Psalm 119

Hymn # 354 - Leaning on the Everlasting Arms

Hymn # 74 - O For A Thousand Tongues to Sing

BackgroundPsalms, Volumes 1 & 2 (Overview and Structure of Psalm 119)

Psalm 119 celebrates the fact that “God’s commands are for the good of human beings and are an expression of his love.”

This magnificent composition consists of 22 eight-verse stanzas.

These stanzas move through the 22 letters of the Hebrew alphabet in order, from aleph to tav,

the lines of each stanza all beginning with the same letter.

Eight multiplied by 22 is 176, and the poet accomplishes that number of verses in 1065 Hebrew words.

In BHS the psalm covers approximately eight pages of text.

The theme of Ps 119 is the Torah, and the poet employs eight key terms to refer to it.

Torah (תרה), testimony (עד), precept (פקד), statute (חק), commandment (מצוה), judgment (משפט), word (דבר), what you say (אמרה).

Five of the 22 eight-verse stanzas employ all eight terms (see 119:41–48, 57–64, 73–80, 81–88, and 129–136).

Ps. 119:1-32 -

Hymn # 350 - Tis So Sweet to Trust

Hymn #

Ps. 119:33-64 -

Hymn # 271 - Standing on the Promises

Hymn #

Ps. 119:65-88 -

Hymn # 275 - How Firm a Foundation

Hymn #

Ps. 119:89-112 -

Hymn # 405 - My Faith Has Found a Resting Place

Hymn #

Ps. 119:113-144 -

Hymn # 349 - Trust and Obey

Hymn #

Ps. 119:145-176 -

Hymn # 438 - Search Me, O God

Hymn # 26 -A Mighty Fortress is Our God