121 'Ain.' I have done judgment and righteousness, Leave me not to mine oppressors. 122 Make sure Thy servant for good, Let not the proud oppress me.
123 Mine eyes have been consumed for Thy salvation. And for the saying of Thy righteousness.
124 Do with Thy servant according to Thy kindness. And Thy statutes teach Thou me. 125 Thy servant 'am' I—cause me to understand, And I know Thy testimonies.
126 Time for Jehovah to work! they have made void Thy law.
127 Therefore I have loved Thy commands Above gold—even fine gold. 128 Therefore all my appointments I have declared wholly right, Every path of falsehood I have hated!
129 'Pe.' Wonderful 'are' Thy testimonies, Therefore hath my soul kept them.
130 The opening of Thy words enlighteneth, Instructing the simple.
131 My mouth I have opened, yea, I pant, For, for Thy commands I have longed.
132 Look unto me, and favour me, As customary to those loving Thy name.
133 My steps establish by Thy saying, And any iniquity doth not rule over me.
134 Ransom me from the oppression of man, And I observe Thy precepts,
135 Thy face cause to shine on Thy servant, And teach me Thy statutes.
136 Rivulets of waters have come down mine eyes, Because they have not kept Thy law!
137 'Tzade.' Righteous 'art' Thou, O Jehovah, And upright 'are' Thy judgments. 138 Thou hast appointed Thy testimonies, Righteous and exceeding faithful,
139 Cut me off hath my zeal, For mine adversaries forgot Thy words.
140 Tried 'is' thy saying exceedingly, And Thy servant hath loved it.
141 Small I 'am', and despised, Thy precepts I have not forgotten.
142 Thy righteousness 'is' righteousness to the age, And Thy law 'is' truth.
143 Adversity and distress have found me, Thy commands 'are' my delights. 144 The righteousness of Thy testimonies 'is' to Cause me to understand, and I live!
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.