Sweet Kingdom MBC - Rev. Robert Jones, Pastor

Sweet Kingdom MBC - Rev. Robert Jones, Pastor Provide Spiritual Support and Guidance for the Parishioners and the Community

07/17/2024

Bible Class Psalm 120 and 121
Sweet Kingdom Missionary Baptist Church
Instructor: Rev. Robert Jones, Sr.
Date: July 17, 2024

A Song of Degrees
Psalm 120:1-7

After the lengthy and complex 119th Psalm, we encounter a set of fifteen Psalms identified at the “songs of ascent”. They are also known as the “songs of degrees”. These psalms are relatively short, and they describe the idea of the journey to the Temple and, more importantly, to return to God. Psalm 20 begins, “In my distress I cried unto the Lord, and he heard me. Deliver my soul from lying lips, and from a deceitful tongue” (v. 1-2). The writer of the Psalm describes a situation where he is traveling through a strange land. This becomes apparent later in the Psalm, but in this part of the Psalm he calls upon the name of the Lord, because those around are attacking him with lies. If you are a lover of truth, it is painful to live in the midst of liars. The Psalmist asks God to deliver his soul from such people. He continues, “What shall be given unto thee? Or what shall be done unto thee, thou false tongue? Sharp arrows of the mighty, with coals of juniper. Woe is me, that I sojourn in Mesech, that I dwell in the tents of Kedar” (v.3-5). The Psalmist asks God, not only to deliver him, but to punish those who lie with “sharp arrows of the mighty” and with “coals of juniper”. The juniper bush was one that burned hot and lasted long. Thus, he is asking the Lord to punish the liars with a painful and lasting punishment. “Mesech” was a place that dealt in slaves, and Kedar was the home of warriors. Both places were violent and Godless. “My soul hath long dwelt with him that hateth peace. I am for peace: but when I speak, they are for war” (v. 6-7) The essence of the Psalm points to how miserable it is to live among liars and those who are violent. In the first of these fifteen Psalms, the we see the virtue of moving away from violent and deceitful people.

A Song of Degrees
Psalm 121:1-8

This is a very well-known and powerful Psalm. It begins, “I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth” (v. 1-2). These verses carry a powerful idea, when you need help, don’t depend on man, depend on the creator of heaven and earth. Why? “He will not suffer thy foot to be moved; the that keepeth thee will not slumber. Behold, he that keepeth Israel will neither slumber not sleep. The Lord is thy keeper : the Lord is thy shade upon thy right hand. The sun shall not smite thee by day, nor the moon by night” (v.3-6). “He will not suffer thy foot to be moved”, means that God will help you to be stable and remain firm in your resolve. The fact that God keeps us means that we don’t have to worry about danger, because God never sleeps. The right hand is usually the hand that works and the hand that fights, Also, the Lord provides shade from the heat of the sun during the day, and from the fears that come under the moon at night. Some people fear the heat of the day, while others fear the darkness of night. The Lord cares for his own during both. Consider the old song, “I’ll be alright, if you hold back the night”.

“The Lord shall preserve thee from all evil: he shall preserve thy soul (your life). The Lord shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore” (v.7-8). This is a blessing that proclaims that God will watch over and preserve us in all of our travels, both in leaving home (going out) and in our returning (going in). Like the Psalm before it, this Psalm addresses the need of God’s protection even as we return to Him.

06/12/2024

Bible Class Psalm 119, part 11
Sweet Kingdom Missionary Baptist Church
Instructor: Rev. Robert Jones, Sr.
Date: June 12, 2024

SCHIN and TAU
Psalm 119:161-176
Schin or Shin
The letter shin resembles both the tongues of a flame and the teeth of our mouths; therefore it represents the idea of consumption. As fire consumes so does the mouth, so let’s keep the idea of something being consumed in mind. Verse 161 begins, “Princes have persecuted me without a cause: but my heart standeth in awe of thy word. I rejoice at thy word, as one findeth great spoil. I hate and abhor lying, but thy law do I love. Seven times a day do I praise thee because of thy righteous judgments” (v. 161-164). These verses reflect one who is being consumed by God’s word. As the word consumes him. He “stands in awe” like a man who has found a treasure (spoil). He hates lying because it is the opposite of God’s law, but God’s law also allows us to recognize lying. And he praises God “seven times a day” (seven is the number of completeness), because of God’s righteous judgments.

“Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend (or, be a stumbling block to) them. Lord, I have hoped for thy salvation, and done thy commandments. My soul hath kept thy testimonies; and I love them exceedingly. I have kept thy precepts and thy testimonies: for all my ways are before thee” (v. 165-168). As we are consumed by God we are changed. The is “great peace” that comes to those who love God, and that peace means that nothing can impede their progress. And finally loving God and keeping His commandments insure that we can live knowing that all of our ways are known to him.

Key thought—“Being consumed by God, means not being consumed by the world”.

Tau or Tav
The last and 22nd letter of the Aleph bet is Tau. Tau means “mark” or “seal”. Verse 169 begins, “Let my cry come near before thee, O Lord, give me understanding according to thy word. Let my supplication come before thee: deliver me according to thy word. My lips shall utter praise, when thou hast taught me thy statutes. My tongue shall speak of thy word: for all thy commandments are righteousness” (v. 169-172). These four verses all address speaking about the righteousness of God. The cry, the supplication, the lips and the tongue all speak testimonies about the word and the righteousness of God.

Those who bear the seal of God are changed by it, but it is an ongoing process. “Let thine hand help me; for I have chosen thy precepts. I have longed for thy salvation, O Lord; and thy law is my delight. Let my soul live, and it shall praise thee; and let thy judgments help me. I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek thy servant, for I do not forget thy commandments”. (v. 173-176). These verses carry the idea that now that we have been marked or sealed as belonging to God, it is only the beginning. We still need God’s hand to help us, and to help our soul to live. Especially powerful is verse 176, where the Psalmist identifies himself as a “lost sheep” who has gone astray. But he asks God to seek for him, because he does not forget God’s commandments. In other words, we are marked or labeled as belonging to God, so that even when we stray we can be easily found.

Key thought—Even though salvation is an ongoing process that never really ends, He keep his seal on us throughout.

05/29/2024

Bible Class Psalm 119, part 10
Sweet Kingdom Missionary Baptist Church
Instructor: Rev. Robert Jones, Sr.
Date: May 28, 2024

KOPH and RESH
Psalm 119:145-160

KOPH or Qoph
The Hebrew letter Koph is related to the “eye of a needle”. In fact, it even looks like the eye of a needle in its shape. The idea of trying to fit a thread into a narrow opening is an important image in these verses. The verse begins, “I cried with my whole heart, hear me, O Lord: I will keep thy statutes. I cried unto thee; save me, and I shall keep thy testimonies. I prevented the dawning (or, “I rise before dawn”) of the morning, and cried: I hoped in thy word. Mine eyes prevent the night watches (or, “My eyes are awake before each watch of the night), that I might meditate in thy word” (v. 145-148). These verses describe how desperately the Psalmist is seeking the word of God. He is seeking God early in the morning and all through the night. The idea of such devotion is seen metaphorically, in the difficulty of threading a needle. Jesus said, “And again I say that unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God” (Matt. 19:24). It is believed that Jesus was talking about the exceptionally narrow gates of Jerusalem, where a heavily loaded camel had to be stripped of the load that it was carrying to get it through the gate. But either image demonstrates the difficulty of seeking righteousness by one’s own efforts. Instead of depending on one’s own efforts there is an alternative. “Hear my voice according unto thy lovingkindness: O Lord, quicken (or, enliven) me according to thy judgment. They draw nigh (or, near) that follow after mischief: they are far from thy law. Thou art near, O Lord; and all thy commandments are truth. Concerning thy testimonies, I have known of old that thou hast founded them forever” (v. 149-152). The teaching that I get from these verses is that “those who do mischief are far” from God’s law, but “God is near” to those who seek Him. Also, that God’s lovingkindness or grace will enliven one who become exhausted by his efforts to find God through his own efforts. Key thought—Reliance on one’s own efforts make life more difficult than necessary. God his near, trust in Him.

