View source for Sermon for July 29th, 2018

==Psalm 119:1-176==
Dr. Cleophus J. Larue is the Francis Landey Patton professor of Homiletics at Princeton Seminary.  He has been described as one of America's most distinguished preachers in the African American tradition.  I would say that he is simply one of America's most distinguished preachers.  When I was at seminary, I had the privilege of being a student in his "Introduction to Preaching" class, where, on the first day of class, he gave this advice to young preachers:  "Get yourself out of the way, and let the scriptures do most of the talking."

That's precisely my plan today, for a number of reasons.  First of all, because Psalm 119 is the longest of all the psalms, and is the single longest chapter in the entire bible.  It is long enough to be a sermon in its own right. Second, and more importantly, it is the climax of the Book of Psalms, the greatest literary achievement of Hebrew Poetry, and any words I might add to it would pale in comparison.  

I intend to offer a few comments along the way, to help us focus on some of the psalm's features and emphases, but most of today's sermon will be a reading of Psalm 119.  The whole thing. So you might say that the text of today's Scripture reading is interspersed throughout sermon.  Or better yet, the text of today's sermon is interspersed throughout the psalm. So without further introduction...Psalm 119.

==Psummer of Psalms - The Longest Psalm==

====ALEPH====
1 Awesome is the way of the blameless, who walk in the law of the Lord.
2 Amazing are those who tend to his testament, who seek him wholeheartedly
3 Avoiding all wrong, walking in his way.
4 All of your precepts are carefully to be kept
5 Ah! that my path might be straight in preserving your statutes!
6 Ashamed, then, I shall not be when I survey your commandments
7 Authentically I will thank you when I study your justice
8 Abandon me not, for I will abide by your statutes

*Acrostic nature of psalm
*Ashreh means blessed, happy (beatitudes)
*Synonyms for Torah in every verse:  law, decrees, ways, precepts, statutes, commandments, ordinances.

====BETH====
9 But how can the young stay holy? Through holding on to to your word.
10 By my whole heart have I sought you; don't let me stray from your statutes
11 Buried in my heart are your sayings; so that sin won't become my aim
12 Blessed are you Lord, allow me to learn of your laws
13 By my lips I have professed all the proclamations of your mouth
14 Beyond all wealth, I delight in the way of your decrees
15 Brooding over your precepts, I behold your ways
16 Blinded by the light of your statutes, I won't forget your word.

*Psalm 119 is a wisdom psalm, in the tradition of proverbs
*Torah, or law, is teaching.  Acrostic is for that purpose.
*Heart is the Jewish seat of understanding and wisdom, not just emotion (as in the west)

====GIMEL====
17 Grant favor to your servant, that I may flourish and keep your word
18 Give me open eyes that I may see glimpses of wonder from your law
19 Guest that I am in this country, don't conceal from me your commandments
20 Great longing pervades my soul for your statutes at all times
21 Gloating and Godless transgressors of your rules receive your rebuke
22 Get rid of their reproach and contempt, for your commandments I have kept.
23 Governing officials slander your servant, but still I will study your way
24 Guidance and great delight are your decrees to me. 

*Open my eyes that I may see, by Clara Scott (psalms are meant to be sung!)

====DALETH====
25 My soul clings to the dust; revive me according to your word.
26 When I told of my ways, you answered me; teach me your statutes.
27 Make me understand the way of your precepts, and I will meditate on your wondrous works.
28 My soul melts away for sorrow; strengthen me according to your word.
29 Put false ways far from me; and graciously teach me your law.
30 I have chosen the way of faithfulness; I set your ordinances before me.
31 I cling to your decrees, O Lord; let me not be put to shame.
32 I run the way of your commandments, for you enlarge my understanding.

*Daleth in hebrew means door, path, way of life.  Emphasis on "way" in this stanza.

====HE====
33 Teach me, O Lord, the way of your statutes, and I will observe it to the end.
34 Give me understanding, that I may keep your law and observe it with my whole heart.
35 Lead me in the path of your commandments, for I delight in it.
36 Turn my heart to your decrees, and not to selfish gain.
37 Turn my eyes from looking at vanities; give me life in your ways.
38 Confirm to your servant your promise, which is for those who fear you.
39 Turn away the disgrace that I dread, for your ordinances are good.
40 See, I have longed for your precepts; in your righteousness give me life.

*Recurring Refrain:  Give me life (contrasted with what is not life)
*Torah gives life

====VAV====
41 Let your steadfast love come to me, O Lord, your salvation according to your promise.
42 Then I shall have an answer for those who taunt me, for I trust in your word.
43 Do not take the word of truth utterly out of my mouth, for my hope is in your ordinances.
44 I will keep your law continually, forever and ever.
45 I shall walk at liberty, for I have sought your precepts.
46 I will also speak of your decrees before kings, and shall not be put to shame;
47 I find my delight in your commandments, because I love them.
48 I revere your commandments, which I love, and I will meditate on your statutes.

