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: London New

Psalm 119:137-144

Tzaddi צ the eighteenth part

¹³⁷O LORD, thou art most righteous;
Thy judgments are upright.
¹³⁸Thy testimonies thou command’st
Most faithful are and right.

¹³⁹My zeal hath ev’n consumed me,
Because mine enemies
Thy holy words forgotten have,
And do thy laws despise.

¹⁴⁰Thy word’s most pure, therefore on it
Thy servant’s love is set.
¹⁴¹Small, and despis’d I am, yet I
Thy precepts not forget.

¹⁴²Thy righteousness is righteousness
Which ever doth endure:
Thy holy law, Lord, also is
The very truth most pure.

¹⁴³Trouble and anguish have me found,
And taken hold on me:
Yet in my trouble my delight
Thy just commandments be.

¹⁴⁴Eternal righteousness is in
Thy testimonies all:
Lord, to me understanding give,
And ever live I shall.