Sharing Psalm 119

I love Psalm 119. I Particularly like to read it in The Message translation/paraphrase. There has been many a "quiet time" when I've opened my Bible to this chapter and prayed the prayers along with the Psalmist who wrote them. Here's some info on Psalm 119 as stated in my life application Bible:

"this is both the longest psalm and the longest chapter in the Bible. It may have been written by Ezra after the Temple was rebuilt as a repetitive meditation on the beauty of God's Word and how it helps us stay pure and grow in faith. (just as John, our Pastor, is talking about right now). Psalm 119 has 22 carefully constructed sections, each corresponding to a different letter in the Hebrew alphabet and each verse beginning with the letter of its section. Almost every verse mentions God's Word. Such repetition was common in the Hebrew culture. People did not have personal copies of the scriptures to read as we do, so God's people memorized his Word and passed it along orally. The structure of this psalm allowed for easy memorization. Remember, God's Word, the Bible, is the only sure guide for living a pure life."

Through the next few days, weeks, months, whatever it ends up being, I'd like to share this chapter with you here, and I encourage you to soak it up, make it personal, and pray this scripture back to God. Here's the first part:

Psalm 119 1-8

You're blessed when you stay on course, walking steadily on the road revealed by God. You're blessed when you follow his directions, doing your best to find him. That's right—you don't go off on your own; you walk straight along the road he set. You, God, prescribed the right way to live; now you expect us to live it. Oh, that my steps might be steady, keeping to the course you set; Then I'd never have any regrets in comparing my life with your counsel. I thank you for speaking straight from your heart; I learn the pattern of your righteous ways. I'm going to do what you tell me to do; don't ever walk off and leave me.

I, obviously, bolded the prayer part, what a great prayer. Oh that my steps might be steady, keeping to the course you set; then I'd never have any regrets in comparing my life with your counsel...