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(See: pronunciation guide
for the Hebrew vowels)
PSALM 119:145-152
The qoph file: Every verse
in this file begins with the letter qoph, which is an axe. It represents
attack and violence, and speaks of crisis in general. In this context, the
crisis and violence comes from persecution. This is the PERSECUTION FILE.
The spiritual battle is
waged primarily IN THE SOUL with a consistent attitude of faith-rest.
The shield of faith of Ephesians 6:16, which wards off the darts of evil.
Verse 145, The Study Entry
This label is based on the
meaning of the verb, nAtsar, which emphasizes the conintued EXAMINATION of
God’s word; and verse 146, where the verb, shAmar, emphasizes devotion to
through continued keeping or DOING of the word.
1. I called with all my
heart: The verb, qAr’A as a qal perfect represents past and present prayer
access. The phrase, “all my heart” communicates total dedication in a
fellowship context, via the attitude of faith-rest.
2. Answer me: The verb is ‘AnAh as an imperative, and further expresses the
humility command of dependence on divine wisdom and timing.
3. I will observe your statutes (choq): the verb is nAtsar as a qal imperfect.
It means to watch over, examine (pursue). It carries the idea of investigation
and study and refers to the continued pursuit of truth as provided through
God’s revelation.
The preservation of physical life allows for the continued pursuit of truth.
Verse 146, The Obedience Entry
The preservation of physical life allows for the continued application of
truth.
1. I cried to you: qAr’A, again to indicate consistent prayer access with
faith-rest, as above.
2. save (deliver) me: the verb is yAsh`a as an imperative. The command
indicates humility confidence in God’s character and timing for physical
deliverance from the persecutors.
3. and I shall keep your testimonies (`ā
dAh): The verb is shAmar to indicate the continued promotion of God’s word
through obedience and proclamation.
Verse 147, The Faith-Rest Entry
The trusting believer begins his day with the attitude of faith-rest in God’s
word.
1. I rise before dawn: The verb is qAdam as a piel perfect, which indicates
both a past and continued, habitual practice. It means to go or come before as
in physical presence – to meet.
I have met or, I have arrived before dawn. The preposition BE (in or at) +
nesheph, to indicate a time of wakening early in the morning; at twilight or
at the dawn.
2. and cry for help: The verb is shAw`a as a piel imperfect/consecutive, which
is the device that continues the COMPLETED ACTION idea of the previous verb.
It means to actually call for help and indicates a faith-rest attitude that
specifies both the need and the crisis through prayer.
3. I wait for your word (dAbhAr): The verb is yAchal as a qal imperfect, which
expresses the present attitude of faith-rest in the provision and protection
that is revealed IN and based ON the word of God.
Verse 148, The Meditation Entry
Faith-rest is perpetuated
in the late hours of the night through meditation on God’s word.
1. My eyes anticipate the night watches: The mention of eyes, emphasizes
wakefulness. The verb is qAdam as a qal perfect, and means to meet. The
perfect tense speaks of both past and present action; my eyes have met the
night watches. It does not mean “to anticipate,” but to actually BE AWAKE at
these early hours, and it is actually his INTENT so that he might deal with
the pressures by maintaining his focus on God’s character and plan.
(notice the difference between the qal here and the piel in verse 147).
2. so that I may meditate on your word (’imrAh): The verb is siyach as a qal
infinitive with the preposition, LE, to indicate purpose, “in order to
meditate.”
This precedes the attitude of verse 147, where we see him rising early and
waiting for the provisions and resources of God’s word to be realized as the
day begins. First, the believer mediates on truth so that it is internalized.
Then he WAITS – practices faith-rest for the VALUE FACTORS to be vindicated as
he continues to live his life from day to day.
3. Meditation in Psalm 119 occurs in 7 files, but 8 times.
A. Verse 15, Study context
B. Verse 23, Persecution context
C. Verse 27, Perception of truth context
D. Verse 48, Love of truth context
E. Verse 78, Persecution context
F. Verse 97, Love for the word context
G. Verse 99, Resultant insight context
H. Verse 148, Faith rest context
Verse 149, The Protection Entry
1. Hear my voice: This is the same idea as in verse 145, “answer me,” and
refers to having prayer access. It is the command that comes from a humility
confidence in God’s character and plan.
2. According to your grace provision (chesed): The standard for prayer access
is the provision from God’s resources; His plan as revealed in His word. It
involves the mechanics and terms for success in prayer, which is primarily
sinless consistency as seen at Psalm 66:18.
3. keep me alive according to your justice standards: The verb is chAyAh
again, as a piel imperative and expresses humility dependence on God for
preservation of physical life in the face of violent persecution. The basis
for this physical protection is divine justice (mishpAt).
The trusting believer depends on God’s grace provision and justice for
protection from violent persecution.
Verse 150, The Persecution Entry
The reason why this believer continues to address God in his trust for
deliverance is because the persecutors are ever at hand.
1. Those who follow after
wickedness: The verb is rAdaph as a qal participle, and means to follow or
pursue as a way of life. Wickedness, is zimmAh, from the verb, zAmam, which
means to consider or devise. The noun, then, is a pre-conceived, thought-out
scheme, which always occurs in a bad sense except at Job 17:11. The PLAN then
becomes actions of wickedness; murder, fornication, incest, adultery,
harlotry. These things result from rejection of God’s word, and there are many
of these rejectors who are actively seeking the destruction of the functional
believer.
2. draw near: the verb is qAraph as a qal perfect to indicate past and present
action. It simply indicates that the persecutors are ever active in seeking
this believer.
3. they are far from your law (torAh): as the noun above indicates (zimmAh),
their character and activity are totally contrary to God’s viewpoint and
policy.
Verse 151, The Fellowship Entry
The believer’s stability comes from his fellowship reality and the fact that
God’s word is truth.
1. You are near O Yahweh: This is the adjective, qArobh, which comes from the
verb of above.
It indicates that God is
presently NEAR, indeed, at the side of this trusting believer, and he depends
on that fellowship reality to comfort and stabilize him.
The wicked draw near to destroy, but Yahweh is near for fellowship and
protection.
2. and all your commandments (mitswAh) are truth: Statement of fact concerning
the VALUE FACTOR of truth. God’s word is truth.
Verse 152, The Eternity Entry
God’s word is established as reliable for all eternity.
1. Of old I have known from
your testimonies (`ā
dAh): He has learned FROM the word that the word has a particular value
factor.
2. that you have established them forever: The verb is yAsadh as a qal
perfect and indicates permanence and reliability.
A. Reliability: Isaiah 55:11 and Jeremiah 1:12, and Hebrews 4:12 and Romans
12:2
B. Permanence: Psalm 119:89; Isaiah 40:3-8; 1 Peter 1:22-25
SUMMARY OF THE PERSECUTION FILE
Verse 145, The Study Entry
The preservation of physical life allows for the continued pursuit of truth.
Verse 146, The obedience
Entry
The preservation of physical life allows for the continued application of
truth.
Verse 147, The Faith-Rest Entry
The trusting believer begins his day with the attitude of faith-rest in God’s
word.
Verse 148, The Meditation
Entry
Faith-rest is perpetuated in the late hours of the night through meditation on
God’s word.
Verse 149, The Protection
Entry
The trusting believer depends on God’s grace provision and justice for
protection from violent persecution.
Verse 150, The Persecution
Entry
The reason why this believer continues to address God in his trust for
deliverance is because the persecutors are ever at hand.
Verse 151, The Fellowship
Entry
The believer’s stability comes from his fellowship reality and the fact that
God’s word is truth.
Verse 152, The Eternity
Entry
God’s word is established as reliable for all eternity.
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