I am afflicted very much: quicken me, O LORD, according unto your word.
The Hebrew word rendered “afflicted” in the title verse, Psalms 119:107, is ‘anah, which is actually defined in surrounding verses. It is insufficiently said to mean to depress or humble, while more deeply referring to the process of suppressing (subordinating all ideas to the Higher power: the greater authority of God’s word) all that oppose the quickening. The word rendered “quickening” is chayah, which we have previously discussed in detail (see post below from 16 April 2019), meaning the life of God, which He breaths into our human flesh by His word.
Psalms 119
88 Quicken [chayah] me after your lovingkindness; so shall I keep the testimony of your mouth.89 For ever, O LORD, your word is settled in heaven.90 Your faithfulness is unto all generations: you have established the earth, and it abides.91 They continue this day according to your ordinances: for all are your servants.92 Unless your law had been my delights, I should then have perished in mine affliction.93 I will never forget your precepts: for with them you have quickened [chayah] me.94 I am yours, save me: for I have sought your precepts.95 The wicked have waited for me to destroy me: but I will consider your testimonies.96 I have seen an end of all perfection: but your commandment is exceeding broad.97 O how love I your law! it is my meditation all the day.98 You through your commandments have made me wiser than mine enemies: for they are ever with me.99 I have more understanding than all my teachers: for your testimonies are my meditation.100 I understand more than the ancients, because I keep your precepts.101 I have refrained my feet from every evil way, that I might keep your word.102 I have not departed from your judgments: for you have taught me.103 How sweet are your words unto my taste! yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth!104 Through your precepts I get understanding: therefore I hate every false way.105 Your word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.106 I have sworn, and I will perform it, that I will keep your righteous judgments.107 I am afflicted [‘anah] very much: quicken [chayah] me, O LORD, according unto your word.108 Accept, I beseech you, the freewill offerings of my mouth, O LORD, and teach me your judgments.109 My soul is continually in my hand: yet do I not forget your law.110 The wicked have laid a snare for me: yet I erred not from your precepts.111 Your testimonies have I taken as an heritage for ever: for they are the rejoicing of my heart.112 I have inclined mine heart to perform your statutes always, even unto the end.113 I hate vain thoughts: but your law do I love.114 You are my hiding place and my shield: I hope in your word.115 Depart from me, you evildoers: for I will keep the commandments of my God.116 Uphold me according unto your word, that I may live [chayah]: and let me not be ashamed of my hope.
Earlier in Psalms 119 the writer, who is thought to be Hezekiah (remember our discussion of his position in time, and his repentance), speaks of his condition before he kept the testimonies of the LORD’s mouth and was quickened to life. In these verses, he first uses the word ‘anah to describe it (the process) as what caused his repentance, before which he says he was led astray.
Psalms 119
49 Remember the word unto your servant, upon which you have caused me to hope.50 This is my comfort in my affliction [‘anah]: for your word has quickened [chayah] me.51 The proud have had me greatly in derision: yet have I not declined from your law.52 I remembered your judgments of old, O LORD; and have comforted myself.53 Horror has taken hold upon me because of the wicked that forsake your law.54 Your statutes have been my songs in the house of my pilgrimage.55 I have remembered your name, O LORD, in the night, and have kept your law.56 This I had, because I kept your precepts.57 You are my portion, O LORD: I have said that I would keep your words.58 I entreated your favour with my whole heart: be merciful unto me according to your word.59 I thought on my ways, and turned my feet unto your testimonies.60 I made haste, and delayed not to keep your commandments.61 The bands of the wicked have robbed me: but I have not forgotten your law.62 At midnight I will rise to give thanks unto you because of your righteous judgments.63 I am a companion of all them that fear you, and of them that keep your precepts.64 The earth, O LORD, is full of your mercy: teach me your statutes.65 You have dealt well with your servant, O LORD, according unto your word.66 Teach me good judgment and knowledge: for I have believed your commandments.67 Before I was afflicted [‘anah] I went astray: but now have I kept your word.68 You are good, and do good; teach me your statutes.69 The proud have forged a lie against me: but I will keep your precepts with my whole heart.70 Their heart is as fat as grease; but I delight in your law.71 It is good for me that I have been afflicted [‘anah]; that I might learn your statutes.72 The law of your mouth is better unto me than thousands of gold and silver.73 Your hands have made me and fashioned me: give me understanding, that I may learn your commandments.74 They that fear you will be glad when they see me; because I have hoped in your word.75 I know, O LORD, that your judgments are right, and that you in faithfulness have afflicted [‘anah] me.76 Let, I pray you, your merciful kindness be for my comfort, according to your word unto your servant.77 Let your tender mercies come unto me, that I may live [chayah]: for your law is my delight.78 Let the proud be ashamed; for they dealt perversely with me without a cause: but I will meditate in your precepts.79 Let those that fear you turn unto me, and those that have known your testimonies.80 Let my heart be sound in your statutes; that I be not ashamed.81 My soul faints for your salvation: but I hope in your word.82 Mine eyes fail for your word, saying, When will you comfort me?83 For I am become like a bottle in the smoke; yet do I not forget your statutes.84 How many are the days of your servant? when will you execute judgment on them that persecute me?85 The proud have digged pits for me, which are not after your law.86 All your commandments are faithful: they persecute me wrongfully; help you me.87 They had almost consumed me upon earth; but I forsook not your precepts.
This process, bringing the known out from the unknown, into darkness shining light, is what brings us from death to life. The words ‘anah and chayah are both used in Deuteronomy 8 to tell of manna, which is actually the word of God, from His mouth, the formerly unknown made known. There these words are rendered “humbled” and “live” in describing the process, of bringing us back to life after we died in captivity, which was itself the product of negligent and forgetful leadership. This is the LORD coming to raise us up, to quicken us away from the men who now hold all the world down in the death of their misleading. His word doesn’t say in vain, these men will hold us down until they are taken out of the way. The process is the one described in Hebrew 12, which is the race set before us, the correction from the Father, here and now His word heard, into a Holy City where He lives and reigns. The voice we are called to hear, are these words, His word from heaven spoken through the one He has called His son.
Hebrews 12
1 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses [all those who’ve come before this time, doing their part, all speaking God’s word to us again, all having done their part and run their course, which is now perfected as one message, in this resurrection, “God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect.” Hebrews 11:40], let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which does so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.3 For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest you be wearied and faint in your minds.4 You have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin.5 And you have forgotten the exhortation which speaks unto you as unto children, My son, despise not you the chastening of the LORD, nor faint when you are rebuked of him:6 For whom the LORD loves he chastens [corrects], and scourges [disciplines] every son whom he receives.7 If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chastens not?8 But if you be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are you illegitimate, and not sons.9 Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live?10 For they truly for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness.11 Now no chastening for the present seems to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.12 Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees;13 And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed.14 Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the LORD:15 Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled;16 Lest there be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright.17 For you know how that afterward, when he would have inherited the blessing, he was rejected: for he found no place of repentance, though he sought it carefully with tears.18 For you are not come unto the mount that might be touched, and that burned with fire, nor unto blackness, and darkness, and tempest,19 And the sound of a trumpet, and the voice of words; which voice they that heard entreated that the word should not be spoken to them any more:20 (For they could not endure that which was commanded, And if so much as a beast touch the mountain, it shall be stoned, or thrust through with a dart:21 And so terrible was the sight, that Moses said, I exceedingly fear and quake:)22 But you are come unto mount Zion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels,23 To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect,24 And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaks better things than that of Abel.25 See that you refuse not him that speaks. For if they escaped not who refused him that spoke on earth, much more shall not we escape, if we turn away from him that speaks from heaven:26 Whose voice then shook the earth: but now he has promised, saying, Yet once more I shake not the earth only, but also heaven.27 And this word, Yet once more, signifies the removing of those things that are shaken, as of things that are made, that those things which cannot be shaken may remain.28 Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear:29 For our God is a consuming fire.
Here below I am reposting the message from 16 April 2019, which speaks the life, the chayah, which is the eternal life that comes as God lives with us, in us. (I am adding the word ‘anah where it appears as “humble” in Deuteronomy 8:2 & 3.)
