DAWN

     Explanation: In Psalm 119 the Psalmist extols the Word of God in a manner unequaled anywhere else in Scripture. Only two verses (122 and 132) have no reference to God's Word; they do, however, focus on God, the giver of the Word. The two paintings illustrate the Word of God -- in its inception as given to Moses and in its finished form as printed by Gutenberg.

          [ THEMATICALLY AND CHRONOLOGICALLY RELATED SCRIPTURES: PSALM TYPES. ACROSTIC PSALMS. Psalm 9. Psalm 10. Psalm 25. Psalm 34. Psalm 37. Psalm 111. Psalm 112. Psalm 119. Psalm 145. Hallel Psalms: The Egyptian Hallel -- Psalms 113-118: Psalm 113. Psalm 114. Psalm 115. Psalm 116. Psalm 117. Psalm 118. The Great Hallel [Group of Psalms] -- Psalms 118-136: Psalm 118. Psalm 119. Psalm 120. Psalm 121. Psalm 122. Psalm 123. Psalm 124. Psalm 125. Psalm 126. Psalm 127. Psalm 128. Psalm 129. Psalm 130. Psalm 131. Psalm 132. Psalm 133. Psalm 134. Psalm 135. Psalm 136. The Great Hallel [Single Psalm] -- Psalm 136. An Individual Hallel -- Psalm 145. The Concluding Hallel -- Psalms 146-150: Psalm 146. Psalm 147. Psalm 148. Psalm 149. Psalm 150. WISDOM PSALMS. Psalm 1. Psalm 10. Psalm 12. Psalm 15. Psalm 19. Psalm 32. Psalm 34. Psalm 36. Psalm 37. Psalm 49. Psalm 50. Psalm 52. Psalm 53. Psalm 73. Psalm 78. Psalm 82. Psalm 91. Psalm 92. Psalm 94. Psalm 111. Psalm 112. Psalm 119. Psalm 127. Psalm 128. Psalm 133. Psalm 139. ]

          [ CHRONOLOGY: GENERAL. Patriarchs (Traditional). Judges # 1. Judges # 2. Kings # 1. Kings # 2. Prophets # 1. Prophets # 2. NT # 1. NT # 2. NT # 3. ]

          [ MAPS: Maps # 1. Maps # 2. Maps # 3. Maps # 4. Maps # 5. ]

          [ COMMENTARIES, ETC: GENERAL: Bible Study Tools; Bible Hub: Study Light; Blue Letter Bible // PSALMS: Monergism: Precept Austin: The Treasury of David; John Gill; John Calvin - Volumes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5]

          [ MUSIC: GENERAL: The Cyber Hymnal // PSALMS: Genevan Psalter (Instrumental). VARIOUS ARTISTS: Psalm 119 - #1. Psalm 116 - #2. Psalm 116 - #3. Psalm 116 - #4. Psalm 116 - #5. ]

