Psalm 119:81-96 Part 6 “CAPH and LAMED”

Psa 119:81  CAPH. My soul fainteth for thy salvation: but I hope in thy word. 
Psa 119:82  Mine eyes fail for thy word, saying, When wilt thou comfort me? 
Psa 119:83  For I am become like a bottle in the smoke; yet do I not forget thy statutes.
Psa 119:84  How many are the days of thy servant? when wilt thou execute judgment on them that persecute me? 
Psa 119:85  The proud have digged pits for me, which are not after thy law. 
Psa 119:86  All thy commandments are faithful: they persecute me wrongfully; help thou me. 
Psa 119:87  They had almost consumed me upon earth; but I forsook not thy precepts. 
Psa 119:88  Quicken me after thy lovingkindness; so shall I keep the testimony of thy mouth. 

Psa 119:89  LAMED. For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven. 
Psa 119:90  Thy faithfulness is unto all generations: thou hast established the earth, and it abideth. 
Psa 119:91  They continue this day according to thine ordinances: for all are thy servants.
Psa 119:92   Unless thy law had been my delights, I should then have perished in mine affliction.
Psa 119:93  I will never forget thy precepts: for with them thou hast quickened me. 
Psa 119:94  I am thine, save me; for I have sought thy precepts. 
Psa 119:95  The wicked have waited for me to destroy me: but I will consider thy testimonies. 
Psa 119:96  I have seen an end of all perfection: but thy commandment is exceeding broad.

In last week’s study of the words “TETH and JOD” we looked at the ninth and tenth letters of the Hebrew alphabet which encompass the verses of Psalm 119:65-80.  We looked at the symbolic approximation of the nine thousand who sat at the feet of Christ in two specific instances, who experienced the multiplying of the bread and fish, a symbolic miracle that was for our sakes (2Co 4:15) revealing what Christ was going to have His disciples indeed do spiritually in time for the rest of the world:  “Give ye them to eat” made possible because we are granted in this age to “continue in my word”  (Luk 9:13, Luk 9:14-17, Joh 8:31).

The feeding of the multitudes in Matthew 14:21 and 15:38, the command to eat of every tree of the garden except for the tree of the knowledge of good and evil (Gen 2:16-17) and feeding the Israelites in the wilderness (Exo 16:8, Exo 16:35) are just three examples of “the natural first” experience which God gives to us to learn (1Co 15:46).

Both Adam and Eve and the Israelites disobeyed God’s commandments of what and how they were to eat. Gathering and eating through the week, until the Sabbath where no work was done, was a symbolic example of continuing in the word which is made possible by the life of Christ in us who gives us the power to collect twice as much the day before the Sabbath, laboring so we can enter into His rest (Exo 16:26, Joh 14:20). 

It remains true until this day that the world does not know the food God has given Christ and His body, and this fact is also stated by the world not recognizing the true bread of life which came down from heaven, Jesus Christ, whose life was symbolized by the manna in the wilderness which literally means “whatness” or “what is it”, the very thing Christ asked His disciples of Himself, the true bread from heaven: “Whom do men say that I the Son of man am?” (Joh 4:32, Mat 16:13-15, Joh 6:31)

G3131  μάννα  manna  man’-nah

Of Hebrew origin [H4478]; manna (that is, man), an edible gum: – manna.

Total KJV occurrences: 5

H4478  מָן   mân  mawn

From H4100; literally a whatness (so to speak), that is, manna (so called from the question about it): – manna.

H4100  מה    מ־    מ־    מה    מה  mâh  mah  mâ  ma  meh  maw, mah, maw, mah, meh

A primitive particle; properly interrogative what? (including how?, why? and when?); but also exclamations like what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and even relatively that which); often used with prefixes in various adverbial or conjugational sneses: – how (long, oft, [-soever]), [no-] thing, what (end, good, purpose, thing), whereby (-fore, -in, -to, -with), (for) why.

The dispensing of truth that will eventually feed all of mankind is explained in these verses in John 17:9-20. All twelve baskets will be picked up, no crumbs will be left behind (Mat 14:20), and the four thousand is the symbolic number which reminds us of this truth that all of humanity will be saved (1Co 15:22, 1Jn 2:2, 1Ti 4:10), by grace through faith represented by the five thousand (Eph 2:8) who were also nourished at the feet of Christ. 

