July 2 - Ps 119 Aleph

Over the next few weeks in class we will be talking about the Bible and how we know that it is free from errors. On a daily basis we will work through Psalm 119, which is actually a devotional on the word of God.

Read Psalm 119:1-8

Context: This psalm is very different from the rest. In the original Hebrew language it is an acrostic...the verses of each stanza begin with the same letter of the Hebrew alphabet. It was probably used as a training tool.

Text:

Aleph

1 Blessed are they whose ways are blameless,
who walk according to the law of the LORD.
2 Blessed are they who keep his statutes
and seek him with all their heart.
3 They do nothing wrong;
they walk in his ways.
4 You have laid down precepts
that are to be fully obeyed.
5 Oh, that my ways were steadfast
in obeying your decrees!
6 Then I would not be put to shame
when I consider all your commands.
7 I will praise you with an upright heart
as I learn your righteous laws.
8 I will obey your decrees;
do not utterly forsake me. (NIV)

taken from www.biblegateway.com

It is pretty overwhelming to read all the laws that God gave the Israelites. I have to say that Leviticus and Deuteronomy are probably two of my least favorite books in the Bible. But if you think about it, the Hebrew people didn't have these laws written down in any form that was readily available to them. In the beginning, Moses had to write the words of God onto tablets. God gave many laws in addition to the commandments, and Moses recorded these on scrolls.

Most people couldn't read, and only the priests had access to the documents. The knowledge of the laws and promises of God had to be learned from a priest and memorized. It was really easy for the priests of Jesus time to expand upon the rules because there were very few people who could hold them to the truth.

It's nice that we have immediate access to God's word through copies in our homes and on-line. But I wonder if we have lost reverence for it since it is so available?