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 Paul

Psalm 119:33-40

He ה the fifth part

³³Teach me, O LORD, the perfect way
Of thy precepts divine,
And to observe it to the end
I shall my heart incline.

³⁴Give understanding unto me,
So keep thy law shall I;
Yea, ev’n with my whole heart I shall
Observe it carefully.

³⁵In thy law’s path make me to go;
For I delight therein.
³⁶My heart unto thy testimonies,
And not to greed, incline.

³⁷Turn thou away my sight and eyes
From viewing vanity;
And in thy good and holy way
Be pleas’d to quicken me.

³⁸Confirm to me thy gracious word,
Which I did gladly hear,
Ev’n to thy servant, Lord, who is
Devoted to thy fear.

³⁹Turn thou away my fear’d reproach;
For good thy judgments be.
⁴⁰Lo, for thy precepts I have long’d;
In thy truth quicken me.