Psalm 119 v65-72

Q: What does the Bible say about suffering and trials?

The Bible teaches that suffering can lead to spiritual growth and a deeper understanding of God's law, as seen in Psalm 119:67. The Bible presents suffering as a crucial instrument for spiritual development. As illustrated in Psalm 119:67, the psalmist acknowledges that affliction can redirect one from wayward paths back towards obedience to God's Word. This theme is echoed throughout Scripture, emphasizing that trials are not only inevitable but necessary for believers. James 1:2-4 instructs us to count it joy when facing trials, for they cultivate perseverance and completeness in faith. Such teachings remind us that God uses hardships to draw us closer to Him and to refine our character, which ultimately aligns with His perfect purpose for our lives.

Q: How do we know God's Word is valuable?

God's Word is deemed more valuable than gold, as emphasized in Psalm 119:72 and corroborated by Proverbs 8:10-11. The value of God's Word is repeatedly affirmed in Scripture, culminating in the assertion that it is better than material wealth. Psalm 119:72 states, 'The law of thy mouth is better unto me than thousands of gold and silver.' This sentiment reflects a deep appreciation for the transformative power of Scripture, which yields wisdom and guidance superior to earthly riches. Proverbs 8:10-11 echoes this by declaring that wisdom and knowledge are more valuable than silver and rubies. The inherent truth found in God's Word enriches the soul, providing a way to live in accordance with His will, thus making it an invaluable treasure for believers seeking spiritual nourishment.

Q: Why is God's goodness important for my faith?

Recognizing God's goodness is crucial as it fosters trust in His statutes, as stated in Psalm 119:68. Understanding and acknowledging God's inherent goodness is foundational to the Christian faith. Psalm 119:68 affirms this by asserting, 'Thou art good, and doest good; teach me thy statutes.' This recognition cultivates a loving relationship with God and inspires believers to earnestly seek His commandments. Moreover, when believers trust in God's goodness, they can navigate life's challenges with the assurance that His plans are for their ultimate good (Romans 8:28). The assurance of God’s goodness in every circumstance provides the motivation to obey His Word, embrace His teachings, and foster a lifestyle of worship and devotion.

Good morning. This morning, our study is taken from Psalms 119, chapter 65 through 72. In this section, 65 through 72, the Hebrew letter is teth, t-e-t-h. The term teeth symbolizes strength and power often associated with authority. In this context, it reflects the challenges and adversities faced by the psalmist. The verse emphasizes the value of God's teachings in overcoming difficulties. The letter teeth can also represent the harshness of trials that lead to spiritual growth. The psalmist acknowledges that affliction can lead to a deeper understanding of God's law. Ultimately, the passage highlights the transformative power of suffering in one's life.

So before we dive into this section, I'd like to state a few things regarding Psalms 119 in general. It's the longest chapter in the Bible and a powerful celebration of God's Word. It emphasizes obedience, devotion, spiritual renewal, and life-changing guidance that's found in Scripture. Each section reveals how the Word of God shapes, strengthens, and sustains believers. The Word of God is inherently all about Christ.

As we read in John chapter 1 verse 1, In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by Him, and without Him was not anything made that was made. So, Jesus is God. The Word was God. Jesus is the Word. That includes the Word of God, that anything that was made was made by Him. John is speaking of Jesus Christ Almighty. Jesus is the Word of God because of the fact He is the only mediator between God and man.

1st Timothy chapter 2 verse 5 says that, for there is one God and one mediator between God and man, the man Christ Jesus. Everything in God's Word is about God Almighty and His Son Jesus Christ and His Spirit, the great three in one. So as we study Psalm 119, we should recognize that ultimately anything that is about God is also about His Son, Jesus Christ. and the Holy Spirit, because they are one.

Even though they are three distinct individual entities, they are also one. I don't pretend to understand this. This is beyond human understanding, but I believe it because God's word says it is true. And I believe it by God-given faith, just as the amazing works of God that I can understand all throughout the book, I believe it by faith as we all should. The very Word of God is nourishment for our souls, designed by God Almighty, King Jesus, and the Holy Spirit to be the sustenance that we need to live a healthy spiritual life amongst all of life's struggles and trials that God places in our lives.

As we know that everything God places in our lives is for our own good, ultimately, according to Romans 8.28. And everything that happens, happens according to God's purpose. according to God's perfect purpose. Think about that. Nothing happens outside of God's perfect purpose. That in itself is a very, very comforting thought, if you ask me. Romans 8, 28, And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are called according to His purpose. Look here at Matthew, how our Lord shows us to live on the word of God.

