A Light On My Path – Psalm 119

Joy: You’re listening to Season 2 of the Lifting Her Voice podcast.  This is Episode #188 and today we’ll read Psalm 119 together.   Your word is a lamp for my feet and a light on my path.

Welcome

Welcome to the Lifting Her Voice podcast, Season 2!  I’m your host, Joy Miller, and I invite you to grab your Bible and join me – from the beginning – simply reading God’s word together.  We built some spiritual muscles in 2020 with just the New Testament.  But this year we’re going all out, cover-to-cover, Old Testament and New.  So, whether with your first cup in the morning, your commute to work, or as the last thing on your mind before sleep, God’s Word will equip you for every good work.  I’m really glad you’re here!

Psalm 119

Delight in God’s Word

א Aleph

How happy are those whose way is blameless,

who walk according to the Lord’s instruction!

Happy are those who keep his decrees

and seek him with all their heart.

They do nothing wrong;

they walk in his ways.

You have commanded that your precepts

be diligently kept.

If only my ways were committed

to keeping your statutes!

Then I would not be ashamed

when I think about all your commands.

I will praise you with an upright heart

when I learn your righteous judgments.

I will keep your statutes;

never abandon me.

ב Beth

How can a young man keep his way pure?

By keeping your word.

I have sought you with all my heart;

don’t let me wander from your commands.

I have treasured your word in my heart

so that I may not sin against you.

Lord, may you be blessed;

teach me your statutes.

With my lips I proclaim

all the judgments from your mouth.

I rejoice in the way revealed by your decrees

as much as in all riches.

I will meditate on your precepts

and think about your ways.

I will delight in your statutes;

I will not forget your word.

ג Gimel

Deal generously with your servant

so that I might live;

then I will keep your word.

Open my eyes so that I may contemplate

wondrous things from your instruction.

I am a resident alien on earth;

do not hide your commands from me.

I am continually overcome

with longing for your judgments.

You rebuke the arrogant,

the ones under a curse,

who wander from your commands.

Take insult and contempt away from me,

for I have kept your decrees.

Though princes sit together speaking against me,

your servant will think about your statutes;

your decrees are my delight

and my counselors.

ד Daleth

My life is down in the dust;

give me life through your word.

I told you about my life,

and you answered me;

teach me your statutes.

Help me understand

the meaning of your precepts

so that I can meditate on your wonders.

I am weary from grief;

strengthen me through your word.

Keep me from the way of deceit

and graciously give me your instruction.

I have chosen the way of truth;

I have set your ordinances before me.

I cling to your decrees;

Lord, do not put me to shame.

I pursue the way of your commands,

for you broaden my understanding.

ה He

Teach me, Lord, the meaning of your statutes,

and I will always keep them.

Help me understand your instruction,

and I will obey it

and follow it with all my heart.

Help me stay on the path of your commands,

for I take pleasure in it.

Turn my heart to your decrees

and not to dishonest profit.

Turn my eyes

from looking at what is worthless;

give me life in your ways.

Confirm what you said to your servant,

for it produces reverence for you.

Turn away the disgrace I dread;

indeed, your judgments are good.

How I long for your precepts!

Give me life through your righteousness.

ו Waw

Let your faithful love come to me, Lord,

your salvation, as you promised.

Then I can answer the one who taunts me,

for I trust in your word.

Never take the word of truth from my mouth,

for I hope in your judgments.

I will always obey your instruction,

forever and ever.

I will walk freely in an open place

because I study your precepts.

I will speak of your decrees before kings

and not be ashamed.

I delight in your commands,

which I love.

I will lift up my hands to your commands,

which I love,

and will meditate on your statutes.

ז Zayin

Remember your word to your servant;

you have given me hope through it.

This is my comfort in my affliction:

Your promise has given me life.

The arrogant constantly ridicule me,

but I do not turn away from your instruction.

Lord, I remember your judgments from long ago

and find comfort.

Fury seizes me because of the wicked

who reject your instruction.

Your statutes are the theme of my song

during my earthly life.

Lord, I remember your name in the night,

and I obey your instruction.

This is my practice:

I obey your precepts.

ח Cheth

The Lord is my portion;

I have promised to keep your words.

I have sought your favor with all my heart;

be gracious to me according to your promise.

I thought about my ways

and turned my steps back to your decrees.

I hurried, not hesitating

to keep your commands.

Though the ropes of the wicked

were wrapped around me,

I did not forget your instruction.

