Psalm 119
176 verses · Acrostic psalm of the Law
Blessed are those whose way is blameless, who walk in the Law of the LORD.
The line breaks below follow the poem's own punctuation. The section titles are this site's own.
A.Aleph אvv. 1-8
Drawn as an ox's head, it stood in the pictographic reading for strength and the one who leads. Read this stanza as the way of the one who leads by the law.
In the pictographic reading, aleph and bet together, the leader of the house, are the letters of the word Ab, father, from which comes Abba.
B.Bet בvv. 9-16
Drawn as a house in plan, it stood in the pictographic reading for the household and what is within. Read this stanza as the life of a young man kept clean inside God's house.
C.Gimel גvv. 17-24
Most likely drawn as a throwstick, it stood in the pictographic reading for what is carried and what is given. Read this stanza as the prayer of a stranger who asks to be dealt with well.
D.Dalet דvv. 25-32
Most likely drawn as a door leaf, it stood in the pictographic reading for a door and what one enters by. Read this stanza as a soul laid low asking for the way to be opened.
E.He הvv. 33-40
Drawn as a lattice window on a sign scholars leave uncertain, it stood in the pictographic reading for what is shown and what is called out. Read this stanza as a request to be taught and shown the way to the end.
F.Waw וvv. 41-48
Most likely drawn as a hook or tent peg, it stood in the pictographic reading for joining and what fastens one thing to another. Read this stanza as mercy joined to the word and spoken before kings.
G.Zayin זvv. 49-56
Drawn as a weapon on a sign scholars leave uncertain, it stood in the pictographic reading for cutting and what defends. Read this stanza as comfort held onto in affliction.
H.Het חvv. 57-64
Drawn as a courtyard wall on a sign scholars leave uncertain, it stood in the pictographic reading for an enclosure and what it keeps in. Read this stanza as a portion chosen and a company kept.
I.Tet טvv. 65-72
Drawn as a wheel or coiled basket on a sign scholars leave uncertain, it stood in the pictographic reading for what surrounds and what holds. Read this stanza as affliction turned to good.
J.Yod יvv. 73-80
Drawn as an arm with a hand, it stood in the pictographic reading for work and the power of a hand. Read this stanza as the work of the hands that made him.
K.Kaf כvv. 81-88
Drawn as an open palm, it stood in the pictographic reading for what an open hand holds. Read this stanza as a man worn out waiting for comfort.
L.Lamed לvv. 89-96
Most likely drawn as an ox-goad, it stood in the pictographic reading for teaching and being led. Read this stanza as the word settled in heaven and taught on earth.
M.Mem מvv. 97-104
Drawn as water as a wave, it stood in the pictographic reading for water and what is deep. Read this stanza as love for the law that runs deeper than teaching.
N.Nun נvv. 105-112
Drawn as a fish or a serpent on a sign scholars leave uncertain, it stood in the pictographic reading for life that moves and multiplies. Read this stanza as a lamp for the feet on a dark road.
O.Samek סvv. 113-120
Most likely drawn as a pillar or support, it stood in the pictographic reading for support and what holds a falling thing up. Read this stanza as a shield and a hiding place held onto.
P.Ayin עvv. 121-128
Drawn as an eye, it stood in the pictographic reading for sight and what is seen. Read this stanza as eyes that fail with looking for salvation.
Q.Pe פvv. 129-136
Most likely drawn as a mouth in profile, it stood in the pictographic reading for a mouth and what is spoken. Read this stanza as the opening of the word that gives light.
R.Tsade צvv. 137-144
Drawn as a fish-hook on a sign scholars leave uncertain, it stood in the pictographic reading for catching and what is drawn in. Read this stanza as the righteousness of God held to under trouble.
S.Qof קvv. 145-152
Drawn as a needle's eye on a sign scholars leave uncertain, it stood in the pictographic reading for a narrow opening and what is behind. Read this stanza as a cry sent up before the dawn.
T.Resh רvv. 153-160
Drawn as a head in profile, it stood in the pictographic reading for a head, the first and the chief. Read this stanza as a plea to be seen and revived.
U.Shin שvv. 161-168
Drawn as a tooth or the sun on a sign scholars leave uncertain, it stood in the pictographic reading for consuming and what presses. Read this stanza as great peace for those who love the law.
V.Taw תvv. 169-176
Drawn as a cross-shaped mark, it stood in the pictographic reading for a mark and the sign set on a thing. Read this stanza as a last cry from a sheep gone astray.