Tyndale Open Study NotesPsalms 119

This psalm blends wisdom, lament, praise, thanksgiving, and confession. It often uses eight Hebrew words translated as:

• “Instructions”

• “law”

• “words”

• “commandments”

• “statutes”

• “judgments”

• “promises”

• “precepts“

These words encourage love for and obedience to God's instructions in the Scriptures (see 2 Timothy 3:14–17). A deep commitment to these instructions unifies the psalm.

Wise people are happy. They have integrity (see Psalm 84:11) and follow God's guidance. They obey God's teachings and seek them with complete devotion (see Psalm 27:7; 119:10, 45, 94, 155). They reject all evil forms. Compare Psalm 1:1–2.

Aleph (א) is the first letter of the Hebrew alphabet. Psalm 119 is written as an acrostic poem. Each section has eight verses, and every verse in that section begins with the same Hebrew letter. The first section begins with Aleph.

God, the author of these instructions, commands that his followers live by them. The psalmist prays to be given the grace to live by that revelation.

To keep God’s commandments means to guard them by obeying them.

Beth (ב) is the second letter of the Hebrew alphabet. It makes the beginning of the next section of this psalm.

The psalmist is determined to stay pure and encourages gaining wisdom through God's principles (Psalm 119:9) and instructions (119:10–16).

• A young person often acts foolishly (Proverbs 22:15) and can easily make mistakes that ruin their life (Proverbs 7:6–23). However, youth is the best time to build self-discipline and seek wisdom (see Psalm 34:11; Proverbs 1:4).

• keep his way pure: This means avoiding corruption by evil and sin and developing the integrity described in Psalm 15.

The student asks God the teacher to discipline him so that he will not stray.

God's wisdom is more valuable than any wealth people desire (Psalm 119:72, 127; Proverbs 3:14–15).

The path of wisdom involves thinking deeply about God's teachings (see Psalm 119:1, 3). Wise people consider the meaning of God's word.

The psalmist wants to live a life full of praise and obedience to please the Lord (Psalms 118:17; 119:25, 77, 116, 144, 175). Only the Lord can remove his enemies and help him understand the wonderful truths in God's teachings.

Gimel (ג) is the third letter of the Hebrew alphabet. It marks the beginning of the next section of this psalm.

Like a stranger in a hostile land, God's servant needs God's guidance.

The arrogant are probably those who mock the psalmist (Psalm 119:22–23).

Those who meditate on God’s instructions receive wise advice from them.

Daleth (ד) is the fourth letter of the Hebrew alphabet. It marks the beginning of the next section of this psalm.

The poet feels deep pain and sadness but asks the Lord to give him strength. He wants to follow the Lord. Suffering and death may result from the Lord’s discipline (Psalms 118:17–18; 119:67, 71, 75), but his instruction renews the weary soul (see 119:12).

• path of deceit: Self-deception comes from sinful human nature (Jeremiah 17:9). It leads to foolishness.

• Access to God’s word is a privilege, not a right.

He (ה) is the fifth letter of the Hebrew alphabet. It marks the beginning of the next section of this psalm.

As a student, the poet asks his teacher, God, to renew life and to transform disgrace into righteousness.

The love for money can lead to sin (compare Exodus 18:21; 1 Timothy 3:1–5; 6:10).

The psalmist asks for protection from enemies who speak harshly (see Psalms 42:10; 44:16; 89:50–51; 102:8).

Waw (ו) is the sixth letter of the Hebrew alphabet. It marks the beginning of the next section of this psalm.

The psalmist prays that God’s word would continue to be the source of his love and salvation.

The psalmist is determined to obey the Lord.

The psalmist finds joy in God's word despite experiencing pain (Psalm 119:92, 143).

Zayin (ז) is the seventh letter of the Hebrew alphabet. It marks the beginning of the next section of this psalm.

The psalmist asks God to remember his word as the psalmist also remembers God’s word and his name. Remembrance expresses devotion.

judgments of old: This refers to God’s just rulings or decisions (his laws). These are found in the Torah, the books of Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy.

Heth (ח) is the eighth letter of the Hebrew alphabet. It marks the beginning of the next section of this psalm.

The psalmist seeks God’s favor and loving devotion. Although surrounded by evildoers, he remains a loyal servant of the Lord.

Wicked people try to lead him into sin, but the psalmist remembers God's word and stays strong (see Psalm 119:16).

God's goodness fills the earth. The entire creation shows evidence of his goodness (see Isaiah 6:3; 11:9).

• Good judgment and knowledge come from wisdom (Psalm 111:10).

• The psalmist admits he used to wander like a lost sheep (Psalm 119:176).

• now I keep your word: See Psalm 119:25–29.

• You are good, and You do what is good: God's character is perfect (Psalm 97:2; James 1:17; 1 John 1:5).

