Brian Maloy

In a fun twist, the first three Psalms we are studying this summer all deeply exalt the Word of God, so last week we covered Psalm 1, this week Psalm 119 (just Aleph and Beth, v. 1-16), and next week Psalm 19. I am not teaching the next two weeks, we’ll be out in the mountains on an adventure, but we’ll see — I may still share my notes as I read, even if I am not teaching the next two weeks of Sunday School.

MUSIC: Before I forget, I decided to keep updating the playlist I began last week. Even if you do not have Apple Music (what I use), you can still see the playlist and find the songs on your music player of choice. So this week it’ll have Psalm 1 & 119 songs. Be sure to listen to songs by “Stillcreek”, incredible!
Psalter ’25 Playlist –> https://music.apple.com/us/playlist/psalter-25/pl.u-ZrxrCmR10l

Aleph (v. 1-8)
How blessed are those whose way is blameless,
Who walk in the law of Yahweh.
How blessed are those who observe His testimonies,
They seek Him with all their heart.
They also do not work unrighteousness;
They walk in His ways.
You have commanded us,
To keep Your precepts diligently.
Oh may my ways be established
To keep Your statutes!
Then I shall not be ashamed
When I look upon all Your commandments.
I shall give thanks to You with uprightness of heart,
When I learn Your righteous judgments.
I shall keep Your statutes;
Do not forsake me utterly!

Beth (v. 9-16)
How can a young man keep his way pure?
By keeping it according to Your word.
With all my heart I have sought You;
Do not let me stray from Your commandments.
Your word I have treasured in my heart,
That I may not sin against You.
Blessed are You, O Yahweh;
Teach me Your statutes.
With my lips I have recounted
All the judgments of Your mouth.
I have rejoiced in the way of Your testimonies,
As much as in all riches.
I will muse upon Your precepts
And look upon Your ways.
I shall delight in Your statutes;
I shall not forget Your word.

Sad News/Overview

We just get to cover the first 16 verses of Psalm 119, and it’s a classic. Indeed I read that it’s been considered for generations to be the “songbook” of the Christian life. I agree wholeheartedly, it’s both familiar (or at least sections incredibly so), but deeply rich. Since we cannot study the entirety of it this summer, I did want to plug a brief overview of what we see in the whole of Psalm 119.

Themes in Psalm 119 (Since we aren’t reading it all today):

• The Power of God’s Word – The psalmist repeatedly emphasizes that Scripture is a source of blessing, wisdom, and guidance. Verses like Psalm 119:2 highlight the joy of keeping God’s testimonies.
• Purity and Discernment – Immersing oneself in God’s Word leads to clarity and spiritual strength. The psalmist prays for steadfastness in following God’s commandments (Psalm 119:10, 133).
• Revival and Comfort – God’s Word revives the soul and provides comfort in affliction. The psalmist finds delight and counsel in Scripture (Psalm 119:24, 50).
• Obedience and Transformation – Saturating one’s mind with Scripture leads to greater obedience and a desire to live righteously (Psalm 119:5, 36).
• Love for God’s Law – The psalmist expresses deep affection for God’s statutes, viewing them as more valuable than riches (Psalm 119:14, 72).

Again, this is a Psalm (along with 1 & 19) that very clearly exalt God’s Word. That theme is primarily where we land today considering the first two sections of the chapter. I think in Paslm 119:1-16, we are really confronted with a call to sincerity, to passion, devotion, and a wholeness of heart. We ought not be divided in our devotion — but we ought be steadfast — delighting ourselves in God’s Word.

More Fun Background (courtesy of several of my Study Bibles)

This longest of psalms and chapters in the Bible stands as the “Mt. Everest” of the Psalter. The author is unknown for certain, although David, Daniel, or Ezra have reasonably been suggested. The psalmist apparently wrote while under some sort of serious duress (cf. vv. 23, 42, 51, 61, 67, 71, 78, 86-87, 95, 110, 121, 134, 139, 143, 146, 153, 154, 157, 161, 169). 