That salvation will come by being fed by “the pillar and ground of the truth” (1Ti 3:15, Eph 3:10, Rev 3:12) and will lead to the “ruin and disintegration of the perfection of the flesh” (referring to the symbolism of the number 11 and introducing “Caph” the 11th letter of the Hebrew alphabet which we are examining now) revealing an order and process the world must go through in order to be one with Christ and His body who make up the foundation of that government (referring to the symbolism of the number 12 and introducing “Lamed” the 12th letter of the Hebrew alphabet which we are looking at in this study [Isa 9:7]).

Joh 17:9  I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me; for they are thine. 
Joh 17:10  And all mine are thine, and thine are mine; and I am glorified in them. 
Joh 17:11  And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are. 
Joh 17:12  While I was with them in the world, I kept them in thy name: those that thou gavest me I have kept, and none of them is lost, but the son of perdition; that the scripture might be fulfilled. [Christ is “glorified in them“ by the elect’s “ruin and disintegration of the perfection of the flesh” spoken of in 2Th 2:3-8]
Joh 17:13  And now come I to thee; and these things I speak in the world, that they might have my joy fulfilled in themselves. 
Joh 17:14  I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. [Mat 10:22]
Joh 17:15  I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil. 
Joh 17:16  They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. 
Joh 17:17  Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth. 
Joh 17:18  As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world. (Psa 107:20 we are being sanctified “through thy truth” so that when we are sent the world will “believe on me through their word” that will heal the nations)
Joh 17:19  And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth. 
Joh 17:20  Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word;

In this study, we will look at the transition of going from “the ruin and disintegration of the flesh” clearly seen in these verses (Psa 119:81-88) represented by the eleventh letter in the Hebrew alphabet “CAPH”. We are reminded of how we must transition from that state to “LAMED”, the twelfth letter in the Hebrew alphabet which represents “the number of Christ” who is our foundation, that is witnessed to in this series of verses (Psa 119:89-96). 

Cain’s sacrifice was not accepted because his meal offering (grain) was not upon a burnt offering as it should have been, the burnt offering representing the living sacrifice Christ is for us, a life that knows that His own offering and our offering are not possible without God’s power working in our lives (1Co 10:31, Lev 23:10-17, Joh 5:30, Joh 15:5). 

As such, Cain represents our old man which must die and transition (11) through that death and disintegration into the new man, Abel, whose sacrifice is accepted because it is upon a burnt offering representing Christ whose life is symbolically represented by the number twelve just as the elect’s is because of our hope of glory within (12×12=144 – Rev 7:4).

The order of events regarding how God’s word will eventually be dispensed to all the world is also revealed to us in the type and shadow events in Leviticus that explain and show two very distinct offerings: 

1st Christ the foundational offering upon which all else sits (Mat 16:18) described as “a sheaf of the firstfruits of your harvest unto the priest” or “an he lamb without blemish of the first year for a burnt offering unto the LORD”(Lev 23:10-12) and then 

2nd the elect, the symbolic 144,00, revealed in these verses “after the seventh sabbath shall ye number fifty days; and ye shall offer a new meat offering unto the LORD.” and “Ye shall bring out of your habitations two wave loaves of two tenth deals: they shall be of fine flour; they shall be baken with leaven; they are the firstfruits unto the LORD.”(Lev 23:15-18)

These verses of Leviticus 23:15-16 parallel the judgment the seventh seal introduces along with the seven trumpets (Rev 8:1-5) and the seven bowls or vials that follow, found in Revelation 15:1-8. God’s elect are the first to be judged, and they experience these seals and trumpets and vials (the patience and faith of the saints) making it possible for the bride to be made ready to reign with Christ outwardly, after this promise occurs inwardly in our own heavens: “The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.” These verses are very much connected to “the ruin and disintegration of the perfection of the flesh” (11) and “the number of Christ” (12) that we will look at now!

Psa 119:81  CAPH. My soul faintethH3615 for thy salvation: but I hope in thy word. 

