(10 in Biblical numerics = Testimony; Law and responsibility)
The number of the words which are frequently repeated in Ps. 119 has been variously given and enumerated by expositors and commentators. It will be better to give them here on the authority of the Massorah
The rubric on verse 122 is as follows : "Throughout the whole of the Great Alphabet [i.e. the Alphabetic Psalm, 119] there is in every verse one of the following ten expressions " DEREK ( = Way), 'EDUTH ( = Testimony), PIKKUDIM ( = Precepts), MIZVAH ( = Commandment), 'IMRAH ( = Saying), TORAH ( = Law), MISHPAT ( = Judgment), ZEDEK, ZEDAKAH, and ZADDIK ( = Righteousness), HOK, and HUKKAH ( = Statutes), DABAR ( = Word), which correspond to the Ten Commandments; except one verse, in which there is none of these : viz. verse 122." (Massorah, Ginsburg's Edition, Vol. II.)
The following list includes all the "Ten Words" given above, with every occurrence in the Psalm, together with the first occurrence of each word.
i. WAY (derek) is from darak, to tread with the feet, and denotes the act of walking. Hence it is used of a going, or way, or journeying. The first occurrence is Gen. 3:24. It occurs in this Psalm thirteen times : vv. 1, 3, 5, 14, 26, 27, 29, 30, 32, 33, 37, 59, 168.
ii. TESTIMONIES ('eduth) is from 'ud, to turn back again, to go over again, to reiterate, hence, to testify. The first occurrence is Gen. 21:30 (edah). It occurs in this Psalm twenty-three times; nine times ('eduth), vv. 14, 31, 36, 88, 99, 111, 129, 144, 157; fourteen times ('edah, fem. sing.), vv. 2, 22, 24, 46, 59, 79, 95, 119, 125, 138, 146, 152, 167, 168.
iii. PRECEPTS (pikkudim) is from pakad, to take oversight or charge : hence, mandates enjoined on others. It occurs only in the Book of Psalms (see 19:8; 103:18; 111:7). In Ps. 119 twenty-one times : vv. 4, 15, 27, 40, 45, 56, 63, 69, 78, 87, 93, 94, 100, 104, 110, 128, 134, 141, 159, 168, 173.
iv. COMMANDMENTS (mizvah) is from zavah, to set up, constitute. Hence, constitutional commands. First occurrence Gen. 26:5. In Ps. 119 it occurs twenty-two times : vv. 6, 10, 19, 21, 32, 35, 47, 48, 60, 66, 73, 86, 96 (sing.), 98, 115, 127, 131, 143, 151, 166, 172, 176.
v. WORD ('imrah) is from 'amar, to bring forth to light; hence, to say. The verb is very regularly followed by the words used; hence 'imrah means an utterance and the purport of it. Not the same as dabar (No. x below), which refers to the articulate utterance of it. The first occurrence is in Gen. 4:23, and is rendered "speech". In plural only once, Ps. 12:6 (the only place where the plural is found). In Ps. 119 it occurs nineteen times : viz. 11, 38, 41, 50, 58, 67, 76, 82, 103, 116, 123, 133, 140, 148, 158, 162, 170, 172. With dabar the two occur forty-two times.
vi. LAW (torah) is from yarah, to project, issue : hence, to point out, to show (Prov. 6:13). Then, to instruct, teach. The Torah contains Jehovah's Instructions to His People, pointing out to them His will. First occurrence is in Gen. 26:5 (pl.). In Ps. 119 it occurs twenty-five times : always in the singular : viz. vv. 1, 18, 29, 34, 44, 51, 55, 61, 70, 72, 77, 85, 92, 97, 109, 113, 126, 136, 142, 150, 153, 163, 165, 174.
