Psalms 107 and 119

The Goodness of God and His Wonderful Works

Welcome Prayer Song Silence

We are going to cover two chapters today – 107 and 119. From 107 we are just going to tap into a few passages to help set the stage for 119, which, in fact, is both the longest Psalm and longest chapter in the Bible and one of the most beautiful ever written and serves as a most wonderful recitation of the import of God and His commands for us human beings. Our approach today is based on a super significant element in scripture relative to the very make up of God, His relationship to the created material world and its inhabitants, His governance over all things and how we, human beings made in His image, are also in possession of this super important trait present in our Maker.

Psalm 107 Highlights

Psalm 107:1 O give thanks unto YAHAVAH, for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever. 2 Let the redeemed of YAHAVAH say so, whom he hath redeemed from the hand of the enemy; 3 And gathered them out of the lands, from the east, and from the west, from the north, and from the south. 4 They wandered in the wilderness in a solitary way; they found no city to dwell in. 5 Hungry and thirsty, their soul fainted in them. 6 Then they cried unto YAHAVAH in their trouble, and he delivered them out of their distresses. 7 And he led them forth by the right way, that they might go to a city of habitation. 8 Oh that men would praise YAHAVAH for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men! The contents of verse 8 are repeated at verse 15, 21 and 31 of the chapter and serve almost as the chorus of this particular Psalm. But jump out to verse 20, where the Psalmist says,

20 He sent his word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions. And this is followed by, 21 Oh that men would praise YAHAVAH for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!

Understanding God’s Word

I want to use verse 20 of Psalm 107 to bring us into a discussion about the Goodness of God and His wonderful works to the children of men as the Psalmist summarizes this work in the following way, saying that God “sent his word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions.” Think about his statement for a minute where all the way back in the Old Testament we read that – “God” 1 “sent His Word,” and 2 “healed them,” and 3 “delivered them” (from what?) 4 “from their destructions.” Think about Him as our Maker and that as our Creator the Psalmist says that He 1 “sent His Word,” and in so doing, He 2 “healed them,” (us) and this 3 “delivered them” (from what?) 4 “from their destructions.” I see this passage as a fantastic summary of how God interacts with His human creations in the face of our mistakes and needed healings because of them and the destruction they cause in our lives.

Again, what does God do according to the Psalmist? He sent His word. To them in that day, to say that God sent His Word is akin to saying He sent His power, His directives, His Law, His healing hand, His command, His instructions, His Light, His Wisdom and ultimately, His Son, then the Spirit of His Son. Perhaps it is time for us to realize/see and/ or understand that when we read about “God sending His word,” that, contextually speaking suggests more than just written message or directives, though they include such. Perhaps, and I may be wrong, but I cannot help but wonder about the actual ontology of what “God’s words” include and have come to believe that whatever comes from God’s mouth transcend what we think of when it comes to mere words. That “words from our invisible, consuming fire, eternal God” are synonymous with the standard synonyms of Words “speech/sayings/teachings

But also include His Spirit His Light and Love His heart, life and means for living

And in this capacity they enable us to learn via inspiration, to be healed, illuminated, and empowered. In other words I think that words alone are a horrible understatement of all that is SYNONYMOUS with the very words of God and that whatever comes from God, whatever He does, says, thinks, speaks, reveals are not to be differentiated, or distinguished, in any way, from all that He personally is and has been – meaning, when a message comes from God that message or those messages

The Nature of God’s Words

All contain the same elements of His actual person and those elements can be seen as equally represented in ANY of the terms we read in the Hebrew and Greek to describe Him. In other words, God’s very words ARE INFACT, “spirit,” they are “Truth,” they are “Light,” they are “eternal,” and therefore they “heal, guide, correct, illuminate, fix, redirect, and without exception accord perfectly with His will AND His person. To me, when we say God “speaks” I tend to now think that this is synonymous with Him (also) Shining Burning Breathing Sharing Empowering Guiding Giving light Giving life Governing life Instructing His children Healing His family Fixing our failures And extending truth.

This sentiment is echoed in John 6:63 when Yeshua said, It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.

The Word and Its Synonyms

Going back five chapters John endorses these synonyms fully when he wrote, John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 The same was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. 4 In him was life; and the life was the light of men. 5 ¶ And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not. 6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. 7 The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe. 8 He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light. 9 That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world. 10 He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. 11 He came unto his own, and his own received him not. 12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: 13 Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. 14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

From start to finish God, Genesis to Revelation GOD is described as giving all of these things – Spirit Words Power Light Fire Love to fix, heal, cure, liberate, redeem, help, guide, direct and support.

