Psalms

I run the way of your commandments, for you enlarge my understanding (Psalm 119:32 NRSV). Yesterday, I took our dog Tiglath-pileser IV (named after the Neo-Assyrian ruler, TP… — May 27, 2012

I cling to your decrees, O LORD; let me not be put to shame (Psalm 119:30 NRSV). "Fly, you fools!"  Our son Nathan exclaimed as he was clinging… — May 21, 2012

I have chosen the way of faithfulness; I set your ordinances before me. (Psalm 119:30 NRSV). This verse is the 6th of eight in the Dalet section of Psalm… — May 13, 2012

Put false ways far from me; and graciously teach me your law (Psalm 119:29 NRSV). False ways are close enough to the psalmist that he* needs divine help… — May 7, 2012

My soul melts away for sorrow; strengthen me according to your word (Psalm 119:28 NRSV). What do you do when you're depressed?  The psalmist writes a poem of… — April 29, 2012

Make me understand the ways of your precepts, and I will meditate on your wonderous works (Psalm 119:27 NRSV). After 27 weeks of blogging, I wonder if I'll be able… — April 22, 2012

My soul clings to the dust: revive me according to your word (Psalm 119:25 NRSV). Clinging to the dust.  In this verse one hears echoes of the curse on the man… — April 9, 2012

Now is the time of the year when one reflects on the deeper meaning of foolishness.  (If you believe that, you need to check the calendar.) The Bible has a… — April 1, 2012

Your decrees are my delight, they are my counselors (Psalm 119:24 NRSV). Once again the psalmist "delights" in the commands of God.  The word "delight" appears ten times in… — March 25, 2012

Even though princes sit plotting against me, your servant will meditate on your statutes (Psalm 119:23 NRSV). Enemies have gathered together against their common foe.  You.  They are… — March 18, 2012

Take away from me their scorn and contempt for I have kept your precepts (Psalm 119:22 NRSV). The anticedent for "their" here comes from Psalm 119:21, the insolent, accursed… — March 12, 2012

You rebuke the insolent, accursed ones, who wander from your commandments (Psalm 119:21 NRSV). The psalmist is informing YHWH about something that he already knows.  Which is something… — March 4, 2012

My soul is consumed with longing for your ordinances at all times (Psalm 119:20 NRSV). This is my favorite verse in Psalm 119, and one of my favorites… — February 27, 2012

I live as an alien in the land; do not hide your commandments from me (Psalm 119:19 NRSV). The first half of this verse could be translated as "Alien… — February 19, 2012

Deal bountifully with your servant, so that I may live and observe your word (Psalm 119:17 NRSV). In this verse, Psalm 119 moves into the Gimel section, where each of the eight verses begins… — February 5, 2012

(Just to be clear,  the psalmist isn't Lord Voldemort (he's fictional).  But blog titles are supposed to be provocative.) At dinner with my family last night, I asked which… — February 2, 2012

I will delight in your statutes; I will not forget your word (Psa. 119:16 NRSV). More delighting in God's statutes.  In verse 14, the psalmist delighted  (but it uses a different… — January 22, 2012

I will meditate on your precepts and fix my eyes on your ways (Psa. 119:15 NRSV). Focus.  With fixed eyes, the psalmist is focused on God's precepts and God's… — January 15, 2012