July 12, 2013

The Law of Freedom

If you ask me, Psalm 119 is one of the most unexpected passages in all of literature. Here we have an exquisite Hebrew poem: every word building on the next, every syllable intentional, every part coming together to make a beautiful whole. And the thread that runs throughout, the theme that ties it all together is … the law.

I’ll admit I’m a very mediocre poet, but even I know that rules, commandments, and the like make for poor poetic subjects. Could anything be less interesting? And yet, the Psalmist brings the full weight of his poetic gift in celebration of Yahweh’s law. He loves it, rejoices in it, studies it, clings to it for dear life. Why?