Look for Jewels in Ps. 119

God’s testimonies are jewels. When I find them and observe them, I beautify my soul and my life with them.

God’s testimonies are the Bible stories I learn from. Those stories teach me what God likes, doesn’t like and how he responds to certain actions, words and hearts.

If I didn’t have the stories in the Bible to show me God, I wouldn’t know God.  Let’s observe each of the 23 verses in Ps. 119 that uses the word testimonies starting with the first three.

To the right of the verse, I’m writing my observations. You can do the same. At the end, I have the chart of all 23 verses. You can copy and paste them into a Word document and start your own worksheet. My aim for the space to the right is to write observations, prayers and examples of testimonies that help me to understand the verse.

Psalms 119:2  Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, and that seek him with the whole heart.	When I learn God’s testimonies (the things he likes and doesn’t like and responds positively or negatively to, based on the stories I see), then I’ll keep his testimonies. I’ll apply what I learn. In John 8, the scribes and Pharisees brought to Jesus a woman caught in the act of adultery and challenged him on whether he would deal with her according to the law (stone her). His testimony? Love and forgiveness. I should be like that. “Blessed are they that keep his testimonies.”
Psalms 119:14  I have rejoiced in the way of thy testimonies, as much as in all riches.	I have to admit, riches are something to rejoice in… no more worrying about finances. Imagine. But a deeper sense of joy comes from God’s testimonies. Here’s one. In Exodus, Moses wanted to see and know God. So God testified of himself to Moses, and we get to see. I have run miles with this. Exo 34:6-7  And the LORD passed by before him, and proclaimed, The LORD, The LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth,  (7)  Keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, and that will by no means clear the guilty; visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, and upon the children's children, unto the third and to the fourth generation.
Psalms 119:22 Remove from me reproach and contempt; for I have kept thy testimonies.	This one is tough, because one testimony is 2Ti 3:12  Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. Jesus did, we will. But I know from stories in the Bible that God can change people’s hearts on the behalf of those who walk close to him. David, who walked uprightly, keeping God’s testimonies, was often given respite from Saul’s terror. Saul would have changes of heart and quit pursuing David as an enemy. Pro 21:1  The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will. I can pray to be removed from reproach and contempt because God works in hearts to make it happen. That’s his testimony.

Those verses are jewels. I want to interact with each of the 23 “testimonies” verses in Ps. 119. Come along with me. Let’s beautify our souls. Here is the verse chart.

Psalms 119:2  Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, and that seek him with the whole heart.
Psalms 119:14  I have rejoiced in the way of thy testimonies, as much as in all riches.
Psalms 119:22 ¶ Remove from me reproach and contempt; for I have kept thy testimonies.
Psalms 119:24 ¶ Thy testimonies also are my delight and my counsellors.
Psalms 119:31  I have stuck unto thy testimonies: O LORD, put me not to shame.
Psalms 119:36  Incline my heart unto thy testimonies, and not to covetousness.
Psalms 119:46  I will speak of thy testimonies also before kings, and will not be ashamed.
Psalms 119:59 ¶ I thought on my ways, and turned my feet unto thy testimonies.
Psalms 119:79  Let those that fear thee turn unto me, and those that have known thy testimonies.
Psalms 119:88 ¶ Quicken me after thy lovingkindness; so shall I keep the testimony of thy mouth.
Psalms 119:95 ¶ The wicked have waited for me to destroy me: but I will consider thy testimonies.
Psalms 119:99  I have more understanding than all my teachers: for thy testimonies are my meditation.
Psalms 119:111 ¶ Thy testimonies have I taken as an heritage for ever: for they are the rejoicing of my heart.
Psalms 119:119  Thou puttest away all the wicked of the earth like dross: therefore I love thy testimonies.
Psalms 119:125  I am thy servant; give me understanding, that I may know thy testimonies.
Psalms 119:129 ¶ PE. Thy testimonies are wonderful: therefore doth my soul keep them.
Psalms 119:138  Thy testimonies that thou hast commanded are righteous and very faithful.
Psalms 119:144  The righteousness of thy testimonies is everlasting: give me understanding, and I shall live.
Psalms 119:146  I cried unto thee; save me, and I shall keep thy testimonies.
Psalms 119:152 ¶ Concerning thy testimonies, I have known of old that thou hast founded them for ever.
Psalms 119:157 ¶ Many are my persecutors and mine enemies; yet do I not decline from thy testimonies.
Psalms 119:167 ¶ My soul hath kept thy testimonies; and I love them exceedingly.
Psalms 119:168  I have kept thy precepts and thy testimonies: for all my ways are before thee