The TORAH in the
Psalms
For centuries,
Christians, believers in Messiah Yeshua (Jesus) have looked to the book of
Psalms for strength, comfort, encouragement and wisdom. Yet, at the same time, we have believed the
lie that God’s commandments, statutes, precepts and judgments are not for
today. They were somehow nailed to the
cross of Christ and don’t need to be followed by Christians, let alone
learned.
We sum all of
these up as “the Law”, but it equates to “the Word” of Almighty God. Would any of us really say we believe the
Word of God is done away with ? Didn’t Yeshua say, “Heaven and earth shall
pass away, but my word shall never pass away” ? (Matthew 24:35) Don’t we equate this all as the Word of God
? Yet, as stated above, most believers
want nothing to do with the “Law of Moses” or the commandments found in the
Torah (the 5 books of Moses).
This summary of
verses found in the Psalms is laid out to show just the opposite. We will see that the “Law” is equal to God’s
“commandments”, “precepts”, “judgments”, “statutes” and finally God’s
“Word”. The words are used
interchangeably throughout the Psalms to describe the only “word of God” that
existed at the time the Psalms were written, that being the Torah.
David and the
others psalmists wrote over and over how wonderful, wise, faithful, and lasting
God’s words are. Take a look at the list
and see for yourself. Then, you may want
to reconsider whether you need to read and learn the Torah.
I.
Torah as the
“Law”
Psalm
1:2 But
his delight is in the law of the
LORD; and in his law doth he
meditate day and night.
Psalm
19:7 The law of the LORD is perfect, converting
the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.
Psalm
37:31 The
law of his God is in his heart; none
of his steps shall slide.
Psalm
40:8 I
delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law
is within my heart.
Psalm
78:1 Give
ear, O my people, to my law: incline
your ears to the words of my mouth.
Psalm
78:5 For
he established a testimony in Jacob, and appointed a law in Israel, which he commanded our fathers, that they should
make them known to their children:
Psalm
78:10They
kept not the covenant of God, and refused to walk in his law;
Psalm 81:4 For this was a statute for
Israel, and a law of the God of
Jacob.
Psalm 89:30 If his children forsake my law, and walk not in my judgments;
2.
Psalm 94:12 Blessed is the man whom thou
chastenest, O LORD, and teachest him out of thy law;
Psalm 105:10 And confirmed the same unto Jacob
for a law, and to Israel for an
everlasting covenant:
Psalm 119:1 Blessed are the undefiled in the
way, who walk in the law of the
LORD.
Psalm
119:18 Open thou mine eyes, that I may
behold wondrous things out of thy law.
Psalm 119:29 Remove from me the way of lying:
and grant me thy law graciously.
Psalm 119:34 Give me understanding, and I
shall keep thy law; yea, I shall
observe it with my whole heart.
Psalm 119:44 So shall I keep thy law continually for ever and ever.
Psalm 119:51 The proud have had me greatly in
derision: yet have I not declined from thy law.
Psalm 119:53 Horror hath taken hold upon me
because of the wicked that forsake thy law.
Psalm 119:55 I have remembered thy name, O
LORD, in the night, and have kept thy law.
Palms 119:61 The bands of the wicked have
robbed me: but I have not forgotten thy law.
Psalm 119:70 Their heart is as fat as grease;
but I delight in thy law.
Ps 119:72 The law of thy mouth is better unto me than thousands of gold and
silver.
Ps 119:77 Let thy tender mercies come unto me,
that I may live: for thy law is my
delight.
Ps 119:85 The proud have digged pits for me,
which are not after thy law.
Ps 119:92 Unless thy law had been my delights, I should then have perished in mine
affliction.
Ps 119:97 O how love I thy law! it is my meditation all the day.
Ps 119:109 My soul is continually in my hand:
yet do I not forget thy law.
Ps 119:113 I hate vain thoughts: but thy law do I love.
Ps 119:126 It is time for thee, LORD, to work:
for they have made void thy law.
