PSALM 119:57-64

The chāth file.
The letter, chāth, means a fence and communicates limitation and separation and DEDICATION.

Thus, The Dedication File

Verse 57, The Priority Entry

1. Yahweh is my portion: The word is chāleq and means a chosen portion or share.
The concept is, divide up what is available and my part will always be the plan of God.
2. I have said that I would keep your words: This is the expression that comes from dedication to the plan of God; the attitude that claims God as one’s chosen portion.
The verb, keep, is shAmar as a qal infinitive plus the preposition, le, which introduces the content of the verbal expression. It means to guard and preserve and to therefore FOLLOW. The word, dAbhAr simply refers to what comes from God as His communication to His people.

This is how priority dedication expresses itself – devotion to God’s word.

Verse 58, The Humility Entry

1. I entreated your favor:  The verb is chAlAh as a piel perfect means to appeasingly seek favor and acceptance. This is seeking God on HIS terms. The word, favor, is literally, faces and refers to the many character expressions of God toward His people.
With all my heart, indicates total devotion in every area of life.

2. be gracious to me: The verb is chAnan as an imperative, and means to express grace. The command is once again, the humility expression of dependence on God.
Review the progression from God’s character at Exodus 34:6-7

A. Wisdom + love = the divine attitude of compassion (rAchum).
B. Compassion then expresses itself by being gracious (chAnun), which is the act of making available what the creature needs for adjustment to God.

Psalm 5:12, “You surround him (the righteous one) with favor as with a shield.”
The word, favor,  is rAtsOn. Here, we see the acceptance and favor from God based on His terms. That is, BEING a righteous one; walking according to His word.

At Psalm 103:17-18, the word, lovingkindness (chesed) is a summary word for the actual resources for living the quality of life God wants us to live. It should be translated as – grace provision.

“The grace provision of Yahweh is from everlasting to everlasting on those who FEAR HIM.” That is, those who express humility dependence on Him.

3. according to your word: the word is ’imrAh and simply refers to God’s revealed truth.
In other words: God, I depend on you to follow the standards of your revealed truth for me; all the principles and promises that God has given to His people.

Verse 59, The Correction Entry

1. I considered my ways: the verb is chAshabh as a piel perfect, which means to evaluate.
   I evaluated my ways. The word, Derek refers to all my attitudes and actions. The believer needs to constantly evaluate to see where human viewpoint has crept in to influence his attitudes and actions. Proverbs 12:15; 14:12; 21:2-3; 16:1-3.
   This reflects the attitude of Psalm 139:23-24. The result of proper evaluation will be any adjustment of ACTION that might be necessary.
2. and turned my feet to your testimonies: the verb is shubh and indicates a change or even a reversal. Of course, FEET, indicates ACTION. Testimonies is `ādAh and refers to the truth factors that focus on God’s character to the human race.
   This conformity to “`ādAh” standards corresponds with “the everlasting way” of Psalm 139:24.
   The use of “turned” indicates that he has periodically found areas of weakness and failure in his life and has made the proper adjustments to God’s viewpoint.
   This CHANGE in focus and action depends on God’s grace resources BUT it requires the attitude of humility. Thus, the expression, “LEAD ME.”
3. We must be willing to continually evaluate our life style according to God’s standards and make necessary changes. 2 Cor. 13:5. “Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith; examine yourselves.”

Verse 60, The Obedience Entry

When the believer makes the necessary corrections in his life, the result will be a more consistent obedience to divine standards. The verb, shAmar is used 3 times in this entry.

1. I hastened and did not delay: the pairing of synonymous ideas expresses emphasis, urgency and immediacy.
He is still focusing on PAST thoughts and actions and the extension of his dedication attitude into the pursuit of sinless consistency.

2. to keep your commandments: the verb is shAmar again as a qal infinitive plus LE – for the intent of; the purpose of . . . guarding, keeping.

Once areas of NEED are discovered in your life, you need to meet those needs by DOING God’s word.
God’s commandments (mitswAh) are the standards of truth which promote a specific life style.

As at 1 John 2:24, let what you heard abide in you.
And John 14:15, “if you love me you will keep my commandments.”
And John 15:14, “you are my friends if you do what I command you.”

This believer expressed diligence and consistency to make the needed changes discovered from the examination of his life.

Verse 61, The Persecution Entry

1. The cords of the wicked have encircled me.
The word for cords is chebhel and indicates restraints designed to bind, restrict, hinder and neutralize.

Wicked is rAshA again to refer to the spiritual rebels of verse 53; the ones who forsake God’s law.
Encircled is the verb, `udh as a piel perfect. It refers to the attack of persecution from every side.
     A. Verse 57, many are my persecutors and my adversaries.

