Today’s Reading: Psalm 119:1-56
Psalm
119 is one of the most unique and amazing Psalms in the entire Bible. In
addition to being the longest book of the Bible (176 verses), this Psalm is an alphabetic
acrostic poem in the original language. It is also the only Psalm that focuses
exclusively on the value of God’s holy word in our lives.
In
the Hebrew language, there are 22 letters. Accordingly, there are 22 sections (or
stanzas) in Psalm 119. Each of these 22 sections begins with a different letter
of the Hebrew alphabet. Verses 1-8 all start with the first Hebrew letter,
aleph (א). Verses 9-16 start with the 2nd letter, beth (ב).This pattern
continues down to the last 8 verses, 169-176, which all start with the last
Hebrew letter, tav (ת). The resulting Psalm is a compilation of the entire Hebrew
alphabet. What an amazing way to praise God through the alphabet!
By way of example, here’s a paraphrase of
verses 1-4 which all start with the English letter “a”:
A blameless one is blessed, who walks according to the law of the
Lord.
A person who keeps His statutes and seeks Him with all his heart is
blessed.
Also, he does nothing wrong; he walks in His ways.
And You have laid down precepts that are to be fully obeyed.*
One
of the reasons this Psalm was designed as an alphabetic acrostic was to help
Jewish children learn their A-B-C’s. Every Jewish boy was required to memorize
Psalm 119 as part of their early childhood education. By doing so, they would
not only learn the “Aleph-Beit” (Hebrew for alphabet), but they would learn 176
Bible verses rich with meaning for their lives.
The
writer of this Psalm uses at least ten different words all referring to the
word of God (“ways” “testimonies” “word” “truth” “statutes” “commands”
“precepts” “promises” “rules” “law”). The theme of these verses is the
praising God by one who delights in and lives by God’s sacred truth. It describes the greatness and glory and power of
God's word. Knowing and reciting these truths was a means of planting
God’s word in the hearts of His little ones. As they grew up, having these
truths embedded in their hearts would help them to experience God’s promises,
comfort, guidance, strength, and protection throughout their lifetime.
How
about you? Have you taken time to memorize God’s sacred truth? To hide it in
your heart? To make it the firm foundation of your life? If not, it is time for
YOU to commit God’s word to memory. Plant it deep in your heart. It will bring
comfort in your affliction and His promises will give you life.
(*Source: June 25, 2021 Bob Wilkin in Blog - Alphabet Psalms, Psalm 119)
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