No More Learning

, Sc. 2; and As You Like It, Act Hi. , Sc. 2.
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? THE CHILDREN'S PSALM-BOOK
IRore on memory was in great measure the library of the
IPs. CXiX. ancients, and in order to possess a book they had
either to write a copy of it themselves or to learn it
by heart. This circumstance seems to make one
understand better the intensity and minuteness with
which every word of the Law is studied and analyzed
ALEPH.
Happy are the undefiled in the way, who walk in
the law of the Lord. 2 Happy are they that keep
His testimonies; they seek Him with the whole
heart. 3 They also do no iniquity: they walk in
His ways. 4 Thou hast commanded us to keep Thy
precepts diligently. 5 O that my ways were directed
to keep Thy statutes! 6 Then shall I not be
ashamed, when I have respect unto all Thy com-
mandments. 7 I will praise Thee with uprightness
of heart, when I shall have learned Thy righteous
judgments. 8 I will keep Thy statutes: O forsake
me not utterly.
IRote on N Canto Aleph (N) describes the happiness and the
help to right conduct that comes of obedience to
God's laws, and it ends with a protestation and a
2
BETH.
(1) 9 Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his
way? by taking heed thereto according to Thy word.
(2) 10 With my whole heart have I sought Thee: O let
(3) me not wander from Thy commandments. 11 Thy
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? THE CHILDREN'S PSALM-BOOK
and commented on in the Talmud. The reviewer IRote on
of those days had to know his subject by heart! IPs. CXIX.
The theme of the Psalm is the all-sufficing guid-
ance of the law, and the all-sufficing comfort of trust-
ful prayer to God. Simple, fervid loyalty to God and
impetuous, whole-hearted frankness pervade the
whole poem.
s
nete 2 :nirv mina whhnh Trrroon new
**: -t it; i-: ? : i - I vat ** p: -
bvtnk sin 3 ivriehT a^aa vrny nsu
nb^S finpfl ruvw han* naSn vara nSw
-nS tn 6 :wsjn iti&b *yn ua* ^hn 5 hna
-itra ^ix 7 ? spni^Va-SK ^ana efax
nbe'x YjivTnx 8 :^jjTP *Ptt^ ,:? ? t? ^
prayer. "I will keep Thy statutes: O forsake me mote on X
not utterly. "
2
:T>ana "^xh imx-nx ua-nat* naa 9
*aSa ii ^VrrSx Tnahn a^aa io
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? THE CHILDREN'S PSALM-BOOK
pe. CXIX. word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin
(4) against Thee. 12 Blessed art Thou, O Lord: teach
(5) me Thy statutes. 13 With my lips have I declared
all the judgments of Thy mouth. 14 I have rejoiced
(6) in the way of Thy testimonies, as much as in all
(7) riches. 15 I will meditate in Thy precepts, and have
respect unto Thy ways. 16 I will delight myself in
(8) Thy statutes: I will not forget Thy word.
mote on 2 Canto Beth (2) opens with a question. "Where-
withal shall a young man cleanse his way? " Every
one of us should daily call to mind, before beginning
the detail work of life that each day brings us, the lofty
2
GIMEL.
(1) 17 Deal bountifully with Thy servant, that I may
(2) live, and keep Thy word. 18 Open Thou mine
eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of Thy
(3) law. 19 I am a stranger in the earth: hide not
(4) Thy commandments from me. 20 My soul breaketh
for the longing that it hath unto Thy judgments at
(5) all times. 21 Thou hast rebuked the proud that are
cursed, which do err from Thy commandments.
(6) 22 Remove from me reproach and contempt; for I
(7) have kept Thy testimonies. 23 Princes also did sit
and speak against me: but Thy servant did meditate
(8) in Thy statutes. 24 Thy testimonies also are my
delight and my counsellors.
mote on j Canto Gimel (J) expresses the Psalmist's longing
for a sense of communion with God, and for full
understanding of the Divine Laws.
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? THE CHILDREN'S PSALM-BOOK
nrw fna 12 . ^-n^p|n t6 Tjm&x t*e. cxix
** : : ? ? ? /- t: * II'"-. t:
YPp? ? 13 :Y,0'nin n^axj nn^'x ^n? ps? 15
|ivt: j-: v i */. t -:\~: v
and yet practical moral standpoint of the answer: Wote on 2
wish to obey God ; cherish His laws; keep them con-
stantly in mind; build an ideal of right conduct on
them; be their staunch champion and faithful follower.
y
pttt *mx na 19 :wrnno nii&si ntMNi w
I Vat t j' It j" li V t i ~ t ;' t a* ~; j-- *
*
at-:i-; j* :- jt ;it / iv : ? *v * >>** :~ ~
Dnng dht rnya 21 jna-Saa ^&s^b-^
*a nai nsnn hvb bi 22 :"? prte& D^b'n
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? THE CHILDREN'S PSALM-BOOK
(C)8. CXIX. DALETH.
