Commonplace –
“I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek thy servant; for I do not forget thy commandments” (Psalm 119:176).
The last verse of Psalm 199 begins with repentance and confession; David acknowledges his choices have led him astray. He then turns to God and asks God to come to him, because he remembers God’s commandments. While in folly David rushed into sin, his conscience serves him in good stead and reminds him of truth and goodness, calling him to repentance and a return to goodness. Again, David’s words reflect the title of the section. “The word TAV means ‘impression’ or ‘mark’” (“Tav”). God’s commandments have left an indelible impression on David. While he may ignore them in moments of weakness, they never leave him. “Thus he concludes the psalm with a penitent sense of his own sin and a believing dependence on God’s grace” (Henry 592).
Works Cited
Henry, Matthew. “Psalm 119.” Matthew Henry’s Commentary On the Whole Bible: New Modern Edition. Volume 3, Hendrickson Publishers, Inc., March 1996.
Holy Bible: Giant Print with Study Aids. Dugan Publishers, Inc., 1984.
“Tav”. BJE: Your Jewish Journey. NSW Board of Jewish Education, https://bje.org.au/knowledge-centre/jewish-languages/hebrew-alphabet/bet/ , Accessed 27 May 2025.
© 2025 Angela Hormberg
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