I rise at midnight to thank you

for your righteous judgments.

I am a friend to all who fear you,

to those who keep your precepts.

Lord, the earth is filled with your faithful love;

teach me your statutes.

ט Teth

Lord, you have treated your servant well,

just as you promised.

Teach me good judgment and discernment,

for I rely on your commands.

Before I was afflicted I went astray,

but now I keep your word.

You are good, and you do what is good;

teach me your statutes.

The arrogant have smeared me with lies,

but I obey your precepts with all my heart.

Their hearts are hard and insensitive,

but I delight in your instruction.

It was good for me to be afflicted

so that I could learn your statutes.

Instruction from your lips is better for me

than thousands of gold and silver pieces.

י Yod

Your hands made me and formed me;

give me understanding

so that I can learn your commands.

Those who fear you will see me and rejoice,

for I put my hope in your word.

I know, Lord, that your judgments are just

and that you have afflicted me fairly.

May your faithful love comfort me

as you promised your servant.

May your compassion come to me

so that I may live,

for your instruction is my delight.

Let the arrogant be put to shame

for slandering me with lies;

I will meditate on your precepts.

Let those who fear you,

those who know your decrees, turn to me.

May my heart be blameless regarding your statutes

so that I will not be put to shame.

כ Kaph

I long for your salvation;

I put my hope in your word.

My eyes grow weary

looking for what you have promised;

I ask, “When will you comfort me?”

Though I have become like a wineskin dried by smoke,

I do not forget your statutes.

How many days must your servant wait?

When will you execute judgment on my persecutors?

The arrogant have dug pits for me;

they violate your instruction.

All your commands are true;

people persecute me with lies — help me!

They almost ended my life on earth,

but I did not abandon your precepts.

Give me life in accordance with your faithful love,

and I will obey the decree you have spoken.

ל Lamed

Lord, your word is forever;

it is firmly fixed in heaven.

Your faithfulness is for all generations;

you established the earth, and it stands firm.

Your judgments stand firm today,

for all things are your servants.

If your instruction had not been my delight,

I would have died in my affliction.

I will never forget your precepts,

for you have given me life through them.

I am yours; save me,

for I have studied your precepts.

The wicked hope to destroy me,

but I contemplate your decrees.

I have seen a limit to all perfection,

but your command is without limit.

מ Mem

How I love your instruction!

It is my meditation all day long.

Your command makes me wiser than my enemies,

for it is always with me.

I have more insight than all my teachers

because your decrees are my meditation.

I understand more than the elders

because I obey your precepts.

I have kept my feet from every evil path

to follow your word.

I have not turned from your judgments,

for you yourself have instructed me.

How sweet your word is to my taste —

sweeter than honey in my mouth.

I gain understanding from your precepts;

therefore I hate every false way.

נ Nun

Your word is a lamp for my feet

and a light on my path.

I have solemnly sworn

to keep your righteous judgments.

I am severely afflicted;

Lord, give me life according to your word.

Lord, please accept my freewill offerings of praise,

and teach me your judgments.

My life is constantly in danger,

yet I do not forget your instruction.

The wicked have set a trap for me,

but I have not wandered from your precepts.

I have your decrees as a heritage forever;

indeed, they are the joy of my heart.

I am resolved to obey your statutes

to the very end.

ס Samek

I hate those who are double-minded,

but I love your instruction.

You are my shelter and my shield;

I put my hope in your word.

Depart from me, you evil ones,

so that I may obey my God’s commands.

Sustain me as you promised, and I will live;

do not let me be ashamed of my hope.

Sustain me so that I can be safe

and always be concerned about your statutes.

You reject all who stray from your statutes,

for their deceit is a lie.

You remove all the wicked on earth

as if they were dross from metal;

therefore, I love your decrees.

I tremble in awe of you;

I fear your judgments.

ע Ayin

I have done what is just and right;

do not leave me to my oppressors.

Guarantee your servant’s well-being;

do not let the arrogant oppress me.

My eyes grow weary looking for your salvation

and for your righteous promise.

Deal with your servant based on your faithful love;

teach me your statutes.

I am your servant; give me understanding

so that I may know your decrees.

It is time for the Lord to act,

for they have violated your instruction.

Since I love your commands

more than gold, even the purest gold,

I carefully follow all your precepts

and hate every false way.

פ Pe

Your decrees are wondrous;

therefore I obey them.

The revelation of your words brings light

and gives understanding to the inexperienced.

I open my mouth and pant

because I long for your commands.

