the Week of Proper 26 / Ordinary 31
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King James Version
Psalms 119:1
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Aleph
Joyful are people of integrity, who follow the instructions of the Lord .Blessed are they that are perfect in the way, who walk in the law of the LORD.
ALEPH Blessed are those that are perfect in the way, Who walk in the law of Yahweh.
Happy are those who live pure lives, who follow the Lord 's teachings.
א (Alef)
How blessed are those whose actions are blameless, who obey the law of the Lord .ALEPH. Blessed [are] the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the LORD.
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How blessed and favored by God are those whose way is blameless [those with personal integrity, the upright, the guileless], Who walk in the law [and who are guided by the precepts and revealed will] of the LORD.
Aleph
Blessed are those whose way is blameless, who walk in the law of the Lord !`The titil of the hundrid and eiytenthe salm. Alleluia. Blessid ben men with out wem in the weie; that gon in the lawe of the Lord.
Blessed are those whose way is blameless, who walk in the law of the LORD.
Our Lord , you bless everyone who lives right and obeys your Law.
א Aleph.
Blessed are they that are perfect in the way, Who walk in the law of Jehovah.א (Alef)
How happy are those whose way of life is blameless, who live by the Torah of Adonai !ALEPH. Blessed are the perfect in the way, who walk in the law of Jehovah.
Great blessings belong to those who live pure lives! They follow the Lord 's teachings.
ALEPH. Happy are they that are upright in the way, who walk in the law of the LORD.
[ALEPH.] Blessed are the vndefiled in the way: who walke in the Law of the Lord.
Happy are those whose way is without blame, who walk in the Law of the Lord.
Happy are those whose way is blameless, who walk in the law of the Lord .
Aleph. Blessed are those that are vpright in their way, and walke in the Lawe of the Lord.
ALEPH. BLESSED are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the LORD.
Happy are those whose lives are faultless, who live according to the law of the Lord .
[ALEPH] How happy the men of blameless life, who walk in the law of Yahweh.
(118-1) Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the Lord.
Blessed are those whose way is blameless, who walk in the law of the LORD!
Blessed are those that be perfect in the way: walkyng in the lawe of God.
Blessed are the blameless in the way, who walk in the law of the Lord.
How happy are those whose way is blameless,who walk according to the Lord’s instruction!
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Blessed are those whose way is blameless, who walk in the law of Yahweh.
ALEPH: Blessed are the upright in the way, who walk in the Law of Jehovah.
[Aleph.] O the happiness of those perfect in the way, They are walking in the law of Jehovah,
Blessed are those yt be vndefiled in the waye: which walke in the lawe of ye LORDE.
You're blessed when you stay on course, walking steadily on the road revealed by God . You're blessed when you follow his directions, doing your best to find him. That's right—you don't go off on your own; you walk straight along the road he set. You, God , prescribed the right way to live; now you expect us to live it. Oh, that my steps might be steady, keeping to the course you set; Then I'd never have any regrets in comparing my life with your counsel. I thank you for speaking straight from your heart; I learn the pattern of your righteous ways. I'm going to do what you tell me to do; don't ever walk off and leave me.
Blessed are those whose way is blameless, Who walk in the Law of the LORD.
Blessed are the undefiled in the way, Who walk in the law of the LORD!
Aleph.
How blessed are those whose way is blameless, Who walk in the law of the Lord .How blessed are those whose way is blameless,Who walk in the law of Yahweh.
Contextual Overview
Bible Verse Review
from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge
am 3560, bc 444 - Title This Psalm, which was probably composed by Ezra, is another of the alphabetical Psalms: it consists of twenty-two parts, answering to the number of the Hebrew letters; every part being divided into eight verses, and each verse beginning with that letter which forms the title of the part; that is, the first part of eight verses with ×, the second with ×, etc. It is an elegant, important, and useful composition; the chief subjects of which are the excellence of God's laws, and the happiness of those who observe them.
