Why should we read the Bible?

The Law of the Lord

We are used to talking about Jehovah God in terms of things “Thou Shalt Not” do, and in less common cases things “Thou Shalt” do. These last, should be easy for us to list out, if we want to please God, but we usually cannot think of them. An easy list in the New Testament is to look up the phrase “one another,” and observe all the things Christians can and should do to one another. The book of Psalms sets sail in similar fashion by listing how to get God's blessings. Ps 1:[1] Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.
[2] But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.

The man who meditates in God's law day and night is blessed. He delights in God's law, just like the obedient Jews who spoke of the Lords word to their children at all times. Deut 11:[19] And ye shall teach them your children, speaking of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.

In Proverbs, the patriarch Solomon speaks of the Lords commandments as a person that talks with us. Pr 6: [22] When thou goest, it shall lead thee; when thou sleepest, it shall keep thee; and when thou awakest, it shall talk with thee. [23] For the commandment is a lamp; and the law is light; and reproofs of instruction are the way of life:

Unfortunately, we commonly find God's word hard to understand. In Pr 2:[1] My son, if thou wilt receive my words, and hide my commandments with thee;
[2] So that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding;
[3] Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding;
[4] If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures;
[5] Then shalt thou understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God.

We find that the knowledge of God is obtained only after we “cry after knowledge, and lift up our voice for understanding.” It sounds like we have to pray for this comprehension that we seek. We have to seek after it like hidden treasure. It may not always be obvious.

[6] For the LORD giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding.
[7] He layeth up sound wisdom for the righteous: he is a buckler to them that walk uprightly.

Here we see that the Lord will give wisdom. These are the words of his mouth that give knowledge and understanding. A buckler is a small shield.

With this in mind, we may prayerfully consider Psalms 119.

Here we see the patriarch David once again begins with a discussion of blessings. The first two verses are ways to obtain blessings. In verse 9, he asks the question “How shall the young man cleanse his way?” The answer in the same verse “By taking thought of his way, according to God's word.” In this one Psalm, King David speaks to God using the phrase “Thy Law” 23 times. He calls God's word many things. It is his law, his testimonies, his statutes, his precepts, his word, his judgments, his ways, his commandments. Each of these is used multiple times, so that the Psalm is very intensive in its discussion of the law of the Lord.

In verses [19] I am a stranger in the earth: hide not thy commandments from me.

[20] My soul breaketh for the longing that it hath unto thy judgments at all times.

In verse 19 he freely admits it seems like God's words are hidden from him, and in the next verse he speaks of how much he longs to know and understand God's judgments. We should be encouraged that even as God's word can seem difficult to us, it seemed difficult to king David at times, but if we seek it carefully, we too will understand.

David was a King, and had to make laws from time to time. He knew that if the language is too simple, lawyers will use it to create exceptions that were not intended. And yet when the language is finally specific enough that lawyers cannot abuse it, the text was no longer easily understood. He looked at God's law, and was in a position to be intellectually impressed. God's law is marvelous in its simplicity, without being easily used to provide loopholes to the wicked.

The best way to understand biblical things is to let the scriptures define each other, and show the differences between the cases dealt with in each case. We call this comparing spiritual things with spiritual (1 Cor 2:13.) Over time we will come to understand that Heb 4:[12] For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

With these things in mind, we should be able to read Psalms 19 with a new appreciation for verses 7-11. There is great reward in keeping the Lord's word.