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.
help to right conduct that comes of obedience to
God's laws, and it ends with a protestation and a
2
BETH.
Childrens - Psalm-Book
rpp
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? THE CHILDREN'S PSALM-BOOK
CXVIII. mercy endureth for ever. 4 Let them now that fear
the Lord say, that His mercy endureth for ever.
5 I called upon the Lord in distress: the Lord
answered me, and set me in a large place. 6 The
Lord is on my side; I will not fear: what can
man do unto me? 7 The Lord taketh my part
with them that help me: therefore shall I see my
desire upon them that hate me.
[Chorus. ) 8 It is better to trust in the Lord
than to put confidence in man. 9 It is better to
trust in the Lord than to put confidence in princes.
10 All nations compassed me about: but in the
name of the Lord will I destroy them. 11 They
compassed me about; yea, they compassed me
about: but in the name of the Lord I will destroy
them. 12 They compassed me about like bees; they
are quenched as the fire of thorns: for in the name of
the Lord I will destroy them. 13 Thou hast thrust
sore at me that I might fall: but the Lord helped
me. 14 The Lord is my strength and song, and is
become my salvation.
[Chorus. ) 15 The voice of rejoicing and salvation
is in the tabernacles of the righteous: the right hand
of the Lord doeth valiantly. 16 The right hand
of the Lord is exalted: the right hand of the Lord
doeth valiantly.
17 I shall not die, but live, and declare the works
of the Lord. 18 The Lord hath chastened me
sore: but he hath not given me over unto death.
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? THE CHILDREN'S PSALM-BOOK
thuh >s nirr mtibk* 4 . non oSiyS *a cxvm.
jt : i? at ; j- :? t :i i : - jt ': f
rrtm 7 :dik ^ nfejE-ntp nn*x ^ nirv 6
jt; Itt j' V "I" - at ? j '1 jt:
nionS aia 8 :wjfea nxnx 0x1 nr'ya *S
'-:p |t : i: at:"i: n
nibaa rrtrva nionS nib 9 :Dnxa nibaa nirva
-- ;? ax p * -:i- Ittit - :* at i_
: dS? ox *a nisr n&z ^aao trir^a 10 :D*anja
*a<<D 12 :tfroK *a nirv Dtfa ^aairtu ^ao"
? <= - i- ? ~: j' t: ? ? a t: ? *-
:D^tox *a rrtrfr Dtra onrip etea ttift onan3
r ? -: j- t: /**: a- | j? ? : i :?
man *w 1* :*jnra ninn SbaS *3rvrn n? m 13
jt : ? : t ? |tt~: jt i- a:* -j- ? : j t
*Snxa ntoeh nh 1 Sip << :nw'*S *'fwi ,t
'? ? t:it: t r t ? |< it i>> ? at
nin; pa* w' :Sjn npfe nirv pa; D'fjnx
-*a niax-xS 17 :Vn nb'y nin; pa* naain
'r i -it t n t: I j-: at ? ? i
niaSi n' *,w nb* i8 :n* wa nbdx'i irriN
vt-: at -j-: j- it '**? ? --:i- w :'v
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? THE CHILDREN'S PSALM-BOOK
p8. CXVIII. ig Open to me the gates of righteousness; I will
go into them, and I will praise the Lord:
{Chorus. ) 20 This is the gate of the Lord, into
which the righteous shall enter.
21 I will praise Thee: for Thou hast heard me,
and art become my salvation.
{Chorus. ) 22 The stone which the builders
refused is become the head stone of the corner.
23 This is the Lord's doing; it is marvellous in
our eyes. 34 This is the day which the Lord hath
made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.
25 Save now, I beseech Thee, O Lord: O
Lord, I beseech Thee, send now prosperity.
{Chorus. ) 26 Blessed be he that cometh in the
name of the Lord: we have blessed you out of the
house of the Lord. 27 God is the Lord, which
hath showed us light: bind the sacrifice with cords,
even unto the horns of the altar.
28 Thou art my God, and I will praise Thee:
Thou art my God, I will exalt Thee.
{Chorus. ) 29 O give thanks unto the Lord; for
He is good: for His mercy endureth for ever.
flote on This is the last Psalm of the Service of Songs
ps. CXVIII. called the Hallel, and seems to gather up the
threads of them all.
The chorus verses of Psalm cxv. (verses 9, 10, 11,)
are echoed and emphasized in the opening chorus of
Psalm cxviii. (verses 1, 2, 3, 4).
