SOUNDING OUT:
Keeping God’s Word
Right in the center of the three verse introduction we find the declaration that "Blessed are they that keep [natsar] his testimonies." This psalm has among its many purposes to direct the believer to keep God's Word. The first verse spoken from the lips of the psalmist is an acknowledgement of his responsibility to do so. He directs his heart to the Lord and says, "Thou hast commanded us to keep [shamar] thy precepts diligently."
These two Hebrew words, natsar and shamar, are used 33 times. They are translated keep or kept on all but two occasions where they are translated “taking heed” and “observe.” These Hebrew s are closely related. Natsar is used 63 times and means to watch, guard, keep, preserve, or observe. Shamar, used much more frequently (468 times), means to keep, guard, observe, give heed protect, or observe. They occur only in the Qal, the simple active, conjugation in Psalm 119.
The Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament says of shamar that its closest synonym is natsar. The basic idea of the root is "to exercise great care over” or "to do carefully or diligently." This is certainly one of the underlying themes of Psalms 119. The psalmist opens his heart to God and recognizing the God’s Word is a very tangible point of contact with the God of the universe. It is God’s Word that makes known God’s will. It is God’s Word that establishes the psalmist’s expectations and formulates his desire. Immediately after acknowledging God’s command “ to keep [shamar] His precepts diligently” (verse 4) he expresses his craving to do so.
Psalm 119:5:
O that my ways were directed to keep [shamar] thy statutes!
The first octet of verses closes with the psalmist affirming or vowing to keep God’s Word:
Psalm 119:8:
I will keep [shamar] thy statutes: O forsake me not utterly.
The next octet begins with the psalmist asking a question, which he immediately answers. We cleanse our way by keeping God’s Word.
Psalm 119:9:
Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed [keeping, shamar]) thereto according to thy word.
The psalmist acknowledges his interactive relationship with God revolves around his keeping of God’s Word:
Psalm 119:17:
Deal bountifully with thy servant, that I may live, and keep [shamar] thy word.
Psalm 119:22:
Remove from me reproach and contempt; for I have kept [natsar] thy testimonies.
Psalm 119:55:
I have remembered thy name, O LORD, in the night, and have kept [shamar] thy law.
Psalm 119:56
This I had, because I kept [natsar] thy precepts.
The psalmist asks for knowledge and understanding of God’s Word for which he pledges obedience. What better reason for learning than doing.
Psalm 119:33:
Teach me, O LORD, the way of thy statutes; and I shall keep [natsar] it unto the end.
Psalm 119:34:
Give me understanding, and I shall keep [natsar] thy law; yea, I shall observe [shamar] it with my whole heart.
Let’s read through the remaining verses with natsar and shamar. Like the psalmist we should exercise great care over God’s Word and carerefully or diligently do it.
Psalm 119:43,44:
And take not the word of truth utterly out of my mouth; for I have hoped in thy judgments.
44 So shall I keep [shamar] thy law continually for ever and ever.
Psalm 119:57:
Thou art my portion, O LORD: I have said that I would keep [shamar] thy words.
Psalm 119:60:
I made haste, and delayed not to keep [shamar] thy commandments.
Psalm 119:63:
I am a companion of all them that fear thee, and of them that keep [shamar] thy precepts.
Psalm 119:67:
Before I was afflicted I went astray: but now have I kept [shamar] thy word.
Psalm 119:69:
The proud have forged a lie against me: but I will keep [natsar] thy precepts with my whole heart.
Psalm 119:88:
Quicken me after thy lovingkindness; so shall I keep [shamar] the testimony of thy mouth.
Psalm 119:100:
I understand more than the ancients, because I keep [natsar] thy precepts.
Psalm 119:101:
I have refrained my feet from every evil wa, that I might keep [shamar] thy word.
Psalm 119:106:
I have sworn, and I will perform it, that I will keep [shamar] thy righteous judgments.
Psalm 119:115:
Depart from me, ye evildoers: for I will keep [natsar] the commandments of my God.
Psalm 119:129:
Thy testimonies are wonderful: therefore doth my soul keep [natsar] them.
Psalm 119:134:
Deliver me from the oppression of man: so will I keep [shamar] thy precepts.
Psalm 119:136:
Rivers of waters run down mine eyes, because they keep [shamar] not thy law.
Psalm 119:145,146:
I cried with my whole heart; hear me, O LORD: I will keep [natsar] thy statutes.
146 I cried unto thee; save me, and I shall keep [shamar] thy testimonies.
Psalm 119:158:
I beheld the transgressors, and was grieved; because they kept [shamar] not thy word.
Psalm 119:167,168:
My soul hath kept [shamar] thy testimonies; and I love them exceedingly.
168 I have kept [shamar] thy precepts and thy testimonies: for all my ways are before thee.
Keeping God’s Word is vital. We express our love for Him by keeping His Word. Our interaction with God revolves around His Word. Once we know His will, it behooves us to keep it. Being careful and diligent to observe and do His Word is a most rewarding lifestyle for God’s people.
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