STUDY - REWARDING AND ENJOYABLE

Developing a Fondness for God's Word

The composer of Psalm 119, perhaps Hezekiah while yet a young prince, expressed his fondness for Jehovah's word. In poetic language, he said: "For your statues I shall show a fondness. I shall not forget your word. Also,I shall show a fondness for your commandment that I have loved. Let your mercies come to me,that I may keep living; for your law is what I am fond of. I have longed for your salvation, O Jehovah, and your law I am fond of."-Psalms 119:16, 24, 47,77, 174.

Explaining the word translated "show a fondness" in Psalm 119, one dictionary on the Hebrew Scriptures states: "The usage in v. 16 parallels the [verbs] for rejoicing . . . and for meditation . . . The progression is: rejoice, meditate, delight in . . .This combination may suggest that purposeful reflection is the means by which one comes to take delight in the word of Yahweh . . .The meaning includes an emotive element."

Yes, our love for Jehovah Word should come from our heart, the seat of emotion. We should take pleasure in lingering over certain passages that we have just read. We should muse over deep spiritual thoughts, become absorbed in them, and meditate on them. This requires quiet reflection and prayer. Like Ezra, we need to prepare our hearts for the reading and study of God's Word. Of him it is written: "Ezra himself had prepared his heart to consult he law of Jehovah and to do it and to teach in Israel regulation and justice." (Ezra 7:10) Note the triple purpose of Ezra's preparing his heart; to study, to make personal application and to teach. We should follow his example.

Next time: Study as an Act of Worship

Watchtower, 2000