This is the temptation of Jesus, Matthew chapter four, verses one through four. Then was Jesus led up of the spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil. And when he had fasted 40 days and 40 nights, he was afterward and hungered. And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread. But he answered and said, This is Jesus Christ, God Almighty, said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. The word of God is the sustenance for our soul. It nourishes our soul as food nourishes our physical body.

And the Book of Psalms, or any other of God's Word for that matter, is called the Living Word for a reason. Because when we look at God's Word, the same scripture we read decades ago, for those who've been saved for a long time, or even minutes ago sometimes, for all of us, it can have a new meaning. God reveals to us the amazing details and wisdom of His Word as He sees fit and at his perfect timing for his purpose. Hebrews chapter four, verse 12, for the word of God is quick. And that doesn't mean fast, it's getting away. It means living, it's alive.

The word of God is alive and powerful and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit and to the joints and marrow and it is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. From the scriptures we just looked at, we can see that the Word of God is Jesus Christ, God Almighty, the Living Word, our sustenance, powerful, and a discerner of the thoughts and intents of our heart.

So in that context, let us look into God's Living Word of Truth and see what He would reveal to us, Lord willing, in this section of Psalm 119, because if he doesn't reveal something to us, then nothing that I say is anything. Just a man in the flesh can't say anything. Only God's word can speak to you by the power of his spirit. Psalms 119, chapter 119, verses 65 through 72. Teeth.

Thou hast dwelt well with thy servant, O Lord, according unto thy word. Teach me good judgment and knowledge, for I have believed thy commandments. Before I was afflicted, I went astray, but now have I kept thy word. Thou art good, and doest good. Teach me thy statutes. The proud have forged a lie against me, but I will keep thy precepts with my whole heart. Their heart is as fat as grease, but I delight in thy law. It is good for me that I have been afflicted, that I might learn thy statutes.

The law of thy mouth is better unto me than thousands of gold and silver." So starting in verse 65, teeth, Thou hast dealt well with thy servant, O Lord, according to thy word. Thou hast dealt well with thy servant according to thy word. The psalmist is recognizing that everything he goes through in life is well.

It is well with my soul, like the song says, because according to God's word, all things happen for the good for those who love God. God's Spirit helps our infirmities and even helps us to pray. How could we even attempt to know how to pray to God Almighty? We follow the instructions in His Word on how to pray. But still, we come way short. But that's okay. God tells us to pray unceasingly.

In 1 Thessalonians 5.17, pray without ceasing. And then God fixes our prayers through the Holy Spirit who maketh intercession for us as we read in Romans.

In Romans 8.26-28, Likewise, the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities, for we know not what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. And he that searches the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God. And we know that all things work together for them that love God, to them that are called according to his purpose.

Verse 65 says, Thou hast dealt well with thy servant, O Lord, according to thy word. God's word is the instrument that God uses to show us his goodness. God's word is by far the most amazing literary work of all time. It has proven itself to be God's Word in the fact that it was written over thousands of years by people who didn't know each other, all speaking of the same thing. 66 books, 40 authors, all about Christ, from the prophets all the way through to Revelations. It's profound, it proves itself true, there's never been another work like it. In fact, most of the majority of the history that's taught in school is from God's Word, although they don't give it the credit.

Psalms chapter 119 verse 66, teach me good judgment and knowledge for I have believed thy commandments. In this verse, the psalmist is praying for God to teach him good judgment and knowledge. This reminds me of what Solomon asked for when God asked him what he should like to be blessed with. Solomon's prayer for wisdom in first Kings chapter three, versus one through 15.

And Solomon made affinity with Pharaoh king of Egypt, and took Pharaoh's daughter, and brought her into the city of David, until he had made an end of building his own house, and the house of the Lord, and the wall of Jerusalem round about. Only the people sacrificed in high places, because there was no house built unto the name of the Lord until those days. And Solomon loved the Lord, walking in the statutes of David his father, only he sacrificed and burnt incense in high places. And the king went to Gibeon to sacrifice there, for that was the great high place. A thousand burnt offerings did Solomon offer upon that altar.

In Gibeon, the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream by night, and God said, Ask, what I shall give thee? And Solomon said, thou hast shewed unto my servant David, my father, great mercy, according as he has walked thee in truth and in righteousness and in uprightness of heart with thee. And thou hast kept for him this great kindness, that thou hast given him a son to sit on his throne as it is this day. And now, O Lord my God, thou hast made thy servant king instead of David, my father.

