(The previous post covered the shortest psalm and the middle chapter of the Bible. We are now ready for the longest psalm which was also the longest chapter in the Bible...)
(This celebrated psalm had several attributes that set it apart from the other psalms. It was divided into twenty-two parts or stanzas, denoted by the twenty-two letters of the Hebrew alphabet. Each stanza contained eight verses, and the first letter of each verse was that which gave the name to the stanza.)
Psalm 119
ALEPH.
1 Blessed are they that are perfect in the way, Who walk in the law of Jehovah.
(Blessed were those who were perfect (maximum profitability) and who walked (made progress) in the Law of God.)
2 Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, That seek him with the whole heart.
3 Yea, they do no unrighteousness; They walk in his ways.
(When you make progress in God’s ways, you will not do unrighteousness. This was principle driven: a focus on what to do. If we live by grace through faith, we will establish the Law and we will not sin.)
4 Thou hast commanded us thy precepts, That we should observe them diligently.
5 Oh that my ways were established To observe thy statutes!
6 Then shall I not be put to shame, When I have respect unto all thy commandments.
(When we focused on God’s commands (love God and love others), we would not be put to shame.)
7 I will give thanks unto thee with uprightness of heart, When I learn thy righteous judgments.
(We could understand God’s Righteous Judgments.)
8 I will observe thy statutes: Oh forsake me not utterly.
BETH.
9 Wherewith shall a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed thereto according to thy word.
("Taking heed" according to God’s Word led to cleanness. Taking heed meant to "keep, guard, observe." The effect of taking heed to God’s Word was that His Word would be lived in your life.)
10 With my whole heart have I sought thee: Oh let me not wander from thy commandments.
11 Thy word have I laid up in my heart, That I might not sin against thee.
(Having God’s Word in your heart would lead to Righteousness, and not sinning.)
12 Blessed art thou, O Jehovah: Teach me thy statutes.
13 With my lips have I declared All the ordinances of thy mouth.
14 I have rejoiced in the way of thy testimonies, As much as in all riches.
15 I will meditate on thy precepts, And have respect unto thy ways.
(The psalmist stated he would "meditate" on God’s precepts and have respect on His ways. When the word "meditate" is understood at it's root level, including etymology, it means "to think deeply and speak out loud." Meditating facilitates every part of our brain to be involved.)
16 I will delight myself in thy statutes: I will not forget thy word.
GIMEL.
17 Deal bountifully with thy servant, that I may live; So will I observe thy word.
18 Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold Wondrous things out of thy law.
(The psalmist wanted to be aware and understand God’s Law.)
19 I am a sojourner in the earth: Hide not thy commandments from me.
20 My soul breaketh for the longing That it hath unto thine ordinances at all times.
21 Thou hast rebuked the proud that are cursed, That do wander from thy commandments.
(God confronted those who were proud and those who walked away from Him. It would never be God’s fault if someone was not humble or did not walk in His commands.)
22 Take away from me reproach and contempt; For I have kept thy testimonies.
23 Princes also sat and talked against me; But thy servant did meditate on thy statutes.
(The psalmist responded to affliction from princes by meditating on God’s Word.)
24 Thy testimonies also are my delight And my counsellors.
DALETH.
25 My soul cleaveth unto the dust: Quicken thou me according to thy word.
(Quicken meant to "be restored to life." The psalmist understood that God’s Word brought life: the ability to repair.)
26 I declared my ways, and thou answeredst me: Teach me thy statutes.
27 Make me to understand the way of thy precepts: So shall I meditate on thy wondrous works.
28 My soul melteth for heaviness: Strengthen thou me according unto thy word.
(The psalmist asked for God’s strength in a time of burden.)
29 Remove from me the way of falsehood; And grant me thy law graciously.
30 I have chosen the way of faithfulness: Thine ordinances have I set before me.
31 I cleave unto thy testimonies: O Jehovah, put me not to shame.
(Another example of "cleave" being used for something as more excellent. The psalmist recognized that God’s testimonies were more excellent than him. If he served God by putting God’s testimonies before himself, it would cause him to be more excellent and not put to shame.)
