Ps.119..JOD..YOD.."Hand of God"

~ Section Ten ~

JOD/YOD

Means:

"Hand of God"

Work ~ Throw ~ Worship

Introduction:

While "VAV" ... the 6th section of Psalm 119 ... provides a picture of the closed hand of God ... accomplishing His "work" at the cross ... securing our salvation by means of a nail 

... this 10th section
... "JOD/YOD" ... pictures the closed hand of God

(1) taking hold of the "work" of His hands ... personally ... grasping all He has created

(2) ready to "throw" ... generously  spread  ... His blessings abroad ... for our benefit

(3) causing us to raise our hands in "worship" ... acknowledging His preeminent Authority ... by legal right ... as Creator of all that exists ... ready to catch ... embrace ... all our Father is sending into our life.

Usually it is God's "right hand" that He speaks of ... in His powerful Word ... describing ... His strength ... control ... responsibility ... and Sovereign ... Preeminent ... Authority

... but here ... in creation ... both of our Father's hands are mentioned.

How fitting for King David to begin ... this section of the longest Psalm in Scripture ... with this verbal picture

... describing how our loving Creator ... carefully designed ... and brought our own personal body ... into existence ... to accomplish His specific purpose.

* * *

As we consider what God has revealed through the pen of King David ... let us examine the meaning of every Word he used ... and give glory to God ... when we see the manner in which these Words present an even deeper revelation ... by their carefully listed definitions ... and brought together to form the amazing picture ... the hand of God is constructing in this section.

* * *

... Hands 

    ... of Our Creator God

73

Thy hands have made me

and

fashioned me:

give me understanding,

that I may learn

thy commandments.

"hands"

  [H3027]

  = God Himself
  = Thine own (hands)

  = Authority

  = strength .. power

  = control .. responsibility

  = works .. labor

  = by them .. results of work

  (Lexicon)

  = Spirit of God moving

  = out of hand of God

Hands are the instruments used to physically "work" ... to bring about the desires of our heart.

In this case ... God is taking the first step in creating something that has the potential to bring Him great joy ... but also great sorrow and grief.

Nevertheless ... He sees the ultimate value of the "work" in which He is engaged.

"made"

  [H6213]

  = fashion .. accomplish
     .. make

  = work .. produce .. do

  = labor over

  = appoint .. ordain

  = bring about

  = bring forth

How is this new creation "made?"

It is a design that begins as a thought in His heart ... something He "labors over."

The process is very complex ... not a simple thing ... to "bring about" a spiritual being ... into a physical body ... which also has the ability ... at an appointed time ... to leave again ... with all of the spiritual fruit "produced" throughout an earthly journey.

Nevertheless ... there is nothing "appointed" ... or ... "ordained" ... that is too difficult for our God to "bring forth."

So the physical body is:

"fashioned"

  [H3559]

  = established .. directed
     .. fixed

  = made ready .. set up

  = fix .. furnish .. arrange

This labor requires a well "established" order ... which is "fixed" ... with every intricate detail ... "made ready" ... and "set up" to "furnish" what is needed for all systems to function according to each specific design ... to "arrange" ... in advance ... according to a very precise order before assembling.

So considering all of the labor and detail involved in this work of God's hands

... what is the ultimate intention behind this intelligent design?

... It is:

"undersanding"

  [H995]

  = discern .. consider .. think

  = observe .. mark .. heed

  = be instructed
  = regard with prudence

  = perceive .. know

  = distinguish .. consider

  = insight .. intelligence

  = diligent .. attentive

  = view wisely

  = prudent regard

  = teach .. instruct

The ultimate intention of God ... behind this wonder-filled project ... is to have this human being ... which is the work of His hands ... one day ... desire to seek "understanding"

... to one day ... "consider" the origin of life ... to "observe" ... take note of ... the intricate detail of our own bodily functions

... motivating this unique being ... to seek to "be instructed" ... to be "diligent" ... wanting to "view wisely" ... with "prudent regard"

... all that concerns the body in which "we live ... and move ... and have our being." (Acts 17:28).

