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(See: pronunciation guide
for the Hebrew vowels)
PSALM 119:105-112
THE SURVIVAL FILE
This section is the nun
file. The letter nun, is a fish, which is characteristically a survival
creature. A fish always has food, shelter and clothing even though constantly
in harm’s way.
Thus, the file speaks of the believer’s survival in a spiritually antagonistic
environment, which of course, is uniquely significant for this believer.
Verse 105, The Guidance
Entry
Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path: The words, lamp and
light, both communicate the idea of spiritual guidance.
And both “feet” and “path” emphasize the OVERT way of life. Of course, the
word of God first and foremost guides the SOUL, but the focus here is on the
believer’s overt way of life.
The word “feet” focuses on
SPECIFIC guidance. The believer must take ONE STEP AT A TIME to avoid the
snares of darkness as he traverses through this antagonistic environment.
The word “path” focuses on a
more GENERAL guidance. God’s word provides a more general dispersal of light
to see at a distance and give understanding of the conflict between good and
evil; light and darkness.
See Topic:
DARKNESS: The Crisis
Verse 106, The Dedication
Entry
1. I have sworn and I will
confirm (have confirmed) it: The first verb is shAbh`a as a niphal perfect. It
means to “seven” oneself, which means to take an oath or make a promise. The
perfect tense indicates a PAST and present affirmation. The verb, “confirm” is
qum as a piel imperfect/consecutive. The consecutive device gives the
imperfect tense a perfect tense idea.
This believer has expressed his dedication to God in the past, and has
RE-confirmed it from the beginning until the present time. This is the
expression of the “forever attitude” and the believer’s consistency in
maintaining that attitude.
2. That I will keep your righteous judgments: The verb is shAmar
again, and refers to the preservation of God’s truth through the attitude and
action of DOING His word.
This is the demonstration and proof of dedication to God; doing His word.
The Hebrew is mishpAt (plural) + tsedeq = the justice standards of your
righteousness.
Verse 107, The Pressure Entry
1. I am exceedingly afflicted:
The verb is `AnAh as a niphal perfect + me’odh, which indicates a past reality
that is currently going on. The adverb, me’odh, indicates the severity of the
pressure.
This does not refer to divine
discipline which the believer has previously discussed, but to the present
pressure from persecution. This is known because of the present command/plea
to God to “revive me.”
2. Revive me according to your word: The verb is chAyAh as a piel imperative.
The command to God is a humility expression of dependence on God to maintain
his physical life in the face of violent persecution. Verse 109 indicates the
severity and the constancy of this threat.
The deliverance from God is based on His promises of protection for the
trusting believer.
According to your word is the preposition KE + dAbhAr.
Thus, the idea is that according to God’s plan for using this believer, he
will be protected from the death threats of the persecutors.
Verse 108, The Growth Entry
1. O accept the freewill
offerings of my mouth: The article, NA, expresses humility dependence on God,
along with the imperative mood of the verb, rAtsAh. Of course, God WILL accept
the believers expressions of worship, as the believer maintains his fellowship
dedication to truth.
There is no doubt in the believer’s mind, but the normal expression of
humility dependence on God is expressed through these kinds of PLEAS, as we
have already seen in previous verses.
2. and teach me your ordinances: Worship and the study of God’s word go
hand-in-hand.
Since according to verse 102, this believer depends on direct
teaching/fellowship from God, the continued teaching from God requires that
the believer maintains his fellowship (sinless consistency). In this case, God
will of course ACCEPT the believer’s fellowship status and continue providing
the divine revelation that He has been giving in the past.
The verb, teach, is lAmadh, as an imperative, and ordinances is mishpAt;
justice standards, as previously seen. This expresses the believer’s growth
humility; dependence on God for learning.
Verse 109, The Death Entry
1. My soul is in my hand
continually: This is an idiom to indicate that one is close to physical death.
The word, soul (nephesh) is often used to refer to the FACT of physical life.
When the soul leaves the body, physical death occurs. This can happen –
(1) through such damage to the
body that the essential organs cease to function and the soul is then “forced”
to vacate the body.
