Catechesis Notes for the Week — Psalm 119: He and Waw — Meditations upon God’s Word—The He section of psalm 119 teaches us that God’s Word “teaches faith” and out of faith comes obedience to walk in the way of the Lord as His disciples. Out of the teaching of God’s Word comes delight in the ways of the Lord. What our eyes “look at” follows either the way of faith or the way of rebellion. So the psalmist prays, “Turn my eyes from looking at worthless things, and revive me in Your way.” In this section, statutes, law, commandments, testimonies, word, judgments, and precepts are the references to God’s Word. Ultimately, we long for His precepts because they revive us in the righteousness of Christ.
The Waw section of psalm 119 begins with the assertion that the Lord’s mercies and salvation not only revive the life of a Christian but also gives us the way to defend ourselves against those who attack and persecute us for our faith. God’s Word gives us an answer for those who attack us and the words by which we confess the truth. We love the Lord and His Word because it gives us true freedom. In this section, word, word of truth, ordinances, law, precepts, testimonies, commandments, and statutes are the references to God’s Word. Meditation, love, and delight in God’s Word is the cause of true joy for the believer.