Psalm 119:17-24 Gimel
Gimel
Deal bountifully with your servant, that I may live and keep your word.
Open my eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of your law.
I am a sojourner on the earth; hide not your commandments from me!
My soul is consumed with longing for your rules at all times.
You rebuke the insolent, accursed ones, who wander from your commandments.
Take away from me scorn and contempt, for I have kept your testimonies.
Even though princes sit plotting against me, your servant will meditate on your statutes.
Your testimonies are my delight; they are my counselors.
Gimel is the third letter of the Hebrew Alphabet.
Remember Psalm 119 is an acrostic poem meaning that each verse in the stanza of eight verses would have started with the letter Gimel originally.
According to Rabbin Deborah Brandt, Gimel means Happiness in the Law of God.
In her book “A Devotional Study in Psalm 119,” Rabbin Brandt points to acts of kindness as a basis of human society. The Hebrew children learned kindness and service towards others from Psalm 119:17-24.
She adds that the meaning behind the first three letters of the Hebrew alphabet, “Alpha pointing to Torah, Beth pointing to divine services and Gimel pointing to acts of kindness,” hold the blueprint for a blessed life.
What is desired in a man is steadfast love, and a poor man is better than a liar. Proverbs 19:22 ESV
She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue. Proverbs 31:26 ESV
Charles Spurgeon had another perspective of these verses. In his book, “The Golden Alphabet,” Spurgeon writes, “…the trails of the way appear to be plain in the psalmist’s mind, and he prays accordingly for the help that will meet his situation.” Later Spurgeon adds, “…so here he pleads as a servant and a pilgrim who increasingly finds himself to be a stranger in an enemy’s country. His appeal is to God alone, and his prayer is especially direct and personal. He speaks with the Lord like a man speaks with his friend.”
Extracting the gospel message from these two authors might sound something like “happiness in God’s Law” is revealed in our personal relationship to Him where we can speak to him “like a man speaks with his friend.” We receive a relationship with God the Father through the finished work of God the Son, Jesus.
We find the end in Him and He is the means to the end. (Matthew 7:11, Matthew 10:8, Matthew 11:28, Matthew 19:21, Luke 6:30, Luke 6:38, ESV, John 14:6)
Burke Care would love to meet you where you are and sojourn alongside you on your journey. How can we help you commit to Bible reading, praying, and serving others in your community.
God in heaven, holy is Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done. Father have me put aside my agenda in order to see where you are moving. Give me eyes to see the individuals you have place near me. Give me the faith to speak about you in my weakness. Make me strong for Your glory and Your honor and praise. I want to see others come to know You. Fill me with your Holy Spirit so that I will be faithful and obedient to Your will. Amen
Application Questions:
How do I find happiness in the Law of God when I struggle to be happy with the circumstances that I find myself in?
How do I practice more of friendship conversation with God the Father, God the Son (Jesus) and God the Holy Spirit?
Who can I talk to if I feel uncomfortable relating to God as a friend?
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