The very body itself ... motivates us to:

"learn"

  [H3925]

  = learn .. and .. teach

  = be taught .. be trained

  = instructed diligently

The One Who labored over bringing us into existence ... hopes we will long to know Him ... desires that we seek a relationship with Him

... and that we will look for someone (i.e. Holy Spirit) to "teach"..."instruct" us ... because we are wanting to "be trained"

..."instructed diligently"... ultimately led to ask:

..."Where did I come from?"

..."Where am I going?"

..."What is expected of me?"

... wanting to know my purpose in life ... how to live a wise ... successful ... fulfilling ... even ... eternal life.

... looking for some course of action that will guarantee success in life ... some rules to live by ... some:

"commandments"

  [H4687]

  = law .. precept .. ordinances

  = judgments .. rules

  = code of wisdom

  = best course in life

  = direction according
     .. to God's will

  = totality of Word of God

  [H6680]

  = assignment

  = specific God-given
     .. appointment 

Life ... and living ... are all about growing ... doing ... taking action ... responding ... to events that come into our life.

How do we discover what is the best ... what is the most beneficial thing ... to be doing in our life ... to be doing with our life?

To answer these questions ... our Creator ... Designer ... prepared a "manual" for living the life He gave us

... putting His detailed instructions into a Book ... carefully outlining "laws" ... "precepts" ... "ordinances" ... "judgments" ... and "rules"

... a "code of wisdom" (ethics) ... if you will

... all describing in detail ... the "best course in life"

... to take under His personal "direction according to His will" found in the living "totality of the Word of God"

... thereby giving each of us a personal "assignment" in life

... a "specific God-given appointment" to be carried out during our residence in this earthly body He created.

... Fellowship

    ... Bonded by Joy

         ... Defined

             ... by the Word

74

They that fear thee

will be glad

when they see me;

because I have

hoped in thy word.

"fear"

 [H3025] 

 = dread

[H3372]

 = honor

 [H3373 .. H3374]

 = terror .. afraid

 = respect .. reverence

Our Creator is an awesome God ... One to surely "dread" ... if we are in rebellion against Him ... if we are refusing to "honor" His Preeminent position over heaven and earth.

The created human that rejects a loving Creator ... should be living in "terror" ... "afraid" of the consequences that are awaiting those who do not "respect" and "reverence" Him

... speaking of the ones who ... reject the love God expressed in providing His only Son ... Jesus Christ ... as the sacrifice required to pay the penalty for our sin ... by His shed Blood at the cross of Calvary.

On the other hand ... those who do "respect" and "reverence" the God who made them ... will find an additional blessing ... in becoming a part of the family of God.

*Interesting to Note*

As soon as King David reveals who God is ... and brings us to the realization that we can become part of the family of God

... this man ... "after God's own heart" ... familiar with betrayals ... promptly provides the information we need ... to be able to define ... and distinguish ... the genuine family ... from the counterfeit. 

David tells us that the genuine will be:

"glad"

  [H8055]

  = cause to rejoice

  = make joyful

  = cheer up

  (Lexicon)

  = leaping for joy

  = joyful brightness .. light

The genuine ... will be the ones "rejoicing" ... "joyful" to be in the company of those who also love our Creator and His Holy Word ... that powerful Word ... which faithfully directs ... their lives as well.

They will be the ones who draw close ... gathering together ... shining ... and basking ... in the "joyful brightness and light" ... united in the Truth of the Spirit of God.

They will ... therefore ... consistently be "glad" when they:

"see"

  [H7200]

  = look at .. inspect .. perceive

  = consider .. regard .. observe

  = watch .. give attention to

  = discern .. distinguish

  = meet .. to be seen

All that is required to "distinguish" the genuine from the counterfeit ... is to "look" ... "inspect" ... "perceive" whether those who profess to know God ... are really glad ... happy ... to "see" other genuine believers ... or not.

It may take some time to "discern" whether what we are seeing is really real ... because joyful emotions can be easily feigned ... however ... will not be able to stand the test of time ... if we carefully and prayerfully

... "consider" ... "observe" ... "watch" ... and "give attention to" consistent responses ... to our presence ... in their company.

