Psalm 119:1-24

The Voice

Psalm 119^[a]

Psalm 119 is the longest psalm in the collection. It is a hymn in praise of and appreciation for God’s instructions to His people. You see, God not only called Israel to be His people and gave them a wonderful land, but He gave them a blueprint for living. The Hebrew word for that is torah, sometimes translated “law” or “teachings.” In torah God tells them how to structure their lives and communities so that they will live long, prosperous lives in the land He has given them. As you read through the psalm, you will notice words like law, teachings, precepts, word, decrees, and commands. Each of these words is a synonym highlighting some attribute of God’s instructions to His people.

Another memorable feature of this psalm is its form. The psalmist constructs this hymn as an elaborate acrostic poem that moves artfully through each letter of the Hebrew alphabet. Essentially, all the elements of this psalm combine to emphasize the importance of God’s Word to His people, to the praise and glory of the one True God.

Aleph

¹Happy are the people who walk with integrity,
    who live according to the teachings of the Eternal.
²Happy are the people who keep His decrees,
    who pursue Him wholeheartedly.
³These are people who do nothing wrong;
    they do what it takes to follow His ways.
⁴You have given us Your precepts
    so we would be careful about keeping them.
⁵Oh, that every part of my life would remain in line
    with what You require!
⁶Then I would feel no shame
    when I fix my eyes upon Your commands.
⁷With a pure heart, I will give thanks to You
    when I hear about Your just and fair rulings.
⁸I will live within Your limits;
    do not abandon me completely!

Beth

⁹How can a young person remain pure?
    Only by living according to Your word.
¹⁰I have pursued You with my whole heart;
    do not let me stray from Your commands.
¹¹Deep within me I have hidden Your word
    so that I will never sin against You.
¹²You are blessed, O Eternal One;
    instruct me in what You require.
¹³My lips have told how
    You have delivered all Your wise rulings.
¹⁴I have celebrated Your testimonies
    as though rejoicing over an immeasurable fortune.
¹⁵I will fix my mind on Your instructions
    and my eyes on Your path.
¹⁶I will find joy in Your ordinances;
    I will remember Your word forever.

Gimel

¹⁷Treat Your servant well, Lord,
    so that I may live and remain faithful to Your word.
¹⁸Let me see clearly so that I may take in
    the amazing things coming from Your law.
¹⁹I am a sojourner in the world;
    do not keep Your commands hidden from me.
²⁰My soul aches from craving
    Your wise rulings day and night.
²¹You rebuke those who are proud,
    and those who stray from Your commands are cursed.
²²Free me from the contempt and disdain of others
    because I keep Your decrees.
²³Even though powerful princes conspire against me,
    I fix my mind on what You require.
²⁴Yes, Your testimonies are my joy;
    they are like the friends I seek for counsel.