vii. JUDGMENT (mishpat) is from shaphat, to set upright, erect (cp. Eng. right, and German richten and recht); hence, to judge. Mishpat means judgment. Its first occurrence is in Gen. 18:19 (in Yahaveh's mouth). In Ps. 119 it occurs twenty-three times (always in plural, except four times), viz. : vv. 7, 13, 20, 30, 39, 43, 52, 62, 75, 84, 91 (ordinances), 102, 106, 108, 120, 121, 132 (as thou usest to do, see note), 137, 149, 156, 160, 164, 175.
viii. RIGHTEOUSNESS, RIGHT, &c. (zedek, masc.), is from zadak, to be right, upright, just, righteous. Hence the noun means rightness. By comparing the first occurrence (Lev. 19:15) with the second (Lev. 19:36) we get the idea that the word has special reference to equal balancing. Zedek (masc.) occurs twelve times, and is rendered "righteousness" : vv. 123, 142 (second), 144, 172; "right", v. 7, 62, 106, 138, 160, 164; "justice", v. 121. Zedakah (fem.), first occurrence, Gen. 15:6. In Ps. 119, "righteousness", vv. 40, 142 (first). Zaddik (adj.), spoken of a king (2Sam. 23:3), once, in v. 137. The three words fifteen in all.
ix. STATUTE (hok and hukka) is from hakak, to hew, cut in, engrave, inscribe; hence, to decree, or ordain. The noun = a decree or ordinance. First occurrence, Gen. 26:5 (hukkah fem.). In Ps. 119 it occurs twenty-two times : viz. : vv. 5, 8, 12, 16 (hukkah, fem.), 23, 26, 33, 48, 54, 64, 68, 71, 80, 83, 112, 117, 118, 124, 135, 145, 155, 171.
x. WORD, WORDS (dabar), is from dabar, to arrange in a row; hence, to set forth in speech. It refers to the articulate form of what is said, whether spoken or written (cp. v above); to the mode or manner by which the ipsissima verba are imparted. The first occurrence is in Gen. 11:1 ("speech"). In Ps. 119 it occurs twenty-four times, three of them in pl., viz. : vv. 9, 16, 17, 25, 28, 42 (twice), 43, 49, 57 (pl.), 65, 74, 81, 89, 101, 105, 107, 114, 130 (pl.), 139 (pl.), 147, 160, 161, 169.
א N 1. The way.
O 2. Condition. Happy.
P 3. They, upright.
Q 4. Command.
N 5. My ways.
O 6. Condition. Not ashamed.
P 7. I, upright.
Q 8. Promise.
Psalm 119)
1 (א) O the great happiness of the undefiled in the way, (The 1st of the 10 words. The 13 occurrences of this word in this Psalm are all noted below, as are those of the other 9.)
Who walk in the law (the 6th in order of the 10 words) of the LORD.
2 (א) How happy are they that guard His testimonies (the 2nd in order of the 10 words),
And that seek Him with the whole heart.
3 (א) They also do no perversity:
They walk in his ways.
4 (א) You have commanded us
To keep Your precepts (the 3rd in order of the 10 words) diligently.
5 (א) O that my ways were directed
To keep Your statutes!
6 (א) Then shall I not be put to shame (not shame of conscience),
When I have respect to all Your commandments (the 10th in order of the 10 words).
7 (א) I will praise You with uprightness of heart,
When I shall have learned judgments (the 7th in order of the 10 words) of Your righteousness (the 8th in order of the 10 words).
8 (א) I will keep Your statutes:
O forsake me not in any wise.
ב R 9. The way to be cleansed. [Future.]
S l1 10-. What have I done. My heart.
m1 -10. Prayer. [Negative.]
l2 11. What have I done. My heart.
m2 12. Prayer. [Positive.]
l3 13,14. What have I done. My lips
R 15,16. The way to be cleansed. [Future.]
9 (ב) Wherewithal shall a young man (the writer not necessarily a youth) cleanse his path?
So as to take heed thereto according to Your word. (= the articulate mater of what is said. See 18:30. Not the same word as in v.11.)