Blessed: Psalms 1:1-3, Psalms 32:1, Psalms 32:2, Psalms 112:1, Psalms 128:1, Matthew 5:3-12, Luke 11:28, John 13:17, James 1:25, Revelation 22:14
undefiled: or, perfect, or sincere, 2 Kings 20:3, 2 Chronicles 31:20, 2 Chronicles 31:21, Job 1:1, Job 1:8, John 1:47, Acts 24:16, 2 Corinthians 1:12, Titus 2:11, Titus 2:12
walk: Ezekiel 11:20, Hosea 14:9, Luke 1:6, 1 Thessalonians 4:1, 1 Thessalonians 4:2
Reciprocal: Deuteronomy 5:29 - keep all Joshua 24:14 - serve 1 Samuel 25:28 - evil hath 1 Samuel 26:19 - accept 2 Samuel 22:22 - the ways 2 Samuel 22:33 - perfect 2 Chronicles 6:16 - to walk 2 Chronicles 17:6 - in the ways Psalms 101:6 - in a perfect way Psalms 106:3 - Blessed Psalms 139:24 - and lead Proverbs 8:32 - for Song of Solomon 5:2 - my dove Isaiah 56:2 - Blessed Ezekiel 18:9 - walked Ezekiel 18:21 - and do Ezekiel 18:28 - he considereth Matthew 11:6 - blessed Matthew 26:41 - the spirit Acts 18:25 - instructed Romans 7:15 - what James 1:27 - Pure
Gill's Notes on the Bible
ALEPH. Blessed [are] the undefiled in the way,.... Who are in the right way to heaven and happiness, which is Jesus Christ; the strait gate, and narrow way to eternal life; the only true way of life and salvation, in which way believers walk by faith. All out of this way are altogether become filthy; but all in this way are clean, even every bit: they are without spot and blemish, blameless and unreproveable, and without fault, before the throne of God and in his sight; being washed from their sins in the blood of the Lamb, and clothed with his righteousness; and even "perfect" and complete in him, as the Targum renders the word. These are also found in the way of their duty, and walk in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord, blameless before men, and are sincere and upright in the sight of God; and are upon all accounts happy persons:
who walk in the law of the Lord: within the boundaries and limits of it, according to its direction, as it is a rule of walk and conversation in the hands of Christ the Lawgiver; and who continue to walk in it, as in a pleasant path, with great delight; and cheerfully obey its precepts, as influenced by the love of God, and assisted by the Spirit and grace of Christ. The word "law", or "doctrine", as it signifies, may design every revelation of the divine will; and even the doctrine of Christ, which believers should abide in, and not transgress; and should walk uprightly according to the truth of it, and as becomes it, and as they are enabled to do.
Barnes' Notes on the Bible
Blessed are the undefiled in the way - In the way or journey of life; in the path of religion; in the road which leads to heaven. As life - the religious life - is represented under the image of a journey, the expression here is equivalent to saying, âBlessed are those who in the journey of life - in their religious course - are pure, Sincere, uncontaminated.â On the word way, see the notes at Psalms 1:6. The margin here on the word undefiled, is perfect, or sincere. So the Hebrew. The word is the same as in Job 1:1, where it is rendered âperfect.â See the notes at that passage. The Greek translation is undefiled - αÌÌμÏμοι amoÌmoi. So the Latin, âimmaculati.â Luther renders it, âWho live without blemishâ or stain. The idea is, âBlessed are they who are upright, sincere, perfect, in their course.â The whole psalm is designed to illustrate this thought, by showing what the influence of a sincere and conscientious attachment to the principles of the law or word of God in the various circumstances of life must be.
Who walk in the law of the Lord - Who habitually obey his law. This constitutes sincerity, uprightness, perfection in a manâs life, for the law of the Lord is the only just rule of human conduct.
Clarke's Notes on the Bible
PSALM CXIX
The various excellencies and important uses of the law or
revelation of God.
NOTES ON PSALM CXIX
This is another of the alphabetical or acrostic Psalms. It is divided into twenty-two parts, answering to the number of letters in the Hebrew alphabet. Every part is divided into eight verses; and each verse begins with that letter of the alphabet which forms the title of the part, e.g.: The eight first verses have × aleph prefixed, the second eight × beth, each of the eight verses beginning with that letter; and so of the rest. All connexion, as might be naturally expected, is sacrificed to this artificial and methodical arrangement.
