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 Andrew

Psalm 119:49-56

Zain ז the seventh part

⁴⁹Remember, Lord, thy gracious word
Thou to thy servant spake,
Which, for a ground of my sure hope,
Thou causedst me to take.

⁵⁰This word of thine my comfort is
In mine affliction:
For in my straits I am reviv’d
By this thy word alone.

⁵¹The men whose hearts with pride are stuff’d
Did greatly me deride;
Yet from thy straight commandements
I have not turn’d aside.

⁵²Thy judgments righteous, O LORD,
Which thou of old forth gave,
I did remember, and myself
By them comforted have.

⁵³Horror took hold on me, because
Ill men thy law forsake.
⁵⁴I in my house of pilgrimage
Thy laws my songs do make.

⁵⁵Thy name by night, LORD, I did mind,
And I have kept thy law.
⁵⁶And this I had, because thy word
I kept, and stood in awe.