     Generally speaking, in each section of the Psalm (which is divided according to the letters of the Hebrew alphabet), the Psalmist confesses sin, speaks of his love for the LORD and for his law, asks for understanding which will help him keep the Law in an acceptable manner, and pleads for deliverance from his enemies who neither love the LORD nor keep his law. Below is a brief, section-by-section summary of the main ideas in the Psalm.
     ALEPH. Those who are purified by the Word of God are blessed (1-8). BETH. A young man can cleanse his way by taking heed to the Word (9-16). GIMEL. The Psalmist asks God to help him see wondrous things in God's law that he may keep it and live (17-24). DALETH. The Psalmist has been obedient to the Word and asks God to deliver him from his affliction (25-32). HE. The Psalmist asks God to teach him his Word and incline his heart to keep it (33-40). VAU. The Psalmist asks for mercy in accord with the promises of God's Word that he might testify to God's goodness (41-48). ZAIN. The Psalmist says that he hopes in God's word and asks for deliverance from the derision of his enemies and the dangers they pose to him (49-56). CHETH. The Psalmist promises to keep God's word; he thought upon his ways and turned to God's testimonies; and he is a companion of all who keep God's precepts (57-64). TETH. God dealt well with the Psalmist; but before he was afflicted he went astray; but now he keeps God's words (65-72). JOD. The Psalmist asks for understanding of God's word; he acknowledges that God has been faithful to him by sending affliction upon him; and he rejects those who disobey the Word (73-80). CAPH. The soul of the Psalmist faints for God's salvation; but he hopes in his Word and asks for deliverance lest he be killed by his enemies (81-88). LAMED. The Psalmist acknowledges that God's word is forever settled in heaven; and his faithfulness endures to all generations; therefore he will never forget God's precepts; and so he asks God for deliverance form the wicked (89-96). MEM. the Psalmist says that he meditates in God's word every day; and they make him wiser than his enemies, his teachers, and the ancients; and they keep him from sin (97-104). NUN. God's Word is a lamp to the feet of the Psalmist; he obeys it; and he will do so in spite of the plots of his enemies (105-112). SAMECH. The Psalmist hates vain thoughts; but he loves God's law; and, for the same reason, he orders evildoers to depart from him; and he asks God to help him (113-120). AIN. The Psalmist says that he has done justice and judgment; and he asks God for help against his enemies and for understanding to know God's word better (121-128). PE. The Psalmist says that God's Word gives light; and he asks that no iniquity would have dominion over him, stating that rivers of waters run down his eyes because they keep not God's law (129-136). TZADDI. The Psalmist tells the righteous LORD that he loves his pure Word; and he asks for understanding of it that he might live (137-144). KOPH. The Psalmist cried out to the LORD day and night promising to keep his Word; and he asks that the LORD will hear his voice and quicken him (145-152). RESH. The Psalmist asks God to consider his affliction and deliver him because he does not forget God's law as his wicked persecutors do (153-160). SCHIN. The Psalmist says that princes persecuted him without a cause; but he stood in awe of God's Word; and he acknowledges that those who love God's Law will have great peace (161-168). TAU. The Psalmist closes his Psalm by asking that the LORD will hear his cry and give him understanding according to his Word; and he pleads for deliverance though he has gone astray like a lost sheep (169-176).

¹ Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the LORD.
² Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, and that seek him with the whole heart.
³ They also do no iniquity: they walk in his ways.
⁴ Thou hast commanded us to keep thy precepts diligently.
⁵ O that my ways were directed to keep thy statutes!
⁶ Then shall I not be ashamed, when I have respect unto all thy commandments.
⁷ I will praise thee with uprightness of heart, when I shall have learned thy righteous judgments.
⁸ I will keep thy statutes: O forsake me not utterly.

BETH.

⁹ Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word.
¹⁰ With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments.
¹¹ Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.
¹² Blessed art thou, O LORD: teach me thy statutes.
¹³ With my lips have I declared all the judgments of thy mouth.
¹⁴ I have rejoiced in the way of thy testimonies, as much as in all riches.
¹⁵ I will meditate in thy precepts, and have respect unto thy ways.
¹⁶ I will delight myself in thy statutes: I will not forget thy word.

GIMEL.

¹⁷ Deal bountifully with thy servant, that I may live, and keep thy word.
¹⁸ Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law.
¹⁹ I am a stranger in the earth: hide not thy commandments from me.
²⁰ My soul breaketh for the longing that it hath unto thy judgments at all times.
²¹ Thou hast rebuked the proud that are cursed, which do err from thy commandments.
²² Remove from me reproach and contempt; for I have kept thy testimonies.
²³ Princes also did sit and speak against me: but thy servant did meditate in thy statutes.
²⁴ Thy testimonies also are my delight and my counsellors.

DALETH.

²⁵ My soul cleaveth unto the dust: quicken thou me according to thy word.
²⁶ I have declared my ways, and thou heardest me: teach me thy statutes.
²⁷ Make me to understand the way of thy precepts: so shall I talk of thy wondrous works.
²⁸ My soul melteth for heaviness: strengthen thou me according unto thy word.
²⁹ Remove from me the way of lying: and grant me thy law graciously.
³⁰ I have chosen the way of truth: thy judgments have I laid before me.
³¹ I have stuck unto thy testimonies: O LORD, put me not to shame.
³² I will run the way of thy commandments, when thou shalt enlarge my heart.

