The Righteous One's Alphabet of True Godliness a brief study of Psalm 119, adapted from PCC Prayer Meeting Exhortation on 27 Jan 2011 Psalm 119 is the longest of the Psalms. It isan alphabetical psalm, having 22 parts or strophes according the 22 letters ofthe Hebrew alphabet. Each strophe is made up of eight verses, with each linebeginning with the same letter of the Hebrew alphabet. So all the lines in thefirst strophe, verses 1-8 begin with the first letter of the Hebrew alphabet Aleph, and all the lines of the secondstrophe, verses 9-16, begin with the second letter, Beth, and so on to the last strophe. Moreover, in almost everyverse in this long psalm (with the exception of verses 84 and 122), a referenceis made to the written revelation of God using a number of synonyms, viz:‘law’, ‘testimony’, ‘way’, ‘commandment’, ‘precept’, ‘judgement’, ‘word’,‘righteousness’, ‘statute’, ‘faithfulness’, ‘truth’ and ‘name.’ Accordingly, we may infer that one of the majorthemes in this psalm must revolve around the Word of God. However, if you readthis psalm, you will realise very quickly that it is not a systematic treatiseon the Word of God. In fact, it is noteven systematic. As Matthew Henry puts it: “This Psalm is a chest of goldrings, not a chain of gold links.” Or as Martin Luther puts it: It contains prayers, consolations, doctrines,thanksgivings, and repeats all these with a varied fulness. It is given forthwith a deep and blessed intent; namely, that by this repetition and fulness, itmay invite and exhort us to hear and diligently to treasure up the word of God. Indeed, if you take a stepback and look at this psalm without any preconceived ideas and without focusingmerely on the subject of the Word of God, you will realise very quickly thatthere is actually a connecting thought throughout the psalm, though it is quitesubjective. A number of commentators have noticed this.Charles Bridges is one of them. He says: This Psalm may beconsidered as the journal of one who was deeply taught in the things ofGod—long practiced in the life and walk of faith. It contains the anatomy ofexperimental religion—the interior lineament of the family of God. It is givenfor the use of believers in all ages, as an excellent touchstone of vitalgodliness. Jonathan Edwards notices it too. He says: I know of no other part ofthe Holy Scriptures where the nature and evidence of true and sincere godlinessare so fully and largely insisted and delineated. I believe this truth is beautifully summarisedin the first verse of this psalm: “Blessedare the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the LORD” (Psalm119:1). The extensive and very useful seriesof sermons on Psalm 119 by Thomas Manton begins with an exposition of thisverse and essentially demonstrates that this is what this psalm is about. TheChristian life is a life lived in relation to the Word of God. The Word of Godis most greatly exalted in the lives of the Lord’s people who love Him and seekto walk with Him. But now, how is this psalm the Word of Christ?Well, Christ is the Alpha and Omega, the Word of God, so surely this Psalm,which is about the experience of God’s people relative to His Word, must begiven by Christ. But could the Lord Jesushave taken these words in His lips to speak about His own experience? Well, ifyou examine the psalm, you will realise that almost all the verses could beapplied directly to our Lord. However, there are a few verses which presentsome difficulties, namely, verses 67, 71, 75 and 176. Well, we agree with AndrewBonar that actually the only verse that presents any real difficulty is verse67; but as Bonar reminds us, the Hebrew of verse 67 may be rendered “I have notyet been afflicted, as one going astray, and still I have kept thy word.”Rendered this way, the verse could indeed have been taken up by our Lord tospeak of His own experience. But in any case, surely this psalm is given byChrist for His brethren and disciples that we might give expression to ourrelationship with God vis-a-vis His Word. We may entitle this Psalm, “TheRighteous One’s Alphabet of True Godliness.” Now, to studythis psalm adequately, it is necessary at the minimum for us to consider eachof the strophes individually. However, for our purpose in this study, we wantto look very briefly at each of the strophes to highlight the content and a keyverse. And since the Hebrew acrostic devise is not extremely useful for theEnglish reader, let us consider the Psalm using the English acronym—“THE HOLYLAW OF THE LORD GOD.” Perhaps some of us, using this device, may be able toretain in memory at least an outline of this magnificent Psalm. 