The genuine will be validated ... when we see evidence that ... like ourselves ... they also have:

"hoped"

 [H3176]

  = patiently
  = painfully waited for

  = expected .. trusted

Those who share this unique type of hope ... will have paid the price to acquire it ... "patiently" ... often "painfully waited for" it ... as they "expected" ... "trusted" our Creator to fulfill His:

"word"

  [H1697]

  = speech .. utterance
  = sayings .. chronicles
  = commandments

  [H565]

  = utterance .. speech

  = commandment ... law

  [H561]

  = promise .. saying

The "Word" of God ... is our standard for discerning all things.

Our Father's "speech" reveals who He is ... just as our speech reveals who we are.

Every "utterance" ... all "sayings" which have come forth from His mouth ... are "chronicles"

... as His "Word" provides a record ... a testament ... of His "commandments" ... "laws" ... and "promises" ... which bring great joy and gladness to genuine children of God ... but great terror ... dread ... and fear of judgment to the rebellious ... and wicked.

Yes ... we will know we are among genuine believers when they are glad to see us ... because we also love our Father's Word and desire to follow it.

They will never be offended when we quote from it ... or share it with them

... but consistently rejoice in the Truth of it ... with us.

David can say firmly with confidence:

... "I Know

    ... God is Faithful

         ... When I am Afflicted"

75

I know, O LORD,

that thy judgments are right,

and

that thou in faithfulness

hast afflicted me.

"know"

  [H3045]

  = perceive .. see ... discover

  = discriminate .. distinguish 

  = know by experience
  = recognize

  = admit .. acknowledge

  = confess .. consider
  = be acquainted

  = be wise .. be revealed
  = be instructed 

  = declare
  = have knowledge of

  = understand .. be aware of

How can David "know" so confidently that God's judgments are right?

Knowing ... is a result of processing life  "experiences" ... in order to "perceive" ... "see" ... and ultimately "discover" if something is really true or not. 

Life can become complicated ... so processing involves being able to "discriminate" ... "distinguish" ... by accurately separating truth from error.

But it is not enough to "recognize" ... and describe what we see ... our heart must also become involved ... so we are able to act on what we see ... to "admit" ... "acknowledge" ... and "confess" ... in order to correct our path in life ... when we have misunderstood ... or failed to do the right thing.

When sufficiently "acquainted" with the new ... "narrow path" ... that leads to eternal life in Christ ... we will begin to experience what it means to "be wise" ... and by continuing to 

implement wisdom ... many more things will "be revealed" ... that we did not previously see.

Like King David ... a point in time will be reached when we will be "instructed" by wisdom ... so we can confidently "declare" and share ... the "knowledge" we have been given

... and "understand" the additional ... important ... often hidden ... details ... we need to "be aware of."

Therefore ... the wisdom we need ... to be able to successfully deal with "afflictions" ... must come from our knowledge of God's:

"judgments"

 [H4941]

  = judgment .. justice

  = ordinance
  = established law

  = in accord with
     .. the Word of God

  = act of deciding a case

  = place .. court
  = seat of judgment

  = process .. procedure

  = case .. cause

  = sentence .. decision

  = time (of judgment)

  = justice .. right .. rectitude

     (attributes of God or man)

  = decision .. decree

  = right .. privilege .. proper

  = fitting measure .. plan

(Application)

  = crime .. penalty .. justice

  = adversary .. charge .. crime

  = just desert .. determination

  = measure .. sentence

  = worthy .. wrong

[H8199]

  = vindicate .. punish .. govern

  = defend .. deliver

  = influence

As we hold all of life's experiences up to the light of God's "judgments" ... we will be able to see His perfect "justice" ... detailed in His "ordinances" and "eternally established Law" ... which is perfectly "in accord with the Word of God"

... strategically placed to preceed His "act of deciding a case" ... when it ultimately finds a "place" in God's "court" ... at the "seat of judgment."

Our Father has carefully designed a "process" ... a "procedure" ... that serves well in every "case" to consider "cause" ... and determine specific "sentence" in the "decision" He will make at the appointed "time of judgment"

... whether while on earth or at the final judgment ... when "justice" will be served according to what He has determined to be "right" ... and specified in His Holy Word ... "rectitude" ... consistent with God's Holy "attributes."

Therefore ... every "decision" and "decree" will be "right" and "proper" ... with a precise "fitting measure" of judgment according to His flawless ... unfailing "plan."

