Psalm 119 is the longest psalm in our Bibles. Divided into 22 stanzas of 8 lines, each stanza begins with the next letter of the Hebrew alphabet- probably to help students in memorizing ALL 176 verses. Here is ancient testimony to “next level love of God’s Word.” How can we have that kind of affection for His Word?

Let’s begin with the word “law”. Our minds go to the DMV, or the courtroom. The Hebrew word is “torah”. Its root means “to toss or throw something”. Here is a clue to why there was so much devotion to God’s Word. Picture a shepherd leading his flock along a mountainous path in thick fog. He tosses a stone ahead and listens to confirm the next step will be safe to take. If he hears nothing he is warned away from a precipice. Torah gives trustworthy guidance along the unsure (foggy) way. As you read or listen to Psalm 119 in one sitting- this takes about 15 minutes- notice the feeling of vulnerability in the psalmist. He is like a friend sharing with others in Alcoholics Anonymous, “It was only when we got to the bottom of the shaft that we started to look for the UP button.” God’s torah is that UP button.

But there is something else here. The psalmist loves God’s word because he loves God. He trusts that God’s gift of torah will guide him along a long, winding, difficult path because “he seeks God with his whole heart”.  Now we can see where Torah was leading. In John’s Gospel we are told “the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen glory, the glory as of a father’s only son, full of grace and truth.”

Find a quiet place and time today and join this ancient believer in an ever-deepening relationship with God who loves us now and forever.

Loving God,    

      I rise before the dawn and cry for help; I put my hope in your words. My eyes are awake before each watch of the night, that I may meditate on your promise. In your steadfast love hear my voice; O Lord, in your justice preserve my life. (Ps. 119: 147-149)