Sweet Like Honey
"They are sweeter than honey, than honey from the honeycomb." This is how David describes the commands and precepts of the Lord in Psalm 19.
Psalm 19 in its entirety is a beautiful proclamation of the glory of God and David's overflowing love for His Word. In rich imagery, David unabashedly displays his regard for the Lord's commands.
For many believers, however, the word "command" does little to conjure feelings of overwhelming gratitude and flowery language. To the contrary, our imagery is often that of drudgery. The Commandments of God, like the stone they were etched in, are hard, cold and heavy. A list of “do's and don'ts,” we view them as sucking life, not giving it.
This couldn’t be farther from the truth.
A quick look at the Ten Commandments immediately offers fresh insight. In Exodus 20, we find Moses' interaction with the Living God and the giving of the Law. Those words – "Commandments" and "Law" – are themselves a misnomer. Exodus 20:1 simply states, "And God spoke these words…"
Words. In Hebrew, davarim. Not commands. Or laws. But Words.
Later, in Exodus 34: 28, we find the same word selection. A more literal translation of the later part of the verse would simply be, "And he wrote the words of the covenant on the tablets, the ten words."
This explains David's exuberant approach to the precepts of the Lord. To his Jewish mind, they were not just commands but the very Words of God! And it is the Word of God that brings order and life (see Genesis 1). No wonder he professes such a deep and devotional love for them. To him, God's laws – His Words – were not burdens but life itself.
Yeshua echoes this sentiment when tempted in the wilderness. In response to satan's challenge to turn stones into bread, Yeshua simply replies, "Man does not live by bread alone, but by every Word that proceeds from the mouth of God" (Matthew 4:4). This is a powerful statement. In Hebrew, the word for bread is lechem. But it means more than just a loaf of bread; its meaning encompasses all that gives life and sustains it. More literally, it means "the stuff of life."
That is the essence of God's Word – it is "the stuff of life." David hungered for it. Not only was he satisfied by it, he relished it. In his own words, it was sweeter than honey.
It can be tempting to see God's Word as nothing more than a list of commands and laws. We view it like a stale, crusty piece of bread that gets stuck in our throats and we labor to swallow it. Soon, we find ourselves nibbling on it out of simple necessity.
The Davarim (Words), however, are meant for more than mere survival. They are for revival – revival of the soul, spirit and mind.
As David so eloquently proclaims in Psalm 19:
The law of the LORD is perfect,
refreshing the soul.
The statutes of the LORD are trustworthy,
making wise the simple.
The precepts of the LORD are right,
giving joy to the heart.
The commands of the LORD are radiant,
giving light to the eyes.
The fear of the LORD is pure,
enduring forever.
The decrees of the LORD are firm,
and all of them are righteous.
They are more precious than gold,
than much pure gold;
they are sweeter than honey,
than honey from the honeycomb.
By them your servant is warned;
in keeping them there is great reward...
May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart
be pleasing in your sight,
LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.
Keeping this in mind, be refreshed and revived today in and by the power of His sweet Word.
(*As a side, there is a story in I Samuel 14 that tells the story of Jonathan, Saul's son, in the midst of battle. While this story has nothing to do with the present topic, it conveys a wonderful image of tasting the sweetness of honey. As Jonathan comes in from the field, he is famished and dips his staff into a honeycomb. Scripture says as soon as the honey touched his lips, his eyes brightened. What a glorious picture of the reviving power of sweet honey – and the Word of God!)
Michelle Lynn Nipp
I believe God wrote a wondrous story – His story – to capture the hearts and minds of all His creation. My passion is sharing this story! Through word studies, bible teaching and other resources, I want to see you experience the absolute awesomeness and wonder of history’s greatest story, the Bible.