And I am but a little child. I know not how to go out or come in. And thy servant is in the midst of thy people, which thou hast chosen, a great people that cannot be numbered nor counted for multitude. Verse 9 of chapter 3, verse King says, Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart. Give thy servant an understanding heart, to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and bad. For who is able to judge this, thy so great a people? And in Psalms chapter 119 verse 66, the psalmist says, teach me good judgment and knowledge, for I have believed thy commandments.

That's what Solomon asked. And the speech pleased the Lord that Solomon had asked this thing. And God said to him, because thou has asked this thing and has not asked for thyself long life, neither has asked for riches for thyself, nor has asked for the life of thine enemies, but has asked for thyself understanding to discern judgment.

Behold, I have done according to thy words. Lo, I have given thee a wise and understanding heart, so that there was none like thee before thee, neither after thee shall any arise like unto thee. That's a good thing to remember when we read Proverbs, because Solomon's the wisest person that ever lived. And it says it right there. And in chapter 3 verse 13 it says, And I have also given thee that which thou hast not asked, both riches and honor, so that there shall not be any among the kings like unto thee all thy days.

And if thou wilt walk in my ways and keep my statutes and my commandments as thy father David did walk, then I will lengthen thy days. And Solomon awoke, and behold, it was a dream. And he came to Jerusalem, and stood before the Ark of the Covenant of the Lord, and offered up burnt offerings, and offered peace offerings, and made a feast to all his servants." I think there might be another little message there about how after this, Solomon went and offered up his offerings at the Ark of the Covenant. Whereas before, at the beginning, he was doing it at the high places.

And I think there might be something there to look into at some point. Psalms chapter 119, verse 67. Before I was afflicted, I went astray, but now have I kept thy word. The psalmist starts this verse with a declaration, before I was afflicted. Think about that. Before he was afflicted. This could mean a lot of things. Afflicted in a physical way, or afflicted in a spiritual way.

I'll tell you one thing's for sure, unless the Lord shows you your sin, you will continue to go astray. And the psalmist says, before I was afflicted, I went astray. The gospel of God's grace is all about your condition before God. A helpless, vile, depraved sinner.

There is none good, no not one, in case someone wants to boast about how they are really not all that bad, Here's what God's Word says about mankind in general and no one is exempt. This is original sin I'm speaking of what happened in the garden and man is born dead spiritually. This concept of original sin thrusting mankind into spiritual darkness is not a popular subject in mainstream preaching because it's offensive. Don't tell me I'm a sinner. People don't want to hear that. I never did anything that bad.

That's the typical reaction of many when you tell someone they are a helpless, vile, depraved sinner on their way to eternal darkness and hell, unless Jesus calls them out of darkness and he will get all the glory for that. And then if you tell them that their very thoughts condemn them, oh, I've never done anything bad, but God will send you to hell for your thoughts. God will send you to hell for your very thoughts without the sin atoning blood of Jesus Christ the righteous. Romans chapter 3 starting at verse 9. Romans chapter 3 starting at verse 9. I'm going to read all the way to verse 28. Romans chapter three, starting at verse nine.

What then? Are we better than they? No, and no wise, for we have before proved, both Jews and Gentiles, that they are all under sin. As it is written, there is none righteous, no, not one. There is none that understandeth. There is none that seeketh after God. They are all gone out of the way. They are together become unprofitable. There is none that doeth good, no, not one.

Their throat is an open sepulchre and their tongues They have used deceit. The poison of Asps is under their lips, whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness. Their feet are swift to shed blood. Destruction and misery are in their ways, and the way of peace have they not known. There is no fear of God before their eyes.

Now we know that what thing so ever the law saith, is saith to them who are under the law, that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God. Therefore, by the deeds of the law, there shall no flesh be justified in his sight, for by the law is the knowledge of sin. But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested. being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets. Even the righteousness of God, which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe, for there is no difference. For all have sinned, all come short of the glory of God.

Being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Jesus Christ, whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of the sins that are passed through forbearance of God. To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness, that he might be just and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.

Wherefore is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? Of works? Nay, by the law of faith. Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law. Before I was afflicted, I went astray, but now I have, but now have I kept thy word. That was in verse 67. Let us look at that again. Before I was afflicted, I went astray.

