22 letters × 8 verses = 176 verses

Psalm 119 is the longest chapter in the Bible, and it is built on the Hebrew alphabet. It has 22 stanzas — one for each Hebrew letter — and every one of the eight verses in a stanza begins with that letter. Not the same word eight times: eight different words that all start with the same letter.

In the tables below, the acrostic letter is highlighted inside the Hebrew word, so you can watch it repeat down all eight lines. The English that translates it is highlighted in the KJV verse too — often it lands mid-sentence, because Hebrew puts its verbs first.

The uppercase names (ALEPH, BETH, VAU…) are the headings the KJV itself prints inside this chapter — the only chapter in the Bible where the translators reproduced a Hebrew structural feature on the page.

Click any Hebrew letter to hear its name.

A craft note: eleven of the twenty-two stanzas repeat an opening word, and the strain shows exactly where the alphabet runs thin. Teth opens five of its eight verses with טוב (tov, “good”); Daleth leans on דרך (derech, “way”) four times. Letters that begin many Hebrew words never repeat at all.

Hebrew is the pointed Masoretic text with cantillation marks removed for legibility; English is the King James Version.

Lazarus, the brother of Mary and Martha, had been dead four days when Jesus arrived. Jesus wept at the tomb, then commanded:

This miracle was the tipping point. Many Jews believed on Jesus, but others reported it to the Pharisees. The chief priests and Pharisees convened a council and from that day "took counsel together for to put him to death" (John 11:53).

Jesus withdrew to Ephraim, a city near the wilderness, and stayed there with His disciples (John 11:54).

As Jesus departed from Jericho, blind Bartimaeus sat by the highway begging (Mark 10:46). He cried out, "Jesus, thou Son of David, have mercy on me!" (Mark 10:47). The crowd rebuked him, but he cried louder (Mark 10:48). Jesus stopped and said:

Matthew records two blind men; Mark and Luke focus on Bartimaeus by name.

As Jesus entered and passed through Jericho (Luke 19:1), there was a man named Zacchaeus, "the chief among the publicans, and he was rich" (Luke 19:2). Being "little of stature," he climbed a sycamore tree to see Jesus passing through (Luke 19:3–4). Jesus looked up and called him by name:

The people murmured that Jesus had gone to be a guest of a "sinner." But Zacchaeus stood and pledged to give half his goods to the poor and restore fourfold anything taken by false accusation. Jesus declared:

A nobleman went to a far country to receive a kingdom. He gave ten servants each a pound and said, "Occupy till I come." On return, the faithful servants were rewarded with authority over cities. The one who hid his pound had it taken away.

A supper was made for Jesus (John 12:2). Lazarus sat at the table with Him; Martha served. Mary took a pound of very costly ointment of spikenard and anointed Jesus's feet, wiping them with her hair (John 12:3). The house was filled with the fragrance.

Judas Iscariot objected: "Why was not this ointment sold for three hundred pence, and given to the poor?" (John 12:5). John notes: "This he said, not that he cared for the poor; but because he was a thief, and had the bag" (John 12:6).

Meanwhile, the chief priests conspired to also put Lazarus to death, "because that by reason of him many of the Jews went away, and believed on Jesus" (John 12:10–11).

Jesus sent two disciples to fetch a colt (a young donkey) that had never been ridden (Mark 11:2), with its mother (Matthew 21:2). He sat upon the colt and rode toward Jerusalem. The multitude spread their garments and palm branches on the road (John 12:13), crying:

This fulfilled Zechariah 9:9 — "thy King cometh unto thee, meek, and sitting upon an ass, and a colt the foal of an ass."

The Pharisees told Jesus to rebuke His disciples. He answered:

As Jesus drew near and saw the city, He wept:

A prophecy of the destruction of Jerusalem by Rome in A.D. 70.

Mark records that Jesus entered the temple and "looked round about upon all things" — surveying the scene — but because "now the eventide was come," He went out to Bethany with the twelve (Mark 11:11).

In the morning, returning to the city, Jesus was hungry. He saw a fig tree with leaves but no fruit and said:

Mark notes the disciples saw it withered the next morning (Tuesday). The fig tree is widely understood as a symbol of Israel — outward show of religion (leaves) but no spiritual fruit.

