Bible Word of the Day

Acrostic (Word Pattern in Writing)

Meaning
An acrostic is a literary device used in Biblical poetry. It’s where the first letter of each line of text forms a pattern. And oftentimes in the Bible acrostics use the letters of the Hebrew alphabet. There are twenty-two letters in the Hebrew alphabet and acrostics will begin a line of text using each letter in successive order from a single verse or group of verses. For example, Psalm 119 which is a song about the excellency of God’s word consist of twenty-two groups of verses with each group being eight lines long.

This literary device served as a memory-aid which helped the reader to remember the passages. In addition, it was a poetic way of saying in a symbolic form that total coverage of the subject was being offered through the specific groups of passages. Or to put it another way by using all the letters of the Hebrew alphabet, it reminds us that God’s wisdom is complete in His word. There is nothing more for us to seek after and that true wisdom is found in God’s word and a relationship with the Lord.

“Blessed are the undefiled in the way, Who walk in the law of the Lord Blessed are those who keep His testimonies, Who seek Him with the whole heart They also do no iniquity; They walk in His ways. You have commanded us To keep Your precepts diligently. Oh, that my ways were directed To keep Your statutes. Then I would not be ashamed, When I look into all Your commandments. I will praise You with uprightness of heart, When I learn Your righteous judgments. I will keep Your statutes; Oh, do not forsake me utterly.” (Book of Psalms 119:1-8)