At the time of judgment ... application will be made by Almighty God ... addressing "crime" ... pronouncing "penalty" ... serving "justice" against His "adversary" ... and ours.

He will "charge" all "crime" ... bringing forth "just deserts" ... bringing all to the wicked ... that is deserved ... making His "determination" ... exacting the "measure" and "sentence" ... of those "worthy" of punishment ... for the "wrong" they have done.

Our Creator God will ... "vindicate" the righteous ... and at the same time ... will "punish" the rebellious and wicked

... as the highest Authority that exists ... to "govern" over all things under His sovereign dominion

... in order to "defend" and "deliver" those who genuinely love and serve Him ... evidenced by the sacrificial ... righteous ... "influence" they have had ... during their earthly lifetime... because they loved God and were committed to doing what was:

"right"

  [H6664]

  = justice .. rightness
  = righteousness

  = just .. normal

  = of God's law
  = God's attributes

  = deliverance .. victory

  = righteous people
     .. enjoying salvation

Like David ... we can know that God's judgments are "right" ... "just" ... and "normal"

... a very valuable standard to have ... in a world that has lost its moral compass ... and has become confused about what "normal" really is ... to the point of calling "good" ... "evil" and "evil" ..."good."

Thankfully we have "God's law" ... and ..."God's attributes" as our means of "deliverance" to assure "victory" over the world's confusion ... and thereby grant the continued ... eternal existence ... as "righteous people enjoying salvation"

... our "victory" forever established in God's:

"faithfulness"

  [H530]

  = firmness .. fidelity
  = steadfastness

  = steadiness .. stability
  = security

  = truth .. having faith

  = fulfilling promises

Our Father's "faithfulness" will supply the "firmness" ... "fidelity" ... and "steadfastness" required to maintain our own "steadiness" ... "stability" ... and "security" in Him

... to overcome ... in a world reeling in chaos ... from the influence of rebellion and sin

... and now caught in the trap ... of its own self designed destruction.

In a world such as this ... genuine believers can expect to be marginalized ... unusually affected ... and "afflicted."

Even before the time of Christ ... King David ... provided the criteria ... by which God's people could evaluate their circumstances by wisely discerning ... those who genuinely fear God ... from those who are counterfeit.

"They that fear thee

will be glad

when they see me;"

(v.74)

The message:  

"Those who "fear" God "will be glad" to "see" God's people. 

... HOWEVER ...

Those who do not "fear" God ... will not be "glad" to "see" God's people.

Later ... Jesus warned ... many times ... about the persecution that would permeate the world ... just before He appears to gather His Bride.

Because this verse rests on the Word ... "glad" ... it must also be connected to the Words ... "faithfulness" and "afflicted"

... so we are able to understand that it is God's own "faithfulness" which has brought about the "affliction" ... indirectly

... because in granting us the power through the Word of God ... to become His children ... and providing us with the faith to be faithful

... His "faithfulness" toward us ... and our genuine relationship with Him ... is going to result in David's ... and our ... "affliction" ...  at the hands of the enemies of God ... who are not "glad to see" us ... because they do not "fear" God.

Here is what it looks like ... when we are:

"afflicted"

[H6031]

  = oppressed .. browbeaten

  = put down .. force
  = mishandle

     (persecuted)

"affliction"

 [H6040]

  = poverty .. misery

  = depression .. trouble

To be "afflicted" is to be "persecuted" ... by being "oppressed" ... vexed ... "browbeated" ... which can also include being hindered ... harassed ... threatened ... bullied ... demoralized ... stalked ... "put down" ... physically attacked ... to "force" against one's will ... "mishandle"

... and "affliction" can include setting one up to experience "poverty" ... any type of "misery" ... "depression" caused by destroying one's way of life in any manner ... refusing to help one in need ... or any sort of "trouble" of any kind.

All forms of persecution are based in hatred ... and according to the law of God ... qualify as "murder."

In God's eyes ... hatred in the heart is the same as murder ... therefore ... in the verse below ... murderers ... the persecutors ... are listed with those who will ultimately reside in hell. 

