Psalm 119:9 English Standard Version

Beth

9 How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word.

This is the English transliteration for the Hebrew beth, meaning “house,” “tent,” “place.” It occurs in many compound proper names formed similarly to the method of compounding words in the German language, as shown in the articles immediately following. Thus we have beth ‘anath or ‘anoth =” house of replies”; beth’el =” house of God” (Source BLB.ORG)

How appropriate that the first verse in the second section of Psalm 119 addresses two important issues. Beth is the second letter in the Hebrew alphabet and while its primary meaning is a dwelling place, its secondary meaning is addressed first.

The answer to important questions are found in His Word. God replies to those in His dwelling place.

Why this question of purity is asked and answered first in this section is important and can be seen in scripture as examples of why it is listed first.

Exodus 3:5 English Standard Version (ESV) Then he said, “Do not come near; take your sandals off your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground.”

We often miss important answers because we do not ask appropriate questions. We often take His Word for granted without seeking the underlying implications. Note closely God’s instruction to remove his sandals after Moses had already stood on Holy Ground.

The first thing that comes to mind for most of us is what has been taught to us about this moment. There is the issue of holiness and that nothing is allowed to come before God that is unholy for it will be destroyed before it gets close enough to pollute our Holy God. The shoes are taught to represent sin and need to be removed before entering into His presence.

But Moses was already standing on Holy Ground before God told him to remove his sandals.

Here is the question. What did Moses do with his sandals?

Psalm 119:1-6 English Standard Version

Your Word Is a Lamp to My Feet

Aleph

1 Blessed are those whose way is blameless, who walk in the law of the Lord!

2 Blessed are those who keep his testimonies, who seek him with their whole heart,

3 who also do no wrong, but walk in his ways!

4 You have commanded your precepts to be kept diligently.

5 Oh that my ways may be steadfast in keeping your statutes!

6 Then I shall not be put to shame, having my eyes fixed on all your commandments.

Aleph is the first letter of the Hebrew alphabet. It is nearly soundless itself and best represented by the smooth breathing. (International Bible Encyclopedia)

These six lines of verse are the beginning verses of the bible’s longest chapter. There is so much to learn from Psalm 119 but for today let us concentrate on these six.

1 Blessed are those who walk with the Lord.

2 They seek the Lord with their whole heart.

3 Do not focus on right or wrong, walk where He leads.

4 Be diligent not to step off the path He walks, following in His steps.

5 Hope that every step is taken without fear of failure.

6 Keep an eye on the prize.

Sometimes we can look around us and see that no one else is on the path with us. By no one I mean human companions, brothers and sisters in Christ. A sense of doubt may arise in our soul if we find ourselves alone on a Walk with Christ. That does not mean we are alone.

Some of us are chosen to walk a path which is His will for us and not of our own choosing. We might choose another path if it were not for one important detail. We sought our Lord with our whole heart and we know He is leading us. 

We also might know where He is leading us. That might not be something we want for ourselves. This is where steadfastness comes into play. Who we are in Christ cannot live with ourselves if we turn back.

When we walk with the Lord in His will for us, we need not fear what will happen. We might not like it, which is the flesh complaining, but our resolve must be to see things through to some conclusion to avoid the shame that will follow us if we quit.

2 Corinthians 4:16 English Standard Version (ESV) So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day.