When we combine the Reformation (e.g, esp Lutheran) antithesis of law and gospel with pietism\u2019s and Liberalism\u2019s and the Western democracy\u2019s sense of individual freedom, it is not hard to predict that many will find \u201crules\u201d difficult expressions for genuine spirituality. And here (Ps. 119:43) the psalmist claims he \u201cputs his hope in\u201d or \u201crests himself in\u201d God\u2019s ordinances, rules, or mishpatim<\/em>. When we combine the Reformation (e.g, esp Lutheran) antithesis of law and gospel with pietism\u2019s and Liberalism\u2019s and the Western democracy\u2019s sense of individual freedom, it is not hard to predict that many will find \u201crules\u201d difficult expressions for genuine spirituality. And here (Ps. 119:43) the psalmist claims he \u201cputs his hope in\u201d or \u201crests […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":197,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1753],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1981","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-psalm-119"],"yoast_head":"\n
\nI am reminded of Isa 42:4: \u201cIn his teaching (torah) the islands will put their hope.\u201d
\nIsa 51:5: those same islands hope in God\u2019s \u201carm\u201d.
\nMic 7:7: \u201cBut as for me, I watch in hope for the LORD, I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me.
\nPsalms are rich in hoping in God and in God\u2019s communicative rules with humans: \u201cBut the eyes of the LORD are on those who fear him, on those whose hope is in his unfailing love\u201d (33:18; see 43:5). And in 119, vv. 74, 81, 114, 147.
\nMy point: there is a delicate interplay here between God and God\u2019s expression in words so that the word becomes the expression of God\u2019s personal presence. It is not that the psalmist trusts in word but in the words of the Torah\/mishpatim as God\u2019s words.
\nHis hope is in that kind of wordiness, that kind of expressiveness from God to him. He believes the very words of the Torah are God\u2019s communicative event and he has put his hope in those words.<\/p>\n<\/body><\/html>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"