Get Back to the First Century: I Did it My Way

I Did It My Way!

Is there such a thing as being too old-fashioned? Yes, when you become so old-fashioned that you blindly and ignorantly impose and peddle your cultural ideas, customs and traditions as if the whole world should hold to them.

                            

I know this and have seen this all too many times growing up in Protestant Christianity that has been influenced by the culture of the Southern United States. In sermons, preachers have constantly imposed Southern culture upon the characters of Scripture and painted them, from Moses to Paul, as being Southern Baptist style Christians. Sadly, such foolish sayings and songs have emerged as a result:

“If it was good enough for Paul and Silas it is good enough for me.” This is usually in reference to exclusively using the King James Translation of the Bible. But Paul and Silas didn’t have a King James Bible, they Only had the Tanak (Old Testament), which they fiercely obeyed!

“Give me that old time religion,” as if Moses, David, Paul or Yeshua sang southern style hymns and worshipped in a church. No, they kept and followed Torah, that was the old time religion for them.

There is also a thing of not being old-fashioned enough, in that one refuses to look beyond their own cultural interpretation of the Scriptural and foundational absolutes and does not live and apply them from the ancient framework into an acceptable modern adaptation that does not take away from the core absolute.

We must look upon our culture through the lenses of Torah and not look upon Scripture through the lenses of our culture.

ADOANI and His ways come before any man-made cultural standard. There is nothing wrong with one’s indigenous culture as long as it does not contradict or twist the Commands of Torah. One’s culture can honor GOD as long as we bend it to the ways of Torah and do not attempt to bend Torah to fit ones culture. This is especially important when ministering as a missionary in a foreign culture.

Catho-Christianity is classically known for synchronism in regards to its missionary evangelistic activities. By this, I mean molding ones culture and indigenous religion to fit the missionary’s religion. This is why we see such hybrid cults like Catho-Christian influence on voodoo that comes out of Haiti, Louisiana and Mexico. This trick has been used since the time of Constantine to have a unified Empire through religion, while at the same time still allowing individuals to practice their mother pagan religion by keeping the rituals, but changing the names of the pagan gods with characters to Biblical ones.

There must be integrity and purity in bringing Torah and Messiah to other cultures.

Most Jews agree on observing all 613 Mitzvot (Commandments), but we all differ on how, and to what extent we keep the Commandments.  The way any particular Jewish sect keeps the Commandments is called, “Halakah”, meaning, the way one walks.  Keeping Torah does not mean one loses their cultural distinctiveness.  In Judaism, there is Sephardic Jews, Yemenite Jews, Ashkenazi Jews, Karite Jews, Nazarene Jews, etc.  These are all Jews who follow and keep Torah. Yet within these and other groups, there is enough room for them to keep Torah in their own way, and maintain their unique cultural identity, such as dress, food, music, customs, etc.  Each group has their own way of tying tzitzit, and laying tefillin. The Torah says to do them, but not how.  Culture and custom help define this, as Frank Sinatra sang, “I did it my way!”   And, each group’s way of fulfilling the Commandments vary and are so pregnant with meaning and depth.  

Needless to say, a Holy careful balance needs to be struck. We have to see faith through the original language and culture to which it was written in, and find ways to adapt them today without compromising the original intent.

Different Strokes for Different Folks

This may shock some when they find out I’m not a big fan of Messianic Jewish Music or that I do not like Ashkenazi cuisine. I like more of the folky, coffee house style of praise and worship. I also like Christian Rock and Heavy Metal. And as far as food goes, I love Asian and Indian food.

You don’t have to like culturally Jewish things to be obedient to Torah, God’s Commandments. The Torah has enough elbow room to express ones likes, tastes, flavors and ethnic culture.

Because I keep Torah to the best of my ability, doesn’t always mean I dress or practice my faith like a European Orthodox Jew. Some people like, and due to their personality, needs that kind of structure and expression. Not me, I’m more of a hippy. I like to keep the Faith, Sola Scriptura (Obeying the Scriptures only), and I don’t concern myself so much with Jewish custom and tradition.

For me, if I’m a stickler for keeping custom and traditions on top of the Torah itself, I tend to get bogged down and the rituals end up becoming robotic, mechanical and lack heart and that does not please the Father. God let Israel know just this when they began to worship God with no heart.

¹⁰ Hear the word of the Lord, ye rulers of Sodom; give ear unto the law of our God, ye people of Gomorrah.

¹¹ To what purpose is the multitude of your sacrifices unto me? saith the Lord: I am full of the burnt offerings of rams, and the fat of fed beasts; and I delight not in the blood of bullocks, or of lambs, or of he goats.

¹² When ye come to appear before me, who hath required this at your hand, to tread my courts?

¹³ Bring no more vain oblations; incense is an abomination unto me; the new moons and sabbaths, the calling of assemblies, I cannot away with; it is iniquity, even the solemn meeting.

¹⁴ Your new moons and your appointed feasts my soul hateth: they are a trouble unto me; I am weary to bear them.

¹⁵ And when ye spread forth your hands, I will hide mine eyes from you: yea, when ye make many prayers, I will not hear: your hands are full of blood. – Isa. 1:10-15

If I feel led and or inspired, I’ll participate in the cultural aspects of Jewish life. For me, that way, they fresh and meaningful and I enjoy them instead of end up distaining them as a drudgery.

Culture vs. Commandments

Tradition vs. Torah

There is a vast difference between the Commandments of Adonai and Hebraic culture that can’t help but get meshed together. To put it another way, there is a vast difference between God’s Torah (Law) and man’s Traditions related to Torah.

Torah and Commandments are non-negotiable Laws and Instructions from the Father Himself.

Culture and Tradition are man’s ways to express obedience to those non-negotiable Commands.

You’ve heard the expression, “There’s more than one way to skin a cat”? Well, there is more than one way to keep a commandment. For example, the commandment of mezuzah, to write God’s Law on your doors. Judaism has come up with a tradition to write out certain passages of Torah on a parchment, roll it up and put it in a cylindrical container and affix it to your door frame. But equally as valid is one can paint, print with a Sharpie, chisel or burn God’s Word on one’s door frame with a wood burning pen.

An example of culture would be the kippah, the “beanie” looking skull cap we Jews wear. That’s a custom, or a tradition. Only the Levitical Priests were commanded to cover their heads, but because God called Israel a nation of priests (Exd. 19:6) it was reasoned that we all could cover our heads and so it became a tradition (not a Command) to cover our heads. This happens to be a custom I choose to keep.

