Listen to today's episode of the Again podcast for a clear gospel illustration and a sneak peek of our content for couples!

Email [email protected] if your kiddos embark on the "Psalm 119 Challenge"!

Finding Wisdom, Peace & Direction in God’s Word

Welcome to The Dwelling Place from Entrusted Ministries. I’m Stephanie Hickox.

Today, we dive into the longest chapter in all of Scripture: Psalm 119 — a breathtaking celebration of God’s Word and its power to guide, strengthen, correct, comfort, and transform our lives.

For Christian moms, the parenting wisdom woven throughout these 176 verses is incredible. Whether you’re navigating discipline, technology, exhaustion, anxiety, or everyday motherhood, Psalm 119 reminds us that God’s Word gives wisdom for every step.

In this episode, Stephanie reflects on:

• Why Scripture must remain central in our homes
• How God’s Word guides Christian parenting
• Teaching children to delight in the Bible
• Raising kids in a complicated digital world
• Why suffering often deepens faith and obedience
• Finding hope and direction when motherhood feels overwhelming

You’ll also hear encouragement connected to Stephanie’s upcoming conversation with Chris McKenna, founder of Protect Young Eyes and author of The Tech-Ready Family, offering practical help for parents navigating technology with wisdom and discernment.

Throughout the episode, Stephanie walks verse-by-verse through some of the most beloved passages in Psalm 119, highlighting truths that bring comfort, conviction, and hope for weary moms and families.

In This Episode:

• Why Psalm 119 is one of the most powerful chapters in the Bible
• The 10 different names for God’s Word used throughout the Psalm
• How Scripture protects us from shame and sin
• Parenting wisdom from Psalm 119
• Encouragement for moms raising children in the digital age
• Why affliction and suffering can strengthen faith
• Understanding “Your Word is a lamp to my feet”
• Teaching kids to meditate on Scripture
• How God’s Word gives wisdom, direction, and peace

Key Scriptures Mentioned:

• Psalm 119:9–11
• Psalm 119:18
• Psalm 119:32
• Psalm 119:50
• Psalm 119:71
• Psalm 119:98–99
• Psalm 119:105
• Psalm 119:116
• Psalm 119:130
• Romans 5:5

Encouragement for Christian Moms:

If you’re exhausted, overwhelmed, or unsure what step to take next, Psalm 119 reminds us that God’s Word is both a lamp for the next step and a light for the entire path ahead.

You do not have to navigate motherhood alone. God is near, His Word is true, and His wisdom is available even in the chaos of ordinary life.

Perfect For Listeners Searching:

• Christian motherhood podcasts
• Psalm 119 Bible study
• Christian parenting encouragement
• Biblical parenting resources
• How to teach kids the Bible
• Christian moms and technology
• Scripture for overwhelmed moms
• Faith-based parenting podcast
• Daily encouragement for Christian women

If this episode encouraged you, please subscribe, leave a review, and share The Dwelling Place with another mom who needs biblical encouragement today.

Learn more about Entrusted Ministries and discover additional resources for Christian families at Entrusted Ministries.

Do you feel hopeless, discouraged, or anxious in your parenting? Can God redeem those mistakes and give peace and hope for the future? Yes, He truly can! Entrusted with a Child's Heart can encourage you to embrace the fresh start God has for you. This quick episode explains how this biblical parenting study can guide moms, bless your church, and actually help the leaders! https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-again-podcast-for-christian-moms-encouragement-in/id1700555502

Commentaries Most Referenced: Moody Commentary, MacArthur Commentary, Spurgeon's Treasury of David

This is The Dwelling Place from Entrusted Ministries.

2

I'm Stephanie Hickox.

3

Today, we're covering the longest

chapter in all of scripture, Psalm 119.

4

The opportunity for our parenting to be

guided from these verses is incredible.

5

You could probably open up your Bible

to Psalm 119 and put it on the counter

6

and every time a parenting situation

comes you could just look over and

7

say, "Okay, God, which one of these 176

verses can apply to this situation?"

8

Each letter of the Hebrew

alphabet was given eight verses

9

to ascribe worship to the Lord.

10

Within each of these 22 sections,

each line begins with the same letter.

11

That sounded all well and nice but

then I started to think, " What

12

if I try that in English?

13

Could I really praise the Lord

with every letter of the alphabet?"

14

And just for fun, here are some pretty

impromptu rantings I'd have to resort

15

to if someone assigned me the letter Z.

16

Zealous for righteousness are you, O God.

17

Zany and zoo-like are my children

and my home, but You are steadfast.

18

Zestfully clean is nothing compared

to how You've washed our sins away

19

zippy are the lightning bolts as

they zigzag through the sky, and

20

zebras and zinnias reveal your glory.