*Hebrew word for AND
*Psalm of Praise?

====ZAYIN====
49 Remember your word to your servant, in which you have made me hope.
50 This is my comfort in my distress, that your promise gives me life.
51 The arrogant utterly deride me, but I do not turn away from your law.
52 When I think of your ordinances from of old, I take comfort, O Lord.
53 Hot indignation seizes me because of the wicked, those who forsake your law.
54 Your statutes have been my songs wherever I make my home.
55 I remember your name in the night, O Lord, and keep your law.
56 This blessing has fallen to me, for I have kept your precepts.

*

====CHETH====
57 The Lord is my portion; I promise to keep your words.
58 I implore your favor with all my heart; be gracious to me according to your promise.
59 When I think of your ways, I turn my feet to your decrees;
60 I hurry and do not delay to keep your commandments.
61 Though the cords of the wicked ensnare me, I do not forget your law.
62 At midnight I rise to praise you, because of your righteous ordinances.
63 I am a companion of all who fear you, of those who keep your precepts.
64 The earth, O Lord, is full of your steadfast love; teach me your statutes.

*

====TETH====
65 You have dealt well with your servant, O Lord, according to your word.
66 Teach me good judgment and knowledge, for I believe in your commandments.   SHOFAR!!!
67 Before I was humbled I went astray, but now I keep your word.
68 You are good and do good; teach me your statutes.
69 The arrogant smear me with lies, but with my whole heart I keep your precepts.
70 Their hearts are fat and gross, but I delight in your law.
71 It is good for me that I was humbled, so that I might learn your statutes.
72 The law of your mouth is better to me than thousands of gold and silver pieces.

*Shofar, used at Jewish festivals, traditionally blown after certain verses.

====YODH====
73 Your hands have made and fashioned me; give me understanding that I may learn your commandments.
74 Those who fear you shall see me and rejoice, because I have hoped in your word.
75 I know, O Lord, that your judgments are right, and that in faithfulness you have humbled me.
76 Let your steadfast love become my comfort according to your promise to your servant.
77 Let your mercy come to me, that I may live; for your law is my delight.
78 Let the arrogant be put to shame, because they have subverted me with guile; as for me, I will meditate on your precepts.
79 Let those who fear you turn to me, so that they may know your decrees.
80 May my heart be blameless in your statutes, so that I may not be put to shame.

*Yodh/Yad means hand in Hebrew, a work, a finished product

====KAF====
81 My soul languishes for your salvation; I hope in your word.
82 My eyes fail with watching for your promise; I ask, “When will you comfort me?”
83 For I have become like a wineskin in the smoke, yet I have not forgotten your statutes.
84 How long must your servant endure? When will you judge those who persecute me?
85 The arrogant have dug pitfalls for me; they flout your law.
86 All your commandments are enduring; I am persecuted without cause; help me!
87 They have almost made an end of me on earth; but I have not forsaken your precepts.
88 In your steadfast love spare my life, so that I may keep the decrees of your mouth.

*Image of wineskin in the smoke -- curing a wineskin to make it stronger.

====LAMED====
89 The Lord exists forever; your word is firmly fixed in heaven.
90 Your faithfulness endures to all generations; you have established the earth, and it stands fast.
91 By your appointment they stand today, for all things are your servants.
92 If your law had not been my delight, I would have perished in my misery.
93 I will never forget your precepts, for by them you have given me life.
94 I am yours; save me, for I have sought your precepts.
95 The wicked lie in wait to destroy me, but I consider your decrees.
96 I have seen a limit to all perfection, but your commandment is exceedingly broad.

*

====MEM====
97 Oh, how I love your law! It is my meditation all day long.
98 Your commandment makes me wiser than my enemies, for it is always with me.
99 I have more understanding than all my teachers, for your decrees are my meditation.
100 I understand more than the aged, for I keep your precepts.
101 I hold back my feet from every evil way, in order to keep your word.
102 I do not turn away from your ordinances, for you have taught me.
103 How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth!
104 Through your precepts I get understanding; therefore I hate every false way.

*Judge Ward Koehler, who loved the law.

====NUN====
105 Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.
106 I have sworn an oath and confirmed it, to observe your righteous ordinances.
107 I am severely afflicted; give me life, O Lord, according to your word.
108 Accept my offerings of praise, O Lord, and teach me your ordinances.           SHOFAR!!!
109 I hold my life in my hand continually, but I do not forget your law.
110 The wicked have laid a snare for me, but I do not stray from your precepts.
111 Your decrees are my heritage forever; they are the joy of my heart.
112 I incline my heart to perform your statutes forever, to the end.

