Psalm 119 is unique because it is an acrostic, structured in 22 stanzas, each corresponding to one of the 22 letters of the Hebrew alphabet. Every line in a stanza begins with the same Hebrew letter, making it memorable and designed for recitation and memorization.
Psalm 119 uses eight different terms to refer to God's Word, such as 'instruction,' 'precept,' 'statute,' and 'command.' This repetition emphasizes the centrality of God's Word in the believer's life and draws attention to its multifaceted nature, reflecting its importance and relevance.
Psalm 119 repeatedly emphasizes the Word of God, which is embodied in Jesus Christ, as stated in John 1:1 ('the Word became flesh'). The psalm's focus on God's Word draws believers to meditate on Christ's person, work, and character, deepening their understanding of His role in salvation.
Kristie suggests memorizing one verse a day by listening to it repeatedly, writing it out, and reciting it at least 10 times. She recommends emphasizing different words each time and building on prior memorized verses. Additionally, she highlights the importance of meditation and using small blocks of time throughout the day for practice.
Psalm 119 allows believers to express their full emotional range, including joy, sorrow, lament, and confidence. It encourages leaning into these emotions while meditating on God's Word, providing comfort and guidance through every season of life.
The acrostic structure of Psalm 119, with each stanza corresponding to a Hebrew letter, was designed to aid memorization and recitation. It serves as a verbal and auditory cue, helping believers internalize and meditate on God's Word more effectively.
**For the first week of our Psalm 119 series, Raechel and Amanda chat with author, Bible teacher, and lover of God’s Word, Kristie Anyabwile. The three have a “Psalm 119 party” as they discuss the structure and themes of this unique psalm and what it means to truly delight in God’s Word. Kristie also offers some great tips for Scripture memorization and provides us with the encouragement we need to start memorizing verses—or even whole books of the Bible! The three women consistently come back to one theme: God’s Word is for God’s people, and we are meant to delight in it. **
**Read with Us: **
**This episode corresponds to Week 1 of the She Reads Truth Psalm 119: We Delight in Your Word reading plan found on the She Reads Truth app) and **SheReadsTruth.com)
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**Show notes can be found at **shereadstruth.com/podcast/psalm-119-week-1-with-kristie-anyabwile/)