I Study the Bible
[u][b]The need to talk about what really matters[/b][/u]
I gave an account of my ways and you answered me; teach me your decrees. Ps 119:26
I have told of my ways, and You have answered me; Teach me Your statutes. (NASB)
Friday afternoon I visited someone in the hospital, a woman from my church. She has Parkinson's and has a hard time, she spent months almost continuously in the hospital. But she trusts God. For a while an older woman was in her room. This is what the lady from my church entrusted to me about this older woman: "She told me her whole life. She spoke about abuse by her father and by a neighbor. She is now married for the third time, has a very loving and sensitive husband. When I asked her if she told her husband, she said: No, you are the first, I share this with… "
It is amazing to hear that a woman has so much confidence in another woman that she shares her whole life story, including very personal things. Sometimes it can be easier to tell a stranger such personal things.
“For many years he was not able to talk about it.”
Regularly I hear or read such a sentence. Why would someone not be able to talk about an experience? Maybe that person has experienced something traumatic or terrible. Shame can keep someone from talking. Maybe that person has done something he or she cannot accept or face. And maybe that person has not yet found someone whom he can trust with this very personal experience. Talking about very personal and intimate experiences requires trust in the one who listens. Who can be trusted not to tell others and not to condemn me or reject me? I believe that this question is a very crucial and important question for many people.
V.26 speaks about a very basic and important need of humans: the need to talk about experiences, to share what I witnessed, what I have done or what I have not done. It starts with my children when they come home – they talk about what happened in school. And it is of importance when the family comes together for a celebration –parents or relatives speak about their life, their experiences, the good and the bad. This site allows people to share what they have maybe never been able to share with someone.
At times it takes years before someone is able to talk about an experience. But when the words come, healing can take place. Whenever I am able to talk about experiences, light is shed on that experience and terrible moments start to look less terrible. When I can talk about my life, I can also change my perspective – with the help of others or just by myself. And of course, with the help of God.
I gave an account of my ways
This Verse describes the experience of a believer, who tells God about his life and the experiences he has made. But it is more than that. The expression “my ways” describes personal plans and decisions, personal values and morals which belong to the way one has chosen to reach a goal or accomplish something.
I understand this Verse also as a reference to the truth that man is accountable to God for His life. Each human being must take a stand before his Maker and his God for what he has done with his time and his responsibility to live according to God’s will. Verse 26 is about accountability, trust, counselling, prayer and spiritual guidance.
“The way” in Psalm 119 and in other bible passages
The term “way” is used 12 times in Psalm 119. In the Old Testament the word is used 706 times with different shades of meaning. In Ps 119 the “way” stands for the kind of life I live or am supposed to live. God has made known how a man shall live, what is good and pleasing to God and what is evil and wrong.
He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. Micha 6:8
As a Christian I desire to live according to God’s word. I want to “walk in His ways.” At the same time, I am a lifelong learner and “my ways” are at times not “His ways.” On purpose and unwillingly I do not always follow His ways (V.3). There is a continual need to talk with God about “my ways.” The word “way” answers the questions “how shall a man live” and “how does a man find blessing from God and true happiness”.
The Psalm begins with a blessing on people whose ways are blameless:
Blessed are those whose ways are blameless, V.1
they do no wrong but follow his ways. V.3
Oh, that my ways were steadfast in obeying your decrees! V.5
I will meditate on Your precepts And regard Your ways. V.14 NASB
Cause me to understand the way of your precepts, ...V.27
Keep me from deceitful ways; ... V.29
I have chosen the way of faithfulness; I have set my heart on your laws. V.30
I shall run the way of Your commandments, For You will enlarge my heart. V.32 NASB
Teach me, Lord, the way of your decrees, that I may follow it to the end. V.33
I have considered my ways and have turned my steps to your statutes. V.59
I obey your precepts and your statutes, for all my ways are known to you. V.168
More important references to the „way:“
God saw how corrupt the earth had become, for all the people on earth had corrupted their ways. Genesis 6:12
Let the wicked forsake their ways and the unrighteous their thoughts. Isa 55:7
A cry is heard on the barren heights, the weeping and pleading of the people of Israel,
because they have perverted their ways and have forgotten the Lord their God. Jer 3:21
Give careful thought to the paths for your feet and be steadfast in all your ways.
