Psalm 119:17-24 Gimel Stanza

Continuing our look at Psalm 119, we arrive at verses 17-24, which is the Gimel stanza.  The Hebrew letter Gimel has the sound of the English letter "G."  It carries several meanings - camel, riches, and lifting up (as a camel lifts the rider who sits on it).  The Talmud states that the Gimel is a rich man running after the poor man (the next letter, Dalet) to give him Tzedakah (charity).  Gimel is the first letter of the Hebrew words Goel and Goyim.  Goel is the word for kinsman redeemer and Goyim is the word for gentile and nations.  Gimel can also be seen as a picture of grace in this way - the letter is made up of two other letters ... the Yod and the Zayin.  The Yod is a "hand" in which is carried the Zayin "sword." In the picture of Tzedakah that I described above, the sword of the Zayin is facing away from the Dalet who is the object of the charity.

Reading this stanza of Psalm 119, it strikes me that we in no way merit the right to receive God's instruction.  By no means have we received God's instruction because we are righteous enough.  We are but Dalet's - poor men - in every respect before the Lord.  We are poor in spirit and poor in righteousness.  Yet God has brought His Word to us in the ultimate act of grace and charity.  Though we should be destroyed in His righteous presence, we can yet come before His throne of grace boldly to receive mercy (Hebrews 4:16).  Whereas God could have come to us with sword to avenge and destroy, He instead turned his sword away and came to us in charity that we may call upon the name of Yeshua/Jesus and be saved.  He even delays judgement, that many more may come to know Jesus as Lord and Savior (2 Peter 3:9).  Indeed El Shaddai has dealt bountifully with us.  Let us delight in His testimonies, seek His counsel, and meditate on His chesed (loving-kindness.)

Proverbs 10:3 "The LORD does not let the righteous go hungry, but he thwarts the craving of the wicked." ESV