Psalm 119 has the distinction of being the longest chapter in all of the Bible. Composed of 176 verses it is larger in size than 14 Old Testament Books and 17 New Testament Books. It’s 176 verses are broken up into 22 stanzas, one stanza for every letter of the Hebrew Alphabet. The Fourteenth Stanza begins with the Hebrew letter NUN (pronounced “noon”), which looks like what you see on the left. Nun looks kind of like a burning candle. Psalm 105 emphasizes the light of the believer. Let’s read together:
Read Together Psalms 119:105 Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet,
and a light unto my path.
1 Why Do I Need A Lamp And A Light? Frank and I were out walking today (I need to get fit) on Riverwalk when we saw a lady slumped over in her car. Concerned we went and knocked on her window. She roused up, and opened the window, telling us she had a headache and was resting. I apologized for disturbing her, but noted we were concerned. Then we asked if we could pray for her. She replied “I’d really like that”. Praying for her, the Lord seemed to comfort her, and we continued on our walk.
Darkness and Distress comes to every life. We all suffer.
The Prophet Job, a man who was perfect and righteous, who feared the Lord and turned away from evil (Job 1:1) said:
Job 30:26 When I looked for good, then evil came unto me: and when I waited for light, there came darkness.
Our Lord Jesus cried from the Cross of Calvary …
Psalms 22:1 …. My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? why art thou so far from helping me, and from the words of my roaring? …
and the Prophet Jeremiah discouraged cried out …
Lamentations 3:19-20 Remembering mine affliction and my misery, the wormwood and the gall. {20} My soul hath them still in remembrance, and is humbled in me.
Trials come on us all. Do they have a purpose? Yes, they do.
Adrian Rogers gave the following illustration. “I read about a man who had a very fine dog who loved the water. One day the dog was playing in the lake and the man decided to leave. He called the dog, but the dog wouldn’t come. He called him several times; he wouldn’t come. It was a well-trained dog, but he just would not come. The man finally threw a stick out in the water. When the dog saw it, he swam over, got the stick, and came back and laid it at his master’s feet. It just may be that God has given you a burden because He can’t get your attention. He wants you to come and lay it at your Master’s feet.”
When the trials come and the darkness seems to close in it is God’s Word that gives us light in the midst of darkness. It is His Word that gives us light and hope. God saved us by His Word, and feeds us by His Word. God saved you for His glory. He took clay vessels that were without honor, and through the offering of His own Dear Son He caused us to be born again. For this reason the Apostle said:
2 Corinthians 4:5-7 For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus’ sake. {6} For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. {7} But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.
We who believe and have called upon the Name of Jesus are saved from eternal damnation – not because we are worthy – but because He is worthy. We who have called on the Name of Jesus exist to glorify God. You exist for God’s glory!
God made us in His image and in His likeness. We were made to live for Him, to glorify Him. When trials come they are the darkness that drives us to the Light of His Word. You, dear Christian, are earthen vessels, jars of clay. When a potter makes a jar of clay he takes the clay through several processes. First he kneads the clay, pressing and pressuring all air out of it. Second he forms the clay by forcing it into the shape that he wants it to be. Third the clay must be air dried until it becomes what is called green ware Once it is air dried, the potter must kiln fire the green ware until it hardens into the unglazed pot. Lastly glaze is put on the pot, and it is placed into the kiln once more. At each stage the useless clay is placed under tribulation, but tribulation is not meaningless or fruitless, but it draws the clay toward the goal of being a work of art. Dear Christian, you are God’s work of art! “O LORD, thou art our Father; we are the clay, and Thou art our Potter, and we are all the work of Thy hand.” (Isaiah 64:8) The trial has purpose. The Apostle Paul said:
Romans 5:1-5 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: {2} By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. {3} And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; {4} And patience, experience; and experience, hope: {5} And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.
We glory in tribulations for we know that they have purpose.
2 Darkness Drives Us To The Lamp Of God’s Word.
Psalms 119:105 Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.
A lamp is a tool that has absolutely no purpose in the daylight. If you’re walking in the light of the day it would be foolish to carry a lit lamp or a burning flashlight. It’s redundant. The wrong time to look for a flashlight – or a book of matches and a candle – is when the lights are out!
