Psalm 119 is the longest chapter in the Bible. It is a psalm with a powerful message and its structure is a careful work of art. The psalm is a poem that has 176 verses divided into 22 stanzas of 8 verses each. Each stanza corresponds to one of the letters of the Hebrew alphabet (aleph, Bet, gimmel…). In the original text, each stanza and each of the 8 verses that compose it begin with the letter that serves as the title for that part. For example, all the verses written under alephbegin with the Hebrew letter aleph.
Main topics
The central theme of the psalm is the Word of God, theme presented through short sentences and reflections. It is said that there is a mention of the Word of God in practically every verse. For that reason, the psalm can seem somewhat repetitive. However, being a didactic psalm, each stanza emphasizes something special about God and his Word, which gives it a certain fluidity and novelty.
One of the recurring themes in the psalm is the importance of keeping in the heart the precepts of the Lord and obeying them. In other words, learning the commands of the Lord and obeying them go hand in hand. One of the best known and memorized verses of this psalm, verse 11, emphasizes that truth.
In my heart I treasure your sayings
so as not to sin against you.
(Psalm 119:11)
There are very good exhortations throughout the psalm for all who love God and want to live according to his will. Valuing and obeying what the Word of God says should be a priority in the lives of believers.
The psalm shows great linguistic richness and uses various terms to refer to the Word of God. Some of them are law, precepts, testimonies, commandments, statutes and judgments. The author emphasizes what the Word of God means to him. He also encourages the reader to meditate on each of the biblical truths highlighted in his verses.
Another theme running through the psalm is the suffering. Its author seems to have passed through many difficulties and afflictions. Throughout the psalm they are mentioned from enemies who despised him and plotted evil against him to persecutors who overwhelmed him. He spoke about his suffering, but also made it clear that he took refuge in the promises of God with the certainty that the Lord would intervene on his behalf.
The author
The author of this psalm is unknown.. Some believe that it may be a psalm of David while others point to Daniel or Ezra as possible authors. However, nobody really knows because in the psalm we do not find any mention of its author and that is the reason why it is considered an anonymous psalm.
The 22 stanzas of the psalm
Alef א
Psalm 119, verses 1-8
Summary of the stanza:
The psalm begins on a positive note, speaking about those who are truly blessed. Blessed are those who obey what the Lord says in his law. The psalmist wants to be counted among those blessed for which he intends to fulfill the decrees of the Lord and praise him “with integrity of heart.”
However, he recognizes that he will need God’s help to live that way. That is why the section ends with a request to God: «do not abandon me».
Following the path that God shows us brings happiness. God wants us to obey his commands and we count on his help to live in obedience and walk the path he has laid out for us.
Phrases about the Word of God:
- Blessed … are those who walk according to the law of the Lord.
- Blessed are those who keep their statutes.
- You have established your precepts.
- How much I wish… to fulfill your decrees!
- I will not have to be ashamed when I consider all your commandments.
- I will praise you with integrity of heart, when I learn your righteous judgments.
Featured Verses:
Blessed are those who walk on perfect paths,
those who walk according to the law of the Lord.
Blessed are those who keep their statutes
and with all their heart they seek him.
(Psalm 119:1-2)
You have established your precepts,
so that they are faithfully fulfilled.
(Psalm 119:4)
Your decrees I will fulfill;
don’t leave me at all
(Psalm 119:8)
Beth ב
Psalm 119, verses 9-16
Summary of the stanza:
This section begins with an exhortation to the young. If you want to live a life of integrity, purity and worthy of admiration, you must live according to what God says in his Word. Youth is a decisive stage in many aspects. The young man who decides to cling to the Lord chooses to live the rest of his life righteously and obediently. That decision will bring blessing to his life.
Another theme emphasized by the psalmist in these verses is the importance of not only memorizing the Lord’s decrees, but of speaking about them and living by what they say. It is the greatest wealth and the best delight that can be had. Devoting yourself to memorizing the commandments of the Lord is just part of the way. God wants us to put them into practice and share them with other people.
Phrases about the Word of God:
- By living according to your word
- Do not let me stray from your commandments.
- I treasure your sayings in my heart.
- Teach me your decrees!
- The judgments you have made.
- I rejoice in the way of your statutes.
- In your decrees I find my delight.
Featured Verses:
How can the young lead a life of integrity?
By living according to your word.
(Psalm 119:9)
In my heart I treasure your sayings
so as not to sin against you.
(Psalm 119:11)
I rejoice in the way of your statutes
more than in all the riches.
(Psalm 119:14)
Guimel ג
Psalm 119, verses 17-24
Summary of the stanza:
The psalmist asks God for goodness in order to live in obedience. He knew how far he could endure and appealed to the goodness of God because he did not want to fail him. His heart’s desire was to stand firm and live according to God’s desire. Therefore, he recognized the need for his discernment to understand the Word and put it into practice.
