Christian Loyalty, Revised & Expanded
As an introduction, I would like to admit that in 2017 a much shorter version of “Loyalty” was submitted and freely distributed. This lengthier, updated submission was written to give the subject of “Christian Loyalty” a more appropriate reexamination.
In the dictionary, the word “Loyalty” is defined as an unwavering allegiance. It could be an commitment to a cause, the government, an individual, an ideal, or custom. Too bad the dictionary failed to mention God.
Important Biblical synonyms to Loyalty are; Allegiance, Devout Faith, Fidelity, Honesty, Honor, Integrity, Obedience, Sincerity, Trustworthiness, And Conscientiousness.
Conversely, antonyms of loyalty are; Disloyalty, Disgrace, Dishonesty, Dishonor, Lying, Treachery, and Faithlessness.
Given these two groupings of words, which most reflect your choices? Which team are you on? Following which leader? And, lastly, are you an ardent supporter of God, if so, what are you doing for Him and your neighbors on a daily basis?
The adjective cha·sidh' is used in the Hebrew scriptures as loyalty or describing “someone loyal,” or “one of loving-kindness.” The noun che'sedh has reference to kindness but contains more than the thought of tender regard or kindness stemming from love, though it includes such traits. Depending on which Bible version you reference, you may not even find the word “Loyal” at all. Instead, you may see a substitute like “kindness, “steadfast love,” “faithful,” “followed,”or even “aright.”
What organizations, teams, and/or causes are you loyal to? How do loyalty and friendship differ? How are they the same? How would you feel if a friend proved disloyal? Are you loyal to God? Are you loyal to your friends? How do you think God feels about your overall loyalty and efforts directed towards His expressed goals for your mission work within His kingdom?
Let's slip into God's Word for a few brief verses some of which exalt loyalty and other verses spotlight the shameful sins of disloyalty.
Judges 8:35, They also failed to show any loyalty to the family of Jerub-Baal (that is, Gideon) in spite of all the good things he had done for them.
1 Samuel 22:14, Ahimelek answered the king, “Who of all your servants is as loyal as David, the king’s son-in-law, captain of your bodyguard and highly respected in your household?
2 Samuel 2:10, Ish-Bosheth son of Saul, was forty years old when he became king over Israel and he reigned two years. The tribe of Judah, however, remained loyal to David.
2 Samuel 3:8, Then Abner became very angry at the words of Ish-bosheth, and said, “Am I a dog’s head that belongs to Judah? Today I show loyalty to the house of Saul your father, to his brothers, and to his friends, and have not delivered you into the hand of David; and you charge me today with a fault concerning this woman?
1 Kings 12:20, When all the Israelites heard that Jeroboam had returned, they sent and called him to the assembly and made him king over all Israel. Only the tribe of Judah remained loyal to the house of David.
1 Chronicles 12:29, Saul’s tribe of 3,000 men, most of whom remained loyal to Saul’s house until then;
1 Chronicles 12:33, from Zebulun, experienced soldiers prepared for battle with every type of weapons, to help David with undivided loyalty—50,000
Psalm 78:8, They would not be like their ancestors—a stubborn and rebellious generation, whose hearts were not loyal to God, whose spirits were not faithful to him.
Psalm 78:37, their hearts were not loyal to him, they were not faithful to his covenant.
1 Chronicles 29:18, Lord, the God of our fathers Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, keep these desires and thoughts in the hearts of your people forever, and keep their hearts loyal to you.*(the NKJV says, “fix their heart toward You.”)
“Loyalty to God leads to devotion to others. Devotion to others requires the spirit of self-sacrifice. The spirit of self-sacrifice leads to greater rewards in heaven.”
Positive things often have polar opposites. What are some opposites of being a loyal Christian? Many secular people believe they can exercise one of a few cherry-picked choices; They can become Christians later, they can stay apathetically neutral, they can deny God or, as some do, embrace to reach out to Satan. While “betting” you can become a Christian later is a huge, forever and ever, risk, those last three atrocious examples are severely wrong!
We all start on the wrong team. We all are born guilty of original sin and, by our own merits, only deserve eternal damnation. We can't choose Satan because that is already our default team because of our devious, egregious human natures. If you don't believe that, just think back on how many one and two-year old children you know that, with no training whatsoever, are able to throw quite the tantrum, play on your emotions, or steal a sweet from their siblings?
