Guide for Psalm 119

Oh, that my actions would consistently reflect your decrees! 

Then I will not be ashamed when I compare my life with your commands. Psalm 119:5-6

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For the next 22 days, my youth girls and myself will be reading through Psalm 119. Sounds like a long and tedious task, but dividing a reading plan from the stanzas is quite easy. Here's a guide to getting the most out of the longest Psalm!

From my NLT Study Bible:
This Psalm is a Hebrew acrostic poem; there are twenty-two stanzas, one for each successive letter of the Hebrew alphabet. Each of the eight verses within each stanza begins with the Hebrew letter named in its heading. Psalm 119 combines elements of wisdom, lament, praise, thanksgiving, and confession. Eight Hebrew words are used frequently, translated as "instructions," "laws," "words," "regulations," "statues," "commands," "decrees," "commandments," and "promises." Together, these words encourage love for and obedience to God's instructions, as found in the Scriptures (2 Timothy 3:14-17). The expression of deep commitment to these instructions unifies the psalm.


Aleph - Psalm 119:1-8
God the author of these instructions, commands that his followers live by them. The psalmist prays to be given the grace to live by that revelation.

Beth - Psalm 119:9-16
The psalmist is determined to pursue purity and encourages the cultivation of wisdom through God's principles (119:9) and instructions (119:10-16).

Gimel - Psalm 119:17-24
Like a foreigner in hostile territory, God's servant needs God's guidance.

Daleth - Psalm 119:25-32
Though the poet feels anguish and sorrow, he entreats the Lord to revive him because he wants to obey the Lord. Sufferings and death may result from the Lord's chastening, but his instruction revived the weary soul.

He - Psalm 119:33-40
As a student, the poet asks his teacher, God, to renew life and transform disgrace into righteousness.

Waw - Psalm 119:41-48
The Psalmist prays that God's word would continue to be the source of his love and salvation.

Zayin - Psalm 119:49-56
The psalmist asks God to remember his word as the psalmist also remembers God's word and his name. Remembrance expresses devotion.

Heth - Psalm 119: 57-64
The psalmist seeks God's favor and unfailing love. Although surrounded by evildoers, He remains a loyal servant to the Lord.

Teth - Psalm 119:65-72
The psalmist describes himself as a penitent sinner who gratefully accepts the Lord's discipline.

Yodh - Psalm 119:73-80
In this prayer for comfort and compassion, the psalmist commits himself to the Creator, who has afflicted him. He wants God to pay his enemies for the wrongs they have done. He also prays to receive the gift of life. He not only prays for himself but also considers the whole community of the godly, asking that God's answers to prayers would encourage them.

Kaph - Psalm 119:81-88
The psalmist is worn out from waiting for the Lord, but His hope is in God's future rescue.

Lamedh - Psalm 119:89-96
The stability of God's wisdom gives understanding. God's word provides order and framework for living, even under pressure from adversaries.

Mem - Psalm 119:97-104
The instruction and wisdom of God through his word are far superior to the best that human teachers can offer.

Nun - Psalm 119:105-112
The psalmist's devotion to God's word comes from within his being and guides his external life.

Samekh - Psalm 119:113-120
The psalmist declares his hatred of evil and his love for God and his ways.

Ayin - Psalm 119:121-128
The servant of the Lord strains to endure the evil around him. He boldly petitions the Lord to rescue Him immediately.

Pe - Psalm 119:129-136
The psalmist prays earnestly for God to speak to him as he suffers from his adversaries.

Tsadhe - Psalm 119:137-144
God is righteous, and his word is right and just, especially on contrast to the deceptions of the wicked.

Qoph - Psalm 119:145-152
The psalmist prays to the Lord at night. Although God God appears to be distant, he is nearby.

Resh - Psalm 119:153-160
The petition for life can be found throughout Psalm 119 but it is concentrated in this stanza.

Shin - Psalm 119:160-168
The psalmist looks beyond his adversaries to the peace of God. The perspective allows him to praise God throughout the day.

Taw - Psalm 119:169-176
God's servant petitions the Lord one final time; he still feels like a lost sheep.


Not only is this an easy guide to follow, but you will also learn the Hebrew alphabet. I am excited to uncover the wonderful truths found in Psalm 119. May you be greatly blessed and filled with the Spirit of God as you seek God's promises through this iddy-bitty and powerful Psalm.

Twenty4teen

Happy 2014 Friends.

New year, fresh start! Cheers to a new year and a challenge that is both attainable and rewarding.

don't look to closely... I wrote 2013! lol

For as long as I could remember, I have been journaling one verse a day. Challenging you to do the same and share that good Word with a friend. And as a byproduct of spending time in the word may we be used as a diffuser: spreading the knowledge of Christ everywhere we go... Like a sweet smelling aroma. For we are the fragrance of Christ. God bless you!

"and peace I give as a gift"

Are you in need of peace? Peace of mind? Peace of heart? 

Perfect peace which surpasses all understanding is made available to us because the Father longs to give it freely to us, through the Word which is Christ, and produced by the power and work of the Holy Spirit. No positive thinking will ever produce perfect peace. No yoga, meditation, or getaway can give it to us. No messenger of God can fully produce that which only God can do. For any and every situation the Bible is our peace maker, so let's stop seeking our own solutions and go to the source of peace: 

In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, O Lord, will keep me safe. Psalm 4:8

The Lord is a shelter for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble. Those who know your name trust in you, for you, O Lord, do not abandon those who search for you. Psalm 9:9-10

The Lord gives his people strength. The Lord blesses them with peace. Psalm 29:11

Those who love your instructions have great peace and do not stumble. Psalm 119:165

People who wink at wrong cause trouble, but a bold reproof promotes peace. Proverbs 10:10

A peaceful heart leads to a healthy body; jealousy is like cancer in the bones. Proverbs 14:30

Better a dry crust eaten in peace than a house filled with feasting—and conflict. Proverbs 17:1

You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you! Isaiah 26:3

I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid. John 14:27

I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world. Psalm 16:33

Never pay back evil with more evil. Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable. Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone. Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God. For the Scriptures say, “I will take revenge; I will pay them back,” says the Lord. Romans 12:17-19

I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13

And now may God, who gives us his peace, be with you all. Amen. Romans 15:33 

But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things! Galatians 5:22-23

 Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. Philippians 4:6-8

The Lord is my shepherd; I have all that I need. 
He lets me rest in green meadows; He leads me beside peaceful streams.  
He renews my strength. 
He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to his name.  
Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for You are close beside me.
Your rod and Your staff protect and comfort me. 
You prepare a feast for me in the presence of my enemies.
You honor me by anointing my head with oil.
My cup overflows with blessings.  
Surely Your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life,
and I will live in the house of the Lord forever. Psalm 23

Go on, do a word search on peace and be filled. 

a little push

God doesn't just move once in our lives but He moves again and again and again and again again and again... -Pedro Garcia 

{photo credit}

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And I am confident that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns. Philippians 1:6
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So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord—who is the Spirit—makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image. 2 Corinthians 3:18
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But my life is worth nothing to me unless I use it for finishing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus—the work of telling others the Good News about the wonderful grace of God. Acts 20:24
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Therefore, if anyone is in Christ,he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. 2 Corinthians 5:17
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The Lord will perfect that which concerns me. Psalm 138:8
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Commit everything you do to the Lord. Trust him, and he will help you. He will make your innocence radiate like the dawn, and the justice of your cause will shine like the noonday sun. Be still in the presence of the Lord, and wait patiently for him to act. Psalm 37:5-7
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