HE.

³³ Teach me, O LORD, the way of thy statutes; and I shall keep it unto the end.
³⁴ Give me understanding, and I shall keep thy law; yea, I shall observe it with my whole heart.
³⁵ Make me to go in the path of thy commandments; for therein do I delight.
³⁶ Incline my heart unto thy testimonies, and not to covetousness.
³⁷ Turn away mine eyes from beholding vanity; and quicken thou me in thy way.
³⁸ Stablish thy word unto thy servant, who is devoted to thy fear.
³⁹ Turn away my reproach which I fear: for thy judgments are good.
⁴⁰ Behold, I have longed after thy precepts: quicken me in thy righteousness.

VAU.

⁴¹ Let thy mercies come also unto me, O LORD, even thy salvation, according to thy word.
⁴² So shall I have wherewith to answer him that reproacheth me: for I trust in thy word.
⁴³ And take not the word of truth utterly out of my mouth; for I have hoped in thy judgments.
⁴⁴ So shall I keep thy law continually for ever and ever.
⁴⁵ And I will walk at liberty: for I seek thy precepts.
⁴⁶ I will speak of thy testimonies also before kings, and will not be ashamed.
⁴⁷ And I will delight myself in thy commandments, which I have loved.
⁴⁸ My hands also will I lift up unto thy commandments, which I have loved; and I will meditate in thy statutes.

ZAIN.

⁴⁹ Remember the word unto thy servant, upon which thou hast caused me to hope.
⁵⁰ This is my comfort in my affliction: for thy word hath quickened me.
⁵¹ The proud have had me greatly in derision: yet have I not declined from thy law.
⁵² I remembered thy judgments of old, O LORD; and have comforted myself.
⁵³ Horror hath taken hold upon me because of the wicked that forsake thy law.
⁵⁴ Thy statutes have been my songs in the house of my pilgrimage.
⁵⁵ I have remembered thy name, O LORD, in the night, and have kept thy law.
⁵⁶ This I had, because I kept thy precepts.

CHETH.

⁵⁷ Thou art my portion, O LORD: I have said that I would keep thy words.
⁵⁸ I intreated thy favour with my whole heart: be merciful unto me according to thy word.
⁵⁹ I thought on my ways, and turned my feet unto thy testimonies.
⁶⁰ I made haste, and delayed not to keep thy commandments.
⁶¹ The bands of the wicked have robbed me: but I have not forgotten thy law.
⁶² At midnight I will rise to give thanks unto thee because of thy righteous judgments.
⁶³ I am a companion of all them that fear thee, and of them that keep thy precepts.
⁶⁴ The earth, O LORD, is full of thy mercy: teach me thy statutes.

TETH.

⁶⁵ Thou hast dealt well with thy servant, O LORD, according unto thy word.
⁶⁶ Teach me good judgment and knowledge: for I have believed thy commandments.
⁶⁷ Before I was afflicted I went astray: but now have I kept thy word.
⁶⁸ Thou art good, and doest good; teach me thy statutes.
⁶⁹ The proud have forged a lie against me: but I will keep thy precepts with my whole heart.
⁷⁰ Their heart is as fat as grease; but I delight in thy law.
⁷¹ It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes.
⁷² The law of thy mouth is better unto me than thousands of gold and silver.

JOD.

⁷³ Thy hands have made me and fashioned me: give me understanding, that I may learn thy commandments.
⁷⁴ They that fear thee will be glad when they see me; because I have hoped in thy word.
⁷⁵ I know, O LORD, that thy judgments are right, and that thou in faithfulness hast afflicted me.
⁷⁶ Let, I pray thee, thy merciful kindness be for my comfort, according to thy word unto thy servant.
⁷⁷ Let thy tender mercies come unto me, that I may live: for thy law is my delight.
⁷⁸ Let the proud be ashamed; for they dealt perversely with me without a cause: but I will meditate in thy precepts.
⁷⁹ Let those that fear thee turn unto me, and those that have known thy testimonies.
⁸⁰ Let my heart be sound in thy statutes; that I be not ashamed.