Turn to me and be gracious to me,

as is your practice toward those who love your name.

Make my steps steady through your promise;

don’t let any sin dominate me.

Redeem me from human oppression,

and I will keep your precepts.

Make your face shine on your servant,

and teach me your statutes.

My eyes pour out streams of tears

because people do not follow your instruction.

צ Tsade

You are righteous, Lord,

and your judgments are just.

The decrees you issue are righteous

and altogether trustworthy.

My anger overwhelms me

because my foes forget your words.

Your word is completely pure,

and your servant loves it.

I am insignificant and despised,

but I do not forget your precepts.

Your righteousness is an everlasting righteousness,

and your instruction is true.

Trouble and distress have overtaken me,

but your commands are my delight.

Your decrees are righteous forever.

Give me understanding, and I will live.

ק Qoph

I call with all my heart; answer me, Lord.

I will obey your statutes.

I call to you; save me,

and I will keep your decrees.

I rise before dawn and cry out for help;

I put my hope in your word.

I am awake through each watch of the night

to meditate on your promise.

In keeping with your faithful love, hear my voice.

Lord, give me life in keeping with your justice.

Those who pursue evil plans come near;

they are far from your instruction.

You are near, Lord,

and all your commands are true.

Long ago I learned from your decrees

that you have established them forever.

ר Resh

Consider my affliction and rescue me,

for I have not forgotten your instruction.

Champion my cause and redeem me;

give me life as you promised.

Salvation is far from the wicked

because they do not study your statutes.

Your compassions are many, Lord;

give me life according to your judgments.

My persecutors and foes are many.

I have not turned from your decrees.

I have seen the disloyal and feel disgust

because they do not keep your word.

Consider how I love your precepts;

Lord, give me life according to your faithful love.

The entirety of your word is truth,

each of your righteous judgments endures forever.

שׂ Sin

Princes have persecuted me without cause,

but my heart fears only your word.

I rejoice over your promise

like one who finds vast treasure.

I hate and abhor falsehood,

but I love your instruction.

I praise you seven times a day

for your righteous judgments.

Abundant peace belongs to those

who love your instruction;

nothing makes them stumble.

Lord, I hope for your salvation

and carry out your commands.

I obey your decrees

and love them greatly.

I obey your precepts and decrees,

for all my ways are before you.

ת Taw

Let my cry reach you, Lord;

give me understanding according to your word.

Let my plea reach you;

rescue me according to your promise.

My lips pour out praise,

for you teach me your statutes.

My tongue sings about your promise,

for all your commands are righteous.

May your hand be ready to help me,

for I have chosen your precepts.

I long for your salvation, Lord,

and your instruction is my delight.

Let me live, and I will praise you;

may your judgments help me.

I wander like a lost sheep;

seek your servant,

for I do not forget your commands.

Close

Oh, look at that!  You didn’t even have to make a second pot of coffee!  I was way off, huh?  You just completed reading the longest chapter in the Bible…by far!  One hundred seventy-six verses.  And shoot…I forget to point out in Episode 186 that you read the shortest chapter in the Bible – Psalm 117.  Two verses.  

Psalm 119 is an acrostic poem, split into 22 stanzas, eight verses each which begin with a letter of the Hebrew alphabet, those semi-unpronounceable headings at the beginning of every stanza are in your Bible.  I actually started out including them, even downloaded a YouTube video that taught me how to pronounce each letter.  But when I got to that back-of-the-throat guttural sound, I had Mitch edit them out.  I didn’t see any good reason for slaughtering such a beautiful language.  Apparently, I’m not the only one.  Most of the those who record audio Bibles leave them out too.  Whew!

The overriding message of Psalm 119 is the truth of God’s word.  Related to that, a little factoid I haven’t mentioned is that almost every one of those 176 verses mentions God.  I’m hoping by now, having read in excess of 15,000 verses, that you too – more and more each day – trust that God’s word is true.  Share your thoughts with me at Lifting Her Voice.com, Facebook, Instagram or Twitter.

See You Tomorrow!

Thank you for joining me here today.  I pray that by spending time in His Word every day, you will by changed.  Visit me at Lifting Her Voice.com with your comments and questions.  And don’t forget to visit the Blog page while you’re there.  If you like the podcast, it would be great if you’d give it a five-star review and share it with everyone you know.  Don’t forget to subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.  See you tomorrow!

Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Christian Standard Bible(r), Copyright (c) 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Christian Standard Bible(r) and CSB(r) are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers.