Psalm 119

Narrator: Chris Genthree
Psalm 119  •  17 min. read  •  grade level: 5
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(Author’s Notes Psalm 119.- The written Word the only recognized index to divine thoughts—but subjection to Jehovah must be acted upon in order to use it aright.
I give what may seem the distinctive thought dominant in each eight verses. But I fear, though it is not a first, or a second, attempt on my part, that it is not a success.
Each line, in each of the eight verses, begins with a letter of the Alphabet—the letters taken in succession as A, B, C.)
Book V. No. 13. Psa. 119
Aleph. Vs. 1-8
Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of Jehovah.
Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, and that seek him with the whole heart.
They also do no iniquity: they walk in his ways.
Thou hast commanded us to keep thy precepts diligently.
O that my ways were directed to keep thy statutes!
Then shall I not be ashamed, when I have respect unto all thy commandments.
I will praise thee with uprightness of heart, when I shall have learned thy righteous judgments.
I will keep thy statutes: O forsake me not utterly.
à 1-8 Integrity and self-surrender to Jehovah's word the pathway into the obedience of faith.
Beth. Vs. 9-16
Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word.
With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me so not wander from thy commandments.
Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.
Blessed art thou, O Jehovah: teach me thy statutes.
With my lips have I declared all the judgments of thy mouth.
I have rejoiced in the way of thy testimonies, as much as in all riches.
I will meditate in thy precepts, and have respect unto is thy ways.
I will delight myself in thy statutes: I will not forget thy word.
á 9- 16 Cleansing power of the word for a young man's ways.
Gimel. Vs. 17-24
Deal bountifully with thy servant, that I may live, and keep thy word.
Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law.
I am a stranger in the earth: hide not thy commandments from me.
My soul breaketh for the longing that it bath unto thy so judgments at all times.
Thou hast rebuked the proud that are cursed, which do err from thy commandments.
Remove from me reproach and contempt; for I have kept thy testimonies.
Princes also did sit and speak against me: but thy servant did meditate in thy statutes.
Thy testimonies also are my delight and my counselors.
ð 17-24 Thou wilt surely stand by thy word;
Daleth. Vs. 25-32
My soul cleaveth unto the dust: quicken thou me according to thy word.
I have declared my ways, and thou heardest me: teach me thy statutes.
Make me to understand the way of thy precepts: so shall I talk of thy wondrous works.
My soul melteth for heaviness: strengthen thou me according unto thy word.
Remove from me the way of lying: and grant me thy law graciously.
I have chosen the way of truth: thy judgments have I laid before me.
I have stuck unto thy testimonies: O Jehovah, put me not to shame.
I will run the way of thy commandments, when thou shalt enlarge my heart.
ã 25- 32 for the soul needs quickening and enlargement,
He. Vs. 33-40
Teach me, O Jehovah, the way of thy statutes; and I shall keep it unto the end.
Give me understanding, and I shall keep thy law; yea, I shall observe it with my whole heart.
Make me to go in the path of thy commandments; for therein do I delight.
Incline my heart unto thy testimonies, and not to covetousness.
Turn away mine eyes from beholding vanity; and quicken thou me in thy way.
Stablish thy word unto thy servant, who is devoted to thy fear.
Turn away my reproach which I fear: for thy judgments are good.
Behold, I have longed after thy precepts: quicken me in thy righteousness.
ä 33- 40 and teaching and whiting and quickening, in order for the word to be established in it;
Vau. Vs. 41-48
Let thy mercies come also unto me, O Jehovah, even thy salvation, according to thy word.
So shall I have wherewith to answer him that reproacheth me: for I trust in thy word.
And take not the word of truth utterly out of my mouth; for I have hoped in thy judgments.
So shall I keep thy law continually forever and ever.
And I will walk at liberty: for I seek thy precepts.
I will speak of thy testimonies also before kings, and will not be ashamed.
And I will delight myself in thy commandments, which I have loved.
My hands also will I lift up unto thy commandments, which I have loved; and I will meditate in thy statutes.
å 41- 48 and then mercies—so as to be strong from it.
Zain. Vs. 49-56
Remember the word unto thy servant, upon which thou hast caused me to hope.