CAPH

.
⁸¹ My soul fainteth for thy salvation: but I hope in thy word.
⁸² Mine eyes fail for thy word, saying, When wilt thou comfort me?
⁸³ For I am become like a bottle in the smoke; yet do I not forget thy statutes.
⁸⁴ How many are the days of thy servant? when wilt thou execute judgment on them that persecute me?
⁸⁵ The proud have digged pits for me, which are not after thy law.
⁸⁶ All thy commandments are faithful: they persecute me wrongfully; help thou me.
⁸⁷ They had almost consumed me upon earth; but I forsook not thy precepts.
⁸⁸ Quicken me after thy lovingkindness; so shall I keep the testimony of thy mouth.

LAMED.

⁸⁹ For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven.
⁹⁰ Thy faithfulness is unto all generations: thou hast established the earth, and it abideth.
⁹¹ They continue this day according to thine ordinances: for all are thy servants.
⁹² Unless thy law had been my delights, I should then have perished in mine affliction.
⁹³ I will never forget thy precepts: for with them thou hast quickened me.
⁹⁴ I am thine, save me; for I have sought thy precepts.
⁹⁵ The wicked have waited for me to destroy me: but I will consider thy testimonies.
⁹⁶ I have seen an end of all perfection: but thy commandment is exceeding broad.

MEM.

⁹⁷ O how love I thy law! it is my meditation all the day.
⁹⁸ Thou through thy commandments hast made me wiser than mine enemies: for they are ever with me.
⁹⁹ I have more understanding than all my teachers: for thy testimonies are my meditation.
¹⁰⁰ I understand more than the ancients, because I keep thy precepts.
¹⁰¹ I have refrained my feet from every evil way, that I might keep thy word.
¹⁰² I have not departed from thy judgments: for thou hast taught me.
¹⁰³ How sweet are thy words unto my taste! yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth!
¹⁰⁴ Through thy precepts I get understanding: therefore I hate every false way.

NUN.

¹⁰⁵ Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.
¹⁰⁶ I have sworn, and I will perform it, that I will keep thy righteous judgments.
¹⁰⁷ I am afflicted very much: quicken me, O LORD, according unto thy word.
¹⁰⁸ Accept, I beseech thee, the freewill offerings of my mouth, O LORD, and teach me thy judgments.
¹⁰⁹ My soul is continually in my hand: yet do I not forget thy law.
¹¹⁰ The wicked have laid a snare for me: yet I erred not from thy precepts.
¹¹¹ Thy testimonies have I taken as an heritage for ever: for they are the rejoicing of my heart.
¹¹² I have inclined mine heart to perform thy statutes alway, even unto the end.

SAMECH.

¹¹³ I hate vain thoughts: but thy law do I love.
¹¹⁴ Thou art my hiding place and my shield: I hope in thy word.
¹¹⁵ Depart from me, ye evildoers: for I will keep the commandments of my God.
¹¹⁶ Uphold me according unto thy word, that I may live: and let me not be ashamed of my hope.
¹¹⁷ Hold thou me up, and I shall be safe: and I will have respect unto thy statutes continually.
¹¹⁸ Thou hast trodden down all them that err from thy statutes: for their deceit is falsehood.
¹¹⁹ Thou puttest away all the wicked of the earth like dross: therefore I love thy testimonies.
¹²⁰ My flesh trembleth for fear of thee; and I am afraid of thy judgments.

AIN.

¹²¹ I have done judgment and justice: leave me not to mine oppressors.
¹²² Be surety for thy servant for good: let not the proud oppress me.
¹²³ Mine eyes fail for thy salvation, and for the word of thy righteousness.
¹²⁴ Deal with thy servant according unto thy mercy, and teach me thy statutes.
¹²⁵ I am thy servant; give me understanding, that I may know thy testimonies.
¹²⁶ It is time for thee, LORD, to work: for they have made void thy law.
¹²⁷ Therefore I love thy commandments above gold; yea, above fine gold.
¹²⁸ Therefore I esteem all thy precepts concerning all things to be right; and I hate every false way.

