Psalm 119 Intro
Posted on Tuesday, November 27, 2007 at 11:44 AM by David Zavadil
Psalm 119 is one of my favorite passages. It is simple, yet poignant. A jewel in the center of our Scripture. Charles Bridges, a contemporary of J.C. Ryle, has called Psalm 119, "twenty-two pearls upon one string." C.H. Spurgeon wrote, "This marvelous poem seemed to me a great sea of holy teaching, moving, in its many verses, wave upon wave; altogether without an island of special and remarkable statement to break it up." A poetical and Scriptural masterpiece, this chapter is worthy of every believer's study.
There is not title or author ascribed to this Psalm, yet this does in no way diminish its majesty. Written as a teaching Psalm, it has just as much to teach us in english as it did in the original Hebrew. As most of you know, if you want learn the Hebrew alphabet, Psalm 119 is a great teaching tool. Each section is identified by a letter of the alphabet. In the original Hebrew, each verse of the respective section begins with a word starting with the letter for that section. For instance, the first section is labeled aleph. Each verse in this section begins with a word beginning with the letter aleph.
Not only does this book offer us an education in the Hebrew alphabet, it offers us an education in the walk with God. Throughout the Psalm the author deals with elements of piety. Our walk with God. It is interesting to note that virtually every verse in this Psalm there is a reference to the Word of God. Let me illustrate with a few references.
1 Blessed are those whose way is blameless, who walk in the law of the Lord!
10 With my whole heart I seek you; let me not wander from your commandments!
71 It is good for me that I was afflicted, that I might learn your statutes.
119 All the wicked of the earth you discard like dross, therefore I love your testimonies.
The psalmist challenges us, the readers, to grow deeper in our walk with God, not just through our study of the Word, but through prayer and meditation also. Throughout the psalme we are challenged to move beyond the theoretical and philosophical to the practical. Our daily walk is one of practice, practice to live within the rigors of the world. The only way we can do this is though the strength of God. Psalm 119 guides us to the Word of God and the disciplines of our faith to find see his strength.
Posted in Bible Study (RSS)
|