A Function of God's Family which Relates to Prayer

A Function of God’s Family Which Relates to Prayer

A Study of the Words ‘Plead’ and ‘Cause’ in Psalms 119:154

“Plead my cause, and deliver me...”

Written by Lewis Turner, Wheatland Ministries

The use of the words ‘Plead’ and ‘Cause’ in Psalms 119:154 are significant in that they speak of a function that the Psalmist asked the Lord to do for him.  An examination of the words above and related scriptures will help us further understand a significant function which relate to intercession and agreement.

To start this study, we will be closely looking at the Hebrew spelling of the two words, Plead and Cause, and deriving possible meanings of the words from the Hebrew letters used in the spelling.  Hebrew letters do have a meaning for each letter.  The Hebrew spelling for both words ‘plead’ and ‘cause’ in Psalms 119 verse 154 shows that the spelling appears to be the same. Looking at the Hebrew letters for these words we have:  רִיב‎.  An examination of the meanings of the letters of Hebrew for ‘Plead’ and ‘Cause’ reveals some interesting observations.  The first letter, Reish רִ, in the word refers to the Head/most important Person.  The 2^nd letter, Yud י, in the word, means a deed done. The 3^rd letter in the word רִיב‎ is the letter Bet ב.  Its meaning implies a house.   (The meanings of the letters are listed in the reference A below)  Putting all this together, you might conclude that the word could mean:  the work done of the House of the Head/Highest Person.   Other meanings derived from the letters are possible, but in the context of this verse, this definition seems to be the best. 

Examining the meaning that we have developed of רִיב‎ —using the meaning of the letters, we find that they refer to the work of the House of the Head/Highest Person.  The Head/Highest person referred to in the context of the verse is the Lord.  Speaking of a House of the Head/Highest Person also seems to refer a family.  Looking further at the definition, we find that it speaks of the work done of the house.  This work may be what the Psalmist desired of the Lord when he asked the Lord to ‘plead his cause’.  A work of this nature could be considered a function of the House of our Lord.  

Let’s look this concept further.   In Psalms 119: 154, I believe the Psalmist was referring to the Lord, whom he directed his words in seeking help.   This seeking of the Lord’s help, reminds us of  Romans 8:26-27 and 34, where we find that both the Holy Spirit of God making intercession for us according to the Will of God and in verse 34 we also find that the Lord Jesus making intercession for us.  The word for Intercession in Hebrew is  פָּגַע‎,  which in the context of making intercession, and using the meanings of the Hebrew letters to help define the word, we have the following possible definition—To  speak, lifting up, of the desire of the righteous. (see Reference B below).  The statement in Romans 8:26-27 and 34 is a powerful statement.  Considering that and looking back to the verse in Psalms 119:154, the work of pleading one’s cause especially when it is a righteous cause, is a function of God’s family.  Both the Holy Spirit of God and Jesus make intercession for us. 

The principle of the desire of the Righteous is also seen in I John 5:14 “And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to His Will, he heareth us :”  When we pray and ask for something in accordance with God’s Will, God hears us.  The Bible is God’s Word revealed to us and represents His Will.  When Christ was on earth, He provided a way that we could be right with God.  Bringing this together, a function of God’s family is to pray pleading our cause and focus on what the Will of the Righteous One is.

At this point since both the Holy Spirit of God and Jesus are making intercession for us, we should also consider the scripture Matthew 18:19 which speaks of two being in agreement.  When both the Holy Spirit of God and Jesus make intercession for us, they are in agreement.  That verse says that what two ask in agreement, it is done.   They both intercede according to God’s Holy Word, and because what they ask in intercession for us in agreement, it is done!  That is an important fact to learn and remember.

Their example of pleading for us should encourage us to join together; seek what God wants; learn his word; use His Word in prayer; and pray with others who have their faith in Jesus as Lord and Savior. When we do this we are functioning as part of the family of the House of God.    

Reflection questions: 

The example we have in the document above should encourage us to join together with others in prayer.  What attitudes hold us back?

Many Intercessors pray alone, and there were times when Christ rose up early and prayed alone.  Is then there a case to pray with other?  Consider the study above and respond to this question:  should intercessors also seek time of prayer with others?  What about others?

What can happen if we pray together and in agreement with God’s Word?

Reference A: 

Note:  The development of a meaning of words using the meanings of the Hebrew letters in the words is not a private interpretation, but one derived from the context of the verse and other related scriptures. 

Psalms 119:153-160; looking the words ‘Plead’ and ‘Cause’ in verse 154.

