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Psalm 119’s Saturated Teaching on the Activity of God’s Word
Psalm 119 is an instruction book. It is the longest of the 150 and the longest chapter in the- Bible. There are 176 verses, which make it equal in length to Ruth or James or Philippians.
It is also a very personal psalm, as the 1st person pronoun “I” appears approximately 320x. In fact, there are more personal pronouns in Psalm 119 than actual titles for God’s Word, which has led some to conclude that it “is the most extensive I-to-You conversation in the Bible. … I talk to You about what Your words mean in my life.”
Now, speaking about the titles for the Bible in Psalm 119. There are a number of synonyms for God’s Word in this text. In fact, only 6 verses in the psalm do not have a word for the Bible (vs. 84, 90-91, 121-122, 149); that is a mere 3% of the psalm! 97% of the verses in this psalm reference the activity of the Word of God.
“Ways” – This is the Hebrew word dabar and can be found in 32 verses: vs. 3, 5, 9, 15-17, 25-26, 28, 30, 33, 37, 42-43, 49, 57, 59, 65, 74, 81, 89, 101, 105, 107, 114, 130, 132, 139, 147, 160-161, 169. It is the most general of the 8 titles and refers simply to anything that comes from God’s mouth. Anything that comes from His holy, perfect mouth is His “way” for mankind.
“Testimonies” – This is the Hebrew word edotand can be found in 23 verses: vs. 2, 14, 22, 24, 31, 36, 46, 59, 79, 88, 95, 99, 111, 119, 125, 129, 138, 144, 146, 152, 157, 167-168. It is a word often used synonymously with the 10 Commandments. It is a word meaning “what God solemnly testifies to be His will;” it can also mean “to bear witness.” For example, Israel was told to place the Law next to the Ark so it would be a witness against them (Deut 31:26).
“Statutes” – This is the Hebrew word huqqimand can be found in 22 verses: vs. 5, 8, 12, 16, 23, 26, 33, 48, 54, 64, 68, 71, 80, 83, 112, 117-118, 124, 135, 145, 155, 171. Its meaning is “to inscribe, to cut.” It seems to speak of the permanence of Scripture as it is engraved on our hearts (Isa 30:8).
“Word” – This is the Hebrew word imrahand can be found in 43 verses: vs. 9, 11, 16-17, 25, 28, 38, 41-43, 49-50, 57-58, 65, 67, 74, 76, 81-82, 89, 101, 103, 105, 107, 114, 116, 123, 130, 133, 139-140, 147-148, 154, 158, 160-162, 169-170, 172. Its root word means “to promise.” It refers to anything that God vows to do, how He judges, how He rewards, etc. for mankind.
“Rules” – This is the Hebrew word mishpatimand can be found in 24 verses: vs. 7, 13, 20, 29-30, 39, 43, 52, 62, 75, 84, 91, 102, 106, 108, 120-121, 132, 137, 149, 156, 160, 164, 175. It means “what the Divine Judge has ruled to be right” or “ordinances.” It refers to any divine legal issues. It looks at the judicial side of God’s Word; it sees truth as something that is legally binding upon mankind.
“Commandments” – This is the Hebrew word mitsvotand can be found in 24 verses: vs. 6, 10, 19, 21, 32, 35, 47-48, 60, 66, 73, 86, 96, 98, 115, 127, 131, 143, 151, 158, 166, 172-173, 176. Its root refers to teaching. The title means “what God has taught us to observe.”
“Precepts” – This is the Hebrew word piqqudimand can be found in 21 verses: vs. 4, 15, 27, 40, 45, 56, 63, 69, 78, 87, 93-94, 100, 104, 110, 128, 134, 141, 159, 168, 173. It means “what God has appointed to be done, like a covenant.” It is synonymous with covenants. A precept is that aspect of truth that refers to anything God has covenanted with mankind over.
“Law” – This is the Hebrew word torahand can be found in 25 verses: vs. 1, 18, 29, 34, 44, 51, 53, 55, 61, 70, 72, 77, 85, 92, 97, 109, 113, 126, 136, 142, 150, 153, 163, 165, 174. This is the most common title for God’s Word in the O.T. Its root meaning is “instruction.” It refers to the totality of everything God teaches mankind.
Really, Psalm 119 is an exhaustive look at the Word of God and an exposition of what all these titles refer to and mean.
Who wrote it? Check back on next Wednesday’s blog and read some theories.
The Journal of Biblical Counseling. Fall 2004, Volume 22, Number 4, pg. 4.
ESV Study Bible, pg. 1094.
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