Ps
119:136 Rivers of waters run down mine
eyes, because they keep not thy law.
Ps 119:142 Thy righteousness is an everlasting
righteousness, and thy law is the
truth.
Ps 119:150
They draw nigh that follow after mischief: they are far from thy law.
Ps 119:153 Consider mine affliction, and
deliver me: for I do not forget thy law.
Ps 119:163
I hate and abhor lying: but thy law
do I love.
Ps 119:165
Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them.
Ps 119:174 I have longed for thy salvation, O
LORD; and thy law is my delight.
3.
II.
Torah as the
“Commandments” (mitzvot)
Ps
78:7 That they might set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God,
but keep his commandments:
Ps 89:31 If they break my statutes, and keep
not my commandments;
Ps 103:18 To such as keep his covenant, and to
those that remember his commandments to
do them.
Ps 103:20 Bless the LORD, ye his angels that
excel in strength, that do his commandments,
hearkening unto the voice of his word.
Ps
111:7 The works of his hands are verity and judgment; all his commandments are sure.
Ps 111:10 The fear of the LORD is the
beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth for
ever.
Ps
112:1 Praise ye the LORD. Blessed is the
man that feareth the LORD, that delighteth greatly in his commandments.
Ps 119:6 Then shall I not be ashamed, when I
have respect unto all thy commandments.
Ps 119:10
With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments.
Ps 119:19
I am a stranger in the earth: hide not thy commandments from me.
Ps 119:21
Thou hast rebuked the proud that are cursed, which do err from thy commandments.
Ps 119:32 I will run the way of thy commandments, when thou shalt enlarge
my heart.
Ps 119:35
Make me to go in the path of thy commandments;
for therein do I delight.
Ps 119:47 And I will delight myself in thy commandments, which I have loved.
Ps 119:48 My hands also will I lift up unto
thy commandments, which I have
loved; and I will meditate in thy statutes.
Ps 119:60 I made haste, and delayed not to
keep thy commandments.
Ps 119:66 Teach me good judgment and
knowledge: for I have believed thy commandments.
Ps 119:73 Thy hands have made me and fashioned
me: give me understanding, that I may learn thy commandments.
Ps 119:86 All thy commandments are faithful: they persecute me wrongfully; help thou
me.
Ps 119:98
Thou through thy commandments
hast made me wiser than mine enemies: for they are ever with me.
Ps
119:115 Depart from me, ye evildoers: for
I will keep the commandments of my
God.
Ps 119:127
Therefore I love thy commandments
above gold; yea, above fine gold.
4.
Ps 119:131
I opened my mouth, and panted: for I longed for thy commandments.
Ps 119:143
Trouble and anguish have taken hold on me: yet thy commandments are my delights.
Ps 119:151 Thou art near, O LORD; and all thy commandments are truth.
Ps 119:166
LORD, I have hoped for thy salvation, and done thy commandments.
Ps 119:172
My tongue shall speak of thy word: for all thy commandments are righteousness.
Ps 119:176 I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek
thy servant; for I do not forget thy commandments.
III. Torah
as the “Precepts” (piqquwd)
Ps
119:4 Thou hast commanded us to keep thy
precepts diligently.
Ps 119:15 I will meditate in thy precepts, and have respect unto thy
ways.
Ps 119:27 Make me to understand the way of thy
precepts: so shall I talk of thy
wondrous works.
Ps 119:40 Behold, I have longed after thy precepts: quicken me in thy
righteousness.
Ps 119:45
And I will walk at liberty: for I seek thy precepts.
Ps 119:56 This I had, because I kept thy precepts.
Ps 119:63
I am a companion of all them that fear thee, and of them that keep thy precepts.
Ps 119:69
The proud have forged a lie against me: but I will keep thy precepts with my whole heart.
Ps 119:78
Let the proud be ashamed; for they dealt perversely with me without a
cause: but I will meditate in thy precepts.