(2) or when the soul simply leaves the body at the behest of God, such as with
Enoch and with Moses.
The word, continually, is the
adverb, tAmiym, and indicates that this believer is facing violent persecution
on a daily basis and thus considers the potential for death likewise a daily
factor.
Verse 110 indicates that the
“death pressure” is indeed from persecution.
2. yet I will not forget your
law: The particle, WE, is used to indicate advancement in the narrative (and,
yet, but). The verb is shAkach as a qal perfect + the negative LO. Once again,
the perfect tense indicates past action that is still realized at the present
time in this believer’s life. No matter how great is the pressure from violent
persecution, this believer understands that the most important thing in his
life is his servitude to God and this requires a CONSTANT – moment-by-moment –
focus on God’s word.
The word torAh refers to
teaching in general, and in this case – that which comes from God.
Verse 110, The Persecution
Entry
This entry amplifies verse 109 and clarifies the REASON why he is under
constant threat of physical death.
1. The wicked have laid a
snare for me: rAsh`A occurs again to refer to the spiritual and moral rebels.
The verb is nAthan + the noun, pach to indicate the violent intent of the
persecutors.
2. yet (we) I have not wandered from your precepts: The verb is tA`Ah + the
negative LO, to repeat and emphasize this believer’s dedication to God’s word
(precepts - piqqudh).
Verse 111, The Happiness Entry
1. I have inherited your
testimonies forever: The verb is nAchal as a qal perfect. It means to take
possession of something; to claim something as one’s personal possession or
inheritance.
Such a claim is made when the soul recognizes one or more value factors in the
thing that is claimed. The word, precepts, is
`āduth, and refers to those truths that bring
special attention to the character and works of God, thus, TESTIMONY.
The word FOREVER, is the preposition, LE plus `OlAm and refers to the FOREVER
ATTITUDE that lays claim to God’s truth as the most important thing in the
believer’s life.
CT: I have laid claim to your testimonies forever.
2. Because (kiy) they are the joy of my heart: The word, joy, is sAson, and
indicates ONE of the value factors associated with God’s word. HEART indicates
that INNER joy is the real issue rather than overt pleasure. Jeremiah 15:16
Verse 112, The Obedience Entry
The FOREVER ATTITUDE is maintained by obedience to God’s word on a daily
basis.
1. I have inclined my heart: The verb is nAtAh as a qal perfect. It means to
bend or turn, thus the idea of INCLINE toward something. In this case, the
believer has TURNED or LEANED his heart toward a particular expression of
dedication to God, I.E., obedience to His word.
2. to perform your statutes to the end: The verb is `AsAh, which means to do or
make, and thus the idea of FOLLOWING the standards of God’s word.
Once again, Le `OlAm indicates the fact of the FOREVER ATTITUDE in this
believer all throughout his life.
And then for emphasis, we have, “to the end” (`āqebh), which stresses right up until the very end
of his life.
The forever attitude involves a volitional decision to follow God’s word on a
daily basis.
SUMMARY OF THE SURVIVAL FILE
Verse 105, The Guidance Entry
God's word provides both specific and general guidance to survive in a
spiritually antagonistic environment.
Verse 106, The Dedication Entry
Dedication to God is expressed by the forever attitude of following God's word
in every area of life.
Verse 107, The Pressure Entry
Physical protection from God is based on His character and plan for the
trusting believer.
Verse 108, The Growth Entry
Continued guidance and instruction from God is based on consistent fellowship
and worship.
Verse 109, The Death Entry
No
matter how great is the pressure from imminent death, the functional believer
continues to trust in God's word.
Verse 110, The Persecution Entry
Even when the death threat comes from violent persecution, the trusting
believer will still continue to trut and live for God.
Verse 111, The Happiness Entry
The experience of true inner happiness is one of the motivations for
consistent devotion to God and His word.
Verse 112, The Obedience Entry
The forever
attitude involves a volitional decision to follow God’s word on a daily basis. | 
