Today, we turn our focus to the 119th Psalm, a passage that many of you may already know. Yet, the unique inspiration and creativity embedded in its composition and presentation often go unnoticed. This exposition aims to shed light on these aspects, enriching our understanding and appreciation of this remarkable Psalm. Let's delve deeper into its profound layers of meaning together.
For an example:
David used the Hebrew Alphabets to layout and introduce the stanza. In the 119th Chapter of Psalms, he started off with the word "ALEPH" This is the first letter of the Hebrew alphabet, which is ascribed to God.
In this Psalms, Aleph is used to represent God, the creator and sustainer of all things. It is also used to represent the psalmist's devotion to God and his desire to follow God's law. Consequently, when we are drawn to the Lord, as our Creator He is our sustainer of all things. Herein lies our devotion to Him.
It gets more interesting.
In the Hebrew Alphabets, each letter represents a picture in the way it is written. Aleph looks like that of an ox, which signifies strength.
Thus, wrote the apostle Paul. I can do all things, but “through Christ” who strength me.
Furthermore, Aleph being the first letter of the Hebrew alphabet, represents the beginning.
As we read the 119th Psalms (This week) May it be a new beginning, renewing of from our old past, wherewith we find oneness with our Lord.
Interestingly, the last letter in the Hebrew alphabet is Taw or sometimes written as Tav. The physical picture of this last letter is the picture of the Cross.
As Christ hung on the Cross, His last words were “It is finished.”
When Aleph and Tav are combined, it gets interesting yet again. Thus, Jesus refers to Himself as the Alpha and the Omega, as in the beginning and the end.
Again, it gets more interesting:
You cannot separate Christ from the Cross. Remember Tav is the last alphabet which is the picture of the Cross. And the first is Aleph.
Even after Christ completed all of His work and was seen by John the beloved, how did Christ identify Himself?
“I am the first (Aleph)
“I am the last (Tav)
It gets interesting, yet again.
The apostle Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 1:18:
For the preaching of the Cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.
That is to say, for the word of the Cross seems foolish to those who are on the way to destruction; but to us who are on the way to salvation it is the power of God.
It is also said, David used this method of placing the Hebrew Alphabets at the beginning of these stanza to teach his son, the young Solomon to read and familiarize himself with the alphabets as a young child. The beginning of his closeness with God. Hence, his great wisdom he obtains in his latter years.
