Week 27 Psalm 119

Psalm 119

Author: Not known. "An ardent disciple of the School of Ezra the Scribe" has been suggested, but many think David wrote this Psalm because they WANT it to be so. Scholars simply do not know.

Time/Occasion: Not known, but believed by different scholars to be as early as David to as late as Malachi -- the latest possible. It does seem to be composed by a disciple of long experience ruminating over decades of following God's way of life in His service, and is obviously the prayer of one who delights in and lives by the law or sacred instructions of God.

This is an acrostic poem. An acrostic or alphabetical poem is defined as: A literary style in which successive or alternating verses, or clusters of verses, begin with the letters of the alphabet in sequence. This form is used in several other psalms with one or two verses beginning with each Hebrew letter in order. This is special in that for each of the 22 letters not one or two but eight verses are offered, all starting with the same Hebrew letter. In most English Bibles Psalm 119 is the only one in which each section is titled with the letter, aleph through tav. Eight verses for each of the 22 letters gives the chapter 176 verses.

In addition, this psalm has several other unique features. It is the longest psalm as well as the longest chapter in the Bible. With its 176 verses, Psalm 119 has more verses than 13 Old Testament Books and 16 New Testament Books. There are eight synonyms ("keywords") used in naming different aspects of God's law (Torah):
1) law, 2) commandments, 3) judgments or ordinances, 4) precepts, 5) testimonies, 6) statutes, 7) word(s), and 8) way. Some add two additional words, 9) faithfulness (V. 75, 90) and 10) saying ("word" in V. 9-see below), for a total of ten (Cp. 49:4; 78:2; 105:11, 15). It is not clear why only two verses, 122, and 132, do not include one of these references to God's law.

Brief definitions:

Law, translated from Torah, is primarily instruction or teaching, then extends to all of God's revelation for life.

All different types of laws, proverbial advice, instruction, the Decalogue, civil statutes, biography, histories, etc., all fit into the category of God's personal guidance and instruction for us.

Note on the Hebrew word Torah: The Soncino (Jewish) Commentary explains:

Hebrew Torah, the first and most comprehensive of these keywords. It is inaccurately translated by "law," which has given the wrong impression... The true meaning is "Teaching, direction," and it connotes the whole will of God as imparted to man for his guidance.

Word is God's speech or utterance, a general word for that which discloses His will.

Word is a variant of "word" above -- a synonym, used in V. 9 but translated "saying" elsewhere in the OT. So, two Hebrew words are both translated as English "word." Confusing in English, but obvious in Hebrew.

Judgments refer to God's administrative or legal pronouncements to regulate relationships between neighbors. (Ordinances, V. 91, is translated from the same Hebrew word as judgments.)

Commandments are authoritative orders -- the highest form of law -- spiritual principles.

Precepts are mandates that that man is morally obligated to keep.

Testimonies are God's direct declarative statements, as in the Ten Commandments -- divine rules of conduct.

Statutes are used elsewhere for lesser civil and religious laws that regulate life in society.

The word way is used as a general synonym for all of these terms.

Faithfulness means firmness, truth and stability.

Two of many quotes about Psalm 119:

H. Venn (from 1827 commentary by Charles Bridges): This is the Psalm I have often had recourse to, when I could find no spirit of prayer in my own heart, and at length the fire was kindled and I could pray.

In his original preface, Bridges stated that his purpose in writing on Psalm 119 was to 'furnish a correct standard of Evangelical sincerity for the habitual scrutiny of his own heart', corresponding to 'the several graces of the Christian system.'

Overview: This lengthy psalm is an analytical tour de force of the many benefits, virtues, advantages, and gifts, -- the powers that the law of God possesses. It provides a guide to analyzing one's own spiritual understanding of how His law works in our minds. It is a masterful meditation of theme and variation manifesting the principles of cause and effect at work in life in general (but especially in relationships), of growing in knowledge, spiritual understanding, and wisdom, and specifically our growth in closeness to God (knowing Him).

Main theme: The beauty and excellence of the law of God in the many aspects of His instruction for our lives.

Sub-themes that recur in this psalm: Law; wholeheartedness before God; asking for help with human nature; youth; cleansing; joy and delight in God's law; dealing with reproach, contempt and persecution; asking for understanding and wisdom; strengthening; confidence and hope; truth, liberty and freedom; devotion; diligence; fellowship; teaching; correction, punishment, and emotional stability. All of these relate to God's law.

Hymnal:
#71 How Shall the Young Direct Their Way?
#72 O How Love I Thy Law
#73 How I Love Thy Law, O Lord
#74 I Hate the Thoughts of Vanity

Personal application:

All of the psalms provide excellent fodder for meditation and prayer. This one is so direct and intense that you can step in at any point and begin praying the words as your own prayer. Because God's law is a synonym for God's word, both can be applied as referring to Jesus, the Living Word, and the Father of Lights and Source of all spiritual law. Since the law or Word is identified with the Person and Being of Jesus Himself and with the Father Himself, it follows that to praise and adore God's Law and Word is to praise God Himself.

