Psalm 119, Aleph - Lamedh {or Lamed} (vv. 1 - 96)

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Psalm 119 (all 22 stanzas, each with 8 verses) Author anonymous-- some suggest Ezra the priest; an acrostic poem-- the title of each 8-verse stanza is a successive letter of the Hebrew alphabet; each of the 8 verses within a stanza begins with that same letter (devised that way for memory). See PerspectivesB B.2. for the other acrostic poems. Said to deal with decisions.

  • Psalm 119 is an acrostic poem-- but it is different than the usual style we've seen (where the 1st words of the verses of entire psalm begin with successive letters of the Hebrew alphabet.
  • Here the 176 verses are divided into 22 stanzas-- the 1st letter of the 1st word of the 8 verses of each of these 22 stanzas begin with a unique Hebrew letter.
  • These 22 stanzes are entitled with the names of these unique Hebrew letters-- the titles (& the spans of the verses) of these 22 stanzas are:
    1. Aleph (vv. 1-8),
    2. Beth (vv. 9-16),
    3. Gimel (vv. 17-24),
    4. Daleth (vv. 25-32),
    5. He (vv. 33-40),
    6. Waw {or Vau} (vv. 41-48),
    7. Zayin {or Zain} (vv. 49-56),
    8. Heth {or Cheth} (vv. 57-64),
    9. Teth (vv. 65-72),
    10. Yodh {or Jod} (vv. 73-80),
    11. Kaph {or Caph} (vv. 81-88),
    12. Lamedh {or Lamed} (vv. 89-96),
    13. Mem (vv. 97-104),
    14. Nun (vv. 105-112),
    15. Samekh {or Samech} (vv. 113-120),
    16. Ayin {or Ain} (vv. 121-128),
    17. Pe (vv. 129-136),
    18. Tsadhe {or Tzaddi} (vv. 137-144),
    19. Qoph {or Koph} (vv. 145-152),
    20. Resh (vv. 153-160),
    21. Sin & Shin {or Schin} (vv. 161-168),
    22. Taw {or Tau} (vv. 169-176).

Stanza Aleph (vv. 1-8); each verse begins with Aleph
  1. Blessed are They whose ways are blameless, who walk according to the Law of the LORD-- 1 of the key differences between the O.T. & N.T.: the Christian capacity to remain walking blamelessly (having matured in the faith). See Psalms 114-116 Psalm 116 Scripture Collection #2 1stJoh 1:9ff, & recall Psalm 115 pointing out that the Israelites have feet but cannot walk; recall David prophesying in Psa 116, For YOU, O LORD, have delivered My soul from death, My eyes from tears, My feet from stumbling, that I may walk before the LORD in the land of the living.
  2. Blessed are They who keep HIS Statutes & seek HIM with all Their heart.
  3. They do nothing wrong; They walk in 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 (the depth) of 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.

Stanza Beth (vv. 9-16); each verse begins with Beth

  1. How can a young man keep His way pure? By living according to YOUR Word.
  2. I seek YOU with all My heart; do not let Me stray from YOUR Commands.
  3. I have hidden YOUR Word in My heart that I may not sin against YOU (so practiced YOUR Word that I reflexibly honor YOU no matter the circumstance).
  4. Praise be to YOU, O LORD; teach Me YOUR Decrees-- so much easier now that we have the written word to meditate upon. BTW, this erases the idea many have that repetitive speaking is characteristic of legalistic ritualistic practices.
  5. With My lips I recount all the laws that come from YOUR Mouth.
  6. I rejoice in following YOUR Statutes as (so much more than) 1 rejoices in great riches.
  7. I meditate upon YOUR Precepts & consider YOUR Ways.
  8. I delight in YOUR Decrees; I will not neglect YOUR WORD.

