0554. Word–that Which Is Spoken
Word–that Which Is Spoken
"I will delight myself in Thy statutes; I will not forget Thy Word" (Psa_119:16).
In the English the word before us is the same as that already discussed, but not so in the Hebrew. The first word was the Hebrew, "Imrah;" the word before us now, is from the Hebrew "Dabar." "Dabar" suggests, "arranging in a row," "placing in order." Therefore it signifies "words, set forth in speech." "It refers to the articulate form of what is said."
The first use of this "Dabar," in the Bible is given in Gen_11:1 : "And the whole earth was of one language, and of one speech." We suggest the following key verses, from the twenty-four passages wherein this word occurs in our Psalm.
1. Psa_119:89 : "For ever, O Lord, Thy Word is settled in Heaven." God’s speech standeth fast, it shall never pass away. When He speaks no one can annul it, the heavens and earth may pass away, but His Word shall not pass away. "The grass withereth, the flower fadeth, but the Word of our God abideth forever." The Word of God shall be fulfilled every jot and every tittle. It stands settled forever. Times and seasons cannot affect its truth. With God’s Word there is no variableness nor shadow of turning.
2. Psa_119:105 : "Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path." How many there are to-day who are groping in the night. The infidels and the liberals have no lamp to lighten their way. They wander in the dark. To them, indeed, is reserved "the blackness of darkness forever." The children of God, who believe the Word, and accept the language of Heaven, have a lamp which shines in the darkness until the dawn of the day. They walk in the light.
3. Psa_119:42 : "I trust in Thy Word." If God’s Word is settled in Heaven, if it is a lamp to our feet, we must trust implicitly, and follow it faithfully. Such a word is worthy of our confidence. We may not be able to place confidence in princes; we may fear every promise made us by man,–their most solemn pledges may prove but scraps of paper–but, the Word of God is worthy of unwavering trust.
When Israel reached the land of Canaan, they said: "There hath not failed one good word, of all that God hath spoken." God’s Word is immutable. It is trustworthy. We can stand upon it with both feet. We can fearlessly confide in His Word.
4. Psa_119:74 : "Because I have hoped in Thy Word." The word "hope" is distinct from the word "trust." That which we already have, does not lie in the realm of hope. The word "hope" gives us a vista of the wonderful things which God hath prepared for us.
The armies may be almost defeated. Discouragement may have broken their morals. Suddenly there comes to them the- promise of re-enforcements. They hope in the Word. New vigor and new strength is theirs. The battle is won. Yet, all human promises may fail. Something may, intervene. Circumstances may hinder. But those who hope in His Word, will never be ashamed. He hath spoken and He will perform.
5. Psa_119:160 : "Thy Word is true from the beginning." The thought suggested here, is that the Word of God is true in every part. It is true from the beginning, and unto the ending.
6. Psa_119:161 : "My heart standeth in awe of Thy Word." The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. A word which is true altogether, a word which never fails, is a word before which men should tremble.
If we are safely sheltered in Christ, we have awe in the sense of Divine worship; we have awe in the sense of wonder. If we are not in Christ, we have awe in the sense of dread and of fear. It is the Word of God which will judge us in that day. The Word which men have set at naught, which men have trampled under their feet, which men have denied and denounced, will judge men in the last day. The Word will stand as a critic over all of its critics. Therefore let us stand in awe of His Word.
Autor: R.E. NEIGHBOUR