I was having trouble with this one because I saw the He, and even though I wrote E beside it, I saw He – H. So I wrote it with H. Then I realized my error and was having some trouble redoing it with E. I’m not as happy with the rhythm of the E version, but I don’t want to wait any longer to post. If I improve it later, I’ll update it.

I’m still working on my Psalm 119 project. To recap for any new readers, Psalm 119 was originally written as an acrostic poem with each part starting with the successive letters of the Hebrew alphabet. I wanted to try to see how I could do writing each part starting with the english equivalents. I started with Aleph – A, then Bet/Beth – B and managed to start every line with the appropriate letter (see my previous posts for those parts). I’m posting the real portion of the Psalm first for comparison purposes. Not sure how far I’ll get, but I’ll post as I go along. Here’s He – E.

HE. Teach me, O LORD, the way of thy statutes; and I shall keep it unto the end. Give me understanding, and I shall keep thy law; yea, I shall observe it with my whole heart. Make me to go in the path of thy commandments; for therein do I delight. Incline my heart unto thy testimonies, and not to covetousness. Turn away mine eyes from beholding vanity; and quicken thou me in thy way. Stablish thy word unto thy servant, who is devoted to thy fear. Turn away my reproach which I fear: for thy judgments are good. Behold, I have longed after thy precepts: quicken me in thy righteousness.

Psalms 119:33-40 KJV

Graphic Copyright © 2013 Beth HaDerech; Messianic Jewish Teachings Online

Psalm 119 – He (5th letter – E)

Educate me in Thy ways
Even Thy statutes, Lord.
Eliminate my ignorance,
Eager to keep Thy word.

Every path I take should be
Evidence of Thy law.
Exceedingly, I find delight
Each day, I’m filled with awe.

Effects of Thy law fill my heart:
Eliminate all greed,
Eyes turn to Thee from vanity,
Establish words I need.

Eliminate reproach I fear,
Enshroud my sins from all.
Every day, I long for life;
Each day, for Thee I call

©2013 Denise McKenney

(As I said above, I originally wrote this section using H instead of E as the English equivalent. Even though it was the wrong letter, I decided to keep and post this version anyway. Consider it a bonus to make up for the delay in posting.)

Help me to learn Thy statutes and
I’ll keep them to the end.
Have understanding given and
Toward it, my heart will bend.

Hold my path to all Thy commands
For there is my delight.
Heart, do not lean to coveting;
Do only what is right.

Help me to turn my eyes away
From this world’s vanity.
Haste is my choice along Thy way.
All else: insanity.

Head off reproach; I fear it so.
Thy judgments all are good.
Have I longed after Thy precepts?
I do, as Lord, I should.

©2013 Denise McKenney

Feel free to print, share or repost anything on this blog. I do ask that you let me know if you use one of my poems on your blog or at your church somehow. It might give me an idea of better ways to spread His words, which I am always looking to do. And of course, always keep the copyright symbol and my name with the poem so I continue to have the right to use them. You may not realize that if something is posted enough times without the copyright notice, I could lose the copyright and then someone else could conceivably file for a copyright and I would no longer be able to use my own poems! It has happened, so please make sure the (c) is always on the poem whenever you repost. Thanks!

God bless,
Denise McKenney