Bet
“My soul shall make its boast in HaShem;
The humble shall hear of it and be glad.”
Psalms 34:2 (34:3 Hebrew)

Introduction

• Psalms 119 has 22 stanzas which correspond to the 22 letters of the Hebrew alef-bet.
• It uses 10 key words as to reflect upon G-d’s Word and our response to Him.
• The first 8 verses begin with alef – pointing to the fact that G-d shepherds and leads His people by the words of His mouth.
• derekh = way. First used in Gen 3:24, the way to the Tree of Life.
• torah = instruction. First used in Gen 26:5, Abraham kept G-d’s instructions.

• Bet = Tent, house, family, in
• Picture = tent, house with a door
• Spelling = bet-yod-tav
• Value = 2
• Sound = b, v
• Meaning = G-d made manifest. G-d dwelling in His people.
• This stanza shows that G-d’s signs and G-d’s hand are what shapes the inside of a man, or a family.

Bet Words
Bet words italicized
9 How can a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed according to Your Davar.
10 With my whole heart I have sought You; oh, let me not wander from Your Mitzvot!
11 Your ‘Imrah I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against You.
12 Blessed are You, O L-RD!  Teach me Your Chukim.
13 With my lips I have declared all the Mishpatim of Your mouth.
14 I have rejoiced in the Derek of Your Edut, as much as in all riches.
15 I will meditate on Your Pikudim, and contemplate Your ways.
16 I will delight myself in Your Chukim; I will not forget Your Davar.

Key Words

• edut: testimonies, witness, sign commands. From repeat, turn back, testify.
• Found 23 times in singular or plural form in Ps 119. v 14, 31, 36, 88, 99, 111, 129, 144, 157, 2, 22, 24, 46, 59, 79, 95, 119, 125, 138, 146, 152, 167, 168.
• First usage: Gen 21:30 (singular edah).
• Examples: Ex 31:12-13; 16-17: Shabbat is a memorial of creation and the Exodus; Passover is a torah, but also a edah. Num 15:37-39: tzitzit are a memorial. 1Cor 5:6; 2Cor 2:14-15.
• pikudim: precepts, to number, to visit, to muster.
• Found 21 times in Ps 119. v 4, 15, 27, 40, 45, 56, 63, 69, 78, 87, 93, 94, 100, 104, 110, 128, 134, 141, 159, 168, 173
• First usage: Ps 19:8: the pikudim of HaShem are yashar [straight, pleasing, upright] – rejoicing the heart.
• pikudim are those instructions from G-d that are entrusted to our care, like the duties of a soldier by a commander, that can be inspected by the commander. 1Cor 3:11-15.

• Read the text, simple observation – look for patterns, lists.
• Original language, cross-reference, and principle of first mention.

• How does this reveal the character of G-d?
• Is this something that G-d does for me?
• Is this something that G-d wants me to do in response to Him?
• Is this something that G-d wants me to do with Him?

• The bet verses point to what is inside that defines a person, or a family. It is only by G-d’s hand that the inside of a person can be shaped and changed. It is only by this work of the Holy Spirit that we are changed, and prepared for service.
• G-d had defined certain instructions so that we will remember Him and His work on our behalf. He has given instructions that we can dutifully execute, in anticipation of His return.