Meaning of Psalms 119:135

This verse from Psalm 119, the longest psalm in the Psalter, expresses a profound and twofold request to God. The psalmist, deeply immersed in the study and love of God's law (Torah), first pleads for God's visible favor and presence, metaphorically described as making His face shine. This signifies a desire for divine approval, blessing, and the radiant presence of God, which historically was associated with God's dwelling among His people. Secondly, the psalmist explicitly asks for divine instruction, a deeper understanding and internalization of God's decrees. This is not a passive request for knowledge, but an active yearning to be taught and guided by God Himself, to live in accordance with His will. The verse encapsulates a holistic approach to spiritual life: experiencing God's gracious favor and actively learning His ways.

Context and Background

Psalm 119 is an acrostic psalm, with each section of eight verses beginning with a successive letter of the Hebrew alphabet. This particular verse falls within the section beginning with the Hebrew letter Tav (ת), the last letter of the alphabet, suggesting a sense of culmination or completeness in the psalmist's meditation on God's word. The entire psalm is a celebration of the Law of the Lord, extolling its virtues as a source of guidance, comfort, and life. The psalmist's consistent theme is his devotion to God's statutes, commandments, and precepts, and his desire to live a life pleasing to God. In this context, the request is not for a new revelation, but for continued illumination and empowerment to understand and obey what has already been revealed.

Key Themes and Messages

• Divine Favor and Presence: The request to "make your face shine" is a plea for God's benevolent regard and manifest presence. This echoes the Aaronic blessing in Numbers 6:25-26, where God's face shining upon His people signifies His blessing and protection. It's a desire to be in a state of acceptance and communion with the divine.
• The Importance of Divine Instruction: The second part of the verse, "teach me your decrees," highlights the necessity of God's active teaching. The psalmist recognizes that human understanding of divine will is insufficient without God's direct impartation of wisdom and insight. This emphasizes God's role as the ultimate Teacher.
• Holistic Discipleship: The verse advocates for a balanced approach to faith. It's not enough to simply seek God's favor; one must also actively pursue His wisdom and guidance. True discipleship involves both experiencing God's grace and diligently learning His ways.

Spiritual Significance and Application

For believers today, this verse remains a powerful prayer. It calls us to seek God's face, not just for blessings, but for the assurance of His presence and approval in our lives. This might manifest as a sense of peace, joy, or clarity when we are walking in obedience. Equally important is the commitment to learning God's decrees. This involves diligent study of Scripture, prayer for understanding, and attentiveness to the promptings of the Holy Spirit. The application lies in recognizing our dependence on God for both His gracious acceptance and His illuminating guidance as we navigate life's complexities and strive to live according to His revealed will.

Relation to the Broader Biblical Narrative

The desire for God's face to shine is a recurring motif throughout the Old Testament, often associated with God's covenantal faithfulness and presence with His people. The New Testament builds upon this, particularly in the person of Jesus Christ. In Christ, God's face shines most brightly, as He is the "radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature" (Hebrews 1:3). The command to teach God's decrees finds its ultimate fulfillment in the indwelling Holy Spirit, who guides believers into all truth (John 16:13) and empowers them to understand and obey God's word. Jesus Himself taught extensively, and His teachings are the decrees that believers are called to learn and follow.

Analogies

One analogy for "make your face shine" is like the warmth and light of the sun on a cold day. It's a comforting, life-giving presence that dispels darkness and brings vitality. For "teach me your decrees," consider a skilled craftsman being guided by an architect's detailed blueprints. The blueprints are the decrees, and the architect's instruction ensures the craft is executed perfectly and according to design. Without the architect's teaching, the craftsman might misunderstand or misapply the blueprints, leading to a flawed outcome.

Relation to Other Verses

• Numbers 6:25-26: "The Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace." This Old Testament blessing directly parallels the psalmist's first request.
• Psalm 27:1: "The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?" This verse expresses a similar desire for God's light and presence as a source of security.
• John 14:26: "But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you." This New Testament passage reveals how God's teaching is now actively imparted through the Holy Spirit to believers.
• 1 Corinthians 2:10: "These things God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God." This further emphasizes the Spirit's role in illuminating God's will and truth.