Psalm 119 is about loving God’s Torah, His statutes, commands and precepts. It is broken up into sections with strange looking words or letters which are the Hebrew alphabet. In the Hebrew Scriptures, each line of each section starts with a word beginning with this letter. This is called an acrostic poem. Each Hebrew letter also has a word picture associated with it giving greater meaning and symbolism to each line of the specific letter-ed section.
פ Peh – A Mouth
To Speak, Source (of a river)
“Your instruction is a wonder; this is why I follow it. Your words are a doorway that lets in light, giving understanding to the thoughtless. My mouth is wide open, as I pant with longing for your mitzvot. Turn to me, and show me your favor; in keeping with [your] judgment for those who love your name. Guide my footsteps by your word; don’t let any kind of sin rule me. Redeem me from human oppression, and I will observe your precepts. Make your face shine on your servant, and teach me your laws. Rivers of tears flow down from my eyes, because they don’t observe your Torah.”
The are two mouths in the Bible: the mouth of Adonai and our mouths. From the mouth of Adonai, we receive our sustenance, the bread of life. We hear the words from the mouth of the prophets; and we hear the Word in flesh, Yeshua. The words from the mouth Adonai return to Him after accomplishing their purpose (Isaiah 55:10-11). Because the mouth Adonai has spoken, He glory is revealed to mankind (Isaiah 40:5).
Our mouths, however, do not always open with words of instruction, prophecies, or a revelation of God’s glory. Human mouths are filled with idle words, gossip, slander, and judgment that returns to us also accomplishing their purpose: division, pain, and suffering in ourselves. James says that the tongue is full of wickedness, it defiles, it deceives, and it boasts that it starts a forest fire. While God’s mouth is a river of life, man’s mouth brings death dealing poison (James 3:5-8). IF we can keep our lips from speaking deceptive words, God promises long life (Psalm 34). If not, we will give an account for every careless word that comes out of our mouths (Matthew 12:36).
The words that flow from the mouth develop in the heart. What thoughts form in our minds will eventually pop out of our mouths. If our hearts are filled with the cares of this world, selfish desires, anger, and bitterness will flow out of our mouths (Luke 6:45). We will have a biting tongue, use cuss words, and speak profanely.
If our hearts are filled with the Word of God, the Spirit will not allow harmful language to come from our mouths. The doorway that lets in light will give ‘understanding to the thoughtless.’ We will speak only good words that help encourage and will benefit those who hear what we speak (Ephesians 4:29). The fruits of the Spirit will overflow with His words of peace, joy, love, kindness, goodness, faithfulness and gentleness. We may even receive the empowering grace of God to remain silent!
David understands that observing God’s commands keeps sin from ruling in his life (1 John 3:4). He loves the name of Adonai and asks to receive favor from Him accordingly. He desires Adonai to shine His face on him so that he can be taught His ways –– the words of the priestly blessing.
David’s mouth is wide open, panting and thirsting to receive the Living Water that comes from Torah. As his love for God and His commandments fill David’s heart, his mouth overflows. Tehillah is a Hebrew word that means a ‘spontaneous new song from a melody in your heart that has added words.’ It is singing an unrehearsed song from the heart straight to God. David’s heart overflowed with love for God, and through the Psalms –– the prayers, the worship, the raw honesty of the King of Israel –– we can see a man who desired salvation (yeshua) from human oppression so he could wholeheartedly observe Adonai’s precepts.
“Sing psalms (tehillah), hymns and spiritual songs to each other; sing to the Lord and make music in your heart to him” (Epheisans 5:19).
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