by Gary L. Evans
Psalms 119 — Part 1
Psalm 119 is an acrostic writing where each verse in each of the twenty-two sections commences with the twenty-two successive letters of the Hebrew alphabet. So we could say that this Psalm presents the ABC’s of God’s Word. It is attributed to Hezekiah. Also, all but two verses contain one or more of ten keywords, all of them very important nouns.
Hebrew text is written from right to left. So this chart of the Hebrew Alphabet is also written from right to left. The first letter, Alef, is the right most letter of the first line. Below each Hebrew letter is how it sounds expressed in English letters.
Psa 119:1 ALEPH. Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the LORD.
“Blessed” is from אֶשֶׁר eh’-sher
The word “way” is from the Hebrew “deh’-rek” which means “a road (as trodden); figuratively a course of life or mode of action, often adverbially.” It is derived from “daw-rak'” which means “to tread; by implication to walk; also to string a bow (by treading on it in bending).” So it is used of “a going, or way, or journeying.”
The word “law” is from “to-raw'” which means “a precept or statute, especially the Decalogue or Pentateuch.” This word properly refers to the first five books of the Bible which are called the Torah. But Jesus referred to the Psalms also as The Law, so it can mean all of God’s Word. It is derived from “yaw-raw'” which means “properly to flow as water (that is, to rain); transitively to lay or throw (especially an arrow, that is, to shoot); figuratively to point out (as if by aiming the finger), to teach.”
Paul used the sense “to flow as water” in the following context:
Eph 5:25-27 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.
So The Law points the proper way for us to go and therefore teaches us and also cleanses us from sinful behavior. Everyone who follows The Lord’s Way which is according to God’s Law without intentional error will be very happy.
Psa 119:2 Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, and that seek him with the whole heart.
“Blessed” is from אֶשֶׁר eh’-sher
The word “keep” is from “shaw-mar'” and means “properly to hedge about (as with thorns), that is, guard; generally to protect, attend to, etc.”
The word “testimonies” is from “ay-daw'” which means “testimony.” It is the feminine derivative of “ayd” which means “concretely a witness; abstractly testimony; specifically a recorder, that is, prince.” And “ayd” is the contracted form of “ood” which means “to duplicate or repeat; by implication to protest, testify (as by reiteration); intensively to encompass, restore (as a sort of reduplication).” So it has the sense of “to turn back again, to go over again, to reiterate, which is to testify.”
The Lord Commanded us to keep His Testimonies in His Law.
Deu 6:17 Ye shall diligently keep the commandments of the LORD your God, and his testimonies, and his statutes, which he hath commanded thee.
And here in 119:2 we are taught that everyone who seeks God with their heart and who remembers and adheres to His Testimonies will be very happy.
Psa 119:3 They also do no iniquity: they walk in his ways.
“They also” אַף af
The word “iniquity” is from “o-law'” and means “evil, in the moral sense.”
The word “ways” is from “deh’-rek.” Jesus taught us about this word.
Joh 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
Therefore we can understand this verse in the Psalm even more fully, that everyone who refrains from lawlessness and follows our Lord Jesus and His course of life and mode of action will succeed in finding The Father and obtaining Eternal Life.
Psa 119:4 Thou hast commanded us to keep thy precepts diligently.
“Thou” אתָּה at-taw’
The word “commanded” is from “tsaw-vaw'” and means “to constitute, enjoin.”
The word “precepts” is from “pik-kood'” which means “properly appointed, that is, a mandate (of God; plural only, collectively for the Law).” It is derived from “paw-kad'” which means “to visit (with friendly or hostile intent); by analogy to oversee, muster, charge, care for, miss, deposit, etc..” So it is used to mean “to take oversight, or charge, or mandates enjoined on others.”
In Nehemiah’s prayer, he describes The Lord’s miraculous deeds to bring Israel out of slavery in Egypt and into the Promised Land, and also gives thanks for The Great Laws that The Lord had given to them.
Neh 9:13-15 Thou camest down also upon mount Sinai, and spakest with them from heaven, and gavest them right judgments, and true laws, good statutes and commandments: And madest known unto them thy holy sabbath, and commandedst them precepts, statutes, and laws, by the hand of Moses thy servant: And gavest them bread from heaven for their hunger, and broughtest forth water for them out of the rock for their thirst, and promisedst them that they should go in to possess the land which thou hadst sworn to give them.
Psa 119:5 O that my ways were directed to keep thy statutes!
“O that” אַחֲלַי ak-al-ah’ee
The word “ways” is from “deh’-rek.”
