak all things into existence by the power of his word, but he also holds all things together by the word. The word of his power is what it says. And the word of God says in Hebrews, and notice how the scripture attributes all glory, power and supremacy and preeminence in God's son, Jesus Christ, Hebrews chapter one, God. who in sundry times, at sundry times, and in diverse manners spake in time past unto the father by his prophets, hath in these last days spoken to us by his son, whom he appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds, who being the brightness of his glory and the expressed image of his person and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the majesty on high. All glory, power, supremacy, preeminence in God's son, Jesus Christ. It said it right there.

When the psalmist says, let thy mercies come unto me, O Lord, even thy salvation according to thy word. This is the way to salvation in a nutshell. God, who is rich in mercy, delights to show mercy, will never turn away a sinner who comes to him in Christ. And how does a sinner come to him in Christ? By hearing the gospel, by believing. The gospel of Christ and him crucified is our only hope for salvation. God's word tells us that God shows mercy through Christ and Christ alone. And the word of God is all about Christ and him crucified for the redemption of our souls.

Ephesians chapter two, verse four. Ephesians chapter two, verse four, but God, but God. Amen. Who is rich in mercy for his great love wherewith he loved us. Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ. By grace you are saved. Romans chapter five, verse eight, verse eight and nine. But God commended his love towards us in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more than being not justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.

And in John chapter three, verses 15 through 18, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. This is a very popular scripture. In fact, my parents have had my brother and I memorize this back when we were children. It's one of the most popular scriptures in the Bible, probably. People take it out of context, but we know.

For God so loved the world, his people, that he gave his only begotten son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through him might be saved. He that believeth on him is not condemned, but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten son of God.

In Titus three, chapter five, or chapter three, verses five and six, Works religionists hate this one. They rely on their works to obtain favor in God's eyes. They literally take Christ off the cross and place their works there. They take the nails that hung our Savior on the cross and replace them with their works. Titus chapter three, verse five and six. Titus chapter three, verses five and six. not by works of righteousness, which we have done, but according to his mercy, he saved us by the washing and regeneration and renewing of the Holy Ghost, which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ, our savior. So that destroys all man's works right there. That scripture alone, and there's tons of them, but that will not by works of righteousness that we've done. We could never earn. Salvation with the gift. You can't earn a gift. You can't pay for a gift. A gift is received.

Hebrews chapter four verse 16. So let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need. First Peter starting in chapter one verses three through five. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled, and that fadeth not away reserved in heaven for you, who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation, ready to be revealed in the last time. Let thy mercy come also into me, O Lord, even thy salvation according to thy word. I believe those scriptures point us to Christ.

Verse 42 of Psalm 119. So shall I have wherewith to answer him that reproaches me, for I trust in thy word. The psalmist prays to God here asking for the ability to recall God's word in time of need. when the unregenerate person reproaches him or attempts to shame, disgrace, or dishonor him for the sake of believing God's word. And this happens to saved sinners all the time. Unregenerate people like to slander God's people because the word of God is foolishness to them. The word of God is also a great offense to them. So in retaliation, they like to make fun of it So the psalmist is praying for God to give him wisdom and the words necessary to ward off the person who approaches him. Scoffers and mockers, basically.

When this happens to me, I like to remind the person slandering God's word that there's never been any other literary work such as the Bible that has stood the test of time historically. and has never been proven incorrect in any way, only proven true, and that if they set out to prove the Bible wrong, as many have done for hundreds of years, they would only gain a greater understanding of the truths of the Bible.

I mean, 66 books, 40 authors, right? Written over thousands of years. by a lot of people that didn't even know each other, all prophesying about the same exact thing. It's impossible to happen with man, but with God, all things are possible. The book has proven itself wrong. I mean, right.

And only a fool says it's wrong, and that's scriptural as well. We also need to have the wisdom, and pray God gives us that wisdom to know when we are entertaining fools for the sake of their foolishness. And all the fool says in his heart, there is no God. And we need the discernment to know when we're casting pearls of wisdom at swine who will trample that wisdom in the pig slop and then move to trample you. Because the word of God tells us this.

I'm not gonna turn there, I'm just gonna read it real quick. Psalm 14 one and Psalm 53 one both basically say the same thing. The fool has said in his heart there is no God, they are corrupt. And in chapter 53 it says corrupt are they. In chapter 14 it says, they have done abominable works, and in 53 it says, they have done abominable iniquity. And then they both say, there is none that doeth good.

Matthew chapter seven, verse six. Matthew chapter seven, verse six says, give not that which is holy unto the dogs, Neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again, and wring you. Psalm chapter 119, verses 43 and 44.

I take not the word of truth utterly, and take not the word of truth utterly out of my mouth, for I have hoped in thy judgments. So shall I keep thy law continually forever and ever. I have grouped these two scriptures together because it seems to me they go together. Take not the word of truth out of my mouth so that I shall keep thy law.

