Psalms 119:1-176

Psalms 119

The anonymous psalmist who wrote this longest psalm sought refuge from his persecutors and found strength by meditating on the Word of God. This psalm, the longest chapter in the Bible, is largely a collection or anthology of prayers and thoughts about God’s Word. C. S. Lewis compared it to a piece of embroidery, done stitch by stitch in the quiet hours for the love of the subject and for the delight in leisurely, disciplined craftsmanship. [Note: Lewis, Reflections on . . ., pp. 58-59.]

"The author of Psalms 119 exemplifies an attitude toward the Mosaic law which was the ideal for all Israel (cf. also Psalms 19:7-11)." [Note: Chisholm, "A Theology . . .," p. 263.]

"It [this psalm] describes how the Word enables us to grow in holiness and handle the persecutions and pressures that always accompany an obedient walk of faith." [Note: Wiersbe, The . . . Wisdom . . ., p. 308.]

This psalm contains a reference to God’s Word in almost every verse (except Psalms 119:84; Psalms 119:90; Psalms 119:121-122; Psalms 119:132). The psalmist used 10 synonyms for the Word of God, each of which conveys a slightly different emphasis.

"Way" and "ways" (Heb. derek) describes the pattern of life God’s revelation marks out. It occurs 13 times in the psalm (Psalms 119:1; Psalms 119:3; Psalms 119:5; Psalms 119:14; Psalms 119:26-27; Psalms 119:29-30; Psalms 119:32-33; Psalms 119:37; Psalms 119:59; Psalms 119:168).

The most frequently used term is "law" (Heb. torah, lit. teaching) that occurs 25 times (Psalms 119:1; Psalms 119:18; Psalms 119:29; Psalms 119:34; Psalms 119:44; Psalms 119:51; Psalms 119:53; Psalms 119:55; Psalms 119:61; Psalms 119:70; Psalms 119:72; Psalms 119:77; Psalms 119:85; Psalms 119:92; Psalms 119:97; Psalms 119:109; Psalms 119:113; Psalms 119:126; Psalms 119:136; Psalms 119:142; Psalms 119:150; Psalms 119:153; Psalms 119:163; Psalms 119:165; Psalms 119:174). It denotes direction or instruction and usually refers to a body of teaching such as the Pentateuch or the Book of Deuteronomy. Jesus used this term to describe the whole Old Testament (John 10:34).

The word "testimony" (Heb. ’edah) occurs 23 times, all but one time in the plural (Psalms 119:2; Psalms 119:14; Psalms 119:22; Psalms 119:24; Psalms 119:31; Psalms 119:36; Psalms 119:46; Psalms 119:59; Psalms 119:79; Psalms 119:88 [sing.], 95, 99,111, 119, 125, 129, 138, 144, 146, 152, 157, 167, 168). It refers to the ordinances that became God’s standard of conduct. Its particular shade of meaning is the solemnity of what God has spoken as His will. The English translations sometimes have "decrees" for this Hebrew word.

"Precepts" (Heb. piqqudim), a synonym for "injunctions" that occurs only in the psalms in the Old Testament, appears 21 times in this psalm (Psalms 119:4; Psalms 119:15; Psalms 119:27; Psalms 119:40; Psalms 119:45; Psalms 119:56; Psalms 119:63; Psalms 119:69; Psalms 119:78; Psalms 119:87; Psalms 119:93-94; Psalms 119:100; Psalms 119:104; Psalms 119:110; Psalms 119:128; Psalms 119:134; Psalms 119:141; Psalms 119:159; Psalms 119:168; Psalms 119:173). It always occurs in the plural.

Another common synonym in this psalm is "statutes" (Heb. huqqim, lit. things inscribed). It refers to enacted laws. The translators sometimes rendered the Hebrew word "decrees." It occurs 21 times (Psalms 119:5; Psalms 119:8; Psalms 119:12; Psalms 119:23; Psalms 119:26; Psalms 119:33; Psalms 119:48; Psalms 119:54; Psalms 119:64; Psalms 119:68; Psalms 119:71; Psalms 119:80; Psalms 119:83; Psalms 119:112; Psalms 119:117-118; Psalms 119:124; Psalms 119:135; Psalms 119:145; Psalms 119:155; Psalms 119:171).

