PSALM 119:129-136. Block Pe.
Psalm 119 is an alphabetic psalm – arranged according to the
Hebrew alphabet. 176 verses are divided into 22 blocks (following the flow of
the alphabet) 8 verses each. So, in verses 1-8 – all verses begin with the letter
alef or aleph. Then each verse in 9-16 block begins with beth, and so on…
Unfortunately, it is nearly impossible to translate this beauty into English
(or any other language for this matter). The prime reason – we have different
alphabets, and then – it is hard to line up the words with a particular meaning
which will begin with a certain letter.
Now, going into out set of verses (used for the 15th
Sunday after Pentecost, year B):
This block exhibits many interesting features. I will point
out only two of them. First, 8 lines as usual, and each line begins with a word
that starts with the letter Pe. But there are two more words that begin with the
same letter – simple (v. 130) and precepts (v. 134). Total 10 words – like 10
Words or 10 commandments. No wonder the last word of this block is Torah.
