Psalm 119: The Psalm of Psalms

1. The Blessedness of God's Word (Psalm 119:1-8) | Aleph | Augustine

March 2, 2025 • Ben Purves • Psalm 119:1–8

Psalm 119 reveals the blessedness of God's Word, and this is the theme of the introductory stanza (vv. 1-8). I encourage you to read and mediate on these verses. Does your heart resonate with the psalmist’s prayer, or is there dissonance? Prayerfully consider the posture of your heart toward the Lord and His Word as you prepare for worship this Lord’s http://day.may we rejoice in God’s Word this week, and I look forward to worshipping the Lord with you this Sunday! Blessings in Christ, Pastor Ben Discussion & Response Questions for Psalm 119:1–8 1. Consider the words used for the Word of God. What do these words about the Word of God teach us? 2. What repeated words do you notice in these verses? What is being emphasized? 3. To what end is God’s Word to be kept? 4. What blessings are recounted in this stanza for those who walk according to God’s Word? 5. By way of contrast, what is true for those who do not walk according to God’s Word? 6. Is it possible for one to keep God’s Word? Why is “that’s impossible” the wrong response to this text? 7. When you read this psalm, do you feel discouraged by your own sinfulness? What gives sinners (and the psalmist) hope for apprehending these blessings? 8. How do these verses speak about the human heart? What might we learn from this? 9. Consider our Triune God. What truths of Father, Son, and Spirit should we keep in mind as we read and meditate on these verses? http://10.how ought we to respond to this text?

2. The Way of God's Word (Psalm 119:9-16) | Beth | John Bunyan

March 30, 2025 • Ben Purves • Psalm 119:9–16

We have been looking at Abram’s faith and his travels in Genesis 12, and this coming Sunday we’re taking a one week pause in Genesis to return to Psalm 119. As Abraham traveled and looked forward to the city of God (Hebrews 11:10), so also the Christian life is a pilgrim journey to Mount Zion. As we return to Psalm 119, the second stanza (vv. 9-16) proclaims the goodness of God’s Word to guard and guide our path. I encourage you to read these verses in preparation for Sunday, and consider what it looks like to make use of God’s Word to guard your steps from straying as you follow Jesus. Discussion & Response Questions for Psalm 119:9-16 1. What does this stanza emphasize? What repeated theme(s) do you see? 2. How would you counsel one who feels hopeless when it comes to keeping his way pure? 3. Consider the language of guarding one’s way. Why is this necessary? 4. What threats or distractions tempt you to wander and loose your focus from God’s commandments and ways? 5. What does it look like to guard one’s way according to God’s Word? What does this look like practically? What examples do you see in Scripture? What do you find helpful in guarding your way? 6. What are the means God uses to teach his statutes to us? Why must we be ever learning? 7. What motivates the psalmist to learn and to proclaim God’s Word? 8. Why should one delight in and treasure God’s Word? How would you counsel someone who appears indifferent to the Scriptures? 9. Consider Jesus. How does looking to Jesus help us as we look to follow Him and avoid straying? http://10.how ought we to respond to this text?

3. The Wonders of God's Word (Psalm 119:17-24) | Gimel | John Gill

August 3, 2025 • Ben Purves • Psalm 119:17–24

Before you listen to this sermon, read Psalm 119:17-24 and pray for the Lord to give grace that you may behold his wonders. Discussion & Response Questions for Psalm 119:17-24 1. As you look back at this Sunday’s sermon and Psalm 119, what were some of the takeaways? What did you find helpful or encouraging? What questions do you have? 2. How does this stanza (vv. 17-24) speak about the psalmist’s identity? What is revealed about the psalmist’s spiritual condition? What are his circumstances? 3. Consider each pair of verses. What is the psalmist seeking from God? 4. What does this stanza reveal about the character and being of God? About the works of God? 5. Reflect on the psalmist’s desires and emotions. How does this encourage or challenge you? 6. Consider this stanza in light of the gospel. Christ has died, Christ has risen, and Christ will come again. The Spirit has been given to the Church. How should we read this stanza in light of the realities and promises of the New Covenant? 7. How might this stanza shape the way you approach the Word of God? 8. To what end do you seek the Lord’s blessing? Consider the priorities of the psalmist. 9. What are right applications of this text for us today? 10. How should we respond to this text?

4. Prayer According to God's Word (Psalm 119:25-32) | Daleth | Thomas Doolittle

August 17, 2025 • Ben Purves • Psalm 119:25–32

Many are the reasons we should be on our knees in prayer. In the fourth stanza of Psalm 119, the psalmist speaks of some of the realities that have moved him to prayer, including his weakness, sorrow, temptation, ignorance, and his great need for the Lord’s grace. We don’t have it all together, but we have wonderful promises in God’s Word. And as the Psalmist prays for the Lord to give life and strength according to the promises of Scripture, so also we should be encouraged to pray. Discussion & Response Questions for Psalm 119:25-32 1. As you look back at this text and Sunday’s sermon, what were some of the takeaways? What did you find helpful or encouraging? What questions do you have? 2. What does this text reveal about the character and work of our Triune God? 3. What movement can you trace through this stanza? How does the psalmist turn from following his own ways? 4. What does the psalmist do in vv. 25-32? What is the Lord doing, or asked to do? Compare and contrast these. What might we learn from this? 5. What does this psalm teach us about repentance and faith? 6. What does it look like for us to cling to God’s testimonies? 7. In the context of this psalm, what does it mean to be “put to shame”? What are the promises of God on this point? 8. How does one grow in love for the Lord? How are one’s affections increased? What does this look like? 9. What does it look like to read this stanza in the light of Christ’s death and resurrection? 10. How should we respond to this text?

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