Psalm 119 Almost a Bible in Itself

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LaurenTM

Guest
#1
Psalm 119 stands out as the longest Psalm and for that matter the longest 'chapter' in any book of the Bible

There is no title to this Psalm and the author is not mentioned either. There are traditions associated with it, especially King David using it to teach Solomon, as a boy, the alphabet...Hebrew alphabet, but this is not mentionned in scripture itself. What is unique about it, is that it is what is known as an alphabet acrostic; which means that the first letters of each lie in Hebrew follow through the alphabet, at 8 lines per letter which works out to be 8 lines x 22 letters in Hebrew equals 176 lines.

A theme running through this Psalm is that God is a God of order, so the Psalm actually demonstrates this in the form it is written, which I think is really neat! That's like doubling up on what you are saying and proving it at the same time. I'm sure not everyone finds that so exciting. It's actually somewhat of a literary masterpiece.

a·cros·tic
əˈkrôstik,əˈkräs-/
noun
[COLOR=#878787 !important][/COLOR]

  • a poem, word puzzle, or other composition in which certain letters in each line form a word or words.


    the entire Psalm is telling us what to expect if we apply ourself to God's word; in this case not the entire Bible as there was no NT yet, but it still applies to the NT as well as the NT tells us that all scripture is
    16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
    17 That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works. II Tim. 3

    I'm trying to get across the idea that wisdom is to be had, knowledge and understanding and in the end with understanding, a relationship with God that is solid and based on truth by applying the words of this Psalm in the factual manner in which it is written

    if we take God at His word, if we accept what He says is true, then we change, we act differently, we believe differently, we have a different outlook on life

    it's not a matter of following a code to be holy or righteous; it's more a matter of the law of God gives life, in it we find and have all we need. within the Psalm, the writer asks God for many things, such as the ability to understand what is being said

    a person could conduct a huge study on this Psalm and come away a different person

    I hope maybe some people will take the time to contribute their thoughts or take a verse or more and expound on them. It would make a wonderful study if we could go in that direction, or if it dies in the water, then it does...I did mention I would write some thoughts on it to someone so that is what I'm doing (I I didn't want to derail the other thread)
 
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eternally-gratefull

Guest
#2
I like how the psalmist is asking God to establish him and give him strengths as a person who wants to do all God says..
 

crossnote

Senior Member
Nov 24, 2012
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#4
As one Psalm it seems overwhelming. Approached as 22 related psalms..ahhh, much nicer.
 

Yonah

Senior Member
Oct 31, 2014
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#5
Every 8 verses there is a letter of the Hebrew alphabet in the original scrolls.
 
Jul 1, 2016
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#7
Unless thy law [had been] my delights, I should then have perished in mine affliction. Psalms 119:92 (KJV)

Is it difficult to imagine, that a man after God's own heart, delights in His law?
 

crossnote

Senior Member
Nov 24, 2012
30,770
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#8
Unless thy law [had been] my delights, I should then have perished in mine affliction. Psalms 119:92 (KJV)

Is it difficult to imagine, that a man after God's own heart, delights in His law?
Perhaps God's Law was written on David's heart and not just on stone tablets.
 
Jul 1, 2016
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#9
Perhaps God's Law was written on David's heart and not just on stone tablets.
in a manner of speaking... maybe,
but as far as prophecy, no.
Ezekiel prophesied of future time when God would write His laws on our hearts, and everyone knows that Ezekiel lived after David. At least everyone who reads Scripture knows this.
 

gotime

Senior Member
Mar 3, 2011
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#10
Yes, amen.

People often don't get that point. There are people who had the law of God in their heart in the Old Testament. Abraham was one of them.

The New covenant promise is not saying that the law was never on anyone's heart before. It is in fact a promise made to Israel that after their disobedience and captivity God would save them again and then the law would be written on their heart. In other words they would obey from a heart of love. People forget that the new covenant original context was to israel after they are brought back into their own country after their exile.

Of course the greatest fulfilment of this is in in Christ. So their salvation from Babylon served as a type to ours and their salvation from sin in Christ.
 

gotime

Senior Member
Mar 3, 2011
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#11
Paul makes it clear that the law on the heart is about obeying it.

Rom 2:14 For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves:
Rom 2:15 Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another;)

Thus Abraham also obeyed without the law thus it was on his heart.

David understood this when he repented in Ps 51.

this is why God promised Israel that he would write it on their heart when he brought them out of exile in Babylon. Because the act of God saving them from what they themselves had brought on themselves brought love into their hearts. That love fulfils the law. Love is the law written on the heart, love for God and love for man.
 

gotime

Senior Member
Mar 3, 2011
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#12
In fact Jesus joined love to keeping the commandments:

Joh 14:15 If ye love me, you will keep my commandments.

1Jn_5:3 For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.

And So on, same in the old testament. That was the problem with the Jewish nation they did not love and thus did not keep. Love transforms our hearts. Gods love changes things.
 

Dan_473

Senior Member
Mar 11, 2014
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#13
hello LaurenTM, thanks for starting this thread

I believe it is basically in response to this post

I've read it, most parts seemed kind of boring, lots of repitition
repeated phrases and ideas work well in songs and chants, but... not so interesting for reading

maybe of I'd heard it chanted?



(compare also with psalm 136)
 

Dan_473

Senior Member
Mar 11, 2014
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#14
Also, the translation I read Psalm 119 in didn't maintain the acrostic pattern, so the excitement of that was missing
 
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LaurenTM

Guest
#15
Also, the translation I read Psalm 119 in didn't maintain the acrostic pattern, so the excitement of that was missing

well many won't, but I knew about it, so googled for the exact description and the dictionary meaning

repeated phrases and ideas work well in songs and chants, but... not so interesting for reading

maybe of I'd heard it chanted?
I don't know. you tell me LOL!

gotta be gone today but later on, I'll try to get back here and give some examples of what and how I get out of it
 
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LaurenTM

Guest
#16
Perhaps God's Law was written on David's heart and not just on stone tablets.
Psalm 119 was written for love of God

not love of law

I like your response here and I agree
 
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LaurenTM

Guest
#18
I like how the psalmist is asking God to establish him and give him strengths as a person who wants to do all God says..

that's a big part of it

he realizes that he cannot do it apart from God :)
 

Dan_473

Senior Member
Mar 11, 2014
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#19
last night, I had this insight
one way to use this psalm is as a tutorial on psalm-making

start with
15 I will meditate on your precepts, and consider your ways.

16 I will delight myself in your statutes. I will not forget your word.



rearrange it this way

I will meditate on your precepts, I will not forget your word.

I will delight myself in your statutes and consider your ways.


has the basic meaning changed?





using that pattern, some improvisation


I rejoiced when I woke up this morning, because I remembered there's God's way and the world's way.

how I love your way of doing things, God. The day goes so much better when I stick to your directions.
 

Stunnedbygrace

Senior Member
Nov 12, 2015
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#20
He was overjoyed because he was shown the spirit of the law. This is why he begged to be taught by God of His laws. He wasn't seeing them as other men saw them, as outward laws. :)