This psalm is too full of great stuff. “The Message” says so many wonderful things, I’m just going to throw a “stream of consciousness” at you for this psalm. You know it’s all about the
Bible. These are things I have learned about the Bible:
1. The Bible will keep you from making serious mistakes in life. “Oh, that my steps might be steady, keeping to the course you set; Then I’d never have any regrets.”TM
2. The Bible is God’s way of talking to us in a personal way. “I thank you for speaking straight from your heart.”TM
3. The Bible is God’s teaching on how to live a good life. “How can a young person live a clean life? By carefully reading the map of your Word.”TM
4. The Bible is God’s way of helping us make decisions. “Don’t let me miss the road signs you’ve posted….”TM They show me the way.
5. Memorizing the Bible will keep you from sinning & reaping the
consequences. “I’ve banked your promises in the vault of my heart so I won’t sin myself bankrupt.”TM
6. The Bible is God’s instruction manual for life. “Train me in your ways of wise living. I’ll transfer to my lips all the counsel that comes from your mouth.”TM
7. The Bible is the most fun in the world (Did you know this?) Listen to what the writer says: “I delight far more in what you tell me about living than in gathering a pile of riches.”TM
8. The Bible is more important than anything else. “I ponder every
morsel of wisdom from you, I attentively watch how you’ve done it. I relish everything you’ve told me of life, I won’t forget a word of it.”TM
9. The Bible will eliminate confusion in our lives, especially when we lose our way. “Not for a minute will I take my eyes off your road. I’m a stranger in these parts; give me clear directions.”TM
10. The Bible is food. Jesus said, “man cannot live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from God,” (MT 4:4 – (GN)). This psalmist writes: “My soul is starved and hungry, ravenous!—insatiable for your nourishing commands.”TM
11. The Bible helps us deal with conflict with others. “While bad
neighbors maliciously gossip about me, I’m absorbed in pondering your wise counsel. Yes, your sayings on life are what give me delight; I listen to them as to good neighbors!”TM
12. Really “happy are they who follow the Law of the Lord (the Bible).”TM
13. The Bible straightens out our lives: “My sad life’s dilapidated, a falling-down barn; build me up again by your Word.”TM
14. The Bible keeps me from wasting my life. “Barricade the road that goes Nowhere; grace me with your clear revelation. I choose the true road to Somewhere, I post your road signs at every curve and corner.”TM
15. The Bible keeps us on course: “God, teach me lessons for living so I can stay the course.”TM
16. The Bible guides us down the Highway to true satisfaction in life. “Guide me down the road of your commandments; I love traveling this freeway!”TM
17. The Bible and its wisdom is better than money. “Give me a bent for your words of wisdom, and not for piling up loot. Divert my eyes from toys and trinkets, invigorate me on the pilgrim way.”TM
18. The Bible again is food: “but what you say is always so good. See how hungry I am for your counsel; preserve my life through your righteous ways!”TM
19. The Bible gives strength when criticized. “Then I’ll be able to
stand up to mockery because I trusted your Word.”TM
20. The Bible gives freedom & courage. “I’ll stride freely through wide open spaces as I look for your truth and your wisdom; Then I’ll tell the world what I find, speak out boldly in public, unembarrassed.”TM
21. The Bible provides encouragement to the downhearted. “I hang on to these words for dear life! These words hold me up in bad times.”TM
22. The Bible energizes you. “Yes, your promises rejuvenate me.”TM
23. The Bible keeps us always on the right track in life. “I don’t budge from your revelation. I watch for your ancient landmark words, and know I’m on the right track.”TM
24. The Bible is music to my ears. “I set your instructions to music and sing them as I walk this pilgrim way.”TM
25. Even though it’s proven its worth, the Bible is not accepted by all. “I walk through a rain of derision because I live by your Word and counsel.”TM
26. The Bible gives us God’s plan for our lives. “When I took a long, careful look at your ways, I got my feet back on the trail you blazed.”TM
27. The Bible can show you God’s plan for your life and even though others will tempt you away from it, it will strengthen you. “The wicked hemmed me in—there was no way out—but not for a minute did I forget your plan for me.”TM
28. The Bible will give you real joy and enthusiasm for life. “I get up in the middle of the night to thank you; your decisions are so right, so true—I can’t wait till morning!”TM
