Written by Deanna Brooks, volunteer with Iron Rose Sister Ministries in Arkansas
Psalm 119, the longest psalm—written in alphabetic acrostic form, using a letter from the Hebrew alphabet to start each section of eight verses—is thought to have been written by David, not in his usual manner, but with bursts of exclamations about our Holy God. While some scholars suggest other authors, my opinion is that it sounds like David’s other writings, so I will be referring to him as the author.
When I read Psalm 119, I think of the time in 2 Samuel 6 when the ark of the covenant was brought back to Jerusalem and David was leaping and dancing in the street. Psalm 119 is full of this kind of joy and spontaneous delight despite trials and hardships because of the trust the writer had in the Lord.
Matthew Henry describes Psalm 119 as “a collection of David's pious and devout [expressions], the short and sudden breathings and elevations of his soul to God… a chest of gold rings, not a chain of gold links.”
David mentions these attributes of the Lord… attributes which lead to his and our love for God and trust in Him, which then take us to an obedient life:
Trustworthiness (v 42)
Righteousness (verses 7, 62, 75, 106, 123, 138, 144, 160, 164, 172)
Faithfulness (v 86)
Truthfulness (verses 43, 142, 151, 160)
Unchangeableness (v 89)
Light (v 105)
Purity (v 9-11)
Eternal (verses 90, 152)
David writes of slander, persecution, and taunts against him, but his confidence is in the Word of God, described throughout the psalm with these words:
Law
Precepts
Testimonies
Statutes
Word
Commandments
Judgments
Ordinances
Psalm 119 reminds us how sufficient the Word of God is as it expands on Psalm 19:7-9 (ESV):
The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple; the precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes; the fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever; the rules of the LORD are true, and righteous altogether.
David begins Psalm 119 with a blessing for those who walk in the law of the Lord and seek Him with their whole heart, reminding us of words written in Psalm 1:2, “But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night.”
He then continues in Psalm 119 with other verses that lead us to loving, trusting, and obeying our Lord:
“Oh that my ways may be steadfast” (v 5).
“With my whole heart I seek you; let me not wander from your commandments! I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you” (v 10-11).
“I will delight in your statutes; I will not forget your word” (v16).
“Make me understand the way of your precepts, and I will meditate on your wondrous works” (v 27).
“I have chosen the way of faithfulness” (v 30).
“I will keep your law continually” (v 44).
“In your steadfast love give me life, that I may keep the testimonies of your mouth.” (v 88).
“Oh how I love your law! It is my meditation all the day” (v 97).
“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (v 105).
“Consider how I love your precepts! Give me life according to your steadfast love” (v 159).
“I long for your salvation, O LORD, and your law is my delight” (v 174).
When David wrote this psalm, we see the love, trust, and desire for obedience in his heart.
Similar thoughts are found in Psalm 33:4-5, 22:
For the word of the LORD is upright, and all His work is done in faithfulness. He loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of the steadfast love of the LORD…Let your steadfast love, O LORD, be upon us, even as we hope in you.
1 Samuel 13:14 and Acts 13:22 call David a man after God’s own heart. I think in reading Psalm 119 we easily see that the writer longs to do the will of the Lord as he praises and delights in His commands.
For us: Do we have that intense longing to do God’s will? Do we hunger and thirst after righteousness (Mt. 5:6)?