Psalm 119 is unique and well-known for a variety of reasons and a great deal has been written on it. Verse 105 has become a contemporary song that is sung by many: “Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.” Additionally, Psalm 119 is the longest chapter in the Bible (good to know for trivia questions). It is 176 verses long and contains 22 stanzas with eight verses each. Not only that, it is an acrostic psalm. As an acrostic Psalm each of the 22 stanzas is written so that each of the eight verses contained in a particular stanza begins with the assigned letter of the Hebrew alphabet. Some acrostic poems spell out a word when the first letter of each section is taken in order. The acrostic of Psalm 119 isn’t a word, but is simply the Hebrew alphabet in order. That’s an accomplishment on its own—have you ever tried to write something that develops by using the alphabet? Add to that the challenge of several sentences in each section beginning with the same letter. With some letters in English that would be easy—others less so (Q? Z? Y?). The added wonder of Psalm 119 is that the content is remarkably thematic. It would be one thing to write something that emphasizes a particular subject, but quite another to write it so that it is also acrostic.

The amazing thing about Psalm 119 is that the acrostic nature of it is supportive of the theme. In other words, the acrostic tool isn’t only a gimmick or novelty, but it undergirds the message conveyed in the Psalm. The theme of Psalm 119 is God’s word and the marvelous gift it is to those who know it. In Psalm 119, God’s word is described as law, word, statute, ordinance, precept, decree, and promise. The idea is that God’s word leads us, guides us, provides a path for us to follow, gives us the necessary resources to navigate life in a way that blesses. The contrast of life without God’s word, God’s law, God’s decrees, is like trying to cook a delicious casserole without a recipe, or for an orchestra to play a symphony while all the instruments play in different keys. In other words, in Psalm 119 there’s a connection between the theme, this idea, and the use of acrostic.

By way of explanation, how do children learn to read? First by learning the alphabet. The alphabet is the basic foundation of learning how to read and reading is essential to learning. Psalm 119 is saying that learning and knowing and understanding God’s word is the ABC’s of the good life, the life God created us for and intends for us to enjoy.

Additionally, that it is acrostic makes it easier to remember, easier to memorize and then eventually to know it by heart.

That’s essentially the best way to know God’s word—by heart. And it is ultimately the goal too. Think of the things you know by heart, they’re things that naturally arise from within us. Consider talking. How many of us think about each word before we say it? Yes, it might be wise to do so—especially in certain situations where the use of precise words is valuable and can potentially prevent terrible misunderstandings. What I’m pointing to, however, is that in most cases we are able to construct sentences and speak them without cognitively reflecting on each word and the construction of our sentences.  When someone learns a foreign language it requires a great deal of memorization. At first, the new language is learned through translation. Eventually, with time and use, the new language begins to sink deeply into one’s thinking and it requires less translation and less thought to use.

Apply that experience to knowing God’s word so well that it rises from within one’s heart without a conscious effort.  Psalm 119 is a step on the grand staircase to that space of grace to which the Psalmist points as the destination of gratitude and glory. 

© 2018 Stephen Carl