Intro: Beth is the second letter of the Hebrew alphabet and therefore the first letter of each verse in the second eight-verse stanza of Psalm 119, the massive acrostic poem which details the glories of the Scriptures. Each verse refers to God’s laws, commands, precepts, words, and such.
While I have taken liberties in my rendering of this portion of Psalm 119, I have tried to be faithful to its poetic structure, starting each verse with a B word.
Psalm 119:9-16
Be honest:
Is it even possible
For a young person to stay pure these days?
Absolutely!
If they will shape their lives by God’s words.
Bending like a tree to the sun,
My heart strains after you.
Keep me from leaning away
From your commands.
Buried deep in my soul
Is my greatest treasure —
Your Word —
Keeping me from a bankrupt
Sin life.
Bursting fireworks of praise
Boom out your Name
As you teach me the joy
Of following your commands.
Be on my lips,
You laws which come from
God’s lips.
Bubbling over
With joy
Like a lottery winner,
I have struck it rich
With your statutes.
Breathing in the subtle scents
Of your precepts,
I savor the fragrant aroma
Of your ways.
Bouncing on the tips of my toes,
Filled with delight
That you would speak to me,
I make sure I don’t miss
A single word.