121 I have done justice and righteousness ; Do not leave me to my oppressors . 122 Be surety for Your servant for good ; Do not let the arrogant oppress me.
123 My eyes fail with longing for Your salvation And for Your righteous word .
124 Deal with Your servant according to Your lovingkindness And teach me Your statutes . 125 I am Your servant ; give me understanding , That I may know Your testimonies .
126 It is time for the Lord to act , For they have broken Your law .
127 Therefore e I love Your commandments Above gold , yes, above fine gold . 128 Therefore e I esteem right all Your precepts concerning everything , I hate every false way . Pe.
129 Your testimonies are wonderful ; Therefore e my soul observes them.
130 The unfolding of Your words gives light ; It gives understanding to the simple .
131 I opened my mouth wide and panted , For I longed for Your commandments .
132 Turn to me and be gracious to me, After Your manner with those who love Your name .
133 Establish my footsteps in Your word , And do not let any iniquity have dominion over me.
134 Redeem me from the oppression of man , That I may keep Your precepts .
135 Make Your face shine upon Your servant , And teach me Your statutes .
136 My eyes shed streams of water , Because they do not keep Your law . Tsadhe.
137 Righteous are You, O Lord , And upright are Your judgments . 138 You have commanded Your testimonies in righteousness And exceeding faithfulness .
139 My zeal has consumed me, Because my adversaries have forgotten Your words .
140 Your word is very pure , Therefore Your servant loves it.
141 I am small and despised , Yet I do not forget Your precepts .
142 Your righteousness is an everlasting righteousness , And Your law is truth .
143 Trouble and anguish have come upon me, Yet Your commandments are my delight . 144 Your testimonies are righteous forever ; Give me understanding that I may live . Qoph.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Psalm 119:121-144
Commentary on Psalm 119:121-128
(Read Psalm 119:121-128)
Happy is the man, who, acting upon gospel principles, does justice to all around. Christ our Surety, having paid our debt and ransom, secures all the blessings of salvation to every true believer. The psalmist expects the word of God's righteousness, and no other salvation than what is secured by that word, which cannot fall to the ground. We deserve no favour form God; we are most easy when we cast ourselves upon God's mercy, and refer ourselves to it. If any man resolve to do God's will as his servant, he shall be made to know his testimonies. We must do what we can for the support of religion, and, after all, must beg of God to take the work into his own hands. It is hypocrisy to say we love God's commandments more than our worldly interests. The way of sin is a false way, being directly contrary to God's precepts, which are right: those that love and esteem God's law, hate sin, and will not be reconciled to it.
Commentary on Psalm 119:129-136
(Read Psalm 119:129-136)
The wonders of redeeming love will fix the heart in adoration of them. The Scriptures show us what we were, what we are, and what we shall be. They show us the mercy and the justice of the Lord, the joys of heaven, and the pains of hell. Thus they give to the simple, in a few days, understanding of those matters, which philosophers for ages sought in vain. The believer, wearied with the cares of life and his conflicts with sin, pants for the consolations conveyed to him by means of the sacred word. And every one may pray, Look thou upon me, and be merciful unto me as thou usest to do unto those that love thy name. We must beg that the Holy Spirit would order our steps. The dominion of sin is to be dreaded and prayed against by every one. The oppression of men is often more than flesh and blood can bear; and He who knoweth our frame, will not refuse to remove it in answer to the prayers of his people. Whatever obscurity may appear as to the faith of the Old Testament believers, their confidence at the throne of grace can only be explained by their having obtained more distinct views of gospel privileges, through the sacrifices and services of their law, than is generally imagined. Go to the same place, plead the name and merits of Jesus, and you will not, you cannot plead in vain. Commonly, where there is a gracious heart, there is a weeping eye. Accept, O Lord, the tears our blessed Redeemer shed in the days of his flesh, for us who should weep for our brethren or ourselves.
Commentary on Psalm 119:137-144
(Read Psalm 119:137-144)
God never did, and never can do wrong to any. The promises are faithfully performed by Him that made them. Zeal against sin should constrain us to do what we can against it, at least to do more in religion ourselves. Our love to the word of God is evidence of our love to God, because it is designed to make us partake his holiness. Men's real excellency always makes them low in their own eyes. When we are small and despised, we have the more need to remember God's precepts, that we may have them to support us. The law of God is the truth, the standard of holiness, the rule of happiness; but the obedience of Christ alone justifies the believer. Sorrows are often the lot of saints in this vale of tears; they are in heaviness through manifold temptations. There are delights in the word of God, which the saints often most sweetly enjoy when in trouble and anguish. This is life eternal, to know God and Jesus Christ whom he has sent, John 17:3. May we live the life of faith and grace here, and be removed to the life of glory hereafter.