32 I will run the way of thy commandments, When thou shalt enlarge my heart.
HE.
33 Teach me, O Jehovah, the way of thy statutes; And I shall keep it unto the end.
34 Give me understanding, and I shall keep thy law; Yea, I shall observe it with my whole heart.
(The psalmist knew he would need to understand (the why, the cause, the definitions) of God’s Law in order to intentionally do them.)
35 Make me to go in the path of thy commandments; For therein do I delight.
36 Incline my heart unto thy testimonies, And not to covetousness.
37 Turn away mine eyes from beholding vanity, And quicken me in thy ways.
(The psalmist wanted to focus and look on God, not on fleshly things.)
38 Confirm unto thy servant thy word, Which is in order unto the fear of thee.
39 Turn away my reproach whereof I am afraid; For thine ordinances are good.
40 Behold, I have longed after thy precepts: Quicken me in thy righteousness.
(He wanted to be quickened (given life; repair) by God’s Righteousness.)
VAV.
41 Let thy lovingkindnesses also come unto me, O Jehovah, Even thy salvation, according to thy word.
42 So shall I have an answer for him that reproacheth me; For I trust in thy word.
(God’s Word had answers. However, we must understand (the why) God’s Word in order to know those answers.)
43 And take not the word of truth utterly out of my mouth; For I have hoped in thine ordinances.
44 So shall I observe thy law continually For ever and ever.
45 And I shall walk at liberty; For I have sought thy precepts.
46 I will also speak of thy testimonies before kings, And shall not be put to shame.
(The psalmist stated he would walk in God’s Law and speak of His testimonies, even to the kings.)
47 And I will delight myself in thy commandments, Which I have loved.
48 I will lift up my hands also unto thy commandments, which I have loved; And I will meditate on thy statutes.
ZAYIN.
49 Remember the word unto thy servant, Because thou hast made me to hope.
50 This is my comfort in my affliction; For thy word hath quickened me.
(God’s Word brought him comfort, even in affliction because God’s Word brought him life: the ability to repair.)
51 The proud have had me greatly in derision: Yet have I not swerved from thy law.
52 I have remembered thine ordinances of old, O Jehovah, And have comforted myself.
(God’s Word comforted this man when he was in derision (to scorn, talk arrogantly). His response to abuse from the proud was to think on God’s Word.)
53 Hot indignation hath taken hold upon me, Because of the wicked that forsake thy law.
54 Thy statutes have been my songs In the house of my pilgrimage.
55 I have remembered thy name, O Jehovah, in the night, And have observed thy law.
56 This I have had, Because I have kept thy precepts.
HHETH.
57 Jehovah is my portion: I have said that I would observe thy words.
58 I entreated thy favor with my whole heart: Be merciful unto me according to thy word.
59 I thought on my ways, And turned my feet unto thy testimonies.
(The psalmist said he would walk in God’s Word, and he did.)
60 I made haste, and delayed not, To observe thy commandments.
61 The cords of the wicked have wrapped me round; But I have not forgotten thy law.
(This man was being surrounded and smothered by the wicked and he still remembered God’s Law.)
62 At midnight I will rise to give thanks unto thee Because of thy righteous ordinances.
(The psalmist gave thanks to God because of His Righteousness.)
63 I am a companion of all them that fear thee, And of them that observe thy precepts.
64 The earth, O Jehovah, is full of thy lovingkindness: Teach me thy statutes.
TETH.
65 Thou hast dealt well with thy servant, O Jehovah, according unto thy word.
66 Teach me good judgment and knowledge; For I have believed in thy commandments.
(The psalmist wanted to be taught (understand) Right and Just judgment and knowledge because he was firmly convinced (believed) in God’s commands.)
67 Before I was afflicted I went astray; But now I observe thy word.
(The affliction he experienced caused him to go towards God. How do you respond to affliction?)
68 Thou art good, and doest good; Teach me thy statutes.
(God was Good (Right and Just) and as an effect, always did Good: Right and Just.)
