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: Ayrshire

Psalm 119:129-136

Pe פ the seventeenth part

¹²⁹Thy statutes, Lord, are wonderful,
My soul them keeps with care.
¹³⁰The entrance of thy words gives light,
Makes wise who simple are.

¹³¹My mouth I have wide opened,
And panted earnestly,
While after thy commandements
I long’d exceedingly.

¹³²Look on me, Lord, and merciful
Do thou unto me prove,
As thou art wont to do to those
Thy name who truly love.

¹³³O let my footsteps in thy word
Aright still order’d be:
Let no iniquity obtain
Dominion over me.

¹³⁴From man’s oppression save thou me;
So keep thy laws I will.
¹³⁵Thy face make on thy servant shine;
Teach me thy statutes still.

¹³⁶Rivers of waters from mine eyes
Did run down, when I saw
How wicked men run on in sin,
And do not keep thy law.