A pilgrim and stranger guided day and night by the Law of the Lord

If psalm 117 is the shortest, this is the longest. It is unusual in many respects. It is divided into twenty-two sections, so being commensurate with the Hebrew alphabet. Each section is prefixed with the respective letter of the alphabet, as also is the beginning of each verse in every section. It is thought that this facilitated easier memorising for the Jewish children.

Another peculiar feature is, that apart from two verses all the rest contain a synonym for the Word of God. So there is reference to testimonies, judgments, statutes, precepts, etc. The whole psalm describes devotion to, and persuasion of, the Word of God as containing all the principles of true religion and practice. Without it we have no light to our path, nor lamp for our feet; and by it, as with the book of Proverbs, there is given divine wisdom for conducting ourselves in all circumstances of life. One has written of v. 174, “Religion will decay or flourish as it (the Law) is our duty or delight.”

Pastor Jeff O’ Neil

Recommended Tune: St Etheldreda, Tallis

Psalm 119:105-112

Nun נ the fourteenth part

¹⁰⁵Thy word is to my feet a lamp,
And to my path a light.
¹⁰⁶I sworn have, and I will perform,
To keep thy judgments right.

¹⁰⁷I am with sore affliction
Ev’n overwhelm’d, O LORD:
In mercy raise and quicken me,
According to thy word.

¹⁰⁸The free–will–off’rings of my mouth
Accept, I thee beseech:
And unto me thy servant, LORD,
Thy judgments clearly teach.

¹⁰⁹Though still my soul be in my hand,
Thy laws I’ll not forget.
¹¹⁰I err’d not from them, though for me
The wicked snares did set.

¹¹¹I of thy testimonies have
Above all things made choice,
To be my heritage for aye;
For they my heart rejoice.

¹¹²I carefully inclined have
My heart still to attend;
That I thy statutes may perform
Alway unto the end.