RRB notes: Psalm 119

Psalms 119:1-176 KJV

ALEPH

1. Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the LORD. [1]

[1] The next 176 verses are divided off into increments of eight verses in each section. The Hebrew alphabet marks the beginning of each section. It is the longest chapter in the Bible and deals with the Bible itself. Here, the Holy Scriptures are called “the word” 39 times. Other Hebrew words in the psalm deal with “words” for they deal with “the law” (תּוֹרָה), the “testimonies” (עֵדְוֹת), the “the statutes” (חֻקִּים), the “judgments” (מִשְׁפָּטִים), and the “precepts” (פִּקּוּדִים).

2. Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, and that seek him with the whole heart.

3. They also do no iniquity: they walk in his ways.

4. Thou hast commanded us to keep thy precepts diligently.

5. O that my ways were directed to keep thy statutes!

6. Then shall I not be ashamed, when I have respect unto all thy commandments.

7. I will praise thee with uprightness of heart, when I shall have learned thy righteous judgments.

8. I will keep thy statutes: O forsake me not utterly.

BETH

9. Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word. [a]

[a] Memorize

10. With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments.

11. Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee. [a]

[a] Memorize

12. Blessed art thou, O LORD: teach me thy statutes.

13. With my lips have I declared all the judgments of thy mouth.

14. I have rejoiced in the way of thy testimonies, as much as in all riches.

15. I will meditate in thy precepts, and have respect unto thy ways.

16. I will delight myself in thy statutes: I will not forget thy word. [a]

[a] Memorize

GIMEL

17. Deal bountifully with thy servant, that I may live, and keep thy word.

18. Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law. [a]

[a] Memorize

19. I am a stranger in the earth: hide not thy commandments from me.

20. My soul breaketh for the longing that it hath unto thy judgments at all times.

21. Thou hast rebuked the proud that are cursed, which do err from thy commandments.

22. Remove from me reproach and contempt; for I have kept thy testimonies.

23. Princes also did sit and speak against me: but thy servant did meditate in thy statutes.

24. Thy testimonies also are my delight and my counsellors.

DALETH

17. Deal bountifully with thy servant, that I may live, and keep thy word.

18. Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law.

