Tuesday, 2 August 2016

Psalm 120 - The high calling in Messiah Yeshua

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Psalm 120:3-5 "What shall be given to you, or what shall be done (added) to you, you false (treacherous) tongue? Sharp arrows of the warrior (mighty), with coals of the broom (juniper) tree! Woe is me, that I dwell in Meshech, that I dwell among the tents of Kedar!" NKJV

In verse 3 of Psalm 120 we continue the theme from the previous verse. The question arises on what punishment should apply to treacherous tongue. The Hebrew word at the end of the verse is the same Hebrew word used at the end of verse 2. The answer to this question begins in verse 4. There is one who is mighty (with sharp arrows) whose aim is to punish the evil tongue. The coals of a juniper tree remind us of a Scripture that indicates the tongue is like a fire.

James 3:5-6 "Even so the tongue is a little member and boasts great things. And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity. The tongue is so set among our members that it defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire by hell." NKJV

The author now begins to wail about living in Meshech and Kedar. Both of these places are far from the promised land. Both of these places were inhabited by people foreign to Israel in opposite directions. Living there would be considered a great punishment by the Psalmist.

Like yesterday, when we reviewed the first 2 verses, we're hearing more of the same as we take the first few steps toward the high place of the presence of the Lord. We are warned to be aware of what we say.

Matthew 12:36 "But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment." NKJV

This was spoken to the Pharisees who had just accused Yeshua of being ruled by Satan and Yeshua had just called them a brood of vipers (with poison in their mouths). Immediately after being warned about the judgment, the Pharisees changed the subject. But the Bible is clear.

Ephesians 4:29 "Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers." NKJV

James 4:11a "Do not speak evil of one another, brethren. 12b Who are you to judge another?" NKJV

But, there is nothing new in the New Testament. It was not written in a vacuum, but to bring light and revelation to the Hebrew Scriptures which also comment on this subject frequently. Here are two examples.

Psalm 141:3 "Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; Keep watch over the door of my lips." NKJV

Proverbs 18:21 "Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those who love it will eat its fruit." NKJV