Psalm 119 Section 1

 

Aleph

119 Blessed are those whose way is blameless,

who walk in the law of the Lord!

²     Blessed are those who keep his testimonies,

who seek him with their whole heart,

³     who also do no wrong,

but walk in his ways!

⁴     You have commanded your precepts

to be kept diligently.

⁵     Oh that my ways may be steadfast

in keeping your statutes

⁶     Then I shall not be put to shame,

having my eyes fixed on all your commandments.

⁷     I will praise you with an upright heart,

when I learn your righteous rules

⁸     I will keep your statutes;

do not utterly forsake me! ^[1]

Devotion

      I am beginning to write on Psalm119. It is the longest chapter in the Bible, 22 sections and of 8 verses each for a total of176 verses. In each section each of the verses begins with a letter of the Hebrew alphabet. Each verse uses the word law or a synonym of it. Here are the 9 synonyms 

1. Torah, “the Law” itself; but not merely the Law given on Mount Sinai; rather, God’s law in the widest sense, all whereby he has intimated his will to man.

2. ’Edvoth, or ’Edoth, “testimonies.” God’s commands, considered as witnesses to his character, and as attesting his will.

3. Mishpatim, “judgments.” Judicial pronouncements by act or word against particular lines of conduct.

4. Khuqqim, “statutes”—once translated “ordinances” (ver. 91). Enactments of God as Legislator, but not confined to the written Law.

5. Dabar or Debarim, “God’s Word” or “Words.” His actual spoken or written utterances.

6. Piqqudim, “precepts.” Instructions given to men to direct their conduct.

7. Mitsroth, “commandments.” Only slightly differing from piqqudim—rather wider.

8. Imrah, properly “promise,” but used rather as a variant, instead of dabar, and extending to all God’s utterances.

9. Darek or derakim, “way” or “ways.” Prescribed lines of conduct (very seldom used).^[2]

      Verse 1 begins by blessing those who walk in the way of the Lord. Being pure and undefiled by the world. Those who obey God’s law at all times. Here we begin the theme that will continue through all 176 verses. The psalmist mentions the word of God or the Bible in almost all of the verses.

Verse 2 again blesses the one who seeks the law with his whole heart. The psalmist in these to verses is showing us the way to be happy is by obeying the word of the Lord joyfully with all of their being,

Verse 3 is a continuation of the thought from verse 2. promising happiness to those who walk in the way of the Lord.

Verse 4 has the psalmist declaring that the Lord himself has given the law that is to be kept constantly.

Verse 5 the first four verses concern the law itself, however, verses 5-8 are concerned with the psalmist relationship to it. These verses declare how fervently he wants to obey the word of the Lord.

Verse 6 explains how with obedience to the Law of the Lord there is no shame either from man of God.

Verse 7 show us that before we can obey the word, we must first learn what it says and begin to practice it.

Verse 8 has the psalmist declaring his intention to follow God’s Laws and he prays that God will not forsake him.

 

These first 8 verses introduce us to the theme of the entire psalm. It shows us how we are to relate to God’s law, how earnestly we are to pursue knowledge of the law and seek to obey it. It presents our hope by grace we will be able to keep the commandments of the Lord and live a life that is pleasing to him. Memorizing all 176 verses is burden I feel laid upon me along with a desire to study the psalm and learn its lessons well so that I may be equipped to follow my Lord Jesus more closely

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^[1] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Ps 119:1–8.

^[2] H. D. M. Spence-Jones, ed., Psalms, vol. 3, The Pulpit Commentary (London; New York: Funk & Wagnalls Company, 1909), 102–103.