The sole winning choice we have is to give our allegiance and loyalty to God. Only Jesus can cleanse and save your soul. Then, to use sport analogies, we move from milling in the stands of the opposing team to the warm-up bench of the winning team. Once your loyalty inspires you to actually work towards helping the Holy Spirit expand the kingdoms of God and Christ—you deserve to be called as a member of the squad. God's squad!
But, no matter which Bible version(s) you use, they all offer case after case of those disingenuous, disloyal characters.
2 Timothy 1:15, You know that everyone in the province of Asia has deserted me, including Phygelus and Hermogenes. Now, as commentary: Phygelus and Hermogenes were with Paul at one time. Probably they were not just “common” believers; they were either co-workers or leading men among the priests. To be sure, they took the lead in turning away from Paul, not only from his person, but also from his ministry. A perfect case of disloyalty.
Daniel 9:7 tells this tale. O Lord, righteousness belongs to You, but to us shame of face, as it is this day—to the men of Judah, to the inhabitants of Jerusalem and all Israel, those near and those far off in all the countries to which You have driven them, because of the unfaithfulness which they have committed against You.
David, or more probably anyone of the six other possible authors of Psalm 12:1 wrote: Help, Lord, for no one is faithful anymore; those who are loyal have vanished from the human race.
Most Christians assume, or know for sure, that the God Almighty is a loving God. Some non-believers think the same way as do many sinners, while not really believing in God or Christ, are betting there will be no consequences for the shameful activities they wallow in—other sinners, while living a kind and gentle life, but do not believe in Jesus feel there will be no ill effects from their disloyalty to Christ or God. For those ignorant of the width and breadth of God's wrath, once He feels more than enough opportunities for redemption have been extended, can be read from Ezekiel 5:7-9.
“Therefore, thus says the Lord God, ‘Because you have more turmoil than the nations which surround you and have not walked in My statutes, nor observed My ordinances, nor observed the ordinances of the nations which surround you,’ therefore, thus says the Lord God, ‘Behold, I, even I, am against you, and I will execute judgments among you in the sight of the nations. And because of all your abominations, I will do among you what I have not done, and the like of which I will never do again.
And, as if that wasn't warning enough, 2nd Peter opens with these verses about actions against destructive doctrines and false teachers. But there were also false prophets among the people, even as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Lord who bought them, and bring on their swift destruction. And many will follow their destructive ways, because of whom the way of truth will be blasphemed. By covetousness, they will exploit you with deceptive words; for a long time their judgment has not been idle, and their destruction does not slumber.
For if God did not spare the angels who sinned, but cast them down to hell and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved for judgment; and did not spare the ancient world, but saved Noah, one of eight people, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood on the world of the ungodly; and turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah into ashes, condemned them to destruction, making them an example to those who afterward would live ungodly; and delivered righteous Lot, who was oppressed by the filthy conduct of the wicked. For that righteous man, dwelling among them, tormented his righteous soul from day to day by seeing and hearing their lawless deeds. Then the Lord knows how to deliver the godly out of temptations and to reserve the unjust under punishment for the day of judgment, and especially those who walk according to the flesh in the lust of uncleanness and despise authority. They are presumptuous, self-willed. They are not afraid to speak evil of dignitaries, whereas angels, who are greater in power and might, do not bring a reviling accusation against them before the Lord.
But these, like natural brute beasts made to be caught and destroyed, speak evil of the things they do not understand, and will utterly perish in their own corruption, and will receive the wages of unrighteousness, as those who count it pleasure to carouse in the daytime. They are spots and blemishes, carousing in their own deceptions while they feast with you, having eyes full of adultery that cannot cease from sinning, enticing unstable souls. They have hearts trained in covetous practices and are accursed children. They have forsaken the right way and gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Beor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness; but he was rebuked for his iniquity. Note: This Balaam is the same man that had a discussion with his donkey and an angel of the Lord.
Hopefully, your love for God, not the fear of God, will cleave your heart and soul to both Christ and the Almighty.
Of loyalty, the Bible tells us: Loyalty is unwavering in good times and bad. Now the NKJV of Proverbs 17:17 says, A friend loves at all times, And a brother is born for adversity. With this particular verse, I believe the NCB, the New Catholic Bible, says it even better, “A true friend is one at all times, and a brother is born to render help in time of need.” Even that can be improved when we are all inclusive and bring into the fold respectful thoughts about “True Sisters” and “True Mothers.”
