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 Overview
Psalm 119 Overview
Meditations on God’s Word
Outline-
I. W Aleph- Walking in the Law of the Lord (vv 1-8)
II. W Beth- Purifying Our Way (vv 9-16)
III. W Gimel- Beholding Wonderful Things from His Word (vv 17-24)
IV. W Daleth- Strengthening by His Word (vv 25-32)
V. W He- Understanding Produces Obedience (vv 33-40)
VI. W Vav- Walking in Liberty (vv 41-48)
VII. W Zayin- Comforted by His Word (vv 49-56)
VIII. W Heth- The Lord is My Portion (vv 57-64)
IX. W Teth- Affliction Teaches God’s Word (vv 65-72)
X. W Yodh- Unashamed in His Word (vv 73-80)
XI. W Kaph- Help in Persecution (vv 81-88)
XII. W Lamedh- His Word Stands Forever (vv 89-96)
XIII. W Mem- Meditating on the Word (vv 97-104)
XIV. W Nun- Guided by His Word (vv 105-112)
XV. W! Samekh- Safety in His Word (vv 113-120)
XVI. W” Ayin- His Word is Priceless (vv 121-128)
XVII. W$ Pe- His Word Shines on Us (vv 129-136)
XVII. W& Tsadhe- Zeal for the Word (vv 137-144)
XIX. W’ Qoph- Crying out for God’s Word (vv 145-152)
XX. W( Resh- Rescued by His Word (vv 153-160)
XXI. W)W Shin- Loving His Word (vv 161-168)
XXII. W* Tav- A Body in Complete Subject to His Word (vv 169-176)
Outline as found in Believer’s Bible Commentary-
I. W Aleph- The Blessedness of Obeying the Word (vv 1-8)
II. W Beth- Cleansing By the Word (vv 9-16)
III. W Gimel- Discernment by the Word (vv 17-24)
IV. W Daleth- Sense of Personal Insufficiency Through the Word (vv 25-32)
V. W He- The Power of the Word (vv 33-40)
VI. W Vav- Victory Through the Word (vv 41-48)
VII. W Zayin- Rest and Comfort Through the Word (vv 49-56)
VIII. W Heth- Perseverance in the Word (vv 57-64)
IX. W Teth- The Pricelessness of the Word in Good and Evil Times (vv 65-72)
X. W Yodh- Insights Through the Word (vv 73-80)
XI. W Kaph- The Afflicted One Sustained By the Word (vv 81-88)
XII. W Lamedh- Eternity of the Word (vv 89-96)
XIII. W Mem- Wisdom Through the Word (vv 97-104)
XIV. W Nun- The Word a Lamp and Light For All Occasions (vv 105-112)
XV. W! Samekh- The Wicked and the Word (vv 113-120)
XVI. W” Ayin- Separation and Deliverance Through the Word (vv 121-128)
XVII. W$ Pe- Joy and Communion Through the Word (vv 129-136)
XVII. W& Tsadhe- Zeal for the Word (vv 137-144)
XIX. W’ Qoph- Experience Through the Word (vv 145-152)
XX. W( Resh- Salvation Through the Word (vv 153-160)
XXI. W)W Shin- Perfection of the Word (vv 161-168)
XXII. W* Tav- Prayer and Praise Through the Word (vv 169-176)
Outline as Found in Walvoord and Zuck OT Commentary-
I. W Aleph- Blessings of Obedience (vv 1-8)
II. W Beth- Cleansing by God’s Word (vv 9-16)
III. W Gimel- Appreciation of God’s Word (vv 17-24)
IV. W Daleth- Prayer for Understanding (vv 25-32)
V. W He- Loyalty to God’s Word (vv 33-40)
VI. W Vav- Salvation through God’s Word (vv 41-48)
VII. W Zayin- Hope from God’s Word (vv 49-56)
VIII. W Heth- Obedience to God’s Word (vv 57-64)
IX. W Teth- Trust in God’s Word (vv 65-72)
X. W Yodh- Hope in God’s Word (vv 73-80)
XI. W Kaph- God’s Word is Faithful (vv 81-88)
XII. W Lamedh- God’s Word is Sure (vv 89-96)
XIII. W Mem- God’s Word is Sweet (vv 97-104)
XIV. W Nun- God’s Word is a Light (vv 105-112)
XV. W! Samekh- God’s Word is Awe-Inspiring (vv 113-120)
XVI. W” Ayin- Vindication from God (vv 121-128)
XVII. W$ Pe- God’s Word is Wonderful (vv 129-136)
XVII. W& Tsadhe-God’s Word is Righteous (vv 137-144)
XIX. W’ Qoph- God’s Word is True (vv 145-152)
XX. W( Resh- Love for God’s Word (vv 153-160)
XXI. W)W Shin- Rejoicing in God’s Word (vv 161-168)
XXII. W* Tav- Deliverance by God’s Word (vv 169-176)
Key Verse- 119:10&11
Other Key Verses- 119:1, 9, 18, 28, 34, 45, 47, 50, 57, 71, 87, 89, 99, 105, 127, 128, 130, 148, 160, 165, 175, 176
Author- Unclear, but possibly David, Daniel, or Ezra (although Asaph, Solomon, Heman, Ethan, Moses, and the sons of Korah also wrote in the Psalms)
History- In general, the Psalms are a collection of lyrical (to be sung, and often
accompanied by musical instruments) poems. These poems directly
expressed the emotions of the poets who wrote them, as they are stirred by the thought of God and directed to Him. Some of these addressed God directly (were prayed) in petition or praise. Many also made note of God’s faithfulness and works in the past. Basically, they were the “hymnal” used in worship by God’s people.
Psalm 119 is found in “Book Five” of the Psalms (107-150). It is known
as a “wisdom” Psalm, meaning it gives instruction about God’s will and
righteous living. The author apparently wrote it while under some kind of
serious trouble, and was looking to the Scripture throughout night and day
for comfort, protection, wisdom and joy.
Date: Unknown
Impressions-
· Although Bible chapters and verses are man-made, in the case of Psalm 119, the verses follow the organization on a scroll. There are 176 lines and there are 176 verses.
· The lines (verses) are grouped in eights. Each group of 8 is a stanza, and is organized under a Hebrew letter of the alef-bet, which are grouped in order, beginning with alef and ending with tav. 22 letters = 22 stanzas of 8 lines each = 176 lines (verses).
· Each line (verse) begins with the