The Lines
We start a new series today.The Bible Society celebrates 200 years of work this week!
So I'm going to spend a bit of time reflecting on the importance and value of God's Word in our lives...
I want to start with Psalm 119 which is all about God's Word. It is a wisdom psalm which means that it is about our relationship with God and a practical guide to life. It is an acrostic poem with 22 stanzas of 8 verses each. (This makes it the longest psalm and the longest chapter in the Bible!)
Acrostic means that the poem follows the Alphabet: in stanza 1 all the verses start with the first letter of the alphabet, in stanza 2 the verses start with the second letter of the alphabet and so on. This was done to aid memorization and to imply a full and thorough treatment of the subject.
The subject of the Psalm is the value, relevance and blessing of reading, knowing and loving God's Word.
When I was at University, the gospel singer, Russ Taff, put out a song entitled "Walk between the Lines". In an environment that sometimes put intellectualism before simple faith, Russ's song was a great reminder that everything goes back to God's word...
Here's the lyrics of his song and the first 8 verses of Ps 119.
Enjoy!
WALK BETWEEN THE LINES
(Written by David H Perkins, performed by Russ Taff)
When the night breaks in I won't spin
Far away from what I know is real
In this heart of mine - Light will shine
For I have found my chart to pilot me
Walk between the lines
Through this life and times
My heart is hitting hard upon the Word
Walk between the lines - seeing surer signs
My heart is hidden deep between the lines
When the days ahead seem full of dread
And I'm afraid of what the future finds
There's this place I know I can go
I'll find the peace to clear my clouded mind
Walk between the lines
Through this life and times
My heart is hitting hard upon the Word
Walk between the lines - Finding deeper finds
My heart is hidden deep between the lines
(To a secret place)
(Protected, protected in your arms)
When the night breaks in I won't stay
So far away from what I know is real
If my friends turn away I won't sway
For I have found my chart to pilot me
Walk between the lines
Through this life and times
My heart is hitting hard upon the Word
Walk between the lines
Finding deeper finds
My heart is hidden deep between the lines
Walk between the lines
Through this life and times
My heart is hitting hard upon the Word
Walk between the lines
Seeing surer signs
My heart is hidden deep between the lines
You can listen to the song at: https://youtu.be/h1g7VKYVpuA
| Blessed are they whose ways are blameless, who walk according to the law of the LORD. 2 Blessed are they who keep his statutes and seek him with all their heart. 3 They do nothing wrong; they walk in his ways. 4 You have laid down precepts that are to be fully obeyed. 5 Oh, that my ways were steadfast in obeying your decrees! 6 Then I would not be put to shame when I consider all your commands. 7 I will praise you with an upright heart as I learn your righteous laws. 8 I will obey your decrees; do not utterly forsake me. (Psalms119:1-8) |
