Psalm 119
Notes
Transcript
If there was one thing that you could not live without, what would it be?
If there was one thing that you could not live without, what would it be?
1. The structure of the Psalm
1. The structure of the Psalm
Acrostic pattern - in my opinion this psalm is one of the greatest pieces of art in history
2. The many-sided revelation
2. The many-sided revelation
Like a ring of eight bells, eight synonyms for Scripture dominate the psalm, and the twenty-two stanzas will ring the changes on them. They will do it freely, not with a bell-ringer’s elaborate formulae, and they will introduce an occasional extra term. But the synonyms belong together, and we should probably not look for each to show its distinct character at each occurrence, but rather to contribute, by its frequent arrival, to our total understanding of what Scripture is.
a. ‘Law’ (tôrâ)
This is the chief term of all, and is heard most often. Its parent verb means ‘teach’ (verse 33) or ‘direct’; therefore coming from God it means both ‘law’ and ‘revelation’. It can be used of a single command or of a whole body of law, especially the Pentateuch, or again of Scripture as a whole. It reminds us that revelation is not simply for interest but for obedience. Cf. James 1:25.
b. ‘Testimonies’ (ʿēdôt)
Israel was told to place the book of the law beside the ark of the covenant, ‘that it may be there for a witness (ʿēd) against you’ (Deut. 31:26). The outspokenness of Scripture, with its high standards and frank warnings (e.g. Deut. 8:19, using this root), is implied in this expression, but so too is its dependability, as the word of the ‘faithful and true witness’. Therefore ‘thy testimonies are my delight’ (24).
c. ‘Precepts’ (piqqūdîm)
This is a word drawn from the sphere of an officer or overseer, a man who is responsible to look closely into a situation and take action (cf. Jer. 23:2, where God will ‘attend to’ (pōqēd) the shepherds who have not ‘attended to’ the flock). So the word points to the particular instructions of the Lord, as of one who cares about detail.
d. ‘Statutes’ (ḥuqqîm)
These speak of the binding force and permanence of Scripture, as of laws ‘engraved’ or inscribed, ‘for the time to come as a witness for ever’ (cf. Isa. 30:8).
e. ‘Commandments’ (miṣwôt)
This word emphasizes the straight authority of what is said; not merely the power to convince or persuade, but the right to give orders.
f. ‘Ordinances’ (mišpāṭîm)
These are better known in the Old Testament as ‘judgments’: the decisions of the all-wise Judge about common human situations (cf. Exod. 21:1; Deut. 17:8a, 9b), and hence the revealed ‘rights and duties’ appropriate to them (as RSV puts it in 1 Sam. 10:25). Scripture, then, as the standard given for fair dealing between man and man, is a predominant sense of this term.
g. ‘Word’ (dābār)
This is the most general term of all, embracing God’s truth in any form, stated, promised or commanded.
h. ‘Promise’ or ‘word’ (ʾimrâ)
This is very similar to the previous term, and is translated ‘word’ in AV, RV throughout the psalm. While JB, NEB keep to ‘promise’ throughout, RSV has ‘promise’ thirteen times, but allows it a more general sense (mostly ‘word’) six times (verses 11, 67, 103, 158, 162, 172). This probably strikes the right balance between the general and the particular in this word, which is derived from the verb ‘to say’.
As well as these eight expressions, others too can speak of God’s self-revelation. Verses 3 and 37 have ‘thy ways’, unaccompanied by any of the above; verse 132 has ‘thy name’; and perhaps in verse 90 ‘thy faithfulness’ refers primarily to the immutability of what God decrees. Only verses 84, 121 and 122 are without any such expression.
This untiring emphasis has led some to accuse the psalmist of worshipping the word rather than the Lord; but it has been well remarked that every reference here to Scripture, without exception, relates it explicitly to its Author; indeed every verse from 4 to the end is a prayer or affirmation addressed to him. This is true piety: a love of God not desiccated by study but refreshed, informed and nourished by it.
Derek Kidner, Psalms 73–150: An Introduction and Commentary, vol. 16, Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1975), 452–455.
Attributes of the Word
Attributes of the Word
1. Yahweh’s word is Eternal
1. Yahweh’s word is Eternal
89 Forever, O Lord, your word
is firmly fixed in the heavens.
90 Your faithfulness endures to all generations;
you have established the earth, and it stands fast.
91 By your appointment they stand this day,
for all things are your servants.
152 Long have I known from your testimonies
that you have founded them forever.
35 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.
2. Yahweh’s word is inexhaustible
2. Yahweh’s word is inexhaustible
96 I have seen a limit to all perfection,
but your commandment is exceedingly broad.
Meditating on the Scriptures
Meditating on the Scriptures
15 I will meditate on your precepts
and fix my eyes on your ways.
23 Even though princes sit plotting against me,
your servant will meditate on your statutes.
We are never too busy to meditate on Scripture - remember that meditation takes time
27 Make me understand the way of your precepts,
and I will meditate on your wondrous works.
48 I will lift up my hands toward your commandments, which I love,
and I will meditate on your statutes.
