Psalm 119:111 – Inherited Testimony

I have inherited your testimonies forever,
for they are my heart’s joy.

This is a very rich text, getting a great deal into a few words. But my meditations took a path that would have surprised me when I first took a look at this today.

When I read this, my focus was on forever, and then I thought of the history of God’s testimonies and how I, as a Christian can claim them. One critical element, I believe, is claiming God’s heritage without denying it to those who first received it. This is a matter of attitude. It is also a matter of reading scripture. The theme of “blessed to be a blessing,” not to mention numerous texts in 2nd Isaiah (chapters 40-55) tell me that God’s blessing is not intended as a possession in the exclusive sense. At the same time, if I receive a blessing because of someone else’s efforts, it is rude of me not to acknowledge those who received it and transmitted it.

That is, after all, how “testimony” works. One tells another, and the testimony is passed on. Psalm 78:1-8 (and the rest of the Psalm) is a powerful example of this, citing four generations of passing on the wonderful works of the LORD.

I was in a study group the other night, and mentioned some of the things I remembered my parents doing that had formed my own faith. One of the members commented that it was frightening to think that 40 years from now someone might be mentioning the impact his parenting had on his children. It’s worth considering.

But there’s another point. What if you fail to acknowledge those who have passed on faith, good habits, knowledge, and experience, and pretend that you did it all yourself? My parents made sacrifices so that I could be the person I became. They gave me that opportunity.

I can read the Psalms because people in Israel recorded and preserved the text. But beyond that, I can enjoy the Psalms because Israelites, and then Jews, experienced life, often difficult life, and recorded their thoughts and their walk. They left something for their children, but also for the entire world. I need to acknowledge that.

This heritage of knowledge, faith, and life experience is not a limited commodity. It’s not an economic good. It’s not in short supply. Unless. Critical unless. Unless we fail to acknowledge it and pass it on.

So tonight I’m thankful to many in Israel and Judah, and Jews dispersed through the world, for the preservation of the history of faith from which so many can benefit. Often in the face of death, they held on, they kept the record, and provided an example to all.

It’s your heritage forever. Thank you for telling me about it.

(Featured image generated by Jetpack AI.)