Psalm 119 can be used as a personal evaluation tool to assist you in determining your status as an individual who is desperately dependent on God. This exercise is not designed to create a monument to your success or failure as a Christian. Rather allow it to serve as a compass that establishes a “true north” so that you may align your path to arrive at the ultimate destination of Christlikeness. The author of this Psalm testifies to the paths he has taken along his course of relating to God. Therefore this instrument may also offer guidance for your direction as you attempt to follow the way to godliness.
Warren Wiersbe offers this introduction to Psalm 119:
This psalm is special in several ways. It is the longest psalm (176 verses), and it is an acrostic psalm, following the letters of the Hebrew alphabet. In most editions of the Bible, the twenty-two sections of this psalm are headed by the successive letters of the Hebrew alphabet (Aleph, Beth, Gimel, etc.). In the Hebrew Bible, each verse in a section begins with that Hebrew letter. For example, all the verses in the “aleph” section (vv. 1–8) begin with the Hebrew letter “aleph.” Look at the “teth” section (vv. 65–72) and start v. 67 with “Til” and v. 71 with “Tis,” and you will have each line starting with the English letter “T” (which is the same as the Hebrew “teth”). The Jews wrote in this fashion to help them memorize the Scriptures so they could meditate on God’s Word. We do not know who wrote this psalm, although the writer refers to himself many times. He was suffering for his love for God’s Law (vv. 22, 50–53, 95, 98, 115), yet he had determined to obey the Word regardless of the cost. All but five verses mention the Word of God in one way or another. The exceptions are vv. 84, 90, 121, 122, and 132. God is referred to in every verse. . . . Each section has eight verses. . . . The word “eight” in Hebrew literally means “abundance, more than enough”; it is the number of new beginnings. It is as though the writer is saying, “God’s Word is enough. If you have the Scriptures, that is all you need for life and godliness.” Indeed the Bible points us to Christ: He is the Living Word about whom the written Word speaks. (Wiersbe's Expository Outlines on the Old Testament, 1993)
As you read through this Psalm, mark the verses that
currently and
consistently (more often than not) describe you. We have also created a personalization of each verse so that you can more easily determine an accurate assessment. Since Psalm 119 (NLT) is composed of 176 verses we will post this review in stages-one section each week. Take your time, and allow God to use this exercise to draw you closer to Himself.
Aleph1
Joyful are people of integrity, / who follow the instructions of the LORD.I am joyful, have integrity, and follow the instructions of the LORD.
2
Joyful are those who obey his laws / and search for him with all their hearts.I obey the laws of the LORD, am joyful, and search for the LORD with all of my heart.
3
They do not compromise with evil, / and they walk only in his paths.I do not compromise with evil and walk only in the LORD’s paths.
4
You have charged us / to keep your commandments carefully.I keep the LORD’s commandments carefully.
5
Oh, that my actions would consistently / reflect your decrees!I wish that my actions would consistently reflect the decrees of the LORD!
6
Then I will not be ashamed / when I compare my life with your commands.I am not ashamed when I compare my life with the commands of the LORD.
7
As I learn your righteous regulations, / I will thank you by living as I should!I learn the righteous regulations of the LORD and thank the LORD by living as I should.
8
I will obey your decrees. / Please don’t give up on me!I obey the decrees of the LORD.
How did you do? Count all your marks.
1. What has God shown you about yourself through this evaluation?
2. What has God revealed about Himself through this assessment?
3. How will you respond to the insight you have gained?