When God afflicts someone with the knowledge of their condition and their sin before God, He lovingly gives that sinner hope in the finished work of Christ crucified on the cross. to atone for their sin. This is the good news. That God loves sinners. This is the good news. And God's mercy is found in Jesus Christ Almighty. The psalmist recognizes that. Before he was afflicted, he was running away from God. Going astray. Just like every person before God calls them out of darkness. And God calls people out of darkness through the preaching of the gospel of God's grace. When God lovingly gifts a sinner with faith to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ as their Savior, Their sin afflicts them until then, and even more so after then.

They realize that their sins are what nailed Jesus to the cross. They realize that their sins killed someone. Your thoughts killed someone. Your very sin nailed Jesus to the cross, for those who believe. Not just anyone, but God Almighty in the flesh. Think about that, the creator of the universe. You killed him. And it crushes them. And anyone who thinks that the blood-bought child of God is an antinomian or lawless doesn't understand that their sin crushed them. And now, they are now only ever trying not to sin, but keep the Word of God. As the psalmist says, keep the law of God to love God and love thy neighbor.

Matthew chapter 22 verses 34 through 40. But when the Pharisees had heard that he had put the Sadducees to silence, they were gathered together. Then one of them, which was a lawyer, asked him a question, tempting him and saying, trying to trick Jesus, trying to trick God Almighty, Master, Which is the great commandment of the law? And Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul and with all thy mind.

This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it that thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. And these two commandments hang all the law and all the prophets. And that's the words of Christ, God almighty and his spirit. Those are the red letters. Chapter 119 verse 68. Thou art good and doest good. Teach me thy statutes.

The psalmist declares here that God is good and rightfully so because everything that God does is righteous and good. So the psalmist is pleading with God by asking God to teach him the word of God out of his goodness. It is because the goodness of God that he has mercy on our souls. And the psalmist is aware of this fact.

Nahum 1.7 says, The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble, and he knoweth them that trust him.

Psalm 34.8 says, O taste and see that the Lord is good. Blessed is the man that trusteth him.

Mark 10.18, And Jesus saith unto him, Why callest me good? There is none good but one, that is, God. Chapter 119 verse 68 of Psalms says, Thou art good and doest good. Teach me thy statutes. David in Psalm 25 sums this verse 68 up perfectly. In chapter 25 of Psalms, verses four through eight, David says, shoo me thy ways, O Lord, teach me thy paths.

Lead me in thy truth and teach me, for thou art the God of my salvation, and thee do I wait all the day. Remember, O Lord, thy tender mercies and thy loving kindness, for they have been ever of old. Remember not the sins of my youth, nor my transgressions. According to thy mercy, remember thou me for thy goodness' sake, O Lord. Good and upright is the Lord, therefore will he teach sinners in the way.

In Psalms chapter 119, verse 69, The psalmist says, the proud have forged a lie against me, but I will keep thy precepts with my whole heart. The psalmist is aware that the proud are against him, and the proud and lofty don't want to hear about God. God hates pride. We've all heard of the account of how Lucifer was lifted up with pride, which ultimately got him kicked out of heaven. Proverbs, chapter 16, verse 5, Solomon says, everyone that is proud in heart is an abomination to the Lord.

Through hand joined in hand, he shall not be unpunished. In chapter 8, verse 13, of Proverbs, the fear of the Lord is to hate evil, pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth do I hate. And in Proverbs 16, verse 18, pride goeth before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall. Charles Spurgeon wrote this about Psalm 119, verse 69.

It is no use for me to trouble about them. When they have forged one lie, they will probably forge another. and there is practically no end to that black business. It is no use for me to try to answer them. I will turn to a far more profitable occupation.

I will keep thy precepts with my whole heart." So, basically what he's saying is instead of casting pearls to swine, he's just going to dive into God's Word and know that, you know, just like when that person was railing against David when he was walking along, he was up in the tree, And I forget which apostle was with David when he said, you want me to go take care of that guy? And basically take care of him. And he said, no, no, God put him there for a reason. Let him do what he's going to do. He was railing, he was cursing against David. He said, no, just leave him there. And David continued on his walk. That's what we're to do too. The psalmist says, regardless of the lies the wicked say about him, he will continue, as we all should.

Continue to keep God's law and worship God with our whole heart, as we read earlier in Matthew 22, but we'll read it again in Mark chapter 12, verses 28 through 31. As one of the scribes came, and having heard them reasoning together and perceiving that he had answered them well, he asked him, which is the first commandment of all? And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God is one Lord, and thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength. This is the first commandment. And the second is like, namely this, thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these. That's why we are under the law of love. Love God, love your neighbor.

