ABCs of Praise Part 4

ABCs of Praise Part 4: He is a Good God

As we begin this next portion of this series, let’s talk about perspective. We all have as many varying perspectives on so many different things in life that we could easily let them divide us. But it is the truth of God that binds us together by the glue of His great love. But how easily we forget that our righteousness is as filthy rages in light of a holy and loving God. If we could see this daily, in every circumstance, with everyone we meet, it would change our perspective of ourselves and others. It might just make us better people and followers of the Christ. So, how do you see? What is your life’s vision like? Whose perspective do you allow to define your values and beliefs? Yours or Gods? Psalms 119:121 begins with the Hebrew letter Ayin. And the Psalmist starts with these words:

Psalm 119:121–122 ESV

I have done what is just and right; do not leave me to my oppressors. Give your servant a pledge of good; let not the insolent oppress me.

Ayin (ע) means “eye” or to see. Thus, it applies to understand and obey. The root word for “understand” is בִּין bin meaning to perceive, discern, learn and apply to life with skill. This does not just apply to seeing in others, but the ability to open your blinded eyes to your own hearts motives, actions, attitudes, and was of thinking that do not please God.

Jeremiah 5:21 ESV

“Hear this, O foolish and senseless people, who have eyes, but see not, who have ears, but hear not.

Matthew 13:15 ESV

For this people’s heart has grown dull, and with their ears they can barely hear, and their eyes they have closed, lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears and understand with their heart and turn, and I would heal them.’

God desires to bring healing to our souls. But self-righteousness makes for a dull heart that will not humble itself; closed eyes that refuse to see; and deaf ears that will not take godly counsel. The Psalmist therefore makes this reference:

Psalm 119:123 ESV

My eyes long for your salvation and for the fulfillment of your righteous promise.

Psalm 119:130 ESV

The unfolding of your words gives light; it imparts understanding to the simple.

The Shema found in Deuteronomy 6:4 starts with an enlarged ayin meaning we should not only hear (obey) but we should also seek to see (understand).

Deuteronomy 6:4 ESV

“Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one.

These words were spoken to Israel from the mouth of God to draw Israel into the covenant life of eternal relationship with Him. As such, Pey/Fey (פ) means “mouth” thus it speaks of “words,” “expressions,” “to speak,” and have “breath.” It means that with understanding you gain an awareness. Thus, one gains wisdom.

James 1:5 ESV

If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.

Proverbs 19:20 ESV

Listen to advice and accept instruction, that you may gain wisdom in the future.

The Psalmist expresses this in Psalms 119:130:

Psalm 119:130 ESV

The unfolding of your words gives light; it imparts understanding to the simple.

Wisdom and understanding have to be desired and sought out in any relationship. Therefore, Tsade (צ) takes the shape of a fishing hook or the trap of an animal. The root of the word means “to hunt, catch, or be captured.” It symbolizes a humble and faithful servant who has been taken captive by a great love. Thus, the sages have said that Tsade represents the tzaddik or “righteous ones”.

1 Peter 1:13–14 ESV

Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance,

1 Peter 1:15–16 ESV

but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.”

Which brings us to Kof/Kaf, which in general, stands for “holiness” and there is none holier than Adonai (Ginsburgh 1991). Holiness, consecrated, separated, or belonging to God the Father in covenant relationship brings us back to the very beginning of God’s original intent for which you were created; and the new beginning you have been given through Christ as a new creation.

Psalm 119:142 ESV

Your righteousness is righteous forever, and your law is true.

There is no one holier than God Himself. He alone defines and declares righteousness. So, it was that He alone could take on the form of man and redeem us to His righteousness through Jesus Christ.

Colossians 1:18 ESV

And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent.

Resh (ר) is close to the end of the aleph-beit, however, it actually means “head” or “beginning” as in Bereishit בראשית or Genesis. According to Rabbi Ginsburgh, There are four “beginnings” that enumerate the beginning of the tractate Rosh HaShannah (Jewish New Year) (Ginsburgh 1991). Proverbs 9:10 says,

Proverbs 9:10 ESV

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight.

Chassidut (Jewish Ethics) teaches us that revelation of God’s Law in the soul brings “selflessness.” The fear of God, the resh of wisdom, is in relation to this condition of the soul in the light of God’s awe and wonder.

True wisdom is awakened to truth. And there can only be one truth. A thing cannot be both true and false. It is either true or false. Therefore, one cannot live by his own subjective perspectives of truth and follow the Christ who is “The Truth.” But the reverent fear of the Lord is the beginning of this wisdom.

Psalm 119:160 ESV

The sum of your word is truth, and every one of your righteous rules endures forever.

Well, the Psalmist sums it up right there. You cannot pick and choose which of God’s precepts you wish to heed and which ones you wish to ignore. The sum of the Psalms words in context of these five Hebrew letters is this, God is God and you are not. Thank God that I am not. And in this God is good and without Him I am not. And in this we have this great hope:

Psalm 119:156 ESV

Great is your mercy, O Lord; give me life according to your rules.

Have you seen His mercies in your life? His ch’n חנן favor; His kapporeth כַּפֹּ֫רֶת atonement; rachum רַחוּם compassion and kindness; His tachanun תַּחֲנוּן patient pleading to honor Him; His ch’sad חסד faithfulness and ch’sed חֶ֫סֶד goodness; and His rachamim רַחֲמִים His sensational, overwhelming and great love?

If the answer is no, then what are you waiting for? If the answer is yes, then don’t hold anything back from Him. He deserves your all.