God’s Word as Healing and Deliverance

Taking Psalm 107:20 in hand, listen to it again “God sent His Word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions.” Was this not the very first thing we read about God doing in Genesis when He repurposed, healed and delivered the components of this former earth that sat in chaos and dark pollution? Remember? Genesis 1:1-5 In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. 2 And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters. 3 And God said, Let there be light: and there was light. 4 And God saw the light, that it was good: and God divided the light from the darkness. 5 And God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And the evening and the morning were the first day.

So, I suggest that when we talk about “God sending His Words” I tend to believe that this is saying nothing short of God sending His Spirit, Light, Love, His power to fix, overcome, heal, restore, correct – and all of this was embodied in Him sending His Son. YAHAVAH is not a man. He is a Spirit. He is Love. Light. Power. Fire. But when He engages with us, with His material creation, His active arm, his active voice, or the way He enters in is by . . . “sending His word,” which the Psalmist says, “heals those who seek Him” and they are elements that “deliver us from what the Psalmist calls, “their destructions.”

Pulling the covers WAAAY back, it seems that the brass tacks of the relationship between God and His material creations (even His Spiritual creations in the heavenly economy) occur in the following ways – We are freewill agents who cannot help but cause destruction though our self-governance and this is why the invisible God, speaks/s

The Power of God’s Word

to teach guide heal and govern His children. Quite frankly, when the Psalmist writes, “God sent His Word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions.” We might admit that it could have said, “and God sent His power, and healed them,” or “God sent His Son and delivered them from their destructions,” but the Psalmist chose to say, “He sent His Word.” Which straightly speaks to and/or addresses God giving His creations His immense instruction and insight to overcome our SinMissing the mark of faith and love—no punishment, just lost growth or peace., deathSeparation from God—now overcome. Physical death remains, but it no longer separates us from life with God., disease, bondage and our inner man. Taking it out further verse 20 speaks directly to the resurrection itself as they again say, “God sent His Word, and healed us, and delivered us from our destructions,” or the death we introduced to our own bodies. The Words God sent us are words of liberation, healing, guidance truth light, leading out from obscurity, from ignorance, from being mislead and from death itself.

Scripture’s Multi-Faceted Words

Scripture says that these multi-dimensional, multi-faceted “words” from our maker Renew the mind Providing wisdom and guidance. Restoring and healing and the very salve to our emotional wounds and brokenness. Creating newness and, Transforming lives. Scripture says that these multi-faceted words of God are truly “living and active” Sharper than a sword – discerning the thoughts and intentions. Sharper than a two-edged sword and cut in both directions to incise our cancers and discern our beliefs. Scripture says that they are Inspired and God-breathed – meaning they carry absolute divine authority and truth. And best of all, because they are from Him, and are True, they have incomprehensible creative power. Just as God spoke the world into existence, his word can influence the interaction between matter and spirit to bring about new realities in all things. Simply put, they align us with His will, ways and person bringing the receiver, again, whether spoken, heard, read, discerned, realized, or considered by His Spirit alone, God’s words can bring people to repentance and faith. And when aligned with God’s truth, individuals experience His grace and light. And when aligned with God’s will they literally forth life that never dies. Hence, He, His Words, His light, His power, His creations, His Son never die.

God’s Words Create Life

Before going to Psalm 119, let’s take a deeper dive into what the scripture as it plainly explains where all material things originated from, saying in 2 Corinthians 4:18 As we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal. Scripture supports that synonymous nature of God’s words with His Spirit or breath as we read in, Ezekiel 37:1-10 And he said to me, “Son of man, can these bones live?” And I answered, “O Lord God, you know.” Then he said to me, “Prophesy over these bones, and say to them, O dry bones, hear the word of the Lord. Thus says the Lord God to these bones: Behold, I will cause breath to enter you, and you shall live. Scripture says that God’s Words CREATE LIFE, often out of NOTHING. Psalm 33:9 For he spoke, and it came to be; he commanded, and it stood firm. Paul wrote in Romans 4:17 As it is written, “I have made you the father of many nations”—in the presence of the God in whom he believed, who gives life to the dead and calls into existence the things that do not exist.” Isaiah 55:11 explains the power of His Words saying, So shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it. Ezekiel 12:25 emphasizes this saying, “For I am the Lord; I will speak the word that I will speak, and it will be performed. It will no longer be delayed, but in your days, O rebellious house, I will speak the word and perform it, declares the Lord God.” Hebrews 11:3 By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible.

