¹How blessed are those whose way is blameless, who walk in the law of the Lord. ²How blessed are those who observe His testimonies, who seek Him with all their heart.

Psalm 119 is an opus maximus on the Law of God, a magnificent retinue of praise for the Lord’s communication to us. To some people, it is a monotonous, repetitive tome to be skimmed through quickly; to others, it is “impressive in its repetitiveness” (EBC) and displays a beautiful effort in exploring the many ways to extol devotion to God’s Word. The Law was given by God, and those who love God also love His Word.

One caveat must be made, and it is a major one. Devotion to the Law of God must not be confused with using the Law as a means to attain justification before the Lord. The NT makes this clear in the book of Romans chapters 1-11 and Galatians chapters 3-4. In particular,

… by the works of the Law no flesh will be justified in His sight; for through the Law comes the knowledge of sin … For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from works of the Law. (Ro 3:20, 28)

The Law has become our tutor to lead us to Christ, so that we may be justified by faith. (Gal. 3:24)

This does not minimize the value or the glory of the Law. The apostle Paul clarified this when he wrote, “Do we then nullify the Law through faith? May it never be! On the contrary, we establish the Law” (Rom. 3:31). Therefore, as Christians steeped in the NT understanding of the Law and justification, we can still appreciate what God has spoken in and through the Law.

When we speak of “the Law of God,” the first thing that comes to mind is the laws given through Moses, detailed in the books of Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy, and famously summarized in the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20). This psalm expands on what God has said by using eight different Hebrew words, all pointing in the same direction: Law (Heb. torah), laws (mispatom), word, statutes, commands, decrees, precepts, and promises (different translations use different English words to convey the meanings, for example, commandments, judgment, etc.). Of the 176 verses in this psalm, all but four (vss. 84, 121, 122, 132) include one of these words, so the central theme is clearly about God’s spoken word to His people.

This psalm is well-known as the longest chapter in the Bible. It is arranged into twenty-two sections of eight verses each. In each section, every verse begins with the same letter of the Hebrew alphabet. So, verses 1-8 all begin with the first Hebrew letter, aleph; verses 9-16 begin with the letter beth; and so on up through the last eight verses (169-176), which begin with the last letter of the Hebrew alphabet, tav.

This psalm can be classified as a wisdom psalm, akin to the first psalm, which begins:

How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, nor stand in the path of sinners, nor sit in the seat of scoffers! (Ps. 1:1)

The book of James in the NT (which can also be seen as wisdom literature) conveys the similar idea:

But one who looks intently at the perfect law, the law of liberty, and abides by it, not having become a forgetful hearer but an effectual doer, this man will be blessed in what he does. (James 1:25)

We conclude that meditating on Psalm 119 fits with the overall maxim that we, as His creation made in His image, live our best lives when we study and obey God’s Word.

Because of space, we can only highlight a few things here; in so doing, we do not minimize the details but encourage the reader to spend time in personal reflection on it. The psalm drips with a desire to know God’s word, to have a growing practice of learning more from it, and to have a steadfast inclination to follow what it commands of us. In fact, the psalm itself encourages us to meditate on God’s word, which includes this psalm. The second section, for example, has been a standard passage to memorize for new (and older) believers:

How can a young man keep his way pure? By keeping it according to Your word. With all my heart I have sought You; do not let me wander from Your commandments. Your word I have treasured in my heart, that I may not sin against You. (Ps 119:9–11)

This devotion begins at the early stages of the life of faith and continues to the older years (see vs. 152). The blessed individual is the one who makes this desire and devotion a way of life:

Your servant meditates on Your statutes. Your testimonies also are my delight; they are my counselors. (Ps. 119:23a–24)

Even in difficult times, there is tremendous value in learning that the Law of God is more valuable to us than earthly wealth:

It is good for me that I was afflicted, that I may learn Your statutes. The law of Your mouth is better to me than thousands of gold and silver pieces. (Ps. 119:71–72)

The Word of God is eternal and unchanging, an anchor point for knowing God, His promises, and His character, and a continuous reminder that He is the Creator God of the universe:

Forever, O Lord, Your word is settled in heaven. Your faithfulness continues throughout all generations; You established the earth, and it stands. (Ps. 119:89–90)

The writer proclaims “O how I love Your law!” (vs. 97) and “How sweet are Your words to my taste! Yes, sweeter than honey to my mouth” (vs. 103). Why can he write this? Because God’s Word makes a person wise (vs. 98) and gives insight (vs. 99), understanding (vs. 100), and guidance (vs. 101-102).

A few well-quoted verses among believers are found in this psalm:

Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path (vs. 105)

You are my hiding place and my shield; I wait for Your word.” (vs. 114)

Make Your face shine upon Your servant, and teach me Your statutes. My eyes shed streams of water, because they do not keep Your law. (vss.135–136)

Words of commentary cannot capture the heart of this psalm any better than the inspired words themselves. In all his proclamation of love and devotion to God’s word, the writer teaches us the wisdom of humility. Loving God does not mean we are perfect; in fact, the greater our desire to know Him and live by His teachings, the more we realize our own failings. To some, this may sound discouraging, but to those of faith who genuinely love the Lord, the closeness of God forces us to see ourselves with a sobering, authentic evaluation. Because of our genuine trust in the Lord, our hearts can readily and boldly cry out to Him: “May Your compassion come to me that I may live, for Your law is my delight” (vs. 77). We humbly join with the psalmist in praying for the Lord’s help:

Lord, “Let my soul live that it may praise You, and let Your ordinances help me. I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek Your servant, for I do not forget Your commandments.” (Ps. 119:175–176)