Sermon for July 29th, 2018

Psalm 119:1-176

Dr. Cleophus J. Larue is the Francis Landey Patton professor of Homiletics at Princeton Seminary, and has been described as 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 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 will be using my own translation, which emphasises and brings back some of the poetic features that usually get lost in translation from Hebrew to English.

I intend to offer a few comments along the way, to help us focus on some things we might otherwise miss, but most of today's sermon will be a reading of Psalm 119. The whole thing. 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

• Daleth in hebrew means door, path, way of life (and Derek means road). Emphasis on "way" in this stanza.

25 Dust clings to my soul; revive me according to your word 26 Declared I my way--you took notice--now teach me your statutes 27 Direct me in the way of your precepts so I may meditate in your wonders 28 Dissolved in sorrow is my soul; solidify me according to your word 29 Deceitful paths remove from my way, and in your law show mercy 30 Deciding in the way of your truth, I fix your testament before me 31 Do not put me to shame, O Lord, for I have locked myself to your law 32 Develop my heart as I dash down the path of your precepts

HE

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

33 Heavenly Lord, teach me the way of your commandments; I'll keep them for all time 34 Help me understand; I'll hold your law and live it with all my heart 35 Have me go down the path of your precepts, for there is my delight 36 Head my heart toward your testimony, and not to dishonorable gain 37 Hide vanity away from my eyes, revive me in your way 38 Honor your promise to your servant, who holds you in awe 39 Halt my fear of disgrace, for great are your decrees 40 How I have longed for your law; in your righteousness give me life.

WAW/VAV

• Hebrew word for AND (The Psalmist cheats!)

41 Welcome, Lord, is your kindness to me, the salvation that comes from your covenant 42 Words you supply me for response to all reproaches, in your word I am secure. 43 Withdraw not your true word from my mouth; for in your judgements I wait 44 Without end and for all time, your teaching I will keep, 45 Walking in your freedom, for I have sought your ways 46 With Kings I will speak of your testimony, and will not be ashamed 47 Willingly, I delight in your decrees which I have loved 48 Weighing over your statutes, I shall lift my hands to your well-loved laws

ZAYIN

• In Hebrew ZAYIN makes the "Z" sound. Lots of hebrew words start with Z.
• To avoid a zany, zoo-themed stanza with zero appeal, I'll be substituting with the related "J" sound.

49 Just where I rest my hope, there remember your word to your servant. 50 Jeopardy renders this comfort: Your commandments will revive me. 51 Jerks surround me with scorn, but I will not stray from your law 52 Judgments past I remember from you, Lord; and I am reassured. 53 Jealousy seizes me on account of evildoers who spurn your law 54 Joyful songs are your statutes to me, wherever I sojourn 55 Jehovah, I recall your name at night, and keep your law 56 Just this much has come to pass, as I have kept your precepts.

CHETH

• In Hebrew, this is the guttural "ch" for which there is no English equivalent.
• Using English "ch" instead.

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?