Psalm 119:153-160

Psalm 119:153-160

Resh 

Because God cannot suffer those who are faithful to His word to succumb, the poet/disciple begs for helpful pity. 

As we look at this passage, one question might come to mind.  In 154, the poet/disciple said, “Plead my cause…” We might ask, “With whom would God plead a case?”  God doesn’t need to plead with anyone; He commands.  This question misses the nature of the word "plead."  The emphasis of this word is not on the asking but on the volume or decibel level of the communication.  The word here is not about a persuasive argument set forth by a lawyer or philosopher. This word here is a loud, noisy, clamorous, contentious argument.  This is more of a shouting match than a discussion.  What the poet/disciple is asking for is that God’s redemption will be obvious and bombastic. The conflict has been building to a head, and the poet wants to see God’s explosive words coming to his defense. 

Because they have rejected God’s Word, God’s rescue is not available for the wicked, nor are the wicked capable of providing rescue.  But for the poet/disciples, God’s Word is a source of mercy, which expresses itself in revival or renewal.  The poet/disciple is determined to remain loyal to God even when he senses that he is alone and surrounded by the wicked.  Earlier the poet/disciple speaks of streams of tears that he has because the wicked “do not keep the law” (v. 136).  Now there is a different expression; now we see the poet/disciple loathes the treacherous.  What has happened?  There comes a point at which the villainy that comes from disregard of God’s law causes the poet/disciple to reach a breaking point.  The word translated “loath” comes from the root word that means “to break, snap, or be cut off.”  There comes a point that even this most patient of God’s loyal people have had enough.  It is important to note why this breaking has come about.  It was not an offense to the poet/disciple or even his persecution.  Rather, it was the rejection of God’s way, with some special attention to the betrayal of what is right.  It is the same behavior that caused such great sorrow in verse 136, “They do not keep Thy law/word.”  It is possible for those who are fully committed to God to find great sorrow and great revulsion in the same behavior of the wicked.  We need to beware when we notice that we have only one or the other of these responses.  

The poet/disciple concludes this passage with a reaffirmation of his affection for the Word of God; this is set in contrast to his disdain for the wicked. He hopes that according to the mercies of the Lord he will be renewed.  The Word can bring this renewal because it is truth in total.  The word translated “sum” in the NASB is literally “head.”  Imagine a column of numbers added together, but rather than the total being on the bottom, it is at the top of the column; it would be the head or sum.  In the next phrase there is an emphasis on the singularity.  Literally, this line says, “And forever every one of Your righteous judgments.”  The point the poet/disciple is making is if you look at the individual commands of God or the totality of them, you find the same beautiful righteousness.  

“Lord, speak boldly in support of Your saints and Your Word. AMEN”