I. What the Bible Is!
a. Water for cleansing (9)
This whole section deals with victory over sin. young people in particular
need to learn to heed and hide the Word that they might overcome
temptation. As you read the Word and meditate on it,
it cleanses your inner being, just as water cleanses the body.
John 15:3, Ephesians 5:25-27
b. Wealth and treasure (14, 72, 127, 162)
Many people do not know the difference between prices and values. your
Bible may cost but a few dollars, but what a treasure it is. How would you feel if
you lost God’s Word and could not replace it?
c. A companion and friend (24)
The writer was a stranger (19), rejected by the proud (21) and by princes
(23), but he always had the Word to be his counselor.
Proverbs 6:20-22
d. A song to sing (54)
imagine making songs out of statutes - laws! Life is a pilgrimage; we are
“tourists” and not residents. The songs of the world mean nothing to us, but
God’s Word is a song to our hearts.
e. Honey (103)
The sweetness of the Word is like honey to the taste. It is sad when the
Christian must have the “honey” of this world to be satisfied.
Psalm 34:8; Job 23:12
f. A lamp (105, 130)
This is a dark world and the only dependable light is the Word of God (2
Peter 1:19-21). It leads us a step at a time, as we walk in obedience. First John
1:5-10 ells us we walk in the light as we obey His Word.
g. Great spoil (162)
Poor soldiers were made rich by the spoil left by the defeated enemy. The
riches of the Word do not come easy; there must first be that spiritual battle against
Satan and the flesh. But it is worth it!
Luke 11:14-23
h. A heritage (111)
What a precious inheritance is the Bible! And think of those who had to
suffer and die that we might have this inheritance.
II. What the Bible Does!
a. It blesses (1-2)
It is the book with a blessing (Psalm 1:1-3). We are blessed in reading the
Word, understanding the Word, and obeying the Word. We are also blessed
when we share the Word with others.
b. It gives life (25, 37, 40, 50, 88, 93)
“Quicken” means to give life. The Word gives us eternal life when we believe
(1 Peter 1:23). It is the living Word (Hebrews 4:12). But the Word also
quickens us when we are weak, discouraged and defeated. Revival comes when
we yield to God’s Word!
c. It gives strength (28)
Trusting the Word encourages us (Matthew 4:4). God‘s Word has power
(Hebrews 4:12) and can empower us when we believe and obey.
d. It gives liberty (45)
A law that gives liberty - what an oxymoron! Sin would have dominion over
us (133), but the Word sets us free (John 8:32). True liberty comes in obeying
God’s Word. His Word is the “perfect law of liberty” (James 1:25).
e. It imparts wisdom (66, 97-104)
We may get knowledge and facts in other books, but true spiritual wisdom is
fond in the Bible. Note in vv. 97-104 that there are various ways to discover truth
-- from your enemies, from your teachers, from your older friends -- and all of
these are good. But above them all is the knowledge of the Bible. teachers may
know from books, and elders may know from experience (both deserving respect),
but these without the Bible are not sufficient.
f. It creates friends (63)
Knowing and obeying the Word of God will bring into your life the very
finest of friends. Those who truly love God’s Word are friends indeed. there
are false friends who may dazzle you with their worldly wisdom and wealth,
but their friendship will lead you astray. Stick with those that stick with the
Bible (31).
g. It gives comfort (55, 76, 82, 92)
More than 60 verses in this psalm mention trial and persecution. The
believer who obeys the Word will have trials in this world, but the Bible gives him
lasting comfort. The Comforter, the Spirit of God, takes the Word of God
and applies it to our hearts to comfort us.
h. It gives direction (133)
the Christian life is a “walk”, a day at a time and a step at a time (1, 3, 45).
The Word directs our steps, both for walking and for running (32). Note the
prayers in vv. 35 and 116-117. As we pray for guidance, the Lord answers
through His Word.
III. What We Must Do With the Bible!
a. Love It! (97, 159)
The way you treat your Bible is the way you treat Christ. To love Him is to
love His Word. The Word is a delight (16, 24, 16, 35, 47, 70) and not a
disappointment; we rejoice to read it (14, 162).
b. Prize It! (72, 128)
To hold the Bible in high esteem is the mark of true saint. It should be more
precious to us than any earthly treasure!
c. Study It! (7, 12, 18, 26-27)
At least 12 times the psalmist prays, “teach me.” The Christian who daily
reads his Bible will be blessed of God. Bible study is not always easy, for it takes
the “whole heart” (2, 10, 34, 69, 145).
d. Memorize It! (11)
“The best Book, in the best place, for the best purpose!” is the way Campbell
Morgan explained this verse. All ages need to memorize the Word, not
children and young people alone. Joshua was not a young person when God
commanded him to memorize the Law (Joshua 1:8). Jesus was able to quote
scriptures when He faced Satan in the wilderness (Matthew 4:1-11)
e. Meditate on It! (15, 23, 48, 78, 97, 99, 148)
Meditation is to the soul what digestion is to the body. To meditate means to
“turn over” God’s Word in the mind and heart, to examine it, to compare
Scripture with Scripture, to “feed on” its wonderful truths. In this day of noise
and confusion, such meditation is rare but so needful. Meditation is impossible
without memorization.
f. Trust It! (42)
We trust the Bible about everything, because it is right about everything
(128). It s true and can be trusted wholly. To argue with the Bible is to argue
with God. e test every other book by what God says in His Word.
g. Obey It! (1-8)
To keep the Word is to obey it, to walk in its commandments. Satan knows
the Word, but he cannot obey it. If we know God’s truth and fail to obey it, we
are only fooling ourselves.
h. Declare It! (13, 26)
As we obey, we should also witness to others about the Word and tell them
what the Lord has done for us.
