Psalm 119

To increase your appreciation of random details & knowledge of the Bible, or if you like worshipping God, I thought I would share this like bit with you. I would have never guessed that this psalm was so intricately revolved around the alphabet. I read some other person's commentary on all the specific phraseology and traits in the psalm that make him believe it was written by King David (Who wrote Psalm 119?
http://vesomsechel.blogspot.com/2006/11/who-wrote-psalm-119.html). Its amazing how much of a literary science there is to study the psalms. Although this one might be distinctively analyzed, it helps me appreciate God's word a little more. May you be reminded with me to worship God for who He is and how He has blessed us with the Bible today!

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TEACHING THE PSALMS: PSALM 119

"Psalm 119, both formal and elaborate, is the longest of all the Psalms as well as the longest chapter in the Bible. The poem is structured around the Hebrew alphabet, which contains twenty-two letters. Correspondingly, the Psalm is organized into twenty-two sections of eight verses each. In the first section, each line of the eight verses begins with Aleph, the first letter of the alphabet; in the second section, each line begins with Beth, and so forth through all the sections until all twenty-two letters have been represented. This acrostic-style structure was designed to help worshippers focus on the law of God and remember God’s teaching. Some speculate this disciplined and complex poetic form was the work of Ezra, the priest, after the temple was rebuilt, to be used as a repetitive meditation on the beauty of God’s Word.

Every one of the 176 verses of Psalm 119 except verses 84, 90, 121, 122, 132, 149, and 156 mentions the word of God using one of ten synonymous terms that refer to God’s law (teachings), testimonies (instruction), precepts, statutes, commandments, ordinances (decrees), word, ways (paths), promises, and judgments (rulings). The effect is a litany of praise for God’s Word that provides the worshipper with a structure to focus prayerful thoughts and a guide for living that leads to a life of confidence and peace."
 

July 31, 2005 10:04 PM

(C) 2005, Phyllis Wezeman & Ann Liechty

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