“I rejoice at thy word, as one that findeth great spoil” (Psalm 119:162).

Psalm 119 is the longest psalm (176 verses). No authorship is mentioned, but it is often assigned to David.

The psalm is full of words that are equal in meaning to the Scripture. Such as law, testimonies, precepts, statutes, commandments, judgments, ways, ordinances, and word. There are only six verses out of the 176 that do not have one of these words, but six verses have two of these mentioned.

In verses one and two, we find that man is blessed if he obeys the word of God with his whole heart. In verse 12, God is blessed simply for who He is.

One of the great prayers of the psalm is found in verse 18. “Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law.”

But why did the psalmist place so much emphasis on the word of God? As one reads the psalm, it becomes quite evident that he was going through tremendous persecution and trial. Everyone apparently had forsaken him.

There are many verses that graphically relate his terrible circumstances. “Reproach and contempt” (v.22), “Princes . . . Speak against me” (v.23); “My soul cleaveth unto the dust” (v.25); “Heaviness” (v.28); “Lying” (v.30); “Affliction” (v.50); “Horror” (v.53); Wicked have robbed me” (v.61); “The proud have digged pits for me” (v.85); “They had almost consumed me” (v.87). There was no one to turn to but God and His word. “This is my comfort in my affliction: for thy word hath quickened me” (v.50). “My soul cleaveth unto the dust: quicken thou me according to thy word” (v.25). “I will never forget thy precepts: for with them thou hast quickened me” (v.93).

He had learned from experience that “Great peace have they which love thy law” (v.165). NPS