10 (ב) With my whole heart have I sought You:
O let me not wander from Your commandments.
11 (ב) Your word (= the mode, or purport of what is said. The 5th in order of the 10 words) have I treasured up in my heart,
That I might not sin against You.
12 (ב) Blessed are You, O LORD:
Teach me Your statutes.
13 (ב) With my lips have I declared
All the judgments of Your mouth.
14 (ב) I have rejoiced in the way of Your testimonies,
As much as in all riches.
15 (ב) I will meditate in Your precepts,
And have respect to Your ways.
16 (ג) I will delight myself in Your statutes:
I will not forget Your word (same word as in v.9 [not 11]).
ג T 17-19. Prayer and Reasons.
U 20,21. Twofold statement. Himself and wicked.
T 22. Prayer and Reasons.
U 23,24. Twofold statement. Himself and wicked.
17 (ג) Deal bountifully with Your servant,
That I may live, and keep Your word.
18 (ג) Unveil You my eyes, that I may discern (or see clearly)
Wondrous things out of Your law.
19 (ג) I am a foreigner sojourning in the earth:
Hide not Your commandments from me.
20 (ג) My soul has broken owing to the fervent desire
That it has to Your judgments at all times.
21 (ג) You have rebuked the proud that are cursed,
Which do far away (through wine or passion) from Your commandments.
22 (ג) Remove from me reproach and contempt; (Cp. 123:3,4, confirming Hezekiah's suggested authorship.)
For I have kept Your testimonies.
23 (ג) Princes also did sit and speak against me:
But Your servant did meditate in Your statutes.
24 (ג) Your testimonies nevertheless are my delight
And men of my counsel.
ד V n 25-. Depression.
o -25. "Give me life".
W p 26-. Profession. [Past.]
q -26. Prayer. "Teach me".
q 27-. Prayer. [Future.]
p -27. Profession. "I will talk".
V n 28-. Depression.
o -28. "Strengthen me".
W r 29. Prayer. "Remove".
s 30,31-. Profession. [Past.]
r -31. Prayer. "Put not to shame".
s 32. Profession. [Future.]
25 (ד) My soul cleaves to the dust (put for the dead):
You give me life (or keep me alive) according to Your word.
26 (ד) I have declared my ways, and You heard me:
Teach me Your statutes.
27 (ד) Make me to understand the way of Your precepts:
So shall I meditate on Your wondrous works.
28 (ד) My soul weeps for heaviness:
Strengthen You me according to Your word.
29 (ד) Remove from me the way of lying:
And grant me thy law graciously.
30 (ד) I have chosen the way of truth:
Your judgments have I set before me.
31 (ד) I have cleaved (or adhered) to Your testimonies:
O LORD, put me not to shame.
32 (ד) I will run the way of Your commandments,
When You shall set my heart at liberty (as in Isa. 50:5. 2 Cor. 6:11,13.).
ה X t 38. Eyes. Make me to see.
u 34-. Mind. Its comprehension.
Y -34. Heart.
Z 35. Feet. Practical walking.
Y 36. Heart.
X t 37-39. Eyes. Turn them away.
u 40. Mind. Its desires.
33 (ה) Show me (or make me to see), O LORD, the way of Your statutes;
And I shall keep it to the end.
34 (ה) Give me understanding, and I shall keep Your law;
Yes, I shall observe it with my whole heart.
35 (ה) Make me to go in the path of Your commandments;
For therein do I delight.
36 (ה) Incline my heart to Your testimonies,
And not to covetousness.
37 (ה) Turn away my eyes from beholding vanity;
And quicken You me in Your way.
38 (ה) Establish Your word to Your servant,
Which leads to reverence of You.
39 (ה) Turn away my reproach which I dread:
For Your judgments are good.
40 (ה) Behold, I have longed after Your precepts:
Quicken me by Your righteousness.
ו A 41,42-. Prayer. [Positive.]
