Wednesday Bible Study: Psalm 119 deconstructed Part 7

 

At last we are at the end of our journey through the longest Psalm- and longest chapter in the Bible!  But wouldn't you know it, God has one more twist for us.  Our concept word this time, is WORD.  But... there are 2 different Hebrew words being translated (in most versions) as "word".  I am hopeful that we can knock this out in one shot, because I am excited about the upcoming next chapter of our ongoing Bible studies.

The first word is Dabar- and indicates an "impact word", the source I consulted tells me.  Straightforward, means what it says.  Most of the verses I found- and believe me, I found more with "word" than any other, and about half of them were the first verse of a stanza- treated "word" as a command, or a 'matter' as the definition puts it. It starts with taking heed (v9) and observing (v17), which respectively relate to cleaning up your act, and gaining the favor of God.  The next 2 verses (25 and 28), deal with a soul who is struggling; cleaving to the dust, melting in sorrow- and the Word is the solution for both.  In vv 42-43, the word is an action- a defense against reproaches, and a prayer that it might not be taken away.  Then, in vv49 and 57, there is a two-part promise: The Lord's, to keep the word in which we hope, and ours, that in return for this promise, we will keep the word.

So many of these are based around our hope in His word.  Now if you remember, Biblical hope is not, "I hope this happens," but instead, "I know this will happen because the Word of the Lord has said so."  Things such as salvation, and being a part of God's family, are included here.  But it is more; being God's word, it is permanent:

Psa 119:89  Lamedh Forever, O LORD, your word is firmly fixed in the heavens. 

In the New Testament, John wrote in his Gospel that Jesus was the very Word of God; he connected God with light in his first letter.  So it is no surprise that here, too, God's Word is connected with light:

Psa 119:105  Nun Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. 

Psa 119:130  The unfolding of your words gives light; it imparts understanding to the simple.   

And yet another concept in this word is the defense from prsecution...

Psa 119:161  Shin Princes persecute me without cause, but my heart stands in awe of your words. 

Paying heed, rescue from sorrow, God's promises and our return effort, the sure hope that we have in His permanent words, direction for our way, and our protection.  If I tried, I could probably glean even more- especially the whole concept of God's light, which would be a whole other series (hmm...).  But for now, let's move on.

The second word translated thus is Imrah- and this is more of a 'poetic' use, the source told me. It doesn't really read poetic as we think of poetic.  And, many of the Bible versions on my e-Sword tanslate it as "promise"- which is closer, but not the whole picture as I saw it.  The word/Imrah divided itself for me into three categories of verses:

First, like I said, used it as a PROMISE.  One example here:

Psa 119:82  Mine eyes failed in waiting for thy word, saying, When wilt thou comfort me? 

The writer establishes that God has promised a comfort.  Another:

Psa 119:123  Mine eyes fail for thy salvation, And for thy righteous word. 

So it would seem that promise is for both this life and the next!  The fact that both start with, "Mine eyes fail" tells us these promises require patience!  After all... 

2Pe 3:8  But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. 

2Pe 3:9  The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. 

Second, it is used as a REQUEST.  For example:

Psa 119:133  Establish my footsteps in thy word; And let not any iniquity have dominion over me. 

All of these verses, you'll see that unspoken "please" in it, making requests based on the Word.

Psa 119:154  Plead thou my cause, and redeem me: Quicken me according to thy word. 

Psa 119:76  Let, I pray thee, thy lovingkindness be for my comfort, According to thy word unto thy servant. 

Psa 119:38  Make Your Word sure to Your servant, who is devoted to Your fear. 

Psa 119:116  Uphold me according to Your Word, that I may live; and let me not be ashamed of my hope. 

But what is a request, made in sure hope, if it is not confirmed?  So the last aspect of Imrah is that of a GIFT:

Psa 119:41  VAU: Let Your mercies come to me, O Jehovah, even according to Your salvation, according to Your Word. 

Psa 119:50  This is my comfort in my affliction; for Your Word has given me life. 

A Promise.  A Request, made on the basis of that Promise.  And the Gift of the Promise fulfilled.  This is the nature of Imrah.  What we learn then in this chapter is the solid ground of the now, of God's word; and the just as solid ground of the future promise.

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Now, I would like to introduce you to the concept I am going to be working on, God willing, for much of this year. 

I call "The Wisdom Truck".  I learned that for "wisdom" and "wise", there are 3 different words, and my plan is to work through them in order from one end of the Bible to another- with a mini-version on Facebook and an expanded one here.  Hopefully we will learn a few things we didn't see before- but with Solomon there driving, we're gonna have to be careful he stays on the right road!