Interestingly, we have a parallel event in the life of Christ as we read in Matthew. Matthew 8:5 And when Jesus was entered into Capernaum, there came unto him a centurion, beseeching him, 6 And saying, YAHAVAH, my servant lieth at home sick of the palsy, grievously tormented. 7 And Jesus saith unto him, I will come and heal

The Power of God’s Word

My roof: but speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed. We know that faith comes by having a heart that hears His Word, saying in Romans 10:17, “So, faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.” Interestingly, just as God speaks and things are, is it possible that we too speak into existence the contents of our heart or hearts, supporting Romans 10:9 which said to the believers in Paul’s day, “Because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” This accords with Yeshua saying, Luke 6:45, “The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.”

We know from scripture that God’s Word was personified in God’s Son who said, John 14:6, “I am ‘the way, and the truth, and the life.’ No one comes to the Father except through me.” The way is synonymous with God’s path and commands. The truth is the eternality of God’s promises, the life is the duration of their effect. All Him. And just as Psalm 107:20 says, “God sent his word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions.” John 3:16-17 says, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.”

The Teaching of Scripture

Of course, God’s Word’s are found in the inspired scripture too as Paul said, 2 Timothy 3:16, “Any thing that is scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness.” This brings us to Psalm 119 which is one of several acrostic poems found in the Bible. Its 176 verses long divided into 22 stanzas, one for each of the 22 characters that make up the Hebrew alphabet. In the Hebrew text, each of the eight verses of each stanza begins with the same Hebrew letter. This feature was not maintained in the Septuagint, except that many manuscripts have placed at the beginning of each stanza the name of the corresponding Hebrew letter.

Psalm 119: The Alphabet of God’s Word

Each of the 22 sections of 8 verses is sub-headed with the name of a letter in the Hebrew alphabet. Take note how almost every single verse references the Words of God, represented by other terms like Law, testimonies, his ways, commands and commandments, precepts, statutes, judgements, and more. So, take a minute and sit back and meditate on the words, the Spirit, the fire, the truth, the commands, the insights, the very heart of the living God as it pours out from the pen of this Psalmist, who some say is David, and this was how he taught his children the Hebrew Alphabet along with the importance of God’s very words in whatever way they come forth.

119:1 ALEPH. Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of YAHAVAH. 2 Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, and that seek him with the whole heart. 3 They also do no iniquity: they walk in his ways. 4 Thou hast commanded us to keep thy precepts diligently. 5 O that my ways were directed to keep thy statutes! 6 Then shall I not be ashamed, when I have respect unto all thy commandments. 7 I will praise thee with uprightness of heart, when I shall have learned thy righteous judgments. 8 I will keep thy statutes: O forsake me not utterly.

9 BETH. Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word. 10 With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments. 11 Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee. 12 Blessed art thou, YAHAVAH: teach me thy statutes. 13 With my lips have I declared all the judgments of thy mouth. 14 I have rejoiced in the way of thy testimonies, as much as in all riches. 15 I

Meditation on Precepts and Statutes

I will meditate in thy precepts, and have respect unto thy ways. I will delight myself in thy statutes: I will not forget thy word. GIMEL. Deal bountifully with thy servant, that I may live, and keep thy word. Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law. I am a stranger in the earth: hide not thy commandments from me. My soul breaketh for the longing that it hath unto thy judgments at all times. Thou hast rebuked the proud that are cursed, which do err from thy commandments. Remove from me reproach and contempt; for I have kept thy testimonies. Princes also did sit and speak against me: but thy servant did meditate in thy statutes. Thy testimonies also are my delight and my counsellors.

Seeking Understanding and Strength

DALETH. My soul cleaveth unto the dust: quicken thou me according to thy word. I have declared my ways, and thou heardest me: teach me thy statutes. Make me to understand the way of thy precepts: so shall I talk of thy wondrous works. My soul melteth for heaviness: strengthen thou me according unto thy word. Remove from me the way of lying: and grant me thy law graciously. I have chosen the way of truth: thy judgments have I laid before me. I have stuck unto thy testimonies: YAHAVAH, put me not to shame. I will run the way of thy commandments, when thou shalt enlarge my heart. HE. Teach me, YAHAVAH, the way of thy statutes; and I shall keep it unto the end. Give me understanding, and I shall keep thy law; yea, I shall observe it with my whole heart. Make me to go in the path of thy commandments; for therein do I delight. Incline my heart unto thy testimonies, and not to covetousness. Turn away mine eyes from beholding vanity; and quicken thou me in thy way. Stablish thy word unto thy servant, who is devoted to thy fear. Turn away my reproach which I fear: for thy judgments are good. Behold, I have longed after thy precepts: quicken me in thy righteousness.

