Some years ago, I spent several days on retreat at St Deiniol's Library and Psalm 119 was the main focus of study, prayer, and journal writing. I also set myself an essay, written for no reason other than writing for me is a way of thinking out and thinking through a complex text.
In 22 sections, each devoted to a letter of the Hebrew alphabet, and each line beginning with that specified letter, Psalm 119 is a masterpiece of literary precision. It is also a powerful teaching method for what it means to live a life of obedient love and faithful persistence in the service of God and others. The acrostic pattern is a well marked path for the reader, a metaphor the Psalm uses throughout for the life of loving obedience to God.
When I'm out walking, I take photographs of paths. Often they remind me of this Psalm, and one of its key verses: "Your word is a lamp for my feet, and a light to my path." (Psalm 119.105) This particular photo could be a visual exegesis of that verse!
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