Psalm 119, Verses 1 to 16
The 119th psalm is another example of the use of the Hebrew alphabet in acrostic form in the Psalms. It is divided into 22 sections, each containing 8 verses, and over each section is a Hebrew letter with its name in English. These Hebrew letters are arranged in alphabetical order, “aleph” being the Hebrew A, “beth” the Hebrew B, and so on to the 22nd and last letter of that alphabet, “tau” or “tav” corresponding to our letter T or TH. Each of the eight verses in a section in the original language begins with the letter written over it.
The first section of 8 verses is a sort of introduction to the whole psalm. It is the fourth “blessed” psalm; Psalms 1:32; 41; and 128, are the others which tell who the blessed, ones are; compare particularly Psalms 1; 32 and 119th (verses 1, 2).
The marginal reading “perfect” is beer than “undefiled” in verse 1 of the 119th psalm. This first section seems to call for no exposition here.
The subject of the second section is the cleansing power of the Word of God. The opening verse asks and answers a question, and in connection with it we may refer to John 3:5; 13:3-15; 15:35Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. (John 3:5)
3Jesus knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he was come from God, and went to God; 4He riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded himself. 5After that he poureth water into a bason, and began to wash the disciples' feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded. 6Then cometh he to Simon Peter: and Peter saith unto him, Lord, dost thou wash my feet? 7Jesus answered and said unto him, What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter. 8Peter saith unto him, Thou shalt never wash my feet. Jesus answered him, If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me. 9Simon Peter saith unto him, Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head. 10Jesus saith to him, He that is washed needeth not save to wash his feet, but is clean every whit: and ye are clean, but not all. 11For he knew who should betray him; therefore said he, Ye are not all clean. 12So after he had washed their feet, and had taken his garments, and was set down again, he said unto them, Know ye what I have done to you? 13Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am. 14If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another's feet. 15For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you. (John 13:3‑15)
3Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you. (John 15:3) and 19:34; Ephesians 5:2626That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, (Ephesians 5:26); Titus 3:55Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; (Titus 3:5); 1 John 5:68, all of which speak of water in a symbolic way. Water we know cleanses, and the Word of God cleanses, purifies the believer morally by the power of the Holy Spirit. This cleansing is connected in the most striking way with the death of Christ; both atonement for sin, and the cleansing of the sinner are seen in the blood and water flowing from the side of the dead Saviour. The. Bible shows us that we were dead in trespasses and sins, and that through Christ’s death alone we have life, eternal life.
The Word of God known in the heart is not only to cleanse our ways however; it is also the secret of a happy life as verses 10, 11, 14, 16 show.
ML 11/08/1931