You need the Living Word of God in your life. There are a number of people who call themselves “Christian” but really are not Christian at all. If you are a Christian then the Word is a lamp unto your feet, and a light unto your path. The Word of God is both WRITTEN and BEGOTTEN. The WRITTEN Word is this Bible. The BEGOTTEN Word is Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. Of Him John wrote:
John 1:1, 14 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. {14} And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
When Israel was founded the Lord wrote His Word on Tablets of Stone and Animal Skins
When the Church was founded the Lord HIMSELF became the Living Word
Israel carried the Word in the Ark of the Covenant
We – His Church – have the Word in our hearts, and are carried by The Word made flesh
The Word Who is God took on Himself humanity. He came to this earth with the express purpose of glorifying God by saving creatures like us. Jesus Christ was born of a virgin. He grew up in Nazareth, a small and nondescript town. At around thirty years old Jesus went out and began to bring glory to God by healing people.
By His Word Jesus healed the epileptic (Matthew 9:8).
By His Word Jesus healed the cripple (Mark 2:12).
By His Word Jesus raised the widow’s son from the dead (Luke 7:16).
By His Word Jesus healed the woman afflicted eighteen years (Luke 13:13).
By His Word the leper was cured of this terrible disease (Luke 17:15).
By His Word the blind were made to see.
By His Word Christ raises the spiritually dead.
And By His Word we are adopted into His Family.
The Scripture declares that Light can only come through faith in His Word. Without Him we are in darkness. With Him we are saved.
Romans 3:23-28 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; {24} Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: {25} Whom God hath set forth to be a {satisfactory covering for sin} through faith in his blood … {26} To declare … his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus. {27} Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith. {28} Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.
Light comes when we focus on His Word. Israel came out Egypt by following God as a Pillar of Fire. We follow His Word. We cherish His Word.
His Word is A LAMP. Not our opinions. Not what we think, but what He has said and continues to say. His Word is SINGULARLY A LIGHT unto our path. We follow what He says. His Word is first in our lives. We say with the saints of old:
2 Samuel 22:29-34 For thou art my lamp, O LORD: and the LORD will lighten my darkness. {30} For by thee I have run through a troop: by my God have I leaped over a wall. {31} As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the LORD is tried: he is a buckler to all them that trust in him. {32} For who is God, save the LORD? and who is a rock, save our God? {33} God is my strength and power: and he maketh my way perfect. {34} He maketh my feet like hinds’ feet: and setteth me upon my high places.
What a glory it is to be in Christ, to know that we will rule and reign with Him one day! Glory unto God in the highest! Glory that He would give us such a precious gift!
3 Those Who Are Christ’s Must Not Out Run His Light.
Psalms 119:105 Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.
God’s Word is a lamp unto your feet, and a light unto your path. Stay in step with Christ. Stay in step with the Word of God. The Prodigal Son found himself eating the slop of the hogs because he left the blessing of his Father’s lighted home. Jesus bids us to remember that He is the light. He said …
John 8:12 … I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.
Why do people fail? Why do people get discouraged, depressed, and sometimes – Lord forbid – commit suicide? Because they have not formed a habit of staying in the light. They get off the path where the Word is! They try to lead Jesus rather than be led of Jesus. We are saved by focus on Christ. We are blessed by focus on Christ.
Jesus said “he that followeth Me SHALL NOT WALK IN DARKNESS”. If you’re born again by faith in Christ, stay on the path with Christ. You were saved by believing what Jesus said:
John 14:6 .. I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
You believed that Jesus was the only Way to God and the only Way to life. You trusted His claims, and believed that He suffered, died, and rose again for you. Your faith brought you into the Light. You need to stay in the Light.
You cannot be saved by trusting in Jesus, and then expect to keep on being blessed by trusting in you!
Jesus said:
John 12:46 I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness.
We are not made for darkness. We are made for the Light. We are made for His light. Listen Beloved: the Lord has said His Word is a lamp unto my feet. He didn’t say “my opinion” or “my feelings” or “what I want to do” or anything else! His Word is a Lamp unto my feet. Jesus said “I am the Light of the world”. He alone must be followed. His Word alone must be read and adhered to. Your prayers flow up to God through Jesus Christ our Mediator:
Hebrews 12:24 …. Jesus the mediator of the new covenant …
If you are born again you will only live a victorious life by walking with the Word. You will only see victory over the darkness by trusting in His Word. You must stay on the path of faith in the Word.
You must remember that God’s Word is the lamp unto our feet, and the light unto our path.
Stay with the Word when your days are bright.
Stay in His Word when darkness falls as night.
Stay on the Path, in prayer draw near
Focus on the Word, not on fear.
Charles Stanley’s grandfather told him, “obey God and leave all the consequences to Him”.
That’s very good advise. God is in control of all things. Obey God. Heed His Word. Obey His Spirit. Trust that “all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28), and let God take care of the rest. He knows what is best (Isaiah 55:8-9). Climb when God tells you to climb. Rest when He tells you to rest. Stop depending on yourself – cut the rope, and depend on God! May God touch your hearts with His Word!
