Chapter 119: The Laws of God
Psalms 119 is the largest Psalm in
all of the Psalms, the author is unnamed; most historians however, almost
universally say it is a Psalm of David, composed throughout his entire life. The
Psalm does not flow perfectly from one Psalm to another, which means that if it
were written by David, it was written over his life and then compiled later.
The Psalm is arranged in an
acrostic pattern. There are 22 letters in the Hebrew alphabet, and this Psalm
contains 22 units of 8 verses each. Each of the 22 sections is given to a
letter of the Hebrew alphabet, and each line in that section begins with that
letter. The closest parallel to this pattern in Scripture is found in
Lamentations 3, which is also divided into 22 sections.
Because this is a Psalm glorifying
God and His Word, it refers to Scripture over and over again. The psalm is
remarkable for how often it refers to God’s written revelation.
In this Psalm there are 8 basic words used to describe the
Scriptures, God’s written revelation to us:
·
Law (torah, used 25 times): Its parent verb means ‘teach’ or ‘direct’;
therefore coming from God it means both ‘law’ and ‘revelation.’
·
Word (dabar, used 24 times): The idea is of
the spoken word, God’s revealed word to man.
·
Judgments (mispatim, used 23 times)
·
Testimonies (edut/edot, used 23 times): This
word is related to the word for witness.
·
Commandments (miswah/miswot, used 22 times)
·
Statutes (huqqim, used 21 times): The noun
is derived from the root verb “engrave” or “inscribe”; the idea is of the
written word of God and the authority of His written word.
·
Precepts (piqqudim, used 21 times):
(principle: a rule, instruction, or principle that guides somebody's
actions, especially one that guides moral behavior)
·
Word (imrah, used 19 times): Similar in
meaning to dabar, yet a different term. More of a promise from the Lord.
Being such a long Psalm – and the
longest chapter in the Bible – this Psalm has been of some historical note.
There have been many lengthy works written on this Psalm. I hope that I can
give a simple, yet in depth understanding of this Psalm.
א Aleph (1-8)
In beginning to describe man’s
blessedness, the Psalmist starts with the idea that being undefiled in the
way is a blessing. “Blessed are they… that seek him with the
whole heart.” (Psalms 119:2)
ב Beth (9-16)
Ponder
the precepts and ways of the Lord. The author tells us; “I will… have respect unto thy
ways… I will not forget thy word” (Psalms 119:15-16)
This
reminds me of the scripture in Isaiah 55:8; “For my thoughts are not your
thoughts, neither are your ways me ways, saith the Lord” We need to
remember that even when we don’t understand a commandment, we must obey them
anyways. We cannot pick and chose what commandments we will follow. We must
follow them all and have respect for them.
ג Gimel (17-24)
The
author asks the Lord to help “Open… [our]…eyes, that [we] may behold
wondrous things out of thy law.” (Psalms 119:18) Many people in the
world keep their eyes shut out of fear or ignorance. We must open them and see
the truth.
ד Daleth (25-32)
“…teach
me thy statutes. Make me to understand the way of thy precepts: so I shall talk
of thy wondrous works” (Psalms 119:26-27)
This
reminds me of the LDS Hymn: I am a child of God.
“Lead
me, guide me, walk beside me, Help me find the way. Teach me all that I must
do. To live with him someday.” (LDS Hymns, 301)
ה He (33-40)
“Teach
me, O Lord, the way of thy statutes; and I shall keep it unto the end” (Psalms
119:33)
We need
to learn, understand and practice the commandments which the Lord has given to
us. If we do this we can be blessed.
ו Vau (41-48)
The
Lord gives us mercy, truth and salvation. The author says; “I will speak of ty testimonies
also before kings, and will not be ashamed.” (Psalms 119:46) We need to
be able to give testimony, even before people that might not favor our
testimony. Be not afraid to testify.
ז Zain (49-56)
“This is my comfort in my
afflication: for thy word hath quickened me.” (Psalms 119:50) If we
follow the commandments of the Lord, we will find peace and joy.
