Show Don't Tell: Psalm 119:1-8 (Aleph)

Instead of saying "The righteous follow God's law," walk the path. The longest psalm—176 verses, 22 stanzas, each stanza 8 verses, each line in a stanza starting with the same Hebrew letter. Aleph begins: "Blessed are those whose ways are blameless, who walk according to the law of the LORD. Blessed are those who keep his statutes and seek him with all their heart—they do no wrong but follow his ways." Two beatitudes opening—blameless walking, whole-hearted seeking. "You have laid down precepts that are to be fully obeyed." Full obedience required. "Oh, that my ways were steadfast in obeying your decrees! Then I would not be put to shame when I consider all your commands." Shame from inconsistency. "I will praise you with an upright heart as I learn your righteous laws. I will obey your decrees; do not utterly forsake me." The plea—don't forsake while I learn. Eight words for God's revelation rotate through this psalm: law, statutes, precepts, decrees, commands, word, promise, ordinances.