19. I am a stranger in the earth: hide not thy commandments from me.

20. My soul breaketh for the longing that it hath unto thy judgments at all times.

21. Thou hast rebuked the proud that are cursed, which do err from thy commandments.

22. Remove from me reproach and contempt; for I have kept thy testimonies.

23. Princes also did sit and speak against me: but thy servant did meditate in thy statutes.

24. Thy testimonies also are my delight and my counsellors.

HE

33. Teach me, O LORD, the way of thy statutes; and I shall keep it unto the end.

34. Give me understanding, and I shall keep thy law; yea, I shall observe it with my whole heart.

35. Make me to go in the path of thy commandments; for therein do I delight.

36. Incline my heart unto thy testimonies, and not to covetousness.

37. Turn away mine eyes from beholding vanity; and quicken thou me in thy way.

38. Stablish thy word unto thy servant, who is devoted to thy fear.

39. Turn away my reproach which I fear: for thy judgments are good.

40. Behold, I have longed after thy precepts: quicken me in thy righteousness.

VAU

41. Let thy mercies come also unto me, O LORD, even thy salvation, according to thy word.

42. So shall I have wherewith to answer him that reproacheth me: for I trust in thy word.

43. And take not the word of truth utterly out of my mouth; for I have hoped in thy judgments.

44. So shall I keep thy law continually for ever and ever.

45. And I will walk at liberty: for I seek thy precepts.

46. I will speak of thy testimonies also before kings, and will not be ashamed.

47. And I will delight myself in thy commandments, which I have loved.

48. My hands also will I lift up unto thy commandments, which I have loved; and I will meditate in thy statutes.

ZAIN

49. Remember the word unto thy servant, upon which thou hast caused me to hope.

50. This is my comfort in my affliction: for thy word hath quickened me.

51. The proud have had me greatly in derision: yet have I not declined from thy law.

52. I remembered thy judgments of old, O LORD; and have comforted myself.

53. Horror hath taken hold upon me because of the wicked that forsake thy law.

54. Thy statutes have been my songs in the house of my pilgrimage.

55. I have remembered thy name, O LORD, in the night, and have kept thy law.

56. This I had, because I kept thy precepts.

CHETH

57. Thou art my portion, O LORD: I have said that I would keep thy words.

58. I intreated thy favour with my whole heart: be merciful unto me according to thy word.

59. I thought on my ways, and turned my feet unto thy testimonies.

60. I made haste, and delayed not to keep thy commandments.

61. The bands of the wicked have robbed me: but I have not forgotten thy law.

62. At midnight I will rise to give thanks unto thee because of thy righteous judgments.

63. I am a companion of all them that fear thee, and of them that keep thy precepts.

64. The earth, O LORD, is full of thy mercy: teach me thy statutes.

TETH

65. Thou hast dealt well with thy servant, O LORD, according unto thy word.

66. Teach me good judgment and knowledge: for I have believed thy commandments.

67. Before I was afflicted I went astray: but now have I kept thy word. [a]

[a] Memorize

68. Thou art good, and doest good; teach me thy statutes.

69. The proud have forged a lie against me: but I will keep thy precepts with my whole heart.

70. Their heart is as fat as grease; but I delight in thy law.

71. It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes. [a]

[a] Memorize

72. The law of thy mouth is better unto me than thousands of gold and silver.

JOD

73. Thy hands have made me and fashioned me: give me understanding, that I may learn thy commandments.

74. They that fear thee will be glad when they see me; because I have hoped in thy word.

75. I know, O LORD, that thy judgments are right, and that thou in faithfulness hast afflicted me.

76. Let, I pray thee, thy merciful kindness be for my comfort, according to thy word unto thy servant.

77. Let thy tender mercies come unto me, that I may live: for thy law is my delight.

78. Let the proud be ashamed; for they dealt perversely with me without a cause: but I will meditate in thy precepts.

79. Let those that fear thee turn unto me, and those that have known thy testimonies.

80. Let my heart be sound in thy statutes; that I be not ashamed.

CAPH

81. My soul fainteth for thy salvation: but I hope in thy word.

82. Mine eyes fail for thy word, saying, When wilt thou comfort me?

83. For I am become like a bottle in the smoke; [2] yet do I not forget thy statutes.

[2] This will be a leather bottle hanging by a fireplace that is dried out and cracked. In some oriental tents (with no chimney), the room got so filled with smoke that, after a few months, the leather bottles were shriveled or “smoke dried.”

84. How many are the days of thy servant? when wilt thou execute judgment on them that persecute me?

85. The proud have digged pits for me, which are not after thy law.

86. All thy commandments are faithful: they persecute me wrongfully; help thou me.

87. They had almost consumed me upon earth; but I forsook not thy precepts.

88. Quicken me after thy lovingkindness; so shall I keep the testimony of thy mouth.

LAMED

89. For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven. [a]

[a] Memorize

90. Thy faithfulness is unto all generations: thou hast established the earth, and it abideth.

91. They continue this day according to thine ordinances: for all are thy servants.

92. Unless thy law had been my delights, I should then have perished in mine affliction.

93. I will never forget thy precepts: for with them thou hast quickened me.

94. I am thine, save me; for I have sought thy precepts.

95. The wicked have waited for me to destroy me: but I will consider thy testimonies.

96. I have seen an end of all perfection: but thy commandment is exceeding broad.

MEM

97. O how love I thy law! it is my meditation all the day. [a]

[a] Memorize

98. Thou through thy commandments hast made me wiser than mine enemies: for they are ever with me.

99. I have more understanding than all my teachers: [3] for thy testimonies are my meditation.

[3] The verse is a “terror” to all Christian educators. It implies that any dumb Christian who believes the word of God can get to know God and the Bible better than a Greek or Hebrew scholar who spends his time correcting the Book (see App. 117).

100. I understand more than the ancients, because I keep thy precepts. [4]

[4] Any man who believes and follows the Book will gain wisdom and understanding which cannot be found in the “scriptures” of other religions or the ancient “wisdom literature” of the East. It is also missing from the writings and commentaries of every “Bible scholar” who makes his living correcting the Book.

101. I have refrained my feet from every evil way, that I might keep thy word.

102. I have not departed from thy judgments: for thou hast taught me.

103. How sweet are thy words unto my taste! yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth! [a]

[a] Memorize

104. Through thy precepts I get understanding: therefore I hate every false way.

NUN

105. Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. [a]

