Tuesday, October 21, 2008

Daleth

As we've been working our way through Psalm 119 and working our way through the Hebrew alphabet, we've also been seeing different aspects of how the Word of God is helpful to us.

  • Under aleph, we learned about how the Word of God promotes the fear of God
  • Under beth, we learned about how the Word of God can help us to live pure lives
  • Under gimel, we see how the Word of God is useful when people are doing bad things to us or saying bad things about us

Today, in the daleth section, we'll read about what the Word of God offers us when we're not happy.

25 I am laid low in the dust; preserve my life according to your word.

26 I recounted my ways and you answered me; teach me your decrees.

27 Let me understand the teaching of your precepts; then I will meditate on your wonders.

28 My soul is weary with sorrow; strengthen me according to your word.

29 Keep me from deceitful ways; be gracious to me through your law.

30 I have chosen the way of truth; I have set my heart on your laws.

31 I hold fast to your statutes, O LORD; do not let me be put to shame.

32 I run in the path of your commands, for you have set my heart free.

Discussion questions

  • What are some indications that the Psalmist might be not very happy?
    • Verse 25 talks about being "laid low in the dust" which can be taken to mean near death
    • Verse 26 says "I recounted my ways..." which some translations of the Bible translate as meaning telling of what they've done wrong and others translate as meaning making complaints.
    • Verse 28 says "My soul is weary with sorrow" which in the NIrV is translated "My sadness has worn me out."
  • How does the Psalmist respond to these things?
    • To being near death, preserve my life according to your word
    • To recounting their ways, teach me your decrees
    • To being weary, strengthen me according to your word
    • Each time, it involves turning to God's Word and trusting in it
  • What is one way the Psalmist has chosen to be faithful to God? by putting his trust in God's law (v 30)
  • Why does the Psalmist trust God's laws? Because God has set him free (v 32)

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