B -42. Reason and Plea.
A 43-. Prayer. [Negative.]
B -43-48. Reason and Plea.
41 (ו) Let Your loving-kindnesses come also to me, O LORD,
Even Your salvation, according to Your word.
42 (ו) So shall I have sword to answer him that reproaches me: (See "contempt", v. 123:3)
For I confide in Your word.
43 (ו) And take not the word of truth utterly out of my mouth;
For I have hoped in Your judgments.
44 (ו) So shall I keep Your law continually
For ever and ever. (Put for a part: i.e. the rest of his life.)
45 (ו) And I will walk at large:
For I seek Your precepts.
46 (ו) I will speak of Your testimonies also before kings, (So Hezekiah testified, doubtless, when kings sent presents and embassies to him [2 Chon. 32:22,23]. No occasion to suggest a later date for this Psalm.)
And will not be ashamed.
47 (ו) And I will delight myself in Your commandments,
Which I love.
48 (ו) My hands also will I lift up (Heb. idiom to swear by, cp. Gen. 14:22. Ex. 6:6. Deut. 32:40. Ezek. 20:5,5; 36:7. See Ex. 17:16) to Your commandments, which I love;
And I will meditate in Your statutes.
ז C1 49. "Remember..."You".
D1 50,51. Statement as to consequences.
C2 52. "I remembered".
D2 53,54. Statement as to consequences.
C3 55. "I have remembered".
D3 56. Statement as to consequences.
49 (ז) Remember the word to Your servant,
Upon which You have caused me to hope. (Our hope is based on believing what we have "heard" from God. Cp. Heb. 11:1 with Rom. 10:17.)
50 (ז) This is my comfort in my affliction:
For Your word has kept me alive.
51 (ז) The insolent (like Rabshakeh) have had me greatly in derision:
Yet have I not declined from Your law.
52 (ז) I remembered Your judgments of old, O LORD;
And have comforted myself.
53 (ז) Indignation has taken hold upon me
Because of the lawless that forsake Your law.
54 (ז) Your statutes have been my songs (put for the theme of my songs)
In the house of my pilgrimage.
55 (ז) I have remembered Your name, O LORD, in the night,
And have kept Your law.
56 (ז) This [comfort] I had,
Because I kept Your precepts.
ח E 57-60. Yahaveh my portion.
F 61. Statement re the work of the lawless.
E 62,63. Yahaveh my praise.
F 64. Statement re the favor of Yehovah.
57 (ח) I have said, the Lord is my portion:
That I may keep Your word."
58 (ח) I entreated Your favor (Heb. face; put for what is indicated by it) with my whole heart:
Be gracious to me according to Your word.
59 (ח) I thought on my ways,
And turned my feet to Your testimonies.
60 (ח) I made haste, and delayed not
To keep Your commandments.
61 (ח) The bands of the wicked have surrounded me: (Cp. Senacherib's investment of Hezekiah)
But I have not forgotten Your law.
62 (ח) At midnight I will rise to give thanks to You
Because of Your righteous judgments.
63 (ח) I am a companion (= fellow of the same party) of all them that revere You,
And of them that keep Your precepts.
64 (ח) The earth, O LORD, is full of Your loving-kindness (or grace):
Teach me Your statutes.
ט G 65. Your dealings good.
H t 66. Your judgments good. Teach me.
u 67. Affliction good. Result.
H t 68. You are good. Teach me.
u 69-71. Affliction good. Result.
G 72. Your law good.
65 (ט) You have dealt well with Your servant,
O LORD, according to Your word.
66 (ט) Teach me good judgment and knowledge:
For I have believed Your commandments.
67 (ט) Until I was oppressed I went astray:
But now have I kept Your word. (Cp. Heb. 12:6-11, and reference there.)
68 (ט) You are kind, and act kindly;
Teach me Your statutes.
