Psalm 119: Tav

Here we are... at the end of the long buffet that is Psalm 119! Twenty-two letters... twenty-two stanzas... the final letter... Tav (pronounced "tov")...

Read Psalm 119:169-176

Tav is for "mark"...

Literally... the meaning... of the 22nd letter's Hebrew name... tav... means "mark"...

The word "mark" conjures up many images... a distinguishing feature or sign... good or evil... fortuitous or ominous...
a target... don't miss the mark...
a grade... he made a bad mark on the test...
an impression... that'll leave a mark...
but... also... a signature... perhaps an "x"... marked by someone illiterate...

As we come to the final eight verses... of the longest psalm in Scripture... our psalmist friend signs-off... leaves his mark...with a prayer... asking God to let His Word leave a mark on his life...

Let my cry come before you, O Lord;

give me understanding according to your word!

Psalm 119:169

ESV

Mark me with understanding...

My lips will pour forth praise,

for you teach me your statutes.

My tongue will sing of your word,

for all your commandments are right.

Psalm 119:171-172

ESV

Mark my speech with praise... for You teach me... You are right...

Let your hand be ready to help me,

for I have chosen your precepts.

Psalm 119:173

ESV

Mark my life with Your help... for I choose Your way...

Our Hebrew friend... delights in God's Word... in it he finds the path of salvation... deliverance...

May our journey through God's Word... leave a mark on us...

May we desire... the impression of His Word on our lives...

Knowing His Word... is the only way we know we are lost... the only way... we recognize the Shepherd when He comes to seek us...

I have gone astray like a lost sheep;

seek your servant,

for I do not forget your commandments.

Psalm 119:175

We may never write an ode to exalt the Word... but I hope we will take it to heart... long to be marked by the Word... for His glory!

And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possession

-- to the praise of his glory.

Ephesians 1:13-14

(my emphasis)