Where God's Word Is, There Is God - Taw - Psalm 119:169-176

Taw (Verses 169-176)

The letter taw is a symbol for a sign, a branded cross or the mark of a “t”. The letter was originally made like an “X” or a “T” and was used as the signature at the end.

169 May my cry come before you, Lord;
     give me understanding according to your word.
170 May my supplication come before you;
     deliver me according to your promise.
171 May my lips overflow with praise,
     for you teach me your decrees.

The Letter Taw
in Ezekiel's day

172 May my tongue sing of your word,
     for all your commands are righteous.
173 May your hand be ready to help me,
     for I have chosen your precepts.
174 I long for your salvation, Lord,
     and your law gives me delight
175 Let me live that I may praise you,
     and may your laws sustain me.
176 I have strayed like a lost sheep.
     Seek your servant,
     for I have not forgotten your commands.

This ending with its closing mark (or, “signature”) is a list of ten requests that are all based on the power and integrity of the Word of God. The writer desires to possess this Word. The ten requests begin with words
such as “may,” “give,” “deliver,” “let,” and “seek.” These closing verses include three statements of fact concerning the Word:

1. You teach me your Word (“decrees”) (171)
2. Your Word (“commands”) is righteous (172)
3. Your Word (“law”) gives me delight (174)

These are followed by four statements concerning the writers attitude toward God’s Word and why this man needs that Word for his life in time as he waits for the fullness of salvation:

1. I have chosen your Word (“precepts”) (173)
2. I long for your salvation (in Phase Three) (174)
3. I have strayed like a lost sheep (in Phase Two) (176)
4. I have not forgotten your Word (“command”) (176)

As he waits for salvation the Psalmist recalls that it is the Word that gives him delight (174). It is the Word that sustains him (175) in this life where sin is around and within him (176). Though he has strayed like a lost
sheep the Psalmist has hope because God’s Truth remains with him. When we have the Word there is hope because where God’s Word is, there is God.

This is the end of our 22 days in Psalm 119. The last 22 blogs are from chapter 36 of my book, "The Word: Apparatus for Salvation, Renewal and Maturity."

Galyn Wiemers
Generation Word
http://www.generationword.com

Keep Your Sword Sharp with the Word - Sin - Psalm 119:161-168

Sin (Verses 161-168)

The letter sin symbolizes a tooth – not the front teeth, but a tooth that is used for chewing, such as a molar. It also represents the sharpening of swords, arrows – or even the tongue.

161 Rulers persecute me without cause,
     but my heart trembles at your word.
162 I rejoice in your promise
     like one who finds great spoil.
163 I hate and detest falsehood
     but I love your law.
164 Seven times a day I praise you
     for your righteous laws.
165 Great peace have those who love your law,
     and nothing can make them stumble.
166 I wait for your salvation, Lord,
     and I follow your commands.
167 I obey your statutes,
     for I love them greatly.
168 I obey your precepts and your statutes,
     for all my ways are known to you.

Rulers chew up the psalmist with persecution (161). Yet the psalmist fears the power of the Word of God more (161) and rejoices in its promises of victory (162). Seven times a day the writer sharpens the edge of the sword of the Word of God with praise (164). Those who meditate, or chew, on the Word are empowered to keep their souls in God’s “great peace” (165) and enabled to walk in the light, so that “nothing can make them stumble” (165).

Following false ways or giving up in midst of persecution because of fear are always an option, but instead, the psalmist “trembles” at God’s word – not because of temptation or persecution (161). This fear of God’s Word causes him to obey all God’s precepts and statues, because, as he says, “all my ways are known to you” (168). He knows there can be no hiding from God.


Galyn Wiemers
Generation Word
http://www.generationword.com

Our First Thought? The Word! - Resh - Psalm 119:153-160

Resh (Verses 153-160)

The letter resh was made to resemble the front of a man’s head, and represents something that comes first, something that is the leader, or the first thing on one’s mind.

153 Look on my suffering and deliver me,
     for I have not forgotten your law.
154 Defend my cause and redeem me;
     preserve my life according to your promise.
155 Salvation is far from the wicked,
     for they do not seek out your decrees.
156 Your compassion, Lord, is great;
     preserve my life according to your laws.
157 Many are the foes who persecute me,
     but I have not turned from your statutes.
158 I look on the faithless with loathing,
     for they do not obey your word.
159 See how I love your precepts;
     preserve my life, Lord, in accordance with your love.
160 All your words are true;
     all your righteous laws are eternal.

