1191 <ALEPH> Happy are they who are without sin in their ways, walking in the law of the Lord. 2 Happy are they who keep his unchanging word, searching after him with all their heart. 3 They do no evil; they go in his ways.
4 You have put your orders into our hearts, so that we might keep them with care. 5 If only my ways were ordered so that I might keep your rules! 6 Then I would not be put to shame, as long as I have respect for all your teaching.
7 I will give you praise with an upright heart in learning your right decisions. 8 I will keep your rules: O give me not up completely.
9 <BETH> How may a young man make his way clean? by guiding it after your word.
10 I have made search for you with all my heart: O let me not go wandering far from your teaching.
11 I have kept your sayings secretly in my heart, so that I might do no sin against you.
12 Praise be to you, O Lord: give me knowledge of your rules.
13 With my lips have I made clear all the decisions of your mouth. 14 I have taken as much delight in the way of your unchanging word, as in all wealth. 15 I will give thought to your orders, and have respect for your ways. 16 I will have delight in your rules; I will not let your word go out of my mind.
17 <GIMEL> Give me, your servant, the reward of life, so that I may keep your word;
18 Let my eyes be open to see the wonders of your law.
19 I am living in a strange land: do not let your teachings be kept secret from me.
20 My soul is broken with desire for your decisions at all times.
21 Your hand has been against the men of pride, a curse is on those who go wandering out of your way.
22 Take away from me shame and bitter words; for I have kept your unchanging word in my heart.
23 Rulers make evil designs against me; but your servant gives thought to your rules.
24 Your unchanging word is my delight, and the guide of my footsteps.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Psalm 119:1-24
Commentary on Psalm 119:1-8
(Read Psalm 119:1-8)
This psalm may be considered as the statement of a believer's experience. As far as our views, desires, and affections agree with what is here expressed, they come from the influences of the Holy Spirit, and no further. The pardoning mercy of God in Christ, is the only source of a sinner's happiness. And those are most happy, who are preserved most free from the defilement of sin, who simply believe God's testimonies, and depend on his promises. If the heart be divided between him and the world, it is evil. But the saints carefully avoid all sin; they are conscious of much evil that clogs them in the ways of God, but not of that wickedness which draws them out of those ways. The tempter would make men think they are at them out of those ways. The tempter would make men think they are at liberty to follow the word of God or not, as they please. But the desire and prayer of a good man agree with the will and command of God. If a man expects by obedience in one thing to purchase indulgence for disobedience in others, his hypocrisy will be detected; if he is not ashamed in this world, everlasting shame will be his portion. The psalmist coveted to learn the laws of God, to give God the glory. And believers see that if God forsakes them, the temper will be too hard for them.
Commentary on Psalm 119:9-16
(Read Psalm 119:9-16)
To original corruption all have added actual sin. The ruin of the young is either living by no rule at all, or choosing false rules: let them walk by Scripture rules. To doubt of our own wisdom and strength, and to depend upon God, proves the purpose of holiness is sincere. God's word is treasure worth laying up, and there is no laying it up safe but in our hearts, that we may oppose God's precepts to the dominion of sin, his promises to its allurements, and his threatenings to its violence. Let this be our plea with Him to teach us his statutes, that, being partakers of his holiness, we may also partake of his blessedness. And those whose hearts are fed with the bread of life, should with their lips feed many. In the way of God's commandments there is the unsearchable riches of Christ. But we do not meditate on God's precepts to good purpose, unless our good thoughts produce good works. I will not only think of thy statutes, but do them with delight. And it will be well to try the sincerity of our obedience by tracing the spring of it; the reality of our love by cheerfulness in appointed duties.
Commentary on Psalm 119:17-24
(Read Psalm 119:17-24)
If God deals in strict justice with us, we all perish. We ought to spend our lives in his service; we shall find true life in keeping his word. Those that would see the wondrous things of God's law and gospel, must beg him to give them understanding, by the light of his Spirit. Believers feel themselves strangers on earth; they fear missing their way, and losing comfort by erring from God's commandments. Every sanctified soul hungers after the word of God, as food which there is no living without. There is something of pride at the bottom of every wilful sin. God can silence lying lips; reproach and contempt may humble and do us good, and then they shall be removed. Do we find the weight of the cross is above that we are able to bear? He that bore it for us will enable us to bear it; upheld by him we cannot sink. It is sad when those who should protect the innocent, are their betrayers. The psalmist went on in duty, and he found comfort in the word of God. The comforts of the word of God are most pleasant to a gracious soul, when other comforts are made bitter; and those that would have God's testimonies to be their delight, must be advised by them. May the Lord direct us in exercising repentance of sin, and faith in Christ.