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Thy word is a lamp
Thy word is a lamp unto my feet
Your word is a lamp to my feet
and a light to my path.
Psalm 119:105 (ESV)
Have the lights in your home ever gone out, perhaps during a storm?
In the darkness, you might panic for a moment, but in a few moments, your eyes will adjust to the dark, and you may be able to see a little better.
This situation is similar to this verse in Psalms.
Without God and His Word, we are spiritually walking in the dark. We can only see a step or two ahead of us.
When we come to trust in Jesus and follow in His footsteps, our path becomes clearer. From the scriptures, he teaches us how best not only to live but also to treat others.
When we open ourselves to the Holy Spirit, He transforms us and makes His home within our hearts. As a result, we can see things never seen before as revealed solely by His guidance, which will lead us to our best journey in this life.
The world seems brighter and clearer when you open yourself up to him.
Thy Word is a Lamp Getting Deeper
When we read the Bible, God’s word is alive inside us. We feel safe and directed because it guides our way out of spiritual darkness into light.
We are like a lighthouse to those left in the darkness and offer hope as a beacon of light amidst their storm. The Bible is ultimately a book about finding your way to God. But first, we must put down our flashlight and allow the Father’s light from above to shine brighter than what we’ve known before so that when He reveals Himself in His grace, all may see how beautiful life can be with Him as opposed to those who wander aimlessly in the darkness.
In Psalm 119, the psalmist celebrates and extols the value of God’s word in this acrostic poem. The Psalm begins with a dedication to singing His praise and ends by encouraging us all to depend on Him for our every need trustingly.
In verse 105, the psalmist declares to the Lord, “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (ESV). Just as a lamp shines to guide our steps, God’s Word illuminates and guides the way for us in this world.
The word “lamp” in Hebrew is ner. It was a small clay lantern with a single wick in biblical times. So the Word of God is a lamp that shines on our path to guide us and keep us from stumbling off course. The light of God’s word allows us to see our way through life on earth.
We find a similar thought in Proverbs 6:23. The guidance referred to by the biblical writers is not only sound advice but also rock-solid truth for navigating difficult moral choices in this fallen world.
For the commandment is a lamp and the teaching a light,
and the reproofs of discipline are the way of life,
Proverbs 6:23 (ESV)
Worldly voices claim that there are many paths to God, not one truth. These same people say it is okay not to be absolutely 100% convinced by any religion or philosophy and to “Just do what feels right” for yourself! Following the voices in our heads rather than relying on God’s guidance can lead us down a slippery slope that ends with grief and ruin.
Only God’s Word provides the guidance and direction we need. In 2 Peter 1:19, we also see His Word as a reliable lamp shining in a dark place.
And we have the prophetic word more fully confirmed, to which you will do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts,
2 Peter 1:19 (ESV)
The apostle Paul wrote to his young told his young protégé, Timothy:
All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.
2 Timothy 3:16-17 (ESV)
God’s word is a lamp to our feet and light in the darkness. Therefore, to succeed, we must study it frequently and give full attention when studying so that its direction can help us perform God’s work successfully.
Obeying God’s Word brings blessings and rewards:
Blessed is the man
who walks not in the counsel of the wicked,
nor stands in the way of sinners,
nor sits in the seat of scoffers;
but his delight is in the law of the Lord,
and on his law he meditates day and night.
He is like a tree
planted by streams of water
that yields its fruit in its season,
and its leaf does not wither.
In all that he does, he prospers.
Psalm 1:1-3 (ESV)
Warrior Women: Creating a Custom War Binder for a Powerful Prayer Life
saying, “If you will diligently listen to the voice of the Lord your God, and do that which is right in his eyes, and give ear to his commandments and keep all his statutes, I will put none of the diseases on you that I put on the Egyptians, for I am the Lord, your healer.”
Exodus 15:26 (ESV)
On his deathbed, King David told his son Solomon,
and keep the charge of the Lord your God, walking in his ways and keeping his statutes, his commandments, his rules, and his testimonies, as it is written in the Law of Moses, that you may prosper in all that you do and wherever you turn,
1 Kings 2:3 ( ESV)
God’s Word has incredible power.:
For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
Hebrews 4:12 (ESV)
The Word of God is alive because He is a living God.
Take care, brothers, lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away from the living God.
Hebrews 3:12 (ESV)
What agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; as God said,
“I will make my dwelling among them and walk among them,
and I will be their God,
and they shall be my people.
2 Corinthians 6:16 (ESV)
His words are power-packed with energy, life, and productivity—they cause things to happen.
For he spoke, and it came to be;
he commanded, and it stood firm.
