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?