The wonderful character of these works of God, a wide field for devout study. . Since the reform of the Roman Rite liturgy in the wake of the Second Vatican Council, the Liturgy of the Hours has a section of Psalm 119, corresponding to a single letter of the Hebrew alphabet, in the midday canonical hour on each day of the four-week cycle except on Monday of the first week (when the second half of Psalm 19 (18), which is similar in theme, is used instead) and on Friday of the third week (when the Passion Psalm 22 (21) is used). You have laid down precepts that are to be fully obeyed. 92-94. The first and fifth verses in a stanza often state the same theme followed by a statement of opposition, affliction or conflict, and the final (eighth) verse tends to be a transition introducing the next stanza. In all changes God's Word remains firm ( 1 Peter 1:25 ). for thy judgments are good--The time must therefore be at hand when Thy justice will turn the "reproach" from Thy Church upon the world ( Isaiah 25:8 , 66:5 , Zephaniah 2:8-10 ). The whole body of revelation is truth. Mine eyes fail for thy word--that is, with yearning desire for Thy word. 90. thou hast established the earth, and it abideth--( Psalms 33:9 ). … 153-155. . In Psalm 119:44, the Psalmist proclaimed: So shall I keep Your law continually. The Rule of Saint Benedict assigned this psalm to four minor canonical hours on Sundays and three on Mondays. 77. Salem Media Group. transgressors--or, literally, "traitors," who are faithless to a righteous sovereign and side with His enemies (compare Psalms 25:3 Psalms 25:8 ). Psalm 119:121 I have done what is just and right; do not leave me to my oppressors. be sound--that is, perfect, sincere. 2 For d great is his steadfast love toward us, and e the faithfulness of the L ord endures forever. The Book of Psalms is in the third section of the Hebrew Bible, the Khetuvim, and a book of the Christian Old Testament. Enduring chastisement with a filial temper ( Hebrews 12:6-11 ), God's promises of mercy ( Romans 8:28 ) will be fulfilled, and He will give comfort in sorrow ( Lamentations 3:22 , 2 Corinthians 1:3 2 Corinthians 1:4 ). But English Version is simpler; either, "They have consumed me so as to leave almost nothing of me on earth"; or, "They have almost destroyed and prostrated me on the earth" [MAURER]. is settled in--that is, stands as firmly as the heaven in which it dwells, and whence it emanated. See on v1. It is divided into twenty-two parts or stanzas, denoted by the twenty-two letters of the Hebrew alphabet. The truth is a general one ( Job 5:6 , John 15:2 , Hebrews 12:11 ). 68. 18 Open my eyes to see … 2 For d great is his steadfast love toward us, and e the faithfulness of the L ord endures forever. All rights reserved. that," &c. [MAURER]. Like many other psalms, this prayer includes dramatic lament (e.g. The Bible is the key of all knowledge, the history of the world, past, present, and to come ( Psalms 111:10 ). Psalm 119 is a famous example, written with 8 verses for each of the Hebrew consonants in order, so verses 1-8 each have a first word beginning with 'aleph and verses 9-16 each have a first word beginning with beth, and so on. 133. Psalms 119:5-8 ESV Oh that my ways may be steadfast in keeping your statutes! quicken . If you turn to Psalm 119 in your Bible, you will notice that there is a strange word every 8 verses. The statutes of the LORD are trustworthy, making wise the simple. enlarge--or, "expand" my heart--with gracious affections. God will rebuke those who despise His word and deliver His servants from their reproach, giving them boldness in and by His truth, even before the greatest men. So as to Israel, he owed to God his whole internal and external existence ( Deuteronomy 32:6 ). He determines to pursue this way, relying on God's quickening power ( Psalms 119:50 ) in affliction, and a gracious acceptance of his "spiritual sacrifices of prayer and praise" ( Psalms 50:5 Psalms 50:14 Psalms 50:23 ). And in spiritual prosperity, being illuminated by the Spirit of God, having a spiritual understanding of divine things. wiser than mine enemies--with all their carnal cunning ( Deuteronomy 4:6 Deuteronomy 4:8 ). because, &c.--(Compare Ezekiel 9:4 , Jeremiah 13:17 ). Almost every verse of Psalm 119 mentions God’s Word in some way. So God's laws are the believer's songs. . 147. prevented--literally, "came before," anticipated not only the dawn, but even the usual periods of the night; when the night watches, which might be expected to find me asleep, come, they find me awake ( Psalms 63:6 , 77:4 , Lamentations 2:19 ). This chanting is done as all stand holding candles around a catafalque over which has been placed the Epitaphion (a shroud embroidered with the figure of Christ laid out for burial). Each stanza contains eight verses, and the first letter of each verse is that which gives name to the stanza. This celebrated Psalm has several peculiarities. Psalms 119:9. 57-60. Compare as to the Lord Jesus ( Acts 10:38 ). Unless we pause long enough to actually study each verse, we will miss the fact that nearly every verse in Psalm 119 is almost an entire sermon unto itself. These "strange" words are the letters of the Hebrew alphabet. He who does the will of God shall know of the doctrine ( John 7:17 ). 73. Turn away mine eyes--literally, "Make my eyes to pass, not noticing evil." 21-24. they are ever with me--The Hebrew is, rather singular, "it is ever with me"; the commandments forming ONE complete whole, Thy law. HENGSTENBERG refers the "lie" to such slanders against the Jews during the captivity, as that in Ezra 4:1-6 , of sedition. 117 c Praise the L ord, all nations! Psalm 119:176. upon which--rather, "Remember Thy word unto Thy servant, because," &c. So the Hebrew requires [HENGSTENBERG]. What is the answer for a grief so great (v 25)? walk--act in the law--according to it (compare Luke 1:6 ). The writer desires God's favor, that he may praise Him for His truth, confesses that he has erred, but, in the midst of all his wanderings and adversities, professes an abiding attachment to the revealed Word of God, the theme of such repeated eulogies, and the recognized source of such great and unnumbered blessings. 64. 1. (Compare Psalms 119:136 ). Referred by HENGSTENBERG to the chastening effect produced on the Jews' minds by the captivity ( Jeremiah 31:18 Jeremiah 31:19 ). ; Psalm 119 contains more verses than 16 of the books in the New Testament. A complete English version of Psalm 119 from the King James Bible was completed by Frederick Steinruck, Michael Misiaszek, and Michael Owens. Psalm 119, like most of the psalms, was originally composed as a song to be sung in praising God. 159. i. The English version in the King James Bible can be seen at Psalms 119. seek him--that is, a knowledge of Him, with desire for conformity to His will. Psalm 119 is an alphabetic acrostic. Though persecuted by the mighty, the pious are not turned from revering God's authority to seek their favor, but rejoice in the possession of this "pearl of great price," as great victors in spoils. everlasting--( Psalms 111:3 ), though to outward appearance seeming dead. Psalm 119. Plead, &c.--HENGSTENBERG translates, "Fight my fight."