Tav gives us a real sense of finality here at the end of this wonderful Psalm. You could summarise it as, “Hear my cry, I will praise you, be ready for me if I trip, I have not always done right”.
It feels like his last comments before he rises to action, like Frodo locking his front door at Hobbiton before setting off with the Fellowship. He just needs one more reminder that God is listening, God will help him and God will fetch him if he goes astray. Surely this author and the current reader can identify with that feeling. Let’s dive in.
Let my cry come before you, O Lord;
give me understanding according to your word!
Let my plea come before you;
deliver me according to your word.
119:169-170
There are five ‘let’ phrases in this poem, although there only seems to be a meaningful connection between these first two. They mirror each other quite closely, with the first phrase of both being ‘Let my (cry/plea) come before you’, and the second phrase being a request (for understanding/deliverance) ‘according to your word’.
On a practical note, the language here reminds this author that fervent and regular prayer is probably not a mild mumbling or a lukewarm listing of wants and concerns, but a cry. Too often this author’s prayer is more like recording a voicemail (in terms of passion and vigour) than coming before the all-powerful God of the universe who loves him.
It also really appears that this Psalmist prays with his Torah at hand, because in these verses as in much of the Psalm, he anchors his request in what he knows of God’s ways from his word. This is a good model for us. We should ask that God blesses us in accordance with his promises and with his word.
My lips will pour forth praise,
for you teach me your statutes.
My tongue will sing of your word,
for all your commandments are right.
v171-172
Just like the previous two verses, these two verses mirror each other quite closely. In both phrases he sings to God, either pouring forth praise or singing of his word. Then both verses establish that behaviour on the basis of God’s law, either in God teaching his statutes to the Psalmist, or in the recognition that all his commandments are right. Whenever we see a structure like this, we should take some time to consider and meditate on the pairing, and see what it has to teach us about the things it compares.
Did you notice that in v171 he says “you teach me”? This shows us that God is directly involved in our process of learning his word, whether in personal Bible study, in a Sunday School classroom, or otherwise. We do well to pray that God would give us understanding and true knowledge when we lead a Bible study or take part in one, because ultimately it his His Spirit who is present to build and furnish our souls with a mature knowledge of his statutes (cf. John 14:25-26).
There are two further points for consideration here. Firstly, our brother sings songs of praise because of his increasing knowledge of God’s word. This easily gives us reason to include in our Sunday Worship songs that speak of learning and reading his word, even though that is not currently en vogue in contemporary Christian music. Secondly, it makes sense that as we learn God’s ways more and more, as we have the powerful words of Scripture bouncing around in our heads more and more, that our souls would more naturally rise up in praise to God, even in small ways at small mercies. Praise is what all humans are built for, and those elect people who become new creations in Christ are praising in the only way that is good and beautiful.
Naturally verse 172 is much the same, and fills out our picture for us. We can sing about God’s word. It isn’t idolatry to love the Bible. All his commandments are right, so the Bible is the only book you can pick up where you never have to worry about spitting out the bones.
So, as a quick note of application, go find some theologically rich Christian music, especially some that references doctrine we learn in Scripture, and sing your heart out! After all, you’ll be doing it for all eternity.
Let your hand be ready to help me,
for I have chosen your precepts.
I long for your salvation, O Lord,
and your law is my delight.
v173-174
The language of this first line is so tender, like a child asking her father to stand by as she attempts a risky new feat like riding a bike or diving into a pool. As Christians we know that God’s hand is powerful, and that he is always paying attention and so could help us at any moment, but we are fallen humans, and it is reassuring to be reminded of it. As we noted at the beginning of this piece, language like this gives the impression that our Psalmist is about to rise and take action, and he’s looking for that last pep talk, that last skerrick of encouragement before he sets off.
What’s more, the request seems very sensible. God has given him rules about life. He has explicitly chosen to follow God’s rules. It makes sense that if he’s trusting God’s ways, he hopes that God would intervene on his behalf should calamity come knocking.
The second phrase is similar. He longs for God’s ‘salvation’. As we have previously discussed, this isn’t justification narrowly concerned, but more like vindication and deliverance generally. He appears to be looking forward to a time in the future where he expects that he will see God publicly come in to bat for him and ‘save him’, just as he asks God to be ready to stretch out his hand should he need it.
These two verses would make for a great couplet to recite before embarking upon street evangelism. It can be stressful or confusing sometimes, so calling upon God’s help and salvation makes a lot of sense, and hopefully these words will give us the courage to stand firm on his precepts and law.
Let my soul live and praise you,
and let your rules help me.
I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek your servant,
for I do not forget your commandments.
v175-176
Verse 175 seems to summarise key ideas from verses 171-172, possibly 173. He asks for life so that he can praise God (similar to ‘pour forth praise’ and ‘sing of your word’ in v171-172), and he appeals to God’s rules to do so (just like the accompanying phrases in v171-172), and he uses the same structure (let your x help me) from verse 173.
Similarly, verse 176 may be hearkening back to v169-170, since those verses had the Psalmist ‘crying out’ to God, hoping that his pleas would reach God. That perfectly maps onto the image of one who has gone astray like a lost sheep, and is now hopelessly crying out and wondering if their pleas are heard, hoping that God will seek them out and deliver them. Following on, the phrase “I do not forget your commandments” matches the phrases from v169-170 in which he appeals for understanding and salvation according to God’s word, since his knowledge of and love for God’s commandments is like that last rope of safety that he can hold onto and appeal to as he asks God to drag him out of the muck.
To bring together and paraphrase the spirit of v169,170,176, we could say, ‘God I have lost my way and I’m crying out to you. It feels like you might not hear me since I’m so far away from you, but I hope you will. I’m relying on what your word says about how forgiving you are, and how you promise to keep your people safe in your hand. Please come and get me, I haven’t forgotten everything’.
Lastly, there is something very unique about v176. It is one of only two verses in all of Psalm 119 in which the Psalmist directly admits wrongdoing or sin (cf. v67 “I went astray”), and the only place where he asks God to seek him, and not the other way. This is such a cliffhanger and an unexpected turn in this Psalm, which has otherwise stayed extremely consistent in the kinds of statements and requests made. It is the last verse of the whole Psalm, and its inclusion here can be no accident.
Likewise, take note of the manner in which he says he has strayed: “like a lost sheep”. This is totally unlike the way that wicked people turn away from God’s law, which he describes in clear terms as decided moral rebellion. He is still God’s servant and sheep, but in his weakness and folly he has gone astray. So also, dear reader, you may find yourself from time to time like this. If you have become consumed with the worries of this world or the pride in your possessions, you might have lost track. You’re still God’s servant and the sheep of his flock, but perhaps you need the shepherd to come find you and bring you back. That doesn’t mean you have become the wicked one who disparages and maligns God’s law.
So, that’s it. That is the end of Tav, the end of Psalm 119 and the end of the final post in our series ‘The Light of the Law’. We have read through and commented on each poem in Psalm 119, and it has been an incredible journey, one that has shown the invincible goodness of God’s law, the incredible blessings of faithfulness, the very real struggles and pain of living in a fallen world, the need for supernatural work in our hearts if we would believe and live faithfully, and so much more. These words are words of light, and words of life. This author prays that they have encouraged and strengthened you, as they have him.
This article series will remain visible on this blog for some time, but in 2025 much of this will be taken down, since these articles will undergo editing and revision, some extra bits will be added in, and it will be compiled together into a book which this author will sell. We hope that if you have gained from these articles, that you will consider buying it.
God bless you all.
Distilled Orthopraxy 