The psalmist seems to be aware, as we should be aware also, that we are forgetful and prone to wander. This is why the Lord God commands us to not forsake the assembling of God's people. In Hebrews chapter 10, verse 25, Hebrews 10, 25, The Word of God says, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together as the manner of some is, but exhorting one another and so much the more as you see the day approaching. And friends, I see the day approaching. I see the day may not happen in our lifetimes. Nobody knows the time or date, but it's there's nothing new under the sun either. So we do see the day approaching though.

Joshua chapter 1 verse 7 Joshua chapter 1 verses 7 and 8 only be thou strong and very courageous that thou may mayest observe to do according to all the law which Moses my service commanded thee turn not from it to the right hand or to the left that thou mayest prosper with with their so ever thou goest This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth, but thou shalt meditate there in day and night, that thou mayest observe and do according to all that is written therein. For then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success. So even all the way at the very beginning, we know that's like the psalmist said, take not the word of truth out of my mouth, so I may keep the law. If I try to correlate the meaning of the scripture with the Hebrew letter bow as the hook, peg, spear, I would say that God's word, the word of truth, as we read in verse 43, it says right there, take not the word of truth.

This is the word of truth and only a fool would argue otherwise. This is the hook that you can hang all hope on. Amen. The hope of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ is our Redeemer. For Christ is the only hope a sinner can have to be reconciled by God, and the Bible's very clear about that. Christ is the only name given under heaven by which we must be saved. Christ, who is the word made flesh, is the only hook to hang our salvation on.

John chapter one, verse 14. It's a very familiar scripture. and it goes well with this person's songs. John chapter one, verse 14 and the word was made flesh and dwelt among us and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the father, full of grace and truth. Now, if we read that scripture without the parentheses, because I believe that's what's been added to help her understand it. and the word was made flesh and dwell among us, full of grace and truth.

Simple as that. Acts chapter four, verse 12. Acts chapter four, verse 12 says, neither is there salvation in any other, for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereas we must be saved. Notice how it says we must be saved, but you can't save yourself. God has to reveal himself to you through the preaching of the gospel. You must be saved. You must be quickened. A dead person cannot even ask for mercy. Romans chapter 15, verse four.

For whatsoever things were written for, were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope. And that's what that part of that psalm was in four verse 43 for I've hoped in my judgments. Hebrews chapter 11 on that same note, Hebrews chapter 11 verse one reads, Now, faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. For by it, the elders obtained a good report. Through faith, we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God. That's Christ. So that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.

That casts out all of the fairytale science they teach in school about subatomic particles and whatever you want to call a quirky theme, or particles even smaller than subatomic particles. They're trying to find the God particle. They're not going to find it, because the word of God says right here that they do not appear. And man will never, ever find that particle. It's all just a fairytale.

So Psalm chapter 119 verse 45, I will walk at liberty for I seek thy precepts. The psalmist declares that he will walk at liberty for he sees God's precepts or another way of putting it, he will seek God's directives or guidelines. God's directive is to believe in Christ in him crucified. as the sinners only hope for salvation and a relationship with their creator God. This is the declaration that any soul saved soul can make because when we seek God's directives through our faith in Christ, we are walking in a manner that is acceptable to God himself. Without faith in Christ, we are just a fool. And the word of God says that. God can't even look at us because of our sin.

Jude chapter one. Jude chapter one says 24 says now unto him that is able to keep you from falling and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy. God can't even look at our sin but with faith in Christ you are walking in a manner that is worthy. that God can look at you when he could not look at you without the blood of Christ covering you. He needs to see his son. A safe center can walk in liberty by keeping our eyes on Christ. This is the only way to keep you from falling as the word says in Jude.

Verse 24 true liberty is found in obeying God's commands. First and foremost the command that God gives to everyone everywhere. Repent and believe on the Lord Jesus Christ. That is a command. The gospel is a command. It's not a request, and it comes from the most high. Mark chapter one, verse 14 and 15. Mark chapter one, verse 14 and 15, the word of God says, now after that John was put into prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God. and saying, Jesus says this, our Lord, God says this, the time is fulfilled and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent ye and believe the gospel. That was not a, will you pretty please, that is, you do this and be saved. If you do not, you will be damned.

And the word is very clear about that. These are the words of Jesus Christ, God Almighty. This is a command from the most authoritative figure ever. This is not a request like Armenian preachers would teach. Oh pretty please believe in Jesus so you can allow God to save you or God wants you to accept him as Lord and Savior so that he can save you. No, the gospel is a command. It's given by God Almighty.

Repent and believe right now where you are and be saved. And not just believe but repent. The devil and his evil minions believe, and they tremble. God commands you to repent. Also, repent of your unbelief, repent of your pride, repent of your sin, obey God's commandments. They're called God's commandments for a reason. The 10 commandments are the 10 commandments, not the 10 once. God doesn't want or need anything. He commands you to repent and believe, and to not obey God's command comes with a heavy consequence.

In 1 John 5, verse 12. 1 John 5, verse 12. He that hath the Son hath life, and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. Mark chapter 16, verse 16, Mark chapter 16, last chapter of Mark. Listen to the words of Christ. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved, but he that believeth not shall be damned. That's the words of Christ. That's God Almighty. That's the Holy Spirit talking right there. That's telling you, you better believe. There it is. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved, but he that believeth not shall be damned.