The word “statutes” is from “khoke” which means “an enactment; hence an appointment (of time, space, quantity, labor or usage).” It is derived from “khaw-kak'” which means “properly to hack, that is, engrave (Jdg_5:14, to be a scribe simply); by implication to enact (laws being cut in stone or metal tablets in primitive times) or (generally) prescribe.”
The Lord promised that if we would keep all of His Laws and Statues, we would receive Eternal Life.
Lev 18:4-5 Ye shall do my judgments, and keep mine ordinances, to walk therein: I am the LORD your God. Ye shall therefore keep my statutes, and my judgments: which if a man do, he shall live in them: I am the LORD.
Psa 119:6 Then shall I not be ashamed, when I have respect unto all thy commandments.
“Then” אָז awz
(These six examples show how each line of Hebrew text begins with the specified Hebrew letter. An Hebrew Interlinear is helpful for students who desire to learn more about the Hebrew language. And a Greek Interlinear is helpful when wanting to learn more about the Greek language. But those tools are not required for normal study.)
The word “commandments” is from “mits-vaw'” which means “a command, whether human or divine (collectively the Law).” It is from “tsaw-vaw'” which means “to constitute, enjoin.” Thus this word refers to the “constitutional commands.”
Psa 119:7 I will praise thee with uprightness of heart, when I shall have learned thy righteous judgments.
The word “righteous” is from “tseh’-dek” which means “the right (natural, moral or legal); also (abstractly) equity or (figuratively) prosperity.” It is from “tsaw-dak'” which means “to be (causatively make) right (in a moral or forensic sense).” Thus it means “to be right, upright, just, righteous, or rightness.”
The word “judgments” is from “mish-pawt'” which means “properly a verdict (favorable or unfavorable) pronounced judicially, especially a sentence or formal decree (human or (particularly) divine law, individual or collectively).” It is from “shaw-fat'” which means “to judge, that is, pronounce sentence (for or against); by implication to vindicate or punish; by extension to govern; passively to litigate (literally or figuratively).”
Psa 119:8 I will keep thy statutes: O forsake me not utterly.
The word “statutes” is from “khoke.”
In this first section of eight verses, we have been given eight key Hebrew words:
“deh’-rek, to-raw’, ay-daw’, pik-kood’, khoke, mits-vaw’, tseh’-dek, and mish-pawt’.”
In the next section, we will learn two more keywords for a total of ten. One or more of these ten keywords will be included in every verse of this Psalm, with the exception of verses 90 and 122.
This Psalm is a prayer that each of us should learn to understand in the sincerity of our hearts, as it is obvious that king Hezekiah wrote it from the sincerity of his heart. Consider the man, Hezekiah, King of Judah, who called Judah to repentance and obedience of God’s Law:
2Ki 18:1-6 Now it came to pass in the third year of Hoshea son of Elah king of Israel, that Hezekiah the son of Ahaz king of Judah began to reign. Twenty and five years old was he when he began to reign; and he reigned twenty and nine years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name also was Abi, the daughter of Zachariah. And he did that which was right in the sight of the LORD, according to all that David his father did. He removed the high places, and brake the images, and cut down the groves, and brake in pieces the brasen serpent that Moses had made: for unto those days the children of Israel did burn incense to it: and he called it Nehushtan. He trusted in the LORD God of Israel; so that after him was none like him among all the kings of Judah, nor any that were before him. For he clave to the LORD, and departed not from following him, but kept his commandments, which the LORD commanded Moses.
Hezekiah loved The Lord. Do you truly love God’s Word?
He is The Way, The Truth, and The Life; no man gets to The Father except by Him.
Whosoever has eyes to see and ears to hear, let him hear.
Psalms 119 — Part 2
Psa 119:9 BETH. Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word.
The word “way” is from “o’-rakh” and means “a well trodden road (literally or figuratively); also a caravan.”
The word “word” is from the Hebrew “daw-bawr'” which means “a word; by implication a matter (as spoken of) of thing; adverbially a cause.” It is derived from “daw-bar'” which means “properly to arrange; but used figuratively (of words) to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue.” Thus it means “to arrange in a row, to set in speech.”
Our way in this world is cleansed by God’s Spoken Word. The Levitical Priests were ordained to teach by reading out loud to the people from The Law during every Sabbath and feast day. Then finally our Lord came in the flesh and spoke directly to us:
Joh 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
Joh 1:14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
Jesus was The Living Word Who came in the flesh and dwelt among men and taught them face to face.
Joh 13:4-5 He riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded himself. After that he poureth water into a bason, and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded.