What separates the righteous from the wicked are the things they think about (155, 157, 158). The first thing on the psalmist’s mind is the Word of God, which has been his guide and enables him to confidently wait for God’s deliverance (153), defense (154) and preservation (154, 156). The psalmist is walking in the compassion (156) and love (159) of God, because he has not forgotten God’s law (153), nor has he wavered from God’s statutes (157).


Galyn Wiemers
Generation Word
http://www.generationword.com

The Word is Established Forever - Qoph - Psalm 119:145-152

Qoph (Verses 145-152)

The letter qoph is a symbol of an axe or the back of the head and refers to “coming around”, as in a circle of space (such as the motion created by the swing of an axe) or “a space of time”. It can also refer to the back of one’s mind.

145 I call with all my heart; answer me, Lord,
     and I will obey your decrees.
146 I call out to you; save me
     and I will keep your statutes.
147 I rise before dawn and cry for help;
     I have put my hope in your word.
148 My eyes stay open through the watches of the night,
     that I may meditate on your promises.
149 Hear my voice in accordance with your love;
    preserve my life, Lord, according to your laws.
150 Those who devise wicked schemes are near,
     but they are far from your law.
151 Yet you are near, Lord,
     and all your commands are true.
152 Long ago I learned from your statutes
     that you established them to last forever.

The psalmist compares the Word of God to the full circle of time represented by the Hebrew letter qoph in verse 152 when he says, “Long ago I learned from your statues, that you established them to last forever.” Since the psalmist had “learned…long ago” that the Word of God was eternal, he was able to develop a lifestyle that included:

1. Calling on God with all his heart (145)
2. Rising before dawn to cry for help (147)
3. Meditating on the Word throughout the night (148)

While the psalmist spends his life committed to the Word of God, there are others near him who are far from it. These people spend their time devising evil schemes and laws based on worldly philosophies and human opinion (150). However, in the long run, when life and history have come full circle, the Word of God will prove true (152).



Galyn Wiemers
Generation Word
http://www.generationword.com

In the End the Word Will Prevail - Tsadhe - Psalm 119:137-144

Tsadhe (Verses 137-144)

Tsadhe is a symbol of a reaping hook, a sickle, or a fish hook, and it indicates that the harvest is coming.

137 You are righteous, Lord,
     and your laws are right.
138 The statutes you have laid down are righteous;
     they are fully trustworthy.
139 My zeal wears me out,
     for my enemies ignore your words.
140 Your promises have been thoroughly tested,
     and your servant loves them.
141 Though I am lowly and despised,
     I do not forget your precepts.
142 Your righteousness is everlasting
     and your law is true.
143 Trouble and distress have come upon me,
     but your commands give me delight.
144 Your statutes are always righteous;
     give me understanding that I may live.

Indeed the harvest, or final judgment, is coming. In the end, it will be the Word that still stands. The psalmist says the Word of God is:

1. Right (137)
2. Righteous (138)
3. Fully trustworthy (138)
4. Thoroughly tested (140)
5. Everlasting (142)
6. True (142)
7. Always righteous (144)

Here and now, the “enemies ignore” God’s Word (138), and the psalmist is “lowly and despised” (141). Even though “trouble and distress have come upon” him (143), the psalmist loves and is zealous for God’s Word (140), which gives him great delight (143). In the end, Truth will prevail, and so he asks for even more wisdom and strength (144).






Galyn Wiemers
Generation Word
http://www.generationword.com

The Spoken Word is the Understood Word - Pe - Psalm 119:129-136

Pe (Verses 129-136)

The letter pe is a symbol of a mouth with a tongue and refers to speech of man or the mouth of God speaking forth his Word in judgment. Since the Pe (speech, word) follows the Ayin (eye, understanding) in the alphabet the order of these two letters indicates it is necessary to understand the Word of God before you start to express the Word of God. Pe means the man is now expressing with his mouth what he understands.

129 Your statutes are wonderful;
     therefore I obey them.
130 The unfolding of your words gives light;
     it gives understanding to the simple.
131 I open my mouth and pant,
     longing for your commands.
132 Turn to me and have mercy on me,
     as you always do to those who love your name.
133 Direct my footsteps according to your word;
     let no sin rule over me.
134 Redeem me from human oppression,
     that I may obey your precepts.
135 Make your face shine on your servant
     and teach me your decrees.
136 Streams of tears flow from my eyes,
     for your law is not obeyed.

Understanding leads to obedience since sanctification comes from knowing the Truth (129). What the eye can see (or, the mind understand), the mouth can manifest (or, the person can follow) (130-131). The Psalmist recognizes that the understanding of God’s Word enables him to overcome personal sin (133). God’s presence brings teaching and understanding (135) that will help overcome the sorrow of failing to obey God’s Word (136).