It is not easy to give any general Analysis of this Psalm; it is enough to say that it treats in general on the privileges and happiness of those who observe the law of the Lord. That law is exhibited by various names and epithets tending to show its various excellences. Earnest prayers are offered to God for wisdom to understand it, and for grace to observe it faithfully. These particulars may be collected from the whole composition, and appear less or more in every part.
The words which express that revelation which God had then given to men, or some particular characteristic of it, are generally reckoned to be the ten following:
1. Testimonies;
2. Commandments;
3. Precepts;
4. Word;
5. Law;
6. Ways;
7. Truth;
8. Judgments;
9. Righteousness;
10. Statutes.
To these some add the following:
1. Faithfulness;
2. Judgment;
3. Name; but these are not used in the sense of the other ten words.
I believe it is almost universally asserted that in every verse of this Psalm one or other of those ten words is used, except in ver. 122; but on a closer inspection we shall find that none of them is used in the above sense in the 84th, 90th, 121st, 122nd, and 132nd. See the notes on these verses. Psalms 119:84; Psalms 119:90; Psalms 119:121; Psalms 119:122; Psalms 119:132
To save myself unnecessary repetition, and the reader time and trouble, I shall here, once for all, explain the above words, which the reader will do well to keep in remembrance.
1. The Law, ת××¨× TORAH, from ××¨× yarah, to direct, guide, teach, make straight, or even, point forward; because it guides, directs, and instructs in the way of righteousness; makes our path straight, shows what is even and right, and points us onward to peace, truth, and happiness. It is even our school-master to bring us to Christ, that we may be justified through faith; and by it is the knowledge of sin.
II. STATUTES, ×ק×× CHUKKIM, from ×ק chak, to mark, trace out, describe, and ordain; because they mark out our way describe the line of conduct we are to pursue and order or ordain what we are to observe.
III. PRECEPTS, פק×××× PIKKUDIM, from ×¤×§× pakad, to take notice or care of a thing, to attend, have respect to, to appoint, to visit; because they take notice of our way, have respect to the whole of our life and conversation, superintend, overlook, and visit us in all the concerns and duties of life.
IV. COMMANDMENTS, ×צ×ת MITSVOTH, from צ×× tasvah to command, order, ordain; because they show us what we should do, and what we should leave undone, and exact our obedience.
V. TESTIMONIES, ×¢××ת EDOTH, from ×¢× ad, denoting beyond, farther, all along, to bear witness, or testimony. The rites and ceremonies of the law; because they point out matters beyond themselves, being types and representations of the good things that were to come.
VI. JUDGMENTS, ×שפ××× MISHPATIM, from ×©×¤× shaphat, to judge, determine, regulate, order, and discern, because they judge concerning our words and works; show the rules by which they should be regulated; and cause us to discern what is right and wrong, and decide accordingly.
VII. TRUTH, ×××× × EMUNAH, from ××× aman, to make steady, constant, to settle, trust, believe. The law that is established steady, confirmed, and ordered in all things, and sure; which should be believed on the authority of God, and trusted to as an infallible testimony from Him who cannot lie nor deceive.
VIII. WORD, ××ר dabar, from the same root, to discourse, utter one's sentiments, speak consecutively and intelligibly; in which it appears to differ from ××× malal, to utter articulate sounds. Any prophecy or immediate communication from heaven, as well as the whole body of Divine revelation, is emphatically called ××ר ×××× debar Yehovah, the word of Jehovah. On the same ground we call the whole Old and New Testament THE WORD OF THE LORD, as we term the volume in which they are contained THE BIBLE - THE BOOK. In his revelation God speaks to man; shows him, in a clear, concise, intelligible, and rational way, his interest, his duty, his privileges; and, in a word, the reasonable service that he requires of him.
IX. WAY, ××¨× DERECH, from the same root, to proceed, go on, walk, tread. The way in which God goes in order to instruct and save man; the way in which man must tread in order to be safe, holy, and happy. God's manner of acting or proceeding in providence and grace; and the way that man should take in order to answer the end of his creation and redemption.
