Who The Blessed Are - Psalm 119:1

Psalm 119 is both the longest chapter in the bible and the longest psalm. Although we do not know for sure who was the human author of this psalm, Ezra is perhaps at the top of the list, probably writing this psalm sometime shortly after the temple had been rebuilt (Ezra 6:14-15). This psalm consists of repetitive mediations on God’s Word and it tells us how to stay out of trouble and grow in our faith.

This is also an acrostic psalm, composed of 22 sections, each section containing 8 lines, with all sections containing in sequence a letter of the Hebrew Alphabet. Therefore, all 22 sections of this psalm, beginning with the first section to the last goes through a letter of the Hebrew alphabet.

Something else to keep in mind: There are 8 terms used in this psalm and all refer to God’s Word, just stated differently. The 8 terms are:

1. Law
2. Testimony
3. Precepts
4. Statues
5. Commandments
6. Judgments
7. Word
8. Ordinances

As stated above, because this is a repetitive psalm, the Word of God was always before the mind of the writer. For example, God’s word was before the mind of the writer before dawn (v. 147), daily (v. 97), 7 times daily (v. 164), nightly (vv. 55, 148), and at midnight (v. 62).

Back during the days of Ezra, the Scriptures were not copied in that every person had their own bible to carry with them. Thus, the people had to memorize the Word when it was read to them. As the Word was memorized by common people, it was passed along orally. This is why the structure of this psalm was set up the way it is so as to help people in general to memorize the Word and to pass it along to others.

One of my goals for 2010 is to go over each of the 176 verses of this psalm and analyzing it prayerfully and carefully its content, so as to understand its meaning and how it applies to my life.

I will be sharing with you the fruit of my discoveries and pray that you will be blessed with the results. I will be using the New International Version.

Let’s Begin:

Verse 1: Blessed are they whose ways are blameless, who walk according to the law of the LORD.

“Blessed” – This psalm opens up similar to that of Psalm 1:1-3. The word “blessed” means “happy” and describes an inner state of being. Sorrow or loss is not promised by being a “blessed” person, rather when someone is said to be “blessed,” he or she is in a state of divine favor with God.

The blessed condition is something to be desired by all Christians. As we shall see by making our way through this Psalm, the man or woman who are blessed and in a state of favor with God are the ones who keep His Word and meditate on it habitually.

“Are” – present condition and definite. Sometimes a Christian may be suffering as a result of a particular trial or simply the result of not feeling joyful at all. We can get like this physically through being overworked or changes that occur in our bodies which affect us emotionally. However, our favor with God does not depend on how we feel. By being obedience to the Lord, we “are” blessed and it is as real as God is. Our souls can take comfort not in the presence of human emotions, but in the promises of God. It is good to know that the “blessed are” can enjoy God at anytime and communication with the Almighty is an open channel.

“they” – here the writer is being specific. The “blessed are” is not a favorable condition open to just anyone. It’s only referred to those who “walk” a certain way. What way?

First, their walk is “blameless.” Now this does not mean that they do not occasionally sin. We do – every Christian battles the flesh and loses some fights now and then. However, the idea of being blameless means walking “habitually.” It is a lifestyle that continues to climb heavenward with occasional slips now and then.

This is the same idea found in 1 Timothy 3:2 and Titus 1:6 regarding church leaders. Paul uses the word “above reproach” to describe a leader as being “blameless,” someone who is not perfect, but who is habitually walking favorably with the Lord.

Furthermore, to be blameless is to walk both in truth and integrity. The blessed are those who do not have hypocrisy in their walk. They are blessed because of the condition of their heart and not something externally. Some Christians make the mistake of comparing themselves to others. “I can’t sing like he can,” or “I am not as good looking as he is,” or “I am not as smart as she is, or “I don’t have the money that they possess.” These are not conditions that guarantee the blessed state. God looks upon the heart and judges whether or not a person is walking “blamelessly.”

“Ways” is one of the related words used in this Psalm to speak of the Word of God. The root of this word in the Hebrew means to tread with the foot. So the root denotes the act of walking. “Ways” here speaks of a path, road, a going, or journeying. This word occurs 13 times in the entire Psalm depending on which version you are using. God has His path for us to walk on. To remain blessed, we are to stay on that path and not go off of it no matter how tempting the road signs might be along the way. As long as we stay on the path marked out for us by God, there will be plenty of light. However, darkness will be found along the side roads that take us off of the path of God. Satan will provide not only some light on these side paths, but a counterfeit light. Don’t fall for it. The further you stray from the path of God, the darker it will become.

As we stray from God by walking on some side streets, the light of God becomes dimmer. But the light dims so slowly that we don’t realize just how dark our lives are becoming until it is contrasted with a bright light from God – a search light if you will, trying to help us find our way back.
“Who walk” – The “who” are simply the “they” mentioned earlier. These are Christians whose ways are blameless and are said “to walk in the law of the Lord.”

“Walk” entails fellowship. To walk with God is to fellowship with Him. But to walk also entails “advancement.” When a person walks with God, he or she is advancing in their lives. They are not stagnant or still. They are “growing” and “advancing” spiritually. To walk with God is to advance, to walk in the flesh is just the opposite. Therefore, to walk with God is to walk in the Spirit as we keep His Word; but to walk in the flesh is to walk away from God as a result of not keeping His Word. A person who walks with God does so consistently and with perseverance. The Christian life is not a run whereby we burn out along the way. It is a steady and consistent walk heading toward our destination of Christlikeness.

“according to” – note that there is not suggested here a percentage. That is, if I walk obeying God’s Word 65 percent of the time, I am blessed. No. Well, if I walk with God obeying His word, 85 percent of the time, I have favor with God. No. It is and always will be “according to” God’s Word. In other words, we are obligated to obey ALL of God’s Word and laws and not merely a percentage of it. No wonder the writer talked about how the Word was always before him night and day.

“the law of the Lord” – this is another synonym for God’s Word. Here it is torah, a precept or statute. The root means to project or to issue, hence to point out or to show. It includes teaching or instruction. God’s law contains His instructions and points out His will. This word occurs about 25 times in the entire Psalm.

Conclusion: Verse 1 is about who the blessed are. Simply, they are the ones who ways are blameless and who stay on the path of God walking according to, that is obedient to His Word.