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Psalm 119 Commentary
by Brad Boyles
The original Hebrew version of this psalm is a complex acrostic. Each verse in a particular section begins with the same letter. Doing the math, this means that every 8 verses would begin with the same Hebrew letter. An example of this in English would be 8 verses beginning with “A”, 8 verses beginning with “B”, etc. So, in the end, there are 22 sections of 8 verses each totaling a massive 176 verses for the entire psalm.
At first, I thought that the different sections were different authors and their names were bolded in our Bible. However, these bold words are actually the letters of the Hebrew alphabet. This way, we can see where each of the 22 sections begins and ends. If you think in terms of what this would be like today, it’s quite a feat! Here is an example of what this might look like in our English language.
- A wonderful life is for those who walk in keeping with Yahweh’s Torah.
- A wonderful life is for those who comply with his terms.
- Avoiding what is wrong, they walk in the way he has shown.
- All their being is given to seeking him as they follow the ideal way.
- A firm adherence to the way of your laws is what I want, Yahweh, so that
- Ashamed I will not be when I consider all your commands.
- As I learn of your just decrees, I will sincerely thank you
- And keep your laws. Do not completely abandon me.
Just consider, this is only the letter “A”! The psalm itself is beautiful as it’s all about treasuring God’s Word. But, when also considering the details of how it was constructed, it becomes a beautiful artistic composition to the glory of God.