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This Bible study on Psalm 119 contains outlines, extensive cross-references, Bible study discussion questions, lessons to learn, and applications.  Visit our inductive Bible studies for more studies on this and other books of the Bible.

Psalm 119:25-32 Inductive Bible Study

Psalm 119:25-32

His Word Strengthens the Weak

Summary- I come from the dust, and my soul is mired down in this fleshly, sorrowful way. Only His Word can revive me. I confess my sins before Him, and He forgives and teaches me more of His Word. As He helps me understand more of His Scripture, my soul will focus more on His amazing character and works. My sin causes me much grief, but His Word strengthens me. Only He can remove the sin from me and help me to follow His way, which is found in His Bible. I must hold on tightly to these precious Words of God in order not to be put to shame by my own sins. In the beginning my heart was small and selfish. He will enlarge it so I can follow His commandments.

Central Teaching- Were it not for Christ, I would never rise above my sinful ways, but His Word strengthens and corrects me.

Key Verse- 32

Key Words-cleaves, dust, revive, teach, understand, meditate, strengthen, chosen, faithful, enlarge, Your Word

Ten things this passage says-

  1. My soul cleaves to the dust.
  2. His Word revives.
  3. When I confess my sins, He forgives.
  4. He teaches His statues until I understand them SO I will meditate on them.
  5. My sin brings me great grief, but His Word strengthens me.
  6. The false way is already a part of who I am.
  7. Any understanding I have of His law or ability to follow it comes from Him.
  8. Living faithfully is a choice, and it’s accomplished by keeping His Word before me.
  9. Following His testimonies keeps me free from shame.
  10. I can enthusiastically obey His commands because He enlarges my heart.

Ten things this passage does NOT say-

  1. I am basically good and happy all the time.
  2. Even when I sin, I can make it right on my own and do what is good, or at the very least, psychology will help me find the answers.
  3. There is no need to confess my sins to God. I’m not sinning against Him, but against those around me.
  4. He might forgive me of my sins, but He can’t help me get on the right path and avoid doing the same things again and again.
  5. I can never understand God’s ways; it’s too tiring to think of them.
  6. There is no way my sins can ever be forgiven, and I will always live with my weakness.
  7. When I do wrong, it’s only a mistake, and not my usual way. I will soon seek out His Law to follow it again.
  8. Being faithful is instinctive for me, and I can do it naturally, without having to follow His Word.
  9. If I follow His Word, I will come to shame.
  10. There’s no way I can obey everything He has commanded; I’m just not able.

What does this passage teach me about God?

His word revives.

He answers and forgives.

He teaches me His ways.

Not only does He teach me, but He helps me to understand.

He is wonderful!

He strengthens me with His word.

He is gracious.

He does not shame His obedient children.

He enlarges my heart.

Questions-

What does it mean that “my soul cleaves to the dust”? V25

What does it mean to be revived? V25

How are we revived? V25

How does His Word revive? V25

What “ways” has the psalmist told of? V26

How does God answer him? V26

Why is it significant that the psalmist asks God to teach him His statutes immediately after telling of his ways and being answered by Him? V26

How does God teach His statutes? V26

What is the difference between only teaching and making to understand? V27

What is the way of His precepts? V27

Why does He make me understand the way of His precepts? V27

What are the “wonders” spoken of in this verse? V27

Why does my soul weep? V28

What causes this grief? V28

How does God strengthen me in times like this? V28

What are some common sources of strength that we turn to that will not satisfy? V28

What is the false way that is within me? V29

How does God remove it? V29

What does it mean that He “graciously grants” His law? V29

Why is the “gracious” part of that petition important? V29

What way had the psalmist chosen? V30

Why is it important that he had CHOSEN that way? V30

Why was placing God’s ordinances before him an important step in the psalmist’s choice? V30

How do I cling to the Lord’s testimonies? V31

Why do I cling to the Lord’s testimonies? V31

Why would I usually be put to shame? V31

Why would I NOT be put to shame if I cling to His testimonies? V31

Why is the “I shall” at the beginning of this statement important? V32

What does it mean to “run the way of His commandments”? V32

How are we enabled to run the way of His commandments? V32

What does it mean that He enlarges our hearts? V32

Cross References-

Psalm 119:25-

Ps 22:15

15 My strength is dried up like a potsherd,

And my tongue cleaves to my jaws;

And You lay me in the dust of death.

Ps 44:25

25 For our soul has sunk down into the dust;

Our body cleaves to the earth.

Matt 16:23

23 But He turned and said to Peter, “Get behind Me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to Me; for you are not setting your mind on God’s interests, but man’s.”

Rom 7:22

22 For I joyfully concur with the law of God in the inner man,

Phil 3:19

19 whose end is destruction, whose god is their appetite, and whose glory is in their shame, who set their minds on earthly things.

Col 3:2

2 Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth.

Ps 71:20

20 You who have shown me many troubles and distresses

Will revive me again,

And will bring me up again from the depths of the earth.

Ps 80:18

18 Then we shall not turn back from You;

Revive us, and we will call upon Your name.

Ps 119:37

37 Turn away my eyes from looking at vanity,

And revive me in Your ways.

Ps 119:88

88 Revive me according to Your lovingkindness,

So that I may keep the testimony of Your mouth.

Ps 143:11

11 For the sake of Your name, O LORD, revive me.

In Your righteousness bring my soul out of trouble.

Rom 8:2-3

2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death. 3 For what the Law could not do, weak as it was through the flesh, God did: sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and as an offering for sin, He condemned sin in the flesh,

Deut 30:6

6 “Moreover the LORD your God will circumcise your heart and the heart of your descendants, to love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul, so that you may live.

2 Sam 7:27-29

27 “For You, O LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, have made a revelation to Your servant, saying, “I will build you a house’; therefore Your servant has found courage to pray this prayer to You. 28 “Now, O Lord GOD, You are God, and Your words are truth, and You have promised this good thing to Your servant. 29 “Now therefore, may it please You to bless the house of Your servant, that it may continue forever before You. For You, O Lord GOD, have spoken; and with Your blessing may the house of Your servant be blessed forever.”

Psalm 119:26-

Ps 32:5

5 I acknowledged my sin to You,

And my iniquity I did not hide;

I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the LORD”;

And You forgave the guilt of my sin.

Ps 38:18

18 For I confess my iniquity;

I am full of anxiety because of my sin.

Ps 119:106

106 I have sworn and I will confirm it,

That I will keep Your righteous ordinances.

Prov 28:13

13 He who conceals his transgressions will not prosper,

But he who confesses and forsakes them will find compassion.

1 Kings 8:36

36 then hear in heaven and forgive the sin of Your servants and of Your people Israel, indeed, teach them the good way in which they should walk. And send rain on Your land, which You have given Your people for an inheritance.

Ps 25:4

4 Make me know Your ways, O LORD;

Teach me Your paths.

Ps 25:8-9

8 Good and upright is the LORD;

Therefore He instructs sinners in the way.

9 He leads the humble in justice,

And He teaches the humble His way.

Ps 27:11

11 Teach me Your way, O LORD,

And lead me in a level path

Because of my foes.

Ps 86:11

11 Teach me Your way, O LORD;

I will walk in Your truth;

Unite my heart to fear Your name.

Ps 143:8-10

8 Let me hear Your lovingkindness in the morning;

For I trust in You;

Teach me the way in which I should walk;

For to You I lift up my soul.

9 Deliver me, O LORD, from my enemies;

I take refuge in You.

10 Teach me to do Your will,

For You are my God;

Psalm 119:27-