A Man Made Construct.

Many want to be Jewish or practice Judaism because Jesus was Jewish and practiced Judaism. However, Judaism in and of itself is a manmade construct, like culture and social acceptable behavior and expectations. Judaism, like Christianity was simply a way to arrange and organize Biblical belief and practice in a way that was practical, cultural and made sense. It’s neither right nor wrong, but just a way one can choose to express and practice Biblical belief and principles.

Jesus was raised in and submitted to and worked within the framework of Jewish belief and practice, except when it contradicted God’s Word itself.

As a Torah Obedient Believer in Messiah Yeshua, I straddle the fence of Judaism and Christianity. Respecting both, but bowing to neither. I only bow to God and His Word.

Beginning and End

Gen. 2:16-17, 3:8, 15. Rev. 14:12. It began with guarding and obeying God’s Torah (Law/Instructions) and keeping the Faith with and in Messiah Yeshua and so it will end. Continuous from beginning to end the Law has not been done away with.

Get Back to the First Century: Psalm 119:97-176

97     ¶ MEM. O how love I thy law! it is my meditation all the day.

Self-explanatory!

98     ¶ Thou through thy commandments hast made me wiser than mine enemies: for they are ever with me.

The Torah IS Wisdom and gives one an edge against ones enemies, for it is the powerful, Living Words of God Himself!

99     I have more understanding than all my teachers: for thy testimonies are my meditation.
100     I understand more than the ancients, because I keep thy precepts.

Actually, the Hebrew eludes to that David understands more than his teachers and the ancients because of them, but this is also a fair translation, for it hints that God gives new insight into the Scriptures to each generation. And, it comes by study and meditation; it just doesn’t drop in ones lap.

101     ¶ I have refrained my feet from every evil way, that I might keep thy word.,
102     ¶ I have not departed from thy judgments: for thou hast taught me.
103     ¶ How sweet are thy words unto my taste! yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth!
104     Through thy precepts I get understanding: therefore I hate every false way.

Need I say more?

105     ¶ NUN. Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.

The Torah should guide our every footstep and it gives us enough light to see as far as God wants us to go, one day, one step at a time.

106     ¶ I have sworn, and I will perform it, that I will keep thy righteous judgments.

David has sworn to keep the Torah no matter what!

107     ¶ I am afflicted very much: quicken me, O LORD, according unto thy word.

Again, David knows that only the Torah contains the Words of Life. Did not the Talmidim (Disciples) of Yeshua say this very thing about Him, who is the Living Torah? (John 6:68)

108     ¶ Accept, I beseech thee, the freewill offerings of my mouth, O LORD, and teach me thy judgments.

David does not keep the Torah because he feels he HAS to, he does it because he WANTS to, and therefore wants Divine instruction and insight on how to keep it better.

109     ¶ My soul is continually in my hand: yet do I not forget thy law.

David is 100% dependant and devoted to the LORD and His Torah.

110     The wicked have laid a snare for me: yet I erred not from thy precepts.

He admits here that the Torah is what forewarned him and kept him safe from the pitfalls of the wicked and their schemes.

111     ¶ Thy testimonies have I taken as an heritage for ever: for they are the rejoicing of my heart.

The Torah is so precious to Him that it is the key thing he will pass on to his descendants, and he has claimed the promises in there for himself and his family.

112     I have inclined mine heart to perform thy statutes alway, even unto the end.

He is dead set resolved to keep the Torah no matter what, and this theme has already been repeated over and over in this Psalm.

113     ¶ SAMECH. I hate vain thoughts: but thy law do I love.

Maybe this is where his son, Solomon, in Ecclesiastes, gets his inspiration; because David and Solomon both say that anything that is not connected to the Torah in some way is vain, useless, a waste of time.

                
114     ¶ Thou art my hiding place and my shield: I hope in thy word.

The Torah is a solid rock to hide behind, within, and stand on in days of trouble.

115     ¶ Depart from me, ye evildoers: for I will keep the commandments of my God.

David proclaims temptations are useless for the Torah is all He desires and is tempted by, kind of like James when he says resist the Devil and he will flee. (James 4:7)

116     ¶ Uphold me according unto thy word, that I may live: and let me not be ashamed of my hope.

117     Hold thou me up, and I shall be safe: and I will have respect unto thy statutes continually.

David knows it is his acceptance and adherence to God’s Laws that will protect him. Just like the laws of physics: tie a rock to a string and throw it and it will only come back to hit you. The laws of gravity: jump off a building and you fall and kill yourself.

118     ¶ Thou hast trodden down all them that err from thy statutes: for their deceit is falsehood.
119     Thou puttest away all the wicked of the earth like dross: therefore I love thy testimonies.

David knows the Torah refines ones soul like pure gold and those who are wicked get scooped off like impurities from precious metals, even if one does not keep the Chukim.

120     My flesh trembleth for fear of thee; and I am afraid of thy judgments.

Just like a child fearful of a fathers spanking, there is fear and respect and this is what keeps him on the straight path.

121     ¶ AIN. I have done judgment and justice: leave me not to mine oppressors.
122     Be surety for thy servant for good: let not the proud oppress me.

David wants God to fight for him because he has ruled and reigned to the best of his ability through the precepts of Torah.

123     ¶ Mine eyes fail for thy salvation, and for the word of thy righteousness.

Salvation (Yeshua) can only clearly be seen through the Torah.

124     ¶ Deal with thy servant according unto thy mercy, and teach me thy statutes.
125     I am thy servant; give me understanding, that I may know thy testimonies.

Again, he so desires to have insight, knowledge, understanding and wisdom in regards to what the Torah is all about.

126     ¶ It is time for thee, LORD, to work: for they have made void thy law.
127     ¶ Therefore I love thy commandments above gold; yea, above fine gold.
128     Therefore I esteem all thy precepts concerning all things to be right; and I hate every false way.

David wants to fight for and establish God’s Torah among the common people because he knows, for the most part, they do not know it or keep it. David is a Superman of sorts, wanting to fight for “Truth Justice, and the Torah way.”

129     ¶ PE. Thy testimonies are wonderful: therefore doth my soul keep them.

Q. Why does David keep the Torah? A. See verse 129.

130     ¶ The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple.

