Beth

Introduction:

We learned in Aleph that God had a purpose in giving his Word.

He intended for his precepts to be kept (Ps. 119:4).

The Psalmist has extolled the blessed state of those who keep the Lord’s testimonies and who seek him with their whole heart.

God’s word acts as boundaries/guard rails to prevent wrong doing and shameful acts.

It both informs and enables proper gratitude (Ps. 119:7)

We also saw that some situation exists where the Psalmist requests the Lord not to utterly forsake him.

This is language common to the Psalms and implies opposition.

We need to explore the Psalmists situation, so we can appreciate, even more, his understanding of the importance of the scriptures and his commitment to the Lord through them.

The Golden Rule, endurance…

The Psalmist’s Minority Position

Based on the internal evidence of the Psalm, we can learn about the situation the Psalmist understands himself to face.

He faces scorn and contempt with princes/leaders/officials plotting against him - Ps. 119:22-23.

He has faced taunting (or discrediting) - Ps. 119:42.

Affliction - Ps. 119:50.

He has been smeared with lies - Ps. 119:69.

The wicked wait to destroy him - Ps. 119:95.

They lay a snare for him - Ps. 119:110, 150.

What we would expect to find - Ps. 119:157.

This latter passage points us to the Psalmist’s commitment to the Lord even though he has persecutors and adversaries.

Current circumstances do not supersede the authority, significance, or truthfulness of the Lord’s word.

He still knows what they are, and hence he wants to keep them more even though they are probably the reason why he faces such intense opposition.

This makes us think of David and Jesus.

It is this background that should help us appreciate the profound thinking the Psalmist shows about God’s word.

A Question Worth Considering - For Young/Old, Man/Woman

The Beth octad opens with a rhetorical question, the first in this Psalm.

In the Piel, the verb refers to “keeping pure.”

Notice the emphasis appears to be on maintaining purity.

The way = the lifestyle.

The overriding question, then, seems to be on retaining purity of lifestyle.

The final two words of Ps. 119:9 answer the rhetorical question.

To keep/guard according to your word.

The retention of purity then is found in keeping that way within the bounds of the word of God.

A Request for the Lord

The Psalmist repeats the phrase from Ps. 119:2 - “with the whole heart,” except now it is personalized.

This echoes Dt. 6:4.

Seek = 4. LN 35.36–35.46 (qal) care for, care about, formally, seek after, i.e., take actions which nourish and keep safe, with an implication that one cherishes or desires the object (Dt 11:12).

In this case, the term as applied here refers to the Lord as the object of desire or cherishing.

It could also indicate the Lord as the highest object of pursuit of knowledge.

This person truly wants to know the Lord and for his life to be defined by pursuit of greater knowledge of Him and for his actions to be defined by Him, i.e. to bear out the high priority he places on the Lord himself.

He knows he cannot do that apart from his life being lived within the boundaries of the Word of God.

Hence, he makes a request of the Lord that he not err or stray from His teachings.

A Personal Assessment

The Psalmist, also mirroring Dt. 6, explains what he has done with the Word of God and why.

Hid = store up something or to treasure it up.

The issue, it appears is the underlying value he places upon the Word of God that has caused him to commit them to internal memory.

He has done this, however, lest he sin against the Lord.

Having been treated as he has by human beings, he still understands that the highest responsibility he has is to the Lord.

He does not want to sin against God.

Introduction - Part 2

By now, we should be familiar with the structure of this Psalm.

Octads beginning with each letter of the Hebrew alphabet in order.

In the first octad, there was an additional structure with the middle verse forming a transition point.

That structure will be followed in this octad.

The Psalmist has reflected upon a rhetorical question, has made a request of God, and has indicated how much he values God’s word.

The Word of God protects and guards.

It must be valued and obeyed.

Throughout the Psalm we will watch as the Psalmist speaks of past, present, future, and intention/longing.

He sees the Word of God as a part of everyday life.

Dt. 6:4-15. We should revisit its importance for his thinking.

The God of the Bible is different. He does not reveal himself arbitrarily.

His word, and his person, are made known up front.

His character can be studied.

An Expression of Recognition

The Psalmist declares God to be “blessed.”

“Bless” is related to the Hebrew word “to kneel” and the noun for the “knee.”

When the Lord is being addressed, the meaning is often a “formalized means of expressing thanks and praise” in light of his very person. (TWOT 1:132).

Hence it is an expression of submission and obedience in recognition of praiseworthy character of God.

2. Consequently, the Psalmist makes a request that the Lord teach him his rules.

Notice the relationship: the Lord is the teacher, the Psalmist is the student.

A Commitment to Recount

From a Deuteronomic perspective, teaching about the Lord is paramount.

Ps. 119:13 appears to be a statement about the present practice of the Psalmist.

He has not become embittered toward the Lord even though he has faced intense opposition.

He uses his mouth to “declare.”

This term can mean to list, but that does not appear to be the sole intent here.

The Psalmist understands that knowing God’s word brings with it the responsibility to instruct.

Inherent in the final statement is a recognition of the origin of scripture.

We can see why Paul would use a term such as “theopneustos.”

The written text came from the mouth of God.

They are his “righteous judgments.”

A Statement of Value and Resolve

The Psalmist, far from seeing living his life based on God’s word, finds joy in them as much as in all riches.

These are not to be pitted against each other.

One is to be used to understand the value of the other.

The joy that wealth brings is comparable to the joy “The content of God’s truth recorded in the law.” brings (Taylor, G. D. (2014). Testimony. In D. Mangum, D. R. Brown, R. Klippenstein, & R. Hurst (Eds.), Lexham Theological Wordbook. Lexham Press.).

This section ends on four statements of resolution:

He will give deep thought to the precepts.

He will look on the Lord’s ways.

A second statement that he will delight in the Lord’s statutes.

He will not forget God’s word.

Note the last one corresponds to the end of the final verse in section Aleph.

These matter because of what we know the Psalmist currently experiences.