Word's Matter Psalm 119

Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word. With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments. Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.

Psalm 119:9-11

Would you be surprised if in the longest chapter in the Bible there would be certain words that are repeated? Repeated words in the Scripture remind us of the importance of those words. For instance, the word "Word" is used 43 times in Psalm 119. Also, the word "law" appears 25 times, "commandment" 22 times, and "statute" 22 times. This is the acrostic of all acrostics. 25 demarcations correspond to the 22 letters of the Hebrew alphabet. In each of these, we find the Psalmist referring to the Word of God.

Consider the above scriptures. A young man cleanses his way by taking heed thereto according to the word. It is not the letter of the law that absolves sin but faithful obedience to the commands of God throughout each dispensation that makes a man’s way cleansed.

The Patriarchs believed God at His Word and trusted that God would fulfill the blessing upon their faithfulness (cf. Heb 11:8-21). Moses and those living under the Mosaic dispensation believed the promises of the Law certainly were able to be attained if they did not add nor take away from it (cf. Deuteronomy 4:2). Lastly, under the present Christian dispensation, we know that today the Word sanctifies us in truth (cf. John 17:17). We can read that the truth is what sets one free (cf. John 8:32). The Psalmist declared he hid that truth in his heart to refrain from sinning against the Lord.

It is no mistake why we so often turn to book, chapter, and verse for our authority in religion. To not do so would be to sin against the Lord. It would serve the purpose of serving ourselves and not the one we claim as Lord and God. Make no mistake, the quantity of words is important but what is more important is what we will do with the Word, which is the standard by which all men will be judged (cf. John 12:48). I invite you to open your Bibles today and follow along but not to isolate that to Sunday or Wednesday. Feast on the Word daily, and may your paths be cleansed daily.

Grace and Peace,

Ryan

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