Jesus entered the temple and drove out the moneychangers and those selling doves, overturning their tables (Matthew 21:12):

Mark adds: "My house shall be called of all nations the house of prayer" (Mark 11:17) — emphasizing that the Court of the Gentiles, the one place where non-Jews could worship, had been turned into a marketplace.

The blind and the lame came to Him in the temple and He healed them. Children cried "Hosanna to the Son of David" and the chief priests were "sore displeased" (Matthew 21:14–15).

The disciples saw the fig tree dried up from the roots. Jesus taught them about faith:

The chief priests and elders challenged Jesus's authority (Matthew 21:23). He answered with a question about whether John's baptism was from heaven or of men (Matthew 21:25). They could not answer, so He said, "Neither tell I you by what authority I do these things" (Matthew 21:27).

The Pharisees and chief priests "perceived that he spake of them" and sought to lay hands on Him, but feared the people (Luke 20:19).

Jesus asked the Pharisees: If Christ is the son of David, how does David in spirit call Him Lord?

"And no man was able to answer him a word, neither durst any man from that day forth ask him any more questions" (Matthew 22:46).

Jesus delivered eight pronouncements of woe against the scribes and Pharisees (Matthew 23:13–36) — the most searing public rebuke of His ministry. Among them:

He concluded with a lament:

Jesus sat near the treasury and watched the people cast in their money (Mark 12:41). Many rich people cast in much. Then a poor widow cast in two mites, "which make a farthing" (Mark 12:42).

Certain Greeks among those who came to worship at the feast asked Philip to introduce them to Jesus. Jesus responded with a teaching about His coming death:

A voice came from heaven: "I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again." Some said it thundered; others said an angel spoke (John 12:28–29).

As they departed the temple, the disciples pointed out the temple buildings. Jesus said, "There shall not be left here one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down" (Matthew 24:2). Sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples asked privately: When? And what shall be the sign?

The Gospels record no public teaching by Jesus on this day. But Judas Iscariot went to the chief priests:

Luke adds that "Satan entered into Judas" (Luke 22:3). Thirty pieces of silver was the Old Testament price of a slave (Exodus 21:32), fulfilling Zechariah 11:12.

Jesus sent Peter and John to prepare the Passover meal (Luke 22:8). He told them to follow a man carrying a pitcher of water (Luke 22:10) — unusual, as women normally carried water — to a "large upper room furnished and prepared" (Mark 14:15).

Before supper, Jesus laid aside His garments, took a towel, and washed the disciples' feet. Peter objected; Jesus said:

As they ate, Jesus said, "Verily I say unto you, that one of you shall betray me." The disciples were sorrowful, each asking "Lord, is it I?" (Matthew 26:21–22).

Jesus took bread, blessed it, broke it, and gave it to the disciples (Matthew 26:26):

He took the cup, gave thanks, and gave it to them:

Judas departed. "He then having received the sop went immediately out: and it was night" (John 13:30).

After Judas left (John 13:30), Jesus delivered His longest recorded teaching — comfort, commandment, and promise to the eleven:

Jesus prayed to the Father — not only for Himself (John 17:1–5) and the eleven (John 17:6–19), but for all who would believe (John 17:20–26):

Jesus took Peter, James, and John further into the garden (Matthew 26:37). He told them, "My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me" (Matthew 26:38).

He went a little farther, fell on His face, and prayed:

He prayed three times. Each time He returned to find the disciples sleeping. Luke alone records:

Luke also notes: "And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him" (Luke 22:43).

Judas arrived with a great multitude armed with swords and staves, from the chief priests and elders (Matthew 26:47). The signal was a kiss (Matthew 26:48):

Peter drew his sword and cut off the ear of Malchus, the high priest's servant. Jesus healed the ear (Luke 22:51) and said:

John records that when Jesus said "I am he," the soldiers "went backward, and fell to the ground" (John 18:6). Then "all the disciples forsook him, and fled" (Matthew 26:56). Mark notes a young man (likely Mark himself) who fled naked, leaving his linen cloth behind (Mark 14:51–52).

Jesus was taken first to Annas, the former high priest who still wielded power. Annas questioned Him about His disciples and doctrine. Jesus answered:

An officer struck Jesus for this answer. Annas sent Him bound to Caiaphas.