X. RIGHTEOUSNESS, צ××§× TSEDAKAH from צ×ק tsadak, to do justice, to give full weight. That which teaches a man to give to all their due; to give GOD his due, MAN his due, and HIMSELF his due; for every man has duties to God, his neighbor, and himself, to perform. This word is applied to God's judgments, testimonies, and commandments; they are all righteous, give to all their due, and require what is due from every one.
The three words, which some add here, are,
1. FAITHFULNESS, ×××× × EMUNAH: but see this under No. VII., nor does it appear in Psalms 119:90, where it occurs, to be used as a characteristic of God's law, but rather his exact fulfilment of his promises to man.
The second is JUDGMENT, ××©×¤× mishpat. See this under No. VI.: it occurs in Psalms 119:84; Psalms 119:121: "When wilt thou execute judgment," c. but is not used in those places as one of the ten words.
The third is NAME, ×©× shem, see Psalms 119:132: but this is no characteristic of God's law; it refers here simply to himself. Those that love thy NAME is the same as those that love THEE. Bishop Nicholson inserts promises among the ten words: but this occurs no where in the Psalm.
We might, and with much more propriety, add a fourth, ×××¨× IMRAH, from ××ר amar, to branch out, spread, or diffuse itself, as the branches of a tree; and which is often used for a word spoken, a speech. This often occurs in the Psalm: and we regularly translate it word, and put no difference or distinction between it and ××ר dabar, No. VIII.: but it is not exactly the same; ××ר dabar may apply more properly to history, relation, description, and such like; while, ×××¨×ª× imrathecha, thy word, may mean an immediate oracle, delivered solemnly from God to his prophet for the instruction of men. But the two words appear often indifferently used; and it would not be easy to ascertain the different shades of meaning between these two roots.
Having thus far introduced the Psalm to the reader's attention, I should probably speak at large of the elegance of its composition, and the importance and utility of its matter. Like all other portions of Divine revelation, it is elegant, important, and useful; and while I admire the fecundity of the psalmist's genius, the unabating flow of his poetic vein, his numerous synonyms, and his copia verborum, by which he is enabled to expand, diversify, and illustrate the same idea; presenting it to his reader in all possible points of view, so as to render it pleasing, instructive, and impressive; I cannot rob the rest of the book of its just praise by setting this, as many have done, above all the pieces it contains. It is by far the largest, the most artificial, and most diversified; yet, in proportion to its length, it contains the fewest ideas of any Psalm in the Book.
Several of the ancients, particularly the Greek fathers, have considered it as an abridgement of David's life; in which he expresses all the states through which he had passed; the trials, persecutions, succours, and encouragements he had received. The Latin fathers perceive in it all the morality of the Gospel, and rules for a man's conduct in every situation of life. Cassiodorus asserts that it contains the sentiments of the prophets, apostles, martyrs, and all the saints. In the introduction to the Book of Psalms, I have conjectured that many of them were composed from notes taken at different times, and in widely different circumstances; hence the different states described in the same Psalm, which could not have been at one and the same time the experience of the same person. It is most likely that this Psalm was composed in this way, and this, as well as its acrostical arrangement, will account for its general want of connexion.
Though the most judicious interpreters assign it to the times of the Babylonish captivity; yet there are so many things in it descriptive of David's state, experience, and affairs, that I am led to think it might have come from his pen; or if composed at or under the captivity, was formed out of his notes and memoranda.
I shall now make short remarks on the principal subjects in each part; and, at the end of each, endeavour by the Analysis to show the connexion which the eight verses of each have among themselves, and the use which the reader should make of them. In all the Versions except the Chaldee this Psalm is numbered cxviii.
LETTER × ALEPH. - First Division
Verse Psalms 119:1. Blessed are the undefiled in the way — ××©×¨× ×ª×××× ××¨× ashrey temimey darech, "O the blessedness of the perfect ones in the way." This Psalm begins something like the first, where see the notes. Psalms 1:1 By the perfect, which is the proper meaning of the original word, we are to understand those who sincerely believe what God has spoken, religiously observe all the rules and ceremonies of his religion, and have their lives and hearts regulated by the spirit of love, fear, and obedience. This is farther stated in the second verse.
