Psalm 119Part 3

Psalm 119:57-88

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

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

– 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 / Cheth• The next 8 verses are grouped under the word

“heth” and each verse begins with the letter heth, ח – The difference in “heth” and “cheth” is again

one of pronunciation due to speaker’s origin

• “Heth” is the Hebrew noun for “terror, dread”– A much more powerful feeling than simple fear

• Used in Gen 9:2 of the feeling animals and birds will have at being hunted by man

The Terror of the Wicked• Ps 119:57-64

– When one comes to the realization that they are wicked, it can be a moment of complete terror• Rev 21:8

• True whether it is a first realization of the consequence of sin or a remembrance

– Heb 10:25-31

– It should cause us to flee to God (vv57-60)– If the wicked should try to terrorize us, we stay

faithful to God because we fear God (vv61-64)

• To remember: Picture the terror on the face of those realizing hell is real

Teth• The next 8 verses are grouped under the word

“teth” and each verse begins with the letter teth, ט

• “Teth” is the Hebrew verb for “to twist together, to knot, to intertwine”

Bound to God’s word• Psalm 119:65-72

– The only way to be truly safe is to bind self to God by learning and keeping His word• Even as it is true of earthly friends (Eccl 4:9-12)

– How much more when God is the one we are knotted together with

» Rom 8:31-39• But God will not be in fellowship with darkness

– 1 Jn 1:5-7

– Even when the wicked bind themselves together to pull us from God (v69), we are safe

• To remember: picture a two-stranded rope, one strand is you and the other is God

Yod / Jod• The next 8 verses are grouped under the word

“yod” and each verse begins with the letter yod, י – The difference in “yod” and “jod” is again one

of pronunciation due to speaker’s origin– The smallest letter, familiar from Matt 5:18 “jot”

• “Yod” is the Hebrew noun for “hand”– Used for a hand that is strong and active, doing

something

Shaped by God’s hands• Psalm 119:73-80

– Begins with the word “yod”– Need to let God shape us by His word

• Isa 64:8, 45:9

• Jer 18:1-6

– We join with others who also seek God (vv74,79)• Heb 12:12-13

• Even in trials we can see the hand of God (v75)– Heb 12:5-11

– His hand is also a source of comfort (vv76-77)

• To remember: picture God’s hands shaping us, disciplining us, and comforting us

Kaph• The next 8 verses are grouped under the word

“kaph” and each verse begins with the letter kaph, כ

• “Kaph” is the Hebrew word for the hollowed out cup of the hand– The hand outstretched and asking or begging

Beseeching God• Psalm 119:81-88

– We need to realize that we need to ask God for those things we have need of (Mt 7:7-11)• Salvation tops the list (vv81-83)

– And asking includes seeking from God’s word• Seeking God’s help with our trials (vv84-86)

– It is okay to ask God to fulfill His promises» Hab 1:2-4; Rev 6:9-11

– Realize that God may tell you to wait• Strength and courage to go on (vv87-88)

– God won’t let us be overwhelmed (1Cor 10:13, 1Pet 5:6-7)

• To remember: Picture us with our hands outstretched to God seeking His blessings

Conclusion• God’s word is . . .

– A terror to the wicked– A strong rope to hold the righteous– A means by which He reveals His hands

guiding, shaping and disciplining us– What tells us that we can bring all our wants and

cares to God

• Are you ready to seek God’s salvation?– Then why wait any longer (Ps 119:59-60)?