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A Devotional Guide on Psalm 119: Introduction

For some people, Psalm 119 is an extraordinarily redundant and long passage of Scripture. For others, it is a profound declaration of the magnificence of Scripture and the love relationship true Christians will have with it.

Following are some thoughts from those who have treasured this chapter of Scripture.

The theme of this Psalm is: The God of the Word powerfully internalizing the Word of God in the child of God.”[mfn] George J. Zemek, The Word of God in the Child of God, p. xiv[/mfn]

Zemek calls this chapter the “Grand Canyon of applied Bibliology.”

Joseph B. Rotherham in his book Studies in the Psalms says, “the art is so exquisite that, when familiarized, it not only gratifies the taste, but aids the judgment, and ministers to the hunger of the spirit.”[mfn]Found in George Zemek, The Word of God in the Child of God, p. 5[/mfn]

Derek Kidner says it is a “giant among the Psalms.” Psalms 73-150[mfn] (Downers Grove, IL: Intervarsity Press, 1980), p. 416 Found in George Zemek, The Word of God in the Child of God, p. 3[/mfn]

Concerning the value of God’s Word, Martin Luther said:

“I have made a covenant with God that he sends me neither visions, dreams, nor even angels. I am well satisfied with the gift of the Holy Scriptures, which give me abundant instruction and all that I need to know both for this life and for that which is to come.”[mfn] Martin Luther. Steven Lawson, Holman Old Testament Commentary, p. 234[/mfn]

As you consider each week a verse from this great Psalm, take time to meditate. Consider writing the verse of the week down on a card or put it on your phone so that you can meditate on it throughout the week. Ask God to grant you a receptive heart that would learn to love God’s Word as the Psalmist does. Pray with the Psalmist:

Open my eyes, that I may behold wonderful things from Your law.
Psalm 119:18

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Rocky Wyatt

Rocky Wyatt came to know the Lord as a young teenager and began working in youth ministry when in college. After serving in churches in Utah, California and Colorado, Rocky moved to Texas to serve as Youth Pastor at Countryside Bible Church. He served there for 26 years where he eventually moved from youth ministry to serve as an Associate Pastor.

Over the course of his ministry, Rocky has always had a desire to train men for pastoral ministry in the context of the local church. In 1992 he started XL Ministries, an organization that is committed to helping churches establish intensive internships for pastoral training. In 2020 he left his position at Countryside Bible Church to become the Executive Director of XL Ministries and now works full time assisting churches in training men for ministry.

He is co-author of The Youth Ministry Training Manual, a textbook for training youth pastors, and has also written multiple other resources for use in various local church ministries. He is currently working on a book to encourage churches to take the primary responsibility to train pastors.

Rocky is married to Pamela, has two sons and daughters-in-law, and ten grandchildren. 

Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord.1 Corinthians 15:58