Our Lord washed the feet of His disciples to show them that God’s Word truly cleanses us from sinfulness. It was only a few hundred years ago that all manuscripts were still hand written, because the printing press had not been invented yet, thus books were very expensive and rare. Now we all have The Written Word made available to us so that we can each read for ourselves and not depend on a man priest to read it to us.
Psa 119:10 With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments.
The word “commandments” is from “mits-vaw’.”
Psa 119:11 Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.
The word “word” is from “im-raw'” which means “something said.” It is derived from “aw-mar'” which means “to say (used with great latitude).” It implies “to bring forth to light.”
The Understanding of God’s Word will prevent us from sinning.
Psa 119:12 Blessed art thou, O LORD: teach me thy statutes.
The word “statues” is from “khoke.”
Psa 119:13 With my lips have I declared all the judgments of thy mouth.
The word “judgments” is from “mish-pawt’.”
Psa 119:14 I have rejoiced in the way of thy testimonies, as much as in all riches.
The word “way” is from “deh’-rek.”
The word “testimonies” is from “ay-dooth'” which means “testimony.” It is simply the feminine of “ayd” so it is exactly the same as “ay-daw'” except in gender.
Psa 119:15 I will meditate in thy precepts, and have respect unto thy ways.
The word “precepts” is from “pik-kood’.”
The word “ways” is from “o’-rakh.”
Psa 119:16 I will delight myself in thy statutes: I will not forget thy word.
The word “statutes” is from “khook-kaw'” which is the feminine of “khoke,” thus it is the same word.
The word “word” is from “daw-bawr’.”
In this second section of eight verses we have learned two more key words for a total of ten. So here is the completed list we will observe used throughout this Psalm:
“deh’-rek, to-raw’, ay-daw’, pik-kood’, khoke, mits-vaw’, tseh’-dek, mish-pawt’, daw-bawr’, and im-raw’ .”
Whosoever has eyes to see and ears to hear, let him hear.
Psalms 119 — Part 3
Psa 119:17 GIMEL. Deal bountifully with thy servant, that I may live, and keep thy word.
The word “word” is from “daw-bawr’.”
Psa 119:18 Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law.
The word “law” is from “to-raw’.”
Psa 119:19 I am a stranger in the earth: hide not thy commandments from me.
The word “commandments” is from “mits-vaw’.”
We are all strangers in this world, and just passing through.
Psa 119:20 My soul breaketh for the longing that it hath unto thy judgments at all times.
The word “judgments” is from “mish-pawt’.”
Psa 119:21 Thou hast rebuked the proud that are cursed, which do err from thy commandments.
The word “commandments” is from “mits-vaw’.”
Psa 119:22 Remove from me reproach and contempt; for I have kept thy testimonies.
The word “testimonies” is from “ay-daw’.”
Psa 119:23 Princes also did sit and speak against me: but thy servant did meditate in thy statutes.
The word “statutes” is from “khoke.”
Psa 119:24 Thy testimonies also are my delight and my counsellors.
The word “testimonies” is from “ay-daw’.”
Whosoever has eyes to see and ears to hear, let him hear.
Psalms 119 — Part 4
Psa 119:25 DALETH. My soul cleaveth unto the dust: quicken thou me according to thy word.
The word “word” is from “daw-bawr’.”
God’s Word gives us Eternal Life when we follow His Ways.
Psa 119:26 I have declared my ways, and thou heardest me: teach me thy statutes.
The word “ways” is from “deh’-rek.”
The word “statutes” is from “khoke.”
Psa 119:27 Make me to understand the way of thy precepts: so shall I talk of thy wondrous works.
The word “way” is from “deh’-rek.”
The word “precepts” is from “pik-kood’.”
Psa 119:28 My soul melteth for heaviness: strengthen thou me according unto thy word.
The word “word” is from “daw-bawr’.”
God’s Word gives us strength when we follow His Ways.
Psa 119:29 Remove from me the way of lying: and grant me thy law graciously.
The word “way” is from “deh’-rek.”
The word “law” is from “to-raw’.”
Psa 119:30 I have chosen the way of truth: thy judgments have I laid before me.
The word “way” is from “deh’-rek.”
The word “judgments” is from “mish-pawt’.”
Psa 119:31 I have stuck unto thy testimonies: O LORD, put me not to shame.
The word “testimonies” is from “ay-dooth’.”
Psa 119:32 I will run the way of thy commandments, when thou shalt enlarge my heart.
The word “way” is from “deh’-rek.”
The word “commandments” is from “mits-vaw’.”
Whosoever has eyes to see and ears to hear, let him hear.
