Worship XI Day 12 Pe & Tsade: Digging Deeper
June 13, 2023
Discover the original intent of Scripture. Make good application to our everyday lives.
Become equipped to correctly handle the Word of Truth!
Psalm 119:129-136
129 Your decrees are wondrous; therefore I obey them. 130 The revelation of your words brings light and gives understanding to the inexperienced. 131 I open my mouth and pant because I long for Your commands. 132 Turn to me and be gracious to me, as is your practice toward those who love Your name. 133 Make my steps steady through Your promise; don’t let any sin dominate me. 134 Redeem me from human oppression, and I will keep your precepts. 135 Make Your face shine on Your servant, and teach me Your statutes. 136 My eyes pour out streams of tears because people do not follow Your instruction.
The Original Intent
1) What is the overall theme of the octave “Pe”? (verses 129-136)
This passage discusses the 17th octave under the Hebrew letter “Pe” equivalent to the letter P in English. Charles Spurgeon’s book, The Golden Alphabet, describes several qualities of God’s Word using the letter P: precious, practical, profitable, and powerful.
Scholars suggest David used this poetry to teach the alphabet to his son, Solomon, emphasizing the importance of God’s Word. David, a man after God’s own heart, turned to the Word of God for personal guidance and became more deeply steeped in the Word for himself.
Likewise, Solomon, the son of Bathsheba, learned from his father’s mistakes and sought to raise his own children in the wise ways of the Lord.
The Everyday Application
1) What is the overall theme of the octave “Pe”? (verses 129-136)
The themes in this octave strongly connect with me and my everyday life. Just before chronic illness struck, I participated in a study on Psalm 119. I had been reluctant to study or even read this chapter because of its length, but my study caused my love for the Word of the Lord to grow.
Like Spurgeon, I found it to become increasingly precious to me. It has practicality, which makes it most profitable to real life.
I am so thankful for the power that His Word gives to me daily. Will you delve into this octave with me today?
The Original Intent
2) How was God’s Word precious and practical? (verses 129, 131, 133)
David and Solomon found great delight in God’s Word, recognizing that the more they delved into it, the more precious and wonderful it became. This love for God’s Word cultivated a desire within them to please God. The Word taught them the character of God and deepened their relationship with Him.
This relationship fostered an unparalleled love that continued to grow as they knew Him more deeply. Tony Miano (Cross Encounters Ministry) explained, “Reading, meditating on, memorizing, and engaging with God’s Word can restore a Christian’s weary heart (Psalm 23:3) and refresh his troubled or distracted mind (Romans 12:1-2).” It is no surprise God’s Word is so valuable and cherished!
Likely, David was not a physically imposing figure. He achieved extraordinary feats beyond his natural capabilities by trusting in God’s guidance. In his writing, David frequently acknowledged God’s hand in directing his steps. (Psalm 37:23-24, Psalm 31:14-15)
Similarly, Solomon also acknowledged God’s guidance in several Proverbs, emphasizing that while we may make plans, ultimately, the Lord determines our steps. (Proverbs 16:9, Proverbs 19:21, Proverbs 20:24)
The Old Testament prophet, Isaiah, also testified to God’s role in teaching His followers how to live righteously and as He directs our paths. Isaiah’s passage concludes by affirming that when we immerse ourselves in the Word, we can trust that God will direct our steps. (Isaiah 48:17)
The Everyday Application
2) How was God’s Word precious and practical? (verses 129, 131, 133)
In another psalm, David declared, “They (God’s ordinances) are more desirable than gold- than an abundance of pure gold; and sweeter than honey dripping from a honeycomb.” (Psalm 19:10-11) Doesn’t this make your mouth water? It makes ME want the Lord like the country song says, “I like it, I love it, I want some more of it!” Verse 131 says David longed to be in the Word. He ached to get alone with God.
Soaking up God’s Word each morning has become a habit I cannot afford to break. On the few days I might not read His Word, I can feel the loss throughout the day. Finally, I stop what I am doing to read and spend time with my Lord. He brings refreshment and renewal!
His Word inspires wonder in my heart and soul, pointing me to so many amazing things about His character, His creation, and my purpose. I am speechless at how often His Spirit places just the right Scriptures in front of my eyes at just at the right time. Later, His Word comes up again with an entirely different focus. I never want to get away from the sweet goodness of His Word; it is alive and powerful!
Oh! How precious is His Word to me!
Is God’s Word precious to you? How or why?
I was taught to memorize Scripture at an early age and I’m thankful I now have His Words ready in my mind for when troubles arise. This happens often! His Word gives light to every situation.
My husband purchased a motion sensor light which he attached to my cane so that in the night when I rise, I can see where I am going. As soon as I reach out and grab my cane, the light comes on, lighting my path. God’s Word is like this if we have it memorized! When in the dark of a trial, all we need to do is reach out and His Word lights our way!
What practical things do you find in the Word of God? I’d love to hear about them!
The Original Intent
3) How is God’s Word profitable? (verse 134)
Though David benefited from Scripture’s multi-faceted teaching through his life, the greatest benefit of God’s Word to David was redemption and restoration from sin.
