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: Torwood

Psalm 119:121-128

Ain ע the sixteenth part

¹²¹To all men I have judgment done,
Performing justice right;
Then let me not be left unto
My fierce oppressors’ might.

¹²²For good unto thy servant, Lord,
Thy servant’s surety be:
From the oppression of the proud
Do thou deliver me.

¹²³Mine eyes do fail with looking long
For thy salvation,
The word of thy pure righteousness
While I do wait upon.

¹²⁴In mercy with thy servant deal,
Thy laws me teach and show.
¹²⁵I am thy servant, wisdom give,
That I thy laws may know.

¹²⁶’Tis time thou work, LORD; for they have
Made void thy law divine.
¹²⁷Therefore thy precepts more I love
Than gold, yea, gold most fine.

¹²⁸Concerning all things thy commands
All right I judge therefore;
And ev’ry false and wicked way
I perfectly abhor.