The 15th letter is samekh, and it has the sound of "s". ס The root word means "to uphold" or "to support". In ancient times, the letter represented a shield. It's also said to symbolize the omnipresence of God acting as our support and shelter. The letter "nun" from yesterday--which has the meaning of "bent"--added with our letter from today "samekh"--which means the Lord's support--we have the word for "miracle". When God invites us to bend before Him in faith and He lifts us up, it's a miracle!! There are several s words in this section (the corresponding letter shows up several times in each section, but I haven't taken the time to cover it until now 😇) The words for hate, double-minded, hiding place, depart, sustain, uphold, rejected, astray, dross, and trembles are all s words.
The student hates those who only half-heartedly follow the Teacher. He gladly takes the security and shelter the Teacher offers. He's decided he won't even associate with anyone who is not all in, because they are distracting him from his target. The author knows he will make a fool of himself if he tries to do any of this on his own strength. He completely relies on the promise that it's the Teacher who holds his life. The psalmist knows the end of those who roam away from God's Word--they are scraped away like scum on the top of molten silver. Thinking of the respect, reverence, and yes, downright fear he has of the power of the Teacher gives him the chills!!!
I love verses 116-117. Uphold and hold me up sound the same but they are actually two different words. Uphold is to sustain, or save, which is God lifting me up when I am bent before Him. Hold me up is to stay and support. I'm thankful for both. God bent down to rescue me, according to the promise of Psalm 145:14 "The Lord upholds all who are falling and raises up all who are bowed down." And I'm thankful that God holds me up, supporting me and being my pillar, according to the promise of Psalm 94:18 "When I thought 'My foot slips', your steadfast love, O Lord, held me up." He gives me life and then He supports and defends that life with His own. It's a miracle. (The thought gives me goosebumps, at least! I hope it does you, too!)
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