I thought that I would share with you the beginning of this beautiful psalm. It must have taken its author some time to write..This week, I have started a new timetable at work whereby I have wednesday afternoon off and I must say that it is an absolute bonus. Last week, our mission took place (read the previous post ) and it was wonderful to hear so many fine testimonies and adresses. I will soon upload the video clips so watch this space. Have a blessed evening. N.
Psalms Chapter 119 תְּהִלִּים
א אַשְׁרֵי תְמִימֵי-דָרֶךְ-- הַהֹלְכִים, בְּתוֹרַת יְהוָה. 1 ALEPH. Happy are they that are upright in the way, who walk in the law of the LORD.
ב אַשְׁרֵי, נֹצְרֵי עֵדֹתָיו; בְּכָל-לֵב יִדְרְשׁוּהוּ. 2 Happy are they that keep His testimonies, that seek Him with the whole heart.
ג אַף, לֹא-פָעֲלוּ עַוְלָה; בִּדְרָכָיו הָלָכוּ. 3 Yea, they do no unrighteousness; they walk in His ways.
ד אַתָּה, צִוִּיתָה פִקֻּדֶיךָ-- לִשְׁמֹר מְאֹד. 4 Thou hast ordained Thy precepts, that we should observe them diligently.
ה אַחֲלַי, יִכֹּנוּ דְרָכָי-- לִשְׁמֹר חֻקֶּיךָ. 5 Oh that my ways were directed to observe Thy statutes!
ו אָז לֹא-אֵבוֹשׁ-- בְּהַבִּיטִי, אֶל-כָּל-מִצְוֹתֶיךָ. 6 Then should I not be ashamed, when I have regard unto all Thy commandments.
ז אוֹדְךָ, בְּיֹשֶׁר לֵבָב-- בְּלָמְדִי, מִשְׁפְּטֵי צִדְקֶךָ. 7 I will give thanks unto Thee with uprightness of heart, when I learn Thy righteous ordinances.
ח אֶת-חֻקֶּיךָ אֶשְׁמֹר; אַל-תַּעַזְבֵנִי עַד-מְאֹד. 8 I will observe Thy statutes; O forsake me not utterly. {P}
ט בַּמֶּה יְזַכֶּה-נַּעַר, אֶת-אָרְחוֹ-- לִשְׁמֹר, כִּדְבָרֶךָ. 9 BETH. Wherewithal shall a young man keep his way pure? By taking heed thereto according to Thy word.
י בְּכָל-לִבִּי דְרַשְׁתִּיךָ; אַל-תַּשְׁגֵּנִי, מִמִּצְוֹתֶיךָ. 10 With my whole heart have I sought Thee; O let me not err from Thy commandments.
יא בְּלִבִּי, צָפַנְתִּי אִמְרָתֶךָ-- לְמַעַן, לֹא אֶחֱטָא-לָךְ. 11 Thy word have I laid up in my heart, that I might not sin against Thee.
יב בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְהוָה-- לַמְּדֵנִי חֻקֶּיךָ. 12 Blessed art Thou, O LORD; teach me Thy statutes.
יג בִּשְׂפָתַי סִפַּרְתִּי-- כֹּל, מִשְׁפְּטֵי-פִיךָ. 13 With my lips have I told all the ordinances of Thy mouth.
יד בְּדֶרֶךְ עֵדְוֹתֶיךָ שַׂשְׂתִּי-- כְּעַל כָּל-הוֹן. 14 I have rejoiced in the way of Thy testimonies, as much as in all riches.
טו בְּפִקּוּדֶיךָ אָשִׂיחָה; וְאַבִּיטָה, אֹרְחֹתֶיךָ. 15 I will meditate in Thy precepts, and have respect unto Thy ways.
טז בְּחֻקֹּתֶיךָ אֶשְׁתַּעֲשָׁע; לֹא אֶשְׁכַּח דְּבָרֶךָ. 16 I will delight myself in Thy statutes; I will not forget Thy word. {P}
א Aleph
1 Blessed are they whose ways are blameless,
who walk according to the law of the LORD.
2 Blessed are they who keep his statutes
and seek him with all their heart.
3 They do nothing wrong;
they walk in 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
9 How can a young man keep his way pure?
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, O 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.
Footnotes:
Psalm 119:1 This psalm is an acrostic poem; the verses of each stanza begin with the same letter of the Hebrew alphabet - which contains 22 letters -
