6/8 Psalm 119:145-176 Strength in Adversity

Studying and meditating on God's Word yields tremendous blessings, including being strengthened in the midst of adversity. Today we'll finish our study of Psalm 119 and see how God's Word strengthened the author in the midst of difficulties, trials, and persecutions. Join us!

DISCUSSION AND STUDY QUESTIONS:

1. The podcast opened by talking about a couple of theories about who wrote Psalm 119? If this psalm was written by Ezra during (or soon after) the exile, how might this possibility help us understand why this author was facing such adversity?

2. Psalm 119 shows us a wide range of emotions that the believer goes through. Looking over verses 145 & 146, what emotion does the author feel? Does this mean he was not a godly man? How is this similar (or dissimilar) to the emotions you feel?

3. In verse 148, what does the author mean by “meditating” on God’s Word? When does he do this? In a day and age without “instant-on” lighting, what does this reflect about his dedication to meditating on God’s Word?

4. How does the psalmist describe God’s Word in verses 151 and 160? According to the podcast, when we “sum” up God’s Word and live accordingly, what kind of path will we be on? How is this a stabilizing point when we face adversity in our lives?

5. What does verse 152 remind us about the authorship of God’s Word? When we’re facing the kind of adversity spoken of in Psalm 119, why is this point critical to know and believe?

6. In verses 153-160, what are some examples of the psalmist’s dedication to the Lord, despite tremendous adversity?

7. When you read verse 161, what can you envision about the basis for this statement? How does the possibility that this was written during the Babylonian exile shed light on what this might mean?

8. In verse 162, why does the author rejoice in God’s Word? Why does he compare it to finding a great treasure? Have you found God’s Word to be a treasure in your own life?

9. In verse 165, why do those who love God’s love have great peace? In this verse, what does this peace do for God’s people? When we don’t have “great peace”, what might that point to?

10. In light of everything said in this psalm, why would the author’s lips utter praise in verse 171? Why would his tongue sing God’s Word in verse 172? Does this describe your relationship with God and His Word? Why or why not?

11. Take a moment and look back over this psalm? What are some truths, from this psalm, that you can bring to the Lord as praise?

 

The Key Chapters Bible Podcast is a daily, 15ish minute podcast that goes over the key chapters of the Bible, one per day, explaining how it fits into the overall message of God and how it relates to our lives now. Jump in today or start back in Genesis 1!

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Special thanks to Joseph McDade for providing our theme music.