Bible Question: What, if any, is the significance of the use of letters from the Hebrew alphabet in Psalm 119? |
Bible Answer: Dear panfararplvan, You might find the following of interest in regards to acrostics. VII. THE ACROSTIC PSALMS. There are nine examples of Acrostics in the Book of Psalms, while eleven other Acrostic Scriptures are found in the Old Testament 8. i. Psalms 9 and 10 are linked together by an Acrostic which, like "the times of trouble" (the great tribulation), of which the two Psalms treat, is purposely broken, and is irregular and out of joint. This Acrostic tells us that the subject of the two Psalms is one, and that they are to be connected together. See notes there on the many expressions common to both. ii. Psalm 25. Here, again, the Acrostic is designedly incomplete, a proof of its genuineness instead of its "corruption". No writer would or could omit a letter from carelessness. The Psalm has the same phenomena as Psalm 34, where the same letter (Vau equals V) is omitted, and the same letter (Pe equals P) is duplicated, in the word Padah, "redeem". The last verse is thus, in each case, made to stand out prominently by itself. iii.Psalm 34. See under ii., above. iv.Psalm 37. In this Psalm the series is perfect and complete. Every letter has two verses of lines each, except three: verses 7 (, Daleth equals D), 20 (, Kaph equals K), and 34 (, Koph equals K). v.Psalm 111. In this Psalm the series is complete. The Psalm has twenty-two lines, each line commending with the successive letters of the alphabet. vi.Psalm 112 is formed on the model of Psalm 111, the two Psalms forming a pair 9 ; Psalm 111 being occupied with Jehovah, and Psalm 112 with the man that revereth Jehovah. See the notes there. vii.Psalm 119. This Psalm consists of twenty-two groups, consisting of eight verses each. The eight verses in each group begin with same letter. For example: the first eight verses begin with (Aleph equals A), the eight verses of the second group with (Beth equals B), and so through the whole Psalm of 176 verses (8 x 22. See Appendix 10). It is impossible to reproduce this (or any of the other alphabetical Acrostics), seeing that the Hebrew and English alphabets do not correspond, either in equivalents, order, or number of the letters. It so happens that in the group beginning with T (verses 65-72), each verse in the Authorized Version does not begin with T, except verses 67 and 71. These can be readily conformed by changing "Before" to "Till" in verse 67; and "It is" to "Tis" in verse 71. The first letters being the same in both alphabets, can be thus presented: Ah! the happinessess of the perfect in the way, Such as walk by the Law of Jehovah. Ah! the happinessess of the keepers of His testimonies, Who seek Him with their whole heart. Assuredly they have not worked iniquity: In His ways they have ever walked. As to Thy commandments - Thou hast commanded us, That we should diligently keep them. Ah Lord, that my ways were prepared To keep Thy statutes; Ashamed, then, should I never be, While I have respect unto all Thy commandments. All my heart shall praise Thee in uprightness, While I learn the judgments of Thy righteousness. All Thy statutes also I will keep: Leave me not utterly. By what means shall a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed thereto according to Thy word. By every means my heart hath sought Thee: Let me not err from Thy commandments. Besides, I have laid up Thy Word in my heart, That I might not sin against Thee. Blessed art Thou, O Jehovah: Teach me Thy statutes. By my lips have I recounted All the judgments of Thy mouth. By walking in Thy mandates' way,' I found joy beyond all wealth. By the precepts shall I guide my musings, And shall pore over Thy paths. By Thy statutes shall I be delighted: Thy Word I shall not forget. viii. Psalm 145. In this Psalm the Acrostic is perfect, with the exception of the letter (Nun equals N), which should come between verses 13 and 14. See note there. Through the infirmity of some transcriber, the verse was probably omitted by him. It must have been in the more ancient manuscripts, because it is preserved in the ancient Versions: videlicet, the Septuagint, Syriac,Arabic, Ethiopic, and Vulgate. One Hebrew Codex is known which contains it, as follows: "The LORD is faithful in all His words, And holy in all His works." Moreover, the Structure of the Psalm shows that it originally had its proper place in the Psalm. See the notes on Psalm 145:13,14. ix. For the other Acrotics in the Psalms, see the note on Psalm 96:11. The above is a portion of an appendix from a Companion Bible, from www.therain.org. Bless you, Love Fountain |