Loyalty is what you do, not what you say. We have all read in Matthew where Peter vowed, face to face with Jesus, “Even if I have to die with You, I will not deny You!” But, as we all know, when pressed among an angry crowd, Peter lost all convictions of alliance.
Loyalty is in your heart. It is willing and not reluctant. Psalm 78:5-8 testifies; For He established a testimony in Jacob, and appointed a law in Israel,Which He commanded our fathers,that they should make them known to their children; That the generation to come might know them, the children who would be born, that they may arise and declare them to their children, that they may set their hope in God, And not forget the works of God, But keep His commandments; and may not be like their fathers, a stubborn and rebellious generation, a generation that did not set its heart aright, And whose spirit was not faithful to God.
Loyalty can be very demanding and involve tremendous, personal sacrifice. 2 Chronicles, chapter 11 offers these examples of what to do when subjugated or constrained by false doctrine of repressive governments.
Jeroboam, the first king of the northern Kingdom of Israel, chose his own priests to serve in the high places, where he set two golden calves and demanded all people worship them. The Levites left the plush grasslands of their own fields because Jeroboam and his sons refused to let them serve as priests to the true God. When the Levites left Israel, the people who were faithful to the Lord, the true God of Israel, they traveled to Jerusalem to sacrifice to the Lord, the God of their fathers.
Later, the prophet Ahijah pronounced a severe judgment on Jeroboam and his family because of their blatant rejection of the Lord: “I am going to bring disaster on the house of Jeroboam. I will cut off from Jeroboam every last male in Israel—slave or free. I will burn up the house of Jeroboam as one burns dung, until it is all gone. Dogs will eat those belonging to Jeroboam who die in the city, and the birds will feed on those who die in the country. The Lord has spoken!” (1 Kings 14:10–11). Idolatry is often referred to as “the sins of Jeroboam.”
Loyalty to the Lord will be rewarded. (Psalm 84:10-11) When this psalm says “those whose walk is blameless” it refers to Genesis 17:1 when the Lord appeared to Abraham and said to him “walk with me and be blameless” meaning that Abraham would receive the Lord’s promises because he was faithful and obedient.
We should be able to see that our own personal loyalty has a definite relation to our obligations. Not necessarily legally bound, but where we should feel virtuously, morally, and loyalty bound. Sometimes, as with less than perfect marriage ceremonies, we see blended reflections of chasms that develop early on. On most wedding days, the couple's love and loyalty to each other seem to be everlasting. Everlasting until one jokingly smears cake on the face of the other. If not at that specific moment, then later, the difficulties of a true-hearted, loyal marriage may soon begin to show signs of stress.
There is also no doubt that staying loyal within marriage has always been difficult. First of all, both men and women must be submissive to each other. Being submissive is not easy and is often contrary to our human natures. The same can be said of being faithful within the marriage boundaries because lust and revenge, both different facets of our sinful nature, have embellished human shortfalls since Adam, Eve, Cain, and Able. Our nature has not changed over the centuries. Human nature has always been self-centered and driven to compete for control. This is because Satan has been alive and working in us, and against us the whole time, and ruling as the god of this world, infusing both genders with layers of sin via many forms and temptations. Due to our ever-evolving moral breakdowns, not only has marriage become more difficult, many “couples” live like they are married in defiance of secular morality and God's law.
These moral breakdowns are sweeping not only across America but bursting through the doors of umpteen churches, spreading evil soot not only over the pews but over many pulpits as well. One of the evilest examples of this is how the “Pro-Choice,” “Woman's Rights,” and “Gay Pride” groups have increased their influence over our secular and religious cultures. Could you categorize any of those three groups as being loyal to God? If you are not with God, you are against God. There is no middle ground—it's either walk with Christ or meet your demise with the Antichrist.
The “Pro-Choice” miscreants were, and are, the individuals supporting the movement that promoted "abortion on demand" and the murder of over 62 million unborn American children and over 1,500,000,000 children of every race and religion. Worldwide, a baby is aborted each second, with no exaggeration. Many of the so-called liberal groups are ever so willing to kill innocent unborn and now—even newly born babies. They want us to not only have tolerance towards the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and Satan sustained social movements, they feel they have the right to teach these sins in public schools and universities. They are the prime movers of the homosexual agenda and the acceptance of same-sex “marriage.” Then there are the idiots proclaiming there are more than the two genders God created.