This is an acrostic psalm (cf. Pss 9, 10, 25, 34, 37, 111, 112, 145) composed of 22 sections, each containing 8 lines. All 8 lines of the first section start with the first letter of the Heb. alphabet; thus the psalm continues until all 22 letters have been used in order. 

The 8 different terms referring to Scripture occurring throughout the psalm are: 

1. law
2. testimonies
3. precepts
4. statutes
5. commandments
6. judgments
7. word
8. ordinances. 

From before sunrise to beyond sunset, the Word of God dominated the psalmist’s life, e.g., 1) before dawn (v. 147), 2) daily (v. 97), 3) 7 times daily (v. 164), 4) nightly (vv. 55, 148), and 5) at midnight (v. 62).

Now let’s talk about Aleph & Beth (those first two sections of Ps. 119 we’re studying today).

Aleph (א) is the first letter of the Hebrew alphabet. Aleph carries deep symbolic meaning—it represents mastery, teaching, and wonder.

Its design consists of:

• A dot above (symbolizing God’s transcendence),
• A dot below (representing humanity),
• A diagonal line connecting them (often seen as faith or Torah uniting God and people).

Aleph also has a numerical value of 1, signifying the oneness of God, as expressed in the Shema: “Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is One” (Deuteronomy 6:4).

Beth (ב) is the second letter of the Hebrew alphabet and carries rich linguistic and symbolic meaning.

Linguistic Meaning (from my Bible app)

• Pronunciation: Beth can sound like “B” (with a dot, called a dagesh) or “V” (without the dot).
• Origins: The name Beth comes from the Semitic root meaning “house”—this is reflected in words like bayit (Hebrew for “house”).

Symbolic Meaning (again, from my Bible app)

• A Place of Dwelling: Beth represents structure, home, and creation—it signifies a space where life and learning take place.
• Spiritual Significance: In Jewish thought, Beth symbolizes God’s presence within creation. The Torah begins with Bet (בּ) in Bereshit (“In the beginning”), emphasizing that creation is a “house” for divine wisdom.
• Numerical Value: Beth has a value of 2, representing duality—heaven and earth, body and soul, physical and spiritual realms.

Digging into the Word

I was really struck by the phrase “seek Him with all their heart” at the end of verse 2. The Hebrew word used for “heart” here is “Leb”. Leb conveys totality of one’s inner nature and will (Matt. 22:37), It can identify whatever hold our attention. It’s used in scripture 553 times (according to my Strong’s Concordance), as early as Genesis, showing us the inner nature of man. In contrast, Believers should demonstrate a complete devotion to God’s Word.

If we are to have such devotion to the Word, such that it influences us, protects us from sin, and guides our living — it got me thinking about the idea of what influences us aside from God’s Word. Since we’re called to obey and make our home in God’s Word, we naturally will have competition… so here are some basic thoughts, hopefully they help us consider how we personally are influenced — so we can guard against it, prioritize our time, and ask the Lord for wisdom to avoid the entanglements we’ll face.

Influences in Our Life: What are they?

Our actions, decisions, and behaviors are shaped by a mix of internal and external influences. Generally:

• Personal Beliefs & Values – What we hold to be true and important guides our choices, whether in faith, ethics, or personal priorities.
• Past Experiences – Our history, successes, failures, and lessons learned shape how we approach new situations.
• Social & Cultural Influences – Family, friends, societal norms, and traditions play a role in shaping behavior.
• Emotions & Psychological State – Fear, joy, stress, and motivation all impact decision-making.
• Biological & Genetic Factors – Personality traits, cognitive abilities, and even predispositions can influence how we act.
• Environmental Context – The physical and social environment, including economic conditions and opportunities, affects behavior.
• Spiritual & Theological Perspectives – For those who integrate faith into their lives, Scripture, prayer, and divine guidance can be central to decision-making.

Understanding these influences can help us make more intentional, wise choices.

That said, understanding what influences us is valuable, but it doesn’t remove our responsibility to act wisely. Recognizing the forces at play—whether emotions, social pressures, or personal history—should serve as a tool for growth, not a justification for neglecting what’s right.

