angela hormberg

Tag: Psalm 119

  • Psalm 119:169-176

    Psalm 119:169-176

    Tav or Tau

    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

  • Psalm 119:Tau or Tav

    Psalm 119:Tau or Tav

    Part 22:Tau or Tav verses 169-176

    The twenty-second part is Tau or Tav, which is the twenty-second letter of the Hebrew alphabet.

    The following information is from the website BJE:Your Jewish Journey or Hebrew4Christians

    “As the final letter of the Hebrew alphabet, TAV is equal to the number four hundred and is symbolic of perfection.

    The word TAV means ‘impression’ or ‘mark’.

    TAV alludes to the three essential services of the soul: teshuvah (repentance), tefillah (prayer) and Torah (all three of these words in Hebrew begin with the letter TAV).

    TAV represents truth.

    The letter TAV begins the word tikkun (redemption). This refers to the concept of teshuvah (a returning to the Source for forgiveness)” (“Tav”).

    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

  • Psalm 119:161-168

    Psalm 119:161-168

    Schin, Shin or Sin

    Commonplace –

    “Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them” (119:165).

    In verse 165, David makes reference to the title of this section of Psalm 119 by mentioning peace. “The letter SHIN alludes to Shabbat, the seventh day of Creation. This day signifies total rest from the week of work and is filled with peace and tranquility” (“Shin”). When one has peace, they are not offended. David confesses his love for God’s law, which brings him peace. When David is reading or thinking or writing about God’s law, he is dwelling on God and rises above worldly concerns, experiencing peace. We, too, can achieve this peace, and, when we do, we experience God’s rest, which is what the seventh day of Creation was and is all about. It’s finding God’s peace in the world.

    Matthew Henry covers this very well in his commentary on verse 165.

    “Here is an account of the happiness of good men, who are governed by a principle of love to the word of God, who make it their rule and are ruled by it.

    1. They are easy, and have a holy serenity; none enjoy themselves more than they do: Great peace have those that love thy law, abundant satisfaction in doing their duty and pleasure in reflecting upon it. The work of righteousness is peace (Isa. 32:17), such peace as the world can neither give nor take away. They may be in great troubles without and yet enjoy great peace withing, sat lucis intus – abundance of internal light. Those that love the world have great vexation, for it does not answer their expectation; those that love God’s word have great peace, for it outdoes their expectation and in it they have sure footing.

    2. They are safe, and have a holy security: Nothing shall offend them; nothing shall be a scandal, snare, or stumbling-block, to them, to entangle them either in guilt or grief. No event of providence shall be either an invincible temptation or an intolerable affliction to them, but their love to the word of God shall enable them both to hold fast their integrity and to preserve their tranquility. They will make the best of that which is, and not quarrel with any thing that God does. Nothing shall offend or hurt them, for every thing shall work for good to them, and therefore shall please them, and they shall reconcile themselves to it. Those in whom this holy love reigns will not be apt to perplex themselves with needless scruples, nor to take offence at their brethren, 1 Cor. 13:6, 7″ (590).

    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.

    “Shin”. BJE: Your Jewish Journey. NSW Board of Jewish Education, https://bje.org.au/knowledge-centre/jewish-languages/hebrew-alphabet/bet/ , Accessed 2 Aug 2025.

    © 2025 Angela Hormberg

  • Psalm 119: Schin, Shin, or Sin

    Psalm 119: Schin, Shin, or Sin

    Part Number:21

    The twenty-first part is Schin, Shin, or Sin, which is the twenty-first letter of the Hebrew alphabet.

    The following information is from the website BJE:Your Jewish Journey :

    “The letter SHIN, being equivalent to the number three hundred in the Hebrew alphabet, and represents Divine power as it is the initial letter of two of the Names of God.

    Shaddai, one of the names of God, begins with the letter SHIN. The word Shaddai is usually translated into English as ‘Almighty’.

    The SHIN appears on tefillin in two forms: on the left side of the one worn on the head, the letter is embossed with four splays, while on the right side of the one used for the arm, the standard three-headed version of the letter is used. These two forms represent the two kinds of Divine wisdom: the revealed and the concealed.

    The letter SHIN alludes to Shabbat, the seventh day of Creation. This day signifies total rest from the week of work and is filled with peace and tranquility.

