God’s Multifaceted Word: reflecting on Psalm 119

In my personal daily times of Scripture reading and prayer, I have recently been meditating on Psalm 119. Psalm 119 is by far the longest of the psalms with a total of 176 verses. This psalm is an extended reflection on the delight and power of God’s word, structured as an acrostic poem with one stanza for each letter of the Hebrew alphabet. Within Psalm 119, we encounter an impressive and expansive catalog of the diverse characteristics of God’s word. As Walter Brueggemann writes in The Message of the Psalms, Psalm 119 “wants to make a comprehensive statement of the adequacy of a torah-oriented life. It affirms that torah will cover every facet of human existence, everything from A to Z.” Reading through Psalm 119, we receive a multifaceted look at the word of God that is enlightening, stretching, and encouraging. While sometimes feeling repetitive, the structure and the length of Psalm 119 forces us to reckon with the significance of God’s word to us.

In Ephesians 6:10-24, the Apostle Paul outlines the elements of the armor of God. The only piece of that armor which can be used in an offensive manner comes last: “and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God” (Ephesians 6:17b). God’s Word is powerful and invaluable as we face spiritual conflict as God’s people. As the writer of Hebrews says, “For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart” (Hebrews 4:12).

Here is a summary list of some facets of God’s word listed within Psalm 119. As you read through the list, let me encourage you to pause when a statement jumps out at you. As you pause, open the Bible to Psalm 119, read the verse or verses referenced behind that statement, and then meditate on those words throughout the day. You may want to use the prayer at the end of the list as a leaping off point for praying the Scripture back to God. There is so much here in each verse to grow and deepen us with God.

Psalm 119 tells us God’s word is:

• to be fully obeyed (4)
• righteous (7, 61, 106, 123, 137, 144, 164, 172)
• a guide for purity of life (9)
• a way to keep from sin (11)
• from the Lord’s mouth (13, 88)
• full of wonderful things (18)
• a delight (24, 35, 70, 77, 143, 162, 174)
• a counselor (24)
• a revelation of God’s wonderful deeds (27)
• a picture of the way of faithfulness (30)
• good (39, 68)
• a revelation of God’s salvation promises (41)
• a bringer of freedom (45)
• a promise to preserve our life (50)
• ancient (52)
• a comforter (52)
• precious (72)
• a pathway away from shame (80)
• completely trustworthy (86, 138)
• eternal (89, 152, 160)
• firm in the heavens (89)
• boundless in its perfection (90)
• what makes us wiser than our enemies and our teachers (98, 99, 100)
• sweet like honey (103)
• a lamp and light for our path (105, 130)
• the joy of our heart (111)
• wonderful (129)
• thoroughly tested (140)
• true (142, 151, 160)
• a bringer of peace (165)
• sustenance (175)

Lord my God, there is so much for me to ponder in Your word. I think You for Your grace in revealing who Yourself and Your ways to us as gathered in the Scripture. Thank You for being a God who does not leave us alone but speaks to us and guides us. As I read Your word, I am struck by what I have just read. Help me to grow in understanding You and walking with You in light of what I have read. Plant within me a hunger for knowing You and Your ways even more. Lead me into the paths of holy obedience by the power of the Holy Spirt. All for Your glory, I pray. Amen.