1. Aleth— In this first, strophe, we extol theblessedness of whole-hearted obedience to the Word of God. The key verse ofthis strophe is also the first verse of this psalm: 1 Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the LORD. 2. Beth— Here we are taught thatthose who would be holy in life must hide the Word of God in the heart and liveaccording to biblical principles. The key verse, accordingly, is: 11 Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee. 3. Gimel— In this third strophe, we testify of ourlonging to have our eyes and our heart opened to enjoy the marvelous truths ofGod’s Word. Verse 18 would be representative: 18 Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law. 4. Daleth— Here the children of God are given words toexpress their hope and desire to have their hearts enlarged so that they may belifted from earthly-mindedness to have a heavenly perspective in life. Verse 25may be chosen as the key-verse: 25 My soul cleaveth unto the dust: quicken thou me according to thy word. 5. He— Every child of God knows that if he wouldexperience God’s blessings, he must be obedient to the Word of God. In thisstrophe, we express our desire to have our hearts illumined that we mightwholeheartedly obey His Word. Verse 34 expresses this well— 34 Give me understanding, and I shall keep thy law; yea, I shall observe itwith my whole heart. 6. Waw— God’s children will notkeep His commandments out of gratitude as they should until they haveexperienced His love and mercies in their life. As such, in this strophe, weexpress our desire that God should show His mercies unto us, that we might keepHis commandments out of love for Him and His Word. Our key verse, naturally, isverse 41— 41 Let thy mercies come also unto me, O LORD, even thy salvation, accordingto thy word. 7. Zayin— God’s children can expectto face much persecution in this world when they seek to be obedient to God’sWord. But when we meditate on the promises of God’s Word, we are lifted up andcomforted. Verse 50 expresses this thought well— 50 This is my comfort in my affliction: for thy word hath quickened me. 8. Heth— We may take verse 57 as our key verse for thissection: 57 Thou art my portion, OLORD: I have said that I would keep thy words. As God’s children, nothing motivates us toobedience more than a sense of God’s love and a realisation that He loves usand would bless us. 9. Teth— Nothing teaches the children of God the valueof God’s Law and the importance of obedience more than affliction. It is evensaid of the Lord Jesus that “though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience bythe things which he suffered.” (Heb 5:8). In this portion of this psalm we express ourappreciation for God-sent afflictions. This is well expressed in our key versefor this strophe: 71 It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thystatutes. 10. Yodh— Our knowledge of God’sWord will remain as intellectual fact in our minds until God brings us todifficult circumstances in life that will compel us to apply His truth. Onlythen will we have true wisdom (cf. Heb 5:13-14). But when a child of God has acquired suchwisdom, he will have a desire in his heart of hearts to do good by being agodly counsel to his brothers and sisters in Christ. In this strophe is a songthat gives expression to this desire. Verse 74 may be taken as our key verse: 74 They that fear thee will be glad when they see me; because I have hopedin thy word. 11.Kaph— Every child of God will experience moments intheir life when they feel like a bottle in the smoke or a lamb in a pit. ButGod has promised deliverance, and so we can find comfort at such times in Hisword. This assurance is well expressed in verse 81, which we may take as ourkey verse for this portion: 81 My soul fainteth for thy salvation: but I hope in thy word. 12.Lamedh— We take our subtitle forthis strophe from verse 89, but perhaps a more representative key verse wouldbe verse 90— 90 Thy faithfulness is unto all generations: thou hast established theearth, and it abideth. All may change but God never. The best thingsof this world are imperfect and temporary (v. 96). But God and His law isperfect and endures forever. Thank God this is so, otherwise the children ofGod can never have any real and lasting comfort in this life. 13.Mem— Testimonies, laws,precepts, commands: these are all used synonymously in Psalm 119 to describethe written Word of God. Every child of God will find great pleasure andbenefit to meditate on God’s Word. Almost every verse in this strophe can be akey verse, but let us use verse 97— 97 O how love Ithy law! it is my meditation all the day. 14.Nun— We take our subtitle from verse 105, which isalso our key verse— 105 Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. 