Trusting in Salvation and Hope

VAU. Let thy mercies come also unto me, YAHAVAH, even thy salvation, according to thy word. So shall I have wherewith to answer him that reproacheth me: for I trust in thy word. And take not the word of truth utterly out of my mouth; for I have hoped in thy judgments. So shall I keep thy law continually for ever and ever. And I will walk at liberty: for I seek thy precepts. I will speak of thy testimonies also before kings, and will not be ashamed. And I will delight myself in thy commandments, which I have loved. My hands also will I lift up unto thy commandments, which I have loved; and I will meditate in thy statutes. Remember the word unto thy servant, upon which thou hast caused me to hope. This is my comfort in my affliction: for thy word hath quickened me. The proud have had me greatly in derision: yet have I not declined from thy law. I remembered thy judgments of old, YAHAVAH; and have comforted myself. Horror hath taken hold upon me because of the wicked that forsake thy law. Thy statutes have been my songs in the house of my pilgrimage. I have remembered thy name, YAHAVAH, in the night, and have kept thy law. This I had, because I kept thy precepts.

CHETH. Thou art my portion, YAHAVAH: I have said that I would keep thy words. I intreated thy favour with my whole heart: be merciful unto me according to thy word. I thought on my ways, and turned my feet unto thy testimonies. I made haste, and delayed not to keep thy commandments. The bands of the wicked have robbed me: but I have not forgotten thy law. At midnight I will rise to give thanks unto thee because of thy righteous judgments. I am a companion of all them that fear thee, and of them that keep thy precepts. The earth, YAHAVAH, is full of thy mercy: teach me thy statutes.

TETH. Thou hast dealt well with thy servant, YAHAVAH, according unto thy word. Teach me good judgment and knowledge: for I have believed thy commandments. Before I was afflicted I went astray: but now have I kept thy word. Thou art good, and doest good; teach me thy.

The Importance of Adhering to Divine Law

The proud have forged a lie against me: but I will keep thy precepts with my whole heart. Their heart is as fat as grease; but I delight in thy law. It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes. The law of thy mouth is better unto me than thousands of gold and silver.

Seeking Understanding and Comfort

JOD. Thy hands have made me and fashioned me: give me understanding, that I may learn thy commandments. They that fear thee will be glad when they see me; because I have hoped in thy word. I know, YAHAVAH, that thy judgments are right, and that thou in faithfulness hast afflicted me. Let, I pray thee, thy merciful kindness be for my comfort, according to thy word unto thy servant. Let thy tender mercies come unto me, that I may live: for thy law is my delight. Let the proud be ashamed; for they dealt perversely with me without a cause: but I will meditate in thy precepts. Let those that fear thee turn unto me, and those that have known thy testimonies. Let my heart be sound in thy statutes; that I be not ashamed.

CAPH. My soul fainteth for thy salvation: but I hope in thy word. Mine eyes fail for thy word, saying, When wilt thou comfort me? For I am become like a bottle in the smoke; yet do I not forget thy statutes. How many are the days of thy servant? when wilt thou execute judgment on them that persecute me? The proud have digged pits for me, which are not after thy law. All thy commandments are faithful: they persecute me wrongfully; help thou me. They had almost consumed me upon earth; but I forsook not thy precepts. Quicken me after thy lovingkindness; so shall I keep the testimony of thy mouth.

The Everlasting Nature of Divine Word

LAMED. For ever, YAHAVAH, thy word is settled in heaven. Thy faithfulness is unto all generations: thou hast established the earth, and it abideth. They continue this day according to thine ordinances: for all are thy servants. Unless thy law had been my delights, I should then have perished in mine affliction. I will never forget thy precepts: for with them thou hast quickened me. I am thine, save me; for I have sought thy precepts. The wicked have waited for me to destroy me: but I will consider thy testimonies. I have seen an end of all perfection: but thy commandment is exceeding broad.

MEM. O how love I thy law! it is my meditation all the day. Thou through thy commandments hast made me wiser than mine enemies: for they are ever with me. I have more understanding than all my teachers: for thy testimonies are my meditation. I understand more than the ancients, because I keep thy precepts. I have refrained my feet from every evil way, that I might keep thy word. I have not departed from thy judgments: for thou hast taught me. How sweet are thy words unto my taste! yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth! Through thy precepts I get understanding: therefore I hate every false way.

NUN. Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. I have sworn, and I will perform it, that I will keep thy righteous judgments. I am afflicted very much: quicken me, YAHAVAH, according unto thy word. Accept, I beseech thee, the freewill offerings of my mouth, YAHAVAH, and teach me thy judgments. My soul is continually in my hand: yet do I not forget thy law. The wicked have laid a snare for me: yet I erred not from thy precepts. Thy testimonies have I taken as an heritage for ever: for they are the rejoicing of my heart. I have inclined mine heart to perform thy statutes alway, even unto the end.

