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; 15:3 and 19:34; Ephesians 5:26; 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