Bible Study - Psalm 119:145-152
- Read Psalm 119:145-152
- Psalm 119 (176 verses) is the longest of all the psalms and was
obviously written by someone who was devoted to the word of God. It
contains a series of individual statements about the scriptures, and
these are interspersed with frequent prayers. In the verses that we are
asked to read today the psalmist appears to be facing sorrow and
suffering, and prayers for deliverance are dominant.
- Reading the first two verses of our passage, it might appear that
the writer is trying to do a deal with God. He will obey God's
commands only if his prayers are granted, but reading on we see that
this is not so. His hope is in God's word (v.147) which he has
studied throughout his life (v.152). He trusts in God's promises
(v.148) and knows that God is with him (v.151).
- The prayers here are very personal and meant from the heart.
Prayers can become routine and lacking in the fervency we see here.
That is something to guard against. It's quite easy to say the
Lord's Prayer parrot fashion without really thinking of the words
because they are so familiar and in our own personal prayers the same
thing can happen.
- The psalmist was helped in his praying by his knowledge of the
scriptures. We have far more of God's word that he did. He had only
the law and the prophets. We have the teaching and example of
Jesus.
- To think about
- Blessed are they who keep his statutes and seek him with all their
heart. Psalm 119:2
- Have you learnt to let the word of God help you in your
praying?
- Prayer
- Lord, may I seek always to pray according to your will as I see it
in the scriptures.