Psalm 119: 17-24 Gimel ג 17 Deal bountifully with thy servant, that I may live, and keep thy word.18 Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law.19 I am a stranger in the earth: hide not thy commandments from me.20 My soul breaketh for the longing that it hath unto thy judgments at all times.21 Thou hast rebuked the proud that are cursed, which do err from thy commandments.22 Remove from me reproach and contempt; for I have kept thy testimonies.23 Princes also did sit and speak against me: but thy servant did meditate in thy statutes.24 Thy testimonies also are my delight and my counselors.

The Psalm for this week deals with an uncomfortable truth in our covenant with God; that it is those who are called, that receive His word and understand it. Beyond humbling ourselves to ask for His guidance, and then, obeying the guidance He imparts, we have no control. We cannot take credit for being called to receive the Gospel, we can only respond in gratitude for receiving it.

In Mathew 13 we see Jesus explaining this truth:

10 And the disciples came, and said unto him, Why speakest thou unto them in parables?11 He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given.12 For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath.13 Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand.14 And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive:15 For this people's heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.16 But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear.

In short, Jesus explains in the above passage that the blessing of understanding is God’s to give or withhold. And the people whom He blesses cannot take credit for it in themselves, but it is a gift of God to receive it. The parable of the Sower and the Seed, the very parable that prompts this discussion between Jesus and His disciples, provides further illumination on this discussion, and I highly encourage you to read this in your own time this week.

It is important to note that God had a purpose for why He withheld understanding from the people He is referring to in the passage, and we can understand this better in connect with the reference to Issiah provided to us by Jesus. The prophecy Jesus is referencing is in Isaiah 6. In Isaiah chapter 6, Issiah is experiencing a great cleansing from God. He is forced to recognize His own imperfection and failures. We witness Issiah experiencing a life changing moment of humility, not unlike the reflections we have considered in both the Aleph and Bet devotionals. On the other side of this awakening to His own condition, God commissions Him to express a message to Isreal. That, as a result of their continual defiance and idolatry, despite God’s patient and faithful longsuffering with them, He will now turn them over to their own desire to be deaf and blind. Yet, the ultimate goal of God is not turning His back on them, but rather allowing them to, as we might say, “learn the hard way.” He decides to give them what they have proven to want, and that was a life void of God.

“Make the hearts of this people fat, and make their ears heavy, and shut their eyes lest they see with their eyes, an hear with their ears, and understand with their hearts, and convert and be healed.” (Isaiah 6:10)

However, in the end, the result of Him growing silent over them, will be a generation that rises up and returns to Him in purity of heart and love for him; a “holy seed” that will spring forth from the desolation.

The letter Gimel is known in Jewish culture to represent a generous benefactor running towards those who are poor with help. However, it also represents human free will to do evil or good. To receive the help or to reject it. In our scripture references this week, we can observe just that. God is running after us, however we will reap what we sow; in either humility or pride, we will be rewarded or punished.

The Psalm for this week perfectly encapsulates this message. God deals bountifully with us by opening out eyes and ears, by allowing us to understand and receive His word. It isn’t just about how He protects us, or how He provides for us; before all of these things, He gives us clarity and an ability to understand Him and commune with Him. Without His invitation we cannot and will not ever be able to reach Him. He initiates the invitation; it is on us how we chose to response to it.

10The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying,11 Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created. (Rev 4:10-11)

In the book of revelation the elders cast their crowns at Jesus’ feet because they are fully aware they have no credit in and of themselves for the crowns they received upon judgement, all that is good in them is due to what was given to them in generosity first. is We give God all the Glory, because the foundation of everything we have done or will do for Him is only possible by Him, through Him, and because of Him. Can you surrender that glory to Him? The psalmist illustrates this. They give God the credit for opening their eyes, for allowing them to behold wonderful things. They beg God to not hide His commandments (i.e. voice) and understanding from them. They are desperate for God to the point of breaking, because they are aware of their desolation without Him.

A shift comes after this moment in the Psalm. Perhaps it is what spurs the psalmist to express their desperation. They shift their attention to the confrontation between the godly and the wicked. The demonic witnessed within people surrounding us, as well as with what we wrestle against in our own minds and selves. The battle that brings us up to the choice to do evil or good. Our mount Gerizim or mount Ebal moment. (Joshua 8:30-35)

†

“See I have set before thee this day life and good, and death and evil.” (Deut. 30:15)

The psalmist has a weapon for this battle. To remains intentionally focused on God’s word. To remind themselves that the proud are cursed and led astray, and asks God to remove the reproach and contempt from them. You can interpret this request in two ways, that they are asking God to remove wicked people from around them, or that they are asking God to remove wickedness from inside of them. I believe the context is the latter. The psalmist describes the “ Princes” that sit and speak against them. A reference to the demonic forces that come against God’s voice in our lives. The psalmist’s solution is to meditate on God’s “statues”. What are God’s statutes? They are His orders, the tasks He gives us, the directions He asks us to take and follow.

