Psalm 119:137-144

 Psalm 119:137-144 

Tsade 

God rules righteously and faithfully according to His word, for which the poet is zealous. 

It is a concept difficult for us to understand being fallen creatures, but every action, command, ruling, and motive of the God of all power, might, and the whole universe is always and in every way holy, perfect, and righteous.  We who can go only a moment, at best, without being selfish, foolish, and sinful even in our little sphere can’t comprehend such total cosmic and absolute holiness.  But as we try, we become like the poet/disciple, as he expresses in verses 137-138.  As a result, he (and us if we join him) will find that zeal or passion will become our end.  The word “zeal” is most often translated as “jealousy, a complete unwillingness to share or to have divided loyalties.” We often associate this ideal with something negative, but it all depends on the context.  A jealous husband or wife will not share the love of their spouse with another.  God Himself is a jealous God and will not tolerate the worship of His people to be directed to another god. The word is not a moody or pouting attitude but is active and dynamic.  It is described as fire and smoke, of anger and something consuming, and even of God in battle for His people.  This passion for the righteousness of God has consumed the disciple/poet. Again, this word might surprise us.  It is most often translated “destroyed” but can also be translated “annihilate,” “cut off,” or “silenced.”  This is no warm inner glow that happens when one reads the Word.  In the Word of God the poet/disciple comes to an end of himself. He realizes, as he sees in his opponents a disregard for the law, that there is no middle ground.  He has disavowed or denied himself for the law.

The word is pure or refined; it has withstood every test and is not harmed.  Nothing else in the poet/disciple’s life or world can be so trusted, and so he admits his love for the word.  It doesn’t change his circumstances; he is still oppressed and small but will cling obstinately to the Word.  We must not think that faithfulness to the Word is some sort of magic formula that will allow us to avoid struggles and hardships.  Rather, our loyalty to the word is in all circumstances.  Two words used to describe the poet/disciples’ life are "trouble" and "anguish."  These words are both descriptions of deep personal conflict.  ‘Trouble’ comes from the root that means ‘tight,’ to be pressed in or squeezed, and can often be translated as ‘enemy.’  The word "anguish" can be translated as "siege," to be surrounded by enemies with no way out.  The one who is committed to the Word of God can hardly expect his best life now.  Regardless of the circumstances, he remains faithful because he knows that in understanding, which comes from the Word, is where he can find life.

“Lord, put an end to me so that I can be complete given to Your Word. AMEN”