Psalms Reading – 4.19.2022
Psalm 119:1-32
א Aleph
1 Blessed are those whose ways are blameless, who walk according to the law of the Lord.
2 Blessed are those who keep his statutes and seek him with all their heart—
3 they do no wrong
but follow his ways.
4 You have laid down precepts that are to be fully obeyed.
5 Oh, that my ways were steadfast in obeying your decrees!
6 Then I would not be put to shame when I consider all your commands.
7 I will praise you with an upright heart as I learn your righteous laws.
8 I will obey your decrees; do not utterly forsake me.
ב Beth
9 How can a young person stay on the path of purity? By living according to your word.
10 I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands.
11 I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.
12 Praise be to you, Lord; teach me your decrees.
13 With my lips I recount all the laws that come from your mouth.
14 I rejoice in following your statutes as one rejoices in great riches.
15 I meditate on your precepts and consider your ways.
16 I delight in your decrees; I will not neglect your word.
ג Gimel
17 Be good to your servant while I live, that I may obey your word.
18 Open my eyes that I may see
wonderful things in your law.
19 I am a stranger on earth; do not hide your commands from me.
20 My soul is consumed with longing for your laws at all times.
21 You rebuke the arrogant, who are accursed, those who stray from your commands.
22 Remove from me their scorn and contempt,
for I keep your statutes.
23 Though rulers sit together and slander me, your servant will meditate on your decrees.
24 Your statutes are my delight; they are my counselors.
ד Daleth
25 I am laid low in the dust; preserve my life according to your word.
26 I gave an account of my ways and you answered me; teach me your decrees.
27 Cause me to understand the way of your precepts,
that I may meditate on your wonderful deeds.
28 My soul is weary with sorrow; strengthen me according to your word.
29 Keep me from deceitful ways; be gracious to me and teach me your law.
30 I have chosen the way of faithfulness; I have set my heart on your laws.
31 I hold fast to your statutes, Lord; do not let me be put to shame.
32 I run in the path of your commands, for you have broadened my understanding.
We will discover nearly every verse of this psalm mentions God’s instructions. The uniform theme that runs throughout the 176 verses focuses on the eternal value of the word of the Lord. Imagine that the longest chapter in the Bible tells us over and over again how vitally important it is to pay attention and heed God’s living word. Ten different Hebrew words use their own nuances in the psalm to describe God’s instruction: law, laws, statues, ways, precepts, decrees, word, promise, commands, and faithfulness.
Psalm 119 is an acrostic wisdom poem as it devotes eight lines to each letter, so each letter forms its own stanza. It takes us back to Psalm 1 which spoke blessing upon those who delight and meditate on the law of the Lord. In this psalm, we are given dozens of benefits of the blessing of Scripture.
Memory Verse: Psalm 119:11, I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.
Question(s) to Consider: What is the psalmist communicating to us through the sheer volume of his work in this chapter? What are the benefits you find by taking God’s word to heart?