The writer rejoiced in the fact that people who obey God's Word wholeheartedly enjoy His blessing (vv. 1-3). Consequently he wanted to be more consistently obedient himself (vv. 4-6). He promised to be more thankful as he continued to learn more about God's Word (vv. 7-8).
This psalm contains a reference to God's Word in almost every verse (except verses 84, 121 and 122). The psalmist used 10 synonyms for the Word of God each of which conveys a slightly different emphasis.
"Way"and "ways"(Heb. derek) describes the pattern of life God's revelation marks out. It occurs 13 times in the psalm (vv. 1, 3, 5, 14, 26, 27, 29, 30, 32, 33, 37, 59, 168).
The most frequently used term is "law"(Heb. torah, lit. teaching) that occurs 25 times (vv. 1, 18, 29, 34, 44, 51, 53, 55, 61, 70, 72, 77, 85, 92, 97, 109, 113, 126, 136, 142, 150, 153, 163, 165, 174). It denotes direction or instruction and usually refers to a body of teaching such as the Pentateuch or the Book of Deuteronomy. Jesus used this term to describe the whole Old Testament (John 10:34).
The word "testimony"(Heb. edah) occurs 23 times, all but one time in the plural (vv. 2, 14, 22, 24, 31, 36, 46, 59, 79, 88 [sing.], 95, 99,111, 119, 125, 129, 138, 144, 146, 152, 157, 167, 168). It refers to the ordinances that became God's standard of conduct. It's particular shade of meaning is the solemnity of what God has spoken as His will. The English translations sometimes have "decrees"for this Hebrew word.
"Precepts"(Heb. piqqudim), a synonym for injunctions that occurs only in the psalms in the Old Testament, appears 21 times in this psalm (vv. 4, 15, 27, 40, 45, 56, 63, 69, 78, 87, 93, 94, 100, 104, 110, 128, 134, 141, 159, 168, 173). It always occurs in the plural.
Another common synonym in this psalm is "statutes"(Heb. huqqim, lit. things inscribed). It refers to enacted laws. The translators have sometimes rendered the Hebrew word "decrees."It occurs 21 times (vv. 5, 8, 12, 23, 26, 33, 48, 54, 64, 68, 71, 80, 83, 112, 117, 118, 124, 135, 145, 155, 171).
"Commandments"(Heb. miswah) denotes a definite authoritative command. The writer used this word 22 times in Psalm 119 usually in the plural but once as a collective singular (vv. 6, 10, 19, 21, 32, 35, 47, 48, 60, 66, 73, 86, 96 [sing.], 98, 115, 127, 131, 143, 151, 166, 172, 176).
"Judgment"(Heb. mishpot) refers to a judicial decision that establishes precedent and constitutes binding law. Often the English translators rendered this Hebrew word "laws."It sometimes means God's acts of judgment on the wicked. In this psalm it occurs 19 times in the plural and four times in the singular (vv. 7, 13, 20, 30, 39, 43, 52, 62, 75, 84 [sing.], 91, 102, 106, 108, 120, 121 [sing.], 132 [sing.], 137, 149 [sing.], 156, 160, 164, 175).
The psalmist also identified many different responses he made to God's Word. One of these was keeping or obeying it (vv. 4, 5, 8, 17, 34, 44, 56, 57, 60, 67, 88, 100, 101, 129, 134, 136, 145, 158, 167, 168).
"This untiring emphasis has led some to accuse the psalmist of worshipping the Word rather than the Lord; but it has been well remarked that every reference here to Scripture, without exception, relates it explicitly to its Author; indeed every verse from 4 to the end is a prayer or affirmation addressed to Him. This is true piety; a love of God not desiccated by study but refreshed, informed and nourished by it."198
As you read this psalm, note also the consequences of obeying God's Word that the writer enumerated. These include being unashamed (v. 6) and giving thanks (v. 7).
