Psalm 119: Gimel

Getting to the Root

Gimel

Psalm 119:17-24 in Hebrew.

Psalm 119:17–24 ESV

17 Deal bountifully with your servant, that I may live and keep your word. 18 Open my eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of your law. 19 I am a sojourner on the earth; hide not your commandments from me! 20 My soul is consumed with longing for your rules at all times. 21 You rebuke the insolent, accursed ones, who wander from your commandments. 22 Take away from me scorn and contempt, for I have kept your testimonies. 23 Even though princes sit plotting against me, your servant will meditate on your statutes. 24 Your testimonies are my delight; they are my counselors.

What should we ask for?

Provision

Psalm 119:17 ESV

17 Deal bountifully with your servant, that I may live and keep your word.

Perception

Psalm 119:18 ESV

18 Open my eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of your law.

Purpose

Psalm 119:19 ESV

19 I am a sojourner on the earth; hide not your commandments from me!

Purpose as Christians sojourners

2 Corinthians 5:17–20 ESV

17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. 18 All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; 19 that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. 20 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.

Passion

Psalm 119:20 ESV

20 My soul is consumed with longing for your rules at all times.

We are often passionate for the wrong things. How do we get past those surface level cravings that tear away at our resolve? We must deny our flesh and understand what the soul needs and desires. Once we choose what we will feed, our passions will grow in that direction.

Protection

Psalm 119:21–23 ESV

21 You rebuke the insolent, accursed ones, who wander from your commandments. 22 Take away from me scorn and contempt, for I have kept your testimonies. 23 Even though princes sit plotting against me, your servant will meditate on your statutes.

Who is our enemy?

Ephesians 6:12 ESV

12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.

How does God protect us?

Ephesians 6:13–15 ESV

13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. 14 Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace.

Ephesians 6:16–17 ESV

16 In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; 17 and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God,

Where are the soul’s needs met?

Psalm 119:24 ESV

24 Your testimonies are my delight; they are my counselors.

They are met in God’s ways.

Where are you looking for:

Provision?

Perception?

Purpose?

Passion?

Protection?

Practice the Lord’s Prayer

Matthew 6:9–13 ESV

9 Pray then like this: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. 10 Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. 11 Give us this day our daily bread, 12 and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. 13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.