Even some of the misguided, “so-called Christians” constantly want to demonize us if we don't accept their radical, ungodly viewpoints. Where once these groups just wanted protection under the law, which they were given, now they want their views preached for indoctrination down to the kindergarten level of our public schools. While not everybody cow-towels themselves down to the level of these groups, enough people have—to change the cultural face of America. There are a number of religious, social, and psychological forces that propel people to public acceptance. None, however, larger than the morally lethal combination of weak religious beliefs and an anemic understanding of what is moral and what is not. Many Americans and weak churches have bought into these sinful doctrines lock, stock, and barrel. It takes unwavering strength and loyalty to uphold God's Word.
Many of us older folks, “Baby Boomers” if you will, look back at the 1950s and chuckle. A large portion of us were so square, so straight and narrow we could not even comprehend how the Hippies dared to protest the war. Man, they sure appeared un-American to me! Those who were raised up from the sixties right up to the present day are hemmed in and hampered by Political Correctness. Ideologues are not only shushing us up but actually ostracizing those Christians that try to set the record straight. In matters of God's true religious commands, this has been going on since the days of Christ on earth. Pulling believers into a forever downward spiral. So with this combination of weak religious beliefs melded with ignorance of what is moral and right, plus the visual impact of dirty movies and raunchy television, it seems that the general morality and Christian loyalty are not going to stop their downward spirals.
Ponder the exploration of this important question. How can anyone be loyal and committed to upholding God's Word if one is either ignorant of that Word or barely knows it? The themes being drummed into us from every angle in the world for at least two generations are that there are no moral and spiritual absolutes. This very claim is an absolute falsehood, but far too many people choose to believe those lies. People know they are sinful, but they deliberately choose not to believe in God because they do not want to be restricted nor live a “restricted” lifestyle. They are willing to indulge in the ungodly sins of illicit sex, drugs, and illegal activities. Activities that at first seem wonderful and satisfying, but those feelings never last leading them to want to “bump-up” to the next, more destructive, level.
There are indeed moral and spiritual absolutes. Our loyalty to these absolutes in the face of these ever-strengthening attacks against us is what is on the line. Do not allow yourself to think that your perception of the purity of God's absolutes has not been affected. We are all more cynical than our ancestors were, yet we are much more inclined to turn a blind eye to injustices than to speak up when we witness them.
Loyalty has three characteristic traits. The first one is knowledge of what's right. We have to know right from wrong. Righteousness requires a process of growth that begins when God calls us. Then we will absorb the Biblical beginnings that will reveal the mysteries of God. In one sense, it can be defined by Psalm 119:172. “My tongue shall speak of Your word: for all Your commandments are righteousness.” Righteousness is doing right. Righteousness is why we are to be loyal to both the Almighty and to Christ.
To gain insight into the second required trait of Christian loyalty, we can now read John 14:15-18 which states, If you love Me, keep My commandments. And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever—the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you. I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you.
Devotion, righteousness, and keeping God's commandments—could anything be clearer?
The third trait of these loyalty characteristics is devotion. Not only to God, but your expressed devotion to your duties of good works and love extended to your neighbors as well as those you feel less than neighborly towards. Loyal devotion is not a relaxed version of rules contained in the commandments, but dedication to the Father and the Son, two glorious entities who are loyal to us beyond our imaginations.
Paul used two of those principles when he wrote to the Roman congregation to encourage their righteous thinking. Because they thought that they were right, they were puffed up about their own self-righteousness. If they had been righteous, Paul would never have had to clarify the misunderstanding about God's plan and purpose. He did this in three Romans chapters, 9, 10, and 11.
Romans 11:25, “For I would not, brethren, that you should be ignorant of this mystery, lest you should be wise in your own conceits.” That is really as far as I need to go here because then Paul starts talking about other subjects.
In our lifetime, as individuals, as a Church, as a Nation, we are moving toward the time when we are called upon to examine ourselves and to repent. Repent may not be the precise word. For repent means to feel or express sincere regret or remorse about one's wrongdoing or sin. Given that, and even adding the promise that we will sin no more, is not enough. Atonement would be a better term, for that is an act that includes reparation of a wrong. Moving forward to do as much as we as individuals can do to repair the wrongs that have come about during our lifetimes. Christ did not merely repent our sin away, he paid the ultimate atoning price. After we repent, we should do our best to make up for lost time with God over our previous shortfalls.