It’s the difference between awareness and accountability:

• Awareness helps us identify patterns, biases, and pressures that shape our actions.
• Accountability calls us to take ownership, make intentional choices, and align our actions with what is true and good.

This is where integrity and wisdom come in. Just because fear, frustration, or external pressures exist doesn’t mean they should dictate our actions. When we take responsibility, we move from being reactive to intentional—aligning our choices with what is right, not just what is convenient.

Some recognize it and take responsibility, while others might use those influences as an excuse to avoid growth or hard decisions. In the end, only we can make that choice, and hopefully seek the Lord to give us insight, and courage.

Moving down to Beth (v. 9)

MORE could be said on so many verses here — but I want to pop down to Verse 9, the beginning of Beth. I really got lost in a “brain-tornado” or “rabbit hole” on Verses 9-11, we could have spent the whole day there. When I read verses 9-11, the word PIETY came to mind quickly. It was strange, but it made me dig a little into what it truly means. I had a preconceived notion, but I suspected I may be wrong — thank the Lord, I was.

Doing a quick search online, this is what I found–> Piety refers to the quality of being religious or reverent. It can also mean a belief or point of view that is accepted with unthinking conventional reverence. The word originates from the Latin pietas, meaning dutifulness, and is closely related to devotion, obedience, and respect. Not bad certainly, but makes sense with the image I had of piety. Unfortunately, piety in my mind has carried a negative connotation, rather a “holier than thou” vibe, and I never liked that. Lest we forget to consider the proper and Biblical meaning, here is what I found.

In a Christian context, piety often signifies faithfulness to God, demonstrated through worship, prayer, and adherence to His commandments.

Holier than Thou?

Piety is often misunderstood as self-righteousness, but in its true form, it is deeply connected to humility.

At its core, piety is about devotion to God, not about elevating oneself above others. Biblical piety is marked by reverence, obedience, and love, and when rightly practiced, it fosters humility rather than arrogance. Jesus Himself challenged outward displays of piety that lacked sincerity—think of His rebuke of the Pharisees, who performed religious acts for public approval rather than genuine devotion.

True piety acknowledges our dependence on God, recognizing that righteousness comes from Him, not from our own efforts. This naturally leads to humility, as we understand that we are recipients of grace rather than the source of it. Philippians 2:3 captures this well: “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves.”

Piety in 119:9-11?

Connecting back to Psalm 119:9-11, it speaks directly to devotion, obedience, and reverence for God’s Word, which are central to true piety. Remember what the passage says:

“How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word. With my whole heart I seek you; let me not wander from your commandments! I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.” (ESV)

This passage emphasizes purity, wholehearted seeking, and treasuring God’s Word, all of which align with the essence of piety. Piety, in its true form, is not about outward displays of holiness but about an internal posture of reverence and devotion. The psalmist expresses a deep desire to live in accordance with God’s commands, not out of self-righteousness, but out of love and commitment.

My initial hesitation—connecting piety with a “holier than thou” attitude—makes sense with a flawed understanding, given how the term is sometimes misused. But Psalm 119:9-11 presents piety as humble dependence on God’s guidance, rather than self-exaltation. It’s about aligning one’s heart with God’s truth, which naturally fosters humility rather than arrogance.

So really, we should hope and strive toward piety in our lives, reflecting the kind of devotion to God’s Word we read from the Psalmist. 

Back to that idea of Treasuring

I can get lost in this idea a long time, so given that these notes barely cover the whole of what we read today… I will attempt brevity again.

Treasuring God’s Word in our hearts, as Psalm 119:11-16 describes, serves as a spiritual safeguard against sin. 

How?