The Torah is so simple anyone can understand and apply it.

131     ¶ I opened my mouth, and panted: for I longed for thy commandments.

He thirsts for Torah as one dying of thirst for water in the desert. When he reads it, meditates on it, he drinks it up like a tall glass of clear, cold water and it refreshes his soul, sustains and gives him life!

132     ¶ Look thou upon me, and be merciful unto me, as thou usest to do unto those that love thy name.

He wants God to relate to him as He did all the Great Patriarchs that were before him.

133     ¶ Order my steps in thy word: and let not any iniquity have dominion over me.

He is saying make me walk in Your Torah, not in iniquity, which is Hebrew for Torah-less-ness or Lawlessness.

134     ¶ Deliver me from the oppression of man: so will I keep thy precepts.

He is saying, “God, you promised if we keep Your Law, Your guidelines for daily living, that You would be our Deliverer and will protect us.

135     ¶ Make thy face to shine upon thy servant; and teach me thy statutes.

Again, He asks God to show him favor and to teach him all that his finite mind can attain from the Torah.

136     ¶ Rivers of waters run down mine eyes, because they keep not thy law.

What an example for all of us, we too should be heartbroken and weep for the ones who do not keep the Torah, oh what favor and blessings they are missing, all because of ignorance and because of man made and demonically influenced religious doctrine and false history.

137     ¶ TZADDI. Righteous art thou, O LORD, and upright are thy judgments.
138     Thy testimonies that thou hast commanded are righteous and very faithful.

The Torah comes from God who is Righteous; therefore, the Torah is Righteous and True.

139     ¶ My zeal hath consumed me, because mine enemies have forgotten thy words.

David will go crazy without God’s Torah in his life.

140     ¶ Thy word is very pure: therefore thy servant loveth it.

Not only is the Torah Righteous, but Pure too. Since it is the very Words of God, it embodies all He is.

141     ¶ I am small and despised: yet do not I forget thy precepts.

Though David is king, he sees himself as the low man on the totem pole and even if he had to clean the crappers in the palace, he would still keep the Torah.

142     ¶ Thy righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, and thy law is the truth.

Hmmm, the Torah is not only Righteous and Pure, but it IS TRUTH. The very answer Pilate was seeking from Yeshua! (John 18:38)

143     ¶ Trouble and anguish have taken hold on me: yet thy commandments are my delights.

In the midst of the trials of life, it is Torah that makes and keeps him happy and gives him true pleasure.

144     The righteousness of thy testimonies is everlasting: give me understanding, and I shall live.

He is saying that since the Principles and Morals behind the events in the Torah are True and eternal and they give life, he wants to know them inside and out, fully!

145     ¶ KOPH. I cried with my whole heart; hear me, O LORD: I will keep thy statutes.
146     I cried unto thee; save me, and I shall keep thy testimonies.

David wants God to know how serious he is about His Torah. David knows he can never repay God for all He has done for him, but he knows the LEAST he can do is do what God has said and keep His Commandments.

147     ¶ I prevented the dawning of the morning, and cried: I hoped in thy word.
148     Mine eyes prevent the night watches, that I might meditate in thy word.

David wishes he could go without sleep and devote every spare moment to the Torah… I have wished that very same thing too!

149     ¶ Hear my voice according unto thy lovingkindness: O LORD, quicken me according to thy judgment.
150     ¶ They draw nigh that follow after mischief: they are far from thy law.
151     Thou art near, O LORD; and all thy commandments are truth.

David knows God will keep David safe and alive because he is 100% sold out to God and His Torah. David believes no matter what, Truth (Torah) prevails and the Good guys always win in the end.

152     ¶ Concerning thy testimonies, I have known of old that thou hast founded them for ever.

Again, the Torah is not just until the Messiah comes, but is ETERNAL, FOREVER, and INFINITE!

153     ¶ RESH. Consider mine affliction, and deliver me: for I do not forget thy law.
154     Plead my cause, and deliver me: quicken me according to thy word.

David is reminding God that the Torah is a covenant and since he is doing his best to keep it, he is reminding God to keep His end of it too, which is life, salvation and deliverance.

155     ¶ Salvation is far from the wicked: for they seek not thy statutes.

Here again David is connecting Salvation (Yeshua the Messiah) to the Torah. Yeshua is the Living Manifestation of the Written Torah.

156     ¶ Great are thy tender mercies, O LORD: quicken me according to thy judgments.

Again, the Torah gives life!

157     ¶ Many are my persecutors and mine enemies; yet do I not decline from thy testimonies.

David here is saying that he fears God more than his enemies, for he knows just as God delivered Israel many times in the wilderness from their enemies, he knows and believes that God will do the same for him.

158     ¶ I beheld the transgressors, and was grieved; because they kept not thy word.

David says he hates to see anyone fall especially when it could have been prevented simply by keeping God’s Torah. He wishes he could get others to see and understand the benefits of keeping Torah like he does.

159     ¶ Consider how I love thy precepts: quicken me, O LORD, according to thy lovingkindness.

“See how madly in love with Your Torah that I am? In your kindness give me more energy so I can pour over this Document even more!”

160     ¶ Thy word is true from the beginning: and every one of thy righteous judgments endureth for ever.

This is pretty self-explanatory: God’s Torah is true, every commandment, every story, and it is eternal… So, why are we not all keeping it?

161     ¶ SCHIN. Princes have persecuted me without a cause: but my heart standeth in awe of thy word.
162     ¶ I rejoice at thy word, as one that findeth great spoil.

When David wrestles over the Torah and finds something new, it is as if he just won a battle and is reaping the spoils of the war. To David the Torah is more valuable and precious than any of the material possessions he may acquire in a battle.

163     ¶ I hate and abhor lying: but thy law do I love.

Here again David is proclaiming that the Torah is Truth. I guess this answers Pilates question to Yeshua. (John 18:38)

164     ¶ Seven times a day do I praise thee because of thy righteous judgments.

“TRADITION!” Tevye’s famous exclamation is oh so very true. I would guesstimate that 90% or more of Jewish Tradition has its foundation in the Tanak. Other traditions in Judaism come from the particular culture they find themselves in, or they derive from the Talmud, the Jewish compendium on Torah Law. There is virtually nothing done in Judaism that doesn’t have meaning behind it.

Many believe, and if you ask most Rabbis, they will tell you Jews pray regularly three times a day, and Muslims, five.

