Zayin - Sword

Introduction

Psalm 45:3 “Gird thy sword upon thy thigh, O most mighty, With thy glory and thy majesty.”

The letter or symbol of Zayin represents a sword, and thus portrays warfare. In our spiritual armament (Eph 6:10–18), we have but one offensive weapon, “the sword of the Spirit.” Therefore, the sword is given that we might advance toward victory. It is the Spirit of God that wields the sword. Since the Spirit indwells the believer it is our part to receive the Word of God by faith so that the Spirit is able to use it in our lives. This is what Paul means when he says, “Take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God” (Eph 6:17).The word translated “take” is dechomai which means to “receive and embrace.” It implies both command and urgency of action. How we need to embrace God’s Word daily!

Zayin - Psalm 119:49-56 The LORD is my Victory

Remember - (vv. 49,52,55). This word dominates this entire section! It is the Hebrew word zachar, which begins with the letter zayin. When the author tells God to remember the promises He has made, he uses the imperative—which is a command. When is it ever right to command God to do something? Only when the command is based on the absolute assurance that He has promised, and He cannot lie! As far as the means and the timing of His fulfillment, we must leave those things for His wisdom to work out.

For example, a believer who has terminal cancer may pray—in the imperative—that God will work their disease out for His glory and their ultimate good. God has promised—and He will do it—in whatever way He chooses, which could include healing, but also may include the believer’s death. The child of God who prays, “heal me,” in the imperative, has no biblical basis for such a prayer. It is through such ignorance of God’s Word that many “lose faith,” when in reality what they had was not biblically defined faith. You cannot lose what you never had! Here the author is simply demonstrating his trust that God will do what He said He will do, and commits himself to remember God’s Word, and His name (Psa 119:52, 55).

Comfort - (50, 52). The obvious effect of genuine faith in the promises of God is comfort. This word, used twice, is nacham and means “to breathe a sigh of relief due to having been avenged.” The writer’s “righteous indignation” will surely be vindicated by God. Our God has said, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay” (Deuteronomy 32:35; Rom 12:19). When we suffer unjustly, we can be sure He will mete out the justice in His way and time. Meanwhile, he rejoices in that, “Your word has given me life” (Psa 119:50).

Songs - (v.54). When we remember the promises of God’s Word and receive the comfort that is implied in them, we can face life with a song in our heart. In the ancient world of the Hebrews, songs were not only a means of worship, but also of celebrating victory over their enemies. We will one day join the ranks of the redeemed before the throne and sing a victory song as an anthem of praise to our mighty Redeemer-King. But beyond this, our mighty Savior will also break forth in a song of praise to the Heavenly Father.

New Testament Confirmation

Confidence - The saints will never lack victory as long as they maintain their focus on the victorious finished work of the cross of Jesus Christ.

1 Corinthians 2:2 “For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified.”

Effective prayer is always that which prays with an imperative mood—knowing that our prayers are in trust and submission to the written Word of God.

1 John 5:14–15 “And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.”

Courage - The practical effect of unconditional trust in the Word of God is that the heart is compelled to sing in the assurance of His victory.

Colossians 3:16 “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.”

In Christ we have been given the armor of God for victory in every battle of life.

Ephesians 6:17 “And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:”

Calmness - In the midst of unknown life conditions God’s Word produces a calmness in our lives, even when we feel like we are held captive.

Matthew 8:26–27 “And he saith unto them, Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith? Then he arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm. But the men marvelled, saying, What manner of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him!”

Conclusion

The captive, stripped of all means of protecting himself, realizes that in the Word of God he carries the greatest weapon in the universe. He has made the decision to take up the sword of the Spirit and become the aggressor in the conflict.