PSALM 119 – PRAISING THE LAW THROUGH THE ALEPH – TAV, THE ALPHABET OF COMPLETENESS

Psalm 119 is an acrostic psalm organized according to the letters of the complete Hebrew alphabet. The acrostic pattern is that each section of the Psalm contains eight verses each beginning with a Hebrew word that begins with that letter. There are 22 letters in the Hebrew alphabet and each section of the Psalm contains eight verses beginning with that letter. This equals 176 verses and 22 stanzas. The longest chapter in the entire Bible.

The major topic of Psalm 119 is the Law/Torah of Elohim. There are only three verses in the entire Psalm that do not mention the Word of Elohim: verses 84, 121, and 122.

The character of God’s law is revealed in the eight major topics woven throughout the Psalm. The following eight are according to the Random House Collage Dictionary”

1.     Law – Principles and regulations established by a government to a people, ie, Torah of Moses.

2.     Testimonies – A statement or declaration of a witness under oath or affirmation usually in a court of law. Evidence of a fact or statement.

3.     Precepts – A commandment or direction given as a rule of action or conduct.

4.     Statutes – Law, an enactment made by a legislature and expressed in a formal document (as Torah).

5.     Commandments – Command or directive.

6.     Judgments – A judicial decision in court; a verdict or decree – a misfortune regarded as inflicted by God.

7.     Word – A brief conversation, “I’d like a word with you.” A warrant, assurance, or promise, keep one’s word.

8.     Promise – A declaration or assurance that something specified WILL or WILL NOT happen or be done. A pledge.

These key words used by the Psalmist, explore the human response to the living Word of God, petitions, promises, judgment, comfort, and conviction, to name just a few.

Some scholars argue that the writer was worshipping the Torah rather than the living Elohim. In my reading of this Psalm it is obvious the writer is worshipping the one true God/Elohim. I know this because our Master Yeshua is the “living Word” as John the Apostle makes abundantly clear in his Gospel:

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  He was in the beginning with God.  All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made.  In Him was life, and the life was the light of men.  And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.

John’s Witness: The True Light

There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.  This man came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light that all through him might believe.  He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light.  That was the true Light which gives light to every man coming into the world.

He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him. He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him.  But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name:  who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

The Word Becomes Flesh

And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.

Yeshua is the Logos the living incarnate Word of God/Elohim manifested in the flesh. As you read and meditate of Psalm 119 keep these words of the Apostle John in your mind. The Word is living and active and produces fruit in our lives (not always without pain).

The Psalmist is worshipping and seeking Jehovah with a deep crying out in his spirit. He is longing to walk in the Spirit and allow the Word to work upon his heart. He understands the Torah/Yeshua is spirit and life. He is devoted to Elohim the Creator.

When you see Yeshua in this Psalm it is even more powerful. Now, before you begin to read and meditate on this Psalm here is a suggestion. Sit quietly for 5 minutes meditating on John’s 14 verses above. Think of Yeshua the Master and the Father Jehovah. Let the words of this Psalm transform you in your relationship with the Master.

Let this Psalm penetrate deep into your spirit. It is a very joyous experience.