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? THE CHILDREN'S PSALM-BOOK
miM DK-ttaN pvtr*0 'Wins 19 :*jjn3 p>>. cxvih.
D^an iDxa px 22 . nyie>>S *1pnni way *a
a* - j -;i t I v vi 1 t 1 ? ? ? : ? at * '*
nrvn nirv nso 23 :nas nrvn
i- a t;'t t ;i j" ** it* t;it
nnaboi nb*jfl nin* n^y Dvn-nr 24 nwa nxSsti
jt; : ? : t i* t at: jt t 1 iv t" ? ? : jt : ?
nV* nak rwin rrirv Nax 25 :p
t: 'ti t at t j? t ;i -ti t l
Dauana nin* db>a xan ^ina 26 . ^j nn^xn
: "J" at; \ t -1 I jt It It ? : -
D'naya jrrro* rtov 1 27 :nvv mao
a* '~ :? jt vvr t; j" it; ?
nnx ^ 28 :na. ti3n rrtihj? iv
:npn DSiy1? *| aiD-'? nirvS vfin 29 :t^aiix
Then as in Psalm cxvi. the poet pours out the mote on
inmost feelings of his own soul. Each time that (C)s. CXVIII-
he recounts how, in all woe and trouble, he has ever
been strengthened and comforted by his trust in
God, the chorus takes up his thought and repeats it
with every-varying imagery.
209
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? THE CHILDREN'S PSALM-BOOK
Mote on Those who have passed through dark times of
CXVI1I. misery to renewed happiness know the feeling that
inspires the song of hope and thanksgiving in verses
17, 18, and 19. The thought that to try and do right
is the true way to offer praise to God (expressed in
the 117th Psalm) is reiterated in the imagery of the
19th and 20th verses of the 118th Psalm.
The 22nd verse is a prophetic utterance of a pro-
found historic truth, and breathes that spirit of un-
daunted sturdy faith which has preserved Judaism
throughout the ages, while many great Empires have
risen, fallen, and become obliterated. It is also a
message of encouragement to us all. If we do our
work in life faithfully and to the best of our power,
however small the result of our labours--however
much all our efforts may seem to have been made in
PSALM CXIX.
^cxix" PsALM cxix. , the longest of all the Psalms, is
>8. CXIX. another alphabetic poem. * It is divided into twenty-
two cantos, each containing eight verses beginning
with the same letter, and the initial letters of the
successive cantos follow the order of the alphabet.
Thus the eight verses of the first canto begin with
Aleph, N; the eight verses of the second canto with
Beth, 2; and so on.
There is a certain literary ingenuity, a knack of
playing with words that all poets possess. It finds
expression in rhymes, imitative harmony, alliteration
* The alphabetic Psalms are the 25th, 34th and 145th, of
which each verse begins with the successive letters of the
alphabet in their alphabetical order; the 37th, every alternate
verse of which begins with the letters in alphabetical order,
the 111th and 112th, of which every half verse begins with
the successive letters in alphabetical order, and the 119th Psalm.
2IO
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? THE CHILDREN'S PSALM-BOOK
vain--we may comfort ourselves with the thought that mote on
God knows and accepts the offering of our honest toil. 1P8. CXVIII.
The idea of the 22nd verse is the topic of many great
literary masterpieces--not the least beautiful of which
is Hans Andersen's tale of the " Ugly Duckling. "
This Psalm was probably meant to be sung by a
procession of priests while ascending the steps of the
Temple. As they came near the door of the Temple
they sang verse 20. The huge blocks of unhewn
stone of which the Temple was built (one can yet
see them among the ruins of the Temple in Jerusalem)
lent a double meaning to verse 22. The prayer of
verse 25 is answered from within the Temple by the
impressive blessing of verse 26, and the Psalm ends
with a repetition of the familiar opening verse, the
keynote of so many beautiful Psalms.
cxix. taip
and other "jeux d'esprit " among the western poets, mote on
Southey's " Cataract of Lodore " is one of the best IPs. CXIX.
English examples of this playful exercise of literary
aptitude. Shakespear sometimes winds up a passage
in blank verse with a pithy set of rhymes. * But
rhyming was probably an unknown art to the
Psalmists, and, indeed, Hebrew does not lend itself
very well to rhyme. Though the later Hebrew
poets made use cf it, the early Hebrew poets, the
authors of the Psalms, used their literary ingenuity
in other ways, such as making alphabetical poems
like these Psalms.
Perhaps the alphabetic form was also used as a
help to memory. It is difficult now to realize that
* For example, Henry IV. . Act i. , Sc. 3: Merchant of Venice,
Act iii. , 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.
