21 Days of Prayer in Psalm 119 (Day # 19)

Read Psalm 119:145-152

    “Near”

In today’s stanza, Qoph, the psalmist is once again crying out for help to the Lord, literally day and night (145-148). Last week in church I introduced the congregation to the seven historical hours of pray that were kept by monks and nuns in response to v. 164 as well as these verses today. But the concept that I wanted to focus on today was the word “near” from verses 150-151.

 They draw near who persecute me with evil purpose;

  they are far from your law.

But you are near, O Lord,

                 and all your commandments are true.

Near is used in two senses. The enemy, in 150, draws near (qarab) in the sense of approaching to do harm—like a predator creeping closer to its prey before beginning the final chase. It also was used in a military sense for “closing in battle.” I am encouraged that the psalmist is not blissfully ignorant of what is going on around him. He has had his opened physically, mentally, ethically, and spiritually through his constant meditation on the law of God. Hence, he sees the enemy coming. “Yep, I saw that…”

This approach of danger did not discourage the psalmist for the Lord was already near (qarowb) not only in proximity but in relationship. In this usage, a synonym might be gō’ēl which might sound familiar since it is the word behind the “kinsman redeemer” or the nearest responsible blood relative that could redeem a person from bondage. No matter who draws near to attack us, the Lord is even nearer to defend us.

Heavenly Father, you are a God who does not stand afar off but have come near to us in Christ by the Spirit, even to indwell us your people. Thank you for being nearer than anyone else, for your words are true completely. You keep your promises, and you care for your people. O Lord, you know the attacks your people face, worse in some places than in others. You know and understand. However, we often don’t understand the way that you work—counter-intuitively, humbly, inclusively—but we ask you to be near in these days as we will all need it. We ask that what the enemy seeks to tear down you would build up even stronger, where flames of hate and violence are fanned may you douse them in a river of your love. Lord, we look to you for our peace, our preservation, and our productive labor upon this planet. We ask that you embolden and empower us to faithfully do business in your name—despite opposition—until you return!