PSALM
119 – THE WORD (From Aleph to Taw)
INTRODUCTION:
Psalm 119 is the longest chapter in the Bible, consisting of a total
of 176 verses. It is written as an acrostic consisting of 22
stanzas, one for each letter of the Hebrew alphabet.
- Each stanza contains 8 verses.
- Each verse begins with the Hebrew letter of the corresponding stanza.
When translated into English it is difficult to keep the integrity of the message while maintaining the acrostic pattern, but here is an example of the stylization of this psalm using the first stanza / first letter of the Hebrew alphabet:
Alef
A blessing is on them that are undefiled in the way;
and walk in the law of Jehovah;
A
blessing is on them that keep his testimonies,
and seek him with their whole heart;
and seek him with their whole heart;
Also
on them that do no wickedness,
but walk in his ways.
but walk in his ways.
A
law hast thou given unto us,
that we should diligently keep thy commandments.
that we should diligently keep thy commandments.
Ah,
Lord! that my ways were so directed
that I might keep thy statutes!
that I might keep thy statutes!
And
then shall I not be confounded,
while I have respect unto all thy commandments.
while I have respect unto all thy commandments.
As
for me, I will thank thee with an unfeigned heart,
when I shall have learned thy righteous judgments.
when I shall have learned thy righteous judgments.
An
eye will I have unto thy statutes:
O forsake me not utterly.
O forsake me not utterly.
This
seems like a tedious and limiting way to write a psalm. It is. But
it actually serves a purpose. The ancient Israelites used acrostics to
not only teach Biblical lessons, but it also served the purpose of
teaching the Hebrew alphabet during recitation and writing.
AUTHOR:
We are not given the name of the author. David, Ezra, Ezekiel,
Esther and Daniel have all been suggested as possible candidates. Most
scholars believe that it was written during or after the time of the
Babylonian exile. It was likely written over a significant period of
time, as there is no definite connection between the stanzas. The
writer undoubtedly lived under oppression and not only loved the Word
of God, but depended on it deeply.
THEME:
Modern readers tend to skim through this psalm and it's legalistic
themes of strict adherence to the “law”. But as the original
targeted audience, Israelites of old would have poured over every
word in their desire to follow God's
commandments and to lead a happy life. Even so, Psalm 119 is
hardly a collection of hints for happiness. It stands strongly upon
God's authority and the all-encompassing sufficiency of His Word.
Psalm
119:66 is recited prior to the blowing of the Shofar in celebration
of the Jewish New Year, Rosh Hashanah (along with: 119:108; 119:122; 119:160; 119:162).
💛NUGGET: There is a tradition in the Eastern Orthodox Church that King David used this psalm to teach his sons (including Solomon) the Hebrew alphabet and the “alphabet of the spiritual life.”
In the NKJV, every verse but four (84, 121, 122, 132) directly references God's Word in some way. The synonyms used to describe God's Word are:
The 22
stanzas of Psalm 119 are outlined below with corresponding Hebrew
letter and subject headings (adapted from the notes of F.W. Grant,
Believer's Bible Commentary):
[Begins with a double blessing in vs. 1-2: “Happy are those who...” ]
The
psalmist prayed to be totally committed to obedience.
Vs.
9-16: Beth ב
– Cleansing
by the Word
[The
letter “Beth” also means “a house.” Some have suggested that
this section tells us how to make our heart a home for the word of
God.]
Vs. 17-24: Gimel ג – Discernment by the Word
The psalmist called himself a 'resident alien' on earth, totally dependent upon God.
Vs. 25-32: Daleth ד – Revived through the Word
The psalmist sought clarity from God to understand and apply the Torah to his life.
Vs. 33-40: He ה – Teach Me the Word
[“He”
is the fifth letter of the Hebrew alphabet, and it is used at the
beginning of verbs to make them causative. The prayers in this
section have the meaning, “Cause me to learn,” “Cause me to
understand,” “Cause me to walk”...]
Vs. 41-48: Waw ו – Victory through the Word
The psalmist longed for evidence of God's faithful love (hesed).
Vs. 49-56: Zayin ז – Rest and Comfort through the Word
The psalmist is comforted by God's righteous judgments.
Vs. 57-64: Heth ח – Perseverance in the Word
“Blaise
Pascal, the brilliant French philosopher and devout Christian...
called verse 59 ‘the turning point of man’s character and
destiny.’ He meant that it is vital for every person to consider
his or her ways, understand that our ways are destructive and will
lead us to destruction, and then make an about-face and determine to
go in God’s ways instead.” (Boice)
Vs. 65-72: Teth ט – The Benefit of the Word in Times of Affliction
The psalmist learned from his affliction as a result of the Lord's discipline.
Vs. 73-80: Yod י – Insights through the Word
The repetition of the plea, “Let me...”:
Let me be comforted by Your kindness.
Let me live by Your mercies.
Let me be vindicated by God.
Let me be in the presence of those who fear You.
Let my heart be blameless.
💛NUGGET:
The “yod” is the small Hebrew letter Jesus referred to as a
“jot” in Matthew 5:18: “Till heaven and earth pass away, one
jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is
fulfilled.”
[This seems to be the low point of the psalm. The psalmist is exhausted and weak.]
Vs. 89-96: Lamed ל – Eternity of the Word
The eternal character of God's law is celebrated in this stanza.
Vs. 97-104: Mem מ – Wisdom through the Word
“This
is a pure song of praise. It contains no single petition, but is just
one glad outpouring of the heart.” (Morgan)
Vs. 105-112: Nun נ – God's Word is a Lamp and a Light
This is
the most famous verse of Psalms 119: “Your word is a lamp to my
feet and a light to my path.”
Vs. 113-120: Samek ס – The Wicked and the Word
The psalmist looks to God as his shelter and shield in the presence of his enemies.
Vs. 121-128: Ayin ע – Separation and Deliverance through the Word
“The
fact that the Bible is not mentioned here, in verse 122, may be an
indication of the depth of mental anguish to which the psalmist fell
as a result of the oppression he had endured from wicked men. For a
moment his eyes seem to be off the Bible and on his fierce oppressors
instead.” (Boice)
Vs. 129-136: Pe פ – Joy and Communion through the Word
The psalmist expressed sorrow for those who do not obey God.
Vs. 137-144: Tsadde צ – Everlasting Righteousness of the Word
The psalmist reinforced God's role as Judge.
Vs. 145-152: Qoph ק – Experience through the Word
The
psalmist was discouraged by the nearness of his enemies, but put his
hope in nearness of God.
Vs. 153-160: Resh ר – Salvation through the Word
In
complete dependence, the psalmist prayed that God would give him life
as promised through His faithful love (hesed).
Vs. 161-168: Shin ש – Perfect Peace through the Word
The psalmist obeys God in order to enjoy abundant life in Him.
Vs. 169-176: Tau ת – Prayer and Praise through the Word
The
psalmist concludes with words of praise to God and prays for God to: “hear
me, teach me, help me, save me, seek me.”
💛NUGGET: George Wishart was the Bishop of Edinburgh in the 17th
century. Wishart was condemned to death for
his faith. But when he was on the scaffold, he made use of a custom
that allowed the condemned person to choose one psalm to be sung, and
he chose Psalm 119. Before two-thirds of the psalm had been sung, his
pardon arrived and his life was spared.
VIDEO: Amy Grant: https://youtu.be/a6LC8cu03Ig
READING FOR TOMORROW: Chapters 120-125
LINK TO READING PLAN:
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