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: Contemplation

Psalm 119:41-48

Vau ו the sixth part

⁴¹Let thy sweet mercies also come
And visit me, O LORD;
Ev’n thy benign salvation,
According to thy word.

⁴²So shall I have wherewith I may
Give him an answer just,
Who spitefully reproacheth me;
For in thy word I trust.

⁴³The word of truth out of my mouth
Take thou not utterly;
For on thy judgments righteous
My hope doth still rely.

⁴⁴So shall I keep for evermore
Thy law continually.
⁴⁵And, sith that I thy precepts seek,
I’ll walk at liberty.

⁴⁶I’ll speak thy word to kings, and I
With shame shall not be mov’d;
⁴⁷And will delight myself always
In thy laws, which I lov’d.

⁴⁸To thy commandments, which I lov’d,
My hands lift up I will;
And I will also meditate
Upon thy statutes still.