Because this psalm is unique in this way, the entirety being personally applied for the "habitual scrutiny of one's own heart," as Charles Bridges described it, and because it's so long, the personal application must be handled differently than usual. Besides some general observations, I will comment on some of the verses and leave the remainder for personal reflection as you read through this prayer.

H. Venn's comment to the effect that when he "could find no spirit of prayer in [his] own heart," he would use Psalm 119 as a catalyst to kindle a fire in himself and then be able to pray is a fascinating insight. For various reasons, we tend to put off direct communication with God. Bible study is a powerful tool for many purposes including motivation to pray. What excellent advice: When you can't pray, read the Word to get started!

Notable verses:

V. 1-3. An introduction to the whole composition. Obedience is necessary and produces many physical benefits in life, but it must be wholehearted without reservations to reap the spiritual benefit.

V. 5. The first of several verses asking for help with the downward pulls of our human nature.

V. 9. All suffer the consequences of stupid decisions in their youth, some for years and decades to come. This is a lesson to talk with children and teens about. It doesn't do too much good to wait until the damage is done.

V. 11. Hidden means safeguarded as a precious possession. In this case, keeping God's word close is the key to avoiding sinning against Him and thus, incurring the penalty.

V. 24. One of the most missed-out-on benefits and values of the law -- it is actually pure, excellent, perfect counsel. People pay "professionals" thousands for poor and bad advice, but God's perfect counsel is free! Very few even read His advice and counsel, much less heed it!

V. 25-26. Unusual perception of human nature -- it drags us down continually. But when we are honest with God and declare our own thoughts honestly we can learn and understand.

V. 29-30. God's way is the only honest choice. Otherwise one forces himself into denial (lying).

V. 34. We ask continually for understanding because we need it continually.

V. 36. The choice can be described different ways. Turning from God (in major or minor ways) always involves covetousness or a personal gain of some sort. It's putting self ahead of God.

V. 45. God's law isn't slavery, but liberty. Note James 1:25.

V. 57. God has everything for us, IS everything to us. Wholeheartedness and diligent haste in obeying God (opposite of procrastination) is how we motivate ourselves.

V. 63. We have strong bonds with people we've never met because we have the same spirit and attitude, experiences, lessons and much else in common.

V. 66. Ernest request for knowledge and teaching.

V. 67-71. It's when we wander and don't keep God's instructions that we get into trouble. Trials are good.

V.80. Soundness of mind, sane thinking, and emotional stability all come through not just any law -- only God's truthful law.

V. 92-93. God's law brings more life, as well as preserving what you have already. It grows. We develop an emotional attachment to God's law by keeping it with an honest, wholehearted attitude. There will be times when that devotion is what pulls you through.

V. 96. God is not limited, so His law isn't either. NEITHER, ARE WE LIMITED, when we seek closeness to God through His law and rely on Him.

V. 97-100. Some of the benefits are: You can outsmart your enemies and surpass your teachers.

V. 100. The law of cause and effect. Spiritual growth in all categories

V. 104. The result of clear understanding is more clear understanding, resulting in hatred of false ways because of their bad results, hurt, pain, etc.

V. 105. Famous memory verse. From God we can get all kinds of insight, wisdom, and enlightenment.

V. 111. Our most valuable inheritance is God's laws, starting with the Ten Commandments (the Testimony) in our hearts, meaning conversion, so we can live forever.

V. 112. Baptism vow without reservation forever.

V. 115. Bad fellowship impairs and limits conversion. Note: Compare 1 Corinthians 15:33.

V. 118. A more clear translation: "You have rejected all who reject your laws." Last part, NLT: "They are only fooling themselves."

V. 130. The entrance of God's words into any subject, question, or discipline shines light and clears up the subject so it can be understood.

V. 133. It is the law of liberty in many ways -- the anti-slavery, anti-dominion law.

V. 135. Teaching us to understand is the way God blesses us.

V. 140. Notice Psalm 12:6. God has thought it through from the beginning to the end. All the causes and effects are clear and planned out, so it's perfect, pure and absolutely right -- therefore deserves love, devotion.

V. 142, 151, 160, 172. Thy law = truth = thy word = thy commandments = righteousness. Compare John 17:17, "Thy word is truth." OT and NT are consistent in this fundamental doctrinal principle.

V. 159, 167. Studying and living God's way, according to His instructions changes a person (Psalm 19:7). You start out with resistance and enmity against His way and law (Romans 8:7), and progress toward a genuine love for both God and His law. Why? Because it is a spiritual law with the power of God's spirit in it.

V. 162. Treat God's law as great treasure and collect on His promise to give you understanding and wisdom.

V. 165. Memory scripture. The end result is happiness and peace.

V. 176. Final appeal to God to always bring us back to His law. This is one of the requests at baptism -- that God will always correct us, draw us up short, give us trials or whatever it takes to bring us back when we stray. Bring us back to what? God's instructions. His law. His Word!