129. Your testimonies are wonderful;
therefore my soul keeps them.

130. The unfolding of your words gives light;
it imparts understanding to the simple.

131. I open my mouth and pant,
because I long for your commandments.

132. Turn to me and be gracious to me,
as is your way with those who love your name.

133. Keep steady my steps according to your promise,
and let no iniquity get dominion over me.

134. Redeem me from man's oppression,
that I may keep your precepts.

135. Make your face shine upon your servant,
and teach me your statutes.

136. My eyes shed streams of tears,
because people do not keep your law.

HIS FACE IN OUR FACE

God told Moses how He wanted to bless His people in Numbers 6:22-27. There at Mt. Sinai, God gave specific instructions for Moses to pass on to God’s priestly representatives on earth to literally put God’s Name on them and bless them (v. 27). Part of this familiar priestly blessing is for God to “shine His face upon you” (v. 25) and “turn His face toward you” (v. 26). That’s a lot of talk about God’s face. Apparently, He wanted His face on our lips as those called to be a priesthood of believers to bless others. You might even say God wanted His face in our face (cf. Gen. 32:30; Ex. 33:11; Num. 14:14; Deut. 5:4)!

The way to say Your face in Hebrew is Pa’neh’cha (פָּנֶיךָ) and is the first word in Psalm 119:135, beginning with the letter pe (פ). God’s face shining on His servant (servant in Hebrew is eved; see previous stanza), in this verse, is connected to Spirit-led instruction of God’s statutes. This is parallel to the illumination described in verse 130, “The unfolding of your words gives light; it imparts understanding to the simple.”

I am so grateful that God’s face has been revealed in Jesus. John, therefore, reminds us of the words of Jesus who declared, “Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father” (Jn. 14:9). When you are in distress, try praying that God would restore you by shining His face upon you like Asaph did in Psalm 80:3, 7, and 19. Remember, God wants us to abide in His countenance (Jn. 15) and Jesus will never let us down.

Hebrew Treasure excerpt written by Thomas Boehm.
From The Psalm 119 Journey by Steve Allen, ©2022.
Used with permission.