ח Cheth (57-64)
“I am
a companion of all them that fear thee [the Lord], and of them that keep thy
precepts” (Psalms 119:63) we should make friends that love and fear the
Lord and keep His commandments. I think it is even more important to have a
companion (husband or wife) who also fears the Lord.
ט Teth (65-72)
“Teach
me good judgment and knowledge: for I have believed thy commandments.” (Psalms
119:66) Ask the Lord for his good judgment, and for His knowledge.
י Jod (73-80)
“Let
my heart be sound in thy statues; that I be not ashamed” (Psalms 119:80)
We need to pray that the Lord will keep our heart strong, because we may feel
out of place in a world that doesn't hold to the values, statutes or
commandments of the Lord.
כ Caph (81-88)
Those
who do not follow the commandments of the Lord will persecute those who do
follow the Lord. Pray to the Lord to be lifted up, so that they may not consume
you.
ל Lamed (89-96)
“For
ever, O Lord, thy word is settled in heaven. Thy faithfulness is unto all
generations: thou hast established the earth, and it abideth. They continue
this day according to thine ordinances: for all are thy servants” (Psalms
119:89-91)
The
above scripture is often used by many to claim that the Bible is the ULTIMATE
Word of God and that it is PERFECT and will ENDURE forever. Other scriptures
that some may use to explain how perfect the Bible is would be: Isaiah 55:11
and Mark 13:31.
I do
agree with the scriptures in the sense that God’s WORD will not pass away. But
I don’t believe that the Bible is 100% of God’s WORD, nor do I believe that it
has been translated correctly. In LDS belief the 8th Article of
Faith says: “We believe the Bible to be the word of God as far as it is translated
correctly…” I don’t believe that the Bible is translated correctly and
throughout thousands of years too much has been changed or lost to take every
word literally.
מ Mem (97-104)
“I
have more understanding than all my teachers… I understand more than the
ancients, because I kept thy precepts” (Psalms 119:99-100) If we put
our faith in the Lord, by following His commandments, we can become more knowledgeable Knowledge can be gained in this life, however a full knowledge of
life and everything else can never be gained without God.
נ Nun (105-112)
“Thy
word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path” (Psalms 119:105)
If we
put the Lord’s words into action, we will find our paths (lives) much more
illuminated and full of joy.
ס Samech (113-120)
“I
hate vain thoughts: but thy law do I love” (Psalms 119:113) Hate
wickedness and Love God and His commandments.
ע Ain (121-128)
“I am
thy servant; give me understanding, that I may know thy testimonies” (Psalms
119:125)
We are
all servants of the Lord and in order to fulfill our purpose as servants (or
missionaries) we must pray to have His understanding to know the gospel.
פ Pe (129-136)
“The
entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple.” (Psalms
119:130) God’s Word or His Gospel are so simple to understand that even
the most simple/humble person can understand.
While
serving a 2 year mission in Honduras for the Church of Jesus Christ of
Latter-day Saints I found that the most uneducated, illiterate person could
understand the simple truthes of the Gospel more than the most educated and “complex”
person.
צ Tzaddi (137-144)
“The
righteousness of thy testimonies is everlasting: give me understanding, and I
shall live” (Psalms 119:144) If we have the Lord’s understanding we
will live a longer life and in the end live forever with Him in His kingdom. God
and His testimony (or Gospel) is forever.
ק Koph (145-152)
The Lord’s testimonies are
founded forever. All of God’s commandments are full of truth.
ר Resh (153-160)
“Thy
word is true from the beginning: and every one of thy righteous judgments
endureth forever.” (Psalms 119:160)
God’s
word is forever, even if man distorts changes or removes important parts of the
Bible. God’s word is also not limited to one single book. This is something
important that we must remember. God’s canon of scripture is not closed.
ש Schin (161-168)
“I
hate and abhor lying: but thy law do I love” (Psalms 119:163) the
author; who is most likely “David” hated lying and told the Lord that he hated
it. The Lord himself also hates lying and it is a reminder for us all to keep
from lies and abound in God’s commandments.
ת Tau (169-176)
All of
the Lord’s commandments are in righteousness. We need to delight in His law and
have our souls saved through His salvation.
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