100 Reasons to Read the Bible from Psalm 119 Part 1
These answers to these reasons on why to Read the Bible sourced from Psalm 119 find their answers in the entirety of Scripture. This Psalm provides a guide for the importance of God's word and how truly lovely it is for the individual. It is a beautiful Psalm that has each section written in a syllogism following the format of a thesis, antithesis, and synthesis of the truths within. Each section also begins with the heading of a different letter of the Hebrew alphabet. These letters carry meaning that ties directly to their section with each line beginning with that letter of the Hebrew alphabet. Jesus also connects with each of these sections painting a beautiful picture of how He is the WORD OF GOD.
My prayer is that these 100 reasons why to read the Bible bring you closer to God because the purpose of the Bible isn't to know the Bible but to know God. The verses are taken from the ESV.
The full list can be downloaded at the bottom of the page.
100 Reasons to Read the Bible
1. Teaches you the truths about how to become blameless. (vs1)
Blessed are those whose way is blameless,
who walk in the law of the Lord!
2. Shows the blessings of wholehearted obedience. (vs2)
Blessed are those who keep his testimonies,
who seek him with their whole heart,
3. Teaches you to walk in God’s ways not your own. (vs3)
who also do no wrong,
but walk in his ways!
4. Gives you diligent perseverance. (vs4-5)
You have commanded your precepts
to be kept diligently.
Oh that my ways may be steadfast
in keeping your statutes!
5. Reveals the truths to learn about God’s character and purposes so that you will not be put to shame. (vs6-7)
Then I shall not be put to shame,
having my eyes fixed on all your commandments.
7 I will praise you with an upright heart,
when I learn your righteous rules.
6. Discover how you are not forsaken by God motivating obedience. (vs8)
I will keep your statutes;
do not utterly forsake me!
7. Shows how to live a life that is pure. (vs 9)
How can a young man keep his way pure?
By guarding it according to your word.
8. Helps give focus over distractions. (vs10)
With my whole heart I seek you;
let me not wander from your commandments!
9. Gives truths to be memorized to prevent evil in your own life. (vs11)
I have stored up your word in my heart,
that I might not sin against you.
10. Learn from God directly giving you wisdom in how to speak truth and wisdom to others. (vs12-13)
Blessed are you, O Lord;
teach me your statutes!
With my lips I declare
all the rules of your mouth.
11. Provides the map for how to find satisfaction for life’s true longings. (vs14)
In the way of your testimonies I delight
as much as in all riches.
12. Helps you to remember the things that matter and forget the things that don’t. (vs15-16)
I will meditate on your precepts
and fix my eyes on your ways.
I will delight in your statutes;
I will not forget your word.
13. Reveals God’s purposes for blessing. (vs17)
Deal bountifully with your servant,
that I may live and keep your word.
14. Makes you look at yourself for who you really are. (vs18-19)
Open my eyes, that I may behold
wondrous things out of your law.
I am a sojourner on the earth;
hide not your commandments from me!
15. Shows the contrast of those who do and don’t follow God revealing where you are personally with God. (vs20-21)
My soul is consumed with longing
for your rules at all times.
You rebuke the insolent, accursed ones,
who wander from your commandments.
16. Teaches you how to live in confession. (vs22)
Take away from me scorn and contempt,
for I have kept your testimonies.
17. Provides counseling for the weary heart that has been hurt by others. (vs23-24)
Even though princes sit plotting against me,
your servant will meditate on your statutes.
Your testimonies are my delight;
they are my counselors.
18. Carries with it the very words of life. (vs25)
My soul clings to the dust;
give me life according to your word!
19. Brings understanding to why and who you are also providing understanding to why and who God is. (vs26-27)
When I told of my ways, you answered me;
teach me your statutes!
Make me understand the way of your precepts,
and I will meditate on your wondrous works.
20. Shows how to find strength from and in God while you are in the midst of sorrow. (vs28)
My soul melts away for sorrow;
strengthen me according to your word!
21. Experience deliverance from sin through grace filled discipleship. (vs29)
Put false ways far from me
and graciously teach me your law!
22. Develops the character of faithfulness through nearness to the Lord. (vs30-31)
I have chosen the way of faithfulness;
I set your rules before me.
I cling to your testimonies, O Lord;
let me not be put to shame!
23. Causes our perspective of God to widen giving purpose and direction. (vs32)
I will run in the way of your commandments
when you enlarge my heart!
24. Develops diligent steadfast endurance from the Lord. (vs33)
Teach me, O Lord, the way of your statutes;
and I will keep it to the end.
25. Reading paves the way for understanding, and once understood obedience flows from a whole heart. (vs34)
Give me understanding, that I may keep your law
and observe it with my whole heart.
