Psalm 119 (part 4)

2. Psalm 119 (part 4) Psalm 119:89-120

3. Review • The psalm is divided into 22 8-verse groups • Each verse in a group begins with the same Hebrew letter for which the group is named • The names of the groups are also Hebrew words • The meaning(s) of those words help us to understand the group • And will help us remember each group

4. Review • The psalm is about the word of God • Aleph (vv1-8) “ox, mighty, to learn” • Picture an ox being trained by a strong hand to follow a given path • Beth (vv9-16) “house” • Picture a child at home studying in preparation for growing up and going forth • Gimel (vv17-24) “camel, to treat well” • Picture yourself riding a camel through a desert • Daleth (vv25-32) “something that dangles” • Picture being lifted from the ruins of our lives and clinging to the hand of God • He (vv33-40) “window, to look” • Picture looking at the world through the window of God’s word • Vav (vv41-48) “a hook” • Picture gradually hanging upon the hook of God’s word as your confidence grows that it will hold you

5. Review • Zayin (vv49-56) “a weapon, to arm” • Picture being armed in the word of God, and the word as your weapon to fight against sin • Heth (vv57-64) “terror, dread” • Picture the terror on the face of those realizing hell is real • Teth (vv65-72) “to twist together, to intertwine” • Picture a two-stranded rope, one strand is you and the other is God • Yod (vv73-80) “hand” strong and active • Picture God’s hands shaping us, disciplining us, and comforting us • Kaph (vv81-88) “hand” outstretched and begging • Picture us with our hands outstretched to God seeking His blessings

6. Lamedh • The next 8 verses are grouped under the word “lamedh” and each verse begins with the letter lamedh, ל • “Lamedh” is the Hebrew noun for “a goad” and the verb for “to teach, to learn” • The learning that comes by discipline, correction, and the knowledge of the consequences of disobedience

7. Learning Obedience • Ps 119:89-96 • The creation continues because it knows that it cannot disobey (vv89-91) • If the creation could disobey God the result would be destruction • We too should realize that if we do not obey God the result will be destruction (vv92-94) • Even if the wicked try to get us to disobey, we will not be swayed (v95) • Even though God’s word is perfection, it is still “broad” (lit. “roomy”, not too harsh, restrictive) • To remember: Picture following the path of God’s word with a certain knowledge of the goad (eternal punishment) behind us

8. Mem • The next 8 verses are grouped under the word “mem” and each verse begins with the letter mem, מ • “Mem” is the Hebrew noun for “water” • Often used in the sense of a large body of water (sea or ocean) • The shape of the letter is thought to show a wave rolling toward shore • A place for calm contemplation

9. Meditating on God’s word • Ps 119:97-104 • Learning God’s law is more than memory-work • One needs to meditate, deeply reflect • Psa 1:1-3 • Josh 1:7-9 • Meditation will lead you to know how God wants you to act, to love God and His word, to avoid all the false ways • To remember: Picture sitting beside an ocean or lake and meditating as the waves roll in

10. Nun • The next 8 verses are grouped under the word “nun” and each verse begins with the letter nun, נ • “Nun” is the Hebrew noun for “offspring, posterity, or candle” and the verb for “to continue, to increase” • The idea of a candle is perhaps seen in the shape of the letter (Albert Barnes Commentary) • Was also the name of Joshua’s father, Joshua, son of Nun

11. A Bright, Shining Inheritance • Psalm 119:105-112 • For each who follows God’s word it is a light to show us where to go (vv105-106) • When we get off course, it brings us back (v107) • And so we offer our thanks to God (v108) • Responsibility for our eternal destiny rests on us, to follow God’s light or not (vv109-110) • Beyond our own lives, God’s word continues and can be passed on to future generations (vv111-112) • To remember: Picture a light leading us and our descendants toward God

12. Samekh • The next 8 verses are grouped under the word “samekh” and each verse begins with the letter samekh, ס • “Samekh” is the Hebrew noun for “tent peg, prop” and the verb for “to support, to uphold, to lean upon”

13. Upheld by God’s Word • Psalm 119:113-120 • Hates those who are not wholly reliant on God • “vain thoughts” or “double-minded” refers to ambivalence or half-heartedness • Relying firmly on God, he is safe and protected, and loves God and His word (vv113-115) • Ps 32:7; Isa 41:10 • His word gives us life, hope, confidence (vv116-117) • v116 starts with the word samekh • All those who do not obey God have nothing to uphold them – they will fall (vv118-120) • To remember: Picture the word of God holding you up in the face of all enemies

14. Conclusion • God’s word . . . • Teaches us the path and keeps us on it • Must be meditated upon to love and fully obey • Lights our way through a world of darkness • Is an inheritance we can pass down to future generations • Will hold us hope in the face of trouble • Won’t you obey the word of God?