"Commandments" (Heb. miswah) denotes a definite authoritative command. The writer used this word 22 times in Psalms 119, usually in the plural but once as a collective singular (Psalms 119:6; Psalms 119:10; Psalms 119:19; Psalms 119:21; Psalms 119:32; Psalms 119:35; Psalms 119:47-48; Psalms 119:60; Psalms 119:66; Psalms 119:73; Psalms 119:86; Psalms 119:96 [sing.], 98, 115, 127, 131, 143, 151, 166, 172, 176).

"Judgment" or "ordinance" (Heb. mishpot) refers to a judicial decision that establishes precedent and constitutes binding law. Often the English translators rendered this Hebrew word "laws." It sometimes means God’s acts of judgment on the wicked. In this psalm it occurs 19 times in the plural and four times in the singular (Psalms 119:7; Psalms 119:13; Psalms 119:20; Psalms 119:30; Psalms 119:39; Psalms 119:43; Psalms 119:52; Psalms 119:62; Psalms 119:75; Psalms 119:84 [sing.], 91, 102, 106, 108, 120, 121 [sing.], 132 [sing.], 137, 149 [sing.], 156, 160, 164, 175). In Psalms 119:84 it does not refer to the Word of God, however.

The psalmist also identified many different responses he made to God’s Word. One of these was keeping or obeying it (Psalms 119:4-5; Psalms 119:8; Psalms 119:17; Psalms 119:34; Psalms 119:44; Psalms 119:56-57; Psalms 119:60; Psalms 119:67; Psalms 119:88; Psalms 119:100-101; Psalms 119:129; Psalms 119:134; Psalms 119:136; Psalms 119:145; Psalms 119:158; Psalms 119:167-168).

"This untiring emphasis has led some to accuse the psalmist of worshipping the Word rather than the Lord; but it has been well remarked that every reference here to Scripture, without exception, relates it explicitly to its Author; indeed every verse from 4 to the end is a prayer or affirmation addressed to Him. This is true piety; a love of God not desiccated by study but refreshed, informed and nourished by it." [Note: Kidner, Psalms 73-150, p. 419.]

"The longest psalm in the Psalter, Psalms 119, is well known for its teaching on God’s law. Yet the beauty of this psalm lies, not only in the recitation of devotion to the law, but in the psalmist’s absolute devotion to the Lord." [Note: VanGemeren, p. 736.]

In all but 14 verses, the psalmist addressed his words to the Lord personally. [Note: Wiersbe, The . . . Wisdom . . ., p. 308.]

This is one of the alphabetic acrostic psalms (cf. Psalms 111, 112). In each strophe of eight verses, each verse begins with the same letter of the Hebrew alphabet. In Psalms 119:1-8 each line begins with the first Hebrew letter, in Psalms 119:9-16 each line begins with the second Hebrew letter, and so on. In some English versions, the translators have printed or transliterated the Hebrew letter that begins each line in the strophe at the beginning of that strophe.

"Even the literary qualities of the 119th Psalm contribute to the development of its major theme-the Word of God in the child of God." [Note: George J. Zemek Jr., "The Word of God in the Child of God: Psalms 119," Spire 10:2 (1982):8.]

Psalms 145 is another acrostic psalm. In that psalm the intent of the acrostic structure seems to have been to encourage full praise of God. In this one, the intent seems to have been to encourage full obedience to God. [Note: Brueggemann, p. 39.]

The genre of the psalm is primarily wisdom, though there are also elements of lament, thanksgiving, praise, and confidence in it.

As you read this psalm, note the consequences of obeying God’s Word that the writer enumerated. These include being unashamed (Psalms 119:6) and giving thanks (Psalms 119:7).

"The basic theme of Psalms 119 is the practical use of the Word of God in the life of the believer." [Note: Wiersbe, The . . . Wisdom . . ., p. 309.]

"The lesson to be learned above all others is that knowledge and practical application of the Word will keep one from sin and thus enable him to know and serve God appropriately (Psalms 119:9; Psalms 119:11; Psalms 119:92; Psalms 119:98; Psalms 119:105; Psalms 119:130; Psalms 119:133; Psalms 119:176)." [Note: Merrill, "Psalms," p. 466.]