Psalm 119, He
by Debbonnaire Kovacs
by Debbonnaire Kovacs
Submitted February 20, 2014
I don’t know how long the lectionary will stay in Psalm 119, so I make no promises about continuing this, but this week’s passage is the fifth stanza, starting with the Hebrew letter he. Our fifth letter in English being e, (I have no idea whether that corresponds at all to he) I thought it might be easy enough to try it again. (This time, though, I’ll only start the couplet with e, not the second lines.) So here goes:
And I shall keep it to the end.
Elucidate it to me with understanding, and I shall keep your law;
I shall keep it with all my heart.
Enable me to go in the path of your commandments,
For that is my desire.
Elevate my heart toward your decrees
And not toward unjust gain.
Eyes must not watch what is worthless;
Give me life in your ways.
Execute your promise to your servant,
Which you make to those who fear you.
Eliminate the reproach I dread,
Because your judgments are good.
Ever I long for your commandments;
In your righteousness preserve my life.
Psalm 119:34-40
If you compare my version with the Bible, you’ll see that the first one was a no-brainer—after that, some are a reach, to say the least. But I do recommend such exercises to increase one’s participation in the Word, and thus increase its depth in the soul.
In a sort of postscript, I would add that it could be because of verse 36 that this portion was included in this week’s readings. The theme is love, mercy, and justice for the poor and marginalized. Go here to read and contemplate more.