15.Samech— The children of God can expect to go thoughmany storms in life. Sometimes these have to do with circumstances, but oftenthey have to do with sin and sinners who care not for the truth. Thank God wecan hide in God’s truth and promises. Thank God we confidently cry with thepsalmist in verse 114— 114 Thou art my hiding place and my shield: I hope in thy word. 16.Ayin— God’s children who love God’s Word and hateevery false way (v. 127-128) can expect not to be well-liked by those who hateGod’s law. In this strophe we call upon the Lord to arise to vindicate Hisservants. Verse 126 is a suitable key verse— 126 It is time for thee, LORD, to work: for they have made void thy law. 17.Pe— The children of God notonly love God, but know the blessing of walking according to His Word. Thosewho do not have the Word of God live in foolishness (v. 130) and are in bondageto sin (v. 133). Therefore not only do we desire to keep the Law of the Lord,but we long to see others converted. Verse 136 gives expression to thislonging: 136 Rivers of waters run down mine eyes, because they keep not thy law. 18.Tzaddi— Verse 137 introduces this section well: 137 Righteous art thou, O LORD, and upright are thy judgments. The children of God arerighteous ones not only because of the righteousness of Christ imputed to them,but because the Holy Spirit makes them delight in righteousness (v. 143).Therefore it is fitting that we praise the Lord for His righteousness asdisplayed in His Word. 19.Qoph— Again, those who arelawless and under the influence of the Wicked One have no qualms aboutpersecuting the children of God. One of the reasons, no doubt, is to tempt therighteous to dishonour God when under pressure. When we are faced withsuch circumstances, what shall we do but learn to pray and to sing such a songas given in this part of Psalm 119. And if there is one key verse that distillsthis song, it is verse 146— 146 I cried unto thee; save me, and I shall keep thy testimonies. 20.Resh— In times of suffering, it is good not to focuson the cause of the pain, but on the tender mercies and justices of the Lord asthey are revealed in His Word. God will deliver His children out ofcompassionate love for them, and also out of His judicial wrath against thosewho touch the apple of His eyes. Such a consideration gives us impetus to prayand sing this song, as sujmmarised in verse 156— 156 Great are thy tender mercies, O LORD: quicken me according to thyjudgments. 21.Schin— The apostle John says: “For this is the love ofGod, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous” (1Jn 5:3). Those who love the Lord and His Law will keep His commandments. Those who do so can expectgreat peace in their life. This we must affirm. This we must testify for all tohear. This is the truth captured in our key verse for this paragraph, verse165— 165 Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them. 22.Tau— Our subtitle in this final strophe is takenfrom verse 170, but perhaps a more representative verse would be verse 176— 176 I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek thy servant; for I do notforget thy commandments. God’s children, even those who love the Law ofGod (e.g. v. 174) can stray like a lost sheep. This may be by way of sin andbacksliding. Or it may be by way of wandering, as it were, aimlessly in life,having no purpose or aim. This can happen due to discouragement and otherreasons. But when the Lord opens our eyes and we are made to realise that thishappened to us, the let us cry to the Lord to deliver us to lead us back in thepath of righteousness according to God’s commandment, wherein is true joy andmeaning in life. Conclusion Thisis Psalm 119 in a nutshell. May the Lord grant us that we may love His Word andlive according to His Word. May He grant us that we learn also to sing abouthow precious His Word is for us in the cultivation of Christ-likeness. Let usrealise that the Christian life cannot be lived apart from God’s Word, howeversincere one may be. And at the same time, let us understand that the more wewalk and think in accordance to God’s Word, the more we will enjoy and glorifyGod in Christ! Amen. Ω |
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