Old Testament Seminary Student Manual (2026)

Contents
Introduction
Old Testament Lessons
- Welcome to the Old Testament
- Moses 1; Abraham 3
- Genesis 1–2; Moses 2–3; Abraham 4–5
- Genesis 3–4; Moses 4–5
- Genesis 5; Moses 6
- Moses 7
- Genesis 6–11; Moses 8
- Genesis 12–17; Abraham 1–2
- Genesis 18–23
- Genesis 24–33
- Genesis 37–41
- Genesis 42–50
- Exodus 1–6
- Easter
- Exodus 7–13
- Exodus 14–18
- Exodus 19–20; 24; 31–34
- Exodus 35–40; Leviticus 1; 4; 16; 19
- Numbers 11–14; 20–24; 27
- Deuteronomy 6–8; 15; 18; 29–30; 34
- Joshua 1–8; 23–24
- Judges 2–4; 6–8
- Ruth 1–4; 1 Samuel 1–7
- 1 Samuel 8–16
- 1 Samuel 17–26; 2 Samuel 5–7
- 2 Samuel 11–12; 1 Kings 3; 6–9; 11
- 1 Kings 12–22
- 2 Kings 2–7
- 2 Kings 16–25
- 2 Chronicles 14–20; 26; 30
- Ezra 1; 3–7; Nehemiah 2; 4–6; 8
- Esther
- Job 1–3; 12–14; 19; 21–24; 38–40; 42
- Psalms 1–2; 8; 19–33; 40; 46
- Psalms 49–51; 61–66; 69–72; 77–78; 85–86
- Psalms 102–3; 110; 116–19; 127–28; 135–39; 146–50
  - Lesson 107
    Psalm 119—“I love thy commandments above gold”
  - Lesson 108
    Psalm 136—“O Give Thanks unto the Lord”
- Proverbs 1–4; 15–16; 22; 31; Ecclesiastes 1–3; 11–12
- Isaiah 1–12
- Isaiah 13–14; 22; 24–30; 35
- Isaiah 40–49
- Isaiah 50–57
- Isaiah 58–66
- Jeremiah 1–3; 7; 16–18; 20
- Jeremiah 31–33; 36–38; Lamentations 1; 3
- Ezekiel 1–3; 33–34; 36–37; 47
- Daniel 1–7
- Hosea 1–6; 10–14; Joel
- Amos; Obadiah; Jonah
- Micah; Nahum; Habakkuk; Zephaniah
- Haggai 1–2; Zechariah 1–4; 7–14
- Malachi
- Doctrinal Mastery: Finding Answers to My Questions
- Scripture Study Skills
- For the Strength of Youth: Making Choices
- Building Self-Reliance
- Physical and Emotional Health
- Future Education and Employment
- Succeed in School
- Missionary Preparation
- Temple Preparation
- Teachings of Church Leaders

Lesson 107: Psalm 119—“I Love Thy Commandments Above Gold”

Psalms 102–3; 110; 116–19; 127–28; 135–39; 146–50: Lesson 107

Psalm 119

“I Love Thy Commandments Above Gold”

Visit “Studying the Scriptures” to help prepare yourself spiritually to learn.

Do you feel that your scripture study leads to guidance from the Lord? Psalm 119 expresses gratitude for the word of God and testifies of its power. This lesson can help you make a plan to study the word of God.

Study the Scriptures

In 2010, millionaire Forrest Fenn announced that he had hidden a chest full of gold coins in the Rocky Mountains. He wrote a poem filled with hints of where it was and announced that the finder could keep the treasure. More than 250,000 people accepted the challenge. Some searched for a few hours. Others searched for years. At least five people died while searching for the gold in the rugged terrain. It took 10 years for someone to locate the chest and claim the prize.

Read Psalm 119:72, 127. What does the author say about gold and silver?

Make a note next to one of the verses you read, answering one or more of the following:

Why might the psalmist feel the commandments are worth more than thousands of gold coins?
How might knowing the value of God’s word motivate you to search the scriptures?

Acrostic poetry. Psalm 119 is divided into eight-verse sections. This psalm is “an acrostic poem with eight verses for each of the twenty-two letters of the Hebrew alphabet. … One Hebrew letter and its name appears above each eight-verse segment” (Ellis T. Rasmussen, A Latter-day Saint Commentary on the Old Testament [1993], 455). Each eight-verse segment of the psalm begins with its corresponding letter of the Hebrew alphabet.

A major theme of Psalm 119 is the psalmist’s love for God’s words. One way this love is expressed is through comparisons and metaphors. Read the following verses and mark phrases that show what the psalmist compared to the word of God. Then ponder the question next to each verse to deepen your understanding of what is being expressed. (Note: The psalmist referred to the word of God by various terms such as testimonies, statutes, law, precepts, commandments, and ways.)

Psalm 119:24: How might God’s word be like a counselor when you are facing challenges?
Psalm 119:35: Imagine navigating through a thick jungle. What is the value of a path?
Psalm 119:54: How might hearing God’s words be like hearing a favorite song?
Psalm 119:103: What is your favorite sweet food? Why might it be a good comparison for God’s word?
Psalm 119:105: When is it most useful to have a lamp?

How would you describe God’s words? Add your comparison to the psalm by completing the following note next to the chapter heading for Psalm 119:

For me, scriptures are like because .

Review the following study options. Complete one or more. Then complete the “Now What?” section at the end of the lesson.

a man studying the scriptures at a table

Now What?

If you already have a scripture study goal, record in your study journal what has gone well and what you might want to continue.

If you do not have a current scripture study goal, seek the guidance of the Holy Ghost as you make one. You might include the following:

The amount of time you will study
How often you will study (if possible, strive to study daily)
What you will do to seek the Lord’s help with your study (for example, pray before you study or seek revelation about what you study)
How you can remember, meditate on, or apply what you learn (for example, keep a journal of what you are learning from your scripture study, keep a record of what you are trying to apply, or discuss with someone else what you are learning once a week)

Share Your Thoughts

Lesson Purpose: To help you make a plan to study the word of God.

Share one or more of the following with your teacher or class:

Your “Ten things that are less important than scripture study” list.
Your scripture study goal or your plan to study moving forward.
Something specific you did to achieve the purpose of this lesson.
Any questions this lesson raised for you. How will you try to find answers to your questions?