Psalm 119: Daleth

Dust

Daleth

Psalm 119:25-32 in Hebrew

Psalm 119:25–32 ESV

25 My soul clings to the dust; give me life according to your word! 26 When I told of my ways, you answered me; teach me your statutes! 27 Make me understand the way of your precepts, and I will meditate on your wondrous works. 28 My soul melts away for sorrow; strengthen me according to your word! 29 Put false ways far from me and graciously teach me your law! 30 I have chosen the way of faithfulness; I set your rules before me. 31 I cling to your testimonies, O Lord; let me not be put to shame! 32 I will run in the way of your commandments when you enlarge my heart!

Look at the beginning of verses 25-29

It is the sound of someone who has lost hope.

My soul clings to the dust (I am holding on to nothing)

When I told of my ways (confessed)

Make me understand the way of your precepts (what’s going on?)

My soul melts away for sorrow (I have nothing left)

Put false ways far from me (There is a pattern of sin in my life)

What might a weary soul cling to?

Despair

What is the end of despair?

Matthew 27:3–5 ESV

3 Then when Judas, his betrayer, saw that Jesus was condemned, he changed his mind and brought back the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and the elders, 4 saying, “I have sinned by betraying innocent blood.” They said, “What is that to us? See to it yourself.” 5 And throwing down the pieces of silver into the temple, he departed, and he went and hanged himself.

Despair believes that there is no solution. There is no hope.

Notice how each of those lines ends with a plea to the word of God

give me life according to your words

teach me your statutes

I will meditate on your wondrous works

strengthen me according to your word

graciously teach me your law

David’s solution to despair is to seek God in His word.

What might a weary soul cling to?

Hope

False - The temporary solutions of the world that lead to despair.

Proverbs 14:12 ESV

12 There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death.

Real - The eternal solutions of God

Listen to the shift in the end of the psalm. These are words of hope.

Psalm 119:30–32 ESV

30 I have chosen the way of faithfulness; I set your rules before me. 31 I cling to your testimonies, O Lord; let me not be put to shame! 32 I will run in the way of your commandments when you enlarge my heart!

1 Peter 1:3–9 ESV

3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, 5 who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 6 In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, 7 so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 8 Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, 9 obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

Romans 15:13 ESV

13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.

Our hope is found in Him and in seeking Him.

God brought us hope in Jesus.