21

Zillionaires realize wealth

will never bring joy.

22

Ziplocked in your

sovereignty and care am I.

23

Ziggurats were an effort of mankind

to try to reach you, But you are

24

a God who dwells with his people.

25

Zooming to you is what I hope

you will always help me to do

26

I just humbled myself with that

little experiment so you'd realize

27

how amazingly and intelligently the

Holy Spirit guided these worshipers

28

in their writing of this Psalm.

29

Obviously, scripture warns us against

adding to God's Word, but we're

30

commanded over and over to praise.

31

So , I actually think I'm gonna have

my kids try this little experiment out.

32

I'll assign each one the letter of their

name if your kids try it out, I would

33

love to hear a sample, and I'm even

willing to read a couple for an episode

34

Honestly, though, this is

an absolutely amazing Psalm.

35

It's one of three that focus on the

blessing of meditating on God's Word, how

36

it guides, strengthens, and directs us.

37

There are actually 10 synonyms for

God's word that are used in this Psalm.

38

First, the word law is used 25 times.

39

22 times testimonies are mentioned.

40

Five times it refers to them as ways.

41

Precepts, statutes, and commandments

are each mentioned 21 times.

42

And judgments, 19 times.

43

Word or words occurs 25 19 times the

psalmist says sayings and five times path

44

And as we focus on God's

Word, the psalmist tells us we

45

should have certain responses.

46

We should obey, observe, keep, meditate,

rejoice, delight, and love scripture.

47

I just love the beauty, the

intentionality, the joy, and the for

48

seeking the Lord through His Word.

49

I would love to read this whole psalm

over you, but that would take too long.

50

I hope you can do it on your own

though, because it is absolutely worthy

51

\ I'll do this a little

bit differently today.

52

I'll read verse after verse of

my favorites, inserting a of my

53

own commentary or two after each

54

What I also love about this chapter is

that many of these verses are written

55

in prayer form because the psalmist

is saying, "Your word is perfect, but

56

I need help to walk in your ways."

57

The chapter begins, " Blessed

are those whose way is blameless,

58

who walk in the law of the Lord.

59

Blessed are those who keep his

testimonies, who seek him with

60

their whole heart, who also do

no wrong, but walk in his ways.

61

You have commanded your

precepts to be kept diligently.

62

Oh, that my ways may be steadfast

in keeping your statutes.

63

Then I shall not be put to shame, having

my eyes fixed on all your commandments.

64

Following God's commandments

protects us from being put to shame.

65

I'm sure you've heard verses

nine through 11 many times.

66

How can a young man keep his way pure?

67

By guarding it according to your word.

68

With my whole heart I seek you.

69

Let me not wander from your commandments.

70

I have stored up your word in my heart

that I might not sin against you.

71

Verse 37 is similar.

72

Turn my eyes from looking at worthless

things, and give me life in your ways

73

this would be a great one to put on our

computers and post by our TVs These

74

several verses remind me of my recent

interview, with Chris McKenna, the

75

CEO and founder of Protect Young Eyes.

76

He wrote an incredible new book called

Five Habits of the Tech-Ready Family.

77

Our interview will air next week

on the Again podcast, and his book

78

is an amazing guide for any parent

that feels overwhelmed in protecting

79

their in this complicated digital age

I think it's so important that you

80

get your hands on it that I'm gonna

have a giveaway to promote the book.

81

Stay tuned on the Again Podcast,

and right here on The Dwelling

82

Place so you can get those details

83

Verse 14 And 72 affirms

the worthiness of the Lord.

84

" In the way of your commandments, I

delight as much as in all riches."

85

" The law of your mouth is better to me

than thousands of gold and silver pieces."

86

Verse 18 says, "Open my eyes, that I may

behold wondrous things out of your law."

87

Sometimes we don't feel

like reading God's Word,

88

but we can pray that God unveils our

eyes and reveals how wonderful it is.

89

Verse 20, " My soul is consumed with

longing for your rules at all times."

90

When we don't want to obey,

we can ask God to help us.

91

And verse 24 tells us, "Your

testimonies are my delight.

92

They are my counselors."

93

This is why it's so important to

remember the faithfulness of God to

94

us in the past it helps us to trust

in Him for our present and our future

95

and one of my very favorites that

I've shared before with you, verse 32

96

says, " I will run in the way of Your

commandments when You enlarge my heart."

97

It's one I often pray

98

Verse

99

Speaker 72: 36

100

Steph: Lead me in the path of your

commandments, for I delight in it.

101

Incline my heart to your

testimonies and not to selfish gain

102

Verse 50 reminds us we have something

great to hope for in desperate times.

103

" This is my comfort in my affliction,

that your promise gives me life."

104

The psalmist reflects in 59 and

60, " When I think on my ways, I

105

turn my feet to your testimonies.