Psalm 33:9 (ESV)
God’s Word will be active in our lives if we allow it. And not only that, but trusting the words of God and letting them work in your life will help you to walk in God’s plan for you.
so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth;
it shall not return to me empty,
but it shall accomplish that which I purpose,
and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.
Isaiah 55:11 (ESV)
For this reason, we study it (2 Timothy 2:15), meditate on it (Psalm 119:97), hold firmly to it (Philippians 2:16), and hide it in our hearts (Psalm 119:11).
Christians can say that God’s word is a lamp unto their feet and lights up the path because it provides illumination, insight, and direction.
It is difficult to see the way of walking through the darkness. You feel exposed and unprotected without a light guiding your steps. We need to remember Psalm 119:105 “Thy Word is a lamp…”
Light dawns in the darkness for the upright;
he is gracious, merciful, and righteous.
Psalm 112:4 (ESV)
Yet, God calls us to follow the path he lays before us. Often, he will only illuminate one step at a time, lighting our way with a small lamp.
For you are my lamp, O Lord,
and my God lightens my darkness.
2 Samuel 22:29 (ESV)
He invites us to trust him, even when the path is unclear, and we cannot see ahead. Keep your eyes fixed on God, and take a single step.
Small children are often afraid of the dark. I understand their reluctance to step into a dark room. They aren’t sure what lies ahead.
I believe that we often treat our lives in the same way. However, we are reluctant to treat our life in the same way. This is because we are uncertain about leaving the safety of what is known.
God calls us to follow him, firmly fixing our eyes on Jesus and trusting that he will lead the way.
Let your eyes look directly forward,
and your gaze be straight before you.
Ponder the path of your feet;
then all your ways will be sure.
Proverbs 4:25-26 (ESV)
The form you have selected does not exist.
Does darkness surround you? Are you unsure where to step or if you should take a step at all? Not sure if you’re ready to venture beyond what is known?
While we’d all love a big shining light to show the way, God only promised us a lamp, a small light. He shows us just enough to take a step but requires that we trust him completely with the rest of our path. He asks that we trust him and not question where he’s taking us because in his hands is the answer to every twist and turn along our journey.
looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.
Hebrews 12:2 (ESV)
God is calling you to take a step of faith. Will it be easy? No, but with His guidance and love on this journey, we will know He is with us, and His Word is a lamp unto our feet!!
Your word is a lamp to my feet
and a light to my path.
Psalm 119:105 (ESV)
Psalm 119:105 is a beautiful reminder of the importance of God’s Word in our lives. When we take the time to read and study His Word, it becomes a lamp to our feet, guiding us through this life. It also helps us trust Him more as we walk into the future, knowing He will guide us with His light. Are you in His Word every day? If not, commit today to start reading and studying Scripture regularly. As you do, ask God to show you where He wants you to go next. Then, be ready to take the next step in faith, trusting that He will lead you down the best path for you.
ESV – “Scripture quotations are from The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.”
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Lamps in the ancient world served a vital function, much like they do today. They enable people to see and work in the dark and to avoid stumbling. The Jews also understood “light” as symbol or expression of the inner beauty, truth, and goodness of God. In his light we see light (Psalm 36:9). His word is a lamp that guides our steps (Psalm 119:105). Jesus used the image of salt to describe the transforming effect of God’s work in our lives – and how the Holy Spirit wants to work through us to bring the power and blessing of God’s kingdom to others. As salt purifies, preserves, and produces rich flavour for our daily food, we, too, as disciples of Jesus, are “salt” for the world of human society. The Lord wants to work in and through us to purify, preserve, and spread the rich flavour of God’s kingdom everywhere – his “kingdom of righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit” (Romans 14:17). Salt in the ancient world was often put into ovens to intensify the heat. When the salt was burned off and no longer useful it was thrown out on the ground where it would easily get stepped on and swept away (Matthew 5:13).
Edward Finlayson
I’m simply a computer geek who has been in that industry for a couple of decades now and loves living in Brixham since moving here a little over ten years ago. I’m helping out with this site and will do all I can to make it successful. I have lots of fun ideas but I’m sure that you do to, so let’s have them please…
No, seriously let us know what you would like to see and the sorts of thing you want this site to be capable of doing (making coffee excluded, I’ve been trying to do that for years)
“For everything that is in the world—the desire for fleshly gratification, the desire for possessions, and worldly arrogance—is not from the Father but is from the world.” 1 John 2:16 ISV
Have you noticed that life is messy? That our relationships are messy? That we seem to have struggles off and on throughout life? This is because we live in a fallen, broken world. We have a tendency to make a mess of things because of sin in our lives. The Bible blames our problems mainly on ungodly desires: “the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life”. (1Jn.2:16KJV)
The world has lots of differing opinions on how to solve our problems. There is a lot of advice available about how things should be done, and how problems in our lives can be fixed. Not all of that advice is bad. It can be very good advice, based on truth, based on knowledge, based on experience, based on love for the person needing that advice. However, the most important questions we can ask ourselves when seeking and getting advice is: “Is this godly, biblical advice? Does this line up with what the Word of God says?”.
