Taw

Introduction

We have arrived at the end of this important study.

Prior to doing this work, perhaps we only knew the Psalm emphasized the scriptures.

Now, perhaps we know to appreciate the depth of the expressions of devotion to God for teaching us through His Word.

In Part One, we should think about ways of learning for a moment.

We could say that there are at least two ways to grow.

The most difficult would be to “learn the hard way.”

The least difficult would be to learn not to make the mistakes of others.

We also could learn from the example of others (this would be a better way to word the ideas here). We can learn positively or negatively.

Sadly, many limit themselves to trying to learn only be experience because they refuse to accept the legitimacy of learning by example.

Jesus offered this warning: Mk. 4. Teaching can take place, but learning will only happen when we avail ourselves of the guidance and then change our thinking and practice.

Let us try to learn from this instruction.

Structure

Within the last octad structure, we encounter:

Four “let statements”: Ps. 119:169, 170, 173, 175.

Two declarations: Ps. 119:171-172.

Two personal statements about the writer: Ps. 119:174, 176.

This octad serves, so it seems, as a summary of the whole Psalm.

Example #1: Two Subjects for Prayer

We have an initial summary statement, but it points us toward what the Psalmist most values.

He makes request that the Lord, Jehovah, approach Him.

The language is similar to that of priests, in Leviticus, approaching the altar of God to offer sacrifices.

Hence, the visual, most likely, is that the petition, the cry is presented as a sacrificial offering.

How often do we consider our prayers from the point of view of the holiness sacrifices require?

We see what the Psalmist values most.

He may have erred in the past, but he has learned from the error of his ways.

One way we should look at the whole Psalm is that it is a request. Nevertheless, it is not just a request for deliverance (although clearly that it part of its purpose).

It is above all a prayer for the ability to discern between good and evil through the proper use of God’s word.

The second “let” statement also points toward summary.

“Let/May my plea come in front of you: according to your word, deliver me

Plea (Ps. 119:170): the term occurs 24 times in the OT and refers to a prayer for grace. One might think of the tax collector in Jesus’ parable in Lk. 18 who prayed, “God, be merciful to me the sinful one.”

He longs for discernment, and he longs for deliverance.

Example #2: Two Declarations in light of God and His Word

The Psalmist initially declares that he will offer thanksgiving to Jehovah.

Praise, again, refers to thanksgiving as much as it refers to praise. The expression of adoration for God must include gratitude for God’s person.

Important here is the content or reason for gratitude: you teach me your statutes.

God as teacher has been important throughout the Psalm.

The Psalmist has recognized God as teacher throughout the Psalm.

The second declaration (Ps. 119:172), parallels the preceding statement.

Lips…tongue.

Here the emphasis is upon “signing of the word of God.”

The reason: your commandments are right.

Introduction: Part 2

In part one, we saw how the writer of the Psalm summarizes its main content in just a few statements.

This will continue in part 2.

Trusting God, partly, includes understanding that God is a righteous judge.

He must set things right, therefore.

This may happen in his own time.

The Bible is also consistent that those who trust God’s ability to vindicate orient themselves in their lifestyles that will show God to be just when He executes that future vindication.

This also shows that God’s actions are right because He will not be vindicating arbitrarily.

Divine Aid and Personal Orientation

The writer makes his third “let” statement.

God’s hand refers to His power, His person.

“Let your hand come to be to help me because I keep your precepts.”

Precepts refer to something deposited, hence, we could understand the writer to conceive of God’s law as entrusted principles which He deposited to Israel for their observation.

He relies upon divine help in light of how he has oriented himself toward God in the world.

“Chosen”: (bāḥar). vb. to choose. To choose someone or something, often after careful consideration, and often specifically in reference to the divine choice. Thornhill, A. C. (2014). Election. In D. Mangum, D. R. Brown, R. Klippenstein, & R. Hurst (Eds.), Lexham Theological Wordbook. Lexham Press.

The implication is that he understands God to be one who comes to the aid of those who have carefully considered and accept the responsibility of keeping his word.

Therefore, the statement in Ps. 119:174 closely follows.

He is one who longs for the Lord’s deliverance.

He is also one who delights in the Lord’s instruction, ie. His Torah.

God’s Grace

The writer of this Psalm does not consider himself a superior individual or free from error.

He has admitted this from the beginning (see Ps. 119:9-11, 37, 67).

See above where “plea” is a cry for divine grace.

He now wants to live so that he might praise God.

His rules will serve him in this desire for they will teach him with greater depths of God’s person.

He ends the Psalm with an admission, again, of sin.

He asks for God to seek him in that condition.

He anticipates that whatever act of disobedience this assumes will not sever his relationship with God for he is one who remembers the Lord’s commandments.

This is his normal orientation in the world.