This is my comfort in my affliction: for thy word hath so quickened me.
The proud have had me greatly in derision: yet have I not declined from thy law.
I remembered thy judgments of old, O Jehovah;, and have comforted myself.
Horror hath taken hold upon me because of the wicked that forsake thy law.
Thy statutes have been my songs in the house of my pilgrimage,
I have remembered thy name, O Jehovah, in the night, and have kept thy law.
This I had; because I kept thy precepts.
æ 49- 56 The truster in the word has comfort.
Cheth. Vs. 57-64
Thou art my portion, O Jehovah: I have said that I would keep thy words.
I entreated thy favor with my whole heart: be merciful unto me according to thy word.
I thought on my ways, and turned my feet unto thy testimonies.
I made haste, and delayed not to keep thy commandments.
The bands of the wicked have robbed me: but I have not forgotten thy law.
At midnight I will rise to give thanks unto thee because of thy righteous judgments.
I am a companion of all them that fear thee, and of them that keep thy precepts.
The earth, O Jehovah, is full of thy mercy: teach me thy statutes.
ç 57-64 As Sting such, Jehovah is my portion.
Teth. Vs. 65-72
Thou hest dealt well with thy servant, O Jehovah, according unto thy word.
Teach me good judgment and knowledge: for I have believed thy commandments.
Before I was afflicted I went astray: but now have I kept thy word.
Thou art good, and doest good; teach me thy statutes.
The proud have forged a lie against me: but I will keep thy precepts with my whole heart.
Their heart is as fat as grease; but I delight in thy law.
It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes.
The law of thy mouth is better unto me than thousands of gold and silver.
ñ 65-72 Retrospect. Dealt with of Jehovah, according to the word in affliction, I am profited.
Jod. Vs. 73-80
Thy hands have made me and fashioned me: give me understanding, that I may learn thy commandments.
They that fear thee will be glad when they see me; because I have hoped in thy word.
I know, O Jehovah, that thy judgments are right, and that thou in faithfulness hast afflicted me.
Let, I pray thee, thy merciful kindness be for my comfort, according to thy word unto thy servant.
Let thy tender mercies come unto me, that I may live: for thy law is my delight.
Let the proud be ashamed; for they dealt perversely with me without a cause: but I will meditate in thy precepts.
Let those that fear thee turn unto me, and those that have known thy testimonies.
Let my heart be sound in thy statutes; that I be not ashamed.
é 73-80 My Maker! thy word guides me to understand thee.
Caph. Vs. 81- 88
My soul fainteth for thy salvation: but I hope in thy word.
Mine eyes fail for thy word, saying, When wilt thou comfort me?
For I am become like a bottle in the smoke; yet do I not forget thy statutes.
How many are the days of thy servant? when wilt thou execute judgment on them that persecute me?
The proud have digged pits for me, which are not after thy law.
All thy commandments are faithful: they persecute me wrongfully; help thou me.
They had almost consumed me upon earth; but I forsook not thy precepts.
Quicken me after thy lovingkindness; so shall I keep the testimony of thy mouth.
ë 81- 88 Thy word fails not, though I may; I wait for it, amid depths and trial.
Lamed. Vs. 89- 96
Forever, O Jehovah, thy word is settled in heaven.
Thy faithfulness is unto all generations: thou hast established the earth, and it abideth.
They continue this day according to thine ordinances: for all are thy servants.
Unless thy law had been my delights, I should then have perished in mine affliction.
I will never forget thy precepts: for with them thou hast quickened me.
I am thine, save me; for I have sought thy precepts.
The wicked have waited for me to destroy me: but I will consider thy testimonies.
I have seen an end of all perfection: but thy commandment is exceeding broad.
ì 89- 96 Forever, Jehovah, thy word is settled in heaven,-thy law keeps the soul down here;
Mem. Vs. 97-104
O how love I thy law! it is my meditation all the day.
Thou through thy commandments hast made me wiser than mine enemies: for they are ever with me.
I have more understanding than all my teachers: for thy testimonies are my meditation.
I understand more than the ancients, because I keep too thy precepts.
I have refrained my feet from every evil way, that I might keep thy word.
