Developing An Appetite For God's Word

The fifth section of Psalm 119 is full of requests; eight in all. It also gives one of the most complete lists of words for God’s word. In these eight verses, 119:33 – 40, there are eight different words used for God’s word, each one with a particular meaning describing the beauty and blessing of God’s word.

         In the first verse you find the word “statutes,” khok, which you have already learned to mean engraved. This emphasizes the permanence of God’s word. Then in verse thirty-four you find the word torah, which you have already learned as the instructions of God. The next verse talks about the “commandments” of God. This is the Hebrew word mitzvah, and has built into it the idea of a relationship with responsibility. It is used in the Old Testament to describe the relationship of a father with his son (1 Samuel 17:20), a farmer with his workers (Ruth 2:9), a king with his servants (2 Samuel 21:14), and God with His people (Deuteronomy 5:33).

         The fourth word is “testimonies,” which is the Hebrew word aydooth, from the root word for “witness.” It was a legal word describing a person who repeated an event as true. God’s testimonies are His words, which are true. He bears witness of Himself. The word “testimony” points to what is true, reliable, and real. You can trust the testimonies of God.

         The fifth word in this section for God’s word is the word “ways.” On the surface this may not seem to fit, and yet the ways of God are only known from the words of God. All of the words of God point in a direction and lead to a relationship with God. Jesus Christ is the full revelation of God. He called Himself, “…the way, the truth, and the life.” John 14:6. The Hebrew word for “way” is derek, which is from a root word meaning “foot.” The concept is the path that your feet make when walking in a particular direction, which becomes a foot trail that others will follow. The “way” is a word describing the path that God has laid in His word that leads to a personal relationship with Him.

         The sixth word in this section for God’s word is the word “promise.” It is the Hebrew word emrah, which literally means a spoken word. When God speaks, it is a promise because first He says it, then He does it, but not until He first says it. What God says, He always does, because God is faithful. This word, emrah, emphasizes God’s faithfulness to His own word. He is able to do what He says, which means that you can trust Him.

         The seventh word is the Hebrew word mishpawt, which is translated “rules.” This word is built upon the word “ruler” and has the concept of the edict of a sovereign king. His word is the government. The rules of God communicate His sovereignty and control over everything. He established the universe by His righteous decrees and He rules by His own word. This word gives assurance that God is the ultimate Ruler of everything. He rules with righteous judgments. You can trust Him.

         The eighth word in this section of requests, 119:33 – 40, is the Hebrew word pikqood, “precepts.” This Hebrew word has the meaning of overseeing, ordering or numbering. The Greek equivalent of this word is arithmein, from which we get our English word “arithmetic.” The understanding of “precepts” is that God’s word has order, arrangement, and oversight. His precepts put life in its proper perspective and order. God superintends life according to His word. Following His precepts adds up and equates to a life well ordered.

         Take time to review Psalm 119:33 – 40 and adopt one of the requests as your prayer request for the day with your new understanding of the Hebrew words. As you do, you will be praying God’s word and discovering the rich flavor that is only found in Him. This is what it means to worship the Father in spirit and truth.