Teth (ט) is the ninth letter of the Hebrew alphabet. It marks the beginning of the next section of this psalm.

The psalmist admits his sin and gratefully accepts the Lord's discipline.

As God’s child, the psalmist asks for divine wisdom.

Yodh (י) is the tenth letter of the Hebrew alphabet. It marks the beginning of the next section of this psalm.

In this prayer for comfort and compassion, the psalmist commits himself to his Creator, who has afflicted him. He wants God to pay back his enemies for the wrongs they have done. He also prays to receive the gift of life. He not only prays for himself but also considers the whole community of the godly, asking that God’s answers to prayer would encourage them.

Kaph (כ) is the eleventh letter of the Hebrew alphabet. It marks the beginning of the next section of this psalm.

The psalmist feels exhausted from waiting for the Lord, but he still hopes for God's future rescue.

God's word is trustworthy. This contrasts with the lies of the enemies who hunt the psalmist without reason (see Psalm 119:78).

Lamedh (ל) is the twelfth letter of the Hebrew alphabet. It marks the beginning of the next section of this psalm.

The stability of God’s wisdom gives understanding. God’s word provides order and a framework for living, even when under pressure from adversaries.

The wicked planned to kill the psalmist, but they faced destruction themselves (Psalm 1:6).

I have seen a limit to all perfection: Humans cannot fully understand God's ways (see Ecclesiastes 3:11).

make me wiser: God’s word provides wisdom and perspective. God is the true source of wisdom.

Mem (מ) is the thirteenth letter of the Hebrew alphabet. It marks the beginning of the next section of this psalm.

The instruction and wisdom of God through his word are far better than the best that human teachers can offer.

• Wisdom is better than the finest food (Psalm 19:10; 81:16).

• The psalmist had already turned away from the false promises of foolishness (see Psalm 119:18, 78, 86, 163).

The Lord’s word is like a lamp. It offers perspective, hope, and guidance in darkness (Psalm 18:25–29; 119:130). This light also gives life (Proverbs 6:23).

Nun (נ) is the fourteenth letter of the Hebrew alphabet. It marks the beginning of the next section of this psalm.

The psalmist's deep commitment to God's word comes from within (Psalm 119:112) and directs his actions.

• freewill offerings of my mouth: This Hebrew expression is unique in the Old Testament (compare Psalm 50:23).

•  The psalmist is vulnerable to his opponents because of his commitment to a wise life.

Samekh (ס) is the fifteenth letter of the Hebrew alphabet and marks the beginning of the next section of this psalm.

The psalmist declares his hatred of evil and his love for God and his ways.

The godly hate the wicked and their actions (Psalm 5:4–6; compare Ezekiel 33:11).

Ayin (ע) is the sixteenth letter of the Hebrew alphabet and marks the beginning of the next section of this psalm.

The servant of the Lord struggles to endure the evil around him. He confidently asks the Lord to rescue him right away!

Simply possessing God’s law does not provide any benefits. The psalmist knows that only as the Lord gives discernment will he understand it.

Pe (פ) is the seventeenth letter of the Hebrew alphabet and marks the beginning of the next section of this psalm.

The psalmist prays earnestly for God to speak to him as he suffers from his adversities.

Tsadhe (צ) is the eighteenth letter of the Hebrew alphabet and marks the beginning of the next section of this psalm.

God is righteous, and his word is right and just, especially in contrast to the deceptions of the wicked.

The psalmist feels angry (compare Psalm 69:9) because he sees wicked people ignoring God's word.

The psalmist feels very troubled by those who oppress him (see Psalm 119:143; compare Isaiah 53).

I rise and anticipate translate the same Hebrew verb.

Qoph (ק) is the nineteenth letter of the Hebrew alphabet. It marks the beginning of the next section of this psalm.

The psalmist prays to the Lord at night. Even when God seems distant, he is actually close.

Coming to attack me (or draw near) is a Hebrew wordplay on You are near. The wicked stay far from God's instructions, but the psalmist stays close, so he does not need to fear.

Resh (ר): This request for life appears throughout Psalm 119, but it is focused in this stanza.

• my heart fears … I rejoice: Fear, trembling, and joy show the psalmist’s devotion to God.

• God’s word is a treasure (great spoil).

• In the Old Testament, the number seven represents wholeness.

Shin (ש) is the twenty-first letter of the alphabet. It marks the beginning of the next section of this psalm.

The psalmist looks beyond his adversaries to the peace of God. This perspective allows him to praise God throughout the day.

Taw (ת) is the twenty-second letter of the Hebrew alphabet. It marks the beginning of the next section of this psalm.

God's servant asks the Lord for help one last time. He still feels like a lost sheep.

God, the Great Shepherd, seeks out his lost sheep (Psalm 23:1; Luke 15:4–6).