69 The proud have forged a lie against me: With my whole heart will I keep thy precepts.
70 Their heart is as fat as grease; But I delight in thy law.
71 It is good for me that I have been afflicted; That I may learn thy statutes.
(Not only did the affliction this man experienced cause him to go towards God, he saw the affliction as good because it caused Him to learn God’s statutes.)
72 The law of thy mouth is better unto me Than thousands of gold and silver.
YODH.
73 Thy hands have made me and fashioned me: Give me understanding, that I may learn thy commandments.
(The psalmist first recognized God as his Creator and then asked for understanding.)
74 They that fear thee shall see me and be glad, Because I have hoped in thy word.
75 I know, O Jehovah, that thy judgments are righteous, And that in faithfulness thou hast afflicted me.
(When God equaled out Justice it was done Righteously.)
76 Let, I pray thee, thy lovingkindness be for my comfort, According to thy word unto thy servant.
77 Let thy tender mercies come unto me, that I may live; For thy law is my delight.
78 Let the proud be put to shame; For they have overthrown me wrongfully: But I will meditate on thy precepts.
(Even after being overthrown, this man meditated on God’s precepts: God’s Law.)
79 Let those that fear thee turn unto me; And they shall know thy testimonies.
80 Let my heart be perfect in thy statutes, That I be not put to shame.
KAPH.
81 My soul fainteth for thy salvation; But I hope in thy word.
82 Mine eyes fail for thy word, While I say, When wilt thou comfort me?
83 For I am become like a wine-skin in the smoke; Yet do I not forget thy statutes.
(In those days, in the Eastern Countries, bottles were made from skins. To dry them out, they were hung in smoke and became parched. The psalmist compared himself to a wine skin because he felt exhausted from the constant troubles he had gone through.)
84 How many are the days of thy servant? When wilt thou execute judgment on them that persecute me?
(God was merciful; He postponed judgment. Have you ever asked God when He would judge those who have hurt you?)
85 The proud have digged pits for me, Who are not according to thy law.
86 All thy commandments are faithful: They persecute me wrongfully; help thou me.
87 They had almost consumed me upon earth; But I forsook not thy precepts.
88 Quicken me after thy lovingkindness; So shall I observe the testimony of thy mouth.
(The psalmist had been persecuted wrongfully and asked God for help and did not forsake God’s precepts.)
LAMEDH.
89 For ever, O Jehovah, Thy word is settled in heaven.
(God’s Word was eternal. God’s Word was spiritual.)
90 Thy faithfulness is unto all generations: Thou hast established the earth, and it abideth.
91 They abide this day according to thine ordinances; For all things are thy servants.
(God was the Creator and we lived because of Him.)
92 Unless thy law had been my delight, I should then have perished in mine affliction.
93 I will never forget thy precepts; For with them thou hast quickened me.
(The psalmist recognized that God’s Law saved his life. He stated he would not forget God’s precepts because they were what gave him life.)
94 I am thine, save me; For I have sought thy precepts.
95 The wicked have waited for me, to destroy me; But I will consider thy testimonies.
96 I have seen an end of all perfection; But thy commandment is exceeding broad.
MEM.
97 Oh how love I thy law! It is my meditation all the day.
(How often do you think deeply about and speak God’s Word?)
98 Thy commandments make me wiser than mine enemies; For they are ever with me.
(God’s commandments caused us to be wise: to make profitable decisions.)
99 I have more understanding than all my teachers; For thy testimonies are my meditation.
100 I understand more than the aged, Because I have kept thy precepts.
(The psalmist understood more than those older than him because he understood God’s Word.)
101 I have refrained my feet from every evil way, That I might observe thy word.
102 I have not turned aside from thine ordinances; For thou hast taught me.
(God was this man’s teacher and that was why he was wise.)
103 How sweet are thy words unto my taste! Yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth!
104 Through thy precepts I get understanding: Therefore I hate every false way.
(God’s Law, His Word, gave us understanding. God’s Word gave the why.)
NUN.
105 Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, And light unto my path.
(God’s Word would direct you in the right way to go. God’s Word gave us right how's and right why's.)