[a] Memorize

106. I have sworn, and I will perform it, that I will keep thy righteous judgments.

107. I am afflicted very much: quicken me, O LORD, according unto thy word.

108. Accept, I beseech thee, the freewill offerings of my mouth, O LORD, and teach me thy judgments.

109. My soul is continually in my hand: yet do I not forget thy law.

110. The wicked have laid a snare for me: yet I erred not from thy precepts.

111. Thy testimonies have I taken as an heritage for ever: for they are the rejoicing of my heart.

112. I have inclined mine heart to perform thy statutes alway, even unto the end.

SAMECH

113. I hate vain thoughts: but thy law do I love.

114. Thou art my hiding place and my shield: I hope in thy word.

115. Depart from me, ye evildoers: for I will keep the commandments of my God.

116. Uphold me according unto thy word, that I may live: and let me not be ashamed of my hope.

117. Hold thou me up, and I shall be safe: and I will have respect unto thy statutes continually.

118. Thou hast trodden down all them that err from thy statutes: for their deceit is falsehood.

119. Thou puttest away all the wicked of the earth like dross: therefore I love thy testimonies.

120. My flesh trembleth for fear of thee; and I am afraid of thy judgments. [a]

[a] Memorize

AIN

121. I have done judgment and justice: leave me not to mine oppressors.

122. Be surety for thy servant for good: let not the proud oppress me.

123. Mine eyes fail for thy salvation, and for the word of thy righteousness.

124. Deal with thy servant according unto thy mercy, and teach me thy statutes.

125. I am thy servant; give me understanding, that I may know thy testimonies.

126. It is time for thee, LORD, to work: for they have made void thy law.

127. Therefore I love thy commandments above gold; yea, above fine gold.

128. Therefore I esteem all thy precepts concerning all things to be right; and I hate every false way. [a]

[a] Memorize

PE

129. Thy testimonies are wonderful: therefore doth my soul keep them.

130. The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple. [a]

[a] Memorize

131. I opened my mouth, and panted: for I longed for thy commandments.

132. Look thou upon me, and be merciful unto me, as thou usest to do unto those that love thy name.

133. Order my steps in thy word: and let not any iniquity have dominion over me. [a]

[a] Memorize

134. Deliver me from the oppression of man: so will I keep thy precepts.

135. Make thy face to shine upon thy servant; and teach me thy statutes.

136. Rivers of waters run down mine eyes, because they keep not thy law.

TZADDI

137. Righteous art thou, O LORD, and upright are thy judgments.

138. Thy testimonies that thou hast commanded are righteous and very faithful.

139. My zeal hath consumed me, because mine enemies have forgotten thy words.

140. Thy word is very pure: therefore thy servant loveth it. [a]

[a] Memorize

141. I am small and despised: yet do not I forget thy precepts.

142. Thy righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, and thy law is the truth.

143. Trouble and anguish have taken hold on me: yet thy commandments are my delights.

144. The righteousness of thy testimonies is everlasting: give me understanding, and I shall live.

KOPH

145. I cried with my whole heart; hear me, O LORD: I will keep thy statutes.

146. I cried unto thee; save me, and I shall keep thy testimonies.

147. I prevented the dawning of the morning, and cried: I hoped in thy word.

148. Mine eyes prevent the night watches, that I might meditate in thy word.

149. Hear my voice according unto thy lovingkindness: O LORD, quicken me according to thy judgment.

150. They draw nigh that follow after mischief: they are far from thy law.

151. Thou art near, O LORD; and all thy commandments are truth.

152. Concerning thy testimonies, I have known of old that thou hast founded them for ever.

RESH

153. Consider mine affliction, and deliver me: for I do not forget thy law.

154. Plead my cause, and deliver me: quicken me according to thy word.

155. Salvation is far from the wicked: for they seek not thy statutes.

156. Great are thy tender mercies, O LORD: quicken me according to thy judgments.

157. Many are my persecutors and mine enemies; yet do I not decline from thy testimonies.

158. I beheld the transgressors, and was grieved; because they kept not thy word.

159. Consider how I love thy precepts: quicken me, O LORD, according to thy lovingkindness.

160. Thy word is true from the beginning: and every one of thy righteous judgments endureth for ever. [5] [a]

[5] No Catholiic could ever face the ghastly truth that anyone who could read or hear the words of God can learn to live and die properly without one reference to any Catholic teaching or tradition. If all you had was the word of God (Sola Scriptura), you would have every answer to every problem of life. Roman Catholicism contributes nothing.

[a] Memorize

SCHIN

161. Princes have persecuted me without a cause: but my heart standeth in awe of thy word.

162. I rejoice at thy word, as one that findeth great spoil. [a]

[a] Memorize

163. I hate and abhor lying: but thy law do I love.

164. Seven times a day do I praise thee because of thy righteous judgments.

165. Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them.