The psalmist writes “my soul fainteth^H3615” because truly the soulish soul of man is going to perish and is going to be consumed and expire and fail and faint, and God is going to make clean riddance of that first man Adam to create something new and everlastingly wonderful in his place (Eze 18:20, Eze 18:24). It is because of the miracle of our “hope in thy word” that we can be saved in this age (Rom 8:24).

H3615  kâlâh  kaw-law’ (“fainteth”)

A primitive root; to end, whether intransitively (to cease, be finished, perish) or transitively (to complete, prepare, consume): – accomplish, cease, consume (away), determine, destroy (utterly), be (when . . . were) done, (be an) end (of), expire, (cause to) fail, faint, finish, fulfil, X fully, X have, leave (off), long, bring to pass, wholly reap, make clean riddance, spend, quite take away, waste.

That truth of the soul that sins shall die is contrary to what most of the secular religions of the world teach.  However, God has called the elect to see clearly “the ruin and disintegration of the flesh” is spiritually accomplished by the mercy and goodness of God (Rom 2:4) which is upon us today through judgment and will redound to the glory of God in the day the rest of mankind, the other fold (Joh 10:16) are brought in (2Co 4:15). 

2Co 5:17  Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away (“the ruin and disintegration of the flesh“11); behold, all things are become new.

Luk 12:4  And I say unto you my friends, Be not afraid of them that kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do.
Luk 12:5  But I will forewarn you whom ye shall fear: Fear him, which after he hath killed hath power to cast into hell; yea, I say unto you, Fear him. 

Mat 10:28  And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. (“the ruin and disintegration of the flesh“11)

Jer 18:4  And the vessel that he made of clay was marred in the hand of the potter: so he made it again another vessel, as seemed good to the potter to make it. (“the ruin and disintegration of the flesh” 11)

We’re called to not err, and to know that this gift of His grace is not given to many in this age but to few, and is tempered with mercy and the strength of Christ who reminds us of how precious the death of the saints (Psa 116:15) is in these confirming verses that remind us once again that we are more than conquerors through Christ: “Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows. Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven”(Mat 10:29-33).

Jas 1:16  Do not err, my beloved brethren. 
Jas 1:17  Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. 

Mat 7:22  Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? [Do not err]

Mat 22:14  For many are called, but few are chosen.

Psa 119:82  Mine eyes fail for thy word, saying, When wilt thou comfort me? 
Psa 119:83  For I am become like a bottle in the smoke; yet do I not forget thy statutes. 

It was expedient for Christ to go away (Joh 16:7) so this flesh, which is subject to vanity and brought to see that we are “become like a bottle in the smoke” (Jas 4:14), can only overcome in this life when “thou comfort me” with the hope of glory that is given to those who first trusted in Christ in this age (Rom 8:20, Eph 1:12). 

It is only through “the ruin and disintegration of the flesh” (11), the decreasing of self, that Christ is formed within us (Joh 3:30); and only by that process of seeing our old man dissolve — “Mine eyes fail for thy word” (Joh 9:41) — that something beautiful and foundational can come about by our hope of glory within whom makes His strength perfect through the weak (2Co 12:9) and fills us with hope to be able to say “yet do I not forget thy statutes” that give us the spiritual vision that becomes a lamp unto our feet (Pro 29:18, Psa 119:105).

Psa 119:84  How many are the days of thy servant? when wilt thou execute judgment on them that persecute me? 

The question “How many are the days of thy servant” tells us that at some point it must have been common knowledge that all our days are numbered and written in His book  (Psa 139:16). This servant of God reminds us that vengeance is God’s when he says “when wilt thou execute judgment on them that persecute me“, and that He will repay (Rom 12:19).

Christ, being our perfect example, was not the one seeking that vengeance while in His flesh (Luk 6:29), and He also knew that judgment was going to come upon all the world in an appointed time, starting with the church (Luk 23:34, 1Pe 4:17, Rev 20:6). What that vengeance looks like is not understood by the carnal mind. The world within us wants old covenant vengeance, whereas God’s merciful spirit wants the reconciliation of all mankind which will come through the sacrifice of Christ and His Christ via the giving of our whole lives, which is our reasonable service to God and humanity (Rom 12:1, Luk 17:10). For that reason we can appreciate the context of these verses that talk about vengeance when scripture goes on to say that we are to feed our enemy and give them drink, which is how we heap coals on their head and heal them by bringing God’s fiery word to them.

