Psalm 119 has nine words used to define God’s Word to us. One word used is commandment, which means “…a definite command imposed by an authority.”  The commandments are not suggestions, but God’s mandates or decrees that are to be observed. 

Another word that appears is judgments, meaning “…a judgment rendered, a justice that is sentenced by a judge.”  Adam and Eve were given a commandment, “But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it…”  A judgment followed, “…thou shalt surely die.”

A third word, law, is also found in this chapter, meaning “instruction, to teach or to direct.”  The Bible is God’s instruction for life and the revelation of who He is.  Those who reject God’s Word become lawless.    

The term precept means “the order of or putting something together.” God has established an order in our natural world and also in morality. Have you ever tried to put something together without using the instructions? You later discover it must be taken apart and you must start over using the manual. 

The word saying means “to communicate by word, actions or convictions.”  Sometimes a song will be God’s soothing voice of encouragement or He may speak to our hearts by a sermon we hear. Occasionally God will let us know something is wrong by using a certain situation. 

Another word, statutes, means “to engrave, to be inscribed or ordained.”  God has inscribed upon every heart His commandments, which we call morality or conscience. 

Every human is born with an innate knowledge of God so they are without excuse.

The word testimonies means, “to attest, to be a witness.”  There are many testimonies of God in times of natural disasters with His intervention through protection and care.  A testimony is a witness of God’s grace in our lives.

Another word, way, is used, meaning “a path, journey or to walk.”  The Bible is a road map for our journey through life to help us avoid the potholes of its failures, disappointments and tragedies. 

Lastly, the term word, meaning “to arrange in a row,” the divine communication of God to man.”  We do not need visions, dreams or someone interpreting God to us.  His Word, the Bible, is His source of understanding to those who read it.

May I invite you to read the Bible and let God reveal himself?

PASTOR STEVE CONWELL, of Maranatha Baptist Church, is heard mornings on WFLO and WVHL in “A Thought For Today.” His email address is SteveConwell@outlook.com.