Midweek Message from the Archive
Psalm 119 First Octave
Most Americans know the song, “A, B, C, D, E, F, G …” It’s important because learning to read begins with the alphabet. Interestingly, the English word alphabet is derived from the Hebrew letters aleph and beth. What a perfect setting for the first octave (8’s) of Psalm 119. Let’s take a step back and look at the big picture.
The first word of verse one, ashre, begins with aleph, the first letter of the Hebrew alphabet. Undoubtedly you don’t know what ashre means; allow me to enlighten you. It’s a way of walking in life that brings blessing, happiness, or joy. The Psalmist desires us to look at these eight verses with that image in mind. When you walk in the ways of God, in the power of the Holy Spirit, there’s inner happiness or joy. Those ‘ways’ are captured in this Psalm using six different words (in italics) that overlap in meaning but each is unique.
Beginning with verses 1 and 2, we find there’s a blessing in walking in the law or teachings of the LORD and our instruction manual for this walk in the Spirit is the Bible. In the Old Testament it was the Torah, the first five books, but for a believer in Jesus Christ it’s found in the Spirit.
But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. Galatians 5:16 ESV
The word testimony refers to what we’ve observed or witnessed God doing in scripture or in our life and it’s a powerful tool used in sharing Christ. As we walk in His ways, seeking Him with all that we are, our whole heart, we keep His precepts or commandments (vs. 3-5).
If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit. Galatians 5:25 ESV
Precepts are responsibilities in life that God says are important; loving Him and loving others as yourself is a great start. Our prayer (vs. 5) is that He will help us keep His statutes or prescribed tasks and with the help of the Holy Spirit we can reach those goals. There’s no shame involved when our eyes are focused on His commandments or missions because if we miss it, He’s a God of second chances.
God, in His fascinating creativity, selected this first octave to encourage us in our walk with Him. Verses 7-8 close the section as the writer and we determine in his heart, “I will…” I’ll learn God’s rules or decisions and praise Him. I’ll keep or guard God’s statutes as rights and privileges in Him and ask fervently for His help. As we advance in our spiritual life we can expect His blessing and power to complete our mission.
Lastly, the writer’s concern is that God will not forsake him in this ashre, walk of blessing; fortunately we have Jesus’ assurance,
And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:20b ESV
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