Heart of a Psalmist - Worshipping Christ Through The Psalms

5 Keil & Delitzsch 6 Kraus 7 Kraus

PSALM 119: OH HOW I LOVE YOUR LAW Transformed by His Word and Grace

This is the greatest of all the psalms in its size, structure and its subject of exploring the relation- ship between God, mankind and his word. It is a highly personal documentary of a person’s desire to know God through the revelation of his word and his grace. Augustine said: ‘it seemeth not to need an expositor, but only a reader and listener.’ 1 It is very close in style to Psalms 1 and 19:7-14 that ex- presses delight in the perfection of the law. It is the longest ‘chapter’ in the bible containing 176 verses that are arranged in a grand ‘acrostic’ design. It is divided into 22 sections that correspond to the 22 letters of the Hebrew alphabet. Each of the sections contains 8 verses that begin with the corresponding letter of the alphabet. ‘The art of al- phabetical organization …has no parallel in the OT.’ 2 Although there are 9 acrostic poems in the Psalms, 5 are slightly defective as they are missing some letters (9, 10, 25, 34, 145) while 37, 111, 112 and 119 are complete. But none are as unique as Psalm 119 in its 8-verse design. 8 is recognized as a number in the Bible of ‘new beginnings’ as Christ was resurrected on the eighth day. There are nine Hebrew words used in the psalm to describe the fullness of God’s law: 1. Torah- ‘the law’ encompassing all the words and revelation of God’s will to mankind. 2. ‘Edvoth’- ‘testimonies/decrees’ God’s commands, considered as witnesses to his character. 3. Mishpatim- ‘judgments’- judicial pronouncements against particular lines of conduct. 4. Khuqqim- ‘statutes’- (decrees) enactments of God as Legislator. 5. Dabar- ‘God’s word, words’- his actual spoken or written utterances. 6. Piqqudim- ‘precepts’- instructions given to men to direct their conduct. 7. Mitsroth- ‘commandments’- slightly differing from ‘piqqudim’, wider in scope. 8. Imrah- ‘promise’- used as a variant of ‘dabar’ and extending to all God’s utterances. 9. Darek- ‘way or ways’- prescribed lines of conduct. 3 The ‘law’ represented by these words is mentioned in every verse of the psalm except verse 122. Yahweh, the name for God, is mentioned 22 times in this poem. All of the words and laws of God points forward to the Lord Jesus Christ who himself was the ‘ Word’ who came and lived among us as a human being: “In the beginning the Word already existed. He was with God, and he was God. He was in the beginning with God. … So the Word became human and lived here on earth among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness.” (Jn. 1:1-3, 14) It is only through Jesus that the law of God can be ful- filled. There are three important components to this psalm although they are not all present in every verse. First is God’s Commands, the perfections of his word; secondly God’s Christ, the power of his grace; lastly Mankind’s Co-operation, obedience from a heart of love. Christ fulfilled all the righteous demands of the law and only through faith in his finished work can we be made right with God. No one should ever try to earn their acceptance with God through obedience to the Law, acceptance is given as a free gift and obedience is the expression of our love for God. “Those who obey my commandments are the ones who love me. And because they love me, my Father will love them, and I will love them. And I will re- veal myself to each one of them.” (Jn. 14:21) This is illustrated by the diagram:

GOD’S

MAN’S

COMMANDS

CHRIST

CO-OPERATION I will run to follow

32 your commands

If you will help me

34 your law give me understanding I will put into practice with all my heart 40 commandments renew my life with your goodness I long to obey 66 your commands now teach me good judgment I believe 77 your law surround me with your tender mercies my delight

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