Psalm 119
(part 4)
Psalm 119:89-120
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
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
Lamedh
• The next 8 verses are grouped under the word
“lamedh” and each verse begins with the letter
lamedh, ‫ל‬
• “Lamedh” is the Hebrew noun for “a goad” and
the verb for “to teach, to learn”
– The learning that comes by discipline,
correction, and the knowledge of the
consequences of disobedience
Learning Obedience
• Ps 119:89-96
– The creation continues because it knows that it cannot
disobey (vv89-91)
• If the creation could disobey God the result would be
destruction
– We too should realize that if we do not obey God the
result will be destruction (vv92-94)
– Even if the wicked try to get us to disobey, we will not be
swayed (v95)
– Even though God’s word is perfection, it is still “broad”
(lit. “roomy”, not too harsh, restrictive)
• To remember: Picture following the path of God’s word
with a certain knowledge of the goad (eternal
punishment) behind us
Mem
• The next 8 verses are grouped under the word
“mem” and each verse begins with the letter
mem, ‫מ‬
• “Mem” is the Hebrew noun for “water”
– Often used in the sense of a large body of water
(sea or ocean)
• The shape of the letter is thought to show a wave
rolling toward shore
• A place for calm contemplation
Meditating on God’s word
• Ps 119:97-104
– Learning God’s law is more than memory-work
• One needs to meditate, deeply reflect
– Psa 1:1-3
– Josh 1:7-9
• Meditation will lead you to know how God wants
you to act, to love God and His word, to avoid all
the false ways
• To remember: Picture sitting beside an ocean
or lake and meditating as the waves roll in
Nun
• The next 8 verses are grouped under the word
“nun” and each verse begins with the letter
nun, ‫נ‬
• “Nun” is the Hebrew noun for “offspring,
posterity, or candle” and the verb for “to
continue, to increase”
– The idea of a candle is perhaps seen in the
shape of the letter (Albert Barnes Commentary)
– Was also the name of Joshua’s father, Joshua,
son of Nun
A Bright, Shining Inheritance
• Psalm 119:105-112
– For each who follows God’s word it is a light to
show us where to go (vv105-106)
• When we get off course, it brings us back (v107)
• And so we offer our thanks to God (v108)
• Responsibility for our eternal destiny rests on us,
to follow God’s light or not (vv109-110)
– Beyond our own lives, God’s word continues
and can be passed on to future generations
(vv111-112)
• To remember: Picture a light leading us and
our descendants toward God
Samekh
• The next 8 verses are grouped under the word
“samekh” and each verse begins with the letter
samekh, ‫ס‬
• “Samekh” is the Hebrew noun for “tent peg,
prop” and the verb for “to support, to uphold,
to lean upon”
Upheld by God’s Word
• Psalm 119:113-120
– Hates those who are not wholly reliant on God
• “vain thoughts” or “double-minded” refers to
ambivalence or half-heartedness
• Relying firmly on God, he is safe and protected,
and loves God and His word (vv113-115)
– Ps 32:7; Isa 41:10
– His word gives us life, hope, confidence (vv116-117)
• v116 starts with the word samekh
– All those who do not obey God have nothing to
uphold them – they will fall (vv118-120)
• To remember: Picture the word of God holding
you up in the face of all enemies
Conclusion
• God’s word . . .
– Teaches us the path and keeps us on it
– Must be meditated upon to love and fully obey
– Lights our way through a world of darkness
– Is an inheritance we can pass down to future
generations
– Will hold us hope in the face of trouble
• Won’t you obey the word of God?