Do not turn to the right or the left; keep your foot from evil. Prov 4:26f
The wisdom of the prudent is to give thought to their ways, but the folly of fools is deception. Prov 14:8
The highway of the upright avoids evil; those who guard their ways preserve their lives. Prov 16:17
I said, “I will watch my ways and keep my tongue from sin; Ps 39:2
Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. John 14:6
I gave an account of my ways… The Hebrew Verb used here and translated “gave an account of” describes a detailed counting or recounting of facts or the numbering of items. The Verb is also used in V.13 With my lips I recount all the laws that come from your mouth. / Then the servant told Isaac all he had done. Genesis 24:66 (cf. Gen 37:10)
So a close and careful look at life is meant – at purposes, decisions, evaluations, reactions, intentions. Verse 59 adds light to this study: “I have considered my ways and have turned my steps to your statutes.” To think about or to consider my experiences, my decisions and my life is an expression of humility, because it aims at change, maturity and repentance.
Why would someone give a detailed account of his life to God? Without a context this question is very difficult to answer. I believe that this Verse should be seen and understood with V.25, where a serious personal crisis leads the believer to ask for help and renewal of life: I am laid low in the dust; preserve my life according to your word. I gave an account of my ways and you answered me; teach me your decrees. VV.25f
When my life is endangered or when I undergo a crisis, I am more open to question myself and my decisions; I am more willing to talk about changes. People have come to know Jesus Christ through a crisis. Some Christians have learned important spiritual truths and a deeper commitment to God through a crisis. Verse 26 reminds me of the experience of two different men. One is the king Hezekiah:
In those days Hezekiah became ill and was at the point of death. The prophet Isaiah son of Amoz went to him and said, “This is what the Lord says: Put your house in order, because you are going to die; you will not recover.” Hezekiah turned his face to the wall and prayed to the Lord, “Remember, Lord, how I have walked before you faithfully and with wholehearted devotion and have done what is good in your eyes.” And Hezekiah wept bitterly. 2 Kings 20:1-3
This man reminded God of his walk. His reasoning and protest goes like this: “Since I have lived according to your word, why would you let me die before my time? Yes, it is at times important to argue with God for more life and new health.
The experience of the prodigal son could also be a context for Verse 26: “The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ Luke 15:21 The prodigal son told his father about his life and summed it up with the words, “I have sinned against heaven and against you.” Giving account of my way means to lay it out open before someone, to name things and even pass a judgment on myself. For the prodigal son this marked the start of a new life too.
A crisis is a reminder that life is fragile. A crisis is both a dangerous situation and a chance. The freedictionary.com defines a crisis as “A crucial or decisive point or situation; a turning point.” So Psalm 119:26 tells me that the number one address in any crisis is God Himself. He is able to restore life. And He is able to teach me His decrees. That means He shows me what is good and helpful and pleasing in His sight. The request “teach me…” and the experience that God “answers” or reacts to me giving account of my ways is an expression of hope. God is always willing to teach me and show me a better way.
Summary:
1. God knows all and yet He desires to hear what I think and how I feel.
2. God can be trusted with very personal thoughts and feelings.
3. Life is about learning to live according to God’s will.
4. All humans need to talk about their life, the good and the bad.
5. Whatever is talked about and put in words, can lead to healing and renewal.
6. I need a trustworthy partner to talk with and share life experiences.
7. There is hope when I turn to God and tell Him about my fears and thoughts.
8. At times we can only move on with our life, when we deal with what has happened to us or what we have done.
1.Have thine own way, Lord! Have thine own way!
Thou art the potter, I am the clay.
Mold me and make me after thy will,
while I am waiting, yielded and still.
2.Have thine own way, Lord! Have thine own way!
Search me and try me, Savior today!
Wash me just now, Lord, wash me just now,
as in thy presence humbly I bow.
3.Have thine own way, Lord! Have thine own way!
Wounded and weary, help me I pray!
Power, all power, surely is thine!
Touch me and heal me, Savior divine!
4.Have thine own way, Lord! Have thine own way!
Hold o'er my being absolute sway.
Fill with thy Spirit till all shall see
Christ only, always, living in me!
