Are you ready for another week of study on Psalm 119? Let’s go!

It’s obvious that the author of this psalm thought long and hard about this poem before he sat down to write it. I admire how organized it is, with its alphabetical structure and even numbered stanzas. He definitely was showing off his love for the Hebrew language. Only a skillful writer could make each section sound fresh, even though he used the same eight words over and over.

Have you noticed the “word” words?
law
word
statutes
precepts
promises
judgments
testimonies
commandments

Each one has a slightly nuanced meaning, but when it comes down to it, they all mean the scriptures, or the Bible. One of these eight words is used in all but five of the 176 verses, yet it doesn’t seem redundant. That’s some crazy good writing. It’s a lot harder than it looks, I’m finding out. I dare you to try it.

Psalm 119:9-16

By what means can one remain pure?
    Only by staying in the Word.

Bent on pursuing You, I search.
    Keep me from wandering off track.

Because I have stored up Your words,
    I hope I won’t sin quite so much.

Boundless praise unto You, O God!
    Instruct me in all of Your ways.

Blurting out, I go on and on,
    repeating the words that You said.

Bursts of joy flow as I follow;
    I feel like I hit the jackpot.

Bless me as I chew on Your words
    and ponder what everything means.

Best of all, Your words thrill my heart.
    I vow not to be a slacker.

“The Word became flesh and lived for a while among us.” John 1:14

What happens when you substitute Jesus’ name for “word” words?