May 20, 2026

Obedience Makes a Difference #

Psalm 119:1-8

Introduction

Psalm 119 is broken up into 22 parts based on the Hebrew Alphabet. Interestingly enough, the alphabet at least in the first two letters is similar to ours, A, B, Greek alphabet is where we derive the word alpha-bet, those letters are Alpha Beta. Just an interesting fact.

Each section consists of 8 verses, and each of those verses in the Hebrew language, would start with the corresponding letter, Aleph for this section. It would have been a great Psalm to teach to your children to learn the letters.

Almost every verse of Psalm 119 deals with the Word of God. I personally counted 6 verses that didn’t (I didn’t include some that others do include). 3, 37, 90, 121, 1122, 132.

Law – rule, permanent rule

testimonies – solemn declaration or affirmation

precepts - commandment

statutes – A special act of the supreme power

commandments – a mandate, order

judgments – commandments of God

I. Instruction (1-4) #

The Psalmist starts the Psalm out, with simple instruction, that sets the tone for the entirety of the Psalm.

A. The Joy - Blessings issued (1-2) #

Blessed – made happy or prosperous

i. Walk perfectly (1) #

a) Undefiled in the way – no corruption in their path (1a) #

b) Walk in the LAW of the LORD. (1b) #

Everyone of us have a sin nature, and will fumble and fail, this is the goal, the center.
While you may shoot for the center every time, and miss occasionally, the target should always continue to be the center.

ii. Faithfully (2) #

a) Keep his testimonies – the idea is continually, consistency #

b) “seek him” – a desire to go after God #

B. The Journey - Results (3) #

i. “Do no iniquity” – perfection – #

IF you could follow the Word of God flawlessly, you would do no iniquity.
God’s Word will NEVER steer you in the wrong direction.
The world, your heart (or flesh), and the devil will ALWAYS steer you in the wrong direction

C. The Expectation (4) Authority #

i. God’s Command – “Thou has commanded us” #

ii. God’s Expectation – “keep thy precepts” #

Precept = commandment

iii. God’s Qualifier – “diligently” – with steady application and care #

Illustration of a farmer… Farmer 1: rises early, every day tends to the field, notices the weeds, and pulls them, notices the fence that is loose, broke, and fixes it, is attentive to his fields to keep the pesky bugs, and animals away. Farmer 2: sleeps late, some days checks his fields, other days he doesn’t. Sees the loose fence, and waits until later to fix it, doesn’t always notice the bugs, or animal prints in his field. Both will reap a harvest, but one will clearly have a greater harvest!

II. Impacts (5-8) #

The psalmist at this point, turns the Psalm back to himself, and gives personal impact of the instruction at the onset of this Psalm.

A. Desire (5) #

i. The psalmist expresses a desire to follow the LORD #

When you get saved, your desires should change!
A little boy was at a play watching with his parents, and he decided to stand. His dad told him to sit down, the little boy didn’t listen, finally his dad sternly told him sit down. The little boy sat down, but he looked at his dad, and said “I may be sitting on the outside, but I’m standing on the inside!” – rebellious desire
Our desire should be obedience to God… there is a struggle
Romans 7:14-23 – Paul describes that struggle, but there should be an inward desire!

B. Impact (6) #

i. If you don’t do wrong, there is no shame! #

Doing wrong, should cause you to be ashamed.

ii. Respect – regard, obedience #

The theme of this section is OBEDIENCE!
Vs 1 – “walk in the law of the LORD”
vs 2 – “Keep his testimonies”
vs 3 – “Walk in his ways”
vs 4 – “Keep thy precepts”
vs 5 – “keep thy statutes”
vs 6 – “respect unto all thy commandments”
vs 8 – “keep thy statutes”
Obey the WORD of God.

James 1:22 — But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.

C. Joy (7) #

i. Praise is an expression of gratitude, or joy #

When you watch a ball game, and your team does well, you are excited, and yell, in praise, or gratitude of the wonderful thing that player just did!

ii. Right heart, comes from the Righteous Word of God! #

This book will help make your heart right!

D. Continue with God’s help (8) #

The Psalmist commits himself to following God