Aleph: Walking in the Word

David divided Psalm 119 into twenty-two sections, each containing eight verses. Each section corresponds to one of the twenty-two letters in the Hebrew alphabet.

All the verses in the first section begin with the Hebrew letter aleph.

All the verses in the second section begin with the Hebrew letter beth, and so forth until the twenty-second letter, tau. The psalm speaks of the joy found in following the law of God, using its precepts to guide one’s life. David refers to the law of the Lord using various descriptive words to avoid repetition. He starts with “law” (v. 1), then “testimonies” (v. 2), “ways” (v. 3), “precepts” (v. 4), “statutes” (v. 5), “commandments” (v. 6), “judgments” (v. 7), and ends by repeating “statutes” (v. 8). Aligning one’s life with the ways of the Lord leads to happiness.

“God’s law is a transcript of His character. It was given to man in the beginning as the standard of obedience.” In his longest psalm, David expounds on his love for the law of God.

David truly valued the Word of the Lord.

“The mind that is earthly finds no pleasure in contemplating the word of God; but for the mind renewed by the Holy Spirit, divine beauty and celestial light shine from the sacred page. That which to the earthly mind was a desolate wilderness, to the spiritual mind becomes a land of living streams.” “Let the student take the Bible as his guide and stand like a rock for principle, and he may aspire to any height of attainment. All the philosophies of human nature have led to confusion and shame when God has not been recognized as all in all. But the precious faith inspired of God imparts strength and nobility of character. As His goodness, His mercy, and His love are dwelt upon, clearer and still clearer will be the perception of truth; higher, holier, the desire for purity of heart and clearness of thought.” “When we walk with the Lord / In the light of His word, / What a glory He sheds on our way! / While we do His good will, / He abides with us still, / And with all who will trust and obey.”