Rom 12:19  Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. 
Rom 12:20  Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. 
Rom 12:21  Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good. 

Psa 107:20  He sent his word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions [feed him; if he thirst, give him drink].

Psa 119:85  The proud have digged pits for me, which are not after thy law. 

It is those whose hearts are not set on God’s word and who have not been given to think on those things which are above (Col 3:2) that have a natural animosity toward Christ (Act 4:27). God purposed all flesh to be this way at and for an appointed time, and it is only through the miracle of keeping His commandments that we can truly say we love our neighbor as ourselves (Joh 14:15, 1Jn 4:20, Rom 5:5-6).

Col 3:2  Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.

Act 4:27  For of a truth against thy holy child Jesus, whom thou hast anointed, both Herod, and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles, and the people of Israel, were gathered together,

Joh 14:15  If ye love me, keep my commandments. 

1Jn 4:20  If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?

Rom 5:5  And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.
Rom 5:6  For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.

The pit the wicked dig against the people of God (“The proud have digged pits for me“) will always be the pit into which they end up falling (Est 8:7), seeing they are hating us without cause and taking vengeance where it should not even be theirs to take, even when it is deserved. Christ asked this question (Joh 10:32) of those who turned on him in His age and tells us to lay up a foundation of good works as He did against the day of evil (1Ti 6:19). Our perspective should be as Christ’s so we are not disheartened and think that our labor is in vain simply because we continue to be hated by all men for His name’s sake (1Co 15:58, Mat 10:22).

Psa 119:86  All thy commandments are faithful: they persecute me wrongfully; help thou me. 
Psa 119:87  They had almost consumed me upon earth; but I forsook not thy precepts. 
Psa 119:88  Quicken me after thy lovingkindness; so shall I keep the testimony of thy mouth. 

We truly need to be quickened by God and helped by our Lord (Psa 94:17, Heb 13:6) to be able to keep all thy commandments that tell us to love our enemies, and to turn the other cheek. When God gives us to not forsake His precepts and to love our enemies that He allows to be our enemies, it will be a demonstration for us of His lovingkindness toward us giving us the ability to “keep the testimony of thy mouth“. Who can make war with the beast except the Lord gives that ability through the quickening of His holy spirit inwardly and outwardly (Rev 13:4).

These last three verses give us the sense of the narrow escape God will provide for us through Christ so that no flesh will glory in his sight and so that the testimony of the elect at the end, when all flesh will be destroyed, will be one that acknowledges His might and power, His sovereign hand over the light and darkness, bringing strength out of weakness as He alone gives increase to us through the “ruin and disintegration of the perfection of the flesh” so that we can in turn show mercy to the rest of the world.

Psa 119:89  LAMED. For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven. 

It is very fitting that the thought expressed in this section which represents the twelfth letter in the Hebrew alphabet, “the number of Christ”, says “For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven” and that was also said to Peter in this prophetic moment by Christ speaking of what Peter was predestined to be, along with the rest of the members of Christ’s body.

Mat 16:18  And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. 

Psa 119:90  Thy faithfulness is unto all generations: thou hast established the earth, and it abideth.

It is because God has given Peter “the keys of the kingdom of heaven” that His “faithfulness” can be demonstrated “unto all generations“. God speaks of His sovereignty working through the stone “Peter” [God’s elect] by testifying, “whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” It is by that binding and loosing with “the keys of the kingdom of heaven” within our hearts and minds that God is being established in the earth, because He has given us the ability to abide in the truth as we go through a process of being sanctified, as we hear His word in the earth, which is the church (Joh 8:31, Joh 17:17, Jer 22:29). His judgments are in our earth, abiding in our earth today so that we can learn of His righteousness (Isa 26:9) which comes through our relationship with Him that will in turn be shared with the rest of the world “unto all generations” (Oba 1:21). Again we see how this verse demonstrates to us foundational principles (12) which reveal how God is going to be established in the hearts and minds of all of mankind in time.

