Introduction

Pondering Psalm 119 makes me wonder and there are so many tidbits. It has 176 verses, it is a prayer of the Psalmist, one who delights in God’s Word.

One message of this psalm is that we are to live a lifestyle that demonstrates obedience to the Lord, who is a God of order (hence the acrostic structure), not of chaos.

The name of God appears twenty-four times in the Psalm. Like, what is an acrostic Psalm, who wrote this Psalm, what themes are in this Psalm, and what are the main lessons?

First

Beloved, when you come to Psalm 119 in your daily reading plan, do you roll your eyes? do you wish you knew how to speed read? Psalm 119 is the longest chapter in the bible. According to commentaries, it was most likely written over time and then compiled into a chapter. It is written in an acrostic pattern following the Hebrew alphabet, there are 22 sections of 8 verses each. Lamentations 3 is similar to the acrostic approach. So each section is the letter of the Hebrew alphabet and then each verse in that section begins with that letter.

Second

Additionally, this Psalm’s author is not declared. It is said God would have told us if it is important. Many feel it was written over time by King David. Another commentary states, the author may be the prophet, Ezra. Or it could be a combination or David, Daniel, and Ezra.  I like what one commentary said, it is not written like a chain of verses that flow but like a string of pearls.

Third

A string of pearls, pearls are formed in the sea, hidden until one opens the clam and finds the treasure. Just as Psalm 119, the themes are many. One can find verses on how important God’s Word, verses on persecution, and affliction. God is God in this Psalm and the Word of God is so important and this is revealed in this Psalm. God’s attributes are prominent in this Psalm,

1. Righteousness (verses 7, 62, 75, 106, 123, 138, 144, 160, 164, 172)
2. Trustworthiness (verse 42)
3. Truthfulness (verses 43, 142, 151, 160)
4. Faithfulness (verse 86)
5. Unchangeableness (verse 89)
6. Eternality (verses 90,152)
7. Light (verse 105)
8. Purity (verse 140)

Fourth

Beloved, the main lesson for me is to read God’s word. However, intertwined in this chapter are lessons on how great is God, how wonderful is His Word, how blessed we are to read and meditate on God’s Word. Even if we are afflicted and persecuted, God is with us.

Conclusion

Father God, let me never hesitate to read Psalm 119. Let me embrace the themes and the lessons within these chapters. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Which of God’s attributes will you claim as your own?