Psalms 119 — Part 5
Psa 119:33 HE. Teach me, O LORD, the way of thy statutes; and I shall keep it unto the end.
The word “way’ is from “deh’-rek.”
The word “statutes” is from “khoke.”
Psa 119:34 Give me understanding, and I shall keep thy law; yea, I shall observe it with my whole heart.
The word “law” is from “to-raw’.”
Psa 119:35 Make me to go in the path of thy commandments; for therein do I delight.
The word “commandments” is from “mits-vaw’.”
Psa 119:36 Incline my heart unto thy testimonies, and not to covetousness.
The word “testimonies” is from “ay-dooth’.”
Psa 119:37 Turn away mine eyes from beholding vanity; and quicken thou me in thy way.
The word “quicken” is from “khaw-yaw'” and means “to live, whether literally or figuratively; causatively to revive.”
The word “way” is from “deh’-rek.”
Psa 119:38 Stablish thy word unto thy servant, who is devoted to thy fear.
The word “word” is from “im-raw’.”
The word “fear” is from “yir-aw'” and means “fear (also used as infinitive); morally reverence.”
Psa 119:39 Turn away my reproach which I fear: for thy judgments are good.
The word “judgments” is from “mish-pawt’.”
Psa 119:40 Behold, I have longed after thy precepts: quicken me in thy righteousness.
The word “precepts” is from “pik-kood’.”
The word “righteousness” is from “tsed-aw-kaw'” which means “rightness (abstractly), subjectively (rectitude), objectively (justice), morally (virtue) or figuratively (prosperity).” It is the feminine form of “tsaw-dak” which is the root word of “tseh’-dek.”
Whosoever has eyes to see and ears to hear, let him hear.
Psalms 119 — Part 6
Psa 119:41 VAU. Let thy mercies come also unto me, O LORD, even thy salvation, according to thy word.
The word “word” is from “im-raw’.”
Psa 119:42 So shall I have wherewith to answer him that reproacheth me: for I trust in thy word.
The word “word” is from “daw-bawr’.”
Psa 119:43 And take not the word of truth utterly out of my mouth; for I have hoped in thy judgments.
The word “word” is from “daw-bawr’.”
The word “judgments” is from “mish-pawt’.”
Psa 119:44 So shall I keep thy law continually for ever and ever.
The word “law” is from “to-raw’.”
God’s Law is Eternal.
Psa 119:45 And I will walk at liberty: for I seek thy precepts.
The word “precepts” is from “pik-kood’.”
God’s Law is The Law of Liberty, that is, Freedom.
Psa 119:46 I will speak of thy testimonies also before kings, and will not be ashamed.
The word “testimonies” is from “ay-daw’.”
Psa 119:47 And I will delight myself in thy commandments, which I have loved.
The word “commandments” is from “mits-vaw’.”
Psa 119:48 My hands also will I lift up unto thy commandments, which I have loved; and I will meditate in thy statutes.
The word “commandments” is from “mits-vaw’.”
The word “statutes” is from “khoke.”
Whosoever has eyes to see and ears to hear, let him hear.
Psalms 119 — Part 7
Psa 119:49 ZAIN. Remember the word unto thy servant, upon which thou hast caused me to hope.
The word “word” is from “daw-bawr’.”
Psa 119:50 This is my comfort in my affliction: for thy word hath quickened me.
The word “word” is from “im-raw’.”
Psa 119:51 The proud have had me greatly in derision: yet have I not declined from thy law.
The word “law” is from “to-raw’.”
Psa 119:52 I remembered thy judgments of old, O LORD; and have comforted myself.
The word “judgments” is from “mish-pawt’.”
Psa 119:53 Horror hath taken hold upon me because of the wicked that forsake thy law.
The word “law” is from “to-raw’.”
Psa 119:54 Thy statutes have been my songs in the house of my pilgrimage.
The word “statutes” is from “khoke.”
Our flesh bodies are our houses during our pilgrimage here.
Psa 119:55 I have remembered thy name, O LORD, in the night, and have kept thy law.
The word “law” is from “to-raw’.”
Psa 119:56 This I had, because I kept thy precepts.
The word “precepts” is from “pik-kood’.”
Whosoever has eyes to see and ears to hear, let him hear.
Psalms 119 — Part 8
Psa 119:57 CHETH. Thou art my portion, O LORD: I have said that I would keep thy words.
The word “words” is from “daw-bawr’.”
Psa 119:58 I intreated thy favour with my whole heart: be merciful unto me according to thy word.
The word “word” is from “im-raw’.”
Psa 119:59 I thought on my ways, and turned my feet unto thy testimonies.
