Psalm 119, Mem - Taw {or Tau} (vv. 97-176)

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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 Mem (vv. 97-104); each verse begins with Mem

  1. Oh, how I love YOUR Law! I meditate on it all day long-- the ground rule. The evidence? The next 3 verses speak in parts to it.
  2. YOUR Commands make Me wiser than My enemies, for they (the commands) are ever with Me.
  3. I have more insight than My teachers, not because I am better (have more brain power-- a higher IQ) than they, but because YOU use them (I hear what they're saying, yes, but in addition I'm hearing YOU), for I meditate on YOUR Statutes. Even while they're speaking he's connecting known dots with God's assistance-- but afterward he discovers new dots, establishes them & weaves them together (as in CommentsOLD Ref. intelligence). See, with God's guidance, though 1 is born with an inherited I.Q., there can be an upward-march.
  4. I have more understanding than the elders, because even while they act I farther analyze, connect dots & also act, for I obey YOUR Precepts.
  5. I have kept My feet from every evil path-- the summary of the evidence? Maturity-- having determined to stay the course, to truly run-the-run (see Psalm 114 - 116 Psalm 116 1. Scripture Collection #2 1stJoh), so that I might obey YOUR Word.
  6. I have not departed from YOUR Laws, for YOU Yourself have taught Me.
  7. How sweet are YOUR Words to My taste, sweeter than honey to My mouth!
  8. I gain understanding even as I eat the words from YOUR Precepts; therefore I hate (loathe!) every wrong path.

Stanza Nun (vv. 105-112); each verse begins with Nun

  1. YOUR Word is a lamp to My feet & a light for My path.
  2. I have taken an oath & confirmed it, that I will follow YOUR Righteous Laws.
  3. I have suffered much; preserve My life, O LORD, according to YOUR Word.
  4. Accept, O LORD, the willing praise of My mouth, & teach Me YOUR Laws.
  5. Though I constantly take My life in My hands, I will not forget YOUR Law.
  6. The wicked have set a snare for Me, but I have not strayed from YOUR Precepts.
  7. YOUR Statutes are My heritage forever; they are the joy of My heart.
  8. My heart is set on keeping YOUR Decrees to the very end.

Stanza Samekh {or Samech} (vv. 113-120); each verse begins with Samekh {or Samech}

  1. I hate (cannot tolerate) double-minded men, but I love YOUR Law.
  2. YOU are My refuge & My shield; I have put My hope in YOUR Word.
  3. Away from Me-- the extent of his hatred, you evildoers, that I may keep the Commandments of My GOD.
  4. Sustain Me according to YOUR Promise, & I will spiritually live; do not let My hopes be dashed.
  5. Uphold Me, & I will be delivered from acting out my "hatred"; thus I will always have regard for (not stray from) YOUR Decrees.
  6. YOU reject all who stray from YOUR Decrees, for their deceitfulness is in vain.
  7. All the wicked of the earth YOU discard like dross; therefore I love YOUR Statutes.
  8. My flesh trembles in fear (respect) of YOU; I stand in awe of YOUR Laws.
Stanza Ayin {or Ain} (vv. 121-128); each verse begins with Ayin {or Ain}
  1. I have run & done what is righteous & just; do not leave Me to My oppressors.
  2. Ensure YOUR Servant's well-being; let not the arrogant oppress Me.
  3. My eyes fail, looking for YOUR Salvation-- thus we have Hebr 11:39-40, looking for YOUR Righteous Promise.
  4. Deal with YOUR Servant according to YOUR Love & teach Me YOUR Decrees.
  5. I am YOUR Servant; give Me discernment that I may understand YOUR Statutes.
  6. It is time I think for YOU to act, O LORD; YOUR Law is being broken.
  7. Because I love YOUR Commands more than gold (material things-- including father & mother, et al.), more than pure gold (valuable things-- including legacy),
  8. And because I consider all YOUR Precepts right, I hate every wrong path.

Stanza Pe (vv. 129-136); each verse begins with Pe

  1. YOUR Statutes are wonderful; therefore I obey them.
  2. The unfolding of YOUR Words give light; it gives understanding to the simple.
  3. I open My mouth & pant, longing for YOUR Commands.
  4. Turn to Me & have mercy on Me, as YOU always do to Those who love YOUR Name.
  5. Direct My footsteps according to YOUR Word; let no sin rule over Me.
  6. Redeem Me from the oppressions of men, that I may obey YOUR Precepts.
  7. Make YOUR Face shine upon YOUR Servant & teach Me YOUR Decrees.
  8. Streams of tears flow from My eyes, for YOUR Law is not obeyed.