166. LORD, I have hoped for thy salvation, and done thy commandments.

167. My soul hath kept thy testimonies; and I love them exceedingly.

168. I have kept thy precepts and thy testimonies: for all my ways are before thee.

TAU

169. Let my cry come near before thee, O LORD: give me understanding according to thy word.

170. Let my supplication come before thee: deliver me according to thy word.

171. My lips shall utter praise, when thou hast taught me thy statutes.

172. My tongue shall speak of thy word: for all thy commandments are righteousness.

173. Let thine hand help me; for I have chosen thy precepts.

174. I have longed for thy salvation, O LORD; and thy law is my delight.

175. Let my soul live, and it shall praise thee; and let thy judgments help me.

176. I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek thy servant; for I do not forget thy commandments.

>>>>>>> Additional Notes <<<<<<<

Appendix 117 — Readings in the Old Testament

_______

 RRB notes: Psalm 118

Psalms 118 KJV

1. O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: because his mercy endureth for ever.

2. Let Israel now say, that his mercy endureth for ever.

3. Let the house of Aaron now say, that his mercy endureth for ever.

4. Let them now that fear the LORD say, that his mercy endureth for ever.

5. I called upon the LORD in distress: the LORD answered me, and set me in a large place. [a]

[a] Psa. 18:18-19.

6. The LORD is on my side; I will not fear: what can man do unto me?

7. The LORD taketh my part with them that help me: therefore shall I see my desire upon them that hate me.

8. It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man. [1]

[1] Before computers, this verse was regarded as the middle verse in the Bible. If it is, then the two center words in the Bible are “the LORD.”

9. It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in princes.

10. All nations compassed me about: but in the name of the LORD will I destroy them. [b]

[b] Isa. 29:8, 60:11; Zech. 12:2-4, 9, 14:2-3.

11. They compassed me about; yea, they compassed me about: but in the name of the LORD I will destroy them. [c]

[c] Martin Luther’s favorite “life verse.”

12. They compassed me about like bees; they are quenched as the fire of thorns: for in the name of the LORD I will destroy them.

13. Thou hast thrust sore at me that I might fall: [d] but the LORD helped me.

[d] The Tribulation (Lam. 3:52).

14. The LORD is my strength and song, and is become my salvation.

15. The voice of rejoicing and salvation is in the tabernacles of the righteous: the right hand of the LORD doeth valiantly. [e]

[e] Vss. 15-16 are Second Advent references (see note on Ezra 7:28).

16. The right hand of the LORD is exalted: the right hand of the LORD doeth valiantly.

17. I shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the LORD.

18. The LORD hath chastened me sore: but he hath not given me over unto death.

19. Open to me the gates of righteousness: I will go into them, and I will praise the LORD:

20. This gate of the LORD, into which the righteous shall enter.

21. I will praise thee: for thou hast heard me, and art become my salvation.

22. The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner. [2]

[2] The verse is quoted five times in the New Testament (Matt. 21:42; Mark 12:10; Luke 20:17; Acts 4:11; 1 Pet. 2:7); that’s more attention than is given to the Virgin Birth or Ascension of Christ. Notice that both Advents appear together in this verse. “The stone” is the crushing stone of Daniel 2:34, which takes place at the Second Advent. Yet at the First Advent, that stone is a “stumbling stone” for the nation of Israel (Isa. 8:13-14; Matt. 21:44; Rom. 9:32-33).

23. This is the LORD’s doing; it is marvellous in our eyes.

24. This is the day which the LORD hath made; [3] we will rejoice and be glad in it.

[3] Most pastors have gotten rid of the Second Coming of Christ here and in Revelation 1:10 by making the “day” of both passages Sunday. The “day” is the greatest day on God’s calendar, for it is the “day” when His Son gets what rightfully belongs to Him (vs. 22). It has nothing to do with Sunday or any other day of the week.

25. Save now, I beseech thee, O LORD: O LORD, I beseech thee, send now prosperity.

26. Blessed be he that cometh in the name of the LORD: [f] we have blessed you out of the house of the LORD.

[f] The key to the Second Advent according to Jesus Christ (Matt. 23:39).

27. God is the LORD, which hath shewed us light: bind the sacrifice with cords, even unto the horns of the altar. [g]

[g] Millennial Temple (Ezek. 43:21-25, 45:15-25, 46:15; Col. 2:16-17; Matt. 5:23-24).

28. Thou art my God, and I will praise thee: thou art my God, I will exalt thee.

29. O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.

>>>>>>> Additional Notes <<<<<<<

Note on Ezra 7:28 KJV

And hath extended mercy unto me before the king, and his counsellors, and before all the king’s mighty princes. And I was strengthened as the hand of the LORD my God [6] was upon me, and I gathered together out of Israel chief men to go up with me.

