Psalm 119's "Greatest Hits"


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Psalm 119 is Probably One of the Most Under-rated Portions of the Bible

We look at it and think, "It's too long!" (Psalm 119 is the longest chapter in the Bible.  Most Psalms are one page long; this one is as long as nine average-length Psalms!); and "It's too repetitive!"  Every verse seems to say the same thing, over and over again in different ways.  

Well yes, it speaks verse after verse of the beauty and helpfulness of God's Word.  Often it talks of God's Law.  We Christians, who are not under the Law, but under Grace (un-merited favor), can simply substitute "God's Word" in our minds, when this Psalm speaks of "God's Law."

David Livingstone and William Wilberforce Had Both Memorized Psalm 119

"In Jesus' time, Psalm 119 was the first portion of scripture that young people were taught to memorize (with us it often is The Lord's Prayer, or John 3:16). 

David Livingstone, the great Missionary Explorer, discoverer of Victoria Falls, memorized Psalm 119 when he was only nine years old.

William Wilberforce, the Christian member of Parliament who got England to abolish slavery (100 years before the U.S.A. did, and without a bloody Civil War), spoke of the joy he had one day praying it to God (yes, he had it memorized!), as he was walking along Baker Street towards Regency Park (London, England). 

Monk Linda and I Have Walked That Same Street 

Monk Bob, when he was young, wanted to visit the seals in the zoo there (he lived in California, at the time), and we were going to fulfill his dream, but found that they had been moved to another zoo shortly after World War II (Baker Street was of course also the home of the fictional character Sherlock Holmes). 

Psalm 119 is divided into sections, one for each of the letters in the Hebrew alphabet.  After you read these "Greatest Hits," go back and read this Psalm in its entirety on our page: Psalm 119.  There is a real joy in reading this Psalm: read it very slowly.  There are many more wonderful "nuggets" to be found in it.

Enjoy.

        -Monk Preston        ____________________________________________

  • Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way?  By taking heed thereto according to thy word.  (Verse 9)

  •  Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.   (Verse 11)

  • Open thou mine eyes, that I might behold wondrous things out of thy law.   (Verse 18)

  • For ever, O Lord, thy word is settled in heaven.   (Verse 89)

  • Oh how I love thy law!  It is my meditation all the day.      (Verse 97)

  •  I have more understanding than all my teachers: for thy testimonies are my meditation.   (Verse 99)

  •   Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.   (Verse 105)

  •  The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple.   (Verse 130)

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