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 119:9-16

Beth ב the second part

⁹By what means shall a young man learn
His way to purify?
If he according to thy word
Thereto attentive be.

¹⁰Unfeignedly thee have I sought
With all my soul and heart:
O let me not from the right path
Of thy commands depart.

¹¹Thy word I in my heart have hid,
That I offend not thee.
¹²O LORD, thou ever blessed art,
Thy statutes teach thou me.

¹³The judgments of thy mouth each one
My lips declared have:
¹⁴More joy thy testimonies’ way
Than riches all me gave.

¹⁵I will thy holy precepts make
My meditation;
And carefully I’ll have respect
Unto thy ways each one.

¹⁶Upon thy statutes my delight
Shall constantly be set:
And, by thy grace, I never will
Thy holy word forget.