Lastly, the psalmist explains that they will delight in the testimonies of God. The things they have observed God do in the world around them, the blessings that follow those that abide in the Lord, the workings of God in their own life. The combination of following God and meditating on the rewards for doing so is an impenetrable armor against the voice of the enemy. The psalmist uses this as an anchor of truth within themselves. It is in this that will silence the waves and noise of the enemy that comes against us. The fears they throw at us, the temptations that seek to pull us from Him. The answer is to discipline the mind to focus on His voice and His goodness through the noise.

Psalm 119:9-16 Bet ב 9 Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word.10 With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments.11 Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.12 Blessed art thou, O Lord: teach me thy statutes.13 With my lips have I declared all the judgments of thy mouth.14 I have rejoiced in the way of thy testimonies, as much as in all riches.15 I will meditate in thy precepts, and have respect unto thy ways.16 I will delight myself in thy statutes: I will not forget thy word.

In our psalm for this week, we can observe the key component to inviting God into our lives, HUMILITY. Proverbs 3:34 states, “Surely he scorneth the scorners: but he giveth grace unto the lowly.” This is the same verse references by James in 4:6, “But He giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resists the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.” There comes a point in our lives where we realise, even if we already believe in God, that we cannot do “it” without Him.

“What is it that we can’t do without Him?” you might ask. Plainly, we cannot be truly good. We might meet worldly standards of “good”, but we cannot be acceptable to Him. We are not even capable of seeing, let alone conquering, the evil side of our nature, we cannot end inadvertent or unrecognised destructive proclivities, we cannot even love in purity without Him. This Psalm acknowledges this truth from a deeply personal perspective. Acknowledging and accepting the fact that in youth we stray, that we are prone to wander even in our best efforts, and that avoiding sin is only possible with the power of God within us and moving through us. We have to surrender to Him, and His ways if we want to be transformed by Him. The only way God moves in us and through us is if we yield to Him. Yeilding to Him takes humility, recognizing within ourselves that we do not want to do things our way, but God’s way, because His ways lead to life and life in abundance. Our ways on the other hand lead to chaos and destruction.

For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. (Isaiah 55:8-8)

The Hebrew letter Bet, has a complex symbology, but to simplify it, the letter represents a house or vessel. This reminds us of three things: that God wishes to dwell in His people, and in His creation; that we are vessels that are available to be filled by Him; and that we are only safe when we are within His house. If we are in Him, and He is in us, this is where we can eschew evil tendencies, or our own weaknesses that cause pain hurt and destruction in the people we love, and to the world around us. It is only when we acknowledge this truth that God can begin to dwell in us, and keep us in Him.

The psalmist acknowledges that only God can keep them from wandering from obedience (119:10). Further they acknowledge that only God can teach them (119:12). This is noted after the psalmist explains that they have sought God with their whole heart, and that they have hid His word in their heart. They know God, they seek Him diligently, they know His word (both personal and written); and yet, they still cannot do what they know to be His ways without God’s intervention. We may know what God says, but we cannot truly understand without His guidance teaching us the interpretation and meaning. We also cannot accomplish it without His strength.

Only the Holy Spirit can teach us the true depth, interpretation and meaning of who He is and what He asks of us, removed from the corrupting influence of pride and vanity. God transfers the head knowledge into the heart knowledge, and from the heart knowledge the actions arise.

“A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil; for of the abundance of his heart his mouth speaketh.” Luke 6:45

Along side the act of humility we see a list of actions the psalmist uses to proclaim their loyalty and dedication to God. We can interpret this as an exchange between the psalmist and God, I will do these things but please, would teach me how to do this life right, how to follow you? The psalmist proclaims, I will “declare”, I will “rejoice”, I will “meditate”, I will “have respect”, I will “delight” myself, and I will “not forget.” What a powerful list! This is how we maintain availability of our vessel for the Lord. This is how we resist the devil, this is how we make a way for God to teach us and keep us.