“How blessed is the person, who does not take the advice of the [ungodly], who does not stand on the path with sinners, and who does not sit in the seat of mockers. But he delights in the LORD’s instruction, and meditates in His instruction day and night. He will be like a tree planted by streams of water, yielding its fruit in its season, and whose leaf does not wither. He will prosper in everything he does.” Psalm 1:1-3 ISV
I remember a particular situation in my life, about 20 years ago, when I was being lied to and stolen from. Details were muddled, particulars unclear, explanations falling short. Fortunately, there were some people in my life who had my best interest at heart, who were knowledgeable in the matter at hand, and were able to get the inside scoop to prove that I was being duped. And I listened to them because it seemed to be the right thing to do, the “legal” thing to do. Major problem, because it was also the “worldly” thing to do… and the opposite of what God told me to do. 😦
“Why do you keep calling me ‘Lord, Lord,’ but don’t do what I tell you?” Luke 6:46 ISV
You see, I was a professing follower of Christ, reading His Word, filled with the Holy Spirit, and, yes, hearing His voice. The voice of His Word which warned loud and clear: “Do not walk in the counsel of the ungodly”, over and over again. And what did I do? Just the opposite! I listened to the advice of people who were not followers of Christ. Although “good” people, they were people who walked in the ways of the world. And God told me so. I knew! But everything they said sounded so right… Besides, it was what I wanted to hear.
Well, to make a long story short, I ended up dropping the matter, but not before someone had lost their job, and a relationship that matters to me was damaged and remains difficult to this day regardless of attempts by me to repair it. And I went into the “dark night of the soul” for quite a while before I came to repentance. All because I was disobedient to the voice of God. Disobedient to the One who TRULY had my best interest at heart. The One who could see into the future. The One who was trying to tell me what is really important in life.
“My sheep hear My voice. I know them, and they follow Me.” Jn 10:27 ISV
“And whether you turn to the right or turn to the left, your ears will hear a message behind you: “This is the way, walk in it.” Isaiah 30:21 ISV
God has our best interest at heart. ALL THE TIME! He doesn’t require obedience from us because of some need in Him, but because of His love for us. He knows all and sees all, and He wants to protect us. In the dictionary, obedience is described as “a form of social influence in which a person yields to explicit instructions or orders from an authority figure”. In the Bible it means “to be under subjection or submission”. True obedience to God means that we offer ourselves to Him completely and without reservation. It is an act of total surrender to His will and His Word. Obedience to God is an act of love and worship on our part.
We are not to conform to the world’s ways, however “reasonable” and “right” the world’s ways may seem to us. If we desire to do the will of God, we should seek to please HIM ALONE and do ONLY what He would have us do. We can know His will by reading His Word. Our thinking will be transformed and changed into God’s way of thinking (Romans 12:2). Knowing God’s Word will help us recognize His voice, because His voice will always line up with His Word.
Prayer: “Father, give us a hunger for Your Word each and every day. Fill us to overflowing so that we may live a life pleasing to You, even if it means going against everything this world would expect. Help us recognize Your voice and give us boldness by Your Holy Spirit, Lord! In Jesus’ Name, Amen!”
“How pleasing is what you have to say to me—tasting better than honey. I obtain understanding from your precepts; therefore I hate every false way. Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light for my pathway.” Psalm 119:103-105 ISV
To be called a Christian is to believe in Jesus Christ and the supporting text that talks of life before, during, and after His time walking amongst people. That text is the Bible, God’s Holy Word. Within Scripture itself, aside from the various stories and characters we read about, there are several verses that give us insight into why God has blessed us with His Word to begin. One such verse is written in the Book of Psalms.
“Your word is a lamp for my feet and a light on my path.” (119:105)
Verses such as this are rare areas where the Bible talks about itself. These verses highlight the importance of not only hearing God’s Word but living accordingly. In order to live life according to God’s will, we first have to know how He has called us to live. In order to know that, we cannot rely first on our own thinking, but instead, must hear what the Bible says. This verse from Psalms 119 embodies the wisdom we receive from reading the Bible. The verse also reveals an important truth — to live like a Christian is to live like Christ, who lived out God’s teachings perfectly.