Psa 119:91  They continue this day according to thine ordinances: for all are thy servants. 

It is through “all are thy servants” God is witnessing that “Thy faithfulness is unto all generations” (Psa 119:90), and that faithfulness that God has toward his servants is revealed in both the old covenant types and shadow relationships as well as the new. God is sovereign over the clay to make it a vessel of honour or dishonour, and therefore the vessel, whether it is glorifying Christ in this age or any other, or not glorifying Christ in this age or any other, has no right to complain to the Creator and say, “Why have you made me thus?” (Rom 9:20). Those types and shadows are set up for our sakes, as God’s elect, to show us that there is none righteous (Rom 3:10) and that God will have all of His family saved one day. Knowing that He is not a respecter of persons but rather a sovereign and loving Father who has the power and ability to use light and darkness for good, demonstrates the severity and goodness of His hand to be able to bring us all to that same conclusion: that we have been shown great love and mercy (Joh 3:16). So again, God brings to our hearts, through this verse, that the foundational government He is establishing in the earth is only possible because “Thy faithfulness is unto all generations” and “They continue this day according to thine ordinances“.

Psa 119:92  Unless thy law had been my delights, I should then have perished in mine affliction.
Psa 119:93  I will never forget thy precepts: for with them thou hast quickened me. 
Psa 119:94  I am thine, save me; for I have sought thy precepts. 

We are called to rejoice in the Lord, and again I say rejoice, twice mentioned as a witness in Phillipians 4:4 because it is Christ in us who is the one in whom we delight, as He works in us both to will and to do of our Father’s good pleasure (Php 2:13), helping us in our unbelief, and granting us the desires of our hearts in what He has ordained (Psa 37:4-6, Mar 11:24, Joh 14:12-14, Joh 16:23-24). Without Christ, our hope of glory within, we could never say “I will never forget thy precepts” or “I am thine, save me” (Rom 8:16). It is because he “hast quickened me” that we “have sought thy precepts“. 

These following verses reveal that God brings His children to ask according to His will, granting delight in the Lord in this age and ability to seek “thy precepts” (Mat 6:33). Asking and not asking amiss is very foundational to building up the body of Christ as we pray for each other and care for one another in this life (Gal 6:2).

Php 4:4  Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.

Psa 37:4  Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.
Psa 37:5  Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.
Psa 37:6  And he shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light, and thy judgment as the noonday.
Psa 37:7  Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass.
Psa 37:8  Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not thyself in any wise to do evil.
Psa 37:9  For evildoers shall be cut off: but those that wait upon the LORD, they shall inherit the earth.

Mar 11:24  Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.
Mar 11:25  And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses. [fret not thyself in any wise to do evil]
Mar 11:26  But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses.

Mat 18:19  Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven.
Mat 18:20  For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.

Joh 14:12  Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.
Joh 14:13  And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.
Joh 14:14  If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.

Joh 16:23  And in that day ye shall ask me nothing. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you.
Joh 16:24  Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.

Mat 7:7  Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:
Mat 7:8  For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.
Mat 7:9  Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone?
Mat 7:10  Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent?
Mat 7:11  If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?

Mat 6:33  But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

Psa 119:95  The wicked have waited for me to destroy me: but I will consider thy testimonies. 
Psa 119:96  I have seen an end of all perfection: but thy commandment is exceeding broad.

God’s children are blessed beyond what we can truly comprehend in this flesh (1Co 2:9), because we have been granted in this age to “consider thy testimonies” and “thy commandment” that is “exceeding broad“.

The sin that lies at the door of our hearts is figuratively being spoken of with these words: “The wicked have waited for me to destroy me” (Gen 4:7, 1Jn 2:16). 

God’s elect will see “an end of all perfection” inwardly, telling us we will overcome through Christ until the end of this age in our flesh which must come to an end but not inherit the kingdom (1Co 15:50). The process of coming to an end is what (“the ruin and disintegration of the flesh” – 11) is, and that must occur in order for the new foundation of Christ to be formed with us (“the number of Christ” – 12).