In the light of the king’s countenance is life; and his favor is as a cloud of the latter rain.
These words above, Proverbs 16:15, describe the LORD’s creation and mercy. The word “light” is the Hebrew word ‘owr: first used in Genesis 1:3 in speaking of it appearing into the darkness of the world that had become without understanding reduced to total confusion. The word “countenance” is paniym, meaning face, and as we know, it speaks of presence. It is the word first used in Genesis 1:2, rendered “face,” telling of the Spirit of God moving no the water: the words that were already present in the world, in darkness; to bring to light their deeper meaning hidden below the surface, in the deep.
The title is speaking of the understanding that both declares the king’s presence by this glory, and also produces the same glory in those who receive him: themselves coming to understanding. It is the king’s giving life, by giving his mind, producing after his own kind, in his image and likeness.
The word “life” in the title is the Hebrew word chay, meaning flesh; used eight times in Genesis 1 in describing the beasts that were created. It isn’t used to describe the creation of man, who is given dominion over all these, which we’ve seen in our discussion of the order, as it appears written in Psalms 8.
In God’s declaring His intention to create man, in Genesis 1:26, we’re told it will be in His image and likeness. In verse 27, we are then told the creation is only in the image (flesh), saying, “So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.”
In Genesis 2:7 we are again told of God creating man, here from the dust of the earth: the ashes of its ruin. We are told in verse 5 that God had not yet sent rain upon the earth, and in verse 6 that a mist went up from the earth and watered the face of the ground. It is telling of the word (ideas) that then ruled over the world, rising up from the people who then occupied the world; because God had not yet sent His word from heaven. We are next told that God breathed into flesh man, who was in the ashes of the earth, and from this breath (air) flesh was given a soul.
Genesis 2
4 These are the generations of the heavens and of the earth when they were created, in the day that the LORD God made the earth and the heavens,5 And every plant of the field before it was in the earth, and every herb of the field before it grew: for the LORD God had not caused it to rain upon the earth, and there was not a man to till the ground.6 But there went up a mist from the earth, and watered the whole face of the ground.7 And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.8 And the LORD God planted a garden eastward in Eden; and there he put the man whom he had formed.
The word “soul” is nephesh, meaning a breathing creature – able to breathe in vapor: spirit; and exhale it. It is describing a mind now able process information, and from what the mind comprehends, the way it processes, comes ideas formulated, which become the bases of action. It is speaking of man given the higher intellect: the ability of abstract thought, which is mental modeling that allows us to see multiple futures, and then decide which course we take. The conscience, the foundation upon which we base all our course decisions, the heart, is where, and by what man lives or dies, macro and micro, as an individual and a species.
The mist that rises from the earth is earthly, the lower nature that calls man to live in the moment, satisfying his every lust, as if a beast unable to see the future. (Actually, a man able to see but choosing to act as if ignorant, because his deeds are evil and he chooses them over light.)
The ways of God are life, sacrificing the moment for the eternity we see before us. We are told in Deuteronomy 5 of the voice of the living God being heard in the fire; the word living is chay, meaning flesh, from where God’s voice is heard. It is the fire in man. This is the manna, the word of God telling us in the word’s meaning that man has no idea what it is, no understanding that God speaks in this way, but, by this word, the word of the living God, man live. When we are told this, in Deuteronomy 8:3, the Hebrew word there translated lives is chayah, meaning the flesh that is God’s flesh, able to revive to life at will (whenever He chooses to awaken), and then able to reproduce the same life in others, after His own kind.
These two types of flesh are those precisely describes by Paul in 1 Corinthians 15. The first Adam and the second, the natural and the spiritual, the corrupt and the uncorrupted. The first is earthly, the second heavenly; the first leads the world into a fallen nature and ruin, the second is a quickening Spirit able to bring others to life (chayah) as he lives. The first man is dark, without understanding; the second has the fire – in him, the light of understanding that lightens the world. The second is the LORD from heaven, making man in His likeness, finishing the work He has authored.
