Psalm 119 is the longest chapter in the Bible consisting of 176 verses. It was composed in 22 strophes each consisting of 8 verses. The first strophe of 8 verses all begin with the first letter of the Hebrew Alphabet, the Aleph. The second strophe of 8 verses all begin with the second letter of the Hebrew Alphabet, the Bet. This goes on through the rest of the Hebrew Alphabet.
Another fascinating aspect of this song is the many different words it uses for the Bible, or God’s Word. It’s undeniably a song that praises the wisdom and grandeur of God’s revelation to man and the positive results in the lives of those who heed them. But it does so with an intricate design. What might be the English equivalent of these eight words are statutes, laws, commandments, testimonies, ways, rules, and precepts. You might see a few different ones in your translation, but they all represent the same eight Hebrew words. Each Strophe of eight verses contains all eight of these words. In the fifth strophe all 8 verses begin with the Hebrew letter Hey and each of the 8 verses contains one of those 8 words. The remarkable thing about this chapter in the bible, is its intricate design and structure. God’s Word is celebrated in unique and creative ways with each of the elements of the language.
Just as God intricately formed, and shaped man so do did the Psalmist intricately form and shape his song. Even evolutionists today acknowledge the clear and ever present necessity of a designer of the universe. The evident design points to a divine designer. The order and design of this Song about God’s revelation of Himself to us reinforces it’s message that God is a creative God of order design and purpose for each of our lives. He has a wonderful plan for each and every one of us. When it’s over we’ll look back and see it all fitting perfectly together, just as we look at the 176 verses of this Psalm and see how it all fits together.
The Psalm contains the God designed plan for each of our lives. That’s why it begins with “Joyful are people of integrity, who follow the instructions of the LORD. Joyful are those who obey his laws and search for him with all their hearts. They do not compromise with evil, and they walk only in his paths.”
Chuck
“This is the day the Lord has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it.” (Psalm 118:24)