PSALM 119 – (1)

Laindon Bible Class - 2nd March 2016

Psalm 119 2

GOD’S WORD

Psalm 119 3

The structure of the Psalm• The Psalm consists of 22 stanzas or sections each headed by a letter

of the Hebrew alphabet (longest chapter in the Bible; 176 verses about 2,200 words)

• A perfect example of an alphabetical Psalm (see also Psalms 111, 112 & 25 & 34) – an aide memoire?• Each stanza consists of 8 verses and commences the first of those

verses with the appropriate letter• There are ten words used to describe God’s word, namely: word,

saying, testimonies, way, judgements, precepts, commandments, law, statutes and faithfulness• Possible connection with the 10 commandments or words written

by God (Deuteronomy 4:13)

Psalm 119 4

Psalm 119 5

Word cloud – NKJV

Psalm 119 6

10 words used to describe God’s word• ‘Word’ (dabar) expression of God’s mind

and will 23• ‘Saying’ (imrah) an oral promise translated

word or speech 19• ‘Testimonies’ (eduth) an eternal

affirmation 23• ‘Way’ (derek) prescribed lines of conduct

13• ‘Judgements’ (mishpatim) judicial decisions

or sentences 23

• ‘Precepts’ (piqqudim) entrusted or deposited with us as a charge 21• ‘Commandments’ (mitzvoth) directions

issued with paternal authority 22• ‘Law’ (torah) the whole of God’s law

and practical teaching 25• ‘Statutes’ (chuqqim) engraved

ordinances or enactments 21• ‘Faithfulness’ (emunah) the constancy of

God’s law 4

Psalm 119 7

Appearance of the 10 words

• Total number of appearances is 194 times in 176 verses (Psalm is approximately 2200 words, so just about 1 in every 11 words)

• One of these words appears in every verse of the Psalm except verse 122 (and possibly 90 & 132 also)

• Verses 1-3 are an introduction, then the rest of the Psalm is in effect a prayer or supplication to God (except verse 115 which addresses evildoers)

• There are strong links to the Book of Deuteronomy (eg Deuteronomy 6:1-9 cf Psalm 119:1-2 & also Deuteronomy 5:1)

• This Psalm may have been carried with its writer as a constant reminder of the importance of God’s word (perhaps to be committed to memory)

Psalm 119 8

Who was the author?• There have been many suggestions (including Ezra, David, Hezekiah, Jeremiah,

Daniel, Nehemiah and an unknown post-exilic Levite)

• We are firmly of the view that it was David (is it messianic?)

• When and why David?:When he was a young man (:9-11), knew better than his teachers (:99-100)Perhaps when he was living in Saul’s court (:19 & :141)Contrast with his life as a shepherd, maybe distracted by court life (:67 & :71)He was suffering affliction and persecution (:22, :39 & :50 etc)His enemies were powerful and influential men (:23, :51 & :85-87)He valued God’s word above wealth and riches (:14, :72 & :127)A reference to his relationship with Jonathan? (:63 & :74)He was exercised by the wickedness around him (:53, :136 & :158)He remembered that he was God’s anointed (:38 & 49)

Psalm 119 9

David’s meditations and thoughts• The influence of Deuteronomy (a key part of the scriptures then available to David) –

to be written out by God’s king (Deuteronomy 17:18-20)

• David recognised the need for total devotion (:1-2 – the whole heart viz unity and completeness)

• He also recognised the need to learn God’s laws (see Deuteronomy 5:1 cf :10, :11, :34, :69 etc) – learn = literally an ‘ox goad’• The great lesson of Deuteronomy: “…man doth not live by bread only,

but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the Lord doth man live.” 8:3• David reflected this in his Psalm: “O how love I thy law! it is my

meditation all the day.” :97

Psalm 119 10

An intriguing puzzle• Do the Hebrew letters have any additional significance?• In some cases perhaps yes:

Letter 9 teth (goodness) — :65, :66, :68 & :71Letter 15 samech (protect, support) — :116, :117Letter 16 ain (eye) — :123Letter 17 pe (mouth) — :130, :131Letter 18 tzade (righteousness) — :137, :138, :142, :144Letter 19 qoph (ear/hearing) — :145, :146, :147, :149

• But if that was the intention, why not all?• And why do the 10 words appear in all verses except one? (or three)

Psalm 119 11

Next week (God willing)

Practical guidance &

exhortations for us