Then the Scripture of David popped in my head the other day where it says:

Psalms 119:164 Seven times a day do I praise thee because of thy righteous judgments.

And, I began to think, “Seven. Why seven?” I know that seven is the number that represents completion and perfection. But I then noticed that most Orthodox Jews, too, pray seven times a day.

Daily-Prescribed Prayers:

 

1.    Shacarit - Morning prayers

2.    Mincha – Afternoon / Midday prayers

3.    Ma’ariv – Evening prayers

Prayers for Meals:

1.    Breakfast

2.    Lunch

3.    Dinner

Then you have the final prayer of the day:

1.    Bedtime  Shema

This equals out to 7 daily prayers.

I then began to think, was this accidental or was it done with this in mind? I think it may be accidental, because the reason Rabbis do not count the prayers over meals is because to any religious person, they are almost a given. That is why they emphasize the three daily prayers of Schacharit, Mincha, and Ma’ariv. And they will tell you that Avraham taught us to pray in the morning, Isaac at noon, and Jacob at night, and that the 3 prayers correspond to the sacrifices in the Temple that we can no longer give because the Temple is no longer standing. Therefore, it is believed that it is the responsibility of every Torah Observant Jew to pray these three times daily.

Whatever the reasoning behind our traditional prayers, I think this is a good tradition to keep. Any tradition that encourages and helps people to communicate and to draw closer to God is a good tradition.

Rav Sha’ul says, “Pray without ceasing;” (1Thess. 5:17), meaning, always keep your Neshamah (soul / spirit) in an attitude of constant prayer. The seven prayers of Judaism back this verse that Rav Sha’ul penned because as said earlier, seven means completion, fullness and perfection.

The siddur we pray from, which makes up many of the seven prayers in which we pray daily, is said by the Rabbis to be our love letter to YHWH in response to His love letter to us, which is the Torah. Moreover, this could not be considered as vain repetitions, (as some do), because no one ever gets tired of hearing the same words, “I love you,” no matter how many times it is said, as long as it is said with sincerity and devotion. The Rabbis would be the first to say that if you cannot pray from the siddur in such a manner it is best that you do not pray at all, because it is like a mechanical, meaningless, blemished sacrifice, which is abominable to God. In addition, when someone is truly in love they find any and every excuse to meet with and spend time with their lover. So if we truly love God as we claim, why wouldn’t we want to pray seven times a day?

In addition, when we pray it is traditional to face East. Why? Because that is the direction of where the Temple stood. And we remember the words of Sholomo Ha Melek (King Solomon).

I Kings 8:30 And hearken thou to the supplication of thy servant, and of thy people Israel, when they shall pray toward this place: and hear thou in heaven thy dwelling place: and when thou hearest, forgive.

We also have a tradition to wear a Tallit, a prayer shawl, where we cover our selves up during some of these prayers. I like to think of it as sometimes you meet in public, like on a group or double date, and sometimes you just want privacy between you and your beloved.

Yeshua Moshieynu (Our Messiah) said:

Matt. 6:6 But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.

Unless you were very rich, there was no such thing as a closet as we know it, and so “the closet” became a Jewish idiom for ones Tallit.

Not only is God like our lover, but He is also our King, and when we pray we sometimes wear a Tallit, and don Tefillin. I liken this unto getting dressed in the proper attire to see a king. We also bend our knees and bow every so often during our prayers from the siddur. Why? Because you bow in humility when you honor or make any supplication to a king, how much more so the King who is above all kings!

Sure, during the course of a day you may, and it is okay to, toss up a quick prayer here and there very informal like, because not only is God our Creator, Lover, and King, but He is also our Father. And a Father can be approached at any time, and a Father such as ours loves to spend time with His children.

Prayer is not simply a religious thing, but it is more of a relational thing.

165     ¶ Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them.

I love this verse and quote it often, if someone is truly Torah Obedient, then nothing will offend them, because they have the wisdom of the Torah on their side. I see all too often religious people who call themselves brothers and sisters in the spirit, getting all bent out of shape when someone tries to give them genuine, loving, constructive criticism. On the other hand, they may get offended because they disagree on the color of carpet that should be in the sanctuary! Some translations say, “Nothing will make them stumble.” Well, same result, because they have the wisdom of the Torah on their side, they will see pit falls and stumbling blocks before they reach them. It also says in this Psalm that the Torah (Word) is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path. This is another reason if we love and keep the Torah we will not falter. If you know and keep Torah, you will have, as this verse says,  “Shalom Gadol” Great Peace. See Matt. 11:6, 24:10

166     ¶ LORD, I have hoped for thy salvation (Yeshua), and done thy commandments.

Since Yeshua is the Living Torah, His Commandments are no different from the Torah itself. Since God and Yeshua are One, since they are Father and Son, Yeshua’s Commandments are the same as the Father’s, and here we see that that is the Torah.

167     ¶ My soul hath kept thy testimonies; and I love them exceedingly.
168     I have kept thy precepts and thy testimonies: for all my ways are before thee.

David is not afraid to make this “grandiose” statement, he asks God to check him on it and to see if he has not done his best to adhere to the Torah wholeheartedly.

169     ¶ TAU. Let my cry come near before thee, O LORD: give me understanding according to thy word.

If David said this once, he has said it a hundred times.

170     Let my supplication come before thee: deliver me according to thy word.

David wants God to know how serious he is about His Torah.

171     ¶ My lips shall utter praise, when thou hast taught me thy statutes.

David will praise God for each new revelation and insight he gets from the Torah.

172     ¶ My tongue shall speak of thy word: for all thy commandments are righteousness.

He won’t keep it to himself either, he will tell everyone he can!

173     ¶ Let thine hand help me; for I have chosen thy precepts.
174     I have longed for thy salvation, O LORD; and thy law is my delight.

If David said this once, he has said it a hundred times.

175     ¶ Let my soul live, and it shall praise thee; and let thy judgments help me.

He is saying let the Torah have its perfect way in me!

176     ¶ I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek thy servant; for I do not forget thy commandments.

Does this sound like someone who feels and or fears that they have to keep the Torah to be saved!? Certainly Not, God forbid!

Psalm 19

This is like a mini Psalm 119 describing the perfection and supremacy of Torah.

