July 1, 2026
Recognizing God’s Role #
Psalm 119:17-24
Introduction
While the entirety of Psalm 119 is about the Word of God, it is not absent of other topics. The Word of God is tied to many subjects. We learned last week, the Word of God is essential to maintain a clean, spiritual life.
Tonight, I want to notice the involvement of God as he interacts with those who acknowledge His Word. I like the phrase, “God’s Word”. In Psalm 119, it frequently shows up with the possessive adjective “thy” which means it belongs to God. You see that frequently in the Psalm. The Bible is God’s, not man’s. It is God’s Word that makes a difference in our life, not my words, not your words, not Shakespeare’s words. All words can have an influence and impact, but not have the impact that God’s Word makes!
I. Request (17-20) #
A. Submission “thy servant” #
- Be surrendered to God, Be Keeping HIS Word!
B. Seeing (18) #
i. “Open thou mine eyes” #
- In Luke 24, after Jesus had risen from the dead, the Bible says that the disciples “eyes were holden that they should not know him” (Lu 24:16, cf 31)
- Some times there are things that God lets us see!
- The young man with Elisha on the mount didn’t see the host of armies around him, but Elisha did!
2 Kings 6:17 — And Elisha prayed, and said, Lord, I pray thee, open his eyes, that he may see. And the Lord opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw: and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha.
- Balaam’s donkey saw the angel, but Balaam missed it! – Dumber than a donkey!
Numbers 22:31 — Then the Lord opened the eyes of Balaam, and he saw the angel of the Lord standing in the way, and his sword drawn in his hand: and he bowed down his head, and fell flat on his face.
- Ask God to open your eyes when you read the Bible! There is great truth in there, that is missed every day, because we don’t bother asking God to open our eyes!
C. Stranger (19) #
i. The more in tune you become with God’s Word, the more out of tune you become with the world! #
- You find that you don’t think like the rest of the world, look like the world, act like the world.
D. Soul desire (20) #
i. It is like the food that you crave, the glass of cool water you crave on a hot day! #
II. Rebuke (21) #
A. Rebuke – punish, afflict, reprove #
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God will deal with the arrogant prideful group.
- Pride, is a heart sin, but is frequently manifest in many ways.
- Pride is what made Satan fall, and it will make you fall.
- God will rebuke the proud in heart.
B. Pride doesn’t submit, or follow! #
i. The prideful arrogant soul, thinks they know best, and will not follow God’s Word! #
C. We frequently concern ourself with things that God will take care of! #
III. Removal of Reproach (22-23) #
A. World considers us a with disapproval (22) #
i. Many people look at christians and think we are the problem! #
John 15:18 — If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you.
ii. Keep following God “For I have kept thy testimonies” #
- God will take care of that for you, it is not something you really have to worry about.
B. Powerful people against David (23) #
i. David had the king against him! #
ii. David had men in Saul’s army against him! #
- David was asking God to remove his reproach, because honestly, he was innocent in the reproach.
iii. David turned to God’s Word #
IV. Recommendations (24) “counsellers” #
A. Joy #
i. When you turn to God’s Word, you find joy! #
- TURN TO: Colossians 3:16
Colossians 3:16 — Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.
- The Bible should provide joy, and a song in your heart!
B. Advice for Life #
i. Counsellors – any person who gives advice #
- The Word of God has great counsel for life!
- It tells us who we should marry, how we should raise children, how we should handle hurt, fear, anger, temptation, betrayal, storms, calamity, health crisis, accidents, work, etc.