The subject that Paul was addressing was the rather simple principle of loyalty, and that each of us must be loyal to God and to the community. We cannot separate them, as we are going to see as we continue here. Sometimes we often like to separate loyalty to God from loyalty to our family because we can accept the fact that God is perfect, yet we can't be expected to obey all God's rules. We supply ourselves with all kinds of justifications, excuses, and false rational for not following through with what God tells us to do. Wrong! Wrong! Wrong!
A portion of my writing in this study has revolved around the vast change in American attitudes towards loyalty, so I am going to continue to use that as a backdrop because the instruction given in the Bible regarding subjection shows how we must conduct ourselves in order to be loyal. Now one cannot be absolutely loyal without placing himself or herself in submission to righteousness with devoted affection, as God commanded.
Be warned, what we are going to address is not easy to do. Loyalty demands a great deal of faith, humility, and self-control. Every day, twenty-four seven. Loyalty is not a part-time job.
Colossians 3:18, “Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord.” The same is true with the marriage roles reversed. The word "submit" can be translated either “submit” or “subject.” If you refer to Strong's Concordance, you will find that the same Greek word has been translated both ways in the King James Version. This particular verse is directed towards women. Unfortunately many men never consider that they, are subject to their wives. And we all are to be loyally committed to one another and loyally submitted to God our Father.
Disloyalty will be punished. Because Israel was deserted in its time of need, we read in Obadiah chapter 4, “Though you ascend as high as the eagle, And though you set your nest among the stars, From there I will bring you down,” said the Lord.
Most humans have a tendency to think of submission in less than positive terms. Stop that way of thinking! God does not enslave, He liberates. Submission frees us and it works to produce success in life's endeavors, whether it be work, marriage, athletics, church, or whatever. An outstanding example of this is Jesus Himself. In John 8:29, Jesus stated, “that He always did what pleased the Father.” Jesus was loyal and did what God said to do, both in public and private times. Do you?
John 8:31-32, “Then said Jesus, to those Jews which believed on him, if you continue in my word, then are you my disciples indeed; And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” Being free is not being enslaved, by people or wrongly rooted societal norms. Subjection to God does not demand enslavement. It produces freedom for all eternity. The close linkage between loyalty and submission is inescapable. Loyal subjection to God's truth is what produces true satisfaction and joy in our lives.
When the complete picture is revealed, or if you only absorb a smattering of the New Testament truths, you realize being loyal to Jesus results in an eternity in Heaven totally free from physical death and bodily pain. Believers have no fear of being tossed into the fiery pit. In the Book of John, Jesus said, "I am the resurrection and the life: he that believes in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whosoever lives and believes in me shall never die." And then Jesus asked, “Believe you this?” I do—do you?
So it is your faith and your loyal actions that matter to our Lord God. To my mind, without saying “loyalty” Colossians 3:23 provides some excellent guiding words “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters.”
Let me close out this lesson with the suggestion you not only read Psalm 119 but you take the time to contemplate the significant messages revealed among the words. Notice these different attributes of God's Scriptures within:
Righteousness (verses 7, 62, 75, 106, 123, 138, 144, 160, 164, 172)
Trust God's Word (verse 42)
Truthfulness (verses 43, 142, 151, 160)
Faithfulness (verse 86, 90)
Unchangeable (verse 89)
Everlasting (verse 152)
Light (verse 105)
Purity (verse 140)
Gather up your Bible and any highlighter or underlining tool you prefer. Find yourself a quiet, private place. Turn off your cellphone. Open your Bible to Psalm 119, which is near the middle.
This Psalm is not only the most inclusive Psalms of all, it is the longest chapter in the Bible with 176 verses. This Psalm shows us that the Word of God should be held in the topmost position of our lives. It shows us how the priorities of our praise and worship to God should be directed by these holy words from God.
This exquisitely beautiful Psalm reminds us that God's very character is mirrored through His Word, He is Righteous, He is Loyally Faithful, and His Promises are True. So set back and reflect on the truths of Psalm 119.
The End
For your convenience, Psalm 119 is presented here in a modern, easier to read version.