Stanza Tsadhe {or Tzaddi} (vv. 137-144); each verse begins with Tsadhe {or Tzaddi}

  1. Righteous are YOU, O LORD, & YOUR Laws are right.
  2. The statutes YOU have laid down are righteous; they are fully trustworthy.
  3. My zeal (actions based on YOUR promises) wears Me out, for My enemies ignore (disregard & do not act upon) YOUR Words.
  4. YOUR Promises have been thoroughly tested-- I do not need test them, for they already have colossal face value, & YOUR Servant loves them.
  5. Though I am lowly & despised, I do not forget YOUR Precepts.
  6. YOUR Righteousness is everlasting & YOUR Law is true.
  7. Trouble & distress have come upon Me, but YOUR Commands are My delight.
  8. YOUR Statute are forever right; give Me understanding that I may live.

Stanza Ooph {or Koph} (vv. 145-152); each verse begins with Ooph {or Koph}

  1. I call with all My heart; answer Me, O LORD-- let me remain connected, & trust me, I will obey YOUR Decrees.
  2. I will call out to YOU; save Me & I will keep YOUR Statutes.
  3. I rise before dawn & cry for help; please trust me, for in the past I have put My hope in YOUR Word.
  4. My eyes stay open through the watches of the night, that I may meditate on YOUR Promises. Recall Jesus, having gone with all his disciples into the Garden of Gethsemane, having instructed most of them to just Stay behind here while I go over there & pray, having gone farther & instructed 3 of His disciples to stay here & keep watch with Me, after He kept finding them asleep, communicated that watching (keeping the eyes open) is insufficient, saying to them, Watch & pray (meditate) so that You will not fall into temptation (Matt 26:36-41).
  5. Hear My voice in accordance with (tailored after) YOUR Love; preserve My life, O LORD, according to YOUR Laws.
  6. Those who devise wicked schemes are near, but they are far from YOUR Law.
  7. Yet YOU are near, O LORD, & all YOUR Commands are true.
  8. Long ago I learned from YOUR Statutes that YOU that YOU established them to last forever-- thank YOU for the many times YOU led me through recovery unto maturity.

Stanza Resh (vv. 153-160); each verse begins with Resh

  1. Look upon My suffering & deliver Me, for I have not forgotten YOUR Law-- having learned, meditated, obeyed/served, with YOUR help I will not forget.
  2. Defend My cause & yet redeem Me; again I plead (see v.149), preserve My life according to YOUR Promise.
  3. Salvation is far from the wicked, for they do not seek out YOUR Decrees.
  4. YOUR Compassion is great, O LORD; preserve My life according to YOUR Laws.
  5. Many are the foes who persecute Me, but I have not turned from YOUR Statues-- Paul, et al., were hardly the 1st to endure repetitive persecution.
  6. I look on the faithless with loathing-- but now-a-days, recall Jesus saying, Love Your/my enemies, for they do not obey YOUR Word.
  7. See how I love YOUR Precepts-- how what I do is equal to what YOU see; preserve My life according to YOUR Love. How'd HE preserve his life according to HIS love? Again consider Hebr 11:39-40. These all were commended for Their faith, yet none of Them received then what had been promised. GOD had planned something better for Us all so that only together with Us Christians would They be made perfect.
  8. All YOUR Words are true; all YOUR Righteous Laws are eternal.

Stanza Sin & Shin {or Schin} (vv. 161-168); each verse begins with Sin & Shin {or Schin}

  1. Rulers persecute Me without cause, but this is how it is: My heart trembles at YOUR Word.
  2. I rejoice in YOUR Promise like (more than) 1 who finds great spoil.
  3. I hate & abhor falsehood (Jesus told us love enemies, not their ways) but I love YOUR Law.
  4. 7 times a day (completely) I praise YOU for YOUR Righteous Laws.
  5. Great peace have They who fully love YOUR Law, & nothing can make Them stumble.
  6. I will wait for YOUR Salvation, O LORD, & meanwhile I will follow YOUR Commands.
  7. I obey YOUR Statutes, for I love them greatly.
  8. I obey YOUR Precepts & YOUR Statutes, for I know all My ways are known to YOU.

Stanza Taw {or Tau} (vv. 169-176); each verse begins with Taw {or Tau}

  1. In summary: May My cry come before YOU, O LORD; give Me understanding according to YOUR Word.
  2. May My supplication come before YOU; deliver Me according to YOUR Promise.
  3. May My lips overflow with praise, for YOU teach Me YOUR Decrees.
  4. May My tongue sing of YOUR Word, for all YOUR Commands are righteous.
  5. May YOUR Hand be ready to help Me, for though I have wavered, in the end I have chosen YOUR Precepts.
  6. I long for YOUR Salvation, O LORD, & commit to helping them attain perfection, & YOUR Law is My delight-- together YOUR law will be our delight.
  7. Let Me spiritually live (be part of the cloud of witnesses) that I may praise YOU, & may YOUR Laws sustain Me as I stay the course.
  8. I have strayed like a lost sheep. Seek (Establish) YOUR Servant, for I have not forgotten YOUR Commands-- that together we will not forget YOUR commands.