Few habits in life are more valuable than daily Bible reading. Searching (or studying) the Scriptures daily is a trait of spiritual nobility (Acts 17:11).

On six separate occasions (Mat. 12:3; 19:4; 21:16, 42; 22:31; Luke 10:26) when Jesus was confronting a significant moral or religious question, His response was akin to His words in Matthew 22:31–"Have you not read that which was spoken to you by God?" Jesus never discouraged anyone from reading and studying the Bible.

Psalm 119 is the longest psalm in the holy Scriptures. It was written in acrostic form. This means that when it was originally composed each of the twenty-two letters of the Hebrew alphabet was used to sing eight verses (an octave) of praise to God's word. From a compositional point of view, it is a literary masterpiece.

Though the number of possible answers is almost infinite, Psalm 119 provides nearly 176 reasons why you should read and study the Bible. For our purposes, let's consider them under three basic categories.

You should read and study the Bible because of its Author. Twenty-four times in this psalm, Jehovah–the personal name of the one true and living God–is used. Though human penmen were employed at different times and places to put God's words into written form, the ultimate source of the Bible is the God who created the heavens and the earth in the beginning.

The One who is from everlasting to everlasting (Ps. 90:2) is the One who speaks to you when you read and study the Bible. The One in whom we live, move and have our being (Acts 17:28) is the author of Scripture. The One who eternally purposed humanity's salvation in Christ (Eph. 3:11) reveals this in the Bible.

You should read and study the Bible because of its Contents. It contains God's laws, testimonies, commandments, precepts, statutes, word, and judgments. Everything you need to know, every expectation God has of you, every detail for which you are accountable to God is in the Bible.

Everything that pertains to life and godliness is in the Bible (2 Pet. 1:3). Everything needed to build you up spiritually and give you an inheritance in heaven is found in God and the word of His grace (Acts 20:32). Everything necessary to making you wise unto salvation through faith in Christ Jesus is in the holy Scriptures (2 Tim. 3:15). Everything essential for doctrine, reproof, correction, and instruction in righteousness is contained in Scripture (2 Tim. 3:16). Everything a child of God requires to mature and being fully equipped for all good works is in the Bible (2 Tim. 3:17).

You should read and study the Bible because of its Blessings. When the contents of God's word are heeded, you will be abundantly blessed. "Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the Lord. Blessed are they that keep His testimonies, and that seek Him with the whole heart" (Ps. 119:1-2).

Included in these blessings are:

  • Cleansing of sin by taking heed to God's word (v. 9).
  • Prevention of sin by hiding God's word in your heart (v. 11).
  • Spiritual strength gleaned from God's word (v. 28).
  • Comfort in affliction from God's word (v. 50).
  • Fellowship with all those who keep God's precepts (v. 63).
  • Good judgment and knowledge by faith in God's commandments (v. 66).
  • Hope from God's word when life is difficult and wearisome (v. 81).
  • Certainty because God's word is forever settled in heaven (v. 89).
  • Wisdom through an intimate knowledge of God's commandments (v. 98).
  • Understanding/Discernment from meditation upon God's testimonies (v. 99).
  • Hatred of every false way through a knowledge of and esteem for God's precepts (vv. 104).
  • Direction by ordering your life in harmony with God's word (v. 133).
  • Conviction of sin when you have not kept God's law (v. 136).
  • Great peace from loving God's law (v. 165).

Read and search the Bible every day because of its author, contents, and blessings. Then supplement your personal exploration every week with our periods of congregational Bible study on Sunday mornings and Wednesday evenings.