The Lord bless thee, and keep thee: The Lord make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee: The Lord lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace. (Numbers 6:24-26)

This week take time to survey this list. Ask yourself, am I declaring God’s goodness and justness? Am I rejoicing in His testimony in my life? Is He more valuable to me than the riches of this world? Do I meditate on the directions He gives me within His word? Do I meditate on His intimate and personal instructions to me? Do I hold God’s ways in high regard? Do I delight in the order and instructions He imparts to me? Am I remembering His words and promises and the fulfilment of all that He has done in my life?

When we focus the mind on these things, then we make a way for Him to lead the way. Dear reader, I promise, on His path goodness will drip from your life like honey.

Psalm 119:1-8 Aleph א Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the Lord. 2 Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, and that seek him with the whole heart. 3 They also do no iniquity: they walk in his ways. 4 Thou hast commanded us to keep thy precepts diligently. 5 O that my ways were directed to keep thy statutes! 6 Then shall I not be ashamed, when I have respect unto all thy commandments.7 I will praise thee with uprightness of heart, when I shall have learned thy righteous judgments.8 I will keep thy statutes: O forsake me not utterly.

Beginning this week, we will start a series on Psalm 119. Psalm 119 is a unique psalm that devotes a poem to each letter of the Hebrew alphabet. We will look into the unique meaning of each of these 22 letters, as we breakdown the message of the psalm itself.

Aleph in Hebrew, is the equivalent of our letter “A” in English. It is the letter Jesus meant when He says, “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last.” (Rev. 1:11) In Hebrew, this letter written is meant to express the holiness and divinity of God in relation to the fallen position of humanity. The top “yud” or stroke represents God, while the bottom “yud” or stroke represents humanity. In Jewish tradition the dividing line between them can be interpreted as either the law or faith, and it is what connects, or bridges the gap between God and humanity.

What we observe when reading the Aleph Psalm is an individual’s first step in their journey of recognizing God, His righteousness, His goodness, and His promise, and their turning towards God asking for, not only his inspiration and guidance to do this, but mercy. The connection of Aleph and the meaning of the Psalm itself, perfectly recognizes the first step towards God is this heart posture, a recognition of your need for God in your own life. But what brings the Psalmist to this place of recognition?

The Psalm is broken down into two distinct sections. First, versus 1-4 details the psalmist’s observance of God’s presence in a follower’s life. They describe the ways in which the believer is set apart from the world around them. They are “undefiled” and they do not “iniquity”. Undefiled here means they are honest and upright, sound and trustworthy. Not doing iniquity means they do nothing in malice, badness or perversity. The Psalmist is observing these qualities in a person’s life that follows the Lord, His ways and teachings. They then explain that followers are blessed by Him, and that they keep His testimonies. This is where we see the connection to how the believer’s life impacts those around them. The psalmist is observing their lives. The believer’s life should be a testimony to God, giving Him the glory, and shining light and truth of who He is; His goodness, His righteousness, and His law of love. Also note here that the Psalmist comments that they do this, “with the whole heart.” In order to, hold to the Lord’s ways, in order to bear His testimony, a person must be fully committed to the Lord.

This is the Psalm I believe Jesus was elaborating upon in the beginning of the Sermon on the Mount.

Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.4 Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.5 Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.6 Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.7 Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.8 Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.9 Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.10 Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.11 Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.12 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.13 Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.14Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.

Notice the way Jesus details how to distinguish those whom are blessed by God and how they will be marked by following His ways. The humble, the meek, those who hunger and thirst for God and His ways rather than the worlds, the forgiving and merciful, the pure of heart, those who pursue peace with God, and those who hold onto Him despite the persecution they face for doing so. Meditate on this scripture in your quiet time this week.

Directly from this, He explains that believers are to be the salt and light of this world. That we are to be stewards of His testimony. This is the same exchange we see within the Psalm, but in less detail. The psalmist explains the pattern: believers are to hold to the testimonies of God, others will observe the difference between them and those driven by the world, and this will lead people to recognize their desire and need for God in their own life.

Believers bearing God’s testimony is how God turns people’s hearts and lives towards Him. The last half of the Psalm shows the result of this realization. They ask God to move into their own heart and help them to not be ashamed, to learn the value of His ways. They ask God to teach them to understand and follow, and with confidence expresses that their life too will bring Him glory. That they too want to be a living testimony to Him. The psalmist asks God to bring them to a place of complete submission and worship; a place where they see the beauty and value of all of His nature, ways, and truths. If you are not yet a follower of Christ dear reader, you may ask God this same thing in this moment and in your place.

Perhaps the most profound line of the Psalm is its closing one. “I will keep thy statues: O forsake me not utterly.” How beautifully does this express the reality of God’s long suffering with us, His patience with us, and an understanding of us and our condition. That He knows we will not grow and change overnight, or without His assistance, but that we will get to the destination with His guidance and a surrendered heart.