In verse 19 we see that the psalmist knew that life is fleeting and that true life, eternal life, is with God. “In this land I am a foreigner,” he wrote. Therefore, his greatest desire was to strengthen his spiritual life and get closer to God.
In this stanza the psalmist introduces the “insolent” who turned away from the Lord’s commandments. In verse 23 he talks about the persecution he suffered: “Even the mighty conspire against me…”. However, the psalmist did not allow himself to be defeated by his enemies and persecutors. He stood firm meditating on the decrees of the Lord, his advisers. In them he received strength to move forward.
Phrases about the Word of God:
- So I will live and obey your word.
- The wonders of your law.
- Do not hide your commandments from me.
- The desire to know your judgments.
- Cursed are those who stray from your commandments!
- I abide by your statutes.
- This servant of yours meditates on your decrees.
- Your statutes are my delight.
Featured Verses:
Open my eyes, so that I can contemplate
the wonders of your law.
(Psalm 119:18)
Take away from me contempt and disdain,
for I abide by your statutes.
(Psalm 119:22)
Your statutes are my delight;
They are also my advisers.
(Psalm 119:24)
Daleth ד
Psalm 119, verses 25-32
Summary of the stanza:
In these verses the psalmist raises a prayer to the Lord. It seems that he was going through a distressing time, but he did not give up. He turned to God for the comfort, help, and direction he needed. He knew that he could lean on Almighty God!
In order not to lose heart and continue in obedience on the right path, the psalmist cried out to God. He wanted to please God, to follow his path and the instructions were found in the law of the Lord. In verse 30 he expressed his decision: “I have chosen the path of faithfulness, I have chosen your judgments.” Wise decision!
Phrases about the Word of God:
- Give me life according to your word.
- Teach me your decrees!
- Make me understand the way of your precepts.
- Uphold me according to your word.
- Grant me the goodness of your law.
- I have chosen your judgments.
- I, Lord, adhere to your statutes.
- I run in the way of your commandments.
Featured Verses:
With anguish my soul melts:
uphold me according to your word.
(Psalm 119:28)
Keep me away from crooked paths;
grant me the goodness of your law.
(Psalm 119:29)
I have ה
Psalm 119, verses 33-40
Summary of the stanza:
In the opening verses of this section the psalmist expressed his need to receive the teaching and understanding that come from God. So that? To obey the commandments wholeheartedly. He knew how to recognize his limitations, but he did not let them prevent him from living the life that God wanted. True peace and comfort are obtained in the path of obedience.
Then, he recognized the danger that attachment to riches presents. He didn’t want to focus on getting material things, but he struggled with a certain attraction. That is why he asked for God’s help so that his heart would be inclined towards the right things, those that are a priority for God. He wanted to focus, incline his heart and love what God loves: his precepts. And that longing of his heart is evident in these 8 verses.
Phrases about the Word of God:
- Teach me, Lord, to follow your decrees.
- Give me understanding to follow your law.
- Lead me in the path of your commandments.
- Incline my heart to your statutes.
- Give me life according to your word.
- Your judgments are good.
- I love your precepts!
Featured Verses:
Teach me, Lord, to follow your decrees,
and I will fulfill them to the end.
(Psalm 119:33)
Lead me in the path of your commandments,
because in it I find my solace.
(Psalm 119:35)
Incline my heart to your statutes
and not towards excessive profits.
Turn my eyes from vain things,
give me life according to your word.
(Psalm 119:36-37)
wow ו
Psalm 119, verses 41-48
Summary of the stanza:
Confidence in God’s promise equipped the psalmist to stand up to those who despised him. On the one hand, he cried out to God for the fulfillment of his promise. On the other hand, he was sure that God would fulfill it and fill his life with love and salvation. With that security he was strengthened to face those who opposed him.
The author also expressed the desire to speak the word of truth in the midst of any situation and before any person, even before kings. He wanted to be brave to tell everyone about the word of God and what it meant in his life. The commandments of the Lord had brought freedom and joy to his heart. I would not silence that truth!
Phrases about the Word of God:
- I trust your word.
- I have placed my hope in your judgments.
- I will faithfully obey your law.
- I have sought your precepts.
- I will speak of your statutes to kings.
- I love your commandments.
- I want to meditate on your decrees!
Featured Verses:
Send me, Lord, your great love
and your salvation, according to your promise.
So I will respond to those who despise me,
because I trust your word.
(Psalm 119:41-42)
I will speak of your statutes to kings
And I won’t be ashamed
because I love your commandments,
and in them I rejoice.
(Psalm 119:46-47)
Zayn ז
Psalm 119, verses 49-56
Summary of the stanza:
The word of God brings comfort, hope and life. In that truth the psalmist remained firm even in the moments most of him…