(1) 25 My soul cleaveth unto the dust: quicken Thou
(2) me according to Thy word. 26 I have declared my
ways, and Thou hear^est me: teach me Thy
(3) statutes. 27 Make me to understand the way of
Thy precepts: so shall I talk of Thy wondrous
(4) works. 28 Mysoulmelteth for heaviness : strengthen
(5) Thou me according unto Thy word. 29 Remove
from me the way of lying: and grant me Thy law
(6) graciously. 30 I have chosen the way of truth:
(7) Thy judgments have I laid before me. 31 I have
held fast unto Thy testimonies: O Lord, put me not
(8) to shame. 32 I will run the way of Thy command-
ments, when thou shalt enlarge my heart.
Bote on l The expression, " Quicken Thou me," in the first
verse of Canto Daleth (1) occurs many times in the
119th Psalm. It is used in the old English meaning,
n
HE.
(1) 33 Teach me, O Lord, the way of Thy statutes;
(2) and I shall keep it unto the end. 34 Give me
understanding, and I shall keep Thy law; yea, I
(3) shall observe it with my whole heart. 35 Make me
to go in the path of Thy commandments; for therein
(4) do I delight. 36 Incline my heart unto Thy testi-
(5) monies, and not to covetousness. 37 Turn away
mine eyes from beholding vanity ; quicken Thou me in
(6) Thy way. 38 Cause Thy word to come unto Thy
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? THE CHILDREN'S PSALM-BOOK
*a-H 26 ,Ti-Qis ':>>n nsyS npyi 25 pa. cxix.
TOP$"TO 27 :Ti2H *JiHK?
at ? ? ;-i jt ; i n I i v ::? : t ? t: -a" ? :
J\tyi\n) -dpi ^ 29 :^1-13 *&jp
*nna ntta$pjT? 30 :\^n
32 :^W-W njn} T$"$? 31
"grant me life," and is a prayer, not for physical Dote On 1
life, but for that spiritual life which is the conscious-
ness of God in the human soul.
n
nr&to fj^ 123 nK ^n 33
i? >-bii narptfa ^min mw<< wan 34
i" t: w r; v; i v t i t: v; ? ? ? ? --i
-tan so . *nxsri irr;? ^pnip a*? i3? WTp 35
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? THE CHILDREN'S PSALM-BOOK
. CXIX.
(7) servant, who fears Thee. 39 Turn away my reproach
which is my terror: for Thy judgments are good.
(8) 40 Behold, I have longed after thy precepts: quicken
Thou me in Thy righteousness.
te on n Another prayer for God's guidance towards a
right understanding of His Laws, and so, of
Righteousness. "Incline mine heart unto Thy
testimonies and not to covetousness. " The thought
of God's works makes us realize His great power and
the contrast of human littleness. Then we realize
too God's infinite mercy towards us, and the desire
arises in our hearts to show our gratitude to Him--
by trying to live by the light of His goodness. Even
as He is generous and compassionate to us all, so
would we be generous and compassionate to our
fellow creatures, and we learn to hate and despise
covetousness. "Quicken Thou me," in the 5th
and 8th verses of this canto bear the same meaning
as in Canto T.
"Turn thou away my reproach," means, Turn
away Thy reproach of me.
1
VAUF.
(1) 41 Let Thy mercies come also unto me, O Lord,
(2) even Thy salvation, according to Thy word. 42 So
shall I have wherewith to answer him that
(3) reproacheth me: for I trust in Thy word. 43 And
take not the word of truth utterly out of my mouth;
(4) for I have hoped in Thy judgments. 44 So shall I
(5) keep Thy law continually for ever and ever. 45 And
(6) I will walk at liberty: for I seek Thy precepts. 46
I will speak of Thy testimonies also before kings,
(7) and will not be ashamed. 47 And I will delight
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? THE CHILDREN'S PSALM-BOOK
Vjrjjj n#K 39 ^^T. 1? n|>K: e>s. cxtx.
Tipsh *naxn man 40 :^aiD sptjsj^? *a
J av| ? : ? :j- t ? ? n i * mv t: ~ %
This elliptical possessive form, which will not ? Kote on D
always bear literal translation, is often used in
Hebrew. Thus in the last verse but one of Canto X
the phrase translated, "when I shall have learned
Thy righteous judgments," is literally, "in my
learning the judgments of Thy righteousness.