1     ¶ To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. The heavens declare the glory of God and the firmament sheweth his handywork.
2     Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge.
3     There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard.
4     Their line is gone out through all the earth and their words to the end of the world. In them hath he set a tabernacle for the sun,
5     Which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, and rejoiceth as a strong man to run a race.
6     His going forth is from the end of the heaven, and his circuit unto the ends of it: and there is nothing hid from the heat thereof.
7     ¶ The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.
8     The statutes 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 for ever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether.
10     More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.
11     Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them, there is great reward.
12     Who can understand his errors? cleanse thou me from secret faults.
13     Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me: then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great transgression.
14     Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.

I hope you enjoyed this commentary of Psalm 119.

Get Back to the First Century: Psalm 119:1-96

The Preeminence of Torah: Commentary on Psalm 119

David Ha Melek (the King) loved the Torah more than women for he had several wives. He loved Torah even more than his “BFF”, Jonathan, and he loved him more than he loved women! (II Sam. 1:26)  When David took the throne, one of his first duties was to write out a personal copy of the Torah. (Deut. 17:18) No doubt this is when he fell head over heels for His Word. He was clearly talking about the Torah, the Law, the Five Books of Moshe, for there was no other Scripture then. The Prophets had barely begun to be called out, David was in the process of writing many Psalms, and Solomon was not even born yet! Not to mention the Brit Chadashah from the time of Yeshua and after was about 2000 years away!

As you read through this Psalm, keep in mind the multifaceted-ness of the Torah, how David Ha Melek used different words to describe different aspects of the Law.

·       Law (Torah) = The whole will of G-d, His INSTRUCTIONS to us for holy living.

·       Testimonies (Edot) = This describes Torah as a witness to G-d and His righteousness.

·       Precepts (Pikudim) = These are specific guidelines for all who defines themselves as G-d’s People.

·       Way (derech) = This speaks of the path, the way we are to walk according to the Torah.

·       Commandments (Mitzvot) = These are specific “Thou Shalt’s” and “Thou Shalt Not’s”.

·       Statutes (Chukim) = These are laws in which G-d does not give us a logical explanation; we keep them simply because HE said so.

·       Ordinances / Judgments (Mishpatim) = Judicial standard of fairness.

·       Word (Davar, Imrah) = An all around general term for the expressed-will of G-d.

We will also notice that each stanza starts with each letter of the Hebrew Aleph-Bet.  Symbolizing that God’s Word, God’s Law covers everything from Aleph to Tav, from A to Z.  That it is all encompassing and it is perfect and complete.

Now Yeshua the Messish is the Living Manifestation of The Written Torah, so we can say that David’s love affair and praise of the Torah is actually that of The Messiah.

I have said before that if you don’t have Torah, you don’t have the Messiah.

PSALM 119

1     ¶ ALEPH. Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the LORD.

God is the same as in David’s day, and as in ours. God is the same yesterday, today and forever (Heb.13:8). He changes not (Mal. 3:8). The Torah is not just something you keep to get brownie points with God, or to “earn” your way to Heaven. It is something we walk in like second nature, something we do because we love God so much. We are “Blessed”, or another translation is, “Happy” we are when we walk in the Torah undefiled. The Torah makes us happy, it is not sad or a burden to keep as most Christians would have you think.

2     Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, and that seek him with the whole heart.

We are happy when we remember the Great things God has done, and to remember that He is Holy, Pure and Righteous. We guard and keep alive the Greatness of God when we retell of His awesome deeds, and when we set

our hearts to love and please Him, to trust that “Father knows best”. To love Him and seek His will (Torah) with ones whole heart.

3     They also do no iniquity: they walk in his ways.

“Iniquity” is the opposite of Torah. It literally means “Torah-less-ness”, “No Torah” or “Without Torah”. So, if we naturally keep the Torah we will not walk in iniquity. And, what will God say to those who “work iniquity”? (Matt. 7:23)

4     ¶ Thou hast commanded us to keep thy precepts diligently.

If we love God, and know He loves us and wants what is best for us, we will realize that He is an orderly and specific God. We will be sure to do our best to follow and keep His Torah to the best of our ability. We will not be casual with God and be flippant with, or haphazard in keeping His Instructions, and we will enjoy doing it. Just like when we wrap a present for someone we love, we just don’t wrap it with just any paper; we don’t just hastily crumple paper around the gift and wrap tape around it like a mummy. No, we make sure the present is wrapped just so. The creases of the wrap are sharp and precise, the tape is virtuously invisible, and the bow is curled just right and is balanced atop of the box perfectly. We relish and are giddy about making sure every detail is perfect because we want everything to be just right when we present the gift. For the gift not only shows our love, but the way it is wrapped shows our care. The way we wrap it is a gift to. And so it is, when being scrupulous in keeping the details of the Law.

5     O that my ways were directed to keep thy statutes!

He is saying, “God make me want to keep Your Commandments even when I don’t want too! I want to want to keep your Laws. Give me the desire to keep your Torah!”

6     Then shall I not be ashamed, when I have respect unto all thy commandments.

I John 3:4 tells us that breaking Torah is sin, and sin brings on shame, personally and publicly when exposed, and this will not come when we take joy in keeping God’s Torah.

7     ¶ I will praise thee with uprightness of heart, when I shall have learned thy righteous judgments.

“Daddy, when I learn how to keep your Torah the way You want me too, I will make you so proud!”

8     I will keep thy statutes: O forsake me not utterly.

“I am not perfect, and I will fail here and there, but you know my heart to keep Your Torah perfectly. So please forgive me and don’t give up on me when I screw up.”

9     ¶ BETH. Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word.

In other words, what can the Torah do? It has the power to give one a “squeaky clean” reputation. It’s simple, it’s all in black and white in His Torah and all we have to do is read and heed. It cannot be mechanical either; it has to be from the heart, as you will see. 

10     ¶ With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments.

David knew that to know the Commandments was to know God. David also knew that the Commandments are life (Deut. 32:47), so to wander from the Torah is to wander from the path of Life.

11     ¶ Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.

I have heard this verse in what is known as the “Pledge to the Bible”. There is a pledge to the American flag and the Christian flag and to the Bible. David knew that it was important to memorize His Torah if he was to combat and conquer temptation and sin.

12     ¶ Blessed art thou, O LORD: teach me thy statutes.

David is saying that even though he, as a finite human, may not understand why an infinite God might have commanded certain things; he nonetheless wants to know them. He wants God Himself to teach them to him because he is so zealous to love and please God.