I have not departed from thy judgments: for thou hast taught me.
How sweet are thy words unto my taste! yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth
Through thy precepts I get understanding: therefore I hate every false way.
î 97-104 how blessedly, here, does it humble and exalt me;
Nun. Vs. 105-112
Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.
I have sworn, and I will perform it, that I will keep thy righteous judgments.
I am afflicted very much: quicken me, O Jehovah, according unto thy word.
Accept, I beseech thee, the freewill offerings of my mouth, O Jehovah, and teach me thy judgments.
My soul is continually in my hand: yet do I not forget thy law.
The wicked have laid a snare for me: yet I erred not from thy precepts.
Thy testimonies have I taken as an heritage forever: for they are the rejoicing of my heart.
I have inclined mine heart to perform thy statutes alway, even unto the end.
ð 105-112 it is light to the energetic life it has given,;
Samech. Vs. 113-120
I hate vain thoughts: but thy law do I love.
Thou art my hiding place and my shield: I hope in thy word.
Depart from me, ye evildoers: for I will keep the commandments of my Elohim.
Uphold me according unto thy word, that I may live: and let me not be ashamed of my hope.
Hold thou me up, and I shall be safe: and I will have respect unto thy statutes continually.
Thou hast trodden down all them that err from thy statutes: for their deceit is falsehood.
Thou puttest away all the wicked of the earth like dross: therefore I love thy testimonies.
My flesh trembleth for fear of thee; and I am afraid of thy judgments.
í 113-120 and forms the soul in awe of thee, amid the wicked around.
Ain. Vs. 121-128
I have done judgment and justice: leave me not to mine oppressors.
Be surety for thy servant for good: let not the proud oppress me.
Mine eyes fail for thy salvation, and for the word of thy righteousness.
Deal with thy servant according unto thy mercy, and teach me thy statutes.
I am thy servant; give me understanding, that I may know thy testimonies.
It is time for thee, Jehovah, to work: for they have made void thy law.
Therefore I love thy commandments above gold; yea, above fine gold.
Therefore I esteem all thy precepts concerning all things to be right; and I hate every false way.
ò 121-128 It teaches to lean on thee, in the sense of this Nazarite ship and of thy thoughts.
Pe. Vs. 129-136
Thy testimonies are wonderful: therefore doth my soul keep them.
The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple.
I opened my mouth, and panted: for I longed for thy commandments.
Look thou upon me, and be merciful unto me, as thou usest to do unto those that love thy name.
Order my steps in thy word: and let not any iniquity have dominion over me.
Deliver me from the oppression of man: so will I keep thy precepts.
Make thy face to shine upon thy servant; and teach me thy statutes.
Rivers of waters run down mine eyes, because they keep not thy law.
ô 129-136 Admiration of the word, in result leading still to dependance.
Tzaddi. Vs. 137-144
Righteous art thou, O Jehovah, and upright are thy judgments.
Thy testimonies that thou hast commanded are righteous and very faithful.
My zeal hath consumed me, because mine enemies have forgotten thy words.
Thy word is very pure: therefore thy servant loveth it.
I am small and despised: yet do not I forget thy precepts.
Thy righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, and thy law is the truth.
Trouble and anguish have taken hold on me: yet thy commandments are my delights.
The righteousness of thy testimonies is everlasting: give me understanding, and I shall live.
ö 137-144 The righteous character of Jehovah, and his word.
Koph. Vs. 145-152
I cried with my whole heart; hear me, O Jehovah: I will keep thy statutes.
I cried unto thee; save me, and I shall keep thy testimonies.
I prevented the dawning of the morning, and cried: I hoped in thy word.
Mine eyes prevent the night watches, that I might meditate in thy word.
Hear my voice according unto thy lovingkindness: O Jehovah, quicken me according to thy judgment.
They draw nigh that follow after mischief: they are far from thy law.
Thou art near, O Jehovah; and all thy commandments are truth.
Concerning thy testimonies, I have known of old that thou hast founded them forever.
÷ 145-152 In the depths,-confidence of faith is in the word known of old to be forever.
