153 <RESH> O see my trouble, and be my saviour; for I keep your law in my mind, 154 Undertake my cause, and come to my help, give me life, as you have said.
155 Salvation is far from evil-doers; for they have made no search for your rules.
156 Great is the number of your mercies, O Lord; give me life in keeping with your decisions.
157 Great is the number of those who are against me; but I have not been turned away from your unchanging word.
158 I saw with hate those who were untrue to you; for they did not keep your saying.
159 See how great is my love for your orders: give me life, O Lord, in keeping with your mercy.
160 Your word is true from the first; and your upright decision is unchanging for ever.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Psalm 119:153-160
Commentary on Psalm 119:153-160
(Read Psalm 119:153-160)
The closer we cleave to the word of God, both as our rule and as our stay, the more assurance we have of deliverance. Christ is the Advocate of his people, their Redeemer. Those who were quickened by his Spirit and grace, when they were dead in trespasses and sins, often need to have the work of grace revived in them, according to the word of promise. The wicked not only do not God's statutes, but they do not even seek them. They flatter themselves that they are going to heaven; but the longer they persist in sin, the further it is from them. God's mercies are tender; they are a fountain that can never be exhausted. The psalmist begs for God's reviving, quickening grace. A man, steady in the way of his duty, though he may have many enemies, needs to fear none. Those that hate sin truly, hate it as sin, as a transgression of the law of God, and a breaking of his word. Our obedience is only pleasing to God, and pleasant to ourselves, when it comes from a principle of love. All, in every age, who receive God's word in faith and love, find every saying in it faithful.