                                  
13     ¶ With my lips have I declared all the judgments of thy mouth.

As king, he is saying he will rule fairly by the Torah as his guide.

14     I have rejoiced in the way of thy testimonies, as much as in all riches.

 David knows the Torah is the true treasure, not money and possessions. He is probably alluding to his personal, hand-scribed Torah as being his greatest possession.

15     I will meditate in thy precepts, and have respect unto thy ways.

Even though we may not understand why God commands certain things, David said he would try to wrap his brain around it anyway. In addition, even when he concludes that he still does not get it, he will nonetheless keep these “Chukim”.

16     I will delight myself in thy statutes: I will not forget thy word.

He is saying that he will keep the commandments that rule and guide our daily lives with joy, that he will make the Torah a part of him so he will not forget His Torah.

17     ¶ GIMEL. Deal bountifully with thy servant, that I may live, and keep thy word.

He is saying in a way that if he had much bounty there would be many more ways that he could keep God’s Torah.

18     ¶ Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law.

Here David is saying that the Torah is so deep, he is asking that God open his eyes to understand it and to see it in all its depth and glory, for the sole reason of keeping them and thus praising God by doing so.

19     ¶ I am a stranger in the earth: hide not thy commandments from me.

The Torah is David’s road map, He cannot survive without them, and they are his life and security.

20     ¶ My soul breaketh for the longing that it hath unto thy judgments at all times.

The Torah is like a love affair, he cannot get her (Torah) off his mind, it is all he can think about, it is wonderful, and it is perfect. In short, he is lovesick for the Torah.

21     ¶ Thou hast rebuked the proud that are cursed, which do err from thy commandments.

He is implying that he is humble, because he knows that the prideful are self-reliant and do not allow God to lead and guide them. He knows that it is inevitable that they will one day crash and burn without rescue. He is saying he cannot make it without God and His Instructions, His Torah.

22     ¶ Remove from me reproach and contempt, for I have kept thy testimonies.   

David has been faithful, and has been encouraged and believed the miracles recorded in the Torah and therefore has seen miracles in his own life because he has trusted Him fully through thick and thin. We see the Torah is David’s constant companion, guide, and comforter.

23     ¶ Princes also did sit and speak against me: but thy servant did meditate in thy statutes.

David knows that his vindication lies in the Torah, the Words of the Living God. The Torah is what David turns to, to ease his mind and to get his mind off things when political life gets cumbersome.

24     ¶ Thy testimonies also are my delight and my counselors.

David learns from the mistakes and the triumphs of the past Patriarchs. He trusts Moshe, Aharon, and Yehoshuah more than he trusts his royal advisers!

25     ¶ DALETH. My soul cleaveth unto the dust: quicken thou me according to thy word.

Only God’s Word gives him life and power.

26     ¶ I have declared my ways, and thou heardest me: teach me thy statutes.

It’s no secret David is a Torah Keeper; it is obvious, everyone knows it. He does not hide that fact. He again cries out to God, he wants to know His more Mysterious Commandments.

27     Make me to understand the way of thy precepts: so shall I talk of thy wondrous works.

He is asking God what are the reasons for, the cause and effects, the benefits of keeping the everyday things of the Torah, just so he can tell others and compel them to keep them, so he can tell others how great and wise His God is.

 
28     ¶ My soul melteth for heaviness: strengthen thou me according unto thy word.

Here David is saying that the Torah is a Living Supernatural Document able to give peace and strength when needed. He can have true confidence because he keeps God’s Torah out of zeal and love, and therefore knows that God is on his side.

29     Remove from me the way of lying: and grant me thy law graciously.

Seeing the Torah is Truth, David pleads to be led down that road, the road opposite and far from the road of the way of lying.

30     ¶ I have chosen the way of truth: thy judgments have I laid before me.

Love this verse too. Basically, being Torah Obedient is 100% a choice; no one can convince you, or make you keep it, not even God Himself. Only you can decide to do so out of a genuine love and desire to please and obey God.

He is saying that the Torah is True, the only way to live and the only way in which to have dealings with others because it is fair.

31     I have stuck unto thy testimonies: O LORD, put me not to shame.

Again, David says he believes every word of Torah, every victory, every triumph of God in his dealings with Israel. And since he believes, he trusts that God will act in the same way on his behalf. David knows that everyone knows what he believes and who he serves and therefore it is God’s reputation that is at stake, so he says “put me not to shame” because people will see it and put the failing not on David, but on his God.

32     I will run the way of thy commandments, when thou shalt enlarge my heart.

He says, “Make my heart big enough, more able to take in and understand all your Torah so I can keep it and run with it for the honor and glory of Your Name!”

33     ¶ HE. Teach me, O LORD, the way of thy statutes; and I shall keep it unto the end.

Boy, David really wants to know God’s Chukim; even if he does not understand it, he says he wants to keep them. I have heard many well meaning people say they will not follow Torah until they understand it, and that is noble, you certainly want to understand why they are doing what they are doing. However, this can be a devil’s cop-out too. If it were a matter of truly understanding all of God’s 613 Mitzvot, I would never begin to obey one. All of them are so deep and multi-faceted that no one can truly understand them fully because they come from the mind of an infinite God to a finite creation.

34     Give me understanding, and I shall keep thy law; yea, I shall observe it with my whole heart.

He says that he will keep God’s Laws even if he does not understand them, but here he is praying for that understanding anyway, because to understand is to fulfill with a full, joyous and fully engaged heart. 

35     ¶ Make me to go in the path of thy commandments; for therein do I delight.

Clearly keeping the Torah was not some laborious, burdensome task to David. He loved it, he enjoyed it, and in a way he is saying that even in the rare times that, “I don’t wanna”, he says make me “wanna”.

36     Incline my heart unto thy testimonies, and not to covetousness.

And with bounty comes that temptation of greed and covetousness for more. David is saying, “Let my motive always be pure and true, don’t let me glory in the tools that You give me to fulfill Your Commands.” If he covets, he wants to covet the true life stories of His Word. He is asking God to tune his ear to understand these true life, historical stories of God’s actions on behalf of His people Israel.

37     ¶ Turn away mine eyes from beholding vanity; and quicken thou me in thy way.

As his son, Solomon, would say in Ecclesiastes that all is vain but His Torah, David says, enliven me to be able to keep Your Torah.

38     ¶ Stablish thy word unto thy servant, who is devoted to thy fear.