Resh, Reish  ר 

ר   Resh, Reish - what comes first, capstone, head, highest, first, top, beginning, (2b) The literal meaning of the Reish is "first", "Head" and the symbolic meaning is "first" "person", the "most important", "highest" or the "highest/first person".(1a)    R

Psalm 119:153-160 (KJV)
^119:153 Consider mine affliction, and deliver me: for I do not forget thy law.
¹⁵⁴ Plead (the work done of the house of the most important person) my cause (the most important work done of the house of the most important person), and deliver me: quicken me according to thy word.
¹⁵⁵ Salvation is far from the wicked: for they seek not thy statutes. 
¹⁵⁶ Great are thy tender mercies, O LORD: quicken me according to thy judgments.
¹⁵⁷ Many are my persecutors and mine enemies; yet do I not decline from thy testimonies.
¹⁵⁸ I beheld the transgressors, and was grieved; because they kept not thy word.
¹⁵⁹ Consider how I love thy precepts: quicken me, O LORD, according to thy lovingkindness.
¹⁶⁰ Thy word is true from the beginning: and every one of thy righteous judgments endureth for ever.

154 Plead ‏רִיב‎ rîb reeb Hebrew Strong’s Number 7378

ר   Resh, Reish – what comes first, capstone, head, highest, first, top, beginning, (2b) The literal meaning of the Reish is "first", "Head" and the symbolic meaning is "first" "person", the "most important", "highest" or the "highest/first person".(1a)    R

י    Yud - deed done, to make, power, might- Work, worship (2b) In the ancient Hebrew word pictures, the yod was drawn as a "hand" complete with the arm above the elbow. It symbolized work done - (1a)    JI

ב  Bet, Beyt -house, It's literal meaning is House or tent. In the ancient Hebrew, it was drawn as the floor plan of a primitive house, and thus it's symbolic meaning is an household, in or into. (1a), family (2b)  B

Possible Letter Meaning of Plead : 154 Plead ‏רִיב‎ rîb reeb Hebrew Strong’s Number 7378:  Capstone/most important person, work/deed done, house:  the work done of the house of the most important person—note in Romans 8:28 & 34, the Holy Spirit and Jesus make intercession for us—the work of His house is to plead our cause.
154 Cause ‏רִיב‎ rîb reeb Hebrew Strong’s Number 7379

ר   Resh, Reish – what comes first, capstone, head, highest, first, top, beginning, (2b) The literal meaning of the Reish is "first", "Head" and the symbolic meaning is "first" "person", the "most important", "highest" or the "highest/first person".(1a)    R

י    Yud - deed done, to make, power, might- Work, worship (2b) In the ancient Hebrew word pictures, the yod was drawn as a "hand" complete with the arm above the elbow. It symbolized work done - (1a)    JI

ב  Bet, Beyt -house, It's literal meaning is House or tent. In the ancient Hebrew, it was drawn as the floor plan of a primitive house, and thus its symbolic meaning is a household, in or into. (1a), family (2b)  B

Possible Letter Meaning of Cause: 154 Cause ‏רִיב‎ rîb reeb Hebrew Strong’s Number 7378: the most important work done of the house of the most important person

Reference B:

Note:  The development of a meaning of words using the meanings of the Hebrew letters in the words is not a private interpretation, but one derived from the context of the verse and other related scriptures. 

Interceded/Intercession

Gen 23:8 ‏פָּגַע‎ pāgaʿ paw-gah' Hebrew Strong’s Number 6293

פֶּ   Pey - Pe - mouth, speak, word, to speak, to open, It's literal meaning is mouth and it's symbolic meaning is "to open", "speak", "word", "the beginning" (like a river). In the ancient picture Hebrew, the letter Pey was drawn according to the meaning, in this case, a mouth.  Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer. Psalms 19:14 (1a) P

גִּ    Gimel – to lift up, It's literal meaning is a camel, to lift up. Its symbolic meaning is kindness, to nourish, or pride, to be lifted up. (1a) gather, walk (2b)

CG

צִ    Tzade harvest, desire, just, righteous—In ancient Hebrew this letter was drawn like a hook. In Hebrew, to "want" or "desire" is Ra-tsah and the word picture tells us that desire is when a person is "hooked". Another significant word is the Hebrew word for Righteousness, Tse-dek and the word picture tells us that you are righteous when your hook is the door you follow. See John 10:7, 9 (1a) Journey, chase, hunt

Possible Letter Meaning of Intercede: פָּגַע‎ pāgaʿ paw-gah' Hebrew Strong’s Number 6293:  To speak lifting up the desire of the righteous.

Additional References: 

(1a) Yarah  Ministries   http://webpages.charter.net/yarahministries/alphabet.html

(2b) Hebrew28_alphabet chart  http://www.ancient-hebrew.org/28_chart.html

©2013 Lewis Turner