     B. They reproach:  verses 39 and 42

     C. Verbal attack from the arrogant:  Verse 51

     D. The spiritual rebels seek to neutralize, verse 61

     E. The arrogant have forged a lie.  Verse 69, 78, 86

     F. The arrogant have dug pits.  Verse 85

     G. They attempt to neutralize both physically and morally. Verse 87

     H. They are just waiting and looking for opportunities. Verse 95

     I. They have laid a snare. Verse 110

     J. Princes persecute him. Verses 23, 161

2. I have not forgotten your law: The verb is shAkach as a qal perfect to indicate continued reliance on the viewpoint of truth for personal stability and testimonial impact.
Law is torAh again to refer to the basic instruction from God
Divine viewpoint standards in the soul is the only way to endure the persecution pressure and maintain inner peace, joy and stability at the same time.

     A. Recognize human viewpoint and the “religious” approach to persecution. 1 Cor. 13:3

     B. Failure to use truth in persecution pressure results in misery and fear. Psalm 6:6-7.

     C. Psalm 63:1-11 records the result of using truth in the face of persecution.

     D. 1 Peter 4:12-14, Happiness (blessed) results from handling persecution with the right attitude
          and application of God’s word to the crisis.

Verse 62, The Worship Entry

1. At midnight I shall rise: on occasion, in the middle of the night, he is awakened from sleep and his mind is immediately focused on God’s word. He has probably trained his body to wake up for a PLANNED time of worship. This is indicated by the infinitive of the verb, TO give thanks. There is a PURPOSE for his rising.

The word, rise, is qum as a qal imperfect. It is simple action and does not need to be translated as a FUTURE. Thus, simply, I rise.
 

2. To give you thanks: The verb is yAdAh as a hiphil infinitive and means to express thanks. The basic meaning of the verb is to throw or even shoot. Thanksgiving and worship is “throwing” toward God that which He merits and deserves by virtue of being God; His character and plan.

3. because of your righteous judgments: The preposition is, al – upon, based on, for – indicates the reason for worship.
Literally, the justice expressions of your righteousness. mishpAt + tsedeq.

Verse 75, Your judgments are righteous. Deuteronomy 32:4; 1 Chronicles 29:11-13

Verse 63, The Friendship Entry

1. I am a companion of all those who fear you: The verb, yAr’ā indicates reverence and respect. The fear of the Lord is the basic humility attitude that places the divine priority as the most important thing in life.

This attitude mutually shared by believers is the only real basis for true fellowship and friendship.

See Topic:  Fear of the Lord

2. and of those who keep your precepts. The verb is shAmar again. Precepts is piqqudh and refers to that which has been gathered and appointed as standards for God’s people.
The natural, reasonable and required expression of the fear of the Lord is obedience to His word. It is such obedience that is the true indication of the attitude of respect for God.

As such, it becomes the visible basis for establishing Christian friendship and experiencing mutual Christian fellowship.

Verse 64, The Study Entry

The only way to benefit from God’s grace resources is to learn His word. Those resources are known only through His word.

1. The earth is full of your grace provision:  God makes his resources available to the world, but of course, access to and utilization of them is based on God’s terms.
Psalm 57:10; 36:5; 86;15; 108:4; Lam. 3:22-23

2. Teach me your statutes: Teach is lAmadh as a piel imperative; the command of humility dependence on God for continued availability of God’s word.
Statues is choq and refers to that which is established as obligations for moral, social and worship activity among God’s people.

SUMMARY OF THE DEDICATION FILE

1. Verse 57, The Priority Entry:  The divine priority recognizes that the most important thing in life is to keep God’s word.

2. Verse 58, The Humility Entry: Humility dependence on God is the basis for experiencing His grace resources.

3. Verse 59, The Correction Entry: The believer needs to continually examine his life and make the necessary changes in order to stay focused on the divine priority.

4. Verse 60, The Obedience Entry: Correction in areas of weakness and errors requires immediate obedience in order to preserve dedication to the divine priority.

5. Verse 61, The Persecution Entry: Endurance in the face of persecution requires adherence to God’s word.
6. Verse 62, The Worship Entry:  The righteous standards of God are so absolute and beneficial to the believer that they should elicit consistent worship activity.

7. Verse 63, The Friendship Entry: The basis for true friendship and fellowship between believers is a mutually shared reverence for God and application of His word to life.

8. Verse 64, The Study Entry: Genuine dedication to God is expressed by the constant desire to learn God’s word and utilize His grace resources in every area of life.

Questions and comments are always welcome

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