Psalm 119 Modern English Version
? Aleph
1 Blessed are those whose way is blameless,
who walk in the law of the Lord.
2 Blessed are those who keep His testimonies,
and who seek Him with all their heart.
3 They also do no wrong;
they walk in His ways.
4 You have commanded us
to keep Your precepts diligently.
5 Oh, that my ways were established
to keep Your statutes!
6 Then I shall not be ashamed,
when I have my focus on all Your commandments.
7 I will praise You with an upright heart,
when I have learned Your righteous judgments.
8 I will keep Your statutes;
do not completely abandon me.
? Beth
9 How shall a young man keep his way pure?
By keeping it according to Your word.
10 With my whole heart I seek You;
do not allow me to wander from Your commandments.
11 Your word I have hidden in my heart,
that I might not sin against You.
12 Blessed are You, O Lord;
teach me Your statutes.
13 With my lips I declare
all the decrees of Your mouth.
14 I rejoice in the way of Your testimonies,
as much as in all riches.
15 I will meditate on Your precepts
and keep my eyes on Your ways.
16 I will delight in Your statutes;
I will not forget Your word.
? Gimel
17 Deal kindly with Your servant, that I may live
and keep Your word.
18 Open my eyes, that I may behold
wondrous things from Your law.
19 I am a sojourner in the land;
do not hide Your commandments from me.
20 My soul is consumed all the time
with a longing for Your decrees.
21 You have rebuked the proud, those cursed,
who depart from Your commandments.
22 Remove from me reproach and contempt,
for I have kept Your testimonies.
23 Even if princes sit and conspire against me,
Your servant will meditate on Your statutes.
24 Your testimonies are my delight
and my counselors.
? Daleth
25 My soul clings to the dust;
revive me according to Your word.
26 I have declared my ways, and You heard me;
teach me Your statutes.
27 Make me to understand the way of Your precepts;
then I shall contemplate on Your wondrous works.
28 My soul collapses on account of grief;
strengthen me according to Your word.
29 Remove from me the way of falsehood,
and graciously grant me Your law.
30 I have chosen the way of faithfulness;
Your judgments I have laid before me.
31 I have stayed with Your testimonies, O Lord;
may I not be put to shame.
32 I will run in the way of Your commandments,
when You set my heart free.
? He
33 Teach me, O Lord, the way of Your statutes,
and I shall keep it to the end.
34 Give me understanding, and I shall keep Your law
and observe it with my whole heart.
35 Lead me in the path of Your commandments,
for I delight in them.
36 Incline my heart unto Your testimonies,
and not for unjust gain.
37 Turn away my eyes from beholding worthlessness,
and revive me in Your way.
38 Establish Your word to Your servant,
so that You are feared.
39 Turn away my reproach that I dread,
for Your judgments are good.
40 Behold, I have a longing for Your precepts;
revive me in Your righteousness.
? Waw
41 Let Your mercies come to me, O Lord,
even Your deliverance according to Your word.
42 So I shall have an answer for him who reproaches me,
for I trust in Your word.
43 Do not take the word of truth out of my mouth,
for I have hoped in Your judgments.
44 So I shall keep Your law continually,
forever and ever.
45 I will walk in an open space,
for I seek Your precepts.
46 I will speak of Your testimonies also before kings
and will not be ashamed.
47 I will delight in Your commandments,
which I have loved.
48 My hands I will lift up unto Your commandments, which I have loved;
I will meditate on Your statutes.
? Zayin
49 Remember Your word to Your servant,
on which You have caused me to hope.
50 This is my comfort in my affliction,
for Your word revives me.
51 The proud ones have derided me,
yet I have not forsaken Your law.
52 I remembered Your judgments of old, O Lord,
and I have comforted myself.
53 Fury has taken hold of me because of the wicked
who forsake Your law.
54 Your statutes have been my songs
in the house of my temporary dwelling.
55 I have remembered Your name, O Lord, in the night,
and have kept Your law.
56 This is my blessing,
because I have kept Your precepts.
? Heth
57 You are my portion, O Lord;
I have said that I would keep Your words.
58 I seek Your favor with my whole heart;
be merciful to me according to Your word.
59 I consider my ways,
and I turn my feet to Your testimonies.
60 I made haste, and I did not delay
to keep Your commandments.
61 The bands of the wicked have trapped me,
but I have not forgotten Your law.