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? THE CHILDREN'S PSALM-BOOK
CXVIII. mercy endureth for ever. 4 Let them now that fear
the Lord say, that His mercy endureth for ever.
5 I called upon the Lord in distress: the Lord
answered me, and set me in a large place. 6 The
Lord is on my side; I will not fear: what can
man do unto me? 7 The Lord taketh my part
with them that help me: therefore shall I see my
desire upon them that hate me.
[Chorus. ) 8 It is better to trust in the Lord
than to put confidence in man. 9 It is better to
trust in the Lord than to put confidence in princes.
10 All nations compassed me about: but in the
name of the Lord will I destroy them. 11 They
compassed me about; yea, they compassed me
about: but in the name of the Lord I will destroy
them. 12 They compassed me about like bees; they
are quenched as the fire of thorns: for in the name of
the Lord I will destroy them. 13 Thou hast thrust
sore at me that I might fall: but the Lord helped
me. 14 The Lord is my strength and song, and is
become my salvation.
[Chorus. ) 15 The voice of rejoicing and salvation
is in the tabernacles of the righteous: the right hand
of the Lord doeth valiantly. 16 The right hand
of the Lord is exalted: the right hand of the Lord
doeth valiantly.
17 I shall not die, but live, and declare the works
of the Lord. 18 The Lord hath chastened me
sore: but he hath not given me over unto death.
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? THE CHILDREN'S PSALM-BOOK
thuh >s nirr mtibk* 4 . non oSiyS *a cxvm.
jt : i? at ; j- :? t :i i : - jt ': f
rrtm 7 :dik ^ nfejE-ntp nn*x ^ nirv 6
jt; Itt j' V "I" - at ? j '1 jt:
nionS aia 8 :wjfea nxnx 0x1 nr'ya *S
'-:p |t : i: at:"i: n
nibaa rrtrva nionS nib 9 :Dnxa nibaa nirva
-- ;? ax p * -:i- Ittit - :* at i_
: dS? ox *a nisr n&z ^aao trir^a 10 :D*anja
*a<<D 12 :tfroK *a nirv Dtfa ^aairtu ^ao"
? <= - i- ? ~: j' t: ? ? a t: ? *-
:D^tox *a rrtrfr Dtra onrip etea ttift onan3
r ? -: j- t: /**: a- | j? ? : i :?
man *w 1* :*jnra ninn SbaS *3rvrn n? m 13
jt : ? : t ? |tt~: jt i- a:* -j- ? : j t
*Snxa ntoeh nh 1 Sip << :nw'*S *'fwi ,t
'? ? t:it: t r t ? |< it i>> ? at
nin; pa* w' :Sjn npfe nirv pa; D'fjnx
-*a niax-xS 17 :Vn nb'y nin; pa* naain
'r i -it t n t: I j-: at ? ? i
niaSi n' *,w nb* i8 :n* wa nbdx'i irriN
vt-: at -j-: j- it '**? ? --:i- w :'v
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? THE CHILDREN'S PSALM-BOOK
p8. CXVIII. ig Open to me the gates of righteousness; I will
go into them, and I will praise the Lord:
{Chorus. ) 20 This is the gate of the Lord, into
which the righteous shall enter.
21 I will praise Thee: for Thou hast heard me,
and art become my salvation.
{Chorus. ) 22 The stone which the builders
refused is become the head stone of the corner.
23 This is the Lord's doing; it is marvellous in
our eyes. 34 This is the day which the Lord hath
made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.
25 Save now, I beseech Thee, O Lord: O
Lord, I beseech Thee, send now prosperity.
{Chorus. ) 26 Blessed be he that cometh in the
name of the Lord: we have blessed you out of the
house of the Lord. 27 God is the Lord, which
hath showed us light: bind the sacrifice with cords,
even unto the horns of the altar.
28 Thou art my God, and I will praise Thee:
Thou art my God, I will exalt Thee.
{Chorus. ) 29 O give thanks unto the Lord; for
He is good: for His mercy endureth for ever.
flote on This is the last Psalm of the Service of Songs
ps. CXVIII. called the Hallel, and seems to gather up the
threads of them all.
The chorus verses of Psalm cxv. (verses 9, 10, 11,)
are echoed and emphasized in the opening chorus of
Psalm cxviii. (verses 1, 2, 3, 4).
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? THE CHILDREN'S PSALM-BOOK
miM DK-ttaN pvtr*0 'Wins 19 :*jjn3 p>>. cxvih.