RESH
The letter Resh is the 20th letter of the Hebrew aleph-bet, and it means, essentially, Head. It implies not just the physical head, but the beginning of a thing. The 153rd verse begins, “Consider mine affliction, and deliver me: for I do not forget thy law. Plead my cause, and deliver me: quicken me according to thy word. Salvation is far from the wicked: for they seek not thy statutes. Great are thy tender mercies, O Lord: quicken me according to thy judgments. Many are my persecutors and mine enemies; yet do I not decline from thy testimonies. I beheld the transgressors, and I was grieved; because they kept not thy word. Consider how I love thy precepts: quicken me, O Lord, according to thy lovingkindness. Thy word is true from the beginning: and every one thy righteous judgments endureth forever” (v. 153-160). Only at the end of the eight verse stanza does the Psalmist mention that God’s word is “true from the beginning”, but throughout the verses he asks to be delivered and quickened.

In a curious way the message of Koph and Resh fit together. Notice that the both end with the idea that God’s testimonies and judgments endure forever. They also both plead for enlivening. But at the end verse 160 echoes a scriptural observation found in the Book of Proverbs, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; and the knowledge of the holy is understanding. For by me (wisdom) thy days shall be multiplied, and the years of thy life shall be increased” (Prov. 9:10-11).
Key Thought—We are enlivened when we begin to live in the fear of and reliance upon God.

05/22/2024

Bible Class: Psalm PE and TZADDI
Sweet Kingdom Missionary Baptist Church
Instructor: Rev. Robert Jones, Sr.
Date: May 22, 2024

PE and TZADDI
Psalm 119:129-144

PE
The Hebrew letter Pe (Peh) means, “mouth”, verses 129-136 seems to emphasize the importance of watching the things that come forth from our mouths. The verse begins, “Thy testimonies are wonderful: therefore doth my soul keep them. The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple. I opened my mouth, and panted: for I longed for thy commandments. Look thou upon me , and be merciful unto me, as thou usest to do unto those that love thy name. Order my steps in thy word: and let not any iniquity have dominion over me” (v. 129-133). Notice that in the first five verses the Psalmist refers to different expressions of the mouth. “Testimonies” are communicate by mouth, as are “thy words”. We pant with our mouths, showing our thirst for God’s commandments. And finally, the Psalmist asks God to order his steps in God’s words. Proverbs 18:21 tells us, “Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof”. And Jesus himself tells us, “Not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man; but that which cometh out of the mouth, this defileth a man” (Matt. 15:11). Be careful what you speak. The statement. “Let not any iniquity have dominion over me”, also means let me not be ruled by my twisted perception of truth. He continues, “Deliver me from the oppression of man: so will I keep thy precepts. Make thy face to shine upon thy servant; and teach me thy statutes. Rivers of water run down mine eyes, because they keep not thy law” (v.134-136).

Key Thought: Think before you speak.

TZADDI
The letter Tzaddi relates to the image of a “hook”, and thus it relates to the idea of being caught or captured. The verse begins, “Righteous art thou, O Lord, and upright are thy judgments. Thy testimonies that thou hast commanded are righteous and faithful. My zeal hath consumed me, because mine enemies have forgotten thy words. Thy word is very pure: therefore thy servant loveth it. I am small and despised: yet do not I forget thy precepts” (v. 137-141). One of the things that we should note is that the image of a hook implies that the saved by God’s hook as he saves the righteous from danger. Therefore, even though “I am small and despised”. But God does not just save us, He also gives believers a zeal that consumes the old man and produces a new creature, even as I am saved from my enemies. In fact the shape of letter Tzaddi has elements that combine the letters Nun, Vau and Yod. All of these elements allude to righteousness, to those who are hooked or captured by God.

