January 4, 2026

Psalm 119:113-144

Hungering for God’s Word

Sunday Sermons

Where do you turn when you feel the pressure of a “double-minded” world, or when your own heart feels weary? As we begin a new year, we often look for ways to improve our lives through resolutions, but the psalmist in Psalm 119:113-144 points us toward a more certain, life-giving trajectory: a resolute devotion to the Word of God.

Join us as we continue our verse-by-verse journey through Psalm 119. In this teaching, Pastor Tom Yarbrough explores how to cultivate a hearty spiritual appetite for the truth. Through these ancient stanzas, we discover that God is our hiding place and our shield, offering a strong defense when we feel under attack or uncertain. Learn how the well-tried promises of Scripture provide a steady footing and a hope that will never be put to shame.

Speaker

Tom Yarbrough

Series

God’s Word For All of Life

Go to Series

Scripture

Psalm 119:113-144

Topics
Advent Doubt Growth & Discipleship

Sermon Notes

Psalm 119:113-144

Hungering For God’s Word

Pastor Tom Yarbrough

Top 10 New Year Resolutions for Americans:

  1. Exercise more
  2. Save more money
  3. Eat healthier
  4. Spend more time with family and friends
  5. Lose weight
  6. Improve overall physical health or fitness (broader than just exercise or weight)
  7. Reduce stress or improve mental health
  8. Get more organized (home, finances, or life)
  9. Learn a new skill or hobby
  10. Spend less time on social media or quit a bad habit such as smoking

Source: Perplexity AI – Drawing from recent U.S. polling (YouGov and Statista-style surveys for 2025–2026)

How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, nor stand in the path of sinners, nor sit in the seat of scoffers! But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and in His law he meditates day and night.
Psalm 1:1-2

Samekh (vv. 113-120)

I hate the double-minded, but I love your law.
You are my hiding place and my shield;
I hope in your word.
Depart from me, you evildoers,
that I may keep the commandments of my God.
Uphold me according to your promise, that I may live,
and let me not be put to shame in my hope!
Hold me up, that I may be safe
and have regard for your statutes continually!
You spurn all who go astray from your statutes,
for their cunning is in vain.
All the wicked of the earth you discard like dross,
therefore I love your testimonies.
My flesh trembles for fear of you,
and I am afraid of your judgments.

Ayin (vv. 121-128)

I have done what is just and right;
do not leave me to my oppressors.
Give your servant a pledge of good;
let not the insolent oppress me.
My eyes long for your salvation
and for the fulfillment of your righteous promise.
Deal with your servant according to your steadfast love,
and teach me your statutes.
I am your servant; give me understanding,
that I may know your testimonies!
It is time for the Lord to act,
for your law has been broken.
Therefore I love your commandments
above gold, above fine gold.
Therefore I consider all your precepts to be right;
I hate every false way.

Pe (vv. 129 – 136)

Your testimonies are wonderful;
therefore my soul keeps them.
The unfolding of your words gives light;
it imparts understanding to the simple.
I open my mouth and pant,
because I long for your commandments.
Turn to me and be gracious to me,
as is your way with those who love your name.
Keep steady my steps according to your promise,
and let no iniquity get dominion over me.
Redeem me from man’s oppression,
that I may keep your precepts.
Make your face shine upon your servant,
and teach me your statutes.
My eyes shed streams of tears,
because people do not keep your law.

Tsadhe (vv. 137 – 144)

Righteous are you, O Lord,
and right are your rules.
You have appointed your testimonies in righteousness
and in all faithfulness.
My zeal consumes me,
because my foes forget your words.
Your promise is well tried,
and your servant loves it.
I am small and despised,
yet I do not forget your precepts.
Your righteousness is righteous forever,
and your law is true.
Trouble and anguish have found me out,
but your commandments are my delight.
Your testimonies are righteous forever;
give me understanding that I may live.

