A Thought or Two on Psalm 119

[Ed Walsh]

Greetings fellow pilgrims,

Psalm 119 can be intimidating.

Example: Psalms 119:1-3 ASV

[1] Blessed are they that are perfect in the way, who walk in the law of Jehovah.​

[2] Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, that seek him with the whole heart.​

[3] Yea, they do no unrighteousness; They walk in his ways.​

[4] Thou hast commanded us to keep thy precepts diligently.​

For those who are even somewhat acquainted with their own heart, these verses can be disheartening. Who are these people that are perfect in the way, and do no unrighteousness? That sure isn't me! I'll bet some who are familiar with the plague of their own heart have stopped reading here.

But then we come to verses 5-7, where we hear from the Psalm's author. Oh, how differently he considers his own heart compared to these hypothetical perfect people.

[5] O that my ways were directed to keep thy statutes!​

[6] Then shall I not be ashamed, when I have respect unto all thy commandments.​

[7] I will praise thee with uprightness of heart, when I shall have learned thy righteous judgments.​

Now I'm going to skip all the way to the last several verses of the Psalm to get another glimpse of the heart of the author. Contrary to the many exhortations in the Scriptures to seek the Lord, with the author, we have the reverse. To me, this is one of the most humble passages in all of Scripture.

[174] I have longed for thy salvation, O LORD; And thy law is my delight.​

[175] Let my soul live, and it shall praise thee; And let thy judgments help me.​

[176] I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek thy servant; For I do not forget thy commandments.​

Psalm 119 has 176 verses, of which I have quoted but 10. But I think if you keep these 10 in mind, it will give you insight into the whole Psalm.

What are your thoughts?

 

[Brandon M.]

Great reminder, Ed. So thankful for our Good Shepherd, who laid down His life for His sheep:

"The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want... Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever."

And may this be our prayer as well:

"Incline my heart to your testimonies, and not to selfish gain! Turn my eyes from looking at worthless things; and give me life in your ways" (Psalm 119:36–37).

 

[Brownie]

Thanks, @Ed Walsh! With the longer Psalms it can be difficult to keep in view the width and breadth of the psalmist's thoughts. You made them beautifully insightful and relatable!

 

[SojourningSøren]

I think it’s such a large psalm, it’s easy to get lost in it. But thank you for showing that! I often feel like a piece of paper fluttering about in a storm. I should probably make a habit of rereading this psalm regularly.

Has there ever been any scholarly discussion about 119’s actual length? It’s odd that it’s far larger than any other psalm. I’ve always wondered if there was some purpose behind that.

 

[Brandon M.]

I've had my eye on this book on Psalm 119 from Dr. David Vandrunen for a while. See here for an interview he did a little while back on the Reformed Forum. https://reformedforum.org/podcasts/ctc917/

 

[Jeri Tanner]

Psalm 119 | Digital Album » Grange Press

This collection of the 22 sections of Psalm 119 from the metrical psalter is made available to benefit the Children's Psalm Memorization Project.

www.grangepress.com

Use this to gain intimacy with it, and to memorize it, and you may understand more about it than any book or study can tell you.