Psalm 119
Theme
Meditations on the Excellencies of the Word of God
Outline
א 119:1-8, The Blessed Way of Life ב 119:9-16, Desire for the Blessed Way ג 119:17-24, The Psalm 2 Enemies and Psalm 1 Counselors ד 119:25-32, My Heart Is Narrow; Make It Wide ה 119:33-40, Teach My Heart and Remove Obstacles ו 119:41-48, Save Me and I Will Testify ז 119:49-56, I Remember Torah though the Wicked Forsake It ח 119:57-64, I Repent and Sing against the Night ט 119:65-72, God’s Goodness Even in Affliction י 119:73-80, Steadfast Love and Mercy, Not Shame כ 119:81-88, How Long? ל 119:89-96, Your Word Is Fixed Forever מ 119:97-104, I Love Torah and Hate False Ways נ 119:105-112, The Lamp and the Snares ס 119:113-120, I Love Torah and Hate the Double-minded ע 119:121-128, Steadfast Love for Your Servant פ 119:129-136, Testimonies of Wonders and Established Steps צ 119:137-144, You Are Righteous and I Am Small ק 119:145-152, I Call; Hear My Voice ר 119:153-160, Vindicate Me, for I Love Your Precepts ש 119:161-168, Chieftains Persecute; Shalom Abounds ת 119:169-176, My Need: Your Help
Key Verse
(119:105) Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. (119:1) Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the LORD!
Notes
Psalm 119 is a lengthy and structured celebration of God's commands, emphasizing their goodness and love for humanity. Comprising 22 stanzas of eight verses each, the psalm follows the Hebrew alphabet, with each stanza beginning with the same letter. It totals 176 verses and focuses on the Torah, using eight key terms to refer to it, which appear frequently throughout the text. The stanzas are organized into thematic blocks and often consist of two four-line thought units. The psalm reflects a chiastic structure, with themes of desire, affliction, and divine love interwoven. The relationship between the individual praying, their enemies, and God is central, with the Torah positioned as a focal point. The psalm's length serves a purpose, creating a conducive environment for spiritual experience, as shorter forms may not achieve the same depth. The acrostic form conveys completeness and showcases the poet's skill, aiming to unlock the Torah as a medium for experiencing God's presence.