29. The Bible is God’s common sense. “Train me in good common sense; I’m thoroughly committed to living your way.”TM
30. The Bible gives you direction & purpose in life. “Before I learned to answer you, I wandered all over the place, but now I’m in step with your Word.”TM
31. The Bible is good! “You are good, and the source of good; train me in your goodness.”TM
32. The Bible makes your life worthwhile and happy. “I focus my attention on what you are saying.”TM But those who don’t love the Bible are “bland as a bucket of lard, while I dance to the tune of your revelation.”TM
33. The Bible makes every bad experience work out for good. “My troubles turned out all for the best—they forced me to learn from your textbook.”TM
34. The Bible will satisfy you more than all the money in the world. “Truth from your mouth means more to me than striking it rich in a gold mine.”TM
35. The Bible is the wisdom that comes from the manufacturer himself. “With your very own hands you formed me; now breathe your wisdom over me so I can understand you.”TM
36. The Bible binds believers together. “When they see me waiting, expecting your Word, those who fear you will take heart and be glad.”TM
37. The Bible will eventually prove true in everyone’s life. “I can see now, God, that your decisions are right; your testing has taught me what’s true and right.”TM
38. The Bible makes life worth living. “Now comfort me so I can live, really live; your revelation is the tune I dance to.”TM
39. The Bible will keep you from falling for Jim Jones or “Heaven’s gate” or any other cult: “Let the fast-talking tricksters be exposed as frauds; they tried to sell me a bill of goods, but I kept my mind fixed on your counsel.”TM
40. The Bible will make you an example for others to follow. “Let those who fear you turn to me for evidence of your wise guidance.”TM
41. The Bible will give you life to its fullest and keep you from being ashamed of yourself. “And let me live whole and holy, soul and body, so I can always walk with my head held high.”TM
42. The Bible will heal your hurts. “I’m homesick. I’m waiting for your word of hope. My eyes grow heavy. There’s smoke in my eyes—they burn and water, but I keep a steady gaze on the instructions you post.”TM
43. The Bible is irrevocable. “What you say goes, God, and stays, as permanent as the heavens.”TM
44. The Bible is always relevant. “Your truth never goes out of fashion; it’s as up-to-date as the earth when the sun comes up.”TM
45. The Bible will never let you down. “Your Word and truth are dependable as ever; that’s what you ordered—you set the earth going.”TM
46. The Bible really does give you power over your problems. “If your revelation hadn’t delighted me so, I would have given up when the hard times came. But I’ll never forget the advice you gave me; you saved my life with those wise words.”TM
47. The Bible gives us God’s plan for our lives which is far more than we can even see or imagine. I have problems of all kinds, “but I’m only concerned with your plans for me. I see the limits to everything human, but the horizons can’t contain your commands!”TM
48. The Bible is worthy of our complete devotion. “Oh, how I love all you’ve revealed; I reverently ponder it all the day long.”TM
49. The Bible is the best current affairs book in the world. “Your commands give me an edge on my enemies; they never become obsolete.”TM
50. The Bible is the best education anyone can ever have. Someone once said that an education without the Bible is worthless, whereas the Bible without education is priceless. “I’ve even become smarter than my teachers since I’ve pondered and absorbed your counsel. I’ve become wiser than the wise old sages simply by doing what you tell me.”TM
51. The Bible will keep you out of trouble of all kinds. “I watch my step, avoiding the ditches and ruts of evil. I never make detours from the route you laid out; you gave me such good directions.”TM
52. The Bible is great food. Remember Matthew 4:4 “man cannot live by bread alone but on every word that God speaks.” This Psalmist writes, “Your words are so choice, so tasty; I prefer them to the best home cooking.”TM
53. The Bible makes sense out of everything else. “With your instruction, I understand life…”TM
54. The Bible will always show you the right way to go. “By your words I can see where I’m going; they throw a beam of light on my dark path.”TM
55. The Bible is God’s best counselor. “Everything’s falling apart on me, God; put me together again with your Word.”TM
56. The Bible decorates my life. “Festoon me with your finest sayings, God; teach me your holy rules.”TM
57. The Bible is (again!) the source of true happiness. “The wicked do their best to throw me off track, but I don’t swerve an inch from your course. I inherited your book on living; it’s mine forever.
