Songbook of a Nation: Psalm 119:1-16

Psalm 119 is a complex acrostic poem because it devotes the eight lines of each section to each letter of the Hebrew alphabet giving us 22 sections in total.  We will consider this Psalm in full taking it a section at a time. As you read consider the 8 different terms referring to Scripture occurring throughout the psalm: 1) law, 2) testimonies, 3) precepts, 4) statutes, 5) commandments, 6) judgments, 7) word, and 8) ordinances.

Psalm 119:1-16

א Aleph (Alef )
¹ Blessed are those whose ways are blameless,
who walk according to the law of the LORD.
² Blessed are those who keep His statutes
and seek Him with all their heart—
³ They do no wrong
but follow His ways.
⁴ You have laid down precepts
that are to be fully obeyed.
⁵ Oh, that my ways were steadfast
in obeying Your decrees!
⁶ Then I would not be put to shame
when I consider all Your commands.
⁷ I will praise You with an upright heart
as I learn Your righteous laws.
⁸ I will obey Your decrees;
do not utterly forsake me.

ב Beth (Bet)
⁹ How can a young person stay on the path of purity?
By living according to Your word.
¹⁰ I seek You with all my heart;
do not let me stray from Your commands.
¹¹ I have hidden Your word in my heart
that I might not sin against You.
¹² Praise be to You, LORD;
teach me Your decrees.
¹³ With my lips I recount
all the laws that come from Your mouth.
¹⁴ I rejoice in following Your statutes
as one rejoices in great riches.
¹⁵ I meditate on Your precepts
and consider Your ways.
¹⁶ I delight in Your decrees;
I will not neglect Your word.