An important point to make about this declaration that God commands you to obey his law or the commandments is that you can't. The commandments of God are the schoolmaster to bring you to Christ and his righteousness for Christ is the only one who ever obeyed the law perfectly. We are born corrupt because of what happened in the garden. Original sin that separated us from God. So we need a substitute. God is his righteousness. God in his righteousness must punish sin. So out of his great love and mercy for his people, God provided a substitute. His precious son, the Lord Jesus Christ. Second Corinthians chapter five. Second Corinthians chapter five. And this is another well-known scripture that bears repeating just about every time the gospel is preached. Second Corinthians chapter five, verse 21.

For he hath made him to be sin for us who knew no sin that we might be made the righteousness of God in him. I don't see me or I anywhere in that scripture. That is all him. First John chapter two. First one, my little children, these things, right? I unto you that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the father, Jesus Christ, the righteous. That is such a comforting scripture. Another word for advocate is lawyer. Jesus Christ, our great mediator between God and man, is our lawyer. And when we go to judgment, Jesus Christ himself pleads our case, defends us, and presents us his righteousness as our defense.

And God will look at the punishment he sentenced his own son to, the horrible death on the cross. I couldn't even use words to describe how horrible it was. We come to the table to remember it and we cringe when we think about it. He's sweat drops of blood thinking about it. It just, as payment in full for our sins. That's God's grace. Oh what grace, great mercy our God has provided for us in Christ. What a wonderful savior we have is the hemispheres. What a wonderful savior.

Someone Psalm 119 verse 46. I will speak of my testimonies also before Kings and will not be ashamed. The psalmist is declaring here. that he will not keep his mouth silent as to the wonderful grace of God. This serves to remind us that we should all be ready to give an answer to anyone who wonders why we believe God's perfect plan for salvation found only in his son, the Lord Jesus Christ. Psalm 107, verse two. Let the redeemed of the Lord say so.

Psalm 96, verse three. Declare his glory among the heathen, his wonders among all people. Verse 46 again, it reads, I will speak of thy testimonies also before kings and will not be ashamed. Romans chapter 10, verses nine through 11. Romans chapter 10, verses nine through 11.

They sum this scripture up perfectly in my opinion. that if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

For the scripture saith, whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. verse 46 that I will speak to the testimonies and I will not be ashamed. Psalm 119 verse 47 I will delight myself in thy commandments which I have loved a poor needy sinner can relate with the psalmist here because of God's great love and mercy. We too like the psalmist delight ourselves in the Word of God where else in the history of the world can anyone find such that God, the creator of all things, would make a perfect way for us to have a relationship with him for all eternity, after we have all failed so miserably and only deserve death and punishment because of our sin. We delight in his word. It is great news. We love his word because the living word of truth is the word of life. Listen to all the different ways David describes his delight.

In Psalms chapter 16 verses 9 through 11. My bookmarker. June 19, 1994. It's been my bookmarker for over 30 years. It says right at the beginning, let the redeemed of the Lord say so. Psalm chapter 16. And we're going to look at all the different ways that David describes his delight versus nine through eleven.

Therefore, my heart is glad and my glory rejoices. My flesh also shall rest in hope for that will not leave my soul in hell. Neither wilt thou suffer thine only one to see corruption that will shoot me. The path of life in my presence is fullness of joy. In thy right hand, there are pleasures evermore. Glad, glory, rejoices, rest, and hope, fullness of joy, pleasures evermore. He sums it up pretty well, doesn't he? That description of joy, Psalm, chapter 119, verse 48.

My hands also will I lift up unto thy commandments, which I have loved, and I will meditate in thy statutes. The psalmist is declaring here again that in his delight of the great news of God's grace and mercy, he will lift his hands and praise because he loves what he hears. And it is such great news. He wants to meditate day and night in the great truths of the scriptures. We too, like the psalmist, have this desire.

This is why we desire to come and worship and sing songs for the glory of our Lord God. because we love the word of God and meditating on the scriptures feeds our spiritual body with nourishment as food feeds our mortal body in Psalm chapter ninety six verse one ninety six verse one oh sing unto the Lord a new song sing unto the Lord all the earth sing unto the Lord bless his name shoe forth his salvation from day to day Psalm 98 verse four, make a joyful noise unto the Lord all the earth, make a loud noise and rejoice and sing and praise. And that was always a really encouraging scripture to me when I'm first learning how to play a hymn song or anything like that. It doesn't say you have to be good. It says make a joyful noise.

Again, Psalm 119 verse 48 says, my hands also I lift up unto thy commandments which I have loved and I will meditate in my statutes and in closing I'm going to read Psalms chapter 100 verses one through five make a joyful noise unto the Lord all ye lands serve the Lord with gladness come before his presence with singing know ye that the Lord he is God it is he that hath made us and not we ourselves We are his people and the sheep of his pasture. Enter into his gates with thanksgiving and into his corpse with praise. Be thankful unto him and bless his name for the Lord is good. His mercy is everlasting and his truth endures to all generations. Amen.