Psalm 119:105-112 Complete Jewish Bible
נ (Nun)
105 Your word is a lamp for my foot
and light on my path.
106 I have sworn an oath and confirmed it,
that I will observe your righteous rulings.
107 I am very much distressed;
Adonai, give me life, in keeping with your word.
108 Please accept my mouth’s voluntary offerings, Adonai;
and teach me your rulings.
109 I am continually taking my life in my hands,
yet I haven’t forgotten your Torah.
110 The wicked have set a trap for me,
yet I haven’t strayed from your precepts.
111 I take your instruction as a permanent heritage,
because it is the joy of my heart.
112 I have resolved to obey your laws
forever, at every step.
The Word of God for the Children of God.
Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost;
as it was in the beginning,
is now, and ever shall be,
world without end. Amen, amen.
To be called a Christian is to believe in Jesus Christ and the supporting text that talks of life before, during, and after His time walking amongst people.
That text is the Bible, God’s Holy Word.
Within Scripture itself, aside from the various stories and characters we read about, there are several verses that give us insight into why God has blessed us with His Word to begin. One such verse is written in the Book of Psalms.
“Your word is a lamp for my feet and a light on my path.” (119:105)
Verses such as this are rare areas where the Bible talks about itself.
These verses highlight the importance of not only hearing God’s Word but living accordingly.
In order to live life according to God’s will, we first have to know how He has called us to live.
In order to know that, we cannot rely first on our own thinking, but instead, must actively read, study, listen to and discipline to hear what the Bible says.
This verse from Psalms 119 embodies the wisdom we receive from reading the Bible. The verse also reveals an important truth – to live like a Christian is to live like Christ, sacrificed all He had, who lived out God’s teachings perfectly.
How Is God’s Word a Lamp Unto My Feet?
The phrase “God’s word is a lamp unto my feet” is a metaphorical statement meant to emphasize the wisdom that comes from following God’s instruction.
This particular chapter 119 in the Book of Psalms is authored by an unknown person. Over the course of this passage, the author writes in an acrostic pattern, including twenty-two stanzas with eight lines each.
Each stanza begins with a letter of the Hebrew alphabet.
This chapter lacks a cohesive narrative as each stanza is written with varying topics and tones.
One underlying theme that is present throughout is the idea of understanding God’s Word. The writer assures people who follow God’s Word are blameless (119:3). The speaker wants to do better in following God, and that only occurs when living by the Lord’s precepts. The phrase “God’s word is a lamp unto my feet” appears far into the writing, as the 105 verse.
“Your word is a lamp for my feet and a light on my path.” (Psalm 119:105)
This verse furthers the idea that dependence, reliance, on God’s Word is the only way to successfully live as a Christian. Lamps are used in society to create a light for their movement and activity. The Hebrew word for lamp is niyr.
This description of a lamp is more equivalent to the subtle light of a candle.
The implication then is that there is limited visibility of the surrounding area, but just enough light to navigate.
With enough light to navigate through life, God gives us the narrowed direction that we need, not all at once, but as needed.
In this way, God’s Word operates for the speaker as a form of direction.
In the verses following 105, the writer continues on to ask God for teaching (Psalm 119:108). The speaker wants to learn from God. This illustrates God’s Word operating as a lamp in bringing wisdom into the mind of a believer.
When they compare God’s Word to being a light on a path, that pathway is life.
Within the details of Psalm 119, abiding by God’s word in every instance creates a more fulfilling life.
Walking in the light is very distinctive from walking in the ways of the wicked (Psalm 119:110). If God’s Word is a lamp, helping us to navigate the pathway of life, then we know God’s Word is intended to help us live prosperously.
God does not fully reveal the future with the lamp He gives us.
However, our prosperity in living by God’s Word is not contingent upon how much of the path ahead we can see. That prosperity is not contingent on any financial and occupational standards, but on a closeness with God. And He gives us just enough of the light of grace to be successful in life (2 Corinthians 12:9).
God is the speaker’s chief concern in Psalm 119 and according to Jesus is to be our chief concern too (Matthew 22:35-37).
If we can focus on loving God, obeying His Word, then we will have better lives.
This idea is not only present in Psalm 119 but also in other passages where God reveals similar commentary on His Word.
What Does God Say about His Word?