The word “ways” is from “deh’-rek.”
The word “testimonies” is from “ay-daw’.”
Psa 119:60 I made haste, and delayed not to keep thy commandments.
The word “commandments” is from “mits-vaw’.”
Psa 119:61 The bands of the wicked have robbed me: but I have not forgotten thy law.
The word “law” is from “to-raw’.”
Psa 119:62 At midnight I will rise to give thanks unto thee because of thy righteous judgments.
The word “righteous” is from “tseh’-dek.”
The word “judgments” is from “mish-pawt’.”
Psa 119:63 I am a companion of all them that fear thee, and of them that keep thy precepts.
The word “precepts” is from “pik-kood’.”
The Holy Spirit is The Companion of everyone who reverences The Lord and obeys His Word.
Psa 119:64 The earth, O LORD, is full of thy mercy: teach me thy statutes.
The word “statutes” is from “khoke.”
Whosoever has eyes to see and ears to hear, let him hear.
Psalms 119 — Part 9
Psa 119:65 TETH. Thou hast dealt well with thy servant, O LORD, according unto thy word.
The word “word” is from “daw-bawr’.”
Psa 119:66 Teach me good judgment and knowledge: for I have believed thy commandments.
The word “commandments” is from “mits-vaw’.”
Psa 119:67 Before I was afflicted I went astray: but now have I kept thy word.
The word “word” is from “im-raw’.”
Psa 119:68 Thou art good, and doest good; teach me thy statutes.
The word “statutes” is from “khoke.”
Psa 119:69 The proud have forged a lie against me: but I will keep thy precepts with my whole heart.
The word “precepts” is from “pik-kood’.”
Psa 119:70 Their heart is as fat as grease; but I delight in thy law.
The word “law” is from “to-raw’.”
Psa 119:71 It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes.
The word “statutes” is from “khoke.”
Psa 119:72 The law of thy mouth is better unto me than thousands of gold and silver.
The word “law” is from “to-raw’.”
Whosoever has eyes to see and ears to hear, let him hear.
Psalms 119 — Part 10
Psa 119:73 JOD. Thy hands have made me and fashioned me: give me understanding, that I may learn thy commandments.
The word “commandments” is from “mits-vaw’.”
Psa 119:74 They that fear thee will be glad when they see me; because I have hoped in thy word.
The word “word” is from “daw-bawr’.”
The Holy Spirit in one person recognizes The Holy Spirit in another.
Psa 119:75 I know, O LORD, that thy judgments are right, and that thou in faithfulness hast afflicted me.
The word “judgments” is from “mish-pawt’.”
Psa 119:76 Let, I pray thee, thy merciful kindness be for my comfort, according to thy word unto thy servant.
The word “word” is from “im-raw’.”
Psa 119:77 Let thy tender mercies come unto me, that I may live: for thy law is my delight.
The word “law” is from “to-raw’.”
Psa 119:78 Let the proud be ashamed; for they dealt perversely with me without a cause: but I will meditate in thy precepts.
The word “precepts” is from “pik-kood’.”
Psa 119:79 Let those that fear thee turn unto me, and those that have known thy testimonies.
The word “testimonies” is from “ay-daw’.”
Psa 119:80 Let my heart be sound in thy statutes; that I be not ashamed.
The word “statutes” is from “khoke.”
Whosoever has eyes to see and ears to hear, let him hear.
Psalms 119 — Part 11
Psa 119:81 CAPH. My soul fainteth for thy salvation: but I hope in thy word.
The word “word” is from “daw-bawr’.”
Psa 119:82 Mine eyes fail for thy word, saying, When wilt thou comfort me?
The word “word” is from “im-raw’.”
Psa 119:83 For I am become like a bottle in the smoke; yet do I not forget thy statutes.
The word “statutes” is from “khoke.”
Psa 119:84 How many are the days of thy servant? when wilt thou execute judgment on them that persecute me?
The word “judgment” is from “mish-pawt’.”
Psa 119:85 The proud have digged pits for me, which are not after thy law.
The word “law” is from “to-raw’.”
Psa 119:86 All thy commandments are faithful: they persecute me wrongfully; help thou me.
The word “commandments” is from “mits-vaw’.”
Psa 119:87 They had almost consumed me upon earth; but I forsook not thy precepts.
The word “precepts” is from “pik-kood’.”
Psa 119:88 Quicken me after thy lovingkindness; so shall I keep the testimony of thy mouth.
The word “testimony” is from “ay-dooth’.”
Whosoever has eyes to see and ears to hear, let him hear.