"
Similarly, the literal translation of the end of
the Second Commandment is as follows :--
"Upon the third and fourth generations of My
haters, and showing mercy unto thousands of My
lovers and the keepers of My commandments. "
English Bible translation :--
"Upon the third and fourth generations of them
that hate Me, and showing mercy unto thousands of
them that love Me and keep My commandments. "
1
-Ski 43 , *nana *nn&i-^a nan wi naWKi 42
-: |lvt : * ? :- t F at t j" I i jvt;tv:
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? THE CHILDREN'S PSALM-BOOK
IDs. CXIX. myself in Thy commandments, which I have loved.
(8) 48 My hands also will I lift up unto Thy command-
ments, which I have loved: and I will meditate in
Thy statutes.
IHlote on 1 In Canto Vauf (1) the Psalmist prays for help
from God, and for power to tell and show to others
the strength and comfort of knowing and obeying
the commandments of God.
The second verse, of which the literal meaning is,
>>
ZAIN.
(1) 49 Remember the word unto Thy servant, upon
(2) which Thou hast caused me to hope. 50 This is
my comfort in my affliction: for Thy word hath
(3) quickened me. 51 The proud have had me greatly
in derision: yet have I not declined from Thy law.
(4) 52 I remembered Thy judgments of old, O Lord;
(5) and have comforted myself. 53 Horror hath taken
hold upon me because of the wicked that forsake
(6) Thy law. 54 Thy statutes have been my songs in
(7) the house of my pilgrimage. 55 I have remembered
Thy name, O Lord, in the night, and have kept Thy
(8) law. 56 This I had, because I kept Thy precepts.
n
CHETH.
(1) 57 Thou art my portion, O Lord: I have said
(2) that I would keep Thy words. 58 I intreated Thy
favour with my whole heart: be merciful unto me
(3) according to Thy word. 59 I thought on my ways,
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? THE CHILDREN'S PSALM-BOOK
new TnixtrSx *w wtti & pmak newps. cxix.
jv | v ; *t v -- <t v: ? :itt jv **:
j vena nrvew
|v ? . : t t: ? :t t
"and I shall answer my reproacher's word, for I 'Mote on i
have trusted in Thy word," is another example of
the possessive form we noticed in Cantos N and it,
which gives an epigrammatic turn to the verse,
irreducible to English idiom.
t
nxi 5o :oW? rv new n*y mifr nrrnpj 49
whr\ dht 51 j*3n>>n mbx *a *nona
? ? v: *"i ? :t ? j| : it: ? i* a* : t: j* t viv
T&Sete vnaFra :*? vjm xn vrrtna nxa-ny
I iv t: ? ? ;^-t ? i' t j I: it ? a;
DWgha WrnM nsyni 53 . Dmnto nirv 1 Dniya
a*" 51" ? : ~t --,i jtt ; ? it v : vit t: jt *t"
:*rui? rvM nno|54 :nnnin
fnrrhfi maewi rrin* *pe> rb'bz 'trot 55
liv t 1 t: : v t at: j|: ? t. '~~ ':*-t
p? vtm sinpfi *a *1rnrvn 56
? :itt I jv|; ? P t : it
n
*n^n 58 , flni^i nbe6 wtbn nin* *pbn 57
? ? I ivt . :? ? :- t 't: |i*: v
$nn 59 :^nntjnJ? *jan ^>-h^ 'fos
? -. at : - : ? :? : -i I iv ? ? -: - t j? tit
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? THE CHILDREN'S PSALM-BOOK
ps. CXIX.
(4) and turned my feet unto Thy testimonies. 60 I
made haste, and delayed not to keep Thy command-
(5) ments. 61 The bands of the wicked have robbed
(6) me: but I have not forgotten Thy law. 62 At mid-
night I will rise to give thanks unto Thee because of
(7) Thy righteous judgments. 63 I am a companion of
all them that fear Thee, and of them that keep Thy
(8) precepts. 64 The earth, O Lord, is full of Thy
mercy: teach me Thy statutes.
a
TETH.
(1) 65 Thou hast dealt well with Thy servant, O
(2) Lord, according unto Thy word. 66 Teach me
good judgment and knowledge: for I have believed
(3) Thy commandments. 67 Before I was afflicted I
(4) went astray: but now have I kept Thy word. 68
Thou art good, and doest good; teach me Thy
(5) statutes. 69 The proud have forged a lie against
me: but I will keep Thy precepts with my whole
(6) heart. 70 Their heart is as fat as grease; but I
(7) delight in Thy law. 71 It is good for me that I
have been afflicted; that I might learn Thy statutes.
