Six Benefits of Studying God’s Word – Psalm 119:105-109 (short post)

Psalm 119:105: “Your word is a lamp to my feet,  And a light to my path. 106 I have sworn and I will confirm it,  That I will keep Your righteous ordinances. 107 I am exceedingly afflicted; Revive me, O LORD, according to Your word. 108 O accept the freewill offerings of my mouth, O LORD, And teach me Your ordinances. 109 My life is continually in my hand, Yet I do not forget Your law.”

Notice that the Psalmist declares six benefits of the Word:

1. It lights the path before me – otherwise I would stumble in the darkness’ obstacles (105).
2. It sets the pattern of my life. I have taken by it an oath of lifestyle (nishbati: from sheva’ a sworn covenant) that I am to live out (confirm is “’a·kai·ye·mah – from “koom” to abide in or live out in practice) (106a).
3. It places the boundaries between right and wrong. Literally “I will guard your righteous judgments (“mishpatim”: from shofet – judge- 106b).
4. It restores and renews me from the beating down (awnaw is a downcast from punishing blows – 107).
5. It fills my mouth with praises. The freewill expressions (ned-aw-baw’) can be given, and will be even better if further judgments are learned (108).
6. It reminds me of what is truly important. Though I may find myself on the run, I will not misplace it – because it is essential to me -  I will not forget (shaw-kay’-akh –  a primitive root; to mislay or misplace – 119:109).

*Image of lamp used from Creative Commons attribution (no details of artist available).