Psalm 119

I have been enjoying Psalm 119 this morning - just amazed by the honesty of these prayers. No one really knows who wrote this one - maybe Ezra the priest.

I am just struck again with the cry that comes from the whole heart:

Vs 2, 10 - the psalmist is seeking God with his whole heart

Vs 34 - the psalmist searches God's Word - or Law with his whole heart

Vs 58 - the psalmist seeks God's favor and blessing with his whole heart 

Vs 69 - the psalmist seeks to obey God with his whole heart

Vs 145  - the psalmist cries out to God with his whole heart

In verses 7, 8, 15, 16, 93 we can see how the psalmist focuses his heart on God and sets his course to accomplish these goals with his whole heart. Once he has committed his whole heart to God, He is able to set his will and run with God:

• I will praise - Praise Him through the Word - it sets your heart on the right course

• I will keep your Word - obey God's Word

• I will meditate - study and reflect on God's Word

• I will delight myself - give yourself to the enjoyment of God's Word

• I will not forget - train yourself to keep God's Word in your heart and thoughts - don't forget what He has said in His Word - remember

This wonderful Psalm basically unfolds from here - it is a psalm totally dedicated to the power and wonders of God's Word in our lives. Those five little foundations (praise, obedience, meditation, delighting, remembering) make the rest of the psalm possible.

The the psalmist is able to accomplish these "I wills" - look at the results of setting our hearts on the right course...and following with the will:

V32 I will run the course of Your commandments
V44 I will keep Your Law (also vs 69, 145)
V45 I will walk in freedom (liberty)
V46 I will speak of Your testimonies also before kings
V47 I will be delighted by Your commandments
V48 I will meditate in Your statutes (v78)
V81 I will quietly and confidently hold onto the Word

Father, I thank You for Your Word today

how wonderful is Your work in my heart

through this faithful companion!

15 

The Number 10 - Part Three

Just continuing with the number 10 - Here are some of the ways the Bible focuses on this number that speaks of the perfection of God's Divine order and man's participation in what God is saying or doing:

Ten Repeated Names

There are ten repeated names in the Bible. Seven of these are spoken directly to the individual (4 in the Old Testament and 3 are in the New Testament) and three are spoken by the Lord on other occasions. 

Abraham, Abraham, Genesis 22:11.

Jacob, Jacob, Genesis 46:2.

Moses, Moses, Exodus 3:4.

Samuel, Samuel, 1 Samuel 3:10.

Martha, Martha, Luke 10:41.

Simon, Simon, Luke 22:31.

Saul, Saul, Acts 9:4.

Lord, Lord, Matthew 7:21,22, 25:11; Luke 6:46; 13:25.

Eloi, Eloi, Mark 15:34; Matthew 27:46; Psalm 22:1.

Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Matthew 23:37; Luke 13:34.

Abraham's Faith

 Abraham's faith was proved by a completed cycle of ten trials:—

His departure from Haran.

His flight to Egypt from the famine.

In the seizure of Sarah.

In his war to rescue Lot.

In his taking Hagar.

In his circumcision.

In the second seizure of Sarah at Gerar.

In the expulsion of Ishmael.

In the expulsion of Hagar.

In the offering of Isaac.

The Ten Words Of Psalm 119

There are ten words that describe God's Divine revelation (Word) found in Psalm 119. One or other of these ten words occurs in every verse (except 122). 


1. His Law - Heb. word: torah is from yarah, to project, issue : hence, to point out, to show (Proverbs 6:13). Then, to instruct, teach. The Torah contains God's Instructions to His People, pointing out to them His will. This word is found 25 times in this psalm. 
2. His Way - Heb. word: derek is from darak, to tread with the feet, and denotes the act of walking. Hence it is used of a going, or way, or journeying. 
3. His Testimonies - Heb word: eduth is from 'ud, to turn back again, to go over again, to reiterate, hence, to testify. 
4. His Commandments - mizvah is from zavah, to set up, constitute. Therefore we see, constitutional commands. Found 22 times in this psalm. 
5. His Precepts - Heb. word: pikkudim is from pakad, to take oversight or charge : hence, mandates others. It occurs only in the Book of Psalms.
6. His Word, or saying - Heb. word: imrah is from 'amar, to bring forth to light; hence, to say. The verb is very regularly followed by the words used; hence 'imrah means an utterance and the purport of it.
7. His Judgments - Heb. word: mishpat is from shaphat, to set upright, erect (compare English right, and German richten and recht); hence, to judge. Mishpat means judgment. This word occurs 23 times in this psalm - mostly in the plural.
8. His Righteousness - Heb. word: zedek, is from zadak, to be right, upright, just, righteous. Hence the noun means rightness.
9. His Statutes - Heb. word: ok and hukka is from hakak, to hew, cut in, engrave, inscribe; hence, to decree, or ordain. The noun = a decree or ordinance. Found 22 times in this psalm.
10. His Truth or Faithfulness, Words - Heb. word: dabar is from dabar, to arrange in a row; hence, to set forth in speech. It refers to the articulate form of what is said, whether spoken or written (compare v above); to the mode or manner by which the ipsissima verba are imparted. Found 24 times in this psalm.


These, the Massorah says, "correspond to the Ten Commandments."


Why do you think that only one verse (v 122) in this Psalm does not include one of these 10 words?


Ps. 119:122 Please guarantee a blessing for me. Don’t let the arrogant oppress me! (NLT)
Ps. 119:122  Take the side of your servant, good God; don't let the godless take advantage of me. (The Message)



The Number 10 - Part 1: HERE
The Number 10 - Part 4: HERE