The Heart of Worship: Embracing the Prayer Language of Psalm 119

Before we embark on our journey to the Heart of Worship and begin Embracing the Prayer Language of Psalm 119, I think a little introduction is in order. I am not a Hebrew or Greek scholar so I will simply share with you what the Renovare Spiritual Formation Bible has to say about this awe inspiring Psalm. The two main themes are the wonders of God’s provision through the Torah (the Law) and the delight of living under its guidance. It’s written using a literary device called an Acrostic i.e. the eight lines of each verse begin with the same letter. The Psalm is repetitive (as a meditation should be) and focuses on variants of one key word. We therefore see the Law referred to as commandments, statutes, ordinances, decrees, words, precepts, promise and of course, law. Last, the Psalm is an A-Z rendering of living in glad obedience to God. As with all the Psalms of the Bible you will encounter laments, prayers, supplication, praise, prayer, thanksgiving, affirmation, proclamation and sheer awe in the Presence of a Holy God. I know I said final word, but I am also a preacher so here we go again with a final, final word. Though this is a manuscript bear in mind you will be getting only sound bites. The longest version will of course be the blog but even that will about a half of the entire segment. This is also an unedited first draft so try not to stub your intellect too often as we walk together over the next few weeks. And so we begin…