The Goal of Bible Study: Information- Part 4- Study Example from Psalm 103:1-5 and 2 Corinthians 9:8

Another method of Bible study to gain information is to take note of repeated words in a passage.  As you look at these passages what repeated words do you find? (Note: They don’t have to be exactly the same. If they carry a similar meaning, add them to your list.) Let me know what you discover and why these discoveries are important for us to know.

Psalm 103:1-5  Of David. (NIV)

1 Praise the Lord, my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name.

2 Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all his benefits—

3 who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases,

4 who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion,

5 who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.

Some discoveries we made:
A small repeated word is "all." This word becomes one key to unlocking these verses, especially verses 1-3.  How are we to praise?  With all of our being. For what are we to praise Him? All of His benefits. These include forgiveness and healing. We noted that it does NOT say, "some of our sins," or "some of our diseases."  We asked, "Are we living up to the full benefits that are ours through Jesus? As we praise Him, we are to remember our spiritual history. We were redeemed from a pit of sin. Never forget from whence you came. This, in and of itself, will give us enough to praise Him for forever. But wait, there is more. We are crowned with something. What type of people receive crowns? Only Royalty. This is our status in Christ. Love and compassion our ours. Our desires are all met with good things. And inwardly, we are being renewed day by day. We ended with the verse:
"Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day."  2 Corinthians 4:16 NIV

2 Corinthians 9:8  (NIV)

8 and God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.

Again, the repeated word is "all" and we included "every" as it is similar.  We concluded that we have every hope to believe that our needs will be taken care of. Not just some of them but all of them. Not just some of the time but all of the time. Not partially met but fully met. The purpose of this is not just to bless us but to make us a blessing to others by doing "every good work."