Psalms Chapter 119-samech (15) |
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Psalms 119-samech
To Hear a Talk based on the Text below: |
Psalm One Hundred and Nineteen (15)
SAMECH
This section of eight verses has the first word in each verse begin with the Hebrew letter "samech". This is the equivalent of the English letter "s". There is another letter in the Hebrew alphabet "sin" which can be sounded the same as "samech". It may be that at one stage the two letters had different sounds but now for practical purposes they do not. "Samech" is sometimes considered to have negative connotations. The theme of this section named after "samech" is resistance to evil. We must not give in to the powers of adversity. This section speaks of overcoming evil thoughts, keeping away from bad people, receiving help from the Almighty in order not to sin and be ashamed, recognizing that non-Biblical philosophies are false and deceitful, and the importance of the Fear of Heaven.
[Psalms 119:113] I HATE VAIN THOUGHTS: BUT THY LAW DO I LOVE.
We should avoid thinking in directions that are not according to the Bible. We should think along Biblical lines.
[Psalms 119:114] THOU ART MY HIDING PLACE AND MY SHIELD: I HOPE IN THY WORD.
Studying the Bible and praying can keep us safe from temptation.
[Psalms 119:115] DEPART FROM ME, YE EVILDOERS: FOR I WILL KEEP THE COMMANDMENTS OF MY GOD.
EVILDOERS. Hebrew "me-rayim" connoting they who make others evil. Not only do they give into their baser instincts and do evil themselves but they also try and persuade others to be evil like they are. We should keep away from they who do evil. We need to keep the commandments and do the will of the Almighty.
[Psalms 119:116] UPHOLD ME ACCORDING UNTO THY WORD, THAT I MAY LIVE: AND LET ME NOT BE ASHAMED OF MY HOPE.
We ask God to give strength to go in HIS path, otherwise we are liable to sin and be ashamed of ourselves.
MY HOPE. Hebrew "me-sivri" from the root "SaVeR" meaning "think". It can also mean hope so the KJ Translation is correct but it has a double meaning. Let the way I think be correct one and not lead me into shame. Let me not deceive myself.
[Psalms 119:117] HOLD THOU ME UP, AND I SHALL BE SAFE: AND I WILL HAVE RESPECT UNTO THY STATUTES CONTINUALLY.
[Psalms 119:118] THOU HAST TRODDEN DOWN ALL THEM THAT ERR FROM THY STATUTES: FOR THEIR DECEIT IS FALSEHOOD.
TRODDEN DOWN. Hebrew "salita" from the Hebrew root SLH. This connotes "raising up". In the Psalms at the end of a group of verses we often come across the expression "Selah". This may be from the same word-root and be a musical note or sign for the chorus to come in and lift the song up. A roadway was built on a raised platform of earth and therefore it was called a "mesillah" i.e. something raised from the same root "SLH" root. The KJ therefore translates "salita" here as "trodden down" just like they go along a pathway tread down what they walk over.
S.R. Hirsch gives a different explanation.
S.R. Hirsch says that here "salita" implies "raised up" just as something very light, with no weight, is picked up. The evil people with their false doctrines have no weight behind them and are easily cast aside as in effect saying nothing.
Very often one encounters "intellectuals" who speak very confidently against the Torah and give the impression that they have sound reasoning behind them. When however what these pseudo-intellectuals actually did say is examined it is found that there is nothing of substance in their words.
[Psalms 119:119] THOU PUTTEST AWAY ALL THE WICKED OF THE EARTH LIKE DROSS: THEREFORE I LOVE THY TESTIMONIES.
Everyone who goes in a non-Scriptural path in the need is punished and meets disaster. By keeping we become strength and overcome bad times and temptations.
[Psalms 119:120] MY FLESH TREMBLETH FOR FEAR OF THEE; AND I AM AFRAID OF THY JUDGMENTS.
The fear of the Almighty should be something that is physically real to us. In the same way as a person who is afraid of physical injury experiences a physical reaction so too should we be afraid of sinning in a physical sense.
Psalms Chapter 119-Samech |
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