69 (ט) The proud have forged a lie against me:
But I will keep Your precepts with my whole heart.
70 (ט) Their heart is as fat as grease;
But I delight in Your law.
71 (ט) It is right (or fitting) for me that I have been afflicted;
That I might learn Your statutes.
72 (ט) The law of Your mouth is better to me
Than thousands of gold and silver (put for coins made from these metals.).
י J 73. Prayer. "I".
K 74. "They that revere You".
L 75. Affliction. "I".
M 76. Loving-kindness.
M 77. Tender mercies.
L 78. Affliction. "I".
K 79. "They that revere You".
J 80. Prayer. "I".
73 (י) Your hands have made me and formed (cp. Job 31:15; also Deut. 32:18) me:
Give me understanding, that I may learn Your commandments.
74 (י) They that revere You will be glad when they see me;
Because I have hoped in Your word.
75 (י) I know, O LORD, that Your judgments are righteousness,
And that You in faithfulness have humbled me.
76 (י) Let, I pray You, Your loving-kindness (or grace) be for my comfort,
According to Your word to Your servant.
77 (י) Let Your compassionS come to me,
That I may live: for Your law is my great delight. (This is the ground for his prayer.)
78 (י) Let the insolent (or arrogant) be ashamed; for they dealt with falsehood with me without a cause: (Cp. John 15:25. Rom. 3:24.)
But I will meditate in Your precepts.
79 (י) Let those that revere You turn to me,
And those that have known Your testimonies.
80 (י) Let my heart be thorough in Your statutes;
That I be not ashamed.
כ N1 81-84. Distress. Complaints and Pleas. N2 85-88. Distress. Cause, Constraints, and Prayers.
N1 O 81,82-. 2 complaints, with plea between.
P -82. Question. When comfort?
O 83,84-. 2 complaints, with plea between.
P -84. Question. When comfort?
81 (כ) My soul faints for Your salvation:
But I hope in Your word.
82 (כ) My eyes fail for Your word,
Saying, "When will You comfort me?"
83 (כ) For I am become like a wine-skin in the smoke; (i.e. black and shriveled. Cp. Job 30:30.)
Yet do I not forget Your statutes.
84 (כ) How many (i.e. few at most. Cp. 89:47. 2 Sam. 19:34) are the days of Your servant?
When will You vindicate on them that persecute me?
N2 Q1 85. Enemies. "They...me".
R1 86-. Statement. "Your".
Q2 -86-. Enemies. "They...me".
R2 -86. Statement. "You".
Q3 87-. Enemies. "They...me".
R3 -87,88. Statement. "Your".
85 (כ) The proud have dug pits for me,
[Men] who are not according to Your law.
86 (כ) All Your commandments are faithfulness:
They persecute me wrongfully;
help You me.
87 (כ) They had soon (see Prov. 5.14) made an end of me upon earth;
But I forsook not Your precepts.
88 (כ) Quicken me after Your loving-kindness;
So shall I keep the testimony of Your mouth.
ל S 89-91. Yahaveh's Word settled and eternal.
T 92. Affliction cannot destroy my delight in it.
U 93. Statement and reason. "For".
U 94. Statement and reason. "For".
T 95. The wicked cannot destroy my meditation in it.
S 96. Yahaveh's Word perfect and eternal.
S v 89-. Yahaveh eternal. The heavens [89:37].
w -89. His Word established. "
v 90-. Yahaveh's faithfulness eternal. The earth 89:4].
w -90,91. The earth established. "
89 (ל) For ever [are You], O LORD,
[For ever] Your word is stands fast (as the earth) in heaven. (I.e. endures forever. So Christ, the Living Word [John 12:34)
90 (ל) Your faithfulness is to all generations:
You have established the earth, and it stands.
91 (ל) They (i.e. heaven and earth) stand [to] this day (or today) according to Your regulations (the 7th of the 10 words):
For the whole [universe] are Your servants.
