October 26 | Psalm 119:89-96

Oct 25

2 min read

DAILY READING

REFLECTION

Your Word, O Lord

By Dave Mann

Psalm 119 is a fascinating work of Hebrew poetry. It is an alphabetical acrostic poem divided into 22 stanzas, corresponding to the 22 letters of the Hebrew alphabet. Each one of the eight verses in a stanza begins with the same successive letter in the Hebrew alphabet. For example, in the picture below, each verse in Psalm 119:1-8 begins on the right with Aleph (א), the first letter of the Hebrew alphabet. Lines 9-16 begin with the 2nd letter of the Hebrew alphabet. The portion that we are reading today is the 12^th stanza of the psalm. The 12^th letter of the Hebrew alphabet is Lamedh (ל), and thus the first word of every verse in that stanza begins with that letter.

The theme of Psalm 119 is that the Word of God reflects his reliability and faithfulness. In this psalm, there are eight different words for this reflection of God’s character: word, laws, your way, precepts, statutes, commands, decrees, and promises.

Here is a challenge for a student of the Scriptures. Find other verses in the Bible which communicate the same truth as found in the verses of Psalm 119.

v. 89 – Your word, Lord, is eternal.

Matthew 24:35 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.

v. 90 -- Your faithfulness continues through all generations.

Psalm 89:1 I will sing of the Lord’s great love forever; with my mouth I will make your faithfulness known through all generations.

v. 91 -- Your laws endure to this day, for all things serve you.

Colossians 1:16 all things have been created through him and for him.

v. 92 -- If your law had not been my delight,

Psalm 1:1-2 Blessed is the man … whose delight is in the law of the Lord.

v. 93 -- I will never forget your precepts, for by them you have preserved my life.

Deuteronomy 32:47 They are not just idle words for you—they are your life.

v. 94 -- I have sought your precepts.

Psalm 27:8, 11 Your face, Lord, I will seek … Teach me, your ways, O Lord.

v. 95 -- but I will ponder your statutes.

Psalm 1:2 and on his law he meditates day and night.

v. 96 -- To all perfection I see a limit, but your commands are boundless.

Hebrews 7:11 If perfection could have been attained through the Levitical priesthood—and indeed the law given to the people established that priesthood—why was there still need for another priest to come, one in the order of Melchizedek, not in the order of Aaron?

PRAYER

Thank you, O Lord, for preserving your Word for us. Thank you for your faithfulness which is revealed in your Scriptures, in Jesus’ name, Amen.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

DAVE MANN

I am a Pastor for Internationals (retired) in the UALC community. I am married to Pam, father of four, and grandfather of seven. Pam and I have lived twenty of our years in other countries, including France, Cameroon, Haiti, and Morocco. In retirement, we continue to enjoy writing devotionals, learning languages, and teaching English to internationals.