0553. Word–a Saying or a Speech

Word–a Saying or a Speech

"Thy Word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against Thee" (Psa_119:11).

There are two words in Psalms 119, which are translated "word." The first, in order, we notice now. It is from the Hebrew word "Imrah," and signifies a saying or a speech. It is expressed in Isa_53:1, "Who hath believed our report?" The word first occurs in Gen_4:23, "And Lamech said unto his wives * * hearken unto my speech." This word occurs twenty-four times in this Psalm. We will select for our study a few of the striking passages.

1. Psa_119:11 : "Thy Word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against Thee." If people knew more of God’s sayings, they would find themselves better shielded from satan’s attacks. Jesus Christ, when tempted of satan, threw him back, each time, by quoting the Word of God. People are "carried about with every wind of doctrine, and the cunning craftiness of men, whereby they lie in wait to deceive," simply because they do not have His Word hid in their hearts.

2. Psa_119:154 : "Quicken me according to Thy Word." The word "quicken" suggests life-giving power. Of course, this "quickening" is clearly taught in many passages. The Word itself is a "Living Word," and therefore it is powerful to produce life–"Born again, not by corruptible seed, but * * by the Word of God." James puts it thus: "Receive with meekness the engrafted Word, which is able to save your souls." So in regeneration, we are quickened by the Word.

3. Psa_119:103 : "How sweet are Thy Words unto my taste! yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth!" How those who have been quickened by the Word, do relish the Word. Those who really love God, find that His words are as manna to the soul–manna, sweeter than honey. Jesus Christ said that man should not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of His mouth. Thus the Word which first quickened us, now sustains us. It is our daily food, and it is sweet tasting in our mouth.

4. Psa_119:172 : "My tongue shall speak of Thy Word." This means that, in speech and in song, we delight to sound forth His Word. We are not speaking our word, but His. Those who have His Word should speak it faithfully. "Preach the Word," is God’s command. "What is the chaff to the wheat? saith the Lord."

5. Psa_119:140 : "Thy Word is very pure: therefore Thy servant loveth it." The word "pure" carries with it the thought of truth. Jesus Christ said, "Sanctify them through Thy Truth; Thy Word is Truth." In all the world there is but one word that is truth, always truth, only truth, and that is, His Word. It is not partially true. It is not merely true in spots. It is true, always true. It is pure, always pure–free from error.

6. Psa_119:50 : "This is my comfort in my affliction: for Thy Word hath quickened me." There is nothing that is such a boon to the wounded spirit; such a comfort in the hour of distress, as the Word of God. There is never a place in any experience; never a conflict; never a sorrow; never a question, but, somewhere in the Bible, God has a word of comfort. The very word we need, the very word that fits our case is always here.

7. Psa_119:116 : "Uphold me according unto Thy Word, that I may live: and let me not be ashamed of my hope." The Word of God is God’s strong hand to the feeble and to the fallen. When Jairus was fainting under the announcement that his daughter was dead, Christ said: "Only believe." Jairus was upheld by Christ’s Word. Many a trembling saint, since that day, has been strengthened in the hour of their trial by the Word of God. The Word as recorded in the Book of Revelation will lend a marvelous encouragement to the hated and satan-driven believers during the dark period of tribulation.

Autor: R.E. NEIGHBOUR