PSALM 119:41-48  

 

PSALM 119 - Verses 41-48 – THE SECURITY FILE

A. The wAw file: The wAw refers to a nail peg and speaks of security and confidence.
B. It follows naturally and progressively from the viewpoint file which is the basis for security and confidence.
C. Each line begins with the wAw connective, which is usual1y translated as – and.

Verse 41, The Deliverance Entry

  1. AND: This needs to be translated. It is there for a reason. It presents a logical progression from the viewpoint file.
  2. Your grace resources: the Hebrew is chesed in the plural. This is the first mention of this word in Psalm 119. It occurs 7 times; verse 41, 64, 76, 88, 124, 149 and 159.
  3. The word refers to God’s grace resources for living the Christian way of life. But here, it has a specific focus on protection and deliverance from persecution.
  4. shall come to me: The verb is BO as a qal imperfect, 3rd masculine plural + 1st person singular suffix – “shall come to me.” There is no reason to translate this as a jussive (“may they come to me).
  5. Oh Yahweh: This shows a personal focus on the source of the believer’s security.
  6. Your deliverance: The word teshu`Ah gives us the category of CHESED (grace provision) the believer is thinking about.
  7. according to: This is the preposition of standard (ke) and indicates the basis for confidence.
  8. Your word: ’imrAh refers to the revealed truth of God in the category – promises in this context.

 See Topic: GRACE PROVISON

Verse 42, The Testimony Entry

  1. So (WE again), but in a “conclusion” context and thus, SO.
  2. I shall have an answer: `AnAh as a qal imperfect – I shall answer, respond, reply.
  3. a word: dAbhAr – divine viewpoint expressed to the spiritual rebels who are persecuting him.
  4. because:  kiy indicates the reason why this believer is confident in having God’s deliverance resources and an answer to the rebels.
  5. I trust: bAtach is the standard word for trusting God. It indicates total trust without reserve or holding back. There is no fear or doubt or worry or regrets.
  6. in your words: dAbhAr again to indicate divine truth. This believer is able to have total confidence in the logic and applicability of truth to life.
    A. for self:  peace, joy and inner stability
    B. For others: the answers to all of life – even though they often reject it.

 

Verse 43, The Study Entry

Principle of always returning to doctrinal intake for spiritual maintenance

  1. And do not take . . . from my mouth: The verb is nAtsal as a hiphil imperfect + the negative. It functions like an imperative and is another example of the COMMAND of humility dependence on God.
    A. Remove from the mouth communicates the idea that there would be no access to God’s word. There would be nothing provided, thus, shutting down my study process.
    B. This reflects dedication to the growth process. It is a faith-rest dependence on God’s will for the believer and on God as the source.
  2. Your word of truth: dAbhAr ’emeth. This is the first time for ’emeth (truth). It also occurs at verses 142, 151 and 160. It refers to that which is totally opposite to the viewpoint of the spiritual rebels who are persecuting him.
    God’s word of truth is ABSOLUTE in its own nature. Psalm 138:2
  3. utterly: This is the adverbial construction – ’adh me’odh. The idea is COMPLETE removal of information. It indicates the possibility of doctrinal  FAMINE as at Amos 8:11-14.
  4. For: kiy – because. This introduces the reason for his devotion to the growth process.
  5. I wait for: The verb is yAchal as a piel perfect, and means to wait with dependence. It expresses NEED.
  6. Your ordinances: mishpAt -  refers to the standards and expressions of divine justice.

 

Verse 44, The Obedience Entry

  1. So: This is still the wAw (and) and expresses the result of occupation with God’s truth.
  2. I will keep: The verb is shAmar and refers to the personal preservation of truth in his soul through daily meditation and application.
  3. your law: torah refers to instruction in general.
  4. continually: The adverb, tamiydh expresses consistency
  5. forever and ever: le `OlAm wA`edh (`Adh) expresses the INTENT to follow truth ALL MY LIFE.
    Once again we see the dedication of this believer expressed through the “forever attitude.”
    See Topic:      THE FOREVER ATTITUDE

 

Verse 45, The Freedom Entry

1.  And I will walk in a wide place: The word is rAchAbh + the definite article.

The word has the idea of freedom. Thus, I will walk in THE freedom. To walk in THE freedom refers to inner stability and confidence of spiritual freedom.

2. Because I seek: the word is kiy + the qal perfect of dArash. The perfect tense indicates PAST or completed action. Thus, because I HAVE sought or pursued your precepts.

The word, precepts is piqqudh and refers to the appointed standards for moral and spiritual life.

Spiritual life freedom is based on the pursuit and application of God’s word.

Make application via Galatians 5:1. It is the believer’s responsibility to maintain the experiential freedom of the Christian life. Salvation provided the status of this freedom, “it was into freedom that Christ set us free.” During the believer’s life on earth, he must use God’s word to experience freedom through controlling the expressions of the sin nature, “keep standing firm and do not do not be loaded down again with a yoke of slavery.”

 

Verse 46, The Service Entry

1.And I will speak your testimonies: The word is `ādAh again, and refers to information about how God has manifested himself to man – His character and plan.

2. before kings: melek occurs only here in this Psalm and refers to the monarch of a nation.

3. and not be ashamed: The verb, bOsh + the negative indicates confidence and stability in the face of persecution.

This confidence is STILL based on verse 45, learning and using God’s word.

4. Who are the kings: compare the word sar – princes.

Verse 23, princes sit and talk against me

Verse 161, princes persecute me without cause.

The plural is used to perhaps state a principle that not even the highest royalty will intimidate the believer who is trusting God and using God’s word.

The plural could also recognize the frequent changes in leadership in his country.

 

Verse 47, The Pleasure Entry

  1. And I shall delight myself: The verb, shA`a as a hithpalpel is used to indicate continued personal pleasure through service consistency.
  2. in your commandments: mitswAh refers to statements of policy.
  3. which I love: ’Ahabh is the verb and indicates total occupation with truth which recognizes its absolute value in every area of life.

 

Verse 48, The Meditation Entry

  1. And I shall lift up my hands: The believer’s dedication is expressed in praise and thanks.

Praise and thanks is the result of experiencing eternal life blessings in time (here on earth).
When the believer recognizes that God is the source and expresses humility dependence on Him, it paves the way for further advance in spiritual growth, service and advanced blessings through occupation with (meditation on) God’s word.

2. to your commandments which I love: Repetition for emphasis

3. And I shall meditate: The verb is siyach which indicates a continual mental focus on truth.

Daily meditation perpetuates momentum for advance in Christian growth and service by relating doctrine to various areas of life.

The word statues, is chOq and refers to the decrees that relate the plan of God to the believers daily life.

SUMMARY OF THE SECURITY FILE

Verse 41, The Deliverance Entry: God’s deliverance resources are based on grace and come from His word.

Verse 42, The Testimony Entry:  The believer’s consistent wisdom and testimonial impact are based on trusting and living God’s word.

verse 43, The Study Entry:  The functional believer expresses humility dependence on God for progress in growth.

Verse 44, The Obedience Entry:  Sinless consistency is based on success in the growth process.

Verse 45, The Confidence Entry:  True spiritual freedom is based on occupation with God’s word.

Verse 46, The Service Entry:  The believer’s testimonial confidence without shame results from the growth process.

Verse 47, The Pleasure Entry:  True love for God is evidenced by finding great pleasure in learning and living God’s word.

Verse 48, The Meditation Entry:  True love for God’s word evidences itself internally through continuous meditation on it.

  
 

Questions and comments are always welcome

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