Day 150—We are still in our FIFTH month of Bible reading. 

   Day 150 –  Psalm 119 (God’s Word)

Psalm 119 is the longest of the Psalms. It’s not certain who wrote it. It could have been David, or it might have been either Daniel or Ezra.

Along with Psalms 1 and 19, it exalts the Word of God. It is written as an acrostic, meaning that each of the 22 sections begins with the letter of the Hebrew alphabet, i.e., aleph, bet, gimel, daleth, he… etc. (Like the English, A, B, C, D, E…)

EIGHT different terms refer to the Scriptures in Psalm 119. See if you can find them all. Here are some of my favorite verses:

Aleph. “Blessed are those who keep His testimonies, who seek Him with their whole heart.”   “O that my ways may be steadfast in keeping Your statutes!

Beth.” How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to Your word.”   “I have stored up Your word in my heart, that I might not sin against You.”

Gimel. “Open my eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of Your law.”   “My soul is consumed with longing for Your rules at all times.”

Dalit.  “My soul melts away for sorrow; strengthen me according to Your word! Put false ways far from me and graciously teach me your law! I have chosen the way of faithfulness; set Your rules before me.”

He. “Give me understanding, that I may keep Your law and observe it with my whole heart. Lead me in the path of Your commandments, for I delight in it. Incline my heart to Your testimonies and not to selfish gain! Turn my eyes from looking at worthless things;”

Vav. “Take not the word of truth utterly out of my mouth, for my hope is in Your rules.”   “I find my delight in Your commandments, which I love.”

Zayin. “This is my comfort in my affliction, that your promise gives me life.”   “Your statutes have been my songs in the house of my sojourning. I remember Your name in the night, O LORD, and keep Your law.”

Het.  “The LORD is my portion; I promise to keep Your words.”   “Though the cords of the wicked ensnare me, I do not forget your law. At midnight, I rise to praise You because of your righteous rules.”

Tet. “Teach me good judgment and knowledge, for I believe in Your commandments. Before I was afflicted, I went astray, but now I keep Your word. You are good and do good; teach me Your statutes.”   “It is good for me that I was afflicted, that I might learn Your statutes.”

Yod. “Your hands have made and fashioned me; give me understanding that I may learn Your commandments.”   “I know, O LORD, that Your rules are righteous and that in faithfulness, You have afflicted me. Let Your steadfast love comfort me according to Your promise to Your servant.”

Kaph. “My soul longs for Your salvation; I hope in Your word.”  “I have become like a wineskin in the smoke, yet I have not forgotten Your statutes.”   “In Your steadfast love, give me life, that I may keep the testimonies of Your mouth.”

Lamed. “Forever, O LORD, Your word is firmly fixed in the heavens. Your faithfulness endures to all generations.”   If Your law had not been my delight, I would have perished in my affliction. I will never forget Your precepts, for by them, You have given me life. I am Yours; save me, for I have sought Your precepts.”

Mem. “Oh how I love Your law! It is my meditation all the day.”   “I understand more than the aged, for I keep Your precepts.”   “How sweet are Your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth.”

Nun. “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.”   “Your testimonies are my heritage forever, for they are the joy of my heart.”

Samekh. “You are my hiding place and my shield; I hope in Your word.”

Ayin.  “My eyes long for Your salvation and for the fulfillment of Your righteous promise.”   “It is time for the LORD to act, for Your law has been broken. Therefore, I love Y,our commandments above gold, above fine gold.”

Pe. “The unfolding of Your words gives light. It implants understanding to the simple.”   “Make Your face shine upon Your servant, and teach me Your statutes. My eyes shed streams of tears because people do not keep Your law.”

Tsadhe. “My zeal consumes me because my foes forget Your words.”   “Your testimonies are righteous forever; give me understanding that I may live.”

Qoph.  “I rise before dawn and cry for help; I hope in Your words. My eyes are awake before the watches of the night that I may meditate on Your promise.”

Resh. “Great is Your mercy, O LORD; give me life according to Your rules.”   “The sum of Your word is truth, and every one of Your righteous rules endures forever.”

Sin/Shin. “I rejoice at Your word like one who finds great spoil.”   “Great peace have those who love Your law; nothing can make them stumble.”

Tav,  “Let my cry come before You, O LORD; give me understanding according to Your word!”   “My tongue will sing of Your word, for all Your commandments are right.”   “I long for Your salvation, O LORD, and Your law is my delight.”   “I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek Your servant, for I do not forget Your commandments.”