Text: Adelaide A. Pollard, 1862-1934 Music: George C. Stebbins, 1846-1945
I gave an account of my ways and you answered me; teach me your decrees. Ps 119:26
I have told of my ways, and You have answered me; Teach me Your statutes. (NASB)
Friday afternoon I visited someone in the hospital, a woman from my church. She has Parkinson's and has a hard time, she spent months almost continuously in the hospital. But she trusts God. For a while an older woman was in her room. This is what the lady from my church entrusted to me about this older woman: "She told me her whole life. She spoke about abuse by her father and by a neighbor. She is now married for the third time, has a very loving and sensitive husband. When I asked her if she told her husband, she said: No, you are the first, I share this with… "
It is amazing to hear that a woman has so much confidence in another woman that she shares her whole life story, including very personal things. Sometimes it can be easier to tell a stranger such personal things.
“For many years he was not able to talk about it.”
Regularly I hear or read such a sentence. Why would someone not be able to talk about an experience? Maybe that person has experienced something traumatic or terrible. Shame can keep someone from talking. Maybe that person has done something he or she cannot accept or face. And maybe that person has not yet found someone whom he can trust with this very personal experience. Talking about very personal and intimate experiences requires trust in the one who listens. Who can be trusted not to tell others and not to condemn me or reject me? I believe that this question is a very crucial and important question for many people.
V.26 speaks about a very basic and important need of humans: the need to talk about experiences, to share what I witnessed, what I have done or what I have not done. It starts with my children when they come home – they talk about what happened in school. And it is of importance when the family comes together for a celebration –parents or relatives speak about their life, their experiences, the good and the bad. This site allows people to share what they have maybe never been able to share with someone.
At times it takes years before someone is able to talk about an experience. But when the words come, healing can take place. Whenever I am able to talk about experiences, light is shed on that experience and terrible moments start to look less terrible. When I can talk about my life, I can also change my perspective – with the help of others or just by myself. And of course, with the help of God.
I gave an account of my ways
This Verse describes the experience of a believer, who tells God about his life and the experiences he has made. But it is more than that. The expression “my ways” describes personal plans and decisions, personal values and morals which belong to the way one has chosen to reach a goal or accomplish something.
I understand this Verse also as a reference to the truth that man is accountable to God for His life. Each human being must take a stand before his Maker and his God for what he has done with his time and his responsibility to live according to God’s will. Verse 26 is about accountability, trust, counselling, prayer and spiritual guidance.
“The way” in Psalm 119 and in other bible passages
The term “way” is used 12 times in Psalm 119. In the Old Testament the word is used 706 times with different shades of meaning. In Ps 119 the “way” stands for the kind of life I live or am supposed to live. God has made known how a man shall live, what is good and pleasing to God and what is evil and wrong.
He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. Micha 6:8
As a Christian I desire to live according to God’s word. I want to “walk in His ways.” At the same time, I am a lifelong learner and “my ways” are at times not “His ways.” On purpose and unwillingly I do not always follow His ways (V.3). There is a continual need to talk with God about “my ways.” The word “way” answers the questions “how shall a man live” and “how does a man find blessing from God and true happiness”.
The Psalm begins with a blessing on people whose ways are blameless:
Blessed are those whose ways are blameless, V.1
they do no wrong but follow his ways. V.3
Oh, that my ways were steadfast in obeying your decrees! V.5
I will meditate on Your precepts And regard Your ways. V.14 NASB
Cause me to understand the way of your precepts, ...V.27
Keep me from deceitful ways; ... V.29
I have chosen the way of faithfulness; I have set my heart on your laws. V.30
I shall run the way of Your commandments, For You will enlarge my heart. V.32 NASB
Teach me, Lord, the way of your decrees, that I may follow it to the end. V.33
I have considered my ways and have turned my steps to your statutes. V.59
I obey your precepts and your statutes, for all my ways are known to you. V.168
More important references to the „way:“
God saw how corrupt the earth had become, for all the people on earth had corrupted their ways. Genesis 6:12
Let the wicked forsake their ways and the unrighteous their thoughts. Isa 55:7
A cry is heard on the barren heights, the weeping and pleading of the people of Israel,
because they have perverted their ways and have forgotten the Lord their God. Jer 3:21
Give careful thought to the paths for your feet and be steadfast in all your ways.