David is T-totally submitted to YHWH, He says, “Go ahead God lay down the Law to me and I will follow it. Your wish is my command.”

39     ¶ Turn away my reproach which I fear: for thy judgments are good.

David knows how bad he can really be and that scares him, he knows that adhering to God’s Torah can change all that when he submits to His Judgments.

40     ¶ Behold, I have longed after thy precepts: quicken me in thy righteousness.

David desires all of God’s Torah, especially the commandments he does not fully understand; he is asking God to give him the strength to keep His Torah, for it is the Righteousness of God. You see as James said that faith (belief in God and His Word) without works (doing the Torah) is dead. There is Faith Righteousness, which is believing in God and His Word, and Works Righteousness (Keeping the Commandments) and you cannot have one without the other, like the yin and the yang, like peanut butter and chocolate, like peanut butter and jelly…. Well, you get the picture.

41     ¶ VAU. Let thy mercies come also unto me, O LORD, even thy salvation, according to thy word.

David knew that the Torah led to salvation. Don’t the Scriptures say that Salvation comes from the Jews? (John 4:22) The Written Torah tells what the Living Torah (The Messiah) was to be like.

42     So shall I have wherewith to answer him that reproacheth me: for I trust in thy word.

The Torah is the final word in what God considers righteous conduct, and when one is living by the Torah, no one can say anything legitimate against you in the realm of wrongdoing.

43     ¶ And take not the word of truth utterly out of my mouth; for I have hoped in thy judgments.

Here David clearly says that the Torah is Truth. This is the answer to Pilate’s question to Yeshua, “What is Truth? (John 18:38)

44     So shall I keep thy law continually for ever and ever.

Notice there is not an italics or parentheses in the ancient text that disclaims this verse by saying “until the Messiah come.” No, he says the Torah is to be obeyed forever. If David knew about the coming of the Messiah and that the Torah told about Him (even Yeshua said the Torah speaks of Him (Luke 24:13-49)), then he would have known if the Torah would be changed by the Messiah. Instead, He affirms that the Torah stands forever.

45     ¶ And I will walk at liberty: for I seek thy precepts.

Liberty!? Is David saying that there is a freedom in keeping the Commandments? Absolutely! This does not sound like the “bondage of the Law” that the Christians are always talking about.

46     I will speak of thy testimonies also before kings, and will not be ashamed.

David will tell all other nations and kings about G-d and His dealings with Israel, and no matter how they respond, he will not be ashamed because he KNOWS that all the stories are absolutely 100% true!

47     And I will delight myself in thy commandments, which I have loved.

Torah makes David happy! What more can I say on this verse?

48     My hands also will I lift up unto thy commandments, which I have loved; and I will meditate in thy statutes.

He says he will DO the Torah, because it is all he can think about. It is so deep he can never come to an end of thinking about God’s Torah! He is especially fascinated with the commandments that have seemingly no logical purpose.

49     ¶ ZAIN. Remember the word unto thy servant, upon which thou hast caused me to hope.

The Torah is David’s hope; in other places, he says it is his salvation, his Yeshua. And remember what I said that Yeshua is nothing more than the Living Manifestation of the Written Torah?

50     ¶ This is my comfort in my affliction: for thy word hath quickened me.

The Torah is also His Comfort. And what do we call the Ruach Ha Kodesh (Holy Spirit) which comes from God? The Comforter. In passages in the Brit Chadashah (Renewed Covenant) it says that the Ruach will guide us in all Truth (John 16:13), and David already said that the Torah is Truth.

51     ¶ The proud have had me greatly in derision: yet have I not declined from thy law.

David says that he will stick to his guns and no matter what pressures from others may come; he will not budge nor compromise in regards to the Torah.

52     ¶ I remembered thy judgments of old, O LORD; and have comforted myself.

David is comforted by God judicial rulings of the Torah because he knows that they are fair, good and holy.

53     ¶ Horror hath taken hold upon me because of the wicked that forsake thy law.

David hates to think about those who don’t get it, who do not understand the awesomeness of God’s Torah and therefore do not obey it. He knows where Torah-less-ness leads.

54     ¶ Thy statutes have been my songs in the house of my pilgrimage.

Before David sang and wrote the Psalms, he put the Torah to music and praised God that way, specifically the Commandments in which God gave no logical explanation for, at that!

55     ¶ I have remembered thy name, O LORD, in the night, and have kept thy law.

He even wants God’s Torah to rule his unconscious dream life! He wants to be holy through and through. David goes to sleep thinking about the Torah.

56     This I had, because I kept thy precepts.

He knows that his nightlife can only be pure because of God’s Word, His Torah, and because he lives to obey it, he can have a holy nightlife.

57     ¶ CHETH. Thou art my portion, O LORD: I have said that I would keep thy words.

Land, Kingdom, Wealth, Women…. Heck, it’s nothing compared to God and His Torah. That is enough “portion” for David.

58     ¶ I entreated thy favor with my whole heart: be merciful unto me according to thy word.

Torah is not just a haphazard thing to David; it is all or nothing!

59     ¶ I thought on my ways, and turned my feet unto thy testimonies.

“Turn my feet” implies teshuvah, repentance, a 180 after wrongdoing is realized, a turning away from sin and a turning to the Source, a turning to God. David is turning to God and His Righteousness.

60     I made haste, and delayed not to keep thy commandments.

David did not make an excuse NOT to keep the Commandments; HE wasted no time in keeping them!

61     ¶ The bands of the wicked have robbed me: but I have not forgotten thy law.

Come hell or high water, come persecution or loss David will keep the Torah no matter what!

62     ¶ At midnight I will rise to give thanks unto thee because of thy righteous judgments.

God and His Torah are so awesome, sometimes David can’t even sleep, he is so giddy about it, and he cannot help but give praise to YHWH. Even if something is on his mind and keeping him up all night, he will end up praising God because of His Torah. He knows if he follows it, God has his back and it will all be okay.

63     ¶ I am a companion of all them that fear thee, and of them that keep thy precepts.

David admits that there is a brotherhood, a family quality among those who keep His commandments, and indeed, I can testify this for myself, that it is so true.

64     ¶ The earth, O LORD, is full of thy mercy: teach me thy statutes.

Though we cannot understand the Chukim without finite minds, this verse hints that God gave them to us, and that is why the earth is full with His mercy.