Ps 119:87 They had almost consumed me upon
earth; but I forsook not thy precepts.
Ps 119:93
I will never forget thy precepts:
for with them thou hast quickened me.
Ps 119:94
I am thine, save me; for I have sought thy precepts.
Ps 119:100 I understand more than the
ancients, because I keep thy precepts.
Ps 119:104 Through thy precepts I get understanding: therefore I hate every false way.
Ps 119:110 The wicked have laid a snare for
me: yet I erred not from thy precepts.
Ps 119:128 Therefore I esteem all thy precepts concerning all things to be
right; and I hate every false way.
Ps 119:134
Deliver me from the oppression of man: so will I keep thy precepts.
Ps 119:141
I am small and despised: yet do not I forget thy precepts.
Ps 119:159
Consider how I love thy precepts:
quicken me, O LORD, according to thy lovingkindness.
5.
Ps 119:168 I have kept thy precepts and thy testimonies: for all
my ways are before thee.
Ps 119:173
Let thine hand help me; for I have chosen thy precepts.
IV. Torah
as the “Judgments” (mishpatim)
Ps
10:5 His ways are always grievous; thy judgments
are far above out of his sight: as for all his enemies, he puffeth at them.
Ps 18:22 For all his judgments were before me, and I did not put away his statutes from
me.
Ps 19:9 The fear of the LORD is clean,
enduring for ever: the judgments of
the LORD are true and righteous altogether.
Ps
36:6 Thy righteousness is like the great mountains; thy judgments are a great deep: O LORD, thou preservest man and beast.
Ps 48:11 Let mount Zion rejoice, let the
daughters of Judah be glad, because of thy judgments.
Ps 72:1 Give the king thy judgments, O God, and thy righteousness unto the king's son.
Ps 89:30 If his children forsake my law, and
walk not in my judgments;
Ps 97:8
Zion heard, and was glad; and the daughters of Judah rejoiced because of
thy judgments, O LORD.
Ps 105:5 Remember his marvellous works that he
hath done; his wonders, and the judgments
of his mouth;
Ps 105:7 He is the LORD our God: his judgments are in all the earth.
Ps 119:7
I will praise thee with uprightness of heart, when I shall have learned
thy righteous judgments.
Ps
119:13 With my lips have I declared all
the judgments of thy mouth.
Ps 119:20
My soul breaketh for the longing that it hath unto thy judgments at all times.
Ps 119:30
I have chosen the way of truth: thy judgments
have I laid before me.
Ps 119:39
Turn away my reproach which I fear: for thy judgments are good.
Ps 119:43 And take not the word of truth
utterly out of my mouth; for I have hoped in thy judgments.
Ps 119:52
I remembered thy judgments of
old, O LORD; and have comforted myself.
Ps 119:62
At midnight I will rise to give thanks unto thee because of thy
righteous judgments.
Ps 119:75
I know, O LORD, that thy judgments
are right, and that thou in faithfulness hast afflicted me.
Ps 119:102
I have not departed from thy judgments:
for thou hast taught me.
6.
Ps 119:106
I have sworn, and I will perform it, that I will keep thy righteous judgments.
Ps 119:108
Accept, I beseech thee, the freewill offerings of my mouth, O LORD, and
teach me thy judgments.
Ps 119:120 My flesh trembleth for fear of
thee; and I am afraid of thy judgments.
Ps 119:137
Righteous art thou, O LORD, and upright are thy judgments.
Ps 119:156
Great are thy tender mercies, O LORD: quicken me according to thy judgments.
Ps
119:160 Thy word is true from the
beginning: and every one of thy righteous judgments
endureth for ever.
Ps 119:164
Seven times a day do I praise thee because of thy righteous judgments.
Ps 119:175
Let my soul live, and it shall praise thee; and let thy judgments help me.
Ps 147:19 He sheweth his word unto Jacob, his
statutes and his judgments unto
Israel.