Galyn Wiemers
Generation Word
http://www.generationword.com

Obedience to Word Requires Understanding of Word - Ayin - Psalm 119:121-128

Ayin (Verses 121-128)

The letter ayin was made to resemble a pair of eyes or a fountain. The reference is to a means of expression, such as how the eyes are a fountain of the body that express sorrow or pain. The eyes that see represent understanding, which is necessary for obedience. The eyes anticipate obedience.

121 I have done what is righteous and just;
     do not leave me to my oppressors.
122 Ensure your servant’s well-being;
     do not let the arrogant oppress me.
123 My eyes fail, looking for your salvation,
     looking for your righteous promise.
124 Deal with your servant according to your love
     and teach me your decrees.
125 I am your servant; give me discernment
     that I may understand your statutes.
126 It is time for you to act, Lord;
     your law is being broken.
127 Because I love your commands
     more than gold, more than pure gold,
128 and because I consider all your precepts right,
     I hate every wrong path.

In this strophe, the psalmist is praying for discernment so he can understand the Word (125), and he asks for a revelation of the Truth, so that he will be able to live in obedience to it. In fact, he makes a point of telling God, it is “time for you to act” (126), because he realizes that it is due to his lack of understanding that he breaks the law of God. The psalmist waits for this teaching, and continues to ask for even

more understanding and discernment in order to improve his level of obedience. Since the psalmist has lived in obedience to the Word of God to the best of his ability (121), he confidently anticipates God’s help in this regard.

Deliverance is based on obedience, and obedience requires teaching and understanding. The psalmist knows that his inability to see or understanding the Word of God is causing him to be oppressed.


Galyn Wiemers
Generation Word
http://www.generationword.com

Leverage from the Word - Samekh - Psalm 119:113-120

Samekh (Verses 113-120)

The letter samekh is a prop, support, fulcrum or lever, and it has a meaning of leaning upon something or supporting yourself with something. Leverage and support give stability. The closed circle also represents a shield used for protection. And, it is a visual image of the eternal spiraling of God’s Truth and ever-increasing glory.

113 I hate double-minded people,
     but I love your law.
114 You are my refuge and my shield;
     I have put my hope in your word.
115 Away from me, you evildoers,
     that I may keep the commands of my God!
116 Sustain me, my God, according to your promise, and I will live;
     do not let my hopes be dashed.
117 Uphold me, and I will be delivered;
     I will always have regard for your decrees.
118 You reject all who stray from your decrees,
     for their delusions come to nothing.
119 All the wicked of the earth you discard like dross;
     therefore I love your statutes.
120 My flesh trembles in fear of you;
     I stand in awe of your laws.

Trusting in a false worldview, like leaning on a splintered staff, will cause chaos and end in disaster. And this is exactly what happens to the double-minded man (113). Only those who are committed to God’s Truth will experience God as their refuge and shield (114), and God is well able to shelter and shield those who hope in his Word. The psalmist wants nothing to do with double-minded evildoers (115) because their ways will neutralize the leverage and support (116, 117) that God’s promises and decrees provide on this earth. The double-minded philosophies of man provide no true support or assistance, but instead splinter and collapse like weak levers, which should be rejected and discarded (118-119). It is an awesome thing to understand the looming danger of worthless worldviews when compared to the awesome potential of God’s word in our temporal world (120).


Galyn Wiemers
Generation Word
http://www.generationword.com

Production and Rewards of the Word - Nun - Psalm 119:105-112

Nun (Verses 105-112)

The letter nun comes from the image of a fish, tadpole or snake, and means “to propagate, to increase”, “offspring”, and “prosperity”. A fish represents life and activity. It also includes the idea of faithfulness and rewards for faithfulness.

105 Your word is a lamp for my feet,
     a light on my path.
106 I have taken an oath and confirmed it,
     that I will follow your righteous laws.
107 I have suffered much;
     preserve my life, Lord, according to your word.
108 Accept, Lord, the willing praise of my mouth,
     and teach me your laws.
109 Though I constantly take my life in my hands,
     I will not forget your law.
110 The wicked have set a snare for me,
     but I have not strayed from your precepts.
111 Your statutes are my heritage forever;
     they are the joy of my heart.
112 My heart is set on keeping your decrees
     to the very end.

The psalmist recognizes that in order to preserve his life in a world of suffering and snares (107, 110), he must be committed (106) to walking in the light of the Word of God (105). To this end, he has taken and confirmed a vow to follow God’s laws (106). Not only will faithfulness to the Word protect him during his time on earth, but faithfulness to the end (112) will ensure him eternal rewards (“heritage forever” – 111).



Galyn Wiemers
Generation Word
http://www.generationword.com