Ersh. Vs. 153-160
Consider mine affliction, and deliver me: for I do not forget thy law.
Plead my cause, and deliver me: quicken me according to thy word.
Salvation is far from the wicked: for they seek not m thy statutes.
Great are thy tender mercies, O Jehovah: quicken me according to thy judgments.
Many are my persecutors and mine enemies; yet do I not decline from thy testimonies.
I beheld the transgressors, and was grieved; because they kept not thy word.
Consider how I love thy precepts: quicken me, O Jehovah, according to thy lovingkindness.
Thy word is true from the beginning: and every one of thy righteous judgments endureth forever.
ø 153-160 In affliction and persecution., it stays me, that thy word is from the beginning and forever.
Schin. Vs. 161-168
Princes have persecuted me without a cause: but my heart standeth in awe of thy word.
I rejoice at thy word, as one that findeth great spoil.
I hate and abhor lying: but thy law do I love.
Seven times a day do I praise thee because of thy righteous judgments.
Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them.
Jehovah, I have hoped for thy salvation, and done thy commandments.
My soul hath kept thy testimonies; and I love them exceedingly.
I have kept thy precepts and thy testimonies: for all my ways are before thee.
ù 161-168 (2 ù, 3 ù, 1 ù, 2 ù) increasing preciousness of the word from its suitableness to circumstances.
Tau. Vs. 169-176
Let my cry come near before thee, O Jehovah: give me understanding according to thy word.
Let my supplication come before thee: deliver me according to thy word.
My lips shall utter praise, when thou hast taught me thy statutes.
My tongue shall speak of thy word: for all thy commandments are righteousness.
Let thine hand help me; for I have chosen thy precepts.
I have longed for thy salvation, O Jehovah; and thy law is my delight.
Let my soul live, and it shall praise thee; and let thy judgments help me.
I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek thy servant; for I do not forget thy commandments.
ú 169-176 It suffices as a stay even in the discovery of inward depravity. It is my all.
Their hearts tasting and feeling after Him.
119.- The written Word the only recognized index to divine thoughts—but subjection to Jehovah must be acted upon in order to use it aright.
I give what may seem the distinctive thought dominant in each eight verses. But I fear, though it is not a first, or a second, attempt on my part, that it is not a success.
Each line, in each of the eight verses, begins with a letter of the Alphabet-the letters taken in succession as A, B, C.
à 1-8 Integrity and self-surrender to Jehovah's word the pathway into the obedience of faith.
á 9-16 Cleansing power of the word for a young man's ways.
ð 17-24 Thou wilt surely stand by thy word;
ã 25-32 for the soul needs quickening and enlargement,
ä 33-40 and teaching and whiting and quickening, in order for the word to be established in it;
å 41-48 and then mercies-so as to be strong from it.
æ 49-56 The truster in the word has comfort.
ç 57-64 As Sting such, Jehovah is my portion.
ñ 65-72 Retrospect. Dealt with of Jehovah, according to the word in affliction, I am profited.
é 73-80 My Maker! thy word guides me to understand thee.
ë 81-88 Thy word fails not, though I may; I wait for it, amid depths and trial.
ì 89-96 Forever, Jehovah, thy word is settled in heaven,-thy law keeps the soul down here;
î 97-104 how blessedly, here, does it humble and exalt me;
ð 105-112 it is light to the energetic life it has given,;
í 113-120 and forms the soul in awe of thee, amid the wicked around.
ò 121-128 It teaches to lean on thee, in the sense of this Nazarite ship and of thy thoughts.
ô 129-136 Admiration of the word, in result leading still to dependance.
ö 137-144 The righteous character of Jehovah, and his word.
÷ 145-152 In the depths,-confidence of faith is in the word known of old to be forever.
ø 153-160 In affliction and persecution., it stays me, that thy word is from the beginning and forever.
ù 161-168 (2 ù, 3 ù, 1 ù, 2 ù) increasing preciousness of the word from its suitableness to circumstances.
ú 169-176 It suffices as a stay even in the discovery of inward depravity. It is my all.
The above Psalm seems to be a sort of song illustrative of the properties of the word—in grace—in an evil world—to those that have wandered but are returning to Jehovah.