• Internalized Truth Shapes Actions – When Scripture is deeply embedded in/on our hearts, it influences our thoughts, decisions, and responses, helping us resist temptation. Also to think theologically correct. 
• Guidance in Righteousness – God’s Word provides wisdom and direction, ensuring that we walk in His ways rather than being led astray.
• Strength in Temptation – Just as Jesus used Scripture to counter Satan’s temptations (Matthew 4:1-11), treasuring God’s Word equips us to stand firm against sin. It is our sword, it helps us discern truth.
• Delight in Obedience – The psalmist expresses joy in following God’s statutes, showing that obedience isn’t just duty—it’s a source of fulfillment. We are meant to live in right relationship with Yahweh, it fulfills that deep ingrained purpose. 
• Renewed Mindset – Meditating on Scripture transforms our thinking, aligning our desires with God’s will rather than worldly influences. We continually learn to love the things of the Lord, to want what He wants — the desires of our heart align (Psalm 37:4)

Psalm 119:11 specifically states, “Your word I have treasured in my heart, that I may not sin against You.” This highlights the transformative power of Scripture—it’s not just about knowing God’s commands but cherishing them so deeply that they shape our very being. <—- THIS!

Wrap Up

In the end of this time we had to plunge the depths of a few short verses of the shorter passage we covered today, of the longer chapter we couldn’t cover completely… I am truly struck with this idea of what Yahweh is calling us to through the words of the Psalmist. There is a deep beauty in what we’re being called to, walking in God’s ways, treasuring His Word, and seeking Him wholeheartedly is a concept beautifully connected to the rest of the Bible. Consider these below (all LSB translation):

• A Tree Rooted by Streams – “And he will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water, Which yields its fruit in its season, And its leaf does not wither; And in whatever he does, he prospers.” (Psalm 1:3)
• Breathing Scripture Like Air – “But He answered and said, ‘It is written, Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.’” (Matthew 4:4)
• A Lamp for Our Feet – “Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path.” (Psalm 119:105)
• Eating the Bread of Life – “Jesus said to them, ‘I am the bread of life; he who comes to Me will not hunger, and he who believes in Me will never thirst.’” (John 6:35)
• Dwelling in a Fortress – “You are my hiding place and my shield; I wait for Your word.” (Psalm 119:114)
• Writing on the Tablet of the Heart – “Bind them on your fingers; Write them on the tablet of your heart.” (Proverbs 7:3)
• Drinking Living Water – “But whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never thirst—ever; but the water that I will give him will become in him a well of water springing up to eternal life.” (John 4:14)

Each of these images reinforces the idea that God’s Word isn’t just something we study—it’s something we inhabit, something that sustains and transforms us. We are called to abide in, to dwell, to make our home, to find our refuge in God’s Word. It not only protects us, but gives us life, draws us to the heart of Yahweh. I pray we continually learn to live our lives completely saturated in Scripture. I will leave you with a few verses (all LSB) that came to my mind quickly when meditating on this idea.

• John 15:4:
  • “Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit from itself unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in Me.” This verse beautifully illustrates the necessity of remaining in Christ, drawing life and sustenance from Him.
• Psalm 91:1: 
  • “He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High Will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.”A powerful image of security and refuge found in dwelling with God.
• Colossians 3:16: 
  • “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing with gratefulness in your hearts to God.” This verse speaks of letting Scripture take deep root in our hearts, shaping our thoughts and actions.
• Joshua 1:8:
  • “This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it; for then you will make your way successful, and then you will be prosperous.” A call to continually meditate on God’s Word, making it a central part of life.
• Psalm 119:11: 
  • “I have treasured Your word in my heart, So that I may not sin against You.” Treasuring God’s Word is a way of abiding in Him, keeping His truth close.
• 1 John 2:24:
  • “As for you, let that which you heard from the beginning abide in you. If what you heard from the beginning abides in you, you also will abide in the Son and in the Father.” A reminder that abiding in God’s truth keeps us connected to Him.
• Deuteronomy 6:4-9: <– one of my ALL time favorites
  • “Hear, O Israel! Yahweh is our God, Yahweh is one! You shall love Yahweh your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. These words, which I am commanding you today, shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your sons and shall speak of them when you sit in your house and when you walk on the way and when you lie down and when you rise up. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as phylacteries between your eyes. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.” 

We are to dwell in God’s Word—not just read it, but weaving it into every aspect of life.

Jesu Juva — Jesus Help.