Psalm 119:105 - The Bible Is Our Guide Book To Heaven.
Psa.119:105; The Bible Is Our Guide Book To Heaven.
CONTENT; Translations; Paraphrase; Word Study:
Psa 119:105 (KJV) Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light
unto my path.
Definition of Key Terms
Some eight different Hebrew synonyms are used in referring to
Scripture. These are:
Dabar ("word"), a general term for any form of divine revelation.
Torah ("law"), a teaching, indicating a single command, the
Books of Moses, or all of Scripture.
Piqqudim ("precepts"), detailed instructions given by God as
guardian of His people.
Huqqim ("statutes"), binding laws engraved on a permanent record.
Mispatim ("ordinances"), judgments made by God, containing God's
judgments concerning man's rights and duties.
Miswot ("commandments"), orders given by competent authority.
'Edot ("testimonies"), vivid and unmistakable witnesses to man
of God's will.
'Imra ("promise"), a term often translated "word," suggesting
the trustworthiness of divine truth in any form.
Together these words form a clear picture of the Scriptures.
They are God's authoritative Word, in which we can have complete
confidence, and through which we learn to trust God and to live a life
characterized by godliness. [The 365-Day Devotional Commentary]
The often-used term "law" has the idea of teaching, direction,
or instruction. The law is the gracious revelation of what God
wants in order for believers to have fellowship with him. It reveals
who he is. [New Bible Companion]
"Word" in this psalm is usually translated "promise." [NIV SB]
Lamp . . . light: Apart from which I could only grope about in
the darkness. [NIV SB]
CONTEXT; Overview; Topic:
Psalm 119 The Word of God
Psalm 119 The Law of the Lord
Ps 119 This is the longest psalm, as well as the longest
chapter of the Bible. It is also a classic example of the acrostic poem.
The 176 verses of the psalm are divided into 22 stanzas,
corresponding to the number of letters in the Hebrew alphabet. Each stanza has
eight verses, and all verses in each stanza begin with the same letter
of the Hebrew alphabet. The letters are arranged in alphabetical
order. It is fitting that the longest chapter in the Bible should be a
hymn of praise magnifying the Word of God. Of its 176 verses, almost
every verse contains a direct reference to the Word of God. Some eight
different terms are employed in referring to God's Word-"law,"
"testimonies," "ways," "precepts," "statutes," "commandments," "judgments"
(ordinances), and "word." [Believer's SB]
Psalm 119 The longest of the psalms is an acrostic in which each
group of eight verses begins with the successive letters of the Hebrew
alphabet. Nearly every verse mentions the law of God directly or by a
synonym: law, precept, ways, word, commandments, decrees, statutes,
precepts, promise, ordinances. The psalm praises God for having given the
law to his people, and records the sustaining, renewing, hopeful and
admonitory roles that the law fulfills in their lives. [Cambridge Annotated
SB]
Psalm 119 A Torah psalm, an alphabetical psalm: It consists of
twenty-two stanzas corresponding successively to the letters in the Hebrew
alphabet. The eight verses of each stanza all begin with the same letter.
This pattern is maintained throughout the psalm until the alphabet is
complete. [New Bible Companion]
This psalm celebrates a revelation which brings delight, because
each fresh word from God reveals not just information but its Author.
[The 365-Day Devotional Commentary]
CROSS REFERENCES
Psalm 18:28 (KJV) For thou wilt light my candle: the Lord my
God will enlighten my darkness.
Psalm 19:8 (KJV) The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing
the heart: the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the
eyes.
Psalm 43:3 (KJV) O send out thy light and thy truth: let them
lead me; let them bring me unto thy holy hill, and to thy
tabernacles.
Proverbs 6:23 (KJV) For the commandment is a lamp; and the law
is light; and reproofs of instruction are the way of life:
2 Peter 1:19 (KJV) We have also a more sure word of prophecy;
whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a
dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your
hearts:
COMMENTARY / APPLICATION
The Bible is a map to guide us. Almost any long trip requires a
map or guide. As we travel through life, the Bible should be our
road map, pointing out safe routes, obstacles to avoid, and our final
destination. We must recognize ourselves as pilgrims, travelers here on earth
who need to study God's map to learn the way. If we ignore the map,
we will wander aimlessly through life and risk missing our real
destination. [Life Application SB]
To walk safely in the woods at night we need a light so we don't
trip over tree roots or fall into holes. In this life, we walk
through a dark forest of evil. But the Bible can be our light to show us
the way ahead so we won't stumble as we walk. It reveals the
entangling roots of false values and philosophies. Study the Bible so you
will be able to see your way clear enough to stay on the right path.
