49 <ZAIN> Keep in mind your word to your servant, for on it has my hope been fixed.
50 This is my comfort in my trouble; that your sayings have given me life.
51 The men of pride have made great sport of me; but I have not been turned from your law.
52 I have kept the memory of your decisions from times past, O Lord; and they have been my comfort.
53 I am burning with wrath, because of the sinners who have given up your law.
54 Your rules have been melodies to me, while I have been living in strange lands.
55 I have given thought to your name in the night, O Lord, and have kept your law. 56 This has been true of me, that I have kept your orders in my heart.
57 <CHETH> The Lord is my heritage: I have said that I would be ruled by your words.
58 I have given my mind to do your pleasure with all my heart; have mercy on me, as you have said.
59 I gave thought to my steps, and my feet were turned into the way of your unchanging word. 60 I was quick to do your orders, and let no time be wasted.
61 The cords of evil-doers are round me; but I have kept in mind your law.
62 In the middle of the night I will get up to give you praise, because of all your right decisions.
63 I keep company with all your worshippers, and those who have your orders in their memory.
64 The earth, O Lord, is full of your mercy: give me knowledge of your rules.
65 <TETH> You have done good to your servant, O Lord, in keeping with your word. 66 Give me knowledge and good sense; for I have put my faith in your teachings.
67 Before I was in trouble I went out of the way; but now I keep your word.
68 You are good, and your works are good; give me knowledge of your rules.
69 The men of pride have said false things about me; but I will keep your orders in my heart. 70 Their hearts are shut up with fat; but my delight is in your law.
71 It is good for me to have been through trouble; so that I might come to the knowledge of your rules.
72 The law of your mouth is better to me than thousands of gold and silver.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Psalm 119:49-72
Commentary on Psalm 119:49-56
(Read Psalm 119:49-56)
Those that make God's promises their portion, may with humble boldness make them their plea. He that by his Spirit works faith in us, will work for us. The word of God speaks comfort in affliction. If, through grace, it makes us holy, there is enough in it to make us easy, in all conditions. Let us be certain we have the Divine law for what we believe, and then let not scoffers prevail upon us to decline from it. God's judgments of old comfort and encourage us, for he is still the same. Sin is horrible in the eyes of all that are sanctified. Ere long the believer will be absent from the body, and present with the Lord. In the mean time, the statutes of the Lord supply subjects for grateful praise. In the season of affliction, and in the silent hours of the night, he remembers the name of the Lord, and is stirred up to keep the law. All who have made religion the first thing, will own that they have been unspeakable gainers by it.
Commentary on Psalm 119:57-64
(Read Psalm 119:57-64)
True believers take the Lord for the portion of their inheritance, and nothing less will satisfy them. The psalmist prayed with his whole heart, knowing how to value the blessing he prayed for: he desired the mercy promised, and depended on the promise for it. He turned from by-paths, and returned to God's testimonies. He delayed not. It behoves sinners to hasten to escape; and the believer will be equally in haste to glorify God. No care or grief should take away God's word out of our minds, or hinder the comfort it bestows. There is no situation on earth in which a believer has not cause to be thankful. Let us feel ashamed that others are more willing to keep from sleep to spend the time in sinful pleasures, than we are to praise God. And we should be more earnest in prayer, that our hearts may be filled with his mercy, grace, and peace.
Commentary on Psalm 119:65-72
(Read Psalm 119:65-72)
However God has dealt with us, he has dealt with us better than we deserve; and all in love, and for our good. Many have knowledge, but little judgment; those who have both, are fortified against the snares of Satan, and furnished for the service of God. We are most apt to wander from God, when we are easy in the world. We should leave our concerns to the disposal of God, seeing we know not what is good for us. Lord, thou art our bountiful Benefactor; incline our hearts to faith and obedience. The psalmist will go on in his duty with constancy and resolution. The proud are full of the world, and its wealth and pleasures; these make them senseless, secure, and stupid. God visits his people with affliction, that they may learn his statutes. Not only God's promises, but even his law, his percepts, though hard to ungodly men, are desirable, and profitable, because they lead us with safety and delight unto eternal life.