SAMECH. I hate vain thoughts: but thy law do I love. Thou art my hiding place and my shield: I hope in thy word. Depart from me, ye evildoers: for I will keep the commandments of my God. Uphold me according unto thy word, that I may live: and let me not be ashamed of my hope. Hold thou me up, and I shall be safe: and I will have respect unto thy statutes continually. Thou hast trodden down all them that err from thy statutes: for their deceit is falsehood.

Reflections on Righteousness and Judgment

Thou puttest away all the wicked of the earth like dross: therefore I love thy testimonies. My flesh trembleth for fear of thee; and I am afraid of thy judgments. AIN. I have done judgment and justice: leave me not to mine oppressors. Be surety for thy servant for good: let not the proud oppress me. Mine eyes fail for thy salvation, and for the word of thy righteousness. Deal with thy servant according unto thy mercy, and teach me thy statutes. I am thy servant; give me understanding, that I may know thy testimonies. It is time for thee, YAHAVAH, to work: for they have made void thy law. Therefore I love thy commandments above gold; yea, above fine gold. Therefore I esteem all thy precepts concerning all things to be right; and I hate every false way.

The Wonder of Testimonies

PE. Thy testimonies are wonderful: therefore doth my soul keep them. The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple. I opened my mouth, and panted: for I longed for thy commandments. Look thou upon me, and be merciful unto me, as thou usest to do unto those that love thy name. Order my steps in thy word: and let not any iniquity have dominion over me. Deliver me from the oppression of man: so will I keep thy precepts. Make thy face to shine upon thy servant; and teach me thy statutes. Rivers of waters run down mine eyes, because they keep not thy law.

Upholding Righteousness

TZADDI. Righteous art thou, YAHAVAH, and upright are thy judgments. Thy testimonies that thou hast commanded are righteous and very faithful. My zeal hath consumed me, because mine enemies have forgotten thy words. Thy word is very pure: therefore thy servant loveth it. I am small and despised: yet do not I forget thy precepts. Thy righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, and thy law is the truth. Trouble and anguish have taken hold on me: yet thy commandments are my delights. The righteousness of thy testimonies is everlasting: give me understanding, and I shall live.

KOPH. I cried with my whole heart; hear me, YAHAVAH: I will keep thy statutes. I cried unto thee; save me, and I shall keep thy testimonies. I prevented the dawning of the morning, and cried: I hoped in thy word. Mine eyes prevent the night watches, that I might meditate in thy word. Hear my voice according unto thy lovingkindness: YAHAVAH, quicken me according to thy judgment. They draw nigh that follow after mischief: they are far from thy law. Thou art near, YAHAVAH; and all thy commandments are truth. Concerning thy testimonies, I have known of old that thou hast founded them for ever.

RESH. Consider mine affliction, and deliver me: for I do not forget thy law. Plead my cause, and deliver me: quicken me according to thy word. Salvation is far from the wicked: for they seek not thy statutes. Great are thy tender mercies, YAHAVAH: quicken me according to thy judgments. Many are my persecutors and mine enemies; yet do I not decline from thy testimonies. I beheld the transgressors, and was grieved; because they kept not thy word. Consider how I love thy precepts: quicken me, YAHAVAH, according to thy lovingkindness. Thy word is true from the beginning: and every one of thy righteous judgments endureth for ever.

SCHIN. Princes have persecuted me without a cause: but my heart standeth in awe of thy word. I rejoice at thy word, as one that findeth great spoil. I hate and abhor lying: but thy law do I love. Seven times a day do I praise thee because of thy righteous judgments. Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them. YAHAVAH, I have hoped for thy salvation, and done thy commandments. My soul hath kept thy testimonies; and I love them exceedingly. I have kept thy precepts and thy testimonies: for all my ways are before thee.

TAU. Let my cry come near before thee, YAHAVAH: give me understanding according to thy word. Let my supplication come before thee: deliver me according to thy word. My lips shall utter praise, when thou hast taught me thy statutes. My tongue shall speak of thy word: for all thy commandments are righteousness. Let thine hand help me; for I have chosen thy precepts. I have longed for thy salvation, YAHAVAH; and thy

Main Topic: Reflections on Law and Commandments

175 Let my soul live, and it shall praise thee; and let thy judgments help me. 176 I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek thy servant; for I do not forget thy commandments.

Personal Reflections

Comments/Questions/Prayer