[Life Application SB]
The whole Bible is a manifestation of Christ. It is our only
source of power. GW250,1
His words are the manna from heaven for the soul to feed upon
and receive spiritual strength. CT422
The life of God, which gives life to the world, is in His word.
It was by His word that Jesus healed disease and cast out demons.
By His word He stilled the sea and raised the dead; and the people
bore witness that His word was with power. GW250,1
The word of God is the standard of character. In giving us this
word, God has put us in possession of every truth essential to
salvation. Thousands have drawn water from these wells of life, yet there
is no diminishing of the supply. GW250,1
The Bible gives us wisdom. True wisdom goes beyond amassing
knowledge; it is applying knowledge in a life-changing way. Intelligent or
experienced people are not necessarily wise. Wisdom comes from allowing what
God teaches to guide us. [Life Application SB]
As we search its pages, light enters the heart, illuminating the
mind. By this light we see what we ought to be.... If we do not consult
the Guidebook at every step, inquiring, Is this the way of the Lord?
our words and acts will be tainted by selfishness. We shall forget
God, and walk in paths that He has not chosen for us. God's Word is
full of precious promises and helpful counsel. It is infallible; for
God cannot err. It has help for every circumstance and condition of
life, and God looks on with sadness when His children turn from it to
human aid. He who through the Scriptures holds communion with God
will be ennobled and sanctified. As he reads the inspired record of
the Saviour's love, his heart will melt in tenderness and
contrition. He will be filled with a desire to be like his Master, to live a
life of loving service. . . . ML27
Those whose faith was based on a personal knowledge of the Bible
had a rock beneath their feet, which the waves of disappointment
could not wash away. GC394,5
The Word of God illuminates the way so that men may walk safely
in the spiritual darkness of this world. He who has this light to
guide him need not stumble even though his path is beset with evil
(see 2 Peter 1:19). [SDA Commentary]
When I think of the guiding function of light, I think of the
rows of lights that extend along each side of an airport runway. The
lights show the pilot exactly where the runway is, where it is safe to
land.
A light is a guide that helps us know the direction that we
should go. When we follow the light's guidance we are safe. But when we
"try to land" in the dark, or drive in the dark, or even walk through
a strange woods in the dark, we soon find ourselves in difficulty.
We soon discover that we need the guidance of light.
Jesus came into this world to provide that guidance. And even
though He has returned to heaven, He has not left us in darkness. He
has given us His Word as a lamp to guide our feet through the
complexities of life.
Christians become lights to those around them when they share
God's Word with others, not only in their daily lives, but through
Bible study and other means of sharing the counsel of the Bible.... And
as we heed the light ourselves, a wonderful thing takes place -- we
become light for God in a dark world. [Walking With Jesus By Knight]
We all need a guide through the many strait places in life as
much as the sailor needs a pilot over the sandy bar or up the rocky
river, and where is this guide to be found? We point you . . . to the
Bible. {FLB 7.2}
God, has given us His Word as a lamp to our feet and a light to
our path. Its teachings have a vital bearing on our prosperity in
all the relations of life. . . . {FLB 7.3}
The Bible is the great standard of right and wrong, clearly
defining sin and holiness. Its living principles, running through our
lives like threads of gold, are our only safeguard in trial and
temptation. The Bible is a chart, showing us the waymarks of truth. Those
who are acquainted with this chart will be enabled to tread with
certainty in the path of duty, wherever they may be called to go. {FLB
7.4}
When God's Word is made the man of our counsel, when we search
the Scriptures for light, heavenly angels come near to impress the
mind and to enlighten the understanding, so that it can be truly
said, "The entrance of thy words giveth light. . . ." Ps. 119:130.
{FLB 7.7}
The Word of God is light and truth. . . . It is able to guide
every step of the way to the city of God. {FLB 7.8}
[www.bibleuniverse.com]
As the miner digs for the golden treasure in the earth, so
earnestly, persistently, must we seek for the treasure of God's word. In
daily study the verse-by-verse method is often most helpful. Let the
student take one verse and concentrate his mind on ascertaining the
thought that God has put into that verse for him, and then dwell upon
the thought until it becomes his own. One passage thus studied until
its significance becomes clear is of more value than the perusal of
many chapters with no definite purpose in view and no positive
instruction gained. CT461
This is a dark world and the only dependable light is the Word
of God (2 Peter 1:19-21). It leads us a step at a time, as we walk
in obedience. First John 1:5-10 tells us we walk in the light as we
obey His Word. [Wiersbe Expository Outlines]
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