NOTE ON PSALM 119
Psalm 119 is an unusual song written in a different way than all other psalms in the Book of Psalms found in our Bible. It is not only the longest psalm, but God is addressed or referred to in every one of its one hundred and seventy-six verses. The poem, is constructed in twenty-two sections, each with eight lines which are unique in their application of the acrostic principle. In the first set, each of the eight lines begins with the Hebrew letter Aleph – the first letter in the Hebrew alphabet. Each of the following sections uses the subsequent Hebrew letters: Beth, Gimel, Daleth, He, and so forth until all 22 letters in the alphabet have been used.
The author, who is not named pays tribute to the law of Israel. There is a reference to the law in each verse except for seven (84, 90, 121, 122, 132, 149, 156.) The words used by the author repeatedly are: law, testimonies, ways, precepts, statues, commandments, word (two variations), and promise. One synonym is used only once, the word 'ways', in vs. 15.
These ten words used by the psalmist suggest the variety of ways in which the law was considered and they indicate the richness of the revelation. Most commonly understood, the revelation was that which was given in the Law of Moses.
Source: The Interpreter's Bible Volume IV, The Book of Psalms; page 622. Abingdon Press Copyright, 1955 by Pierce and Washbaugh.
Psalm 119 is an unusual song written in a different way than all other psalms in the Book of Psalms found in our Bible. It is not only the longest psalm, but God is addressed or referred to in every one of its one hundred and seventy-six verses. The poem, is constructed in twenty-two sections, each with eight lines which are unique in their application of the acrostic principle. In the first set, each of the eight lines begins with the Hebrew letter Aleph – the first letter in the Hebrew alphabet. Each of the following sections uses the subsequent Hebrew letters: Beth, Gimel, Daleth, He, and so forth until all 22 letters in the alphabet have been used.
The author, who is not named pays tribute to the law of Israel. There is a reference to the law in each verse except for seven (84, 90, 121, 122, 132, 149, 156.) The words used by the author repeatedly are: law, testimonies, ways, precepts, statues, commandments, word (two variations), and promise. One synonym is used only once, the word 'ways', in vs. 15.
These ten words used by the psalmist suggest the variety of ways in which the law was considered and they indicate the richness of the revelation. Most commonly understood, the revelation was that which was given in the Law of Moses.
Source: The Interpreter's Bible Volume IV, The Book of Psalms; page 622. Abingdon Press Copyright, 1955 by Pierce and Washbaugh.
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