26. Learn to obey not through obligation, hard work, good works, or effort, but out of love for the Lord. (vs35)
Lead me in the path of your commandments,
for I delight in it.
27. Helps you gain perspective on what really matters. (vs36-37)
Incline my heart to your testimonies,
and not to selfish gain!
Turn my eyes from looking at worthless things;
and give me life in your ways.
28. Instills God’s promises so that you will experience God’s promises. (vs38-40)
Confirm to your servant your promise,
that you may be feared.
Turn away the reproach that I dread,
for your rules are good.
Behold, I long for your precepts;
in your righteousness give me life!
29. Live practically in the love God’s has for you. (vs41)
Let your steadfast love come to me, O Lord,
your salvation according to your promise;
30. Equips you with truths to be relied upon for those who challenge you about your faith. (vs42)
then shall I have an answer for him who taunts me,
for I trust in your word.
31. Establishes righteousness based on faith filled with hope rather than works and effort. (vs43-44)
And take not the word of truth utterly out of my mouth,
for my hope is in your rules.
I will keep your law continually,
forever and ever,
32. Experience freedom in your life. (vs45)
and I shall walk in a wide place,
for I have sought your precepts.
33. Gain confidence when speaking to those in authority through the wisdom God’s Word provides. (vs46)
I will also speak of your testimonies before kings
and shall not be put to shame,
34. Be transformed by the power that love for God’s word provides that brings communion with God. (Vs47-48)
for I find my delight in your commandments,
which I love.
I will lift up my hands toward your commandments, which I love,
and I will meditate on your statutes.
35. Provides hope and comfort to the realities of life. (vs49-50)
Remember your word to your servant,
in which you have made me hope.
This is my comfort in my affliction,
that your promise gives me life.
36. Gives resolute purpose to criticism. (vs51)
The insolent utterly deride me,
but I do not turn away from your law.
37. Contains timeless truths that still speak true to the needs of the present and the future. (vs52)
When I think of your rules from of old,
I take comfort, O Lord.
38. Brings light to the darkness around you in people’s behavior and actions. (vs53)
Hot indignation seizes me because of the wicked,
who forsake your law.
39. Provides direction for your life. (vs54)
Your statutes have been my songs
in the house of my sojourning.
40. Brings to mind the blessing and reality of God obeying Him throughout the day not just while you read it. (vs55-56)
I remember your name in the night, O Lord,
and keep your law.
This blessing has fallen to me,
that I have kept your precepts.
41. Shows the means of salvation is by grace and wholehearted faith. Not works. (vs57-58)
The Lord is my portion;
I promise to keep your words.
I entreat your favor with all my heart;
be gracious to me according to your promise.
42. Displays the route of repentance and remaining steadfast under temptation. (vs59-61)
When I think on my ways,
I turn my feet to your testimonies;
I hasten and do not delay
to keep your commandments.
Though the cords of the wicked ensnare me,
I do not forget your law.
43. Brings awareness to God’s continual working at each and every moment. (v62)
At midnight I rise to praise you,
because of your righteous rules.
44. Provides community and fellowship with other loving believers. (vs63)
I am a companion of all who fear you,
of those who keep your precepts.
45. Teaches how to love others best by displays God’s perfect love in the world. (vs64)
The earth, O Lord, is full of your steadfast love;
teach me your statutes!
46. Shows how God interacts with you teaching and changing you to be like Him. (vs65-68)
You have dealt well with your servant,
O Lord, according to your word.
Teach me good judgment and knowledge,
for I believe in your commandments.
Before I was afflicted I went astray,
but now I keep your word.
You are good and do good;
teach me your statutes.
47. Builds a life delighting in truth to withstand lies and grow through hardship. (vs69-71)
The insolent smear me with lies,
but with my whole heart I keep your precepts;
their heart is unfeeling like fat,
but I delight in your law.
It is good for me that I was afflicted,
that I might learn your statutes.
48. Resolves that spiritual character moulded after God is a treasure that is truly valued above the physical. (vs72-73)
The law of your mouth is better to me, than thousands of gold and silver pieces.
Your hands have made and fashioned me;
give me understanding that I may learn your commandments.
49. Creates a community that edifies and encourages one another. (vs74)
Those who fear you shall see me and rejoice,
because I have hoped in your word.
50. Answers the question to why do bad things happen to good people by God working in the midst of hurt. (vs75-77)
I know, O Lord, that your rules are righteous,
and that in faithfulness you have afflicted me.
Let your steadfast love comfort me
according to your promise to your servant.
Let your mercy come to me, that I may live;
for your law is my delight.
See Part 2 for the other 50 or download the file.