62 At midnight I will rise to give thanks to You,
because of Your righteous judgments.
63 I am a companion of all who fear You,
and of those who keep Your precepts.
64 The earth, O Lord, is full of Your mercy;
teach me Your statutes.
? Teth
65 You have been good to Your servant,
O Lord, according to Your word.
66 Teach me good discernment and knowledge,
for I have believed Your commandments.
67 Before I was afflicted I wandered,
but now I keep Your word.
68 You are good and do good;
teach me Your statutes.
69 The proud have spoken lies against me,
but I keep Your precepts with my whole heart.
70 Their heart is as thick as fat,
but I delight in Your law.
71 It is good for me that I have been afflicted,
that I might learn Your statutes.
72 The law from Your mouth is better to me
than thousands of gold and silver coins.
? Yodh
73 Your hands have made me and fashioned me;
give me understanding, that I may learn Your commandments.
74 Those who fear You will be glad when they see me,
because I have hoped in Your word.
75 I know, O Lord, that Your judgments are right,
and that You in faithfulness have afflicted me.
76 Let Your merciful kindness comfort me,
according to Your word to Your servant.
77 Let Your compassion come to me, that I may live,
for Your law is my delight.
78 Let the proud be ashamed, for they have been wicked to me in falsehood,
but I will meditate on Your precepts.
79 Let those who fear You turn to me,
that they might know Your testimonies.
80 Let my heart be blameless in Your statutes,
that I may not be ashamed.
? Kaph
81 My soul longs for Your deliverance,
but I hope in Your word.
82 My eyes are weary for Your word,
saying, “When will You comfort me?”
83 For I have become like a wineskin dried in the smoke,
yet I have not forgotten Your statutes.
84 How many days are given to Your servant?
When will You provide judgment on those who persecute me?
85 The proud have dug pits for me,
and they do not live in accordance to Your law.
86 All Your commandments are faithful;
I am persecuted without cause; help me!
87 They have almost consumed me on the earth,
but I have not abandoned Your precepts.
88 Revive me according to Your lovingkindness,
that I may keep the testimony from Your mouth.
? Lamedh
89 Forever, O Lord, Your word
is established in heaven.
90 Your faithfulness is for all generations;
You have established the earth, and it is firm.
91 They continue this day according to Your ordinance,
for all are Your servants.
92 Unless Your law had been my delight,
I would have perished in my affliction.
93 I will never forget Your precepts,
for with them You have revived me.
94 I am Yours; deliver me,
for I have sought Your precepts.
95 The wicked have waited to destroy me,
but I will consider Your testimonies.
96 I have seen that all perfection has an end,
but Your commandment is quite broad.
? Mem
97 Oh, how I love Your law!
It is my meditation all the day.
98 Your commandments have made me wiser than my enemies,
for they are continually with me.
99 I have more understanding than all my teachers,
for Your testimonies are my meditation.
100 I understand more than the elders,
because I keep Your precepts.
101 I have restrained my feet from every evil way,
that I might keep Your word.
102 I have not departed from Your judgments,
for You have taught me.
103 How sweet are Your words to the taste of my mouth!
Sweeter than honey to my mouth!
104 Through Your precepts I receive understanding;
therefore I hate every false way.
? Nun
105 Your word is a lamp to my feet
and a light to my path.
106 I have sworn, and I will perform it,
that I will keep Your righteous judgments.
107 I am greatly afflicted;
revive me, O Lord, according to Your word.
108 Accept the freewill offerings of my praise, O Lord,
and teach me Your judgments.
109 My soul is continually in my hand,
yet I do not forget Your law.
110 The wicked have laid a trap for me,
yet I do not depart from Your precepts.
111 Your testimonies are my inheritance forever,
for they are the rejoicing of my heart.
112 I have inclined my heart to perform Your statutes always,
even unto the end.
? Samekh
113 I hate those who are double-minded,
but I love Your law.
114 You are my hiding place and my shield,
I hope in Your word.
115 Depart from me, you who are wicked,
for I keep the commandments of my God.
116 Uphold me according to Your word, that I may live,
and let me not be ashamed with my hope.
117 Hold me up, and I shall be safe,
and I will have respect for Your statutes continually.
118 You have rejected all those who stray from Your statutes,
for their deceit is falsehood.
119 You put away all the wicked of the earth like dross;
therefore I love Your testimonies.