Themes of Psalm 119:113-144:

  • SAMEKH (vv. 113-120) – The wicked vs. the word
  • AYIN (vv. 121-128) – The assurance of the word
  • PE (vv. 129 – 136) – An appetite for the word
  • TSADHE (vv. 137 – 144) – The trustworthiness of the word

Three observations on Psalm 119:113-144:

  1. The Psalmist has cultivated a hunger for God and His word (expressed by longing and delight.)
  2. Because of God’s word, the Psalmist has a realistic but reassured perspective on the wicked.
  3. Because of God’s word, the Psalmist has a realistic but reassured perspective on himself.

We hunger for God’s word because it:

  • Points to life (116, 144)
  • Provides safety (114, 117, 133)
  • Promises salvation (123)
  • Proves itself faithful (124, 132, 133, 138, 140, 142, 144)

“There is perhaps no greater secret of progress in Christian living than a healthy, hearty spiritual appetite. Again and again, Scripture addresses its promises to the hungry. God ‘satisfies him who is thirsty, and the hungry he fills with good things.’ If we are conscious of slow growth, is the reason that we have a jaded appetite?”
John R. W. Stott

“Spiritual disciplines are not how you earn God’s love. They are how you enjoy it.”
Matt Smethurst

Discussion Questions

  • A new year presents a fresh opportunity to recommit to cultivating spiritual disciplines. As schedules begin to fill up and we settle back into the familiar rhythms and patterns of life, what are some strategies for prioritizing the study of the word? How can we ensure that our trajectory remains on track and that our focus doesn’t falter as the year progresses?
  • Like the Psalmist, are we resolutely opposed to evil and fixated on God? How do we create distance between ourselves and the things that do not come from God? At the same time, how do we close the distance between ourselves and the things of God? Are we living lives of decisive, determined watchfulness, or are we simply drifting along? What keeps us from taking a stand?
  • Are we delighting in the Word of God and the God of the Word? How do we move from discipline/duty to true, joyful, and endless delight in Him?

Songs, Readings & Prayer

Songs:

“Come Christians Join To Sing“ by Christian Henry Bateman
“Jesus, Firm Foundation“ by George Keith, R. Keen
“Rock Of Ages“ by Thomas Hastings and Augustus Montague Toplady
“When I Survey“ by Isaac Watts and Isaac B. Woodbury
“Great Is Thy Faithfulness“ Words by Thomas O. Chisholm, Music by William M. Runyan, arr. by Jay Rouse
“Doxology” by Thomas Ken and Louis Bourgeois
All songs are used by Permission. CCLI License #2003690

Call To Worship: At The Cross

ALL: Most merciful God, thank You for sending to us Your Son, Jesus. We remember this day His redeeming death, that we might stand forgiven at the cross. Thank You for sending to us Your Son, Jesus, to whom we belong, in life and in death. He bore our infirmities and carried our sorrows. Most holy God, thank You for sending to us Your Son, Jesus, who became sin for us and suffered the punishment due to us, that we might stand forgiven at the cross. In the name of our Lord Jesus, amen.

Classic Prayer: George Herbert

Blessed be the God of heaven and earth, who only does wondrous things. We praise You! Bless Your Word, wherever it is spoken today throughout the church. Make it a word of power and peace, to convert those who are not yet Yours, and to confirm those who are. Bless Your Word in this Your own kingdom, which You have made a land of light, a storehouse of Your treasures and mercies. Ride on Lord! Make Your Word a swift word, passing from the ear to the heart, from the heart to the life. As the rain returns not empty, so may Your Word accomplish that for which it is given. For Your blessed Son’s sake, amen.

Confession of Sin:

Most merciful God, we confess that we have sinned against You this day, in thought, word, and deed; by what we have done, and by what we have left undone. We have not loved You with our whole hearts; we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. We are truly sorry and we humbly repent. For the sake of Your Son Jesus Christ, have mercy on us and forgive us, that we may delight in Your will, and walk in Your ways, to the glory of Your Name. Grant to Your people pardon and peace, that in Your great mercy, we may be forgiven all our sins, and serve You with a quiet and contrite heart. In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, amen.

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