Oh, how I love your instructions! I think about them all day long. Your commands make me wiser than my enemies, for they are my constant guide. Yes, I have more insight than my teachers, for I am always thinking of your laws. I am even wiser than my elders, for I have kept your commandments. Psalms 119:97-100 NLT
Psalm 119 is structured as an alphabetic acrostic, with 176 verses divided into 22 stanzas of eight verses each. Each stanza begins with a successive letter of the Hebrew alphabet, and each verse in a stanza begins with the same letter. For example, the first stanza is named “A” and each of its eight verses begins with the letter “A”.
Today’s devo is brought to us by the letter “M.” Mem is the thirteenth letter of the Hebrew alphabet. Numerical value: 40. Sound: “M” Meaning: 1. Water. Chabad.org explains, “The word mem stands for mayim, which means water. Water constitutes a vital element in our lives: a human being is largely composed of water and the majority of the earth is covered with it. Torah, the most vital element in our spiritual lives, is referred to as water, as it states: “Ein mayim ela Torah13—There is no water but Torah.” As the Prophet tells us, “He who is thirsty shall go and drink water,” meaning that a Jew’s thirst for spirituality will never be sated by looking to other cultures or religions. The only thing that will quench one’s thirst is water, which is Torah. Just as a fish cannot survive without water, a Jew cannot survive without Torah.”
It is believed that Ezra wrote Psalm 119 as a manual for devotion. The “מ Mem” stanza is a beautiful meditation about God’s law, His instructions for life, guidance and wisdom. The most memorized verse in this passage is vs 103, “How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth!” Echoing the words of David in Psalm 19:10, “[God’s Law] They are sweeter than honey, than honey from the honeycomb.” Which also reminds me of Psalm 34:8, “Taste and see that the LORD is good.”
The psalmists do a wonderful job of giving us picturesque language to help us associate God’s goodness with things that we are very familiar with. God’s wisdom, like “Mem,” water, is pure and refreshing. It is like eating of tasty wisdom that sets up for success above our enemies and helps us excel in understanding even beyond our teacher and elders. Not in a competitive or arrogant manner, but in humble curiosity of an unquenchable appetite to know God! And, it is GOOD!
Prayer
Dad,
I have tasted and I have seen the goodness of your Word. It has been that delicious treat for the cravings of my soul. It has been a light in darkness, illuminating my path ahead. It is everything the Psalmists have declared it to be. Thank you for your living Word that eternally works within me! I am a satisfied customer of your grace and mercy! Amen.