Stanza Gimel (vv. 17-24); each verse begins with Gimel

  1. Do good to YOUR Servant, & I will live; I will obey YOUR Word.
  2. Open My eyes that I may see wonderful things in YOUR Law.
  3. I am a stranger on earth; do not hide YOUR Commands from Me.
  4. My soul is consumed with longing for YOUR Laws at all times.
  5. YOU rebuke the arrogant, who are cursed & stray from YOUR Commands.
  6. Remove from Me scorn & contempt, for I keep YOUR Statutes.
  7. Though rulers sit together & slander Me, YOUR Servant will meditate on YOUR Decrees.
  8. YOUR Statutes are My delight; they are My counselors.
Stanza Daleth (vv. 25-32); each verse begins with Daleth
  1. I am laid low in the dust; preserve My life according to YOUR Word.
  2. I recounted (rearranged/reprioritized) My ways & YOU answered Me; teach Me YOUR Decrees-- repeat from v. 12; repeated self-assessment is necessary as we mature. Self-examination has somehow gotten solely connected to partaking of the Lord' Supper-- a momentary pause. True, 1st Cor 11:28 does say a man ought to examine himself before He eats of the bread & drinks of the cup-- but this hardly implies a momentary pause. Indeed, 2ndCor 13:5 implies a 24/7 self-assessment: Examine yourselves to see whether You are in the faith; test yourselves. How do you treat your host of contacts? Jesus said, Whatever You do/don't do to the least You do to ME.
  3. Let Me understand the teaching of YOUR Precepts; then I will meditate on YOUR Wonders-- said understanding marks the beginning of meditation.
  4. My soul is weary with sorrow; strengthen Me according to YOUR Word.
  5. Keep Me from deceitful ways; be gracious to Me through YOUR Law.
  6. I have chosen the way of truth; I have set My heart on YOUR Laws.
  7. I hold fast to YOUR Statutes, O LORD; do not let Me be put to shame.
  8. I run in the path of YOUR Commands, for YOU have set My heart free.

Stanza He (vv. 33-40); each verse begins with He

  1. Teach Me, O LORD, to follow YOUR Decrees; then I will keep them to the end-- you might be saved, but you can only promise to keep HIS decrees when taught.
  2. Give Me understanding, & I will keep YOUR Law. Note the progression:
    • vv. 12-13 said, teach Me (let me hear the listing of) YOUR Decrees. With My lips I recount (reprioritize) all the laws that come from YOUR Mouth in the order YOU cite them;
    • v. 27  says, Let Me understand the teaching of YOUR Precepts; then I will meditate on YOUR Wonders.
    • In vv. 33-34 we have, Teach Me to follow YOUR Decrees; then I will keep them to the end. Give Me understanding, & I will keep the entirety of YOUR Law.
  3. Direct Me in the path of YOUR Commands, for there I find delight.
  4. Turn My heart toward YOUR Statutes & not toward selfish gain.
  5. Turn My eyes away from worthless things; preserve My life according to YOUR Word (most manuscripts have in YOUR Way).
  6. Fulfill, not partially fill, YOUR Promise of spiritual life to me still YOUR Servant, so that YOU may be feared (comprehended/respected).
  7. Take away the disgrace I dread, for YOUR Laws are good-better-best.
  8. How I long for YOUR Precepts! Preserve My life in YOUR Righteousness.

Stanza Waw {or Vau} (vv. 41-48); each verse begins with Waw {or Vau}

  1. May YOUR Unfailing Love come to Me, O LORD, YOUR Salvation according to YOUR Promise of spiritual life;
  2. then I will taunt the 1 who haunts Me, for I trust in YOUR Word.
  3. Do not snatch the word of truth from My mouth, for I have put My hope in YOUR Laws.
  4. I will always obey YOUR Law, for ever & ever.
  5. I will walk about in freedom-- to the utter dismay of those that disregard Jesus' admonition to be wise in actions as serpents yet harmless as doves, for I have sought out YOUR Precepts.
  6. I will speak an action of YOUR Statutes before kings & will not be put to shame,
  7. for I delight in YOUR Commands because I have decided to love them.
  8. I visibly lift up My hands to (for) YOUR Commands, which I love, & not only that, but I also meditate on YOUR Decrees.

Stanza Zayin {or Zain} (vv. 49-56); each verse begins with Zayin {or Zain}

  1. Remember YOUR Word to YOUR Servant, for YOU have given Me hope.
  2. My comfort in My suffering is this: YOUR Promise of spiritual life preserves My physical life.
  3. The arrogant mock Me without restrain, but I do not turn from YOUR Law.
  4. I remember YOUR Ancient Laws, O LORD, & I find comfort in them.
  5. Indignation grips Me because of the wicked, who have forsaken YOUR Law.
  6. YOUR Decrees are the theme of My song wherever I lodge.
  7. In the night I remember YOUR Name, O LORD, & I will keep YOUR Law.
  8. This has been My practice: I obey YOUR Precepts.

