The exquisite uniqueness of Psalm 119 is that its composer uses each successive letter of the Hebrew alphabet to sing an octave of praise to God’s Word. The seventh letter is Zayin.
In the first half of this tribute, the focus is upon the comfort, strength, and hope that can be found in Scripture during times of affliction, heartache, and mistreatment. “Remember the word to Your servant upon which You have caused me to hope. This is my comfort in my affliction for Your word has given me life. The proud have me in great derision, yet I do not turn aside from Your law. I remembered Your judgments of old, O Lord and have comforted myself” (vv. 49-52).
The second half of this tribute begins with a description of how God’s will has shaped his life. His love of God’s Word has thoroughly motivated him to abhor that which is evil and cleave to that which is good. “Indignation has taken hold of me because of the wicked, who forsake Your law. Your statutes have been my songs in the house of my pilgrimage” (vv. 53-54).
Zayin’s tribute concludes with a wonderful statement of how the Scriptures are ever present in the life of the composer. “I remember Your name in the night, O Lord, and I keep Your law. This has become mine, because I kept Your precepts” (vv. 55-56).
God’s Word is not intended to be put on a coffee table to record family birthdays, marriages, and death; it is best used when it is engrafted into your heart so that it can reign supreme in your life.
“So now, brethren, I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified” (Acts 20:32).
