Psalm 119 Introduction handout

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Psalm 119 Introduction handout

Biblical Acrostics

Intro to Psalm 119

Text: Psalm 119:1-3 “Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the LORD. 2 Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, and that seek him with the whole heart. 3 They also do no iniquity: they walk in his ways.”

Intro:

  1. What is an Acrostic?

    1. Definition- a poem, word puzzle, or other composition in which certain letters in each line form a word or words

  2. Acrostics in the Bible,

  3. The Letters of the Hebrew,

      • Letter Picture symbolic meaning

      • Alef Ox or Bull Strength, leader, first

      • Bet Tent or House household, in family, into

      • Gimel Camel lift up, pride, benefit

      • Daleth Door pathway, enter

      • Hey Man with arms up Behold, to reveal

      • Vav nail, peg add, secure,

      • Zayin Ax (weapon) cut, cut off

      • Chet Fence private, separate

      • Tet Snake surround, coil, wrap

      • Yood, Closed hand work, deed, make

      • Kaf, Open hand cover, allow, to open

      • Lamed, Shepherds cane control, authority, tongue

      • Mem Water liquid, massive, chaos

      • Noon Fish swimming activity, life

      • Samech Prop, staff support, turn,

      • Ayin Eye see, know, experience

      • Pey Mouth to speak, word

      • Tsade Fishhook catch, desire, need

      • Qoof Back of head behind, last, least

      • Reysh Front of head person, head, highest

      • Sheen Teeth consume, eat, destroy

      • Tav Cross seal, covenant, sign

  4. Take Home assignment, Match the word with the Definition:

  1. Alef – Bet 1. Proud

  2. Alef– Lamed 2. Son

  3. Alef – Sheen 3. God

  4. Bet – Reysh 4. Father

  5. Bet – Qoof – Reysh 5. Redeem (ransom)

  6. Lamed – Bet 6. Nomad (foreigner)

  7. Gimel – Reysh 7. Judge

  8. Gimel – Alef – Hey 8. Morning

  9. Gemel – Alef -Lamed 9. Heart

  10. Dalet – Noon 10. Fire

So Why Study Psalm 119?

  1. First, “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.” (II Timothy 3:16&17) learn it.

  2. Second, Because it is an Acrostic, it gives us an opportunity to open the scope of our understanding of the Hebrew language,

  3. Third, it is full of lessons for us to learn, such as: the importance of the word, reading, understanding, and keeping it.