"But the fearful,

and unbelieving,

and the abominable,

and murderers,

[persecutors]

and whoremongers,

and sorcerers,

and idolaters,

and all liars,

shall have their part

in the lake

which burneth

with fire and brimstone:

which is the second death."
-Rev.21:8

... When Afflicted

    ... Pray

        ... For Comfort

76

Let, I pray thee,

thy merciful kindness

be for my comfort,

according to thy word

unto thy servant.

The type of affliction King David is experiencing is caused by the association ... relationship ... he has with God.

Actually these experiences can pertain to afflictions all servants of God can have

... and our Father is ready to carry the full weight of that relationship ... by providing everything we need to find "comfort" in times of afflictions such as this.

Our God is a God who helps those who have no help ... when all others reject ... rebel against His commandments to minister to the needs of others ... and no one is to be found to love and care for others ... in His Name.

However ...

"Woe unto the world because of offences! for it must needs be that offences come; but woe to that man by whom the offence cometh!"

-Matt.18:7

So when "afflicted" ... abandoned ... and in need of help and "comfort":

"pray"

  [H7878]

  = put forth .. meditate

  = commune .. speak
  = complain

  = ponder .. sing .. converse

  = talk (with God)

When abandoned ... marginalized ... rejected ... and oppressed ... prepare to "put forth" ... send a word ... a cry for help ... out to our Father.

After carefully evaluating circumstances ... "meditate" on all of the promises found in His Word.

This will greatly help ... to successfully "commune" with the One who has the power to "speak" all things into existence ... and therefore ... the ability to bring us through any sort of trouble or affliction.

... It is important to "ponder" these these truths from His Word ... in order to put our problems into proper perspective.

Our Father already knows what is going on in the depths of our heart ... so we can go ahead and "complain" if we want to ... "sing" if we want to.

If we are genuine ... when we "converse" ... freely "talk with God" 

... after all questions are presented and emotions vented

... He promises to pour out His:

"mercies"

  [H2617]

  = goodness .. pity

  =  lovingkindness

"merciful kindness"

  [H2603]

  = be gracious

  = show pity

God Almighty knows the beginning and the end of everything.

He knew ... even before we were born ... that we would face certain troubles and afflictions in our lifetime ... and that ... through His "merciful kindness" ... He would bring us through it all ... to ultimately overcome.

In the first place ... it was God's "goodness" ... "pity" ,,, and "lovingkindness" that brought us out of a fallen world to experience His saving "mercies" ... by making us a new creature in Christ Jesus

... then called us to "be gracious" and "show pity" also ... by imitating His dedication to being the One who "helps those who have no help."

So in this ... we find our:

"comfort"

  [H5165]

  = consolation .. console

  = alleviate grief .. loss .. trouble

  [H5162]

  = find pity .. ease

  = avenge oneself

When I was a girl ... often at birthday parties ... "consolation" prizes were awarded to one who failed to win any of the prizes she really wanted.

So I could ... nevertheless ... be somewhat "consoled" with winning something.

It wasn't what I wanted ... but I didn't go home with nothing.😊

There are a lot of things I hoped for in this life ... that I did not get ... and I soon learned that trying to apply force ... to get what I hoped for ... and desired to have in my life ... only made matters worse.

Often ... when we actually get what we want ... we have no "consolation" at all ... because we soon discover it is really not the best thing for us ... anyway.

But when our heavenly Father gives us ... the "consolation" prize ... something we didn't even want ... eventually we discover that it is exactly what we really needed in order to function properly ... to "alleviate grief .. or loss .. or trouble" ... even something needed in order to ... physically ... or ... spiritually survive ... eventually discovering amazing "comfort" in it ... as we become aware of its true value.

God has a heart that knows how to express a type of  "pity" ... empathy ... compassion ... that can "ease" our pain ... bringing about circumstances to ultimately strengthen us ... and "avenge" the suffering that occurs as a result of "afflictions."

But often we miss out on the "comfort" and "consolation" we could have had ... because knowledge of it could have only come to us:

"according to thy Word"

  [H1697]

  = in harmony with

  = the totality of
     .. the Word of God

... but we struggled alone without the Word ... and our suffering was increased ... without knowing that God's "comfort" and "consolation" were available.

We missed it ... because we were not living "in harmony with" ... "the totality of the Word of God."

