Through My Bible Yr 02 – October 01

Psalm 119:1-24

Through My Bible – October 01

Psalm 119:1-24 (EHV)

See series: Through My Bible

Psalm 119

Psalm 119

The Great Psalm on the Law of the Lord [1]

Aleph: Blessed Are the Blameless

1 How blessed are those who are blameless in their way,
who walk in the law [2] of the Lord.
2 How blessed are those who keep [3] his testimonies.
With all their heart they seek him.
3 Indeed, they do no wrong.
They walk in his ways.
4 You have commanded that your precepts [4] be kept completely.
5 If only my ways were unwavering in keeping your statutes! [5]
6 Then I would not be put to shame when I consider all your commands.
7 I will thank you with an upright heart
    as I learn your righteous judgments. [6]
8 I will keep your statutes.
Do not abandon me completely.

Bet: Hidden in My Heart

9 How can a young man keep his path pure?
By guarding it with your words. [7]
10 With all my heart I seek you.
Do not let me stray from your commands.
11 I have hidden your sayings [8] in my heart,
    so that I may not sin against you.
12 Blessed are you, O Lord!
Teach me your statutes.
13 With my lips I tell about all the judgments
    that come from your mouth.
14 I rejoice in the way that is taught by your testimonies
    as much as I delight in all riches.
15 I will meditate on your precepts,
and I will consider your paths.
16 In your statutes I delight.
I will not forget your words.

Gimel: Open My Eyes

17 Reward your servant.
Then I will live, and I will keep your words.
18 Uncover my eyes, and I will behold wonders from your law.
19 I am an alien on earth.
Do not hide your commandments from me.
20 My soul is overwhelmed by desire for your judgments at all times.
21 You rebuke the arrogant, who are cursed,
those who stray from your commandments.
22 Remove scorn and contempt from me,
for I guard your testimonies.
23 Though officials sit together and speak against me,
your servant will meditate on your statutes.
24 Yes, your testimonies are my delights.
They are my advisors.

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 119:1 Psalm 119, the longest chapter in the Bible, is a lengthy meditation on the characteristics and blessings of God’s Word. God’s Word is praised 176 times (22 × 8). Eight different names for God’s Word appear repeatedly throughout the psalm (laws, testimonies, precepts, statutes, commands, judgments, words, sayings). Though many of these terms sound like legal terms, they are all names for God’s whole Word. Each of the 22 letters of the Hebrew alphabet is represented by an eight-line stanza. All eight lines of each stanza begin with the appropriate Hebrew letter. The letter names are listed in the stanza headings.
  2. Psalm 119:1 Law in the Old Testament is often used in a wide sense as a name for God’s whole Word. It may refer to teaching of various kinds.
  3. Psalm 119:2 Or guard
  4. Psalm 119:4 Or regulations or rules
  5. Psalm 119:5 Or instructions
  6. Psalm 119:7 Or rulings or ordinances
  7. Psalm 119:9 Or word. In this psalm there are many textual variants between singular and plural forms of word. The translation does not note them all.
  8. Psalm 119:11 Or message. Many translate this as promise, but it is the common Hebrew root for say. Sometimes, of course, God’s sayings are promises.

The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version®, EHV®, © 2019 Wartburg Project, Inc. All rights reserved.