PE.

¹²⁹ Thy testimonies are wonderful: therefore doth my soul keep them.
¹³⁰ The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple.
¹³¹ I opened my mouth, and panted: for I longed for thy commandments.
¹³² Look thou upon me, and be merciful unto me, as thou usest to do unto those that love thy name.
¹³³ Order my steps in thy word: and let not any iniquity have dominion over me.
¹³⁴ Deliver me from the oppression of man: so will I keep thy precepts.
¹³⁵ Make thy face to shine upon thy servant; and teach me thy statutes.
¹³⁶ Rivers of waters run down mine eyes, because they keep not thy law.

TZADDI.

¹³⁷ Righteous art thou, O LORD, and upright are thy judgments.
¹³⁸ Thy testimonies that thou hast commanded are righteous and very faithful.
¹³⁹ My zeal hath consumed me, because mine enemies have forgotten thy words.
¹⁴⁰ Thy word is very pure: therefore thy servant loveth it.
¹⁴¹ I am small and despised: yet do not I forget thy precepts.
¹⁴² Thy righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, and thy law is the truth.
¹⁴³ Trouble and anguish have taken hold on me: yet thy commandments are my delights.
¹⁴⁴ The righteousness of thy testimonies is everlasting: give me understanding, and I shall live.

KOPH

.
¹⁴⁵ I cried with my whole heart; hear me, O LORD: I will keep thy statutes.
¹⁴⁶ I cried unto thee; save me, and I shall keep thy testimonies.
¹⁴⁷ I prevented the dawning of the morning, and cried: I hoped in thy word.
¹⁴⁸ Mine eyes prevent the night watches, that I might meditate in thy word.
¹⁴⁹ Hear my voice according unto thy lovingkindness: O LORD, quicken me according to thy judgment.
¹⁵⁰ They draw nigh that follow after mischief: they are far from thy law.
¹⁵¹ Thou art near, O LORD; and all thy commandments are truth.
¹⁵² Concerning thy testimonies, I have known of old that thou hast founded them for ever.

RESH.

¹⁵³ Consider mine affliction, and deliver me: for I do not forget thy law.
¹⁵⁴ Plead my cause, and deliver me: quicken me according to thy word.
¹⁵⁵ Salvation is far from the wicked: for they seek not thy statutes.
¹⁵⁶ Great are thy tender mercies, O LORD: quicken me according to thy judgments.
¹⁵⁷ Many are my persecutors and mine enemies; yet do I not decline from thy testimonies.
¹⁵⁸ I beheld the transgressors, and was grieved; because they kept not thy word.
¹⁵⁹ Consider how I love thy precepts: quicken me, O LORD, according to thy lovingkindness.
¹⁶⁰ Thy word is true from the beginning: and every one of thy righteous judgments endureth for ever.

SCHIN

.
¹⁶¹ Princes have persecuted me without a cause: but my heart standeth in awe of thy word.
¹⁶² I rejoice at thy word, as one that findeth great spoil.
¹⁶³ I hate and abhor lying: but thy law do I love.
¹⁶⁴ Seven times a day do I praise thee because of thy righteous judgments.
¹⁶⁵ Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them.
¹⁶⁶ LORD, I have hoped for thy salvation, and done thy commandments.
¹⁶⁷ My soul hath kept thy testimonies; and I love them exceedingly.
¹⁶⁸ I have kept thy precepts and thy testimonies: for all my ways are before thee.

TAU.

¹⁶⁹ Let my cry come near before thee, O LORD: give me understanding according to thy word.
¹⁷⁰ Let my supplication come before thee: deliver me according to thy word.
¹⁷¹ My lips shall utter praise, when thou hast taught me thy statutes.
¹⁷² My tongue shall speak of thy word: for all thy commandments are righteousness.
¹⁷³ Let thine hand help me; for I have chosen thy precepts.
¹⁷⁴ I have longed for thy salvation, O LORD; and thy law is my delight.
¹⁷⁵ Let my soul live, and it shall praise thee; and let thy judgments help me.
¹⁷⁶ I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek thy servant; for I do not forget thy commandments.