(8) 72 The law of Thy mouth is better unto me than
thousands of gold and silver.
>
JOD.
(1) 73 Thy hands have made me and fashioned me:
give me understanding, that I may learn Thy com-
(2) mand ments. 74 They that fear Thee will be glad
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? THE CHILDREN'S PSALM-BOOK
*TM u^h ^an 61 ,sp? fof9 te. cx1x.
"? y 'n1? nninS am rbb nixn 62 . *nrD0 k1?
- Iat ^: I t j. t : - ? :it t j
B
ni& 66 :spans nin; jfwuup nw atop 65
Dne 67 :*? n30Mn Tnixaa *a ^nan nrn Dye
vjv ? ;itv:iv I -v : ? : i* w : - -j-t = j-
eg TMS a*9? i nnx
aSna 70 . Y^j5s "1% 1 ^rSaa D^n
h-y\(R) 71 . wfcsw nnnin Dan
:tpM ant
|Vit t /II
1
ivrmh monxi wan waton tt 73
:*nnrv "? pann *a ^nofc^ ^^n* w 74
22. 3
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? THE CHILDREN'S PSALM-BOOK
]ps. CXIX. when they see me; because I have hoped in Thy
(3) word. 75 I know, O Lord, that Thy judgments
are right, and that Thou in faithfulness hast afflicted
(4) me. 76 Let, I pray thee, Thy merciful kindness be
for my comfort, according to Thy word unto Thy
(5) servant. 77 Let Thy tender mercies come unto me,
(6) that I may live: for Thy law is my delight. 78 Let
the proud be ashamed; for they dealt perversely
with me without a cause: but I will meditate in Thy
(7) precepts. 79 Let those that fear Thee turn unto
me, and those that have known Thy testimonies.
(8) 80 Let my heart be sound in Thy statutes; that I
be not ashamed.
3
CAPH.
(1) 81 My soul fainteth for Thy salvation: but I hope
(2) in Thy word. 82 Mine eyes fail for Thy word,
(3) saying, When wilt Thou comfort me? 83 For I
am become like a bottle in the smoke; yet do I not
(4) forget Thy statutes. 84 How many are the days of
Thy servant? when wilt Thou execute judgment on
(5) them that persecute me? 85 The proud have
digged pits for me, which are not after Thy law.
(6) 86 All Thy commandments are faithful: they
(7) persecute me wrongfully; help Thou me. 87 They
had almost consumed me upon earth; but I forsook
(8) not Thy precepts. 88 Quicken me after Thy loving-
kindness; so shall I keep the testimony of Thy
mouth.
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? THE CHILDREN'S PSALM-BOOK
n^DKi' pEP? nin* *nyT 75ps. cxix.
j^. ? ^ jITO^I jHW Kjrn; 76
: $b$j# jjrnin *3 rvm\ spjjrp 77
jcnx t6 pgfp TIP"? D'? C
j t ? J it- ') :it :? a- := j| ;it :? jt :it
Iav:~ i". it -- ? ;it t j '! *? **? is I ? : j ?
nirre> dht ^-ro 85 :t33#b *fiTn n^n *05
n>> ^niya-Si 8e :Tjnnin? n1? n^x
-t6 *3w ^3 tayaa 87 . vjntj;
: tj^js nny nT&^'to jptpn:) 88 :^nps tow
225 g
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? THE CHILDREN'S PSALM-BOOK
mote on Cantos Zain (t), Cheth in), Teth (2), Jod C), and
3, JO n I Caph O), are the meditations of one who is starting
on his career determined to obey God's laws through
all trials and difficulties. When troubles gather thick
around him, he learns to understand that affliction
stimulates our consciousness of the Power above and
beyond us, and strengthens our faith in God. "It
is good for me that I have been afflicted that I might
learn Thy statutes. "
b
LAMED.
(1) 89 For ever, O Lord, Thy word is settled in
(2) heaven, 9o Thy faithfulness is unto all generations:
Thou hast established the earth, and it abideth.
(3) 91 They continue this day according to Thine
(4) ordinances: for all are Thy servants. 92 Unless
Thy law had been my delights, I should then have
(5) perished in mine affliction. 93 I will never forget
Thy precepts: for with them Thou hast quickened
(6) me. 94 I am Thine, save me; for I have sought
(7) Thy precepts. 95 The wicked have waited for me
to destroy me: but I will consider Thy testimonies.