The Politics of God

I will meditate on Your precepts and ^[f]regard Your ways.  Psalm 119:15  NASB

Precepts – This Hebrew word is a derivative of the root pāqad.  That means we may have some difficulties understanding what this means.  “It has been said of this verb, which occurs more than three hundred times in the ot; ‘There is probably no other Hebrew verb that has caused translators as much trouble as pqd.’”^[1]  The most notorious example of this is found in Exodus 34:7, the statement about the impact of the fathers’  sins to the third and fourth generation.  But consider the comment about the derivative, piqqûdîm, found in this verse:

The derivative of pāqad occurs primarily in the Qal, Niphal, and Hiphil stems. It also occurs a few times in the Piel, Pual, Hophal, Hithpael, and Hothpael stems. The basic meaning is to exercise oversight over a subordinate, either in the form of inspecting or of taking action to cause a considerable change in the circumstances of the subordinate, either for the better or for the worse.^[2]

“The basic meaning is to exercise oversight.”  If we are careful, we won’t fall into the trap of thinking that exercising oversight implies transferring guilt or punishment.  That means that Exodus 34:7 has been grossly mistranslated as if it suggests that God conveys blame from father to son.  Now we see that the verse means God oversees the consequences of a father’s actions as they impact future generations.  And that’s how we should read this verse in Psalms.  The poet verbally declares that righteousness of God’s supervision.  He extols God’s management and governance.  This is not silent pondering.  It’s joyful, oral confirmation.  God does government very well indeed.

Perhaps this reminds you of our investigation into the word mišpāṭ just two verses earlier.  The verbal root, šāpaṭ, is about the whole process of governance, which in the ancient world really amounted to the character and decisions of the king or the chief of the tribe.  You will remember that “God alone can exercise the true ultimate rulership for, he is ‘the one judging all the earth.’”^[3]  The poet says no more—and no less.  The quintessential form of government is the benevolent dictator, in this case, the absolute rule of the only One capable of such power, God Himself and no other.  When the psalmist wants to proclaim the righteous rule of the almighty God, he chooses pāqad, not only because God Himself chose this word in His declaration to Moses but also because there is no other overseer of men whose rule is continuously just.  Perhaps we need to hear this reminder too, especially when we are so caught up in the inherently flawed politics of human governance.  Let the true Ruler show Himself, King of all.

Topical Index: piqqûdîm, precepts, pāqad, mišpāṭ, governance, ruler, Psalm 119:15

^[1] Harris, R. L., Archer, G. L., Jr., & Waltke, B. K., eds. (1999). In Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament (electronic ed., p. 731). Moody Press.

^[2] Ibid.

^[3] Culver, R. D. (1999). 2443 שָׁפַט. In R. L. Harris, G. L. Archer Jr., & B. K. Waltke (Eds.), Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament(electronic ed., p. 947). Moody Press.