How Is God’s Word a Lamp Unto My Feet?
The phrase “God’s word is a lamp unto my feet” is a metaphorical statement meant to emphasize the wisdom that comes from following God’s instruction. This particular chapter in the Book of Psalms is authored by an unknown person. Over the course of this passage, the author writes in an acrostic pattern, including twenty-two stanzas with eight lines each. Each stanza begins with a letter of the Hebrew alphabet.
This chapter lacks a cohesive narrative as each stanza is written with varying topics and tones. One underlying theme that is present throughout is the idea of understanding God’s Word. The writer assures that people who follow God are blameless (119:3). The speaker wants to do better in following God, and that only occurs when living by the Lord’s precepts. The phrase “God’s word is a lamp unto my feet” appears far into the writing, as the 105 verse.
“Your word is a lamp for my feet and a light on my path.” (Psalm 119:105)
This verse furthers the idea that reliance on God’s Word is the only way to successfully live as a Christian. Lamps are used in society to create light for movement and activity. The Hebrew word for lamp is niyr. This description of a lamp is more equivalent to the subtle light of a candle. The implication then is that there is limited visibility of the surrounding area, but just enough light to navigate.
With enough light to navigate through life, God gives us the direction that we need, not all at once, but as needed. In this way, God’s Word operates for the speaker as a form of direction. In the verses following 105, the writer continues on to ask God for teaching (Psalm 119:108). The speaker wants to learn from God. This illustrates God’s Word operating as a lamp in bringing wisdom into the mind of a believer. When they compare God’s Word to being a light on a path, that pathway is life. Within the details of Psalm 119, abiding by God’s word in every instance creates a more fulfilling life.
Walking in the light is very distinctive from walking in the ways of the wicked (Psalm 119:110). If God’s Word is a lamp, helping us to navigate the pathway of life, then we know God’s Word is intended to help us live prosperously. God does not fully reveal the future with the lamp He gives us. However, our prosperity in living by God’s word is not contingent upon how much of the path ahead we can see. That prosperity is not contingent on financial and occupational standards, but on a closeness with God. And He gives us just enough to be successful in life (2 Corinthians 12:9).
God is the speaker’s chief concern in Psalm 119 and according to Jesus is to be our chief concern too (Matthew 22:35-37). If we can focus on loving God, obeying His Word, then we will have better lives. This idea is not only present in Psalm 119 but also in other passages where God reveals similar commentary on His Word.
What Does God Say about His Word?
In addition to what we read in Psalm 119, there are other areas in the Bible where the Bible talks about itself and offers key insight into why reading God’s Word is vital for any Christian. These other passages from Scripture complement the message from Psalm 119. Upon reading, we can confirm that the Bible is intended to offer wisdom to believers, and help us live according to God’s commandments, not other ideas that we sometimes confuse with God.
“For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” (Hebrews 4:12)
The Bible when followed or when ignored, reveals certain truths and emotions that lay in our hearts. If God’s word is meant to edify our behavior, how we respond to His teachings will reveal characteristics about our beliefs, personality, and more. For example, the Bible says to forgive others just as we ask God for forgiveness (Matthew 6:15). If we find that exercising forgiveness is difficult, then God’s Word has revealed truth to us.
“Jesus answered, ‘It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” (Matthew 4:4)
Reading, interpreting, and living by God’s Word is as essential as our daily food and drink. Jesus himself indicates the significance of applying God’s word to our lives. Just as we instinctively know to eat and drink, and we make plans to do so, we should respond likewise to Scripture.
“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” (2 Timothy 3:16-17)
Certain translations indicate that Scripture is God “inspired” rather than breathed. Whatever the translation or word choice, the Bible makes full admission that God Himself did not physically write the Bible. Neither is Jesus known to have written anything. Nevertheless, the purpose of the Bible is consistent throughout each book. By reading, we learn how and why we should aim to be more Christ-like. In this way, God redeems us from our sinful nature.
“Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away.” (Mark 13:31)
The tangible things and people in our lives, and the ideas that they exclusively represent pass away with time. However, since the beginning of time, God’s Word has been true and has endured throughout the generations.
“This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.” (Joshua 1:8)
To live according to God’s Word is not as simplistic as rehearsing or reciting what Scripture says. Instead, to live by God’s Word means to design your life in a way that reflects His teachings. God wants us to live so in tune with Scripture that we think about what He teaches throughout the day.