Deuteronomy 5
22 These words the LORD spoke unto all your assembly in the mount out of the midst of the fire, of the cloud, and of the thick darkness, with a great voice: and he added no more. And he wrote them in two tables of stone, and delivered them unto me.23 And it came to pass, when you heard the voice out of the midst of the darkness, (for the mountain did burn with fire,) that you came near unto me, even all the heads of your tribes, and your elders;24 And you said, Behold, the LORD our God has shown us his glory and his greatness, and we have heard his voice out of the midst of the fire: we have seen this day that God does talk with man, and he lives [chayah].25 Now therefore why should we die? for this great fire will consume us: if we hear the voice of the LORD our God any more, then we shall die.26 For who is there of all flesh, that has heard the voice of the living [chay] God speaking out of the midst of the fire, as we have, and lived [chayah]?27 Go you near, and hear all that the LORD our God shall say: and speak you unto us all that the LORD our God shall speak unto you; and we will hear it, and do it.28 And the LORD heard the voice of your words, when you spoke unto me; and the LORD said unto me, I have heard the voice of the words of this people, which they have spoken unto you: they have well said all that they have spoken.29 O that there were such an heart in them, that they would fear me, and keep all my commandments always, that it might be well with them, and with their children for ever!30 Go say to them, Get you into your tents again.31 But as for you, stand you here by me, and I will speak unto you all the commandments, and the statutes, and the judgments, which you shall teach them, that they may do them in the land which I give them to possess it.32 You shall observe to do therefore as the LORD your God has commanded you: you shall not turn aside to the right hand or to the left.33 You shall walk in all the ways which the LORD your God has commanded you, that you may live [chayah – live as God lives – chay {flesh of} Yah], and that it may be well with you, and that you may prolong your days in the land which you shall possess.
Deuteronomy 8
1 All the commandments which I command you this day shall you observe to do, that you may live [chayah], and multiply, and go in and possess the land which the LORD swore unto your fathers.2 And you shall remember all the way which the LORD your God led you these forty years in the wilderness, to humble [‘anah] you, and to prove you, to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep his commandments, or no.3 And he humbled [‘anah] you, and suffered you to hunger, and fed you with manna, which you knew not, neither did your fathers know; that he might make you know that man does not live [chayah] by bread only, but by every word that proceed out of the mouth of the LORD does man live [chayah – live as God lives – Spirit in flesh bodies].
The second part of the title verse says, “and his favor is as a cloud of the latter rain.” This is telling us of realizing the king’s presence, the one God has sent with the light: life-giving understanding, and in this cloud, where the vapor is held until it becomes water, the spirit becomes flesh so the flesh can become spirit, and in this realization is found God’s favor, as these waters are rained down from the heavens, as in the day of Noah. The difference is that we now have this light, the understand that divides it into colors, which is the bow in the cloud that tells us it is Jehovah’s salvation.
The “cloud” is from the word ‘ab, the word first appearing in Exodus 19:9, as the LORD describes the third day, when He comes in the cloud and speaks to Moses before the eyes of all God’s people. (Do you see Him yet?)
Exodus 19
9 And the LORD said unto Moses, Lo, I come unto you in a thick cloud [‘ab], that the people may hear when I speak with you, and believe you for ever. And Moses told the words of the people unto the LORD.10 And the LORD said unto Moses, Go unto the people, and sanctify them to day and to morrow, and let them wash their clothes,11 And be ready against the third day: for the third day the LORD will come down in the sight of all the people upon mount Sinai.12 And you shall set bounds unto the people round about, saying, Take heed to yourselves, that you go not up into the mount, or touch the border of it: whosoever touches the mount shall be surely put to death:13 There shall not a hand touch it, but he shall surely be stoned, or shot through; whether it be beast or man, it shall not live [chayah]: when the trumpet sounds long, they shall come up to the mount.
The cloud is the same spoken of in Isaiah 44:22, which gives us the same understanding we know in seeing the bow – that this is the Salvation of Jehovah, come to save the corrupt world from itself.
Friends, the world needs to understand this is the word of God. This is the latter rain: understanding returned to save those who will receive it.
