Text:

"1 The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork. 2 Day to day pours out speech, and night to night reveals knowledge. 3 There is no speech, nor are there words, whose voice is not heard. 4 Their voice goes out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them he has set a tent for the sun, 5 which comes out like a bridegroom leaving his chamber, and, like a strong man, runs its course with joy. 6 Its rising is from the end of the heavens, and its circuit to the end of them, and there is nothing hidden from its heat. 7 The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple; 8 the precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes; 9 the fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever; the rules of the Lord are true, and righteous altogether. 10 More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and drippings of the honeycomb. 11 Moreover, by them is your servant warned  in keeping them there is great reward. 12 Who can discern his errors?  Declare me innocent from hidden faults. 13 Keep back your servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me!  Then I shall be blameless, and innocent of great transgression. 14 Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart    be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer."

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Lexicon:

vs. 7 - perfect (tamiym) - "complete, whole, entire, sound, having integrity, healthful, without blemish"

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vs. 7 - reviving (shuwb) - "to turn back, to return, to restore, to refresh, to repair, to renew, to cause to return"

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vs. 7 - testimony ('eduwth) - "precept of God, law, revelation"

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vs. 7 - sure ('aman) - "lasting, established, reliable, faithful, trusty, to be certain"

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vs. 8 - precepts (piqquwd) - "commandment, statute"

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vs. 8 - right (yashar) - "straight, correct, level, pleasing, proper, just, true"

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vs. 8 - commandment (mitsvah) - "things prohibited by God's precepts"

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vs. 8 - pure (bar) - "clear, sincere"

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vs. 8 - enlightening ('owr) - "to be illuminated, to refresh, to gladden, to make one's face shine, to kindle"

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vs. 9 - fear (yir'ah) - "respect, reverence, piety"

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vs. 9 - clean (tahowr) - "pure, moral, ethical, unmixed, unalloyed, fair"

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vs. 9 - rules (mishpat) - "judgement, ordinance, case, decision (in law), verdict, that which is just and lawful"

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vs. 9 - true ('emeth) - "firmness, faithfulness, true, sureness, reliability, continuance, true doctrine"

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vs. 9 - righteous (tsadaq) - "to declare anyone just or righteous, to declare righteousness, to absolve, to acquit"

 

vs. 11 - keeping (shamar) - "to guard, to preserve, to protect, to observe, to treasure up in memory, to take heed, to keep watch"

 

vs. 11 - reward ('eqeb) - "gain, compensation, the last of anything, wages, result"

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vs. 12 - hidden faults (cathar) - "to hide oneself, to conceal something from anyone, to cover over, to lie hidden from anyone"

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vs. 13 - presumptuous sins (zed) - "arrogant, proud, insolent"

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vs. 13 - dominion (mashal) - "rule, reign, to assimilate, to become like"

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vs. 14 - meditation (higgayown) - "resounding music, the sounding of a harp when struck, musical notation similar to the modern affettuoso (a composition or movement of gentle, tender character)"

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vs. 14 - be acceptable (ratsown) - "delight, goodwill, acceptance, favor, satisfaction, favor before Jehovah"

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What does this reveal about God's character?

God and His laws are perfect - flawless, blameless, just, pure, right, true, fair, sincere, complete, whole, faithful, trustworthy, lasting, illuminating, reliable.  When we observe and obey His laws and treasure them up in our memories (Scripture memorization), we receive the inevitable reward of right living - acceptance and favor from God.

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Questions:

1) Do I attribute perfection to God and His laws?

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2) Do I hold His Word is high esteem?  Or have I disregarded His Word as irrelevant, ancient or fallible? 

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3) Have I committed to Scripture memory?  Committing to memorize and meditate on even a small verse a month reveals an upright heart posture that pleases the Lord.

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4) Are there any sins I am engaging in that need to be eradicated from my heart?  Concealing sin only hurts the one concealing it because there is broken fellowship with God.  Confess it, condemn it and choose to walk in obedience to God's Word.

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5) What is my heart posture toward the Lord?  Do I long to please Him?  To find favor and acceptance in Him? Do I meditate on His precepts and take them to heart?

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Prayer:

Father God, thank you for your perfect Word, which teaches me the way in which I should go.  You and your commandments are right, true and pure.  Please forgive my insolence when my actions prove I believe I am more right and just than you.  Reveal any sin in my heart and life that needs to be dealt with and removed. Soften my heart to you and your ways, Lord.  Lead me on the path of righteousness , that I may declare your glory and reveal your love to those you plant in my life and sphere of influence.  Give me the desire to esteem and obey your Word wholeheartedly.  Lord, it is the cry of my heart that the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be acceptable to you.  In Jesus' name, let it be so!