The Psalmist continues, “Thy righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, and thy law is the truth. Trouble and anguish have taken hold on me: yet thy commandments are my delights. The righteousness of thy testimonies is everlasting, and I shall live.” (v. 142-144). God’s “everlasting righteousness” is a delight even in when “trouble and anguish” have taken hold, and because of His “everlasting righteousness” we know that we will live.

Key Thought—“Not only are we saved by the hook of God’s righteousness, we are changed by it as well.”

05/08/2024

Bible Class Psalm 119, part 8
Sweet Kingdom Missionary Baptist Church
Instructor: Rev. Robert Jones, Sr.
Date: May 8, 2024

SAMECH and AIN
Psalm 119:113-127

SAMECH
The root word of the letter Samech or Samekh means, “to uphold, support or lean on”, in this way is related to the idea of a shepherd’s staff that helps to support the shepherd in his work and travels. Verse 113 begins, “I hate vain thoughts: but thy law do I love. Thou art my hiding place and my shield. I hope in thy word. Depart from me, ye evil doers: for I will keep the commandments of my God. Uphold me according to thy word, that I may live, and let me not be ashamed of my hope. Hold thou me up, and I shall be safe: and I will have respect unto thy statutes continually” (v.113-117). A shepherd’s staff was an important tool. It was not just a walking stick, it was also a weapon that allowed him to protect his flock. The crook of the staff also allowed the shepherd to reach and rescue sheep from tight places. The staff of Moses was even more powerful. It was an emblem of God’s power and authority. So, when the Psalmist talks about God’s word as being a “hiding place and a shield”, and asking God to “uphold’ him and “hold him up”, it reminds us that God is both our protection and our support.

The Psalm continues, “Thou hast trodden down all them that err for thy statutes; for their deceit is falsehood. Thou puttest away all the wicked of the earth like dross; therefore I love thy testimonies” (v. 118-119). What is “dross”? Dross is the impurities that are left after silver or other precious metals are refined. In other words, the wicked are those who left behind when the righteous are redeemed. Finally, the Psalmist concludes, “My flesh trembleth for fear of thee; and I am afraid of thy judgments” (v. 120). The scriptures assert elsewhere that, “the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; and the knowledge of the holy is understanding”.
Key thought—“Be confident that God will hold you up when you need Him. His rod and his staff comforts, protects, supports and guides us.

AIN
The letter Ain or Ayin (pronounced –“Ah-yeen) mean “eye” and relates to seeing. The verse begins, “I have done judgment and justice: leave me not to mine oppressors. Be surety (or, a guarantor) for thy servant for good: let not the proud oppress me. Mine eyes fail for thy salvation, and for the word of thy righteousness” (v.121-123) The eye is more than an organ, it can be a window into the soul. Have you ever looked someone in the eye and seen that what the mouth is saying doesn’t match what their eyes are telling you? Well, for the time being, the Psalmist appears to be taking his eye off of God’s word and putting them on his enemies. Nevertheless, he continues, “Deal with thy servant according unto thy mercy, and teach me thy statutes. I am thy servant, give me understanding, that I might know thy testimonies. It is time for thee, Lord, to work, for they have made void thy law. Therefore I love thy commandments, above gold, yea, above fine gold. Therefore I esteem all thy precepts concerning all things to be right, and I hate every false way” (v.124-128). The verse that stands out in my mind is, “It is time for thee, Lord, to work, for they have made void thy law”. Because we don’t see God’s salvation (v.123) doesn’t mean that it isn’t there. How strange it is to acknowledge God’s wisdom, to ask God to do something, and then to tell him how and when to do it. “The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single; the whole body shall be full of light. But if thine eye be evil; the whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness!” Matthew 6:22-23.

Key Thought—Don’t let our perceptions cloud the things that we see.