Why Reading Your Bible Is Important
The aforementioned verses from the Bible highlight God’s desire to improve our lives. By following His commandments we will live a life that is more prosperous than what we would have outside of Him. Recognizing that God’s Word is intended to redeem us by making us better people is important for any Christian to do early on in their faith journey. If we call ourselves believers in Christianity, then we should understand what our religious text, the Bible, says about our faith. The more versed we are in the Bible, the more we can become like Jesus. The more like Jesus we are, the more God can call us to His purpose. Not only will we be redeemed, but we can help God redeem others.
Sources
- BlueLetterBible.org, ‘The Greatness and Glory of God’s Word’
- OverviewBible.com, ‘Authors of the Bible’
- WorthBeyondRubies.com, ‘Thy Word is a Lamp Unto My Feet’
Photo credit: ©GettyImages/Javier_Art_Photography
Aaron D’Anthony Brown is a freelance writer, hip-hop dance teacher, and visual artist, living in Virginia. He currently contributes work to iBelieve, Crosswalk, and supports various clients through the platform Upwork. He’s an outside-the-box thinker with a penchant for challenging the status quo. Check out his short story “Serenity.”
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We have read the verse in the Book of Psalms: “Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path”. (Psalm 119:105) We may sing along with the songs by Michael W. Smith and Amy Grant (a favorite song of mine!) with that title. But what does it mean that the Word is a lamp to our feet and a light to our path?
There are many ways we see the power of the Word of God. The Bible tells us it is sharper than any two-edged sword. Hebrews 4:12
“For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword—piercing right through to a separation of soul and spirit, joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.”
TLV
But I want to focus on how the Word acts as our guide. It is a ‘lamp unto my feet’ and guides us in our specific situations. So how does God’s Word guide us in our daily walk with Him? Read on to learn more!
I believe one of the most amazing ways we see the power of the Word of God, especially when you feel like you are in a dark place, is how it guides each and every one our steps each day. The Word says it is both a lamp and a light. Let’s look at the Word as a “lamp”.
The word “lamp” as used in this verse is from the Hebrew word “niyr“, which, according to Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance, means ‘to glisten, a candle or light’. A candle or a “glistening lamp” gives off a very small amount of visible light. It is just enough to see right in front of you.
It is not a broad, glaring amount of light, like we would see in modern day flood lights. Rather, picture what you are able to see when you are using candlelight when the power goes out, or while eating a romantic dinner with your spouse.
When you walk through your home in a power outage using just a candle, you can see only a short distance in front of you. It doesn’t illuminate everything around you in a way that makes them clear. But it allows you to see enough.
And a Light Unto My Path – The Power of the Word of God as a Light
The other way the power of the Holy Bible is seen is by being a light to our path.
The Hebrew word for “light” in this verse is the word “‘owr” and means “a light, bright, clear, like morning”. This is a much brighter kind of light. It is a light that is bright enough to see what it around you. It is clear like morning! It is illuminated!
It’s the kind of light you might have on your street or on your home’s walkway, so that people can walk along the path at night safely and can see any dangers that might exist around them.
Thy Word is a Lamp Unto My Feet – How God’s Word as a Lamp Helps Our Walk
Your Word is a lamp unto my feet. As I said, this lamp is something that gives off light but it is a limited light. It doesn’t light a large area as the sun does.
What do our feet do? They take steps forward or backward, they help us to stand and walk. They help us balance and help support our weight.
When God wants us to move in our walk with Him, He often doesn’t show us the whole picture. He wants us to follow the Holy Spirit and let Him lead us step by step without us necessarily knowing of or worrying about the bigger picture because that could lead us to try to control the outcome.
It helps us develop our faith when we need to rely the power of the Word of God every step of the way. It would be easy for us to take certain steps in life if we saw the bigger picture. What measure of faith is there when you know the outcome?
We need God and His Word, the light of God, as truth in our lives to guide each step, maybe not knowing what the next step will bring until we take it.
He wants us to follow Him step by step without us necessarily knowing of or worrying about the bigger picture because that could lead us to trying to control the outcome. Click To Tweet
The Word as a lamp also guides our steps to keep us from sin.
Rashi says in his commentary on this verse:
“Your words are a lamp for my foot When I come to promulgate a decision of law, I look in the Torah and it separates me from [transgressing] the prohibition, like a lamp which saves a man from [falling into] the pits.“
Rashi on psalms – sefaria
So Rashi saw the lamp in this verse as one that helps a person see a pit that they are about to fall into and saves them from the sin that pit represents.
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Thy Word is a Light Unto My Path – How God’s Word as a Light Helps Our Walk
Your Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path!
The Hebrew word for light here is one I am very familiar with. It is the word or and is used in the Yotzer Or, or Creator of Light, that is one of the blessings said before the Shema in the Shacharit or morning prayers.
