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angeliquemb9Assignment from Pastor Craig Pierce at Door of Hope: Read through Psalm 119 and take notes. Okay, yeah, let's start the year off with something easy, shall we? Not!
So, first, Psalm 119 in English and Hebrew (you can even listen to the Hebrew, if you're so inclined). And of course, it's a different translation than what I have in The New Jerusalem Bible. Okay, so taking the first different major word choice of iniquity and unrighteousness - they still mean the same thing, so go with where you're comfortable.
Okay, first mechanics, 'cause those always fascinate me. This is an acrostic, whereby each set of 8 verses begins with one of the 22 letters of the Hebrew alphabet - it's a mnemonic that makes complete sense with a long section, where the traditional method of teaching is the oral tradition. Interestingly, and what will never be properly translated is that each line in the 8 verses begins with the letter of the section. Now these commentaries:
Commentary by Nancy deClaissé-Walford can give the rest of the mechanics on numbers of words and such. I actually disagree with her desire to change the word אַשְׁרֵי from "happy" or "blessed" to "content". The author does not indicate a milque-toast response to the Torah of God, but rather a passion that begins at his head or intellect (Aleph) and ends making a covenant, taking ownership of the choice (Tav). (As a complete side note, there is an interesting discussion regarding paleo Hebrew - the written language before the modern squared language of today by Natan Lawrence, and how Tav is both a sign of a covenant and is shaped like a cross.)
David Guzik has a pretty comprehensive summary and analysis that goes through each verse, picking out commonalities and differences in shades of meaning, as well as referencing many places where the Psalmist is quoted, referenced or alluded to within the New Testament.
Here would be why I was sort of laughing at the concept of having a week to analyze this Psalm. Thomas Manton wrote a set of 3 volumes (about 600 pages each) on this one Psalm, along with 158 sermons. For those interested in a much less expensive way to read his works, you can find them epublished for free here. I can be fairly certain, however, he took more than a week. :)
So, to my way of thinking, Psalm 119 is a method of meditation. Taking each section's overarching meaning from the letter (for Hebrew letters are always much more than mere alphabetic symbols), you can focus on the theme for each as you read, i.e., In the first octet, Aleph, meaning head or intellect, and in paleo-Hebrew symbolizing strong, you can see the strength of the conviction, beginning with man's ability to reason, even as it is a blessing to have God's laws, statutes and precepts set before us; in the second, Bet, meaning understanding, seeking to obtain the divine knowledge, understand it and apply it to our own lives, where in the paleo-Hebrew Bet or Binah symbolizes a house, and understanding comes from and is housed in one's heart.
I'm looking forward to seeing Pastor Craig's interpretation.
So, first, Psalm 119 in English and Hebrew (you can even listen to the Hebrew, if you're so inclined). And of course, it's a different translation than what I have in The New Jerusalem Bible. Okay, so taking the first different major word choice of iniquity and unrighteousness - they still mean the same thing, so go with where you're comfortable.
Okay, first mechanics, 'cause those always fascinate me. This is an acrostic, whereby each set of 8 verses begins with one of the 22 letters of the Hebrew alphabet - it's a mnemonic that makes complete sense with a long section, where the traditional method of teaching is the oral tradition. Interestingly, and what will never be properly translated is that each line in the 8 verses begins with the letter of the section. Now these commentaries:
Commentary by Nancy deClaissé-Walford can give the rest of the mechanics on numbers of words and such. I actually disagree with her desire to change the word אַשְׁרֵי from "happy" or "blessed" to "content". The author does not indicate a milque-toast response to the Torah of God, but rather a passion that begins at his head or intellect (Aleph) and ends making a covenant, taking ownership of the choice (Tav). (As a complete side note, there is an interesting discussion regarding paleo Hebrew - the written language before the modern squared language of today by Natan Lawrence, and how Tav is both a sign of a covenant and is shaped like a cross.)
David Guzik has a pretty comprehensive summary and analysis that goes through each verse, picking out commonalities and differences in shades of meaning, as well as referencing many places where the Psalmist is quoted, referenced or alluded to within the New Testament.
Here would be why I was sort of laughing at the concept of having a week to analyze this Psalm. Thomas Manton wrote a set of 3 volumes (about 600 pages each) on this one Psalm, along with 158 sermons. For those interested in a much less expensive way to read his works, you can find them epublished for free here. I can be fairly certain, however, he took more than a week. :)
So, to my way of thinking, Psalm 119 is a method of meditation. Taking each section's overarching meaning from the letter (for Hebrew letters are always much more than mere alphabetic symbols), you can focus on the theme for each as you read, i.e., In the first octet, Aleph, meaning head or intellect, and in paleo-Hebrew symbolizing strong, you can see the strength of the conviction, beginning with man's ability to reason, even as it is a blessing to have God's laws, statutes and precepts set before us; in the second, Bet, meaning understanding, seeking to obtain the divine knowledge, understand it and apply it to our own lives, where in the paleo-Hebrew Bet or Binah symbolizes a house, and understanding comes from and is housed in one's heart.
I'm looking forward to seeing Pastor Craig's interpretation.
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