What a gift! And how happy it makes me!”TM
58. The Bible is God’s way of re-energizing and building up. “You’re my place of quiet retreat; I wait for your Word to renew me.”TM
59. The Bible demands our total allegiance! Anything less than that is dangerous. “I’ll give total allegiance to your definitions of life. Expose all who drift away from your sayings; their casual idolatry is lethal.”TM
60. The Bible will protect us from God’s judgment. This is such a hard verse, I will give it to you from three translations:
“You reject earth’s wicked as so much rubbish; therefore I lovingly embrace everything you say. I shiver in awe before you; your decisions leave me speechless with reverence.”TM
“You treat all the wicked like rubbish, and so I love your instructions. Because of you I am afraid; I am filled with fear because of your judgments.”GN
“”The wicked are the scum you skim off and throw away; no wonder I love to obey your laws. “I tremble in fear of you; I fear your punishments.” LB
61. The Bible is my textbook for all of life. “Let your love dictate how you deal with me; teach me from your textbook on life.”TM
62. The Bible is consistent within and without. It says the same thing every time and says the same thing to everyone. “I hate the two faced, but I love your clear-cut revelation. I despise every deceitful detour.”TM
63. The Bible is my strength restorer. “You’re my place of quiet retreat. I wait for your word to renew me.”TM This is repeated (see # 58 above). Whenever something occurs twice special emphasis should be given to it.
64. The Bible is the most precious thing I have. “Yea-Saying God, I love what you command, I love it better than gold and gemstones.”TM
65. The Bible is worthy of my complete allegiance. “I’ll give total allegiance to your definitions of life.”TM
66. The Bible is God’s power that works wonders in the lives of people who will believe Him. “Every word you give me is a miracle word.”TM
67. The Bible is not for just a few religious people. God gave it so everyone can get to know Him in a personal way. It is for everybody. “Break open your words, let the light shine out, let ordinary people see the meaning.”TM
68. The Bible is refreshing when I grow tired and weary. “Mouth open and panting, I wanted your commands more than anything.”TM
69. The Bible is able to sustain me through times of trouble. “Steady my steps with your Word of promise so nothing malign (bad) gets the better of me.”TM
70. The Bible is rejected by society at large, like those who want the 10 commandments removed from a believer’s courtroom. When we see people who do not live by God’s word, though, it grieves us. “I cry rivers of tears because nobody’s living by your book!”TM
71. The Bible is God’s basis for helping us. “Take a good look at my trouble and help me – (because) I haven’t forgotten your revelation (Bible).”TM
72. The Bible is God’s promise to help us. “Take my side and get me out of this; give me back my life, just as you promised (in the Bible).”TM
73. The Bible is the source for learning how God saves us through trials in life. “Salvation is only gibberish to the wicked because they’ve never looked it up in your dictionary (ie, the Bible).”TM
74. The Bible will never run out of great truths that revive our lives in times of need. “Your mercies God, run into the billions. Following your guidelines (The Bible), revives me.”TM
75. The Bible must be taken seriously and we must never give up on God’s promises concerning the wonderful plan He has for our lives as revealed in the Bible. “I took one look at the quitters and was filled with loathing; they walked away from your promises so casually.”TM
76. The Bible is the basis upon which we can appeal to God. “Take note (God) how I love what you tell me (in the Bible.)” Also “Put your hand out (Lord) and steady me, since I’ve chosen to live by your counsel (The Bible.)”TM
77. The Bible contains all the answers to the Math test of life. “Your Words (The Bible) all add up to the sum total: Truth!”TM
78. The Bible is our source of stability when unjustly abused by those in authority. “I’ve been slandered unmercifully by the politicians, but my awe at your words keeps me stable.”TM
79. The Bible is our remedy for sorrow. “Your law (The Bible) makes me happy.”CEV
80. The Bible is the source of the best counsel ever. “Let me find
help in your teachings (The Bible).”CEV
81. The Bible is the source of the greatest joy (like #9 above). “I’m
ecstatic over what you say (i.e., in the Bible), like one who strikes it rich.”TM
82. The Bible is the source of true confidence in life. “For those who love what you reveal (i.e., in the Bible), everything fits – no stumbling around in the dark for them.”TM
83. The Bible destroys insecurities, guilt, and impure motives. “My life’s an open book before you.”TM We can sing, “Look, look, my heart is an open book….. I love nobody but you…. doobedy doobedy doobedy doo!” (I know you’re all too young!)
84. The Bible is the only true resource for gaining perfect
understanding about life. “(Lord) provide me with the insight that only comes from your Word (i.e., the Bible).”TM “You’ve taught me the truth about life.”TM
85. The Bible will build your spiritual strength like exercise will
build your bodily strength. “Use your decrees (i.e., the teachings of the Bible) to put iron in my soul.”TM