Aleph... The first eight verses of this psalm in the original begin with
Aleph, which is the name of the first letter of the Hebrew alphabet. The
second eight verses begin with Beth, the name of the second letter of
the Hebrew alphabet; and so to the end of the whole alphabet, in all
twenty-two letters, each letter having eight verses. This order is
variously expounded by the holy fathers; which shews the difficulty of
understanding the holy scriptures, and consequently with what humility,
and submission to the Church they are to be read.
118:1. Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the
Lord.
118:2. Blessed are they that search his testimonies: that seek him with
their whole heart.
His testimonies... The commandments of God are called his testimonies,
because they testify his holy will unto us. Note here, that in almost
every verse of this psalm (which in number are 176) the word and law of
God, and the love and observance of it, is perpetually inculcated, under
a variety of denominations, all signifying the same thing.
118:3. For they that work iniquity, have not walked in his ways.
118:4. Thou hast commanded thy commandments to be kept most diligently.
118:5. O! that my ways may be directed to keep thy justifications.
118:6. Then shall I not be confounded, when I shall look into all thy
commandments.
118:7. I will praise thee with uprightness of heart, when I shall have
learned the judgments of thy justice.
118:8. I will keep thy justifications: O! do not thou utterly forsake
me.