92 (ל) Unless Your law had been my delights,
I should then have perished in my affliction.
93 (ל) I will never forget Your precepts:
For with them You have kept me alive.
94 (ל) I am Yours, save me:
For I have inquired into (or studied) Your precepts.
95 (ל) The lawless have waited for me to destroy me:
But I will consider Your testimonies.
96 (ל) I have seen an end of the limit to all things: (Cp. Job 26:10; 28:3.)
But spacious exceedingly [are] Your commandments. (I.e. including all [as opposed to "end".)
ם V X 97. The Word of Yahaveh. Precious.
Y 98-110. The source of Understanding and Reason.
W 101. The Psalmists practice [Pos.] and motive.
W 102. The Psalmists practice [Neg.] and Reason.
V X 103. The Word of Yahaveh. Precious.
Y 104. The source of Understanding and Consequences.
97 (ם) O how love I Your law!
It is my meditation all the day.
Y x1 98-. Wiser than my enemies.
y1 -98. Reason.
x2 99-. Wiser than my teachers.
y2 -99. Reason.
x3 100-. Wiser than the aged.
y3 -100. Reason
98 (ם) You through Your commandments have made me wiser than my enemies:
For it is (i.e. the Law containing the commandments) ever with me.
99 (ם) I have more understanding than all my teachers: (because Divinely taught Divine wisdom)
For Your testimonies are my meditation.
100 (ם) I understand more than the elders (or aged ones),
Because I keep Your precepts.
101 (ם) I have refrained my feet from every evil way (including religious way, in the sense of Acts 9:2; 19:9,23; 24:14. Cp. Acts 16:17; 18:25; especially in v.104),
That I may keep Your word.
102 (ם) I have not swerved from Your judgments:
For You have directed me.
103 (ם) How smooth (or agreeable) are Your words to my taste!
Yes, sweeter than honey to my mouth!
104 (ם) Through Your precepts I get understanding:
Therefore I hate every false way.
נ A a 105. The Word my Light.
b 106. Purpose to keep it.
B 107,108. Affliction and Prayer.
B 109,110. Danger and Protestations.
A a 111. The Word my Heritage and Joy.
b 112. Purpose to keep it.
105 (נ) Your word is a lamp to my feet, (Or a lantern, for light on the path for the feet; not merely a light for the eyes.)
And a light to my path.
106 (נ) I have sworn, and I will perform it,
That I will keep Your righteous judgments.
107 (נ) I am afflicted very much:
Keep me alive, O LORD, according to Your word.
108 (נ) Accept, I beseech You, the freewill offerings of my mouth, O LORD,
And teach me Your judgments.
109 (נ) My soul is continually in my hand: (An idiom for great danger. Cp. Judg. 2:3. 1 Sam. 19:5; 28:21; Job 13:14.)
Yet do I not forget Your law.
110 (נ) The wicked have laid a snare for me:
Yet I erred not (to err from the paths of virtue and piety) from Your precepts.
111 (נ) Your testimonies have I taken as an heritage for ever:
For they are the rejoicing of my heart.
112 (נ) I have inclined my heart to perform your statutes always,
Even to the end.
ס C 113,114. Protestations. "I".
D 115. Evildoers. Addressed concerning God.
E 116. Uphold me. From above and without.
E 117. Uphold me. From beneath and within.
D 118,119. Evildoers. God addressed concerning them.
C 120. Protestations. "I".
113 (ס) I hate vain doubting thoughts: (I.e. those that are double minded.)
But Your law do I love.
114 (ס) You are my hiding place and my shield:
I hope in Your word.
115 (ס) Depart from me, you evildoers:
For I will keep the commandments of my God.
116 (ס) Uphold me according to Your word, that I may live:
And let me not be ashamed of my hope.
117 (ס) Hold You me up, so shall I be saved:
And I will meditate on Your statutes continually.
118 (ס) You have trodden down (or set at naught) all them that err from Your statutes:
For their deceit is falsehood.