Ps 147:20 He hath not dealt so with any
nation: and as for his judgments,
they have not known them. Praise ye the LORD.
V. Torah as the “Statutes” (choq, khoke)
Ps
18:22 For all his judgments were before me, and I did not put away his statutes from me.
Ps 19:8 The statutes of the LORD are
right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening
the eyes.
Ps 50:16
But unto the wicked God saith, What hast thou to do to declare my statutes,
or that thou shouldest take my covenant in thy mouth?
Ps 89:31 If they break my statutes, and keep
not my commandments;
Ps
105:45 That they might observe his
statutes, and keep his laws. Praise ye the LORD.
Ps 119:5 O that my ways were directed to keep thy statutes!
Ps 119:8 I will keep thy statutes: O forsake
me not utterly.
Ps 119:12
Blessed art thou, O LORD: teach me thy
statutes.
Ps 119:16 I will delight myself in thy statutes: I will not forget thy word.
Ps 119:23
Princes also did sit and speak against me: but thy servant did meditate
in thy statutes.
Ps 119:26
I have declared my ways, and thou heardest me: teach me thy statutes.
Ps 119:33
Teach me, O LORD, the way of thy
statutes; and I shall keep it unto
the end.
Ps 119:48 My hands also will I lift up unto
thy commandments, which I have loved; and I will meditate in thy statutes.
Ps 119:54
Thy statutes have been my songs in the house of my pilgrimage.
7.
Ps 119:64 The earth, O LORD, is full of thy mercy: teach
me thy statutes.
Ps 119:68
Thou art good, and doest good; teach me thy statutes.
Ps 119:71
It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes.
Ps 119:80
Let my heart be sound in thy statutes; that I be not ashamed.
Ps 119:83
For I am become like a bottle in the smoke; yet do I not forget thy statutes.
Ps 119:112 I have inclined mine heart to
perform thy statutes alway, even unto the end.
Ps 119:117 Hold thou me up, and I shall be
safe: and I will have respect unto thy
statutes continually.
Ps 119:118
Thou hast trodden down all them that err from thy statutes: for their
deceit is falsehood.
Ps 119:124
Deal with thy servant according unto thy mercy, and teach me thy statutes.
Ps 119:135
Make thy face to shine upon thy servant; and teach me thy statutes.
Ps 119:145 I cried with my whole heart; hear
me, O LORD: I will keep thy statutes.
Ps 119:155 Salvation is far from the wicked: for they
seek not thy statutes.
Ps 119:171 My lips shall utter praise, when thou hast
taught me thy statutes.
Ps 147:19 He sheweth
his word unto Jacob, his statutes and his judgments unto Israel.
VI. Torah as the “Word” (dabar)
Ps
17:4 Concerning the works of men, by the word
of thy lips I have kept me from the paths of the destroyer.
Ps 18:30 As for God, his way is perfect: the word of the LORD is tried: he is a
buckler to all those that trust in him.
Ps 33:4 For the word of the LORD is right; and all his works are done in truth.
Ps 33:6 By the word of the LORD were the heavens made; and all the host of them by
the breath of his mouth.
Ps 56:4 In God I will praise his word, in God I have put my trust; I
will not fear what flesh can do unto me.
Ps 56:10 In God will I praise his word: in the LORD will I praise his word.
Ps 68:11 The Lord gave the word: great was the company of those that published it.
Ps 103:20 Bless the LORD, ye his angels, that
excel in strength, that do his commandments, hearkening unto the voice of his word.
Ps
105:8 He hath remembered his covenant
for ever, the word which he
commanded to a thousand generations.
Ps 105:19 Until the time that his word came: the word of the LORD tried him.
8.
Ps 105:28 He sent darkness, and made it dark;
and they rebelled not against his word.
Ps 106:24 Yea, they despised the pleasant
land, they believed not his word:
Ps
107:20 He sent his word, and healed
them, and delivered them from their destructions.
Ps
119:9 Wherewithal shall a young man
cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word.