Notice too, that following Him is the destination! He walks us through the rest. Walking in step with Him is all we have to focus on. It is not a stagnant destination we arrive to. It is a place of movement and response, of continued submission and pursuit. When we get to that place. We have arrived! And it is there that we bear His testimony and are blessed of the Lord!

Then said they, Come, and let us devise devices against Jeremiah; for the law shall not perish from the priest, to the counsel from the wise, nor the word from the prophet. Come, and let us smite him with the togue and let us not give heed to any of his words. Jeremiah 18:18

This week’s scripture comes out of the middle of the heated history of the prophet Jeremiah. We can learn much from Jeremiah, and the words of the Lord from him, but perhaps most profoundly he teaches us the principle of standing up for what is true and right no matter what the consequences we might face are. He teaches us that there are times when God asks us to speak His words over those who not only, will not receive them, but will cruelly reject us because of them.

You might be wondering why God would ask us to speak His words over those whom will not listen, after all we see Him asking individuals in the bible time and time again to do this, including Jesus; but why? The answer lies in the writings of both Issiah and Ezekiel, but let us reference Ezekiel for our study this week. In Ezekiel 33:1-9 we see a description of the “watchmen” on the wall, and what the duty of the watchmen is. Furthermore, we are told in Ezekiel 33:6-9 the responsibility of iniquity rests on the watchmen if he does not speak against evil, but once he speaks against it to the doer of the evil, the watchmen is freed from the responsibility of his silence, and the guilt is left on the hands of the doer. In other words, the guilt lies on the individual who does not speak up for what is right, until they speak, and then the guilt lies upon the one committing the offence.

We then can see the explanation for why God has His people do this, in chapter 18 of Jeremiah as well as the proceeding versus of Ezekiel. God does this because he has “no pleasure in the death of the wicked (Ezekiel 18:11),” and in warning the people He offers endless mercy in repentance, and promises to forget all wrongdoings at the turning away from evil and back towards God.

“For I desire mercy, and not sacrifice and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings.” Hosea 6:6

Returning to our scripture in Jeremiah, he explains his motive is exactly the same as what Ezekiel describes, “I stood before thee to speak good for them, and to take away thy wrath from them.” (Jeremiah 18:20) However, we can see the prophet is met with a desperate attempt to silence him, rather than appreciation for righteousness.

I want to highlight three things from our scripture for the week: law shall not perish from the priest; (nor) counsel from the wise; (nor) word from the prophet. This list of “charges” aimed at Jeremiah show us that the people he was dealing with not only knew he was God’s watchmen, but that they wanted “law”, “counsel”, and the “word” of God removed and silenced from their midst. May we always be careful that we are not working to silence God’s voice over situations in our own lives.

We can also see this list as a reminder to us that we should be marked by His law, counsel, and word. We are told by the prophets and reminded by Paul that the law is written on our hearts through Christ Jesus. (Isaiah 51:7, Isaiah 59:21, Jeremiah:31:33, Hebrews 8:10, Romans 2:14-15) What law? The core foundation of both the Old Covenant and the New, “That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.” (John 13:34) Certainly, love is marked by truth, but it is also gentle and humble. Reference 1st Corinthians 13:4-7 for a biblical description of love.

Next, we are brought to counsel. We shall be marked by the counsel of God in out lives. This is why relationship is the emphasis of the faith. We should have an active relationship, and ongoing conversation with Him. He is our counselor in all things, and He will guide us in our choices, direction and reactions if we seek Him. (Isaiah 9:6,11:2, 25:1; Proverbs 3:5-6,19:20-21; Psalm 32:8, 73:24)

†

His counsel is always perfect, personal, and true!

Finally, word of the Lord. While counsel above is focused on personal relationship with God, and His words in your life directing you in relationships, paths, and actions; this “word” is outward focused. It is the same “word” Jeremiah, as well as the other prophets, were compelled by. The words God asks us to speak into the lives of those we love, those closest to us, our church, or even acquaintances and strangers.

Our words have great power as we are connected to Him, and if He is our God, then the Holy Spirit dwells in us, and we are asked to speak through Him and for Him. We serve and active God in action. Remember that God spoke the world into existence! God’s word has the power of creation and life. We are also blessed with the privilege of speaking life into those around us. If we do this in the law of love, and in right relationship and counsel of God, then we are properly functioning as a member of His Church. There may be times we are met with reactions like Jeremiah encountered (and suffered his entire ministry), but we can also be blessed in knowing that we are provided the privilege of speaking life into the world around us, with the hopes of encouraging and lifting up others.