Chapter 119, verse 70 of Psalms says, their heart is as fat as grease, but I delight in thy law. This verse kind of goes along with the previous, when the psalmist says their heart, he's speaking of the proud that have forged a lie. Again, I'd like to refer to what Charles Spurgeon said about that verse because it's tied to the previous verse and what he says about proud liars. That's what he said, he says, they are insensible, lifeless, they have no conscience, no feeling, they are so proud of their prosperity, that they are afflicted with fatty degeneration of the heart. But I delight in thy law, as the psalmist says, what a blessing it is for us to find our fatness there, to delight in the marrow and fatness of God's law.

Psalm 119 verse 71, it is good for me that I have been afflicted, that I might learn thy statutes. The psalmist here seems to be circling back to very similar to what he said in verse 67, before I was afflicted and went astray, but now I have kept thy word. The psalmist is aware that the rod of God is for his good and ours for that matter.

He's aware that sometimes the rod is necessary in the school of God, as Spurgeon says, such dual scholars are we. Thou hast whipped a little knowledge into me and not much has come in any other way. That's how Charles Spurgeon put it, and I say well put. Trials can produce a positive result. We know what Romans 8, 28 says. We just need to realize that during the trial, while it may be very difficult, the end result will be good, because that's what God's word tells us.

In James 1, verses two through four, my brethren, count it all joy when we fall into diverse temptations, knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience, but let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire. wanting nothing.

Psalm chapter 119 verse 72. The law of thy mouth is better unto me than thousands of gold and silver. The psalmist declares here a valuable truth. The word of God is priceless. Priceless. Listen to what the Lord Jesus God Almighty says about the kingdom of heaven, which God's Word inherently is all about. In Matthew chapter 13, verses 44, this is Christ speaking. Again, the kingdom of heaven is likened to treasure hid in a field, that which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field. or continuing in Matthew chapter 13, verse 45 and 46. Again, the kingdom of heaven is likened to a merchant man. seeking goodly pearls, who when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had and bought it.

Look at what King Solomon said, pretty much the same thing as the psalmist in verse 72. The law of the mouth is better unto me than thousands of gold and silver. Solomon is speaking about wisdom in the word of God. In Proverbs chapter 8, verses 10 and 11, Receive my instruction, and not silver, and knowledge rather than choice gold. For wisdom is better than rubies, and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared with it.

The next one's about David, but speaking of David and Solomon, we're talking about kings, and Solomon was probably the richest person who ever lived, ever. They say that the streets were lined with gold or something like that. I mean, there was so much gold in the Temple of Solomon that later on during the Crusades when they burnt it, the gold trickled down into the cracks and crevices of the bricks and they disassembled it brick by brick, just like the prophets said that it would be taken apart. And they did it to get the gold out. And for Solomon, the richest person to ever live, said, the Word of God is better.

David, a man after God's own heart, says this about the law of thy mouth, as the psalmist calls it, basically God's word. The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul. The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple. The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart. The commandments of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes. The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever. The judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether.

More to be desired are they than gold, yea, much fine gold, sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. The Word of God is wisdom, and God gives wisdom by His Word. Proverbs chapter 2 verses 1 through 6, My son, if thou wilt receive my words, and hide my commandments with thee, so that thou incline thy ear unto wisdom, and apply thy heart to understanding, yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and lifteth up thy voice for understanding, If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures, then thou shalt understand the fear of the Lord, and find the knowledge of God. For the Lord giveth wisdom, out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding. Proverbs chapter 3, verses 13 through 23. Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that giveth understanding.

For the merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold. She is more precious than rubies, and all the things that cant's desire are not to be compared unto her. Length of thy days is in her right hand, and in her left hand riches and honor. Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace. She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her, and happy is everyone that retaineth her.

The Lord by wisdom hath founded the earth, by understanding he hath established the heavens. By his knowledge the depths are broken up and the clouds drop down the dew. My son, let not them depart from thine eyes, keep sound wisdom and discretion. For they shall be life unto thy soul and grace to thy neck. Thou shalt not walk in thy way safely, and thou shalt walk in thy way safely, and thy foot shall not stumble. Amen.

Psalm 119 v65-72

What does the Bible say about suffering and trials?

How do we know God's Word is valuable?

Why is God's goodness important for my faith?

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Psalm 119 v65-72

What does the Bible say about suffering and trials?

How do we know God's Word is valuable?

Why is God's goodness important for my faith?

Sermon Transcript

Comments

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