Thank you for joining us today as we embark on the first half of Psalm 119. This is a fascinating and unique chapter in the Bible. It is the longest psalm, and indeed the longest chapter in all of Scripture. Most people will recognize its distinctive structure as an acrostic, with each of its twenty-two sections correlated to a successive letter in the Hebrew alphabet.
The Purpose of the Acrostic
My first question as I read through this unique psalm is: why would the author structure it in this way? We must remember, in those days, there were no computers, no internet, or even many available books. Scrolls contained the written words, and a person could live their entire life without ever touching one. God miraculously preserved his word, but to share it with common people, they primarily had to hear and memorize it.

This ancient practice of memorization is still relevant today. I work with children every year to help them memorize Bible verses. The longest section they must commit to memory if they complete all their Truth & Training books in the AWANA program is Psalm 119:9-16. Few kids I have worked with over the years have completed this challenging feat.

In the days of ancient Israel, however, people of all ages, including children, would endeavor to learn the entire Psalm, along with complete books of scripture by heart. They couldn’t go to a shelf, pull a Bible off it, and read. They had to be taught the words.

Therefore, having each section begin with a successive letter of their alphabet aided recall. In the original language, each verse within a section began with that same letter. For example, verses 1-8 all begin with the Hebrew letter ‘Aleph’, verses 9-16 with ‘Beth’, and so on. This consistent pattern provides a framework for disciplined memorization.
The Significance of Eight Verses
I can imagine that knowing each section contained eight verses, all starting with the same letter, would provide a powerful sense of order and rhythm to the memorization process. The number eight itself holds symbolic significance in biblical contexts, often representing new beginnings or completeness. Therefore, God commanded circumcision on the eighth day (Genesis 17:12). This numerological choice within Psalm 119 underscores the idea of the comprehensive and perfect nature of God’s word.

What this tells us is that God desires for His people, including us today, to meditate on His word to the point of memorization. To put His word into our minds and hearts that when we encounter challenges in life, we can recall His word for guidance and comfort. While the Holy Spirit helps bring truth to our minds, it is difficult to remember something you didn’t already know.
From Moses to Christ
The anonymous author—possibly Ezra, given his zealous commitment to the Law, or others—begins by declaring a foundational truth: It is a blessing to have a relationship with God. For the Jew, this was through the Law of Moses; for the Christian, it is through the covenant of grace in Jesus Christ.

In the Old Testament, the people required a priest to make intercession for them to God. We, however, have the High Priest, Jesus Christ, making intercession for us at all times, as Paul reminds us: “Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us” (Romans 8:34, NIV). We must view having direct access to God and His living Word as our greatest blessing.
A Reciprocal Blessing
Then, in the second section of the psalm, beginning with the letter ‘Beth’ (verses 9-16), the focus shifts to the young. This highlights why it is important to help children memorize Bible verses. As Matthew Henry wrote, “The ruin of the young is either living by no rule at all, or choosing false rules: let them walk by Scripture rules. To doubt of our own wisdom and strength, and to depend upon God, proves the purpose of holiness is sincere” (Henry, Matthew., Matthew Henry’s Commentary on the Whole Bible). They cannot walk by Scripture if they do not know Scripture. This, in part, was why the psalmist designed this magnificent poem to be easier to memorize.

If you help children learn memory verses, you will discover a beautiful, reciprocal blessing: they are helping you learn memory verses too. The blessing of engaging with God’s word works in both directions.

But you don’t need to be involved in children’s ministry to memorize verses yourself. I challenge you to memorize each of the groups of eight verses of Psalm 119. Start with ‘Aleph’ (verses 1-8). When you can recite it, move on to ‘Beth’ (verses 9-16). Then, see if you can repeat them both together and then learn ‘Gimel’. You might surprise yourself with what you can achieve. As you commit yourself to this practice, you will walk closer to God. Then, you will truly open your eyes and see wonderful things throughout all of God’s Holy Word.
Tomorrow, we will finish reading Psalm 119 verses 89-176.
Bibliography
Henry, Matthew. Ps. 119:9-16. Matthew Henry’s Commentary on the Whole Bible. Peabody, MA: Hendrickson Publishers.
Holy Bible, New International Version. 2011. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.