D^an iDxa px 22 . nyie>>S *1pnni way *a
a* - j -;i t I v vi 1 t 1 ? ? ? : ? at * '*
nrvn nirv nso 23 :nas nrvn
i- a t;'t t ;i j" ** it* t;it
nnaboi nb*jfl nin* n^y Dvn-nr 24 nwa nxSsti
jt; : ? : t i* t at: jt t 1 iv t" ? ? : jt : ?
nV* nak rwin rrirv Nax 25 :p
t: 'ti t at t j? t ;i -ti t l
Dauana nin* db>a xan ^ina 26 . ^j nn^xn
: "J" at; \ t -1 I jt It It ? : -
D'naya jrrro* rtov 1 27 :nvv mao
a* '~ :? jt vvr t; j" it; ?
nnx ^ 28 :na. ti3n rrtihj? iv
:npn DSiy1? *| aiD-'? nirvS vfin 29 :t^aiix
Then as in Psalm cxvi. the poet pours out the mote on
inmost feelings of his own soul. Each time that (C)s. CXVIII-
he recounts how, in all woe and trouble, he has ever
been strengthened and comforted by his trust in
God, the chorus takes up his thought and repeats it
with every-varying imagery.
209
P
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? THE CHILDREN'S PSALM-BOOK
Mote on Those who have passed through dark times of
CXVI1I. misery to renewed happiness know the feeling that
inspires the song of hope and thanksgiving in verses
17, 18, and 19. The thought that to try and do right
is the true way to offer praise to God (expressed in
the 117th Psalm) is reiterated in the imagery of the
19th and 20th verses of the 118th Psalm.
The 22nd verse is a prophetic utterance of a pro-
found historic truth, and breathes that spirit of un-
daunted sturdy faith which has preserved Judaism
throughout the ages, while many great Empires have
risen, fallen, and become obliterated. It is also a
message of encouragement to us all. If we do our
work in life faithfully and to the best of our power,
however small the result of our labours--however
much all our efforts may seem to have been made in
PSALM CXIX.
^cxix" PsALM cxix. , the longest of all the Psalms, is
>8. CXIX. another alphabetic poem. * It is divided into twenty-
two cantos, each containing eight verses beginning
with the same letter, and the initial letters of the
successive cantos follow the order of the alphabet.
Thus the eight verses of the first canto begin with
Aleph, N; the eight verses of the second canto with
Beth, 2; and so on.
There is a certain literary ingenuity, a knack of
playing with words that all poets possess. It finds
expression in rhymes, imitative harmony, alliteration
* The alphabetic Psalms are the 25th, 34th and 145th, of
which each verse begins with the successive letters of the
alphabet in their alphabetical order; the 37th, every alternate
verse of which begins with the letters in alphabetical order,
the 111th and 112th, of which every half verse begins with
the successive letters in alphabetical order, and the 119th Psalm.
2IO
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? THE CHILDREN'S PSALM-BOOK
vain--we may comfort ourselves with the thought that mote on
God knows and accepts the offering of our honest toil. 1P8. CXVIII.
The idea of the 22nd verse is the topic of many great
literary masterpieces--not the least beautiful of which
is Hans Andersen's tale of the " Ugly Duckling. "
This Psalm was probably meant to be sung by a
procession of priests while ascending the steps of the
Temple. As they came near the door of the Temple
they sang verse 20. The huge blocks of unhewn
stone of which the Temple was built (one can yet
see them among the ruins of the Temple in Jerusalem)
lent a double meaning to verse 22. The prayer of
verse 25 is answered from within the Temple by the
impressive blessing of verse 26, and the Psalm ends
with a repetition of the familiar opening verse, the
keynote of so many beautiful Psalms.
cxix. taip
and other "jeux d'esprit " among the western poets, mote on
Southey's " Cataract of Lodore " is one of the best IPs. CXIX.
English examples of this playful exercise of literary
aptitude. Shakespear sometimes winds up a passage
in blank verse with a pithy set of rhymes. * But
rhyming was probably an unknown art to the
Psalmists, and, indeed, Hebrew does not lend itself
very well to rhyme. Though the later Hebrew
poets made use cf it, the early Hebrew poets, the
authors of the Psalms, used their literary ingenuity
in other ways, such as making alphabetical poems
like these Psalms.
Perhaps the alphabetic form was also used as a
help to memory. It is difficult now to realize that
* For example, Henry IV. . Act i. , Sc. 3: Merchant of Venice,
Act iii. , 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.