    The letter SHIN stands for shalom, denoting peace and perfection” (“Shin”).

    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.

    “Shin”. BJE: Your Jewish Journey. NSW Board of Jewish Education, https://bje.org.au/knowledge-centre/jewish-languages/hebrew-alphabet/bet/ , Accessed 2 Aug 2025.

    © 2025 Angela Hormberg

  • Psalm 119:153-160

    Psalm 119:153-160

    Resh

    Commonplace –

    “Thy word is true from the beginning; and everyone of thy righteous judgments endureth for ever” (Psalm 119:160).

    Resh is an interesting letter. Consider it’s meaning mentioned in the previous post: “It is symbolic of wickedness as well as higher consciousness” (“Resh”). Isn’t that where the battle for good and evil is constantly fought first? Within our own conscience, we must overcome wickedness and choose good every day. Throughout the verses of Psalm 119, David has been reaffirming over and over again his dedication to God, His commandments, and His Word. The path to worship, which David has made clear throughout this psalm, is that one must choose and constantly reaffirm the choice of good. Over and over again, he declares his love for God and His commandments; over and over again he declares he chooses God.

    In verse 119:155, David states, “Salvation is far from the wicked: for they seek not thy statutes”. He also mentions the word ‘quicken” three times: “quicken me according to thy word” (119:154), “quicken me according to the judgments” (119:156), “quicken me, O Lord, accroding to thy lovingkindness” (119:159).

    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.

    © 2025 Angela Hormberg

  • Psalm 119: Resh

    Psalm 119: Resh

    Part 20:Resh verses 153-160

    The twentieth part is Resh, which is the twentieth letter of the Hebrew alphabet.

    The following information is from the website BJE:Your Jewish Journey:

    “The letter RESH holds the value of two hundred in the numerological calculations of the Hebrew alphabet. It is symbolic of wickedness as well as higher consciousness.

    The letter RESH alludes to the word ‘rosh‘ (head). The head is the most significant of all the parts of the body. It is the source of intellect, reason and wisdom.

    The letter RESH symbolises a bowed head. This is said to depict the poor man (raash), in acknowledgment of his state of servitude.

    According to the Talmud (Oral Law), the letter RESH denotes the word rashah, meaning ‘a wicked person’” (“Resh”).

    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.

    “Resh”. BJE: Your Jewish Journey. NSW Board of Jewish Education, https://bje.org.au/knowledge-centre/jewish-languages/hebrew-alphabet/bet/ , Accessed 1 Aug 2025.

    © 2025 Angela Hormberg

  • Psalm 119:145-152

    Psalm 119:145-152

    Qof, Koph, Kuf, or Koof

    Commonplace –

    “I cried with my whole heart; hear me, O Lord: I will keep thy statutes.

    The mood of these eight verses is a somber one; the word cried is used three times throughout. David cries out: “I cried with my whole heart”, “I cried unto thee”, I prevented the dawning of the morning, and cried”.

    “Observe here… [t]hat [David] was inward with God in pryaer; he prayed with his heart, and prayer is acceptable no further than the heart goes along with it. Lip-labour, if that be all, is lost labour.

    He was importunate with God in prayer; he cried, as one in earnest, with fervour of affection and a holy vehemence and vigour of desire” (Henry 586).

    As Matthew Henry points out, David’s prayers emanated from his heart. He directs everything within him toward petitioning God.

    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.

    © 2025 Angela Hormberg

  • Psalm 119: Qof, Koph, Kuf, or Koof

    Psalm 119: Qof, Koph, Kuf, or Koof

    Part 19:Qof, Koph, Kuf, or Koof verses 145-152

    The 19th part is Qof or Koph or Kuf or Koof, which is the 19th letter of the Hebrew alphabet.

    The following information is from the website BJE:Your Jewish Journey:

    “The letter KOOF ק equals the number one hundred in the Hebrew alphabet, signifying the completion of living matter. It is said that at the age of one hundred a person returns to the dust from which they came.

    KOOF signifies kedushah (holiness). This particularly refers to the Holiness of God, which completely distinguishes the Divine from all else.

    The word korban (sacrifice) begins with the letter KOOF. This signifies the offerings made at the time of the Temple. The word comes from the root word karev (to come close), inferring that sacrifices were not only made to appease God, but to aspire towards a higher spiritual state.

