The eighteenth letter in the Hebrew alphabet is tsadhe.
The theme of this section, 119:137 – 144, is righteousness. This word is used
several times in these verses. The Hebrew word for “righteousness” is tsadeek.
This is a root word with the meaning of being straight. It developed into the
meaning of an ethical and moral standard of the nature, word, and will of God.
The first line declares this truth, “Righteous are you, O LORD, and right are
your rules.” This is a confession of praise, which is the direct
revelation of God’s word. Declarations of praise are grounded and grow out of
God’s word because God’s word reveals God’s character.
The next line gives more definition to this word
tsadeek;
“You have appointed your testimonies in righteousness and in all faithfulness.”
The word “appointed” is the Hebrew word tsavah, with the meaning
of commanded or commissioned. This word is used in Psalm 33:9 concerning
creation, “For he spoke, and it came to be; he commanded, and it stood firm.” It
is understood that the one who commands and/or commissions is the one who is in
authority. This gives the word tsadeek the understanding that God
judges and rules according to His righteousness. His righteousness is the
standard by which He reigns and judges.
The last word in the line above is the word
“faithfulness,” which is the Hebrew word emoon. The root of this word means
firmness, foundational truth, certainty, and assurance. The Hebrew word amen,
is from this family of words. The Hebrew understanding of faith is the fruit of
this word in the sense of the certainty that what God has said, He will do. The
assurance of this is the foundation of life, because it puts you right with
God.
The writer of Hebrews was steeped in this understanding
when he wrote, “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things
not seen,” Hebrews 11:1. The Greek word translated “substance” is hoopostace,
from two words, to stand under; in other words, a foundation, an assurance, a
certainty from God’s word. Faith gives substance to your life because it rests
upon the solid and eternal truth of God’s word, God’s will, God’s character.
God is righteous because God is faithful. God is faithful because God is
righteous! AMEN!
There is only one request in this prayer section
and it is found in the last line; “Your testimonies are righteous forever; give
me understanding that I may live.” The word “understanding” is the
Hebrew word bayin, which has been discussed. It means to cut and to discern
the difference between good and evil. It is a gift only God can give.
Understanding and discernment do not come from study or from experience, and
certainly not from a tree (Genesis 2:16 – 17). It is given as a gift from God,
which He gives from His eternal word, through faith in His word.
As you learn to pray from God’s word, you will
be praying His words, allowing them to shape your thoughts and your prayers. As
God’s child, you are learning to talk, in the same way a child learns to talk,
by listening to the Father’s words. As God hears His words, His accent, His
character, coming from your lips, because you trust Him, it pleases Him, so
much.
Today, confess the character of God in prayer,
according to His word. Start with tsadeek, righteous. Ask for the gift
of bayin,
discernment, so that from God’s word you can clearly see what is the good and
righteous will of God. Thank God for His
goodness, His faithfulness, His righteousness fully revealed in the Lord Jesus
Christ. The Father loves hearing His righteous word coming from your heart
concerning His character, and the Son of His love. This is what it means to
worship the Father in spirit and truth.
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