Psalm 119: Mem

We continue to make our way through the long buffet table of Psalm 119 with the letter Mem. It holds the thirteenth place in the Hebrew alphabet and is the beginning letter of each line in the thirteenth stanza.

Read Psalm 119:97-104

Mem is for from... more or less.

Again, with difficulties in translation,  again with a small preposition, I offer this serving on Jeremiah's Menu. In Hebrew, this small word is attached directly to another word in order to enhance it's meaning in one of multiple ways. Again, I attempt to choose one word. Again, I chose the word that best fits the meaning blended into the translations. Again, I'm giving true linguists a twitch...

From a function word that indicates: a starting point (I came here from the city), a separation (the umbrella provided protection from the sun), or the source (this definition came from Merriam-Webster's).

Our psalmist-friend credits his study and practice of God's Word for his distinction from a variety of people:

Your commands make me wiser than my enemies,

for they are ever with me.

I have more insight than my teachers,

for I meditate on your statutes.

I have more understanding than my elders,

for I obey your precepts.

God's Word distinguishes us from the pack if we will study it and practice it.

Embracing Scripture and living it keeps us on the straight and narrow.

I have kept my feet from every evil path

so that I might obey your word.

Our teaching comes from God, therefore we know it's trustworthy.

I have not departed from your laws,

for you yourself have taught me.

Joy, pleasure, understanding and discretion are all benefits we gain from eating the Word and making it flesh in our lives...

Oh, how I love your law!

I meditate on it all day long.

...

How sweet are your words to my taste,

sweeter than honey to my mouth!

I gain understanding from your precepts;

therefore I hate every wrong path.

Psalm 119:97, 103-104

What do you gain from God's Word?