... we weren't personally spending enough time in the Word of God to see the whole picture regarding who He is and all He desires to give us.

We also failed to understand that to qualify for the blessings of God we must function in the kingdom of God as His:

"servant"

 [H5650]

 = slave .. worshipper of God

 [H5647]

 = laborer .. worker

 [H5646]

 = builder

"Slave" ... is a pretty unbecoming Word that brings whips and shackels to mind ... but to be a "slave" can also speak of a very secure ... even a high ranking position in some cases ... especially in the case of a "worshipper of God."

If we belong to God ... being a "laborer" ... "worker" ... is not an option ... we are all called to be "builders" ... engaged in some sort of ministry in the kingdom of God ... therefore ... needing to prayerfully seek ... and prepare for ... the position He has intended us to fill.

... Loving God's Word

    ... Loving His Law

        ... Finding Life

            ... in His Mercy

77

Let thy tender mercies

come unto me,

that I may live:

for thy law

is my delight.

"tender"

  [H7356]

  = compassion .. mercy .. love

  = pity .. affection

"mercies"

  [H2617]

  = goodness .. pity

  =  lovingkindness

King David invites God's "tender" "mercies" ... because he knows them to be full of "compassion" ... "pity" ... "love" ... and "affection."

God's "mercies" embody His "goodness" ... so only good can come from God's hand filled with the "lovingkindness" David needs to:

"live"

  [H2421]

  = have life .. remain alive

  = sustain life

  = be restored to life
     .. and health

  = revive
     .. from sickness

     .. from discouragement

     .. from fainting
     .. from death

  = preserve life .. grow
  = repair 

  = be whole

Keeping in mind that the theme of this section of Psalm 119 addresses "affliction" ... we see that David's situation could very well have been life-threatening ... therefore he calls on God's love and care to cause him to "remain alive" ... requesting that his Creator would "sustain life" ... or possibly he has been injured and needs to "be restored to life and health."

Or perhaps the afflictions David has suffered have created some troubling  physical effects ... resulting from trauma experienced ... or he has become mentally exhausted through repeated attacks that hindered rest and recovery ... and has now come to a place of "discouragement" ... or even senses that he could be lying at the threshhold of "death."

David prays that God would "preserve his life" ... and "repair" any damage that has been done ... so he can "be whole" again

... therefore ... placing before his Creator ... the hope and trust he has in His Holy Word and :

"law"

  [H8451]

  = direction .. instruction

  = prophetic teaching

  = interpret Word of God

  = doctrine

David ... as "a man after God's own heart" ... understands that God's law and Word are based on God's love ... and His desire to give those He loves ... clear "direction" and "instruction" ... so they might live ... prosper ... and attain the wisdom required to resist the self-destructing ways of the world.

Through His law ... God reveals cause and effects found in His "prophetic teaching" ... as well as the wisdom needed to sustain life ... even eternal life.

It is the Spirit of God who will "interpret the Word of God" to provide us with every "doctrine" we need to follow ... in order to enjoy life and health.

This is the reason David can:

"delight"

  [H8191]

  = find enjoyment in
  = find pleasant

  = find pleasure in  

Everything King David needs to recover from "afflictions" and live forever comes from God's Word and Law ... in this ... he "delights."

... Let the Proud

    ... Be Ashamed

         ... But I

             ...Will Meditate

78

Let the proud be ashamed;

for they dealt perversely

with me

without a cause:

but I will meditate

in thy precepts.

"proud"

 [H2086]

  = arrogant .. presumptuous

 [H2102]

  = puffed up .. rebellious

  = ignorant .. defiant
  = deceived (by the world)

David has made a choice ... one we all must make.

The proud have chosen to be "arrogant" and "presumptuous" desiring to be the "god" of their own life

... "puffed up" and "rebellious" ... "ignorant" of the Word of God ... not knowing ... and not want to know ... the Truth about themselves and the fallen world in which they live

... remaining "defiant" and "deceived" ... until their time on earth runs out ... and they stand before God:

"ashamed"

  [H954]

  = disappointed in one's self

  = regret .. embarrassed

  = humiliated .. disgraced 

... "disappointed" and filled with "regret" ... "humiliated" and "disgraced" by their lack of regard for the life our Creator so generously provided for them.