Ps 119:11
Thy word have I hid in mine
heart, that I might not sin against thee.
Ps 119:16 I will delight myself in thy
statutes: I will not forget thy word.
Ps 119:17
Deal bountifully with thy servant, that I may live, and keep thy word.
Ps 119:25
My soul cleaveth unto the dust: quicken thou me according to thy word.
Ps 119:28
My soul melteth for heaviness: strengthen thou me according unto thy word.
Ps 119:38
Stablish thy word unto thy
servant, who is devoted to thy fear.
Ps 119:41
Let thy mercies come also unto me, O LORD, even thy salvation, according
to thy word.
Ps 119:42 So shall I have wherewith to answer
him that reproacheth me: for I trust in thy
word.
Ps 119:43
And take not the word of truth
utterly out of my mouth; for I have hoped in thy judgments.
Ps 119:49
Remember the word unto thy
servant, upon which thou hast caused me to hope.
Ps 119:50
This is my comfort in my affliction: for thy word hath quickened me.
Ps
119:58 I intreated thy favor with my
whole heart: be merciful unto me according to thy word.
Ps 119:65 Thou hast dealt well with thy
servant, O LORD, according unto thy
word.
Ps 119:67
Before I was afflicted I went astray: but now have I kept thy word.
Ps 119:74 They that fear thee will be glad
when they see me; because I have hoped in thy
word.
Ps 119:76 Let, I pray thee, thy merciful
kindness be for my comfort, according to thy
word unto thy servant.
Ps
119:81 My soul fainteth for thy salvation: but I hope in thy word.
Ps 119:82 Mine eyes fail for thy word, saying, When wilt thou
comfort me?
Ps 119:89 For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven.
Ps 119:101
I have refrained my feet from every evil way, that I might keep thy word.
Ps 119:105 Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.
Ps 119:107
I am afflicted very much: quicken me, O LORD, according unto thy word.
Ps 119:114
Thou art my hiding place and my shield: I hope in thy word.
9.
Ps 119:116
Uphold me according unto thy word,
that I may live: and let me not be ashamed of my hope.
Ps 119:123 Mine eyes fail for thy salvation,
and for the word of thy
righteousness.
Ps 119:133 Order my steps in thy word: and let not any iniquity have
dominion over me.
Ps 119:140
Thy word is very pure: therefore
thy servant loveth it.
Ps
119:147 I prevented the dawning of the
morning, and cried: I hoped in thy word.
Ps 119:148 Mine eyes prevent the night
watches, that I might meditate in thy
word.
Ps 119:154 Plead my cause, and deliver me:
quicken me according to thy word.
Ps 119:158
I beheld the transgressors, and was grieved; because they kept not thy word.
Ps 119:160
Thy word is true from the
beginning: and every one of thy righteous judgments endureth for ever.
Ps 119:161 Princes have persecuted me without
a cause: but my heart standeth in awe of thy
word.
Ps 119:162
I rejoice at thy word, as one
that findeth great spoil.
Ps 119:169
Let my cry come near before thee, O LORD: give me understanding
according to thy word.
Ps 119:170 Let my supplication come before
thee: deliver me according to thy word.
Ps 119:172
My tongue shall speak of thy word:
for all thy commandments are righteousness.
Ps 130:5
I wait for the LORD, my soul doth wait, and in his word do I hope.
Ps 138:2 I will worship toward thy holy
temple, and praise thy name for thy lovingkindness and for thy truth: for thou
hast magnified thy word above all
thy name.
Ps 147:15 He sendeth forth his commandment
upon earth: his word runneth very
swiftly.
Ps 147:18 He sendeth out his word, and melteth them: he causeth his wind to blow, and the
waters flow.
Ps 147:19 He sheweth his word unto Jacob, his statutes and his judgments unto Israel.
Ps 148:8 Fire, and hail; snow, and vapour;
stormy wind fulfilling his word:
Compiled by G.E. Walker