106 I have sworn, and have confirmed it, That I will observe thy righteous ordinances.
107 I am afflicted very much: Quicken me, O Jehovah, according unto thy word.
(Again, affliction came and this man asked God to give him life according to God’s Word.)
108 Accept, I beseech thee, the freewill-offerings of my mouth, O Jehovah, And teach me thine ordinances.
109 My soul is continually in my hand; Yet do I not forget thy law.
110 The wicked have laid a snare for me; Yet have I not gone astray from thy precepts.
111 Thy testimonies have I taken as a heritage for ever; For they are the rejoicing of my heart.
(The psalmist took God’s testimonies as a "heritage." Heritage meant "possession, to acquire." This man saw God’s testimonies as something that belonged to him, something God had given him and he inherited.)
112 I have inclined my heart to perform thy statutes For ever, even unto the end.
SAMEKH.
113 I hate them that are of a double mind; But thy law do I love.
(Those of a double mind were people who lived with apparent contradictions and suffered because of it. Notice how the psalmist contrasted double minded people with God’s Law. God’s Law and Word did not contradict.)
114 Thou art my hiding-place and my shield: I hope in thy word.
115 Depart from me, ye evil-doers, That I may keep the commandments of my God.
116 Uphold me according unto thy word, that I may live; And let me not be ashamed of my hope.
(The psalmist knew God’s Word would give him life.)
117 Hold thou me up, and I shall be safe, And shall have respect unto thy statutes continually.
118 Thou hast set at nought all them that err from thy statutes; For their deceit is falsehood.
119 Thou puttest away all the wicked of the earth like dross: Therefore I love thy testimonies.
120 My flesh trembleth for fear of thee; And I am afraid of thy judgments.
(This man respected/revered God’s Judgments.)
AYIN.
121 I have done justice and righteousness: Leave me not to mine oppressors.
(Have you lived by God’s Word enough to confidently tell Him that you have "done justice and righteousness"? God was Right and Just, so His Word ought to result in us doing justice and righteousness.)
122 Be surety for thy servant for good: Let not the proud oppress me.
123 Mine eyes fail for thy salvation, And for thy righteous word.
124 Deal with thy servant according unto thy lovingkindness, And teach me thy statutes.
125 I am thy servant; give me understanding, That I may know thy testimonies.
(The psalmist asked God to teach him and give him understanding. He wanted to know the why.)
126 It is time for Jehovah to work; For they have made void thy law.
(This verse made it clear that man could make God’s Law, His Word, void!)
127 Therefore I love thy commandments Above gold, yea, above fine gold.
128 Therefore I esteem all thy precepts concerning all things to be right; And I hate every false way.
("False ways" were man's traditions, which made the Word of God of none effect: void)
PE.
129 Thy testimonies are wonderful; Therefore doth my soul keep them.
(God’s testimonies were wonderful (marvelous, extraordinary) and that was why this man kept them.)
130 The opening of thy words giveth light; It giveth understanding unto the simple.
(God was Light and the opening (unfolding) of His Words gave Light. Even the "simple" could and ought to understand God and His Word.)
131 I opened wide my mouth, and panted; For I longed for thy commandments.
132 Turn thee unto me, and have mercy upon me, As thou usest to do unto those that love thy name.
133 Establish my footsteps in thy word; And let not any iniquity have dominion over me.
(If our actions were established in God’s Word, we would not let iniquity have rule over us.)
134 Redeem me from the oppression of man: So will I observe thy precepts.
135 Make thy face to shine upon thy servant; And teach me thy statutes.
136 Streams of water run down mine eyes, Because they observe not thy law.
(The psalmist was extremely saddened because of others not observing God’s Law.)
TSADHE.
137 Righteous art thou, O Jehovah, And upright are thy judgments.
(God was Right and His Judgments (equaling out Justice) were Righteous.)
138 Thou hast commanded thy testimonies in righteousness And very faithfulness.
139 My zeal hath consumed me, Because mine adversaries have forgotten thy words.
140 Thy word is very pure; Therefore thy servant loveth it.
(God’s Word was pure (Holy), it cleansed those who lived by it. This was why the psalmist loved God’s Word.)
141 I am small and despised; Yet do I not forget thy precepts.
(This man was humble.)