05/01/2024

Bible Class: Psalm 119, part 7
Sweet Kingdom Missionary Baptist Church
Instructor: Rev. Robert Jones, Sr.
Date: May 1, 2024

MEM and NUN
Psalm 119: 97-112

MEM
The direct meaning of the letter Mem relates to “water”. I am reminded of a quote from the Chinese book the Tao Te Ching, it says, “There is nothing more yielding than water, yet water has the power to wear down a stone”. The verse begins, “O how I love thy law! It is my meditation to this day. Thou through thy commandments has made me wiser than mine enemies: for they are ever with me. I have more understanding than all my teachers: for thy testimonies are my meditation. I understand more than the ancients (or, elders), because I keep thy precepts” (v. 97-100). These verses describe how God’s laws, commandments and testimonies can make one wiser than those who propose to have knowledge. Like the living water that Jesus describes in John chapter 4:14, God’s word is a source of inspiration that never runs dry.

The Psalmist continues, “I have refrained my feet from every evil way, that I may keep thy word. I have not departed from judgments for thou hast taught me. How sweet are thy words unto my taste! Yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth! Through thy precepts I get understanding: therefore I hate every false way” (v.101-104). It is important to pay attention that we don’t do things that cause us to deviate from God’s way and judgment (v.101-102). And like water, the taste of God’s word is sweeter than honey.

Key Thought—“Like water, the word of God is essential to life. It makes us wise, it refreshes us, and the more we have it, the more we want it”.

NUN
The direct meaning of Nun relates to “Fish”. This section of Psalm 119 begins, “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. I have sworn, and I will perform it, that I will keep thy righteous judgments” (v. 105-106). Verse 105 is one of the most popular verses in Ps. 119. That God’s word can guide your steps through darkness is a powerful image. But verse 106 brings us into the concept of the fish. As a fish swims and is sustained by the water that it lives in, so does the person of faith live in the word of God. “I am afflicted very much: quicken (or, revive) me O Lord, according unto thy word. Accept, I beseech thee, the freewill offerings of my mouth, O Lord, and teach me thy judgments” (v. 107-108). Even when we are “afflicted” or troubled, the word of God is the solution to our challenges. The psalmist asks God to accept voluntary offering of praise that he has made to Him.

“My soul is continually in my hand; yet do I not forget thy law, yet I do not forget thy law. The wicked have laid a snare for me: yet I erred not from thy precepts” (v.109-110). Like a fish, we can swim where ever we like, but there are consequences to swimming into dangerous waters. Also, like a fish, there are those that cast nets or snares, but the precepts of God help us to avoid them. How often, have we avoided sin simply because God’s law “leads us not into temptation”? “Thy testimonies have I taken as an heritage forever: for they are the rejoicing of my heart. I have inclined (or, set) mine heart to perform thy statutes always, even unto the end” (v. 111-112). The Psalmist emphasizes the importance of not just living in God’s word, but in remaining in for one’s entire life.
Key thought—"God’s word is the water that we swim in, but we need to be aware of where and how we swim in it.”

04/17/2024

Bible Class: Psalm 119, Part 6
Sweet Kingdom Missionary Baptist Church
Instructor: Rev. Robert B. Jones, Sr.
Date: April 17, 2024

CAPH and LAMED
Psalm 119:81-96
CAPH or KAF
CAPH has a number of meanings, it can imply “bowing down”, “a spoon”, or “an outreached palm”. It would seem that these multiple meanings of Caph might be applied to this section of the Psalm. It begins, “My soul fainteth for thy salvation, but I hope in thy word. Mine eyes fail for thy word, saying, when will thou comfort me? For I am become like a bottle (or, wineskin) in the smoke; yet I forget not thy statutes” (v. 81-83). These verses seem to relate the idea of bowing down or humility. The Psalmist seems frustrated or stuck in his situation. “My soul fainteth” and “Mine eyes fail for thy word”, seems to imply the frustration that can sometimes come from waiting for an answer from God. The idea of being like a “bottle in smoke”, in other words, drying out and becoming stiff and useless, is another image of frustration. However, the antidote from this frustration can be found in humility, in other words, in “bowing down”.