106

I hasten and do not delay

to keep your commandments."

107

This is similar to verse 101, " I

hold back my feet from every evil

108

way in order to keep your word."

109

And 33 " keep steady my steps

according to your promise, and let

110

no iniquity get dominion over me."

111

These would be good ones to put on the

bottom of our shoes, and they remind

112

me to be faithfully teaching my kids to

think about where their feet are pointed.

113

Is it toward righteousness

or towards disobedience?

114

Verses 66, 67, 71, 75 92 and 93 rightly

challenge our perspective on suffering

115

" Teach me good judgment and knowledge,

for I believe in your commandments.

116

Before I was afflicted, I went

astray, but now I keep your word.

117

It is good for me that I was afflicted,

that I might learn your statutes."

118

I know, O Lord, that your rules are

righteous and that in faithfulness

119

you have afflicted me If your law

had not been my delight, I would

120

have perished in my affliction.

121

I will never forget your precepts,

for by them you have given me life

122

Suffering can teach us to obey.

123

Can we praise God even in the

difficult times if it helps

124

develop our faithfulness to God?

125

If your kids wanna have good

sense or be elevated in their,

126

Classroom, club, or career?

127

98 and 99 are for them.

128

Your commandment makes me wiser than

my enemies, for it is ever with me.

129

I have more understanding than all

my teachers, for your testimonies are

130

my meditation Verse 105 is probably

the most well-known verse of this

131

chapter, but I appreciated reading

it in context as I was studying.

132

" Your word is a lamp to my

feet and a light to my path.

133

I have sworn an oath and confirmed

it to keep your righteous rules.

134

I am severely afflicted.

135

Give me life, O Lord,

according to your word."

136

Accept my free will offerings of

praise, O Lord, and teach me your rules.

137

I hold my life in my hand continually,

but I do not forget your law The

138

wicked have laid a snare for me, but

I do not stray from your precepts.

139

Your testimonies are my heritage forever,

for they are the joy of my heart.

140

Incline my heart to perform your statutes

forever to the end I realized maybe I was

141

incorrectly picturing it, like joyfully

skipping down the yellow brick road.

142

But they are severely afflicted

and a trap has been set for them.

143

This isn't the easy street I had

pictured before, and I appreciate the

144

way Tara-Leigh Cobble explains that

the Hebrew for lamp and light are very

145

different in this verse In that first

line, "Your word is a lamp to my feet,"

146

it's referring more to like a lantern

that you might hold, providing just enough

147

light for that next step you'll take.

148

Often, I go to God's Word looking for

encouragement to help me make a decision,

149

and I leave not knowing exactly what

to do about the overall situation,

150

but knowing what my next step and

having total peace about it The line

151

concludes, and a light to my path."

152

And this is the let there

be light of creation

153

that God offers to completely light

our path For where he wants us to go.

154

Whether we need a little guidance or

for God to open up the heavens and

155

tell us what to do, his Word promises

to give us the wisdom that we need.

156

I'm also picturing Him

157

As the one holding the lantern

with us as we walk on the path

158

I could relate to verse 116, " Uphold

me according to your promise

159

that I may live, and let me not

be put to shame in my hope."

160

It reminds me of Romans 5:5 which says,

" And hope does not put us to shame, because

161

you have poured out your love for us."

162

in my limited perspective, my

hope does seem to put me to shame.

163

But we can have faith that every

time we hope in Him will be

164

worth it in light of eternity

165

Verse 130 reminds us, " The

unfolding of your words gives light.

166

It imparts understanding to the simple."

167

Amen for that, especially when

we're sleep deprived, right?

168

132 tenderly tells us, " Turn to me

and be gracious to me, as is your

169

way with those who love your name."

170

In 136, the psalmist grieves, " My

eyes shed streams of tears because

171

people do not keep your law."

172

And 142: " Your righteousness is

righteous forever, and your law is true."

173

In the end, everything will prove that God

acted in perfection, and all will know,

174

In 151, "But you are near, O Lord,

and all your commandments are true."

175

This God is not far off

telling us what to do.

176

He's near teaching us the way.

177

I find the conclusion of

this Psalm interesting.

178

" I have gone away like a lost sheep.

179

Seek your servant, for I do

not forget your commandments."

180

Even after all of this meditation

on scripture, there's an honest

181

admission that we need God's help

182

Heavenly Father, we are truly

grateful for the perfection

183

and guidance of Your Word.

184

Fill us and fill our kids

with a delight in it so that

185

we continuously return to it.

186

Give us understanding so we might

wisely apply it to our lives.

187

We praise You that one day every knee will

bow and every tongue confess that all You

188

have said and done was righteous It's in

your wonderful name, Jesus, that we pray.

189

Amen