65     ¶ TETH. Thou hast dealt well with thy servant, O LORD, according unto thy word.

God is fair and just, all the time, always whether we can understand it or not.

66     Teach me good judgment and knowledge: for I have believed thy commandments.

It is as if David is saying, “Teach me, Teach me, Teach me about every aspect of Your Torah God, even if my little brain can’t fully comprehend it! I want to know about it all!”

67     ¶ Before I was afflicted I went astray: but now have I kept thy word.

Obeying Torah promotes healing and wellness body mind and spirit. Disobeying causes the opposite to occur.

68    ¶ Thou art good, and doest good; teach me thy statutes.

As the modern saying goes, “God is good, all the time. All the time, God is good.” This being fact, this means His Torah, every part of it is good, too. So why wouldn’t we want to know and obey it!?

69     ¶ The proud have forged a lie against me: but I will keep thy precepts with my whole heart.

Torah keepers WILL be persecuted; regardless, David will not budge from his Torah Obedience. Sounds like something the Messiah Himself said in Matthew 5:10-12.

70     Their heart is as fat as grease; but I delight in thy law.

David knows because of fear, ignorance and rebellion most people are deaf and numb to the Torah, but it is everything to David.

71     ¶ It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes.

Ah, finally, a clue, a possible ray of light on the part of God’s Torah that God gave us without any logical explanation. He just told us to do it because He is God. Even when David is being punished for disobeying God’s Torah, any lesson derived from Torah, no matter positive or negative, is a worthy lesson learned. See I Pet. 1:6-7, James 1:2

72     ¶ The law of thy mouth is better unto me than thousands of gold and silver.

He acknowledges that man does not make up the Torah, but they are the very Words of God Himself and deserve to be heeded, followed, and obeyed; that The Torah is far more precious and far more valuable than precious metals.

73     ¶ JOD. Thy hands have made me and fashioned me: give me understanding, that I may learn thy commandments.

“God, You know me inside and out, You hold the blueprint to my physical, mental and spiritual makeups, so teach me in the way I can learn, absorb, and keep the commandments best.”

74     ¶ They that fear thee will be glad when they see me; because I have hoped in thy word.

As believers, we are all in the same boat and therefore we pray for and encourage one another and we are glad when we see the other succeed, because we know our success will come soon by the same Divine Source.

75     ¶ I know, O LORD, that thy judgments are right, and that thou in faithfulness hast afflicted me.

Rom. 8:28, all things work for the good, and we know whether success or punishment comes by the hand of God, we know He is just and fair and right in doing so. And as a loving Father, he disciplines us because He wants us to do right and see us succeed.

76     ¶ Let, I pray thee, thy merciful kindness be for my comfort, according to thy word unto thy servant.
77     Let thy tender mercies come unto me, that I may live: for thy law is my delight.

David desires God to see the desire of his heart, to please Him and to keep His Torah, and therefore, asks for patience and encouragement as he continues to try to do the right thing.

78     ¶ Let the proud be ashamed; for they dealt perversely with me without a cause: but I will meditate in thy precepts.

David knows that the victories of the wicked are short lived and are actually granted as a mercy unto them by God. David knows that God will uphold him and see him through. God will settle all accounts and the righteous will eventually prevail.

79     Let those that fear thee turn unto me, and those that have known thy testimonies.

David wants all Torah Observant believers to rally around him the King for he promised God that he would lead them as a nation in the ways of Torah for the Glory of God.

80     ¶ Let my heart be sound in thy statutes; that I be not ashamed.

David wants to know the Torah fully so he can keep the Torah fully and therefore be without the shame of sin.

81     ¶ CAPH. My soul fainteth for thy salvation: but I hope in thy word.

David knows that the prophecies of Moshiach, Salvation (Yeshua) are encoded in the Torah, and he longs for that day when Moschiach will be revealed.

82     Mine eyes fail for thy word, saying, When wilt thou comfort me?

Sometimes doubts naturally arise when one waits so long for God’s promises. Yet we see in the next verse that it is the Torah that continually encourages him.

83     ¶ For I am become like a bottle in the smoke; yet do I not forget thy statutes.

Even though one is in the world and not of it, just by being in it one is tainted by contact with it; but regardless David remembers and keeps the Torah.

84     ¶ How many are the days of thy servant? when wilt thou execute judgment on them that persecute me?
85     ¶ The proud have digged pits for me, which are not after thy law.
86     All thy commandments are faithful: they persecute me wrongfully; help thou me.
87     They had almost consumed me upon earth; but I forsook not thy precepts.

The age-old question of why the wicked prosper can be answered in the extension of God’s mercy to the wicked who are blind of God’s ways in an attempt to extend the opportunity for them to repent. This is why, too, that we are permitted to suffer at times at the hand of the wicked because really God does not want to see anyone perish. Yet we know that even God has an expiration date in regards to His mercy, and that if the wicked do not repent they will be repaid in kind by God on the righteous people’s account. All we have to do is be faithful in regards to Torah and endure to the end and we WILL be saved.

88     ¶ Quicken me after thy lovingkindness; so shall I keep the testimony of thy mouth.

David says, “God, make me alive through the life-giving words of your Torah! Give me strength to keep your Torah and thus please You.”

89     ¶ LAMED. For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven.

The Torah IS ETERNAL, it WILL NOT be done away with or replaced by another.

90     Thy faithfulness is unto all generations: thou hast established the earth, and it abideth.
91     They continue this day according to thine ordinances: for all are thy servants.

The Torah is relevant and timeless.

92     ¶ Unless thy law had been my delights, I should then have perished in mine affliction.

The Written Torah is David’s Yeshua (Salvation), for HE knows the Living Torah, the Messiah will come from the Written Torah.

93     ¶ I will never forget thy precepts: for with them thou hast quickened me.

Again, the Torah gives life when one keeps it, not death; death comes through disobedience to it.

94     ¶ I am thine, save me; for I have sought thy precepts.

David knows there is Righteousness that comes by Faith, but He also knows that your righteous works through the Torah back up the faith of your heart.

95     ¶ The wicked have waited for me to destroy me: but I will consider thy testimonies.

When David gets fearful and discouraged, He will remember through the Words of the Torah what God miraculously has done for Israel.

96     ¶ I have seen an end of all perfection: but thy commandment is exceeding broad.

David is saying that he sees the end of every perfection, every purpose in this finite world, but that the Torah is eternal, it has no end.