“How many are the days of thy servant? When wilt thou execute judgment on them that persecute me? The proud have digged pits for me, which are not after thy law. All thy commandments are faithful: they persecute me wrongfully; help thou me. They had almost consumed me upon the earth: but I forsook not thy precepts. Quicken me after thy lovingkindness; so shall I keep the testimony of thy mouth” (v. 84-88). These five verses asks God for help against those who persecute the Psalmist because, in spite of their attacks, he has trusted in God’s law and precepts. While his enemies plot against him, God remains faithful. Thus he depends on God’s “outstretched palm”.

Key thought—“Lord, help and nourish me in those times when I have become stuck, especially in the presence of my enemies.

LAMED or LAMEDH
The letter Lamed means “to prick”, ”to sting” or “to goad”. It might be thought of a way of persuading through action, not words. Verse 89 begins, “Forever, O Lord, thy word in settled in heaven. Thy faithfulness is unto all generations: thou hast established the earth, and it abideth. They continue this day according to thine ordinances: for all are thy servants. Unless thy law had been my delights; I should then have perished in mine affliction” (v. 89-92). The earth and everything in it abides in the word of God. As we strive for the heavenly kingdom, we should remember that heaven is not a democracy. Heaven has a king. God does not teach us “fun facts”, the Bible’s lessons are for application.

If it wasn’t for God’s word, “we would have perished” in our afflictions. “I will never forget thy precepts; for with them thou hast quickened me. I am thine, save me, for I have sought thy precepts. The wicked have wanted for me to destroy me; but I will consider thy testimonies. I have seen an end of all perfection: but thy commandment is exceeding broad” (v.93-96). A different translation of the last verse is, “to all perfection I see a limit, but your commands are boundless” (New International Version). The idea that God’s word is like a device that prods us and causes us to move, is something that we sometimes need.

Key Thought—Lord, move me to act on your word.

04/10/2024

Bible Class: Psalm 119, part 5
Sweet Kingdom Missionary Baptist Church
Instructor: Rev. Robert Jones, Sr.
Date: April 10, 2024

TETH and YOD
Psalm 119:65-80

TETH (pronounced Tate)
The letter Teth carries with it the idea of both good and evil. The Psalm begins, “Thou hast dealt well with thy servant, O Lord, according unto thy word. Teach me good judgment and knowledge: for I have believed thy commandments. Before I was afflicted I went astray; but now I have kept thy word. Thou art good, and doest good; teach me thy statutes” (v. 65-68). The Psalmist begins this section with the proclamation that God is good. There was, however, a time when the Psalmist “went astray”, but that was before he was afflicted. Most of us view our experiences as either good or bad, however it was the experience of being afflicted that caused the Psalmist to turn to believe on God’s commandments. “The proud have forged a lie against me: but I will keep thy precepts with my whole heart. Their heart is as fat as grease; but I delight in thy law” (v. 69-70). This is a tale of two hearts. The Psalmist describes his heart as being whole and filled with God’s precepts. Those who have lied on him, on the other hand, have a heart that that is “fat as grease” (in other words, gross). These hearts reflect the motives of their owners. “It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes. The law of thy mouth is better unto me than thousands of gold and silver” (v. 71-72).

Key thought—Good and evil are often a matter of perspective. Affliction can lead to good.

YOD or YODH (pronounced YODE)
Yod means, arm or hand: and though it is the smallest letter in the Hebrew aleph bet, it is perhaps the most important, because it implies the “hand of God”. It is also the 10th letter which implies a completeness. The Psalm begins, “Thy hands have made me and fashioned me; give me understanding, that I might learn thy commandments. They that fear thee will be glad when they see me; because I have hoped in thy word. I know, O Lord, that thy judgments are right, and that thou in faithfulness hast afflicted me” (v. 73-75). These verses carry forward the idea seen in Teth; that God’s judgments are always right, and that even affliction is meant to increase faithfulness (see, James 1:12). Also, in the first verse is the idea that “thy hands have made me”, therefore He knows all about us, both the good and the bad. Finally, the Psalmists requests that those who fear the Lord will be glad, when they look upon him because he will be an example of a man whose hope is found in the Lord.