    KOOF also stands for Kabbalat Shabbat (receiving of Shabbat).

    In Gematria (the numerological system of the Hebrew alphabet), the word KOOF equals 186, which is equivalent to the word makom (place), signifying Omnipresence.

    KOOF also means ‘monkey’, implying a false imitation of man. It is said that if a Jew strays too far from the service of God during his lifetime on earth, or becomes too vain, he will end his life as a monkey. The monkey symbolizes emptiness, the epitome of vanity. This is exemplified in the Torah by the building of the Tower of Babel. As punishment for their disobedience in building the Tower, God turned the people into apes and demons.

    As the nineteenth letter of the alphabet, KOOF refers to the nineteen-year cycle of the moon in relation to the sun, referring to the lunar calculation of the Hebrew calendar.

    Of all the letters of the Hebrew alphabet, KOOF is symbolically the lowest. Therefore, of the common letters of the alphabet, KOOF signifies the emulation of holiness on earth” (“Kuf”).

    Works Cited

    “Kuf”. BJE: Your Jewish Journey. NSW Board of Jewish Education, https://bje.org.au/knowledge-centre/jewish-languages/hebrew-alphabet/bet/ , Accessed 27 May 2025.

    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.

    © 2025 Angela Hormberg

  • Psalm 119:137-144

    Psalm 119:137-144

    Tzaddi, Tsade, or Tzade

    Commonplace –

    “The righteousness of thy testimonies is everlasting: give me understanding, and I shall live” (Psalm 119:144).

    Throughout these eight verses, David continuously refers to God’s righteousness, which is fitting, since Tsade means ‘righteousness’. David speaks of God’s upright judgments, righteous testimonies, and everlasting righteousness. David closes the eight verses by asking God to give him understanding, because he knows that understanding God’s testimonies, which are righteous, brings life.

    “[God’s] promises are founded forever, so that when heaven and earth shall have passed away every iota and tittle of the promise shall stand firm, 2 Cor.1:20. David had found it so, both by a work of God’s grace upon his heart (begetting in him a full persuasion of the truth of God’s word and enabling him to rely upon it with a full satisfaction) and by the works of his providence on his behalf, fulfilling the promise beyond what he expected. Thus he knew of old from the days of his youth, ever since he began to look towards God, that the word of God is what one may venture one’s all upon. This assurance was confirmed by the observations and experience of his own life all along, and of others that had gone before him in the ways of God. All that ever dealt with God, and trusted in him will own that they have found him faithful” (Henry 587).

    To reflect upon one’s life and note the hand of God in it, is a good thing. David’s recollection of all God did for him served him well, as it made him long to obey God, who had been so faithful and whose Word was so true throughout his life.

    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.

    © 2025 Angela Hormberg

  • Psalm 119: Tzaddi, Tsade, or Tzade

    Psalm 119: Tzaddi, Tsade, or Tzade

    Part 18:Tzaddi, Tsade, Tzade verses 137-144

    The eighteenth part is Tzaddi, Tsade, or Tzade, which is the eighteenth letter of the Hebrew alphabet.

    The following information is from the website BJE:Your Jewish Journey or Hebrew4Christians

    “TZADE means ‘righteous’ in Hebrew.

    Humans can also be referred to as TZADE. The term is applied to those who are completely devoted to the service of God.

    TZADE pertains to the word tzedakkah, translated as ‘charity’ but literally meaning ‘righteousness’. The giving of charity is among the most important of commandments in Judaism.

    The letter TZADE emphasises the significance of humility and loyalty in Judaism” (“Tzade”).

    Adding to that, Hebrew4Christians notes, “the tzaddik is said to reflect the divine image (b’tzselem elohim) when he or she lives in humility and dependence upon Him for the ability to live in trusting obedience to His will”.

    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.

    “Tsade”. Hebrew4Christians.org. John J. Parsons. https://www.hebrew4christians.com/Grammar/Unit_One/Aleph-Bet/Tsade/tsade.html, Accessed 23 July 2025.

    “Tzade”. BJE: Your Jewish Journey. NSW Board of Jewish Education, https://bje.org.au/knowledge-centre/jewish-languages/hebrew-alphabet/tzade/, Accessed 23 July 2025.

    © 2025 Angela Hormberg