- Psalm 119
Psalm 119 (Greek numbering: Psalm 118) is the longest
psalm as well as the longest chapter in theBible . It is referred to in Hebrew by its opening words, "Ashrei temimei derech" ("happy are those whose way is perfect"). It is the prayer of one who delights in and lives by theTorah , the sacred law.Literary features
This psalm is one of about a dozen alphabetic acrostic poems in the Bible. Its 176 verses are divided into twenty-two stanzas of eight lines each, and in Hebrew forms an
acrostic , with each stanza starting with successive letters of theHebrew alphabet ("alef" (or "aleph"), "bet", etc.). Further, within each stanza, each line begins with that same letter.cite book
title=The Gift of the Psalms
last=Murphy
first=Roland E.
publisher=Hendrickson
year=2000
isbn=1-56563-474-8]Employed in almost (but not quite) every verse of the psalm is a
synonym for the Torah, such as "dabar" ("word, promise") "mishpatim" ("rulings"), etc.The acrostic form and the use of the Torah words constitute the framework for an elaborate prayer. The grounds for the prayer are established in the first two stanzas ("alef" and "beth"): the Torah is held up as a source of blessing and right conduct, and the psalmist pledges to dedicate himself to the law. The prayer proper begins in the third stanza ("gimel", v. 17). Like many other psalms, this prayer includes both dramatic lament (e.g. verses 81-88) joyous praise (e.g., verses 45-48) and prayers for life, deliverance and vindication (e.g., verses 132-134). What makes Psalm 119 unique is the way that these requests are continually and explicitly grounded in the gift of the Torah and the psalmist's loyalty to it.
Eastern Orthodox
This Psalm (118 in the
Septuagint ) figures prominently in the worship of theOrthodox Church . There is a tradition that King David used this psalm to teach his young son Solomon the alphabet—but not just the alphabet for writing letters: the alphabet of the spiritual life.The psalm comprises an entire
Kathisma (division of thePsalter ) in Orthodox liturgical practice. In Orthodoxmonasteries it is read daily at theMidnight Office : "At midnight I arose to give thanks unto Thee for the judgments of Thy righteousness" (v.62). It is read atMatins on Saturdays and is also chanted on many Sundays throughout the year. A major portion of Matins onHoly Saturday comprises chanting the entire psalm as athrenody , divided into three parts (stases) with Praises (Greek: "Enkomia") interspersed between each verse. This chanting is done as all stand holding candles around a catafalque over which has been placed theEpitaphion (ashroud embroidered with the figure of Christ laid out for burial).The psalm is also chanted with special solemnity at Orthodox funeral services and on the various
All-Souls Day s which occur throughout the year, with "Alleluia " chanted between each verse. Its use here is a reflection of the chanting done on Holy Saturday. "Alleluia" is chanted between the verses to signify the victory over death accomplished by Christ's death and Resurrection, and the eternal reward promised to the faithful.Musical settings
*Psalm 119:1 was set to music by
Charles Villiers Stanford .References
External links
* [http://www.chabad.org/article.asp?aid=16340 Tehillim - Psalm 119 (Judaica Press)] translation with
Rashi 's commentary atChabad.org
* [http://www.ogreatmystery.com/newskete/psalter/kathisma17.html#p119 Psalm 119] (New Skete translation)
* [http://pomog.org/index.html?http://pomog.org/psalter/k17.htm Psalm 118 (LXX numbering)] Holy Transfiguration Monastery translation
* [http://www.gracegems.org/26/BRIDGES.htm Exposition of Psalm 119 by Charles Bridges, 1827] (Full Text - Public Domain)
* [http://www.zcpress.org/spurgeon/golden_alphabet/index.html The Golden Alphabet: Exposition of Psalm 119 by Charles Spurgeon, 1887] (Full Text - Public Domain)
Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.