Isaiah 44
1 Yet now hear, O Jacob my servant; and Israel, whom I have chosen:2 Thus says the LORD that made you, and formed you from the womb, which will help you; Fear not, O Jacob, my servant; and you, Jesurun, whom I have chosen.3 For I will pour water upon him that is thirsty, and floods upon the dry ground: I will pour my spirit upon your seed, and my blessing upon your offspring:4 And they shall spring up as among the grass, as willows by the water courses.5 One shall say, I am the LORD’s; and another shall call himself by the name of Jacob; and another shall subscribe with his hand unto the LORD, and surname himself by the name of Israel.6 Thus says the LORD the King of Israel, and his redeemer the LORD of hosts; I am the first, and I am the last; and beside me there is no God.7 And who, as I, shall call, and shall declare it, and set it in order for me, since I appointed the ancient people? and the things that are coming, and shall come, let them show unto them.8 Fear you not, neither be afraid: have not I told you from that time, and have declared it? you are even my witnesses. Is there a God beside me? yea, there is no God; I know not any.9 They that make a graven image are all of them vanity; and their delectable things shall not profit; and they are their own witnesses; they see not, nor know; that they may be ashamed.10 Who has formed a god, or molten a graven image that is profitable for nothing?11 Behold, all his fellows shall be ashamed: and the workmen, they are of men: let them all be gathered together, let them stand up; yet they shall fear, and they shall be ashamed together.12 The smith with the tongs both works in the coals, and fashioned it with hammers, and works it with the strength of his arms: yea, he is hungry, and his strength fails: he drinks no water, and is faint.13 The carpenter stretches out his rule; he marks it out with a line; he fits it with planes, and he marks it out with the compass, and makes it after the figure of a man, according to the beauty of a man; that it may remain in the house.14 He hews him down cedars, and taketh the cypress and the oak, which he strengthens for himself among the trees of the forest: he plants an ash, and the rain does nourish it.15 Then shall it be for a man to burn: for he will take thereof, and warm himself; yea, he kindles it, and bakes bread; yea, he makes a god, and worships it; he makes it a graven image, and falls down thereto.16 He burns part thereof in the fire; with part thereof he eats flesh; he roasts roast, and is satisfied: yea, he warms himself, and says, Aha, I am warm, I have seen the fire:17 And the residue thereof he makes a god, even his graven image: he falls down unto it, and worships it, and prays unto it, and says, Deliver me; for you are my god.18 They have not known nor understood: for he has shut their eyes, that they cannot see; and their hearts, that they cannot understand.19 And none considers in his heart, neither is there knowledge nor understanding to say, I have burned part of it in the fire; yea, also I have baked bread upon the coals thereof; I have roasted flesh, and eaten it: and shall I make the residue thereof an abomination? shall I fall down to the stock of a tree?20 He feeds on ashes: a deceived heart has turned him aside, that he cannot deliver his soul, nor say, Is there not a lie in my right hand?21 Remember these, O Jacob and Israel; for you are my servant: I have formed you; you are my servant: O Israel, you shall not be forgotten of me.22 I have blotted out, as a thick cloud [‘ab], your transgressions, and, as a cloud [‘anan – the cloud first spoken of in Genesis 9:13, in which the bow is seen], your sins: return unto me; for I have redeemed you.23 Sing, O you heavens; for the LORD has done it: shout, you lower parts of the earth: break forth into singing, you mountains, O forest, and every tree therein: for the LORD has redeemed Jacob, and glorified himself in Israel.24 Thus says the LORD, your redeemer, and he that formed you from the womb, I am the LORD that makes all things; that stretches forth the heavens alone; that spreads abroad the earth by myself;25 That frustrates the tokens of the liars, and makes diviners mad; that turns wise men backward, and makes their knowledge foolish;26 That confirms the word of his servant, and performs the counsel of his messengers; that says to Jerusalem, You shall be inhabited; and to the cities of Judah, You shall be built, and I will raise up the decayed places thereof:27 That says to the deep, Be dry, and I will dry up your rivers:28 That says of Cyrus, He is my shepherd, and shall perform all my pleasure: even saying to Jerusalem, You shall be built; and to the temple, Your foundation shall be laid. [This is speaking of God’s people, and Christ the chief cornerstone. It is not speaking the buildings men build, which are specifically spoken against earlier in the chapter.]
