Psalm 119 (Part 1)—Happy Are Those Who Keep Watch With His Word
"Allot my portion with mercy, Lord."
Psalm 119 is the longest chapter of the Bible, so we’ll break it into seven parts. It is an acrostic poem, with one stanza for each of the 22 letters in the Hebrew alphabet. Here are the first three stanzas.
Rendition of Psalm 119 (Part One)
Aleph
Happy are those who sojourn with a sound heart, Who walk in the Lord’s laws. Happy are those who keep watch with his word And who seek him with their whole selves. They do not turn aside for injustice, But walk steady in his ways unwavering, For God has not withheld his word But given it for keeping. Oh that his laws would be founded in me! And my life guided along his way. Then I will set shame aside When I see the beauty of his commandments. Then I will thank him with a pure heart. When the ways of his righteousness are carved inside me, Then I will live by what he has ordained. Remain near to me, Lord!
Beth
How can the young walk the path Without shame or fear or fault? By hewing close to God’s word. After seeking you with my whole heart, Do not let me wander from your ways. I have hidden your word inside me as a treasure So that I will not sin or stray. I kneel before you, Lord. Teach me. I want to learn. I have told of the goodness of your judgments. I have rejoiced at the givenness Of your rich world. I have thought long on the way you’ve ordered things And sought your paths. These things delight me. I will not forget your word.
Gimel
Allot my portion with mercy, Lord. So that I can live and obey your word. Open my eyes so that I can wonder At the goodness of your ways. I am only a sojourner here; Do not conceal your commands from me. I am crushed by longing For your justice to come. You rebuke the proud and curse Those who wander from your ways. Spin away all contempt and scorn And disgrace from me; fling it back. For I stand the watches Of the night with you. Even if the kings of the earth denounce me, And all folk turn against me, I will continue to follow you And muse on all your ways. I will draw my delight from the deep wells Of your commandments.
Catching up with the Darking Psalter
If you are new to the Darkling Psalter, it is a project to create renditions of the Psalms (artistic rewordings based on the original Hebrew) and original poems to pair with each one.
Psalms with poems: 1, 2, 6, 8, 13, 14, 16, 19, 22, 29, 31, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 42, 46, 51, 53, 65, 73, 74, 84, 86, 88, 90, 107, 121, 123, 130, 131, 137, 142, 147.