It's their being "proud" that drives them to "afflict" God's people ... so they have:

"dealt"

  [H6213]

  = brought about

  = accomplished in

"dealt perversely"

  [H5791]

  = bend
  = pervert what is right

  = falsify .. lie ..subvert

  = turn upside down

  = lead astray

It is that type of severe ... lack of love and natural affection ... that caused the enemies of God to have "dealt perversely" with David

... that condition of the heart ... that can "pervert what is right" ... that the Apostle Paul warned about in Romans 1:31

... that King David and God's people often experienced ... even before Jesus was born

... that type of hatred that caused men to "lie" ... "turn truth upside down"

... that persecuted the Lord Jesus Christ and "brought about" His death on the cross.

... a hatred:

"without cause"

  [H8267]

  = lie .. liar .. deception .. fraud

  = false testimony .. false oath

  = feignedly
     (by false impression)

  = wrongfully
     (wrong impression)

(Lexicon)

  = prophesy false things
  = false interpretation

     .. of God's Word

... a hatred ... "without a cause" ... that motivates one human to "lie" about another human being ... becoming a "liar" to promote "deception" and "fraud"

... giving "false testimony" ... swearing a "false oath" ... to create a "false impression" "wrongfully" accusing another ... because of hatred toward God and God's people.

The proud and powerful ... are the ones "afflicting" David ... so he calls on God for the wisdom to deal with these wicked enemies ... committing himself to pray and:

"meditate"

 [H7878]

 = put forth thoughts .. muse

 = commune .. pray

 = speak .. sing

 = complain .. ponder

How does David "pray" ... "put forth thoughts" ... "speak" to his Creator ... the Creator of all that exists?

He presents his case with God's own:

"precepts"

  [H6490]

  = totality of Law
  = Word of God

  = statute .. commandments

  [H6485]

  = judgment
  = recorded testimony

  = for purpose of attending to

  = pay attention to .. need

David reviews the Law and judgments of God ... finding "comfort" in remembering that God is a righteous judge who will reward the innocent ... while at the same time ... punish His enemies

... therefore ... David decides to draw closer to those who also love God ... those who will ... be "glad to see" him.

... Fear God

    ... Find True Fellowship

79

Let those that fear thee

turn unto me,

and

those that have known

thy testimonies.

"fear"

 [H3025] 

 = dread

[H3372]

 = honor

 [H3373 .. H3374]

 = terror .. afraid

 = respect .. reverence

Unfortunately "fear" ... has been re-defined by today's culture ... even to the point of altering church doctrine ... removing the many complex definitions that can apply ... and turning "fear" into a single definition ... describing a mental condition related to "paranoia" ... and in the church ... relating it to the sin of faithlessness.

[Click on: "The Truth about Fear"... found in Article List in left column.]

So to understand what David is really requesting from God ... we need to consider and apply the accurate definition ... of "fear" ... as it is being used in this context

... understanding that "fear" can mean "terror" ... or ... can mean "respect" and "reverence."

In this case King David is praying that God will:

"turn"

  [H7725]

  = bring to

  = draw to

  = send to

He is requesting that the all-powerful Creator of Heaven and Earth ... will "bring to" him ... "send to" him ... those who also "respect" and "reverence" God and His Holy Word ... something we should note as well ... and request from our heavenly Father.

In a dark and fallen world our preeminent prayer should be to find others who:

"know".."have known"

  [H3045]

  = perceive .. see .. discover

  = discriminate .. distinguish

  = know by experience

  = recognize .. admit
     .. acknowledge

  = confess .. consider
     .. be acquainted with

  = be wise .. be revealed
     .. instructed 

  = declare
     .. have knowledge of

  = understand .. be aware of

What should we be looking for in fellowship? ... those who genuinely "know" God ... and have ... therefore ... also been given the grace and power to "perceive" ... "see" ... and "discover" ... the Truth of God's Word.

Without this ability ... genuine fellowship is impossible.

