Psalm 119 – Blameless
What does it mean to be blameless? Are any of us completely blameless? And what does Psalm 119 – blameless teach us about the word?
Psalm 119
Just two weeks ago we reflected on the shortest psalm in the book of Psalms, Psalm 117. This week we reflect on the longest psalm in the book of Psalms, Psalm 119. With Psalm 117, the question was how to come up with enough to write about only two verses. With Psalm 119 the question is how to condense all of the verses into a blog post. An impossible situation.
Psalm 119 – blameless, is a masterpiece of acrostic poetry. There are 22 units of 8 verses each. Each verse in each unit begins with a specific letter of the Hebrew alphabet, starting with the first letter, aleph, through the last, tav.
There is no cohesive connecting value between each unit.
“There is not a definite flow of thought from the beginning of the psalm to the end. The sections and verses are not like a chain, where one link is connected to the other, but like a string of pearls where each pearl has equal, but independent value.” Enduring Word Bible Commentary Psalm 119
The only unifying them is God’s law and instructions. Those who follow God’s laws are blameless, as stated in the first verse.
“Blessed are those whose ways are blameless, who walk according to the law of the Lord.” (1)
God’s Word
Another aspect of this psalm is that every verse, except 122, contains a Hebrew word related to Scripture: Law (torah, found 25 times), statutes (huqqim, 21 times), commandments (miswah/miswot, 22 times), precepts (piqqudim, 21 times), testimonies (edut/edot, 23 times), word (dabar, used 24 times, imrah, used 19 times) judgments (mispatim, 23 times). Some translations include way, promise.
“Since this is a psalm glorifying God and His word, it refers to Scripture over and over again. Psalm 119 is remarkable for how often it refers to God’s written revelation, His word. It is referred to in almost every verse.” Enduring Word Bible Commentary Psalm 119
“The theme of the glory of Scripture is diligently explored in this psalm, but always in connection with God Himself. Derek Kidner remarks: “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.” Enduring Word Bible Commentary Psalm 119
Examples in Psalm 119
Since God’s word is referenced in every line, to include them all would be to include the whole psalm. Instead, I’m picking just a few of the 176 verses. As stated above, each are complete in themselves, like pearls on a string or beautiful beads in a rosary.
“Your statutes are my delight; they are my counselors.” (24)
“My soul is weary with sorrow; strengthen me according to your word.” (28)
“Give me understanding, so that I may keep your law and obey it with all my heart.
Direct me in the path of your commands, for there I find delight.” (34-35)
“Your decrees are the theme of my song wherever I lodge.” (54)
“Though the arrogant have smeared me with lies, I keep your precepts with all my heart.” (69)
“My soul faints with longing for your salvation, but I have put my hope in your word.” (81)
“Oh, how I love your law! I meditate on it all day long.” (97)
“Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.” (105)
“Because I love your commands more than gold, more than pure gold.” (127)
“Your statutes are wonderful; therefore I obey them.” (129)
“Trouble and distress have come upon me, but your commands give me delight.” (146)
“Yet you are near, Lord, and all your commands are true.” (151)
“Your compassion, Lord, is great; preserve my life according to your laws.” (156)
“I rejoice in your promise like one who finds great spoil.” (162)
Some general themes are the beauty of God’s word and how much value the writer finds in them.
Who Is Blameless?
To be blameless is to be free of wrongdoing, free from blame or fault. Are any of us completely blameless? There are those things that we do without thinking, an unkindness done, or a kindness not done.
Young children, before the age of reason, are considered blameless for they are innocents. They don’t know what they are doing. Likewise, animals are blameless when they attack and kill for they are only following their nature. It is not a choice.
In the story of the Man born blind, the pharisees ask Jesus who is to blame for this man’s blindness. They are looking to cast blame and trip Jesus up. Their motives are not pure. Rather, they have an evil intent and thus are found worthy of blame. “Jesus said, “If you were blind, you would not be guilty of sin; but now that you claim you can see, your guilt remains.” (John 9:41)
Jesus on the cross said, “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do.” Jesus holds us blameless for his death because we didn’t know.
Psalm 119 – Blameless
It is natural for humans to look for someone or circumstances to blame when things go wrong. Most often this is not helpful. There is usually plenty blame to go around. And where there is no blame, as in the case of the man born blind, it is simply a waste of time.
Who is blameless then? Psalm 119 – blameless, tells us, those who seek to follow the ways of God, who heed God’s word, are blameless.
None of us are perfect. Rather we are works in progress. But in that we are trying to do our best to follow our God, we are on the road to being blameless.
Are there ways in which you are blind? How might you more fully walk in the ways of the Lord?
(For another take on this psalm, see Psalm 119: The Psalm that Never Ends! – Patricia M Robertson)
This post is part of a series of blog posts on the Psalms. Sign up to follow this blog and and receive a free copy of Still Dancing, the second book in my Dancing through Life Series. click here to sign up
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