Blessed Are the Undefiled in the Way

 Temple Baptist Church - 12-31-2023

Psalm 119:1-8

 

Introduction: 

 

A.  Psalm 119 opens with a three-fold blessing as does the Book of Revelation.  These two books of the Bible are tied together. 

 

1.  Revelation is descriptive of the revelation and second coming of the incarnate Word of God, Jesus Christ, and the beginning of the world to come. 

 

Revelation 1:3  Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.

 

2.  Psalm 119 is descriptive of the relationship of the child of God with the written Word of God in this present evil world in which they live.

 

Psalms 119:1-2  ALEPH. Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the LORD.  (2)  Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, and that seek him with the whole heart.

 

3.  These Blessings pronounced come ONLY through a RIGHT relationship with the Word of God!  Obedience to God’s Word brings about Blamelessness through God’s Word which establishes our Relationship with God.

 

B.  As we begin the first stanza, verses 1-8, we find these words: “Blessed … undefiled … in the way”

 

1.  A Blessing pronounced.  “Blessed”  Once again, do not confuse “blessed” with happiness.  “Happiness” is based upon happenings.  Life is not living on a consistent high but has highs, lows, and in betweens.

 

a)  Job was an upright man according to the Bible: a man who perfect, upright, feared God, and eschewed evil.  A man whose life fell upon hard times.  Job described life in Job 14:1-2, “Man that is born of a woman is of few days, and full of trouble.  (2)  He cometh forth like a flower, and is cut down: he fleeth also as a shadow, and continueth not.”

 

b)  Blessed means just that: blessed!  You can be unhappy in life and still be blessed.  The 119^th Psalm rightfully began with the word “Blessed”.  “Blessed” is found only twice in 176 verses, in verses 1 and 2.

 

c)  We are so blessed to have our precious Bible, the key to life, great joy and rejoicing, salvation, and eternal life.

 

d)  We are so blessed to know the Lord Jesus Christ in salvation.

 

2.  A Condition described.  “the undefiled”  To be complete, sound, entire.  This is a long-term condition, not a singular event.  Everyone is defiled periodically because they are all sinners saved by grace, but this word refers to living in such a condition.

 

a)  Undefiled is not sinless perfection as God’s children will not eradicate sin in the flesh and, therefore, will at times sin.  The Book of 1 John, written to “my little children”, says:  “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.  If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.  If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us. (1 John 1:8-10)

 

b)  Our Lord, when washing His disciples’ feet, told Peter that he was “washed”, speaking of salvation, but needed his feet only washed as would get his feet dirty and often tired in this life, thus, needing to be cleansed. 

 

John 13:8-10  Peter saith unto him, Thou shalt never wash my feet. Jesus answered him, If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me.  (9)  Simon Peter saith unto him, Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head.  (10)  Jesus saith to him, He that is washed needeth not save to wash his feet, but is clean every whit: and ye are clean, but not all.

 

C.  The description of the Blessed is found in verses 1-8.  There are several aspects of God’s Word given in these first 8 verses.

 

1.  Verse 1 – The Law of the Lord.  Law – torah is found 25 times in Psalm 119 and means to teach of to direct.  A single command or the whole body of the Law.  God’s Laws are our teachers that keep us walking in a directed path.

 

2.  Verse 2 – The Testimonies of the Lord.  Testimonies – found 23 times in Psalm 119.  Witnesses recorded for our examples or ensamples.  To show, to expose, to make public.

 

3.  Verse 3 – The Ways of the Lord.  Found 18 times in Psalm 119.  To tread, a road, a journey.  We are to walk the road of God’s Word to the end our life.

 

4.  Verse 4 – The Precepts of the Lord.  Found 21 times in Psalm 119.  A charge delivered or a mandate to be kept. 

 

5.  Verse 5 – The Statutes of the Lord.  Found 21 times in Psalm 119.  To write or to engrave.  Mentioned again in verse 8.  Here, we find the Psalmist’s recognition of human inability to live a perfectly directed life. 

 

6.  Verse 6 – The Commandments of the Lord.  Found 22 times in Psalm 19.  To give a direct or straight order.

 

7.  Verse 7 – The Judgments of the Lord.  Found 23 times in Psalm 119.  A sentence pronounced or a punishment indicated.  To aid in discerning right and wrong.

 

8.  Verse 8 – The Statutes of the Lord.  Tied to verse 5.  Here, we find a resolve to keep the statutes of the Word of God. 

 

D.  The Blessings incurred.

 

Verse 1.  The Blessing of a Clean Life.  Not having to look over your shoulder. 

 

Verse 2.  The Blessing of a Whole Heart.  Not divided or double in nature.  A heart for God!

 

Verse 3.  The Blessing of a Clear Conscience.  A clear conscience makes for a soft pillow. 

 

Verse 4.  The Blessing of Diligent Obedience to our Heavenly Father.  Paying attention to and obeying each command of God.

 

Verse 5.  The Blessing of a Directed Walk with God in well-trodden paths.

 

Verse 6.  The Blessing of Boldness in both Hope and Profession.

 

Verse 7.  The Blessing of a Righteous Worship.