In addition to what we read in Psalm 119, there are other areas in the Bible where the Bible talks about itself and offers key insight into why reading God’s Word is vital for any Christian.
These other passages from Scripture complement the message from Psalm 119.
Upon reading, we can confirm that the Bible is intended to offer God’s wisdom alone to believers, and help us all to live according to God’s commandments, not other ideas that we sometimes confuse with God.
“For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” (Hebrews 4:12)
The Bible when followed or when ignored, reveals certain truths and emotions that lay in our hearts.
If God’s word is meant to edify our behavior, how we respond to His teachings will reveal characteristics about our beliefs, personality, and more.
For example, the Bible says to forgive others just as we ask God for forgiveness (Matthew 6:15).
If we find that exercising forgiveness is difficult, then God’s Word has revealed truth to us.
“Jesus answered, ‘It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” (Matthew 4:4)
Reading, interpreting, and living by God’s Word is as essential as our daily food and drink. Jesus himself indicates the significance of applying God’s word to our lives. Just as we instinctively know to eat and drink to live and survive, and we make plans to do so, we should instinctively respond likewise to Scripture.
“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” (2 Timothy 3:16-17)
Certain translations indicate that Scripture is God “inspired” rather than breathed. Whatever the translation or word choice, the Bible makes full admission that God Himself did not physically write the Bible.
Neither is Jesus known to have written anything.
Nevertheless, the purpose of the Bible is consistent throughout each book. By reading, we learn how and why we should aim to be more Christ-like. In this way, God redeems us from our sinful nature.
“Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away.” (Mark 13:31)
The tangible things and people in our lives, and the ideas that they exclusively represent pass away with time. However, since the beginning of time, God’s Word has been true and has endured throughout the generations.
“This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.” (Joshua 1:8)
To live according to God’s Word is not as simplistic as rehearsing or reciting what Scripture says. Instead, to live by God’s Word means to narrowly design your life in a way that reflects, reveals, His teachings. God wants us to live so in tune with Scripture that we think about what He teaches throughout the day.
Why Reading Your Bible Is Important
The aforementioned verses from the Bible highlight God’s desire to improve our lives. By following His commandments we will live a life that is more mature, spiritually prosperous than what we would have outside of Him.
Recognizing that God’s Word is intended to redeem us by making us better people is important for any Christian to do early on in their faith journey.
If we call ourselves believers in Christianity, then we should understand what our religious text, the Bible, says about the high value of God’s truth, our faith.
The more disciplined, the more studious, the better versed we are in the Bible, the more we can learn what it means and looks like to become more like Jesus.
The more like Jesus we are, the more God can call us to His purpose, His service.
Not only will we be transformed, redeemed, but we can help God redeem others.
In the name of God, the Father and God the Son and God the Holy Spirit,
Let us Pray,
Psalm 119:1-16 Complete Jewish Bible
א (Alef)
119 How happy are those whose way of life is blameless,
who live by the Torah of Adonai!
2 How happy are those who observe his instruction,
who seek him wholeheartedly!
3 They do nothing wrong
but live by his ways.
4 You laid down your precepts
for us to observe with care.
5 May my ways be steady
in observing your laws.
6 Then I will not be put to shame,
since I will have fixed my sight on all your mitzvot.
7 I thank you with a sincere heart
as I learn your righteous rulings.
8 I will observe your laws;
don’t completely abandon me!
ב (Bet)
9 How can a young man keep his way pure?
By guarding it according to your word.
10 I seek you with all my heart;
don’t let me stray from your mitzvot.
11 I treasure your word in my heart,
so that I won’t sin against you.
12 Blessed are you, Adonai!
Teach me your laws.
13 I proclaim with my mouth
all the rulings you have spoken.
14 I rejoice in the way of your instruction
more than in any kind of wealth.
15 I will meditate on your precepts
and keep my eyes on your ways.
16 I will find my delight in your regulations.
I will not forget your word.
Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost;
as it was in the beginning,
is now, and ever shall be,
world without end. Amen, amen.
Loving God, Living God, Loving Hope, Living Hope, Loving Living Life His Way! "Many things are possible for the person who has hope. Even more is possible for the person who has faith. And still more is possible for the person who knows how to love. But everything is possible for the person who practices all three virtues." - Brother Lawrence (1605-1691), Practicing the Presence of God (1692). 