Why a 176 Verses on God’s Word? | Psalm 119

Psalm 119 is the longest of the biblical psalms and the longest chapter in the entire Bible. And it is about one thing: God’s word. It’s artistic construction begins with being arranged as a Hebrew acrostic poem in the order of the Hebrew alphabet, with each Hebrew letter having 8 stanzas beginning with that Hebrew letter. Each verse is something about God’s word, using 8 additional synonyms for God’s word: law, testimonies, ways, precepts, statutes, promises, commandments, rules, and of course, word (in the ESV). It is significant that the longest psalm and longest chapter in the Bible is about the Bible. We’re going to devote a few episodes to see how the powerful imagery from Genesis 1-3 provides a compelling, imagination-filled meditation on Psalm 119’s meditation on God’s word. Genesis 1:2–3 NIV Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters. And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. Genesis 2:7 NIV Then the LORD God formed a man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being. Genesis 2:9–10 NIV The LORD God made all kinds of trees grow out of the ground—trees that were pleasing to the eye and good for food. In the middle of the garden were the tree of life and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. A river watering the garden flowed from Eden. Jesus said… John 6:63 ESV It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is no help at all. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life. The New Testament says… 2 Timothy 3:16 NIV All Scripture is God-breathed… Psalm 119:1–2 ESV 1 Blessed are those whose way is blameless, who walk in the law of the LORD!  2 Blessed are those who keep his testimonies, who seek him with their whole heart. Psalm 1:1–3 NIV 1 Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, 2 but whose