The chief priests sought false witness against Jesus but found none that agreed. Finally the high priest asked directly:

The high priest tore his clothes: "He hath spoken blasphemy!" They condemned Him, spat in His face, blindfolded Him, and struck Him, saying, "Prophesy unto us, thou Christ, Who is he that smote thee?" (Matthew 26:67–68).

While Jesus was tried inside, Peter sat outside in the courtyard, warming himself by the fire. Three times he was identified as one of Jesus's followers. Three times he denied it, the third time with cursing and swearing:

Luke alone records: "And the Lord turned, and looked upon Peter" (Luke 22:61).

When Judas saw that Jesus was condemned, he repented and brought the thirty pieces of silver back to the chief priests:

The priests used the money to buy the potter's field as a burial place for strangers, fulfilling Zechariah 11:12–13 and Jeremiah 32:6–9.

Early in the morning, the Sanhedrin delivered Jesus to Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor (Matthew 27:1–2). The Jews would not enter the Praetorium "lest they should be defiled" before Passover (John 18:28) — an irony, since they were about to murder the Lamb of God.

Pilate asked, "Art thou the King of the Jews?" Jesus answered:

Pilate found no fault in Him and sent Him to Herod.

Herod was "exceeding glad" to see Jesus, hoping to witness a miracle (Luke 23:8). He questioned Jesus at length, but Jesus "answered him nothing" (Luke 23:9). Herod and his soldiers mocked Him, "arrayed him in a gorgeous robe," and sent Him back to Pilate (Luke 23:11).

"And the same day Pilate and Herod were made friends together: for before they were at enmity between themselves" (Luke 23:12).

Pilate offered to release Jesus according to the Passover custom. The crowd, stirred up by the chief priests, demanded Barabbas (a murderer and insurrectionist) instead.

Pilate's wife sent word: "Have thou nothing to do with that just man: for I have suffered many things this day in a dream because of him" (Matthew 27:19).

Pilate washed his hands before the multitude: "I am innocent of the blood of this just person: see ye to it." The people answered: "His blood be on us, and on our children" (Matthew 27:24–25).

Jesus was scourged, crowned with thorns, robed in purple, and mocked: "Hail, King of the Jews!" Pilate brought Him out and said:

Jesus bore His own cross (John 19:17), but they compelled Simon of Cyrene to carry it for Him (Matthew 27:32). A great company of women followed, "which also bewailed and lamented him" (Luke 23:27). Jesus turned to them:

They crucified Jesus at the third hour (9 a.m., Mark 15:25) between two thieves (Matthew 27:38). Pilate wrote the title: "JESUS OF NAZARETH THE KING OF THE JEWS" in Hebrew, Greek, and Latin (John 19:19–20).

The soldiers cast lots for His garments (John 19:23–24), fulfilling Psalm 22:18. Passersby mocked: "If thou be the Son of God, come down from the cross" (Matthew 27:40).

From the sixth hour (noon) to the ninth hour (3 p.m.), there was darkness over the whole land. At His death:

The centurion at the cross declared:

The soldiers broke the legs of the two thieves but not of Jesus (He was already dead), fulfilling "a bone of him shall not be broken" (John 19:36; Psalm 34:20). A soldier pierced His side, "and forthwith came there out blood and water" (John 19:34).

Joseph of Arimathaea, "a rich man" and secret disciple (Matthew 27:57; John 19:38), went to Pilate and begged the body of Jesus (Matthew 27:58). Nicodemus, who had come to Jesus by night (John 3:1–2), brought "a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about an hundred pound weight" (John 19:39). They wrapped the body in linen and laid it in a new sepulchre hewn in rock (Matthew 27:59–60).

The next day (Saturday), the Pharisees asked Pilate to set a guard and seal the stone, "lest his disciples come by night, and steal him away" (Matthew 27:64).

The Gospels record almost nothing of this day. The disciples were scattered. The women rested "according to the commandment" (Luke 23:56). The body of Jesus lay in the tomb.

The chief priests and Pharisees secured the tomb with Pilate's permission: "So they went, and made the sepulchre sure, sealing the stone, and setting a watch" (Matthew 27:66).

