“I have hidden your word in my heart That I might not sin against you.”

God’s word

Until now, I had always thought of God’s word in three ways:
(i) As the means by which God created everything in Genesis 1, “And God said …”;
(ii) As the bible or scriptures, words written by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit;
(iii) As Jesus, from John 1:1-14, “The Word became flesh, and dwelt among us”.

At first glance, the meaning of “your word” here seems to be closely connected to God’s commandments concerning our behaviour, as this Beth section refers to God’s (10) commands, (12) decrees, (13) laws, (14) statutes, (15) and precepts (rules of action).

But the word Law means a lot more in the bible than in human use. The first five books of the bible, Genesis to Deuteronomy, were referred to as the Law. But only a small part of those books concern rules of human behaviour, they are mainly about God, who he is and what he has done and will do, and the loving care he wants to give to us, which includes protecting us from destroying ourselves through sin.

Here the action is not to keep commands openly on display in order to memorise them as in Deuteronomy 6:8-9, “Write down copies and tie them to your wrists and foreheads to help you obey them. Write these laws on the door frames of your homes and on your town gates”.

Instead, it is to hide God’s word in our heart, like a love letter from God.

This week I searched for the various uses of “the Word” in the Old Testament, and found there were many, but overall they point to the Word as the active presence of God amongst us – unchanging, everlasting and powerful, and sustaining.

List of references to “the Word” in the Old Testament

God revealing himself, and his plans and promises to man:

Ge 15:1, “After this, the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision: “Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your very great reward.””
Ge 15:4, “Then the word of the LORD came to him: “This man will not be your heir, but a son coming from your own body will be your heir.””

Human understanding of the word of authority:

Ge 41:44, “Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I am Pharaoh, but without your word no one will lift hand or foot in all Egypt.””

Fearing the word of the Lord is about recognising his power and authority:

Ex 9:20, “Those officials of Pharaoh who feared the word of the LORD hurried to bring their slaves and their livestock inside.”

Also about commands and obedience:

Nu 15:31, “Because he has despised the LORD’S word and broken his commands, that person must surely be cut off; his guilt remains on him.’ ”

Word in the sense of an oath or promise:

Ps 105:8, “He remembers his covenant forever, the word he commanded, for a thousand generations,”
Nu 30:2, “When a man makes a vow to the LORD or takes an oath to obligate himself by a pledge, he must not break his word but must do everything he said.”
Jdg 11:36, “My father,” she replied, “you have given your word to the LORD.”
Jdg 13:17, “Then Manoah inquired of the angel of the LORD, “What is your name, so that we may honor you when your word comes true?””

Word in the sense of provision, both material and spiritual:

Dt 8:3, “He humbled you, causing you to hunger and then feeding you with manna, which neither you nor your fathers had known, to teach you that man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the LORD.”

Word in the sense of God’s real presence amongst us:

Dt 30:14, “No, the word is very near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart so you may obey it.”

Word as God’s revelation in visions:

1Sa 3:1, “The boy Samuel ministered before the LORD under Eli. In those days the word of the LORD was rare; there were not many visions.”

Word as means of knowledge of the Lord:

1Sa 3:7, “Now Samuel did not yet know the LORD: The word of the LORD had not yet been revealed to him.”

Word as direct speaking of God to man:

1Sa 15:10, “Then the word of the LORD came to Samuel:”
1Sa 15:11, “I am grieved that I have made Saul king, because he has turned away from me and has not carried out my instructions.” Samuel was troubled, and he cried out to the LORD all that night.”
2Sa 7:4, “That night the word of the LORD came to Nathan, saying:”

Word as the way or activity of the Lord, God’s perfection:

2Sa 22:31, “As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the LORD is flawless. He is a shield for all who take refuge in him.”

The words given by the Holy Spirit:

2Sa 23:2, “The Spirit of the LORD spoke through me; his word was on my tongue.”

Word as God’s miraculous activity in our world:

1Ki 13:5, “Also, the altar was split apart and its ashes poured out according to the sign given by the man of God by the word of the LORD.”

Word as truth and righteousness:

1Ki 17:24, “Then the woman said to Elijah, “Now I know that you are a man of God and that the word of the LORD from your mouth is the truth.”
Ps 33:4, “For the word of the LORD is right and true; he is faithful in all he does.“
Jer 5:13, “The prophets are but wind and the word is not in them; so let what they say be done to them.”

Word as means of creation, presence of God with creative power:

Ps 33:6, “By the word of the LORD were the heavens made, their starry host by the breath of his mouth.”

Word as presence of God with healing power:

Ps 107:20, “He sent forth his word and healed them; he rescued them from the grave.”

Word as God’s wisdom and guidance:

Ps 119:105, “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.”

Word as the means of God’s sustaining activity in the world:

Ps 147:18, “He sends his word and melts them; he stirs up his breezes, and the waters flow.”

Word as the active presence of God – unchanging, everlasting and powerful, and sustaining:

Isa 40:8, “The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God stands forever.”
Isa 50:4, “The Sovereign LORD has given me an instructed tongue,to know the word that sustains the weary.He wakens me morning by morning,wakens my ear to listen like one being taught.”
Isa 55:11, “so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty,but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.”
Jer 23:29, “Is not my word like fire,” declares the LORD, “and like a hammer that breaks a rock in pieces?”
Mt 4:4, “Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘“Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’’’”