176 Verses long, making it the longest chapter in the Bible. There are 22 stanzas; one for each letter of the Hebrew alphabet. Each stanza has 8 verses. Probably not the first chapter you want to pick to memorize.
Read Psalm 119
I’m going to follow David’s example here (if David actually was the author…we don’t know for sure) and make a quick one line reflection on each stanza.
Aleph: Lord, you know that I am not perfect, but I want to follow You perfectly. Help me to do just that, and thank you for being patient with me as I continue to learn and grow.
Beth: Can I say that I value your Word more than cash? More than tools, or possessions? Would I rather have your Word tucked into my brain than to have land and houses? Please, Lord…make that true in my life. That’s what I want.
Gimel: I know that I cannot learn anything, or even be motivated to read Your Word daily without Your help. Please open my eyes to see what You have for me, and for the people for whom I am responsible for. I need Your insight every moment.
Daleth: Your Word keeps me honest, and humble and motivated. Your Word restores my self-worth and my courage. Please continue to help me learn to apply Your Word to my life.
He: I don’t want to simply know your laws, Lord…I want to put them into practice in my life, and in my church. Help me to desire obedience more than any other thing.
Waw: Salvation is found in Your Word, how precious it is! And I am thankful that my salvation doesn’t depend on my flawless keeping of your Law. Search my heart Lord, and help me to be completely obedient to the best of my ability.
Zayin: I want to reflect each morning on who You are, and I pray that each morning will bring new appreciation and insight. I also ask that my life would be focused on discovering your promises to me, and that my life would revolve around You. May You be the center of my life, and Your promises the center of all.
Heth: More than You belong to me, I belong to You. I thank You for the day that I realized Your love for me, and turned my life over to You. Because of You I have avoided death, and have accomplished much. Keep my heart and mind focused on You, so that I will not fall into temptation.
Teth: I recognize that I need to grow more sensitive to Your leading. I shouldn’t have to be punished to know that I have wandered off, I should recognize the wrong path and avoid it. Help me to grow in wisdom and insight.
Yodh: When I am disciplined it is never enjoyable, but I thank You in advance for doing it. Your discipline helps keep me close to You, and in You I find eternal life. You never discipline me in anger, trying to persecute me, but rather to help me become better. Thinking of that, Lord…help me to never allow my circumstances to draw me away from You, or from Your Word.
Kaph: Help me to learn patience and trust. Help me to understand that I never need to despair while I am in You. Even if my enemies seem to be victorious over me, I want to always seek Your face and rest in You.
Lamedh: As I read I understand that although David was born and died, and I cannot know him personally, I can know you in the same way that David did, or that Moses did. You are unchanging and eternal. You are present across all time. Because You have demonstrated faithfulness, I understand that you are still faithful, and just and fair. Your qualities never change, as I read and learn about You, I begin to know You better.
Mem: Every time I think of how You use my words to counsel those who are wiser than me, I give glory to You. You truly use the foolish things to this world to shame the wise. True wisdom is found only in You, and all who are truly wise will see You in all creation.
Nun: Lord, I hadn’t considered that those who are evil would be laying traps to deceive me into compromising my faith. They not only dislike You, they hate me because I love You. Protect me from the traps they set…I am not wise enough to see them, and I fear that without Your help I will fall into one.
Samekh: Help me to never compromise your Law. I never want to be a hypocrite, saying that I believe one thing, but doing something different.
Ayin: Because I have loved You and Your laws, Lord; I ask that You would bless me and my household. Bless this church as we continue to seek out new ways that we can be obedient to You. The recognition of Your holiness and the ability to remain obedient are the greatest blessings we could receive, multiply them to us I pray.
Pe: David was angry with those who didn’t obey You, but I pray that my heart would break for them because I believe Your heart does already. Help me to display the same mercy that I have received, and to share with passion the same wisdom I have been given.
Tsadhe: Your Law is perfect, and in it I find refreshment. When I am under pressure or stressed out, help me to remember to go back to Your Word to be revived.
Qoph: I don’t want to simply read Lord, I want these words that others have written to express what is within my heart. I want to be as passionate for you as any other disciple has ever been. I am not nearly as confident as David seemed to be, but that is what I truly desire more than anything else.
Resh: When I fall Lord, it is Your mercy that helps me up. If I should stumble because of my own carelessness, or the plotting of others, please remember my love for You and come to me rescue. Help me to be an example of how powerful and good you are to those who love You.
Shin: When I am obedient to You, I have nothing to fear from even the most terrifying of enemies. Death itself can hold no fear for me, for You never leave my side. Increase my faith, Lord!
Taw: Help me to ever be praising You Lord, with my actions and my words. I pray that I would express my devotion to You without reservation or concern for the opinion of others. May my thoughts always be of You. I love You.
Faithfully,
PR