142 Thy righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, And thy law is truth.
(God’s Righteousness was eternal and God’s Law was truth. God’s Law had a right what with a right how/why.)
143 Trouble and anguish have taken hold on me; Yet thy commandments are my delight.
144 Thy testimonies are righteous for ever: Give me understanding, and I shall live.
(The psalmist knew the power of knowing the why. Understanding (the why) gave life: the ability to repair.)
QOPH.
145 I have called with my whole heart; answer me, O Jehovah: I will keep thy statutes.
146 I have called unto thee; save me, And I shall observe thy testimonies.
147 I anticipated the dawning of the morning, and cried: I hoped in thy words.
148 Mine eyes anticipated the night-watches, That I might meditate on thy word.
(The psalmist "anticipated" the dawn and the night. Anticipated meant "to meet, confront, go before." This meant he went towards these things intentionally because of his desire to focus on God’s Word.)
149 Hear my voice according unto thy lovingkindness: Quicken me, O Jehovah, according to thine ordinances.
150 They draw nigh that follow after wickedness; They are far from thy law.
151 Thou art nigh, O Jehovah; And all thy commandments are truth.
(All of God’s commandments were a right what with a right how/why: truth.)
152 Of old have I known from thy testimonies, That thou hast founded them for ever.
RESH.
153 Consider mine affliction, and deliver me; For I do not forget thy law.
154 Plead thou my cause, and redeem me: Quicken me according to thy word.
(This man faced affliction and wanted deliverance and life according to God’s Word.)
155 Salvation is far from the wicked; For they seek not thy statutes.
156 Great are thy tender mercies, O Jehovah: Quicken me according to thine ordinances.
157 Many are my persecutors and mine adversaries; Yet have I not swerved from thy testimonies.
158 I beheld the treacherous, and was grieved, Because they observe not thy word.
159 Consider how I love thy precepts: Quicken me, O Jehovah, according to thy lovingkindness.
160 The sum of thy word is truth; And every one of thy righteous ordinances endureth for ever.
("The sum of thy word is truth" meant that God’s Word was/is true from the beginning. God’s Word was and is always truth: right what with a right how/why.)
SHIN.
161 Princes have persecuted me without a cause; But my heart standeth in awe of thy words.
(The psalmist was persecuted "without a cause" and his heart was still in awe of God’s Word.)
162 I rejoice at thy word, As one that findeth great spoil.
163 I hate and abhor falsehood; But thy law do I love.
(This man hated wrong what's but loved God’s Law, which was a right what with a right how/why.)
164 Seven times a day do I praise thee, Because of thy righteous ordinances.
(How often do you praise God?)
165 Great peace have they that love thy law; And they have no occasion of stumbling.
166 I have hoped for thy salvation, O Jehovah, And have done thy commandments.
167 My soul hath observed thy testimonies; And I love them exceedingly.
168 I have observed thy precepts and thy testimonies; For all my ways are before thee.
(God was aware of all of our ways/actions.)
TAV.
169 Let my cry come near before thee, O Jehovah: Give me understanding according to thy word.
170 Let my supplication come before thee: Deliver me according to thy word.
(God’s Word gave understanding and deliverance.)
171 Let my lips utter praise; For thou teachest me thy statutes.
172 Let my tongue sing of thy word; For all thy commandments are righteousness.
173 Let thy hand be ready to help me; For I have chosen thy precepts.
174 I have longed for thy salvation, O Jehovah; And thy law is my delight.
175 Let my soul live, and it shall praise thee; And let thine ordinances help me.
176 I have gone astray like a lost sheep; Seek thy servant; For I do not forget thy commandments.
(The psalmist spoke to God as his Shepherd and felt like a lost sheep.)
(This post covered the longest chapter in the Bible.)
Day 179
Do you know who wrote this psalm?
ReplyDeleteThe author of this Psalm is unknown. However, it is believed by most scholars that King David wrote it and a minority believe that Ezra may have written it.
ReplyDeleteWho do you believe wrote it and why?
ReplyDeleteWho do you believe wrote it and why?
Delete