E. Honey (v. 103).
The sweetness of the Word is like honey to the taste. It is sad when the Christian must have the "honey" of this world to be satisfied. See Ps. 34:8 and Job 23:12.
F. A lamp (vv. 105, 130).
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.
G. Great spoil (v. 162).
Poor soldiers were made rich from the spoil left by the defeated enemy. The riches of the Word do not come easy; there must first be that spiritual battle against Satan and the flesh. But it is worth it. Read Luke 11:14-23.
H. A heritage (v. 111).
What a precious inheritance is the Bible! And think of those who had to suffer and die that we might have this inheritance.
II. What the Bible Does
A. It blesses (vv. 1-2).
It is the book with a blessing (Ps. 1:1-3). We are blessed in reading the Word, understanding the Word, and obeying the Word. We are also blessed when we share the Word with others.
B. It gives life (vv. 25, 37, 40, 50, 88, 93).
"Quicken" means "to give life." The Word gives us eternal life when we believe (1 Peter 1:23). It is the living Word (Heb. 4:12). But the Word also quickens us when we are weak, discouraged, and defeated. Revival comes when we yield to God's Word.
C. It gives strength (v. 28).
Trusting the Word encourages us (Matt. 4:4). God's Word has power (Heb. 4:12) and can empower us when we believe and obey.
D. It gives liberty (v. 45).
A law that gives liberty-what a paradox! Sin would have dominion over us (v. 133), but the Word sets us free (John 8:32). True liberty comes in obeying God's will. His Word is "the perfect law of liberty" (James 1:25).
E. It imparts wisdom (vv. 66, 97-104).
We may get knowledge and facts in other books, but true spiritual wisdom is found in the Bible. Note in vv. 97-104 that there are various ways to discover truth-from your enemies, from your teachers, from your older friends-and all of these are good. But above them all is a knowledge of the Bible. Teachers may know from books, and elders may know from experience (both deserving respect), but these without the Bible are not sufficient.
F. It creates friends (v. 63).
Knowing and obeying the Bible will bring into your life the very finest friends. Those who love God's Word are friends indeed. There are false friends who may dazzle you with their worldly wisdom and wealth, but their friendship will lead you astray. Stick with those who "stick" with the Bible (v. 31).
G. It gives comfort (vv. 50, 76, 82, 92).
More than sixty verses in this psalm mention trial and persecution (vv. 22, 50-53, 95, 98, 115, etc.). The believer who obeys the Word will have trials in this world, but the Bible gives him lasting comfort. The Comforter, the Spirit of God, takes the Word of God and applies it to our hearts to comfort us.
H. It gives direction (v. 133).
The Christian life is a "walk," a day at a time and a step at a time (vv. 1, 3, 45). The Word directs our steps, both for walking and for running (v. 32). Note the prayers in vv. 35 and 116-117. As we pray for guidance, the Lord answers through His Word.
III. What We Must Do with the Bible
A. Love it (vv. 97, 159).
The way you treat your Bible is the way you treat Christ. To love Him is to love His Word. The Word is a delight (vv. 16, 24, 16, 35, 47, 70) and not a disappointment; we rejoice to read it (vv. 14, 162).
B. Prize it (vv. 72, 128).
To hold the Bible in high esteem is the mark of a true saint. It should be more precious to us than any earthly treasure.
C. Study it (vv. 7, 12, 18, 26-27).
At least twelve times the psalmist prays, "Teach me." The Christian who
daily
studies his Bible will be blessed of God. Bible study is not always easy, for it takes the "whole heart" (vv. 2, 10, 34,
69,
145).
D. Memorize it (v. 11).
"The best Book, in the best place, for the best purpose!" is the way Campbell Morgan explained this verse. All ages need to memorize the Word, not children and young people alone. Joshua was not a youth when God commanded him to memorize the Law (Josh. 1:8). Jesus was able to quote Scripture when He faced Satan in the wilderness (Matt. 4:1-11).
E. Meditate on it (vv. 15, 23, 48, 78, 97, 99, 148).
Meditation is to the soul what digestion is to the body. To meditate means to "turn over" God's Word in the mind and heart, to examine it, to compare Scripture with Scripture, to "feed on" its wonderful truths. In this day of noise and confusion, such meditation is rare but so needful. Meditation is impossible without memorization.
F. Trust it (v. 42).
We trust the Bible about everything, because it is right about everything (v. 128). It is true and can be trusted wholly. To argue with the Bible is to argue with God. We test every other book by what God says in His Word.
G. Obey it (vv. 1-8).
To keep the Word is to obey it, to walk in its commandments. Satan knows the Word, but he cannot obey it. If we know God's truth and fail to obey it, we are only fooling ourselves.
H. Declare it (vv. 13, 26).
As we obey, we should also witness to others about the Word and tell them what the Lord has done for us.
