The Importance of God's Word: Meditations on Psalm 119

Psalm 119 is the longest of all the 150 Psalms and, perhaps for that reason, its 176 verses are seldom or never read completely either in public or in private meditation or study. This is an immense loss. It has a great subject: the Word of God. It shows how that Word is a treasure trove of spiritual resources for the highs and lows of the Christian's journey through life. At the moment of conversion every Christian is enrolled as a student in God's school, and finding this treasure requires daily Bible study. Meditating on each day's reading helps promote growth in spiritual maturity, experience of spiritual renewal, and the Holy Spirit can maintain praise to God in a continuous spiritual revival.

The Psalm obviously expresses the hopes and fears of a faithful Jew, but what is in it for those under the new covenant? The authors emphasise the practical lessons from this Psalm, in order that every reader might come to share their delight in the daily reading of the Word of God and the blessings this brings.

Ian D Britton works as an IT manager for the NHS. Ian trusted the Lord Jesus as his Saviour while he was still a young boy and has been preaching the Gospel since his late teens. He enjoys being out in the fresh air and counts it a joy and a privilege to seek after God and to encourage others to do the same. Brian Donaldson lives in a small coastal town and works in the finance industry. Brian meets with other believers each week in his local assembly. Over the years Brian has been involved in camp work and now feels led to encourage younger parents and families in their Christian walk. Yannick Ford works as a scientist. He enjoys reading and writing, and spending time with his family. He writes articles for Scripture Truth magazine, and has had two books published: "The Gospel in Job" and "Fruit for Christ's Labour". It was through reading and re-reading the Epistle to the Romans in the New Testament that he found true peace, and he is keen for others to be blessed by God's Word too. Yannick also currently introduces the weekly broadcast. David M Hughes works as a statistician. As well as broadcasting on Truth for Today, he periodically writes for Christian magazines and preaches at various assemblies. David's life is different as a result of knowing Jesus Christ as Saviour and he wants to encourage others to take seriously the message of the Bible. Jonathan Hughes now serves the Lord full time as Emmaus Bible School UK's director after spending most of his working life in secular employment. He became a Christian as a child after hearing about the lost coin (see Luke 15:8-10). At his local church, he is involved in the children's work and arranges teaching meetings for the younger believers there. He also helps to organise an annual conference aimed particularly at helping young believers. Walking, model making and historical fiction fills his spare time. Gordon D Kell is much in demand as a Bible teacher, especially in dealing with practical subjects has long had an interest in helping and encouraging young Christians. He has broadcast on Truth for Today since its beginning.Since retirement, Peter Ollerhead has been active in Sunday School work in his local assembly as well as preaching the Gospel to many local congregations. Other interests include hospital broadcasting, local history and dealing in books. David G Pulman trusted Christ as his Saviour and Lord in his early teens through the faithful preaching of the local Christian Brethren Sunday School teachers. Most of his working life was in Information Technology-Networks for British Gas. Since retiring, he has become more involved in Christian activities, including Truth for Today broadcasts, and supporting his local Christian Brethren assembly in North East England. He also works as a tutor for UK and overseas students with Emmaus Bible School correspondence courses. George E Stevens became acquainted with the Lord from a young age attending a Baptist Sunday School and Young Sowers League. During his teenage years, he attended an Anglican church. He gained assurance of salvation in a Brethren assembly at about the age of twenty three. He has gone on to serve the Lord in a wide variety of ways including preaching and teaching. Paul Thomson is involved in his local assembly where he takes his share of preaching, ministry and children's work. Paul has helped run children's camps for many years. Stephen Thomson was brought up in a Christian family and put his trust in the Lord Jesus Christ as his personal Saviour at an early age. He meets regularly with believers in his local assembly in where he lives in the Scottish Borders - as well as taking on some speaking engagements further afield. He is self-employed.

David Anderson lives in North East England, where he is an active member of his local assembly (church). David worked in the Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients sector of the chemical industry for 40 years as an analytical chemist, a quality manager and then as a company director before becoming a consultant. For many years, he was involved in organising children's summer camps. He is currently involved in preaching and teaching amongst Christian Brethren assemblies and conferences. He writes articles for Scripture Truth and Grace & Truth Christian magazines, and has a book, "Remembering my Creator since my youth", published. He also works as a tutor for UK and overseas students with Emmaus Bible School correspondence courses.