The 6th letter of the Hebrew Aleph-Bet
Vav
ו
While the design of the vav looks like a hook, the word vav actually means “hook. A hook is something that holds two things together. It is also a means to connect the spiritual and the physical. As in “If a man is connected on high, he doesn’t fall down below.”
This commences a new portion of the Psalm, in which each verse begins with the letter Vav, or v. There are almost no words in Hebrew that begin with this letter, which is properly a conjunction, and hence in each of the verses in this section the beginning of the verse is in the original a conjunction – vav.” (Barnes, cited in Spurgeon)
V41 - Let Your steadfast love come to me, O Lord, Your salvation according to your promise.
Because there is no hope apart from God's mercy, the cause, steadfast love, comes before the effect, Salvation - (Calvin)
“It must come to me; or I shall never come to it.” (Bridges)
V42 - then I shall have an answer for him that who taunts me, for I trust in your word.
Because of the Lord's promises, I can stand against the devils lies, because I trust in the Lord.
V43 - and take not the word of truth utterly out of my mouth, for my hope is in Your rules.
I know the Lord's promises, I know how to stand against the devil's lies. Now I need help speaking God's word truthy and boldly and put my hope in His rules.
It is true most of all for those who proclaim the word of God. “He who has once preached the gospel from his heart is filled with horror at the idea of being put out of the ministry; he will crave to be allowed a little share in the holy testimony, and will reckon his silent Sabbaths to be days of banishment and punishment.” (Spurgeon)
V44 - I will keep Your Law continually, Forever and ever
It is an ongoing process through our lives , to be obedient to God in this life and the next.
It implies that without , strenuous, continuous perseverance, love for the word will be lost and the fear of God affected by various temptations (Calvin)
V45 - and I shall walk in a wide place for I sought your precepts.
We believe His promises , we trust His word , we speak the truth and keep His commandments and the narrow way that leads to salvation becomes clear and easy to follow.
“Saints find no bondage in sanctity. The Spirit of holiness is a free spirit; he sets men at liberty and enables them to resist every effort to bring them under subjection. The way of holiness is not a track for slaves, but the King’s highway for freemen.” (Spurgeon)
V46 - I will speak of your testimonies before kings and shall not be put to shame.
When God's word fills us we will speak boldly before kings, we will not be ashamed of the Gospel speaking it boldly and with courage.
“This is part of his liberty; he is free from fear of the greatest, proudest, and most tyrannical of men.” (Spurgeon)
V47 - For I find my delight in your commandments which I love.
His commandments draws me near to Him and this is what I love. "Oh the joy of those follow the way of the Lord" Psalm 1:1 "If you love me keep my commandments" John14:15
We may say that all true love has these three components: feeling, the giving of honor, and the desire to spend time and energy in knowing the beloved. This is a good measure of our love for God’s word.(Guzik)
“Why then is the Bible read only – not meditated on? Because it is not loved. We do not go to it, as the hungry man to his food, as the miser to his treasure. The loss is incalculable.” (Bridges)
V48 - I will lift up my hands towards your commandments , which I love and I will meditate on your statues
God is worthy of all praise for all He is and for all He has done for us, lift up your hands and praise the Holy of Holies And one called to another and said: “Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory!” Isaiah 6:3
My hands also I will lift up to Your commandments: “A bold expression of yearning for God’s revelation in Scripture.” (Kidner)
Thank You Lord for giving us Your commandments so we can live a life that brings You Glory.
Thank You for showing us the way and truth and the life
Thank You for Your loving kindness and hope in You
I praise Your holy name and I am Your servant,
Amen.