Psalm 119: Final Thoughts

Each of the 22 strophes in Psalm 119 was carefully crafted—like the deliberate strokes of Michelangelo’s brush. I’ve enjoyed taking a close look at each strophe—each canvas of this literary masterpiece.
As I seek to wrap up my thoughts about Psalm 119 into a terse, coherent idea, this is what I’ve come up with—this is what [...]

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Psalm 119: Taw—Are you a true worshiper?

Twenty-second Strophe—Psalm 119:162-176

169 May my cry come before you, O Lord; give me understanding according to your word. 170 May my supplication come before you; deliver me according to your promise. 171 May my lips overflow with praise, for you teach me your decrees. 172 May my tongue sing of your word, for [...]

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Psalm 119: Sin/Shin—Are you rich?

Twenty-first Strophe—Psalm 119:161-168
161 Rulers persecute me without cause, but my heart trembles at your word. 162 I rejoice in your promise like one who finds great spoil. 163 I hate and abhor falsehood but I love your law. 164 Seven times a day I praise you for your righteous laws. 165 Great peace have [...]

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Psalm 119: Resh—Are you desperate?

Twentieth Strophe—Psalm 119:153-160
153 Look upon my suffering and deliver me, for I have not forgotten your law. 154 Defend my cause and redeem me; preserve my life according to your promise. 155 Salvation is far from the wicked, for they do not seek out your decrees. 156 Your compassion is great, O Lord; preserve my [...]

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Psalm 119: Qoph—Are you persistent?

Nineteenth Strophe—Psalm 119:145-152
145 I call with all my heart; answer me, O Lord, and I will obey your decrees. 146 I call out to you; save me and I will keep your statutes. 147 I rise before dawn and cry for help; I have put my hope in your word. 148 My eyes stay open [...]

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Psalm 119: Tsadhe—Are you zealous?

Zealousness is usually considered a bad thing. In our culture we have so many examples of those who are over-zealous, or their zealousness is devoted to the wrong cause. It is radical over-zealousness to blow up abortion clinics—though the cause of ending the slaughter of innocent babies is right and just. The right and Biblical zeal is guided by the righteousness of God.

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Psalm 119—Pe: Are you satisfied?

Seventeenth Strophe—Psalm 119:129-136

129 Your statutes are wonderful; therefore I obey them. 130 The unfolding of your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple. 131 I open my mouth and pant, longing for your commands. 132 Turn to me and have mercy on me, as you always do to those who love your [...]

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Psalm 119—Ayin: Do you turn to God with problems?

Sixteenth Strophe—Psalm 119:121-128
121 I have done what is righteous and just; do not leave me to my oppressors. 122 Ensure your servant’s well-being; let not the arrogant oppress me. 123 My eyes fail, looking for your salvation, looking for your righteous promise. 124 Deal with your servant according to your love and teach me your [...]

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Psalm 119—Samekh: Are you double-minded?

Fifteenth Strophe—Psalm 119:113-120
113 I hate double-minded men, but I love your law. 114 You are my refuge and my shield; I have put my hope in your word. 115 Away from me, you evildoers, that I may keep the commands of my God! 116 Sustain me according to your promise, and I will live; do [...]

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Psalm 119—Nun: Can you spot danger?

Fourteenth Strophe-Psalm 119:105-112

105 Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path. 106 I have taken an oath and confirmed it, that I will follow your righteous laws. 107 I have suffered much; preserve my life, O Lord, according to your word. 108 Accept, O Lord, the willing praise [...]

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