I think you're over thinking it.
just asking because whoever is praying Psalm 119 is someone praying to receive salvation.
May your unfailing love come to me, Lord,
your salvation, according to your promise
(Psalm 119:41)
My soul faints with longing for your salvation,
but I have put my hope in your word.
(Psalm 119:81)
My eyes fail, looking for your salvation,
looking for your righteous promise.
(Psalm 119:123)
I call out to you; save me
and I will keep your statutes.
(Psalm 119:146)
Defend my cause and redeem me;
preserve my life according to your promise.
(Psalm 119:154)
I wait for your salvation, Lord,
and I follow your commands.
(Psalm 119:166)
I long for your salvation, Lord,
and your law gives me delight.
(Psalm 119:174)
i mean, that's obvious, reading it, isn't it?
so obvious question -- what is salvation? we know that one, right? of course we do! we're Christians! salvation is our bread and butter; we are experts among people. in fact i probably don't even have to explain.
but one thing let's mention - what kind of person needs salvation?
someone who has sin, right? they need to be saved from the damnation they incur against a holy God.
I have strayed like a lost sheep.
Seek your servant,
for I have not forgotten your commands.
(Psalm 119:176)
that's an interesting word, 'strayed' -- kinda like the people wandering in the wilderness who were supposed to be on the path to the promised land. lost, needing to be rescued and redeemed.
that's one word that's translated 'strayed' in this song; taah -- i don't know Hebrew but the dictionary says it means to err, deceive/mislead, be deceived/misled or wander (from the right way). whoever is praying Psalm 119, they close the song with this statement. that they are deceived, that they stray from the path, that they do wrong.
interestingly there's another word translated as 'stray' in Psalm 119
Before I was afflicted I went astray:
but now have I kept thy word.
(Psalm 119:67)
this word is shagag -- again, i don't know Hebrew, but that's the same word here, in the Law:
And if any soul sin through ignorance, then he shall bring a she goat of the first year for a sin offering. And the priest shall make an atonement for the soul that sinneth ignorantly, when he sinneth by ignorance before the LORD, to make an atonement for him; and it shall be forgiven him.
(Numbers 15:27-28)
so whoever is praying Psalm 119 is guilty of sinning in ignorance. in the context of the song, now we know what he or she means by "afflicted" - having received the commands - which is great, because it brings us back to the OP subject: why was this law given which cannot impart life or righteousness? is it the psalmists's faith in God that is rewarded with life or is the atoning sacrifice a priest made for the psalmist to atone for his sins in ignorance before he received the law?
you think that's overthinking it?
maybe. but i think i'd rather overthink than under
so, thanks!