Stanza Heth {or Cheth} (vv. 57-64); each verse begins with Heth {or Cheth}

  1. YOU are My portion, O LORD; I have promised to obey YOUR Words.
  2. I have sought YOUR Face with all My heart; be gracious to Me according to YOUR Promise of spiritual life.
  3. I have considered My ways & have turned My steps to YOUR Statutes.
  4. I will hasten & not delay to obey YOUR Commands.
  5. Though the wicked bind Me with ropes, I will not forget YOUR Law.
  6. At midnight I rise to give YOU thanks for YOUR Righteous Laws.
  7. I am a friend to all who fear YOU, to all who follow YOUR Precepts.
  8. The earth is filled with YOUR Love, O LORD; teach Me YOUR Decrees.

Stanza Teth (vv. 65-72); each verse begins with Teth

  1. Do good to YOUR Servant according to YOUR Word, O LORD.
  2. Teach Me knowledge & good judgment, for I now believe in YOUR Commands.
  3. Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I obey YOUR Word-- anytime/anywhere/everything that comes out of YOUR mouth.
  4. YOU are Good, & what YOU do is good; continue to teach Me YOUR Decrees.
  5. Though the arrogant have smeared Me with lies, My life is not over, I keep YOUR Precepts with all My heart.
  6. Their hearts are callous & unfeeling, but I delight in YOUR Law.
  7. It was good for Me to be afflicted so that I might learn YOUR Decrees.
  8. The law from YOUR Mouth is more precious to Me than 1000s of pieces of silver & gold.

Stanza Yodh {or Jad} (vv. 73-80); each verse begins with Yodh {or Jad}

  1. YOUR Hands made Me & formed Me; give Me understanding to learn YOUR Commands. Note the horse-before-the-cart-- understanding, then learning. The dots must be there in order to connect them.
  2. May Those who fear (respect) YOU rejoice when They see Me, for I have put My hope in YOUR Word.
  3. I know, O LORD, that YOUR Laws are righteous & in faithfulness (for discipline) YOU have afflicted Me.
  4. May YOUR Unfailing Love be My comfort, according to YOUR Promise of spiritual life to YOUR Servant.
  5. Let YOUR Compassion come to Me that I may live, for YOUR Law is My delight.
  6. May the arrogant be put to shame for wronging Me without cause; but I will meditate on (understand) YOUR Precepts-- being already aware of the dots.
  7. May Those who fear YOU turn to Me, Those who already understand YOUR Statutes.
  8. May My heart be blameless toward YOUR Decrees, that I may not be put to shame.
Stanza Kaph {or Caph} (vv. 81-88); each verse begins with Kaph {or Caph}
  1. My soul faints with longing for YOUR Salvation, but I have put My hope in YOUR Word. The benefits of salvation will be evident in the future; the benefits of his word are to be experienced today.
  2. As My eyes fail today, looking (waiting/anticipating) for YOUR Promise of spiritual life; I say, 'When will YOU comfort Me?'
  3. Though I am like a wineskin in the smoke (my import appears as fodder for feeding the fire), I do not forget to communicate YOUR Precepts-- recall Paul writing (1stTim 3:14-15) from Rome (perh. in anticipation of imprisonment), Although I hope to come to You soon, I am writing these instructions so that, if I'm delayed, You will know how people ought to conduct themselves in GOD'S Household, which is the Church of the Living GOD, the pillar & foundation of the truth.
  4. How long must YOUR Servant wait? When will YOU punish My persecutors?
  5. The arrogant dig pitfalls for Me, contrary to YOUR Law.
  6. All YOUR Commands are trustworthy; help Me, for men persecute Me without cause.
  7. They almost wiped Me from the earth-- sometimes martyrdom does happen, but I have not forsaken YOUR Precepts.
  8. Preserve My life according to YOUR Love, & I will obey the statutes of YOUR Mouth.

Stanza Lamedh {or Lamed} (vv. 89-96); each verse begins with Lamedh {or Lamed}

  1. YOUR Word, O LORD, is eternal; it stands firm in the heavens.
  2. YOUR Faithfulness continues throughout all generations; YOU established the earth, & it endures.
  3. YOUR Laws endure to this day, for all things serve YOU.
  4. If YOUR Law had not been My delight, I would have perished in My affliction.
  5. I will never forget YOUR Precepts, for by them YOU have preserved My physical life.
  6. Save Me (Give me spiritual life now), for I am YOURS; I have sought out YOUR Precepts.
  7. The wicked are still waiting to destroy Me, but I will ponder YOUR Statutes.
  8. To all supposed worldly perfection I see a limit; but YOUR Commands are boundless.