"Walking Pure" April 7 Readings: Psalm 119

 

Reading the Bible Chronologically in 2026

This year, we will read the Bible chronologically, as it happened, instead of simply reading from Genesis to Revelation. The Old Testament is approximately 3/4 of the Bible, but we will give more emphasis to the New Testament, spending half the year in the Old Testament and half in the New. 

Bible Readings: Psalm 119

In Bible Gateway, we will link to the NIV this year, though you can choose any version you prefer. 

Background:  

Psalm 119 is a Bible trivia treasure trove. It is the longest chapter of the Bible, which you know if you attended VBS or Sunday School, and it is very close to the center of the Bible.

It is an acrostic poem. Have you ever noticed that it is divided up into 22 sections of 8 verses each and that each of those sections has a strange word at the beginning? Our reading today starts with the word "Aleph." That is the first letter of the Hebrew alphabet. Each of the 8 verses in this second begins with the letter aleph. The next section is headed by the word, "Beth," and each of the verses in that section begins with the letter beth. You get the picture, I'm sure. Each of the 22 sections has eight verses, each of which begins with the successive letters of the Hebrew alphabet.

There is only one topic. Each of the 22 sections, each of the 176 verses; all of them focus on the same thing - the power and glory of the Word of God. In the days this Psalm was written, the focus was on the Law of God - specifically the Books of Moses, but generally referring to all of the Old Testament writings. The principles here apply to all of scripture, even those that were written a thousand years later.

The first two verses of the psalm set the theme for the entire chapter.

Blessed are those whose way is blameless,
    who walk in the law of the Lord!
 Blessed are those who keep his testimonies,
    who seek him with their whole heart,

Daily Devotional: Walking Pure

Few would argue that this is a pure world. On the contrary, it is a world that revels in filth and scoffs at the very concept of moral or spiritual purity. Only someone with serious hang-ups would even pursue such a thing! God, of course, has a very different view. He values purity; in fact, he demands it from his people.

The good news is that we are not left to seek it on our own. The purity demanded of us is a work of God - a product of God's grace, the cleansing power of Christ, and the inner work of the Spirit. But the practical working of purity is discussed in Psalm 119:9 and 11, where the key is given.

How can a young man keep his way pure?  
By guarding it according to your word. 
I have stored up your word in my heart,  
that I might not sin against you

No one is going to accuse me of being a young man anymore, but this principle is still in effect. If I want to live and walk in purity, there is only one way. I must live my life following the word of God. How do I do that? I hide God's word in my heart. I read it, study it, memorize it, meditate on it, pray it, and apply it. Then, the power of the Spirit works within me to keep me from sin. 

Psalm 119 is obviously lengthy, but as you read it, write down as many of the descriptions it contains of the power of God's word and its effects in your life. Purity is one, an important one, but it is only one. There are many. 

Thank you, Lord, for your word which gives me strength, that I might not sin against you!

Consider God's Word:

Do you regularly store up the word of God so that you can resist sin?
If sin is having the upper hand in your life, and you are not storing up the word, do not wonder why.