119 (ס) You put away all the lawless of the earth like dross:
Therefore I love Your testimonies.
120 (ס) My flesh trembles (or my flesh creeps [as we say]. Cp. Job 4:15: i.e. at the judgment executed on the lawless) for fear of You;
And I am afraid of Your judgments.
ע F 121,122. What I have done, and Prayer [Neg.].
G 123. The Word. Desire for it.
H 124,125. Your servant's prayer.
F 126. What Yahaveh should do, and Plea [Pos.].
G 127,128-. The Word. Love for it.
H -128. Your servants resolve.
121 (ע) I have done judgment and righteousness:
Leave me not to my oppressors.
122 (ע) Be surety for Your servant for good:
Let not the arrogant oppress me. (This is the only verse in this Psalm which has not one of the "10 words", unless we may include the Living Word Himself, Who is the "surety" for His people. See Prov. 11:15, and cp. Heb. 7:22.)
123 (ע) My eyes fail for Your salvation,
And for the word of Your righteousness.
124 (ע) Deal with Your servant according to Your loving-kindness (or grace),
And teach me Your statutes.
125 (ע) I am Your servant; give me understanding,
That I may know Your testimonies.
126 (ע) It is time for You, LORD, to work (i.e. to intervene):
For they have made void Your law.
127 (ע) Therefore I love Your commandments above gold;
Yes, above fine gold.
128 (ע) Therefore I esteem all Your precepts concerning all things to be right;
And I hate every false way.
פ J 129-131. Statements concerning the Word.
K 132. Prayer concerning the Righteous.
K 133-135. Prayer concerning the wicked.
J 136. Statements concerning the Word.
129 (פ) Your testimonies are wonderful:
Therefore does my soul keep them safely.
130 (פ) The doorway of Your words gives light; (Which was always an open way for the light, in the absence of windows)
It gives understanding to the sincere (as opposed to crafty).
131 (פ) I opened my mouth, and panted:
For I longed for Your commandments.
132 (פ) Look You upon me, and be gracious to me,
According to Your ordinance to those that love Your name.
133 (פ) Direct (or guide) my steps by Your word:
And let not any iniquity have dominion over me.
134 (פ) Deliver (i.e. by power, see Ex. 6:6; 13:13) me from the oppression of man:
So will I keep Your precepts.
135 (פ) Make Your face to shine upon Your servant;
And teach me Your statutes.
136 (פ) Rivers of waters run down my eyes, (See Prov. 21:1)
Because they keep not Your law.
צ L1 137,138. Your Word. Righteous.
M1 139. I. Consumed.
L2 140. Your Word. Pure.
M2 141. I. Despised.
L3 142. Your Word. Truth.
M3 143. I. Consumed.
L4 144. Your Word. Righteousness.
137 (צ) Righteous are You, O LORD, (See Rev. 16;5,7.)
And upright are Your judgments.
138 (צ) Your testimonies that You have commanded are righteousness
And faithfulness.
139 (צ) My zeal has consumed me,
Because my enemies have forgotten Your words.
140 (צ) Your word is refined:
Therefore Your servant loves it.
141 (צ) I am insignificant and despised:
Yet do not I forget Your precepts.
142 (צ) Your righteousness is an everlasting righteousness,
And Your law is truth.
143 (צ) Trouble and anguish have taken hold on me:
Yet Your commandments are my delights.
144 (צ) The righteousness of Your testimonies is everlasting:
Give me understanding, and I shall live.
ק N 145-149. The Psalmist's cry.
O 150,151. Yahaveh near Psalmist. Foes near.
P 152. The Word Established forever.
ר N 155,154. The Psalmist's cry.
O 155-159. Yehovah far from wicked. Foes many.
P 160. The Word Established forever.
145 (ק) I called [to You] with my whole heart; answer me, O LORD:
I will keep Your statutes.
