You are Pure

Texts:
- Psalms 17-20
- Matthew 10-11
- Joel 1-3

Really, really interesting and awesome word from the 19th Psalm. These are going to work in my head for awhile I think.

Psalm 19:6-11

The law of the LORD is perfect,
reviving the soul.
The statutes of the LORD are trustworthy,
making wise the simple.
The precepts of the LORD are right,
giving joy to the heart.
The commands of the LORD are radiant,
giving light to the eyes.
The fear-of-the-LORD is pure,
enduring forever.
The ordinance of the LORD are sure
and altogether righteous.
They are more precious than gold,
than much pure gold;
they are sweeter than honey,
than honey from the comb.
By them is your servant warned;
in keeping them there is great
reward.

I am super intrigued by the middle part of this poem, the line, "The fear-of-the-LORD is pure..." What does that mean? In Exodus Community, I have felt repeatedly that fear-of-the-LORD needs to be a grounding concept for us, even though I'm not exactly sure how to define it. I know that it is not be scared of God. I know that it is more an idea of having proper reverence and respect for God. But, in what ways is that pure?

Okay, so You are the source of most of this. Why don't You come work in me today to give me a better understanding? What am I meant to see here? What do You mean? Obviously we have some parallel passages here. Fear-of-the-LORD seems to be parallel, equated with several other things here: law, statutes, precepts, commands, and ordinances. These are Your words, Your spoken directives to us.

And then there is the sense of what Your word does for us: revives, makes wise, gives joy, gives light. Just an interesting and inspiring side note at how alive the Word is. We use verbs to describe it, reviving, making, giving, and inanimate or dead things aren't doing alot of doing. But the form of the poem changes a bit at fear-of-the-LORD. Instead of telling us what Your words do, the psalm shifts to what this fear-of-the-LORD is. Same thing with ordinances, the fear is pure, the ordinances are sure and righteous. They aren't said to make one pure, sure, and righteous (although that may be true). No, they are.

This may take more investigation of the word pure. I may have to come back and update this post after a day of contemplation as well. For now, just questions, for You my Lord, You are all. So why is it is this reverence and respect pure? Why use that word? Let alone the question of enduring forever? I am savoring the taste of these questions now, for I anticipate the sure and righteous knowledge that Your word brings.

Now, may the Lord answer me today, and may Your name be my protection. May You send me out renewed from Your sanctuary, may You grant me support in my journeys. May You remember this time, and accept my humble thoughts. The desire of my heart is to love You, and recongnize and utilize opportunities to outwardly give that love to others. May You grant the desire of my heart. Blessed are You, LORD God the pure and righteous, lending Your ear to hear our questions, answering from Your holy heaven, and giving us the name we can trust in. Amen.