It’s well known, of course, that Psalm 119 is an acrostic or alphabetic psalm. Such acrostics are, to say the least, very difficult to render in a faithful English translation, but it is possible to illustrate the effect in a few stanzas. This can help us to hear a little of the sound of these acrostic structures in Hebrew.
Verses 9-16
9. In what way will a young man make his path clean?
By taking heed according to your word.
10. I have sought you with all my heart.
Do not cause me to stray from your commandments.
11. In my heart I have hidden your saying,
so that I will not sin against you.
12. Indeed, blessed are you, O Yahweh.
Teach me your statutes.
13. I have recounted with my lips
all the judgments of your mouth.
14. In the way of your testimonies
I have rejoiced as in all wealth.
15. In your precepts I will meditate,
and I will regard your path.
16. In your statutes I will delight myself.
I will not forget your word.
A stanza that makes it easy is verses 33-40. Every verse in this stanza, except the last, begins with the causative form of the Hebrew verb. Thus, to render it accurately in English it is only necessary to translate the verbs using the English word “cause.” The last verse is the exception. It begins with the Hebrew word usually translated as “behold.” If we use the word “certainly” instead of “behold” every verse will begin with the letter “C.”
Verses 33-40 (He)
33. Cause me to learn, Yahweh, the way of your statutes,
and I will keep it (to) the end.
34. Cause me to understand and I will keep your law,
and I will observe it with all my heart.
35. Cause me to tread in the path of your commandments,
for in it I delight.
36. Cause my heart to incline to your testimonies
and not to covetousness.
37. Cause my eyes to pass away from seeing vanity.
In your way revive me.
38. Cause to stand for your servant your speech,
which is for your fear.
39. Cause to pass away my reproach which I dread,
for your judgments are good.
40. Certainly, I long for your precepts.
In your righteousness revive me.
We look to the Lord to do everything for us. Cause me to learn, to understand, to walk. Cause my heart to incline. Cause my eyes to turn away. Cause your speech to stand. Cause my reproach to pass away. It is a little lesson in the fundamental truth of Scripture that all our salvation is of grace, not of works.
Another stanza that makes it easy is verses 41-48. Every verse in this stanza begins with the Hebrew conjunction usually translated as “and.” If we preserve that conjunction in the English, every verse begins with the letter “A.”
Verses 41-48 (Waw)
41. And let your lovingkindnesses come to me, O Yahweh,
your salvation according to your saying.
42. And I will answer with a word the one who reproaches me,
for I trust in your word.
43. And do not snatch completely away from my mouth the word of truth,
for in your judgments I hope.
44. And I will observe your law continually
forever and forever.
45. And I will walk in a broad place
for your precepts I seek.
46. And I will speak about your testimonies before kings
and I will not be ashamed.
47. And I will delight myself in your commandments
which I love.
48. And I will lift up my palms to your commandments which I love,
and I will meditate on your statutes.
One significant thing about that conjunction is that it establishes a connection between this stanza and the one before. The two stanzas flow together:
40. Certainly I long for your precepts.
In your righteousness revive me.
41. And let your lovingkindness come to me, O Yahweh,
Your salvation according to your saying.
Promises dominate in this stanza. I will answer the one who reproaches me. I will observe your law. I will walk in a broad place. I will speak about your testimonies before kings. I will delight in your commandments. I will lift up my palms to your commandments. When the Lord has answered our petitions of the prior stanza (and the two petitions in this stanza as well), we will be able to keep these promises.