Very early in the morning, the women came to the sepulchre bringing spices (Mark 16:1; Luke 24:1). There was a great earthquake; an angel rolled back the stone (Matthew 28:2). The guards became "as dead men" (Matthew 28:4).

The women ran to tell the disciples (Matthew 28:8). Peter and John ran to the tomb (John 20:3–4). John outran Peter and looked in first but did not enter (John 20:5). Peter went in and saw the linen clothes and the napkin that had been about His head, "wrapped together in a place by itself" (John 20:7).

Mary Magdalene remained at the tomb weeping (John 20:11). She saw two angels (John 20:12), then turned and saw Jesus — but did not recognize Him at first (John 20:14). He spoke one word:

Two disciples walked to Emmaus, "which was from Jerusalem about threescore furlongs" (Luke 24:13). Jesus drew near and walked with them, "but their eyes were holden that they should not know him" (Luke 24:16).

He expounded the scriptures to them, beginning at Moses and all the prophets, explaining "the things concerning himself" (Luke 24:27). When they arrived and sat to eat:

That evening, the disciples were gathered behind locked doors "for fear of the Jews" (John 20:19). Jesus appeared in their midst:

He showed them His hands and His side (John 20:20). He breathed on them and said, "Receive ye the Holy Ghost" (John 20:22). He opened their understanding of the scriptures: "Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day" (Luke 24:46).

Thomas was not present and later said:

Eight days later, the disciples were again gathered, and this time Thomas was with them (John 20:26). Jesus appeared again and said to Thomas:

Ages marked with ~ are calculated from cross-referencing multiple passages rather than being stated directly. Rachel's age is estimated — the Bible does not give it directly.

President Dallin H. Oaks (age 93) — President of the Church

Opening remarks and the solemn assembly to sustain the new First Presidency.

Elder Patrick Kearon (age 64) — Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

Sister Kristin M. Yee (age 44) — Second Counselor in the Relief Society General Presidency

Elder Clark G. Gilbert (age 55) — Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

Elder Gilbert's first general conference address as an Apostle.

Elder David A. Bednar (age 73) — Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

Elder Michael John U. Teh (age 63) — General Authority Seventy

Elder Jorge T. Becerra — General Authority Seventy

President Henry B. Eyring (age 92) — President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

Elder Gary E. Stevenson (age 70) — Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

Elder Eduardo F. Ortega — General Authority Seventy

Elder Wan-Liang Wu — General Authority Seventy

Brother David J. Wunderli (age 64) — Sunday School General Presidency

Elder Gérald Caussé (age 62) — Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

Elder Caussé's first general conference address as an Apostle.

Elder Brian J. Holmes — General Authority Seventy

Elder Clement M. Matswagothata — General Authority Seventy

Elder Ulisses Soares (age 67) — Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

President Dieter F. Uchtdorf (age 85) — Second Counselor in the First Presidency

Elder Ronald A. Rasband (age 75) — Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

Elder Dale G. Renlund (age 73) — Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

There is no scarlet letter to wear, now or in the eternities. He pardons us from deserved punishment. The Lord remembers our sins no more:

Our sins are nailed to the cross (referencing the hymn "Upon the Cross of Calvary"). He will consecrate our afflictions for our gain:

Elder Renlund shared a story about his toy poodle named Lady, who tried to follow two different balls at the same time and got confused — illustrating the danger of trying to pursue competing priorities. He counseled: Reflect every day on the blessings you receive every day from Him.

Elder Thierry K. Mutombo (age 50) — General Authority Seventy (from Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo)

Elder Mutombo spoke of a Christian tradition: one person greets another with "Christ is risen," and the person receiving the greeting responds, "Truly, He is risen."

He shared a deeply personal experience: he and his wife lost four of their children. When another child died, local tradition held that a couple who lost so many children needed to separate. Without his input, family members asked him to remove his wife's belongings from their home. He went inside and prayed, then came out empty-handed and explained that he was going to remain with his wife. They opposed his decision, but he was strengthened by the Lord.

Elder Alan R. Walker (age 55) — General Authority Seventy (from Buenos Aires, Argentina)

President Dallin H. Oaks (age 93) — President of the Church

Forgo contention. Avoid what is harsh and hateful. Forgo harsh and hurtful words in all our conversations.