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 Minver

Psalm 119:25-32

Daleth ד the fourth part

²⁵My soul to dust cleaves: quicken me,
According to thy word.
²⁶My ways I show’d, and me thou heard’st:
Teach me thy statutes, Lord.

²⁷The way of thy commandements
Make me aright to know;
So all thy works that wondrous are
I shall to others show.

²⁸My soul doth melt, and drop away,
For heaviness and grief:
To me, according to thy word,
Give strength, and send relief.

²⁹From me the wicked way of lies
Let far removed be;
And graciously thy holy law
Do thou grant unto me.

³⁰I chosen have the perfect way
Of truth and verity:
Thy judgments that most righteous are
Before me laid have I.

³¹I to thy testimonies cleave;
Shame do not on me cast.
³²I’ll run thy precepts’ way, when thou
My heart enlarged hast.