2. Psalm 119 Part 1
Psalm 119:1-24

3. Introduction The longest chapter in the Bible A psalm about God’s word
Intimidating at 176 verses
Perhaps you’ve read the whole psalm
But have you spent time trying to understand what the psalm teaches?
A psalm about God’s word
Although the specifics of God’s law have changed from the OT to the NT
Our need for learning His law and obeying it has not changed (2 Tim 3:13-17)
A study of this psalm should help us to have a deeper appreciation for God’s word

4. Acrostic poetry
In our lesson on Prov 31, we mentioned “acrostic poetry”
An “acrostic poem” is one where each line or verse begins with a specific letter of the alphabet to make a pattern or phrase
In Prov 31:10-31, the pattern formed is the entire Hebrew alphabet in order (one letter per verse)
The same pattern is found in Ps 25, 34, and 145
Ps 111 and 112 have the same pattern but with one letter per line
Ps 9, 10, and 37 have the alphabetical order, but with each letter repeated twice
Ps 119 is also in alphabetical order, but with each letter repeated 8 times

5. Psalm 119 Look at Ps 119 Notice it is divided into 8 verse groupings
Notice that each 8 verse group is headed by a Hebrew word (aleph, beth, gimel, etc)
Each word is the name of the Hebrew letter that begins each of the following 8 verses
But each word is also a Hebrew word with a meaning of its own
(“aleph” means “ox” and is a prefix meaning “strong, mighty”, “beth” means “house”, etc)
Understanding the meaning of the word may help us better appreciate and understand each grouping

6. Aleph “ox”
The first 8 verses are grouped under the word “aleph” and each verse begins with the letter aleph, א
“Aleph” is the Hebrew word for an “ox”, it can also be used as a verb “to tame or learn”
When attached to another word as a prefix, it means “strong, mighty”
Oxen were used for plowing and hauling
Very strong, steady (not over-excitable), but not very fast
How will that help us appreciate and understand verses 1-8?

7. Learning God’s Word Ps 119:1-8
If you walk the way without being defiled
The way is “the law of the LORD”
To be undefiled is to be obedient and seek God with your whole heart (v2) (Jms 1:27)
To walk the way is to not sin (v3) (1Jn 2:1-7)
Knowing what is right does not mean it is easy
The psalmist wishes God would direct his steps
Keep him on the right path until he learns to do right and stay on the path
To remember the group: picture an ox being trained by a strong hand to follow a given path

8. Beth “house”
The second 8 verses are grouped under the word “beth” and each verse begins with the letter beth, ב
“Beth” is the Hebrew word for “house”
Familiar in place names like “Bethel” (‘house of God’) and “Bethlehem” (‘house of bread’)
A house is a place of security and protection
For children a place to prepare for the world before taking on all the challenges

9. The house of God’s word Ps 119:9-16
How can a child be prepared for life?
Not just any life, but a pure, cleansed, secure life
The only answer is by spending a lot of time in God’s word (Prov 6:20-24)
Learning and loving God’s laws, making a home for them in our hearts (Dt 6:1-9)
Not only taking them in, but sharing them
Valuing them, rejoicing in them, meditating on them
All made easier with the active participation of others (like parents, church members)
To remember this group: picture a child at home studying in preparation for growing up and going forth

10. Gimel “camel”
The third 8 verses are grouped under the word “gimel” and each verse begins with the letter gimel, ג
“Gimel” is the Hebrew word for “camel”; it can also be used as a verb “to treat well”
The English word is just a corrupt transliteration
Camels were used for travel through unfriendly environs

11. Journeying with God’s word
Ps 119:17-24
Starts “gimel” as a verb “deal bountifully” or “treat well”
God has promised blessings for those who follow Him (Eph 1:3-6) (the oasis)
If we’ll travel God’s way (live by His word; ride His camel), we need to look at all the wonders
Realize life is a journey, long for the destination
Yes, heaven is the last destination, but also long for the nearer destination of knowing and doing God’s will
Heb 11:13-16; 1Pet 2:11, 1:17
Stay on course no matter who or what (the desert of sin)
Remember this grouping: picture yourself riding a camel through a desert

12. Conclusion God’s word contains so much to help us through life
We need to be trained and guided by it
We need to be protected and prepared by it
We need to journey through life letting it carry us in the right way and past the dangers
And as we go, we need to open our eyes and see all the wonderful things God has prepared for us