146 (ק) I called to You; save me,
And I shall keep Your testimonies.
147 (ק) I anticipated the dawning of the morning, and called:
I hoped in Your word.
148 (ק) My eyes anticipate the night watches,
That I might meditate in Your word.
149 (ק) O do hear my voice according to Your loving-kindness:
O LORD, keep me alive according to your judgment.
150 (ק) They draw nigh that follow after me maliciously:
They are far from Your law.
151 (ק) You are near, O LORD;
And all Y commandments are truth.
152 (ק) Concerning Your testimonies,
I have known of old that You have founded them for ever.
153 (ר) Consider my affliction, and rescue (with a gentile hand) me:
for I do not forget Your law.
154 (ר) Plead my cause, and redeem me:
Keep me alive according to Your word.
155 (ר) Salvation is far from the lawless:
For they seek not Your statutes.
156 (ר) Great are Your compassions, O LORD:
Keep me alive according to Your judgments.
157 (ר) Many are my persecutors and my adversaries (i.e. those who hem me in);
Yet do I not decline from Your testimonies.
158 (ר) I beheld the traitors (or treacherous men), and loathed myself (i.e. seeing the same tendencies in myself. Cp. Job 42:6);
Because they kept not Your word.
159 (ר) Consider how I love Your precepts:
Keep me alive, O LORD, according to Your loving-kindness.
160 (ר) Your word is true from the head (put for the whole [including the beginning, and "every one", as in the next line] = sum and substance, word and words[ Jer. 16:16. John 17:8,14]):
And every one of Your righteous judgments endures for ever.
ש Q1 161. Contrastive Statement.
R1 162. Praise. "Your".
Q2 163. Contrastive Statement.
R2 164. Praise. "Your".
Q3 165. Contrastive Statement.
R3 166-168. Prayer. "Your".
161 (ש) Rulers have persecuted me without a cause:
But my heart standeth in awe of Your word.
162 (ש) I rejoice at Your word,
As one that finds great spoil.
163 (ש) I hate and abhor what is false: (Especially false religion and idolatry.)
But Your law do I love.
164 (ש) Seven times (7 = spiritual perfection) a day do I praise You
Because of Your righteous judgments.
165 (ש) Great peace (put for every blessing connected with peace) have they which love Your law:
And nothing shall make them stumble.
166 (ש) LORD, I have hoped for Your salvation,
And done Your commandments.
167 (ש) My soul has kept Your testimonies;
And I love them exceedingly.
168 (ש) I have kept Your precepts and Your testimonies:
For all my ways are before Your.
ת S1 169,170. Prayer ["Let"] and Plea.
T1 171,172. Statements. "I". Praise.
S2 173. Prayer ["Let"] and Plea.
T2 174. Statements. "I".
S3 175. Prayer ["Let"].
T3 176-. Statement. "I". Confession.
S4 -176. Prayer and Plea ["For"].
169 (ת) Let my cry come near before You, O LORD:
Give me understanding according to Your word.
170 (ת) Let my supplication come before You:
Rescue (Heb. nazal, to pluck out of the hands of an enemy; recover) me according to Your word.
171 (ת) My lips shall pour forth (or bubble over with) praise, (Cp. Prov. 15:2; 18:4.)
When You have taught me Your statutes.
172 (ת) My tongue shall speak (put for all kinds of speaking or singing; hence = praise) of Your word:
For all Your commandments are righteousness.
173 (ת) Let Your hand (put for power exercised by it) help me;
For I have chosen Your precepts.
174 (ת) I have longed for Your salvation, O LORD;
And Your law is my delight.
175 (ת) Let my soul live, and it shall praise You; (Refers to Isa. 38:20.)
And let Your judgments help me. (Refers to Isa. 37:33-36.)
176 (ת) I have gone astray like a perishing sheep (cp. Matt. 18:11; Luke 19:10); seek Your servant;
For I do not forget Your commandments.