Psalm 119 (part 5)

2. Psalm 119 (part 5) Psalm 119:121-152

3. 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 • The psalm is about the word of God

4. Review • 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

5. Review • 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 (vv57-64) “terror, dread” • Picture the terror on the face of those realizing hell is real • Teth (vv65-72) “to twist together, to intertwine” • Picture a two-stranded rope, one strand is you and the other is God • Yod (vv73-80) “hand” strong and active • Picture God’s hands shaping us, disciplining us, and comforting us • Kaph (vv81-88) “hand” outstretched and begging • Picture us with our hands outstretched to God seeking His blessings

6. Review • Lamedh (vv89-96) “a goad, to learn (from correction)” • Picture following the path of God’s word with a certain knowledge of the goad (eternal punishment) behind us • Mem (vv97-104) “water” • Picture sitting beside an ocean or lake and meditating as the waves roll in • Nun (vv105-112) “posterity, candle, to continue” • Picture a light leading us and our descendants toward God • Samekh (vv113-120) “prop, to uphold, to lean upon” • Picture the word of God holding you up in the face of all enemies

7. Ayin • The next 8 verses are grouped under the word “ayin” and each verse begins with the letter ayin, ע • “Ayin” is the Hebrew noun for “eye”

8. Looking for Salvation • Psalm 119:121-128 • Looking around, you see your own attempts to be righteous and follow God (vv121-122) • You also see enemies oppressing you • You want some assurance it will be worth it • As you look for God to save you from those oppressors, your eyes (ayin) grow tired (v123) • You realize the salvation God promises is one the must be seen with an eye of faith(vv124-125) • 2 Cor 5:7 “We walk by faith, not by sight” • You leave judgment in the hands of God, and devote yourself to His word (vv126-128) • To remember: picture looking to God for eternal salvation

9. Pe • The next 8 verses are grouped under the word “pe” and each verse begins with the letter pe, פ • “Pe” is the Hebrew noun for “mouth” • You may be able to picture a mouth in the shape of the letter • By extension the word is sometimes used for the things done with or by the mouth

10. Panting for God’s Word • Psalm 119:129-136 • Spend time studying and meditating upon God’s word, you will desire to know more (vv128-131) • Psalm 42:1-2; 1 Pet 2:1-2 • As you seek to please God by keeping His word, He notices and cares (vv132,135) • But we must follow the word and depart from sin in order to be redeemed by God (vv133,134) • When you desire so much to please God, it causes anguish to know others live in sin (v136) • 2 Cor 5:11 • To remember: picture panting with desire for God’s word

11. Tsadhe • The next 8 verses are grouped under the word “tsadhe” and each verse begins with the letter tsadhe, צ • “Tsadhe” is the Hebrew noun for “fishhook”, the verb for “to fish or to hunt”, and the adjective for “just, righteous”

12. Fishing for Righteousness • Psalm 119:137-144 • God and His word are righteous (vv137-138) • Isa 51:1-8 • Man does not live righteously (v139) • Which should cause us to want to find the right • We find it where God put it for us to find, in His word (vv140-142) • 2 Tim 3:16-17 • In times of trouble we can know the right way to act by looking into God’s word (vv143-144) • To remember: picture fishing for righteousness in the river of God’s word

13. Qoph • The next 8 verses are grouped under the word “qoph” and each verse begins with the letter qoph, ק • “Qoph” is the Hebrew noun for “ear” (of an axe, needle, or head), the verb for “to come around” • You might be able to imagine the shape of an ear in the shape of the letter • You might also imagine the letter as the track of one who has first gone one way and has now come around, returning to where he began

14. Coming around to God • Psalm 119: 145-152 • Realizing our lost condition we need to stop and turn to God completely (vv145-146) • Returning to God requires desire and effort from morning to night (vv147-148) • God can and will forgive and restore life (v149) • Ezk 37:1-14 • The wicked (heading the other way) will try to get us to join them but we draw nearer to God (vv150-152) • To remember: picture having gotten lost and turning around and making your way back to God

15. Conclusion • God’s word . . . • Assures that God saves the righteous and punishes the wicked • Should cause us to desire to please God more and more • Is the source of righteousness • Guides us to repent and return to God with our whole heart • Will you follow His word?