Master the Truth of Precepts

We’re just starting a journey to understand the idea of precepts in the Bible. Using my Bible program, I see that precepts is used in 29 verses, and 21 of them are in Ps. 119. However, the most intriguing use of the word is in Isaiah, where we read, Whom shall he teach knowledge? and whom shall he make to understand doctrine? them that are weaned from the milk, and drawn from the breasts.  (10)  For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little: (Isa. 28:9-10)

Here I’d like to give a shout out to Kay Arthur and her Precepts Ministries (visit precept.org). No doubt these verses in Isaiah led to the naming of her Bible study series. When we compare scripture with scripture (line upon line, here a little, there a little) we’re on the path to the inductive Bible study method. I’ve been through a study using Kay Arthur’s inductive Bible study material, and it really does make you look closely and deeply into the very words of the Bible, comparing verses. I encourage others to check out her website. She offers a good, free succinct summary of the inductive Bible study method on this webpage:  http://bit.ly/UFNfFl

At any rate, we’re looking at precepts, and my aim is to follow the Psalmist through precepts in Ps. 119, and also take a few precepts and interact with them, line upon line, looking up testimonies in the Bible of precepts in action and gathering an understanding of exactly how they apply.

Below is a table with all the verses in Ps. 119 with the word precepts. I have a Word file of this on my computer, and I’m going to fill in all the spaces to the right of the verses with observations, insights and prayers. See if you can copy and paste the chart into a Word file and do the same.

And our journey begins. Jody

Psalms 119:4 ¶ Thou hast commanded us to keep thy precepts diligently.
Psalms 119:15  I will meditate in thy precepts, and have respect unto thy ways.
Psalms 119:27  Make me to understand the way of thy precepts: so shall I talk of thy wondrous works.
Psalms 119:40 ¶ Behold, I have longed after thy precepts: quicken me in thy righteousness.
Psalms 119:45 ¶ And I will walk at liberty: for I seek thy precepts.
Psalms 119:56  This I had, because I kept thy precepts.
Psalms 119:63 ¶ I am a companion of all them that fear thee, and of them that keep thy precepts.
Psalms 119:69 ¶ The proud have forged a lie against me: but I will keep thy precepts with my whole heart.
Psalms 119:78 ¶ Let the proud be ashamed; for they dealt perversely with me without a cause: but I will meditate in thy precepts.
Psalms 119:87  They had almost consumed me upon earth; but I forsook not thy precepts.
Psalms 119:93 ¶ I will never forget thy precepts: for with them thou hast quickened me.
Psalms 119:94 ¶ I am thine, save me; for I have sought thy precepts.
Psalms 119:100  I understand more than the ancients, because I keep thy precepts.
Psalms 119:104  Through thy precepts I get understanding: therefore I hate every false way.
Psalms 119:110  The wicked have laid a snare for me: yet I erred not from thy precepts.
Psalms 119:128  Therefore I esteem all thy precepts concerning all things to be right; and I hate every false way.
Psalms 119:134 ¶ Deliver me from the oppression of man: so will I keep thy precepts.
Psalms 119:141 ¶ I am small and despised: yet do not I forget thy precepts.
Psalms 119:159 ¶ Consider how I love thy precepts: quicken me, O LORD, according to thy lovingkindness.
Psalms 119:168  I have kept thy precepts and thy testimonies: for all my ways are before thee.
Psalms 119:173 ¶ Let thine hand help me; for I have chosen thy precepts.