*Play famous Amy Grant song

====SAMECH====
113 I hate the double-minded, but I love your law.
114 You are my hiding place and my shield; I hope in your word.
115 Go away from me, you evildoers, that I may keep the commandments of my God.
116 Uphold me according to your promise, that I may live, and let me not be put to shame in my hope.
117 Hold me up, that I may be safe and have regard for your statutes continually.
118 You spurn all who go astray from your statutes; for their cunning is in vain.
119 All the wicked of the earth you count as dross; therefore I love your decrees.
120 My flesh trembles for fear of you, and I am afraid of your judgments.

* 

====AYIN====
121 I have done what is just and right; do not leave me to my oppressors.
122 Guarantee your servant’s well-being; do not let the godless oppress me.      SHOFAR!!!!!!!
123 My eyes fail from watching for your salvation, and for the fulfillment of your righteous promise.
124 Deal with your servant according to your steadfast love, and teach me your statutes.
125 I am your servant; give me understanding, so that I may know your decrees.
126 It is time for the Lord to act, for your law has been broken.
127 Truly I love your commandments more than gold, more than fine gold.
128 Truly I direct my steps by all your precepts; I hate every false way.

*Ayin is the Hebrew word for "eyes" (v.123)

====PE====
129 Your decrees are wonderful; therefore my soul keeps them.
130 The unfolding of your words gives light; it imparts understanding to the simple.
131 With open mouth I pant, because I long for your commandments.
132 Turn to me and be gracious to me, as is your custom toward those who love your name.
133 Keep my steps steady according to your promise, and never let iniquity have dominion over me.
134 Redeem me from human oppression, that I may keep your precepts.
135 Make your face shine upon your servant, and teach me your statutes.
136 My eyes shed streams of tears because your law is not kept.

*Pe is the Hebrew word for "open mouth" (v.131)

====TZADIK====
137 You are righteous, O Lord, and your judgments are right.
138 You have appointed your decrees in righteousness and in all faithfulness.
139 My zeal consumes me because my foes forget your words.
140 Your promise is well tried, and your servant loves it.
141 I am small and despised, yet I do not forget your precepts.
142 Your righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, and your law is the truth.
143 Trouble and anguish have come upon me, but your commandments are my delight.
144 Your decrees are righteous forever; give me understanding that I may live.

*

====QOF====
145 With my whole heart I cry; answer me, O Lord. I will keep your statutes.
146 I cry to you; save me, that I may observe your decrees.
147 I rise before dawn and cry for help; I put my hope in your words.
148 My eyes are awake before each watch of the night, that I may meditate on your promise.
149 In your steadfast love hear my voice; O Lord, in your justice preserve my life.
150 Those who persecute me with evil purpose draw near; they are far from your law.
151 Yet you are near, O Lord, and all your commandments are true.
152 Long ago I learned from your decrees that you have established them forever.

*

====RESH====
153 Look on my misery and rescue me, for I do not forget your law.
154 Plead my cause and redeem me; give me life according to your promise.
155 Salvation is far from the wicked, for they do not seek your statutes.
156 Great is your mercy, O Lord; give me life according to your justice.
157 Many are my persecutors and my adversaries, yet I do not swerve from your decrees.
158 I look at the faithless with disgust, because they do not keep your commands.
159 Consider how I love your precepts; preserve my life according to your steadfast love.
160 The sum of your word is truth; and every one of your righteous ordinances endures forever.    SHOFAR!!!!!!!

*Give me life!

====SIN/SHIN====
161 Princes persecute me without cause, but my heart stands in awe of your words.
162 I rejoice at your word like one who finds great spoil.   SHOFAR!!!!!
163 I hate and abhor falsehood, but I love your law.
164 Seven times a day I praise you for your righteous ordinances.
165 Great peace have those who love your law; nothing can make them stumble.
166 I hope for your salvation, O Lord, and I fulfill your commandments.
167 My soul keeps your decrees; I love them exceedingly.
168 I keep your precepts and decrees, for all my ways are before you.

*

====TAV====
169 Let my cry come before you, O Lord; give me understanding according to your word.
170 Let my supplication come before you; deliver me according to your promise.
171 My lips will pour forth praise, because you teach me your statutes.
172 My tongue will sing of your promise, for all your commandments are right.
173 Let your hand be ready to help me, for I have chosen your precepts.
174 I long for your salvation, O Lord, and your law is my delight.
175 Let me live that I may praise you, and let your ordinances help me.
176 I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek out your servant, for I do not forget your commandments.

*Tavizon Psalm?