Psalms — Chapter 118

BEATI IMMACULATI IN VIA. Lapide: Psalm 118 — the great acrostic psalm (22 strophes of 8 verses each, following the Hebrew alphabet), the longest psalm and the great meditation on the divine Law. "Blessed are the undefiled in the way: who walk in the law of the Lord." Lapide devotes enormous attention to this psalm, covering it over many pages. The Law (Torah/lex) is not experienced as burden but as gift and delight. Lapide: the eight synonyms for the divine Law used throughout the psalm (lex, testimonium, mandatum, iudicium, praeceptum, via, eloquium, iustificatio) show the inexhaustible richness of the divine word.