1. Why Should I Trust
The Bible?
Psalm 119
John R. Wible
February 9,2014
John R. Wible, 2014
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2. Affirm it or Rely on it?
• People acknowledge the value of the
Bible, but affirming its value does not
mean they build their lives on it.
• The Bible shows its reliability
• Interpretations may not be reliable
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3. The Setting
• Longest Psalm, longer than 30 whole
books
• An acrostic of 22 stanzas each
beginning with successive letters of
Hebrew Alphabet (Alep bet)
• Affirms the perfection of the Word
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4. Reliability
• What do men rely on?
• But you, what do you rely on?
• “The Wise Man Built his House upon
the Rock”
• The only safe place to build your life is
on God’s Word
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5. Background of Psalm 119
• Love poem to the Law of God
• Acrostic use of all 22 letters of
Hebrew Alphabet in eight line
verses using synonyms for Torah
• “The Law is the determining element of
all realms of life”
• Written in time of persecution
• Author presumed David - Spurgeon
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6. Verses 137-141
137 You are righteous, Lord, and Your
judgments are just.
138 The decrees You issue are righteous and
altogether trustworthy.
139 My anger overwhelms me because my
foes forget Your words.
140 Your word is completely pure, and Your
servant loves it.
141 I am insignificant and despised, but I do
not forget Your precepts.
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7. Verses 142-144
142 Your righteousness is an everlasting
righteousness, and Your instruction is
true.
143 Trouble and distress have overtaken
me, but Your commands are my delight.
144 Your decrees are righteous forever.
Give me understanding, and I will live.
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8. Key Words
•
•
•
•
Judgments – the prophet’s favorite
Decrees – refers to Covenant
Precepts – a “proper principle”
Instruction – translated: torah , a
statute, a written law as the Ten
Commandments
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9. Questions of Reliability
• Why do some people question the
reliability of the Bible?
• It is verified by “internal evidence”
• Verified by “external evidence”
– Archeology
– Historical documents
– Multiple manuscripts
– Its impact on man
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10. Righteous, Pure, True
• If God is righteous
then,
His Word
must, logically be righteous
• The question is whether we have His
actual Word
– Evidence indicates that we do
• The world wants no standard, but the
Bible is the standard, the only one
• Vv 137-144 give us its characteristics
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11. Dependability
• Do you believe it is dependable?
• Then, am I depending on it? Why not?
• Bro. James would say, “don’t tell me
about it, show me.”
• What of David standing by it no matter
what?
• Q: Is there a connection between
understanding the Bible and life?
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12. Verses 1-4
• 1 How happy are those whose
way
is blameless, who live
according to
the Lord’s instruction!
• 2 Happy are those who keep His
decrees and seek Him with all their
heart.
• 3 They do nothing wrong; they follow
His ways.
• 4 You have commanded that Your
precepts be diligently kept.
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13. Verses 5-8
• 5 If only my ways were
committed to keeping Your statutes!
• 6 Then I would not be ashamed when I
think about all Your commands.
• 7 I will praise You with a sincere heart
when I learn Your righteous judgments.
• 8 I will keep Your statutes; never
abandon me.
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14. A Blessing to Read
• Q: Can you remember a time
when you felt blessed or “happy”
merely by reading the Word?
• Q: What is happiness?
• Q: Does the Bible actually work?
• Ask George Mueller
• How do we grow in obedience?
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15. A Role Model
• Charles Barkley: “I am not a
role model.”
• But, aren’t we?
• Ask Billy Graham
• Be a role model on understanding
and following the Bible
• Finish the race well (Some of us have
already rounded the clubhouse turn!)
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16. So, Who is Reliable?
• See page 149 in quarterly.
• Q: How would you respond?
• The Point: “The only safe place to build
your life is on God’s Word”
• How do you do that? Be familiar with
the building materials
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17. Thy Word is a Lamp/Light
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18. Let’s Pray About it!
12/08/13
John R. Wible, 2013
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