David failed the Lord’s righteous standard miserably in his sin with Bathsheba. (2 Samuel 11-12) When the prophet Nathan confronted David with his sin through the word of the Lord, David repented in his heart, confessed his sin, and God restored him. Though David still suffered consequences of his sin, the Word of the Lord proved profitable to his restored relationship with the Righteous Lord. Following his sin and redemption, David held all the more tightly to God and His Instruction as demonstrated by his insistent, careful teaching of his son, Solomon.
Solomon also saw the benefits of knowing and following God’s Word. God blessed him beyond all men because he sought the Lord’s wisdom first. (1 Kings 3:10-14, Matthew 6:33) Sadly, in later years, his wealth and power distracted him, causing his life to fall apart as he worshipped worldly power rather than fixing his life on the ways of the Lord where true power resides.
The Scriptures do not specifically say Solomon repented, but in reading his later wisdom books of Proverbs and Ecclesiastes, one can surmise he likely repented. Solomon admonished, “Fear God and obey His commands, for this is everyone’s duty. God will judge us for everything we do, including every secret thing, whether good or bad.” (Ecclesiastes 12:13-14, New Living Translation)
Even in our sin, God is patient and ready to forgive if we repent. (1 John 1:9) Solomon wrote, “Though a righteous man falls seven times, he will get up.” (Proverbs 24:16) Years later, the prophet Jeremiah said, “God’s mercies are new every morning.” (Lamentations 3:22-23)
Yes! Every morning, we can wake with a fresh start! The past is past; a new day has dawned with fresh mercies from the Lord!
The Everyday Application
3) How is God’s Word profitable? (verse 134)
God’s Word gives us knowledge of His Truth. It convicts of sin, showing us the way of salvation through Jesus, holding out the invitation over and over until we confess our sin, repent, and believe Him. His profitable Word causes us to grow and mature in the grace and knowledge of Christ, so His fruit can mark our lives.
Those who haven’t trusted Jesus and don’t follow seek Him through His Word by the power of the Spirit living within them, cannot understand these benefits. The parable of the sower and soil types in Matthew 13:1-9 explains how Truth is hidden from those who don’t believe.
In the same way, meditation and memorization of the Scripture is profitable to us. Without it, where would we be? Lost in the dark, groping around with no hope because we aren’t leaning into the Source of truth and wisdom in the very Word of the Lord!
Without immersing ourselves in God’s Word, we would have no light, no guide, and no map to point us onto the path of Life. This is why the Spirit of God within every believer, urges them to read Scripture.
I am so thankful for His graciousness towards me when He keeps picking me up, forgiving me, and encouraging me to press onward in knowing Him through His Word.
Isn’t it wonderful how we can read the Bible many times, and yet, we read it another time and a fresh light of understanding dawns?! Sometimes, a verse will jump out and I will say, “Where did that verse come from? I have never noticed it before.” Understanding just keeps coming again and again. His Word REALLY is living and active! (Hebrews 4:12)
The Original Intent
4) How is power found in God’s Word? (verses 134-135)
God tells us through the prophet Isaiah, “So my word that comes from my mouth will not return to me empty, but it will accomplish what I please and will prosper in what I send it to do.” (Isaiah 55:11) Isaiah wrote this many years after David and Solomon, but they both knew and recognized its truth. God’s word does not return void to Him, yielding nothing; the fruitful work God intends to accomplish by His Word will be done!
God’s prophet, Samuel, anointed David as King over Israel long before it came to fruition, but this manifestation of God’s Word set David apart for a noble purpose. (1 Samuel 16:1-13) The Word consecrated David and gave him purpose and hope while he suffered trails and waited for the Lord’s perfectly timed faithfulness.
David declared it was God’s power which rescued him from the lion and the bear, and that same power would rescue him from the hand of Goliath. (1 Samuel 17:37) David leaned on the truths he had learned from these events and others as he faced his enemies with the power of the Lord and His Word.
King Solomon could have asked God for anything, but, in humility, he asked the Lord for wisdom and to act obediently according to it. This request pleased the Lord and God gave him wisdom beyond anyone in the world. (1 Kings 3:4-15)
Later in life, he wrote many Proverbs and the Book of Ecclesiastes, which are now life-giving for each of us. These words are God-breathed and strengthen His people even today.
The Everyday Application
4) How is power found in God’s Word? (verses 134-135)
Oh, yes, His Word is powerful! More powerful than a two-edged sword. (Hebrews 4:12) The Word of God is powerful even to comfort us in distress, it convicts people of sin, and I have found that quoting Scripture is the best way to send the devil packing!
Jesus used Scripture to defeat Satan’s temptations in the wilderness. He quoted Scripture every time the Devil came to Him with another temptation tactic. (Matthew 4:1-11) Satan, the Father of Lies, cannot fight against Truth; he has no rebuttal for God’s powerful Word.
God’s Word keeps me in tune and prepared to fight off evil. This is also why the apostles devoted themselves to prayer and the Word of God. (Acts 6:4) It’s the fuel behind Paul’s bold words, ”For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, first to the Jew, and also to the Greek.” (Romans 1:16)
The Word of God also has the power to break our hearts for the lost. I relate to the psalmist when he said, “My eyes pour out streams of tears because people do not follow Your instruction.” (verse 137)
I wonder what would happen if we breathed in the Word. What if we lived it out and proclaimed it when we are troubled by the world? I think it would make a lasting difference! Let’s claim the power of God’s truth in His Word!
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