Bearers of the Testimony

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!