Psalm 119

Psalm 119

            By far, the longest of the psalms, Psalm 119 is an extended paean to the Word of God. The psalm is an acrostic; it is composed of 22 sections, one for each letter of the Hebrew alphabet, and the eight verses in each section begin with the letter of the alphabet noted in the superscription. The form suggests order and completeness.

            Eight different words are used to name the Word of God: law, statutes, precepts, commands, laws, decrees, word (two different words). With such a heavy translational emphasis on law, the Lutheran reader might conclude that the psalm is all about God’s demands and condemnation, but the several of the words here have a wider sense that encompasses both Law and Gospel. For example, the Hebrew word torah, customarily translated law, refers to both the laws of Moses and the story of the Exodus. So, the psalm does highlight our behavior and obedience to the law, but it also stresses the promises that God has made.