“Let, I pray thee, thy merciful kindness be for my comfort, according to thy word unto thy servant. Let thy tender mercies come unto me, that I may live: for thy law is my delight” (v. 76-77). God’s word is not for theorizing, it is for practical living. The Holy Spirit is the hand of God that guides us in our lives and our decisions. “Let the proud be ashamed; for they dealt perversely with me without a cause: but I will meditate in thy precepts. Let those that fear thee turn unto me, and those that have known thy testimonies. Let my heart be sound In thy statutes; that I not be ashamed” (v. 78-80). The proud will be ashamed because they have attacked the righteous for no reason, however the righteous who are grounded in the Lord will have no cause to be ashamed.

Key thought—"In life we need the guidance of the Holy Spirit (the hand of God) which sometimes directs us to change our path by way of trials or afflictions.”

03/27/2024

Bible Class Psalm 119 Part 3
Sweet Kingdom Missionary Baptist Church
Instructor: Rev. Robert Jones, Sr.
Date: March 27, 2024

He and Vau
Psalm 119:33-48

HE
The meaning of the letter He or Heh is “to take” in sense of “taking or giving of oneself”, but it is also causative. In other words, it brings with it the idea of asking God to cause something to happen through taking or giving of oneself. Thus the 33rd verse starts, “Teach me, O Lord, the way of thy statutes; and I shall keep it unto the end. Give me understanding, and I shall observe it with all my whole heart. Make me to go in the path of thy commandments; for therein do I delight. Incline my heart unto thy testimonies, and not to covetousness. Turn away mine eyes from beholding vanity; and quicken (or, enliven) me in thy way” (v.33-37). All of these verses are asking God to cause a change in the Psalmists behavior. “Teach me”, “Give me understanding”, “Make me to go”, “Incline my heart”, and “Turn away mine eyes” are all directed toward asking God to cause a change in my life; a change for the better. Verse 36 asks God to “Incline my heart unto thy testimonies, and not unto covetousness”, because covetousness is a gateway to sin. James 1:14-15 states, “But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin, when it is finished, it bringeth forth death.” The Psalm continues, “Stablish thy word unto thy servant, who is devoted to thy fear. Turn away my reproach with I fear; for thy. Judgments are good. Behold, I have longed after thy precepts: quicken me in thy righteousness” (v.38-40).
Key Thought—“Cause me to be useful”.

VAU
The meaning of the letter Vau in Hebrew is “hook”. The 8 verses that follow seems to center around a promise to serve in spite of opposition. Verse 41 starts, “Let thy mercies come also unto me, O Lord, even thy salvation, according to thy word. So shall I have wherewith to answer him that reproacheth (or, taunts) me: for I trust in thy word. And take not the word of truth utterly out of my mouth; for I hoped in thy judgments” (v. 41-43). Here the Psalmist asks God let his mercies come to him, because they are a defense against his enemies, and he also depends on them for his salvation.

He continues, “So shall I keep thy law continually for ever and ever. And I will walk at liberty (or, freely, in a wide space); for I seek thy precepts. I will speak of thy testimonies also before kings, and will not be ashamed. And I will delight myself in thy commandments, which I have loved. My hands also will I lift up unto thy commandments, which I have loved; and I will meditate in thy statutes”(v. 44-48). This psalm asks God to keep the writer in his word, because his word not only protects him from the taunts of his enemies, but allows him to walk and talk boldly before kings about the power of God’s testimonies and truth. Key Thought—“Help me to be bold in the face of my enemies”. Think Psalm 23:5.

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