Do not turn to the right or the left; keep your foot from evil. Prov 4:26f
The wisdom of the prudent is to give thought to their ways, but the folly of fools is deception. Prov 14:8
The highway of the upright avoids evil; those who guard their ways preserve their lives. Prov 16:17
I said, “I will watch my ways and keep my tongue from sin; Ps 39:2
Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. John 14:6
I gave an account of my ways… The Hebrew Verb used here and translated “gave an account of” describes a detailed counting or recounting of facts or the numbering of items. The Verb is also used in V.13 With my lips I recount all the laws that come from your mouth. / Then the servant told Isaac all he had done. Genesis 24:66 (cf. Gen 37:10)
So a close and careful look at life is meant – at purposes, decisions, evaluations, reactions, intentions. Verse 59 adds light to this study: “I have considered my ways and have turned my steps to your statutes.” To think about or to consider my experiences, my decisions and my life is an expression of humility, because it aims at change, maturity and repentance.
Why would someone give a detailed account of his life to God? Without a context this question is very difficult to answer. I believe that this Verse should be seen and understood with V.25, where a serious personal crisis leads the believer to ask for help and renewal of life: I am laid low in the dust; preserve my life according to your word. I gave an account of my ways and you answered me; teach me your decrees. VV.25f
When my life is endangered or when I undergo a crisis, I am more open to question myself and my decisions; I am more willing to talk about changes. People have come to know Jesus Christ through a crisis. Some Christians have learned important spiritual truths and a deeper commitment to God through a crisis. Verse 26 reminds me of the experience of two different men. One is the king Hezekiah:
In those days Hezekiah became ill and was at the point of death. The prophet Isaiah son of Amoz went to him and said, “This is what the Lord says: Put your house in order, because you are going to die; you will not recover.” Hezekiah turned his face to the wall and prayed to the Lord, “Remember, Lord, how I have walked before you faithfully and with wholehearted devotion and have done what is good in your eyes.” And Hezekiah wept bitterly. 2 Kings 20:1-3
This man reminded God of his walk. His reasoning and protest goes like this: “Since I have lived according to your word, why would you let me die before my time? Yes, it is at times important to argue with God for more life and new health.
The experience of the prodigal son could also be a context for Verse 26: “The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ Luke 15:21 The prodigal son told his father about his life and summed it up with the words, “I have sinned against heaven and against you.” Giving account of my way means to lay it out open before someone, to name things and even pass a judgment on myself. For the prodigal son this marked the start of a new life too.
A crisis is a reminder that life is fragile. A crisis is both a dangerous situation and a chance. The freedictionary.com defines a crisis as “A crucial or decisive point or situation; a turning point.” So Psalm 119:26 tells me that the number one address in any crisis is God Himself. He is able to restore life. And He is able to teach me His decrees. That means He shows me what is good and helpful and pleasing in His sight. The request “teach me…” and the experience that God “answers” or reacts to me giving account of my ways is an expression of hope. God is always willing to teach me and show me a better way.
Summary:
1. God knows all and yet He desires to hear what I think and how I feel.
2. God can be trusted with very personal thoughts and feelings.
3. Life is about learning to live according to God’s will.
4. All humans need to talk about their life, the good and the bad.
5. Whatever is talked about and put in words, can lead to healing and renewal.
6. I need a trustworthy partner to talk with and share life experiences.
7. There is hope when I turn to God and tell Him about my fears and thoughts.
8. At times we can only move on with our life, when we deal with what has happened to us or what we have done.
1.Have thine own way, Lord! Have thine own way!
Thou art the potter, I am the clay.
Mold me and make me after thy will,
while I am waiting, yielded and still.
2.Have thine own way, Lord! Have thine own way!
Search me and try me, Savior today!
Wash me just now, Lord, wash me just now,
as in thy presence humbly I bow.
3.Have thine own way, Lord! Have thine own way!
Wounded and weary, help me I pray!
Power, all power, surely is thine!
Touch me and heal me, Savior divine!
4.Have thine own way, Lord! Have thine own way!
Hold o'er my being absolute sway.
Fill with thy Spirit till all shall see
Christ only, always, living in me!
Text: Adelaide A. Pollard, 1862-1934 Music: George C. Stebbins, 1846-1945