120 My body trembles for fear of You,
and I am afraid of Your judgments.
? Ayin
121 I have done what is right and just;
do not abandon me to my oppressors.
122 Be true to Your servant for good;
let not the proud ones oppress me.
123 My eyes long for Your deliverance
and for the promise of Your righteousness.
124 Deal with Your servant according to Your mercy,
and teach me Your statutes.
125 I am Your servant; grant me understanding,
that I may know Your testimonies.
126 It is time for You, O Lord, to act,
for they have broken Your law.
127 Therefore I love Your commandments
above gold, even fine gold.
128 For I follow all Your precepts to be right,
and I hate every false way.
? Pe
129 Your testimonies are wonderful;
therefore my soul keeps them.
130 The giving of Your words gives light;
it grants understanding to the simple.
131 I opened my mouth and panted,
for I long for Your commandments.
132 Look upon me, and be merciful to me,
as You are for those who love Your name.
133 Order my steps according to Your word,
and let not any iniquity have dominion over me.
134 Deliver me from the oppression of man,
so I will keep Your precepts.
135 Make Your face to shine upon Your servant,
and teach me Your statutes.
136 Rivers of waters run down my eyes,
because people do not keep Your law.
? Tsadhe
137 You are righteous, O Lord,
and upright are Your judgments.
138 You have set Your testimonies in righteousness
and faithfulness.
139 My zeal has consumed me,
because my enemies have forgotten Your words.
140 Your word is pure and true;
therefore Your servant loves it.
141 I am small and despised,
yet I do not forget Your precepts.
142 Your righteousness is an everlasting righteousness,
and Your law is true.
143 Trouble and anguish have discovered me,
but Your commandments are my delight.
144 The righteousness of Your testimonies is everlasting;
grant me understanding, and I shall live.
? Qoph
145 I cried with my whole heart; hear me, O Lord,
I will keep Your statutes.
146 I cried unto You; deliver me,
and I shall keep Your testimonies.
147 I arose before the dawn of the morning and cried for help;
I hope in Your words.
148 My eyes are awake before the night watches,
that I might meditate on Your word.
149 Hear my voice according to Your lovingkindness, O Lord;
revive me according to Your judgment.
150 They draw close, those who persecute me with evil;
they are far from Your law.
151 But You are near, O Lord,
and all Your commandments are true.
152 I have known of old
that You have established Your testimonies forever.
? Resh
153 Consider my affliction, and deliver me,
for I do not forget Your law.
154 Plead my cause, and defend me;
revive me according to Your word.
155 Salvation is far from the wicked,
for they do not seek Your statutes.
156 Great are Your compassions, O Lord;
revive me according to Your judgments.
157 Many are my persecutors and my enemies,
yet I do not turn from Your testimonies.
158 I behold the transgressors with disgust,
because they have not kept Your word.
159 Consider how I love Your precepts;
revive me, O Lord, according to Your lovingkindness.
160 Your word is true from the beginning,
and every one of Your righteous judgments endures forever.
? Sin and Shin
161 Princes have persecuted me without a cause,
but my heart stands in awe of Your words.
162 I rejoice at Your word,
as one who finds great plunder.
163 I hate and abhor lying,
but I love Your law.
164 Seven times a day I praise You,
because of Your righteous judgments.
165 Those who love Your law have great peace,
and nothing shall cause them to stumble.
166 Lord, I have hoped for Your deliverance,
and I carry out Your commandments.
167 My soul has kept Your testimonies,
and I love them greatly.
168 I have kept Your precepts and Your testimonies,
for all my ways are before You.
? Taw
169 Let my cry come near before You, O Lord;
give me understanding according to Your word.
170 Let my supplication come before You;
deliver me according to Your word.
171 My lips shall declare praise,
for You have taught me Your statutes.
172 My tongue shall speak of Your word,
for all Your commandments are right.
173 Let Your hand help me,
for I have chosen Your precepts.
174 I have longed for Your salvation, O Lord,
and Your law is my delight.
175 Let my soul live and praise You,
and let Your judgments come to my aid.
176 I have wandered like a lost sheep;
seek Your servant,
for I do not forget Your commandments.
Please feel free to contact me, Chaplain Dennis King, at DoJ@mail.com if you have questions, comments or just wish to share your testimonies, thoughts, or troubles.