78 Let the insolent be put to shame,
because they have wronged me with falsehood;
as for me, I will meditate on your precepts.
148 My eyes are awake before the watches of the night,
that I may meditate on your promise.
He wakes up early to meditate on Scripture
Continual Praise
62 At midnight I rise to praise you,
because of your righteous rules.
54 Your statutes have been my songs
in the house of my sojourning.
147 I rise before dawn and cry for help;
I hope in your words.
148 My eyes are awake before the watches of the night,
that I may meditate on your promise.
164 Seven times a day I praise you
for your righteous rules.
3. Delight in the Word
3. Delight in the Word
14 In the way of your testimonies I delight
as much as in all riches.
15 I will meditate on your precepts
and fix my eyes on your ways.
16 I will delight in your statutes;
I will not forget your word.
The Treasure of Scripture!
72 The law of your mouth is better to me
than thousands of gold and silver pieces.
103 How sweet are your words to my taste,
sweeter than honey to my mouth!
111 Your testimonies are my heritage forever,
for they are the joy of my heart.
127 Therefore I love your commandments
above gold, above fine gold.
162 I rejoice at your word
like one who finds great spoil.
4. Heartfelt devotion to God’s word
4. Heartfelt devotion to God’s word
10 With my whole heart I seek you;
let me not wander from your commandments!
132 Turn to me and be gracious to me,
as is your way with those who love your name.
Longing after the Word
20 My soul is consumed with longing
for your rules at all times.
40 Behold, I long for your precepts;
in your righteousness give me life!
51 The insolent utterly deride me,
but I do not turn away from your law.
112 I incline my heart to perform your statutes
forever, to the end.
131 I open my mouth and pant,
because I long for your commandments.
5. We get life from the Word and depend on it
5. We get life from the Word and depend on it
the laws of the universe - the universe reflects the character of it’s creator
89 Forever, O Lord, your word
is firmly fixed in the heavens.
90 Your faithfulness endures to all generations;
you have established the earth, and it stands fast.
91 By your appointment they stand this day,
for all things are your servants.
92 If your law had not been my delight,
I would have perished in my affliction.
93 I will never forget your precepts,
for by them you have given me life.
b. gives life
25 My soul clings to the dust;
give me life according to your word!
50 This is my comfort in my affliction,
that your promise gives me life.
107 I am severely afflicted;
give me life, O Lord, according to your word!
154 Plead my cause and redeem me;
give me life according to your promise!
37 Turn my eyes from looking at worthless things;
and give me life in your ways.
116 Uphold me according to your promise, that I may live,
and let me not be put to shame in my hope!
144 Your testimonies are righteous forever;
give me understanding that I may live.
149 Hear my voice according to your steadfast love;
O Lord, according to your justice give me life.
154 Plead my cause and redeem me;
give me life according to your promise!
156 Great is your mercy, O Lord;
give me life according to your rules.
159 Consider how I love your precepts!
Give me life according to your steadfast love.
28 My soul melts away for sorrow;
strengthen me according to your word!
6. The Word liberates us from lawlessness
6. The Word liberates us from lawlessness
133 Keep steady my steps according to your promise,
and let no iniquity get dominion over me.
37 Turn my eyes from looking at worthless things;
and give me life in your ways.
93 I will never forget your precepts,
for by them you have given me life.
45 and I shall walk in a wide place,
for I have sought your precepts.
32 I will run in the way of your commandments
when you enlarge my heart!
How can a young man keep his way pure?
9 How can a young man keep his way pure?
By guarding it according to your word.
10 With my whole heart I seek you;
let me not wander from your commandments!
11 I have stored up your word in my heart,
that I might not sin against you.
12 Blessed are you, O Lord;
teach me your statutes!
A Light to our Path
105 Your word is a lamp to my feet
and a light to my path.
130 The unfolding of your words gives light;
it imparts understanding to the simple.
Affliction used to correct
67 Before I was afflicted I went astray,
but now I keep your word.
71 It is good for me that I was afflicted,
that I might learn your statutes.
72 The law of your mouth is better to me
than thousands of gold and silver pieces.
75 I know, O Lord, that your rules are righteous,
and that in faithfulness you have afflicted me.
7. A stable shield in a world of confusion
7. A stable shield in a world of confusion
23 Even though princes sit plotting against me,
your servant will meditate on your statutes.
95 The wicked lie in wait to destroy me,
but I consider your testimonies.
114 You are my hiding place and my shield;
I hope in your word.
115 Depart from me, you evildoers,
that I may keep the commandments of my God.
116 Uphold me according to your promise, that I may live,
and let me not be put to shame in my hope!
117 Hold me up, that I may be safe
and have regard for your statutes continually!
118 You spurn all who go astray from your statutes,
for their cunning is in vain.
165 Great peace have those who love your law;
nothing can make them stumble.
69 The insolent smear me with lies,
but with my whole heart I keep your precepts;
87 They have almost made an end of me on earth,
but I have not forsaken your precepts.
If we are honest with ourselves, none of us feels the way towards scripture that the Psalmist does. Why is that ?
If we are honest with ourselves, none of us feels the way towards scripture that the Psalmist does. Why is that ?