Asking Some Questions

Good Morning!  Welcome back!  Are you ready for the next step on our inductive journey through Psalm 119?  As a reminder, since I haven't mentioned this in a while or in case you just found us today, studying inductively means we are going directly to the source, in this case Psalm 119, for our study.  It also means that we are asking questions of the text.....the 5Ws and an H.....who, what, when, where, why, how.  Keep in mind that every question will not always be answered, but we keep asking!

As we have journeyed through the Psalm, our main "what" has been the Word of God itself, and we have looked for synonyms the psalmist uses to refer to the Word and what those synonyms teach us about the Word.  The two stanzas we are currently looking at (qoph and resh) continue the same pattern we have seen throughout the psalm, using the words statute, testimonies, words, ordinances, law, commandments, precepts to refer to the Word of God.  (If you are new to our study and would like to know more, click on the archives......you can begin from the beginning at any time!).  So, our first question today is:  what did you learn about the Word from marking these synonyms?  Look at verse 152 for one answer to that question....."You have founded them (your testimonies) forever."  Or look at verse 160...."the sum of Your word is truth."

This stanza tells us a lot about the psalmist and about his regard for the Word of God.  What does the stanza tell us, or another way to ask the question is, how does the psalmist feel about the Word?  What is his attitude toward the Word?  How does he respond to the Word?  Beginning at verse 145, here are some answers to those questions:

• verse 145 - I will observe your statutes.
• verse 146 - I shall keep Your testimonies
• verse 147 - I wait for Your words
• verse 148 - that I may meditate on Your word
• verse 149 - revive me according to Your ordinances

You get the idea, right?!  Your assignment now is to slowly read these two stanzas, verses 145-160 and finish the list.  What do you learn about the psalmist?  How does he feel about God's Word?  What is his attitude?  What is he praying for?  If you made this list as part of yesterday's study, then go back over your findings.....review is part of our learning process!  Having made that list, how do we apply it to our own lives?  Think of it this way.....the psalmist says he observes God's statutes, that he meditates on God's Word.  Then ask yourself the question.....do I observe God's statues?  Do I meditate on God's Word?  Be honest with yourself......then talk to God about any areas that may need a little work.

As we think about the psalmist, let's go a little further today.  What do you learn from these verses about his situation?  What is going on in his life?  How does he respond?  Is that consistent with how he has responded previously?  Is it consistent with what he says about the Word of God?  Application:  what is going on in your life?  How are you responding?  Is that consistent with what you are professing about the Word of God?

Another of the questions we ask of the text in inductive study is when.  We haven't talked about when a lot in our study of this psalm, but let's look at the when question now.  Do you see any references to time in the verses we are studying today?  Here's a hint:  look at verse 147......."I rise before dawn."  That is what we call a time reference.  Now I don't know about you, but rising before dawn is not something I generally do, not willingly at least, so this is a place where I really have admiration for the psalmist!  Looking at that same verse, why does he rise before dawn? 

Look also at verse 152...."You have founded them forever."  There's another time reference.  Read the two stanzas again and look for (and mark with those colored pencils......I draw a tiny clock face.....just a circle with two hands) all the time references.  What have you learned?  And how can you apply it?  Here's a thought.....the psalmist is telling us when he pursues God.  When do you pursue God?

Let's look at another of those questions that we haven't previously given a lot of thought to......where.  Read the verses and see if you can find any "where" words.  Where will not always be a specific place like "at Jerusalem" or "along the road".  Sometimes the where words may have to do with distance.  Here's your hint:  look at verse 150 ("they are far from your law"....who is "they"?) or verse 151 ("You are near).  What do you learn?  What does it mean for your life?

Here's our bottom line for today......as we examine what we learn about the psalmist by asking these questions, what do we learn about his lifestyle, about his attitudes, about his "schedule", his time management, his priorities?  How does that compare with our own habits?  What areas do we need to change?  When are we going to start making those changes?  How will we be able to change the areas that need changing? 

"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."  (Philippians 4:13)