Catechesis Notes for the Week — Psalm 119: Mem and Nun—Meditations on the Word of God—In the Mem section of Psalm 119, the psalmist boasts of wisdom and understanding, but it is not a wisdom and understanding of his own doing, it is a gift of God’s Word: “Your commandments make me wiser than my enemies…I have more understanding than all my teachers, for Your testimonies are my meditation. I understand more than the ancients because I keep Your precepts.” The Word of God, received in faith and meditated upon throughout one’s life, creates the miracle of godly wisdom and understanding that transcends the most erudite scholar on earth. To God be the glory! This section also speaks of the Word of God as food that is sweeter than honey. In this section, law, commandments, testimonies, precepts, and word are references to God’s Word. The Nun section of Psalm 119 begins with one of the most frequently quoted verses from the entire psalm: “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” This verse, linked with Jesus’ promise, “I am the way, the truth, and the life” teach us that the pathway of salvation is found only in Christ who comes to us by His Word. It is Christ who revives us when we are afflicted. It is Christ who opens our hearts to give freewill offerings and to confess His name. Though many dangers overtake us and the wicked lay snares to entrap us, the testimonies of the Lord deliver us every day of our lives. In this section, word, judgments, law, precepts, testimonies, and statutes are references to the Word of God.

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