This word is used in regards to a bigger light, often used to signify the sun or the heavenly lights. This is clearly a light that is MUCH brighter than a lamp.
A path is the way we are to go. God’s law was given as a light to guide Israel in her ways. His Word is the direction God wants us to take. It leads us to our destination. God’s Word will provide more light on situations in life, a tough decision or difficulties we may find ourselves in. For example, God’s Word says to forgive our enemies.
Ephesians 4:32
“Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted; and forgive each other, just as in the Messiah God has also forgiven you.“
CJB
So God’s Word makes that clear! It is the way of truth for us. If we are in a relationship with someone who has wronged us, maybe an issue in our marriage, there are Biblical verses telling us how to forgive them.
The power of the Word of God is that it IS that source of bright light and it is how it is showing us the path we are to take with this person. He makes it clear in His Word, illuminating it so we know what we must do regardless of how we feel.
However, the steps we have to take to get there may be revealed step by step (the lamp).
God may not show us the next step until we take the first one. He will not show us all the steps at once. Like that candle, we may know the destination we are heading in but can only see the way a step at a time. He wants us to listen to Him and His Word each step we take and rely fully upon Him.
The overall path He shows us is forgiveness and restoration, but the steps to get there may be shown to us along the way. And with each step of obedience, another step may be revealed in the near future.
So God may, at times, only reveal steps along the way without showing the path, and sometimes shows us the path ahead, but we have to wait for Him to light up the steps we need to get there.
Either way, we see the power of the Word of God is in its guidance in all of life!
Thy Word is a Lamp Unto My Feet Meaning – God’s Plan Revealed
God may be putting it on your heart to start a ministry! He may be telling you to write a book! He may be telling you to take a step further into your current ministry!
But He may not reveal to you HOW you will do it.
I have heard story after story of people losing their job and God providing for them month after month, right when they needed it, without showing them ahead of time how it would happen! Sometimes God wants us to rely solely on Him for our provision and not put our faith in ourselves or in other people!
Provision
I recall watching Joyce Meyer on TV one day speaking about how she felt God tell her to quit her job as a step forward to the ministry she felt God was leading her into. She didn’t listen completely and instead she began working part time. So she got fired! She said she had never been fired in her life!
But God has a way of putting us where He wants us when we don’t follow His leading!! If we don’t obey or use good judgment, He will sometimes work things out to get us onto the right path to be used by Him! The path for her was enlightened (ministry) but the steps were being revealed one step at a time!
She talked about that period of time after she had lost her job and not knowing where she was going to get the things she needed for her kids or her home, but each time it came down to the wire, God provided everything they needed. She said she had to rely on God for her dish towels! But God wanted her in ministry and part of what she needed to learn was to rely solely on His provision!
Sometimes God wants us to rely solely on Him for our provision and not put our faith in ourselves or in other people! Click To Tweet
He didn’t show her how everything was going to play out. He didn’t tell her at the start of the month where all her needs would be met, but he DID meet them.
God provided the light unto her path; her ministry. But he only provided that lamp unto her feet; each step she would have to take to get there.
He wants us reliant on Him in our walk to get to that path! What ways is God showing you the bigger vision without showing you the steps to get there before you take them? Or what ways is God directing your steps without showing you the destination? How is He working on your faith and reliance on Him?
Always remember, no matter how unclear the path, we need to trust and rely on Him and His Word alone and on the finished work of Jesus Christ, the light of the world. An open Bible and the Spirit of God is the way to illuminate our walk and know the path He has for us and the way of life He wants us to live. He will guide as when we place it all in God’s hands.
And in a dark world we need all the light we can get!
Bible Verses About the Power of the Word of God
What Bible verse about the power of the Word of God most resonates with you and gives you confidence as you walk along the path He has lit for you?
2 Timothy 3:16-17
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. (NIV)
Matthew 7:24
Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. (NIV)
Psalm 119:130
The unfolding of your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple. (NIV)
1 Peter 1:25
…but the word of the Lord remains forever.” And this word is the good news that was preached to you. (ESV)
Ephesians 6:17
…and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, (ESV)
Isaiah 55:11
…so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty,but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it. (ESV)
If you are new to studying the Word, check out my post on Bible Study Methods!
CJB – Taken from the Complete Jewish Bible by David H. Stern. Copyright © 1998. All rights reserved. Used by permission of Messianic Jewish Publishers, 6120 Day Long Lane, Clarksville, MD 21029. www.messianicjewish.net.
Tree of Life (TLV) – Scripture taken from the Holy Scriptures, Tree of Life Version*. Copyright © 2014,2016 by the Tree of Life Bible Society. Used by permission of the Tree of Life Bible Society.