Only the Word of God can provide the mutual faith and grace to "discriminate" ... "distinguish" Truth from error

... making it possible to learn and "know by experience" ... how to "recognize" what is not true ... and be able to "admit and acknowledge" where we have taken the wrong path in life 

... so we are able to "consider" the importance of what it means to "be wise" ... that we might sincerely desire to see wisdom "be revealed"

... therefore willing to be "instructed" by the Word of God in order to "declare" the salvation of God

... so others may also "understand" ... "be aware of" ... our Father's provision that has been made available ... to inherit eternal life ... enjoying the forever fellowship of others ... who also love and "fear" their Creator God.

The "fear" of God is developed in us ... through His:

"testimonies"

  [H5713]

   = witness

       (always plural
         - ref. divine laws)

   = knowing precepts
      .. Laws of God

... as we apply them to the experiences that He brings into our life.

King David ends this 10th section of Psalm 119 ... by making this important request to God ... saying:

80

Let my heart be sound

in thy statutes;

that I be not ashamed.

David begins his prayer request by addressing the most influential place of spiritual power He has

... which is found at the very core of his being

... his:

 "heart"

  [H3820]

  = inner man .. mind .. will

  = understanding .. soul

  = thoughts .. determination

  = memory .. resolution

  = appetite .. desire

  = seat of emotion
  = courage .. wisdom

Since his "heart" is the origin of his "thoughts" that are sent to his "mind" and "will" of his "inner man" ... to consider and influence his behavior ... David is wise to begin there

... to feed his "soul" ... creating a "memory" ... planting "resolutions" ... from which to form an "appetite" ... and strong "desire" for the Word of God which has the power to build into the "seat of emotion" ... the "courage"and "wisdom" required to be:

"sound"

  [H8549]

  = complete .. whole .. entire

  = healthful .. unimpaired

  = innocent .. having integrity

  = entirely in accord
     .. with Truth

     .. and fact (reality)

  = without blemish .. perfect

To be "sound" ... is to be "complete" ... "whole" ... "entire" ... in every area of life ... even "sound" in physical health.

While we can pray to be healed ... God is pleased to give us the wisdom and spiritually mature attitude required to avoid illness in the first place ... and remain "sound" ... and prepared for the work He has called us to do.

God is our "Healer" ... but it was never His intention ... in most cases ... to keep us constantly praying to be healed.

The body He created for our spirit to dwell in and use to travel from point "A" to point "B" ... serving Him ... was designed to heal itself ... moment by moment ... day by day ... if provided with what it needs to do that.

Our body can be easily compared to a vehicle of transportation ... which needs gas (food) to supply the energy to move down the road ... and oil changes (detoxification .. cleaning) and some maintenance to stay road worthy.

When our vehicles break down because of neglect and failure to take responsibility to supply what is required to keep them running ... we can pray over them ... and sometimes get an instantaneous fix ... but it is not wise to depend on that to happen ... especially if we are not grateful enough to have the vehicle ... to extend the effort to take proper care of it.

The lack of wisdom regarding this topic of health has caused much unnecessary pain and suffering ... and opened the devil's door to his dangerous ... eventually fatal ... "quick fixes."

Therefore it is wise to find all that provides a "sound" existence "entirely in accord with the Truth" found in God's:

"statutes"

  [H2708]

  = ordinance

  = prescribed boundaries

  = limits .. conditions

  = according to
     .. God's written Word

When our Father's "ordinances" are studied and "prescribed boundaries ... "limits" and "conditions" maintained ... "according to His Word" ... we will not be:

"ashamed"

  [H954]

  = disappointed in one's self

  = regret .. embarrassed

  = humiliated .. disgraced 

By now it has become evident that our life experience is affected by opposing options ... that compel us to make choices affecting our eternal life

... choices such as whether to embrace the light or the dark ... joy or dread ... the genuine or counterfeit ... hate or love ... building or destroying ... helping or rebelling ... being delighted or shamed ... instructed or proud

... ultimately having to choose eternal life or eternal death

... choices that may result in "afflictions" ... but also offer a relationship more valuable than gold ... and a joy-filled eternal life with the One who loves us ... and gave Himself for us.

* * * * *

If you would like to choose eternal life right now:

● Scroll to the top of this page.

● Click on the gift wrapped
    in gold in the left column.

● And with your whole heart

   ... follow the directions.

♡♡♡