[6] Notice the expression, “the hand of . . . God,” used here as it is found again in Ezra 8:18, 22. The “right hand of God” is used many times in the Bible to represent Jesus Christ Himself (Psa. 17:7, 20:6, 21:8, 45:4, 48:10, 108:6, 110:5, 138:7, etc.).

_______

 RRB notes: Psalm 117

Psalms 117 KJV

1. O praise the LORD, all ye nations: praise him, all ye people. [1]

[1] The United Nations will one day thank the Lord for restoring Israel (vs. 2). They will do that after having passed 450 resolutions against Israel: that’s 450 out of a total of 700 – over half the resolutions ever passed by the UN since 1945.

2. For his merciful kindness is great toward us: and the truth of the LORD endureth for ever. Praise ye the LORD.

 Proverbs Chapter 31

Proverbs 31 KJV

1. The words of king Lemuel, [a] the prophecy that his mother taught him.

[a] “Lemuel” (לְמוּאֵל), meaning “devoted to God.”

2. What, my son? and what, the son of my womb? and what, the son of my vows?

3. Give not thy strength unto women, nor thy ways to that which destroyeth kings. [1] [b]

[1] “Lemuel” is Solomon, although Solomon violated the instructions of this mother (vs. 1) as given in verses 3-4 (1 Kings 11:1-3; Eccl. 2:3).

[b] 1 Kings 11:1-11; Neh. 13:26.

4. It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine; nor for princes strong drink:

5. Lest they drink, and forget the law, and pervert the judgment of any of the afflicted.

6. Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish, [c] and wine unto those that be of heavy hearts.

[c] Matt. 27:34.

7. Let him drink, and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more.

8. Open thy mouth for the dumb in the cause of all such as are appointed to destruction. [d]

[d] Prov. 24:11-12 (see note on Prov. 24:10).

9. Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy.

10. ¶ Who can find a virtuous woman? [2] for her price is far above rubies. [e]

[2] There are twelve kinds of women in Proverbs: “a fair woman” (Prov. 11:22), “a gracious woman” (Prov. 11:16), “a whorish woman” (Prov. 6:26), “an odious woman” (Prov. 30:23), “an adulterous woman” (Prov. 30:20), “a brawling woman” (Prov. 21:9), a “strange woman” (Prov. 2:16), an “evil woman” (Prov. 6:24), “a contentious and an angry woman” (Prov. 21:19), “a foolish woman” (Prov. 9:13), a “wise woman” (Prov. 14:1), and the “virtuous woman” (Prov. 12:4).

[e] Job 28:18.

11. The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.

12. She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.

13. She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands.

14. She is like the merchants’ ships; she bringeth her food from afar.

15. She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens.

16. She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.

17. She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms.

18. She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night.

19. She layeth her hands to the spindle, [f] and her hands hold the distaff.

[f] A tool to twist plant fibers into thread.

20. She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.

21. She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet.

22. She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple.

23. Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land.

24. She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant.

25. Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.

26. She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.

27. She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.

28. Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.

29. Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all.

30. Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised. [3]

[3] For a full study of verses 10-30, get the following sermons from the Bible Baptist Bookstore: “The Great Woman,”  “The Parting of the Ways,”  “God’s Woman,”  “Mary, the Mother of Jesus,”  “Rizpah on the Rocks,”  “The Motherhood of God,”  and “Motherhood in the Bible.”

31. Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.

>>>>>>> Additional Notes <<<<<<<

Note on Prov. 24:10 KJV

10. If thou faint in the day of adversity, thy strength is small.*  11. If thou forbear to deliver them that are drawn unto death, and those that are ready to be slain; 12. If thou sayest, Behold, we knew it not; doth not he that pondereth the heart consider it? and he that keepeth thy soul, doth not he know it? and shall not he render to every man according to his works?

* Verses 10-12 deal with one of the most serious problems in the Body of Christ in America since 1933: the absolute refusal of American Christians to witness and tell unsaved adults they’re going to Hell when they die, although they know they will. They were commanded to witness (Prov. 31:8; Acts 1:8), and to warn people that they could die in their sins and wind up in the Lake of Fire (Ezek. 18:20-24; Acts 20:26-27). Ninety-five percent of them will not do it, and about 85% of the preachers will not do it. They do not want to risk being ridiculed or losing their social status or “image” among their friends and neighbors.

_______