“I will praise you with an upright heart as I learn your righteous laws.” Psalm 119:7
It is difficult to date this Psalm as no author is given. However, the Law’s central role in the author’s life and the opposition he faced fit well with the sixth or fifth century BC, so King David could be the author. The psalmist likely intends that his words of devotion be as timeless as the Word of God, which he loves.
This Psalm is a wisdom psalm, primarily about the Torah (first five Books of the Bible). It celebrates the Word of God in a way that is almost exhaustive. This very lengthy poem is an acrostic, which means for each of the twenty-two consonants in the Hebrew alphabet, there are eight verses beginning with that letter.
Within the psalm, eight words for God’s Law occur again and again: law; testimonies; promise; precepts; statutes; commandments; judgments; and word. The psalm uses the full meaning of all these words as it elaborates on the application of the Law of God to both daily life and Israel’s destiny.
The Law is as complex as the Lord who gave it. The Law is never considered a curse; it is always seen as a gift from God. The cumulative effect of this lengthy celebration of the Word of God is impressive since the psalmist cannot stop praising God for His mercy and goodness in providing His people with instructions for living.
God’s blessings on your day…