DALETH— 25 My soul clings to the dust; revive me according to your word. 26 I have declared my ways, and You have answered me; teach me Your statutes. 27 Make me understand the way of Your precepts; so shall I meditate on Your wonderful works. 28 My soul melts from heaviness, strengthen me according to Your word.
Psalm 119:25-28
This section begins with the Hebrew consonant DALETH, which tells us that the Word, when meditated on, will give one an understanding of its statutes and precepts. The author speaks of “clinging to the dust,” which is another way of saying that he’s on the brink of death. Whether it was emotional or literal death, we don’t know, but it highlights for us another capability of God’s Word. The Word has the potential to revive one even from the brink of death.
It’s possible, and even likely, that the reason the psalmist’s soul was clinging to the dust was from betrayal or maybe the constant attacks of an enemy. But the Word of God is able to deliver one from unreasonable and wicked men: The Lord is faithful, who will establish and guard you from the evil one”—2 Thess 3:1-5.
Another blessing of the Bible is that it also directs our hearts into the love of God and the patience of Christ. When our soul is overwhelmed with sorrow or heaviness, His Word will strengthen us. And we must always remember (especially in times of trouble): There is no greater help in life than God’s Word. Let’s take a quick look at what the apostle John wrote in the New Testament. This scene took place when Jesus had “detoured” into Samaria. While He stood by a well, a woman came near to draw water, and He asked her to draw a drink for Him. During the course of their conversation, He revealed to her things about her life that no stranger should have known. She ended up bringing the men of the city to meet this One, claiming that He had to be the Christ. Meanwhile the disciples were urging Him to eat, knowing that He hadn’t had sustenance in a long time. His reply was “I have food to eat of which you do not know. . . . My work is to do the will of Him who sent Me, and to finish His work” (John 4:27-39). The story continues: “And many of the Samaritans of that city believed in Him, because of the word of the woman who testified, “He told me all that I ever did. . . . And many more believed because of His own word.”
Although Jesus spoke figuratively about the food, He was illustrating a literal point. God’s Word does feed our spiritual life, bringing fruitfulness and success as we meditate on it day and night. Based on what we see in the church today, I wouldn’t hesitate to say that there are many Christians whose souls are clinging to the dust because they’re starving themselves to death by not being in the Word daily.
The matter is complicated further because they attend churches that aren’t really feeding them the Word. There’s no greater or more sufficient proven help for you than the Word of God. It will strengthen you, instill immovable hope, enable you to quench the fiery darts thrown by the enemy, transform and renew your mind, give you power to control your lusts, and implant in you a soul-saving assurance that will endure until the end. Is that something you want to ignore? This Book needs to be read and meditated on every single day! Only the Bible, God’s Word, can revive and strengthen us. We are not alone in our walk through this life, but God has given us His Word to guide, teach, and strengthen us, and His Holy Spirit to help us to discern. There’s nothing greater in this life than that!
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