1191 How blessed are those whose way is blameless , Who walk in the law of the Lord . 2 How blessed are those who observe His testimonies , Who seek Him with all their heart . 3 They also do no unrighteousness ; They walk in His ways .
4 You have ordained Your precepts , That we should keep them diligently . 5 Oh that my ways may be established To keep Your statutes ! 6 Then I shall not be ashamed When I look upon all Your commandments .
7 I shall give thanks to You with uprightness of heart , When I learn Your righteous judgments . 8 I shall keep Your statutes ; Do not forsake me utterly e ! Beth.
9 How can a young man keep his way pure ? By keeping it according to Your word .
10 With all my heart I have sought You; Do not let me wander from Your commandments .
11 Your word I have treasured in my heart , That I may not sin against You.
12 Blessed are You, O Lord ; Teach me Your statutes .
13 With my lips I have told of All the ordinances of Your mouth . 14 I have rejoiced in the way of Your testimonies , As much as in all riches . 15 I will meditate on Your precepts And regard Your ways . 16 I shall delight in Your statutes ; I shall not forget Your word . Gimel.
17 Deal bountifully with Your servant , That I may live and keep Your word .
18 Open my eyes , that I may behold Wonderful things from Your law .
19 I am a stranger in the earth ; Do not hide Your commandments from me.
20 My soul is crushed with longing After Your ordinances at all times .
21 You rebuke the arrogant , the cursed , Who wander from Your commandments .
22 Take away reproach and contempt from me, For I observe Your testimonies .
23 Even though princes sit and talk against me, Your servant meditates on Your statutes .
24 Your testimonies also are my delight ; They are my counselors e . Daleth.
25 My soul cleaves to the dust ; Revive me according to Your word .
26 I have told of my ways , and You have answered me; Teach me Your statutes . 27 Make me understand the way of Your precepts , So I will meditate on Your wonders .
28 My soul weeps because of grief ; Strengthen me according to Your word . 29 Remove the false way from me, And graciously grant me Your law .
30 I have chosen the faithful way ; I have placed Your ordinances before me. 31 I cling to Your testimonies ; O Lord , do not put me to shame ! 32 I shall run the way of Your commandments , For You will enlarge my heart . He.
33 Teach me, O Lord , the way of Your statutes , And I shall observe it to the end . 34 Give me understanding , that I may observe Your law And keep it with all my heart .
35 Make me walk in the path of Your commandments , For I delight in it. 36 Incline my heart to Your testimonies And not to dishonest gain .
37 Turn away my eyes from looking at vanity , And revive me in Your ways .
38 Establish Your word to Your servant , As that which produces reverence for You.
39 Turn away my reproach which I dread , For Your ordinances are good .
40 Behold , I long for Your precepts ; Revive me through Your righteousness . Vav.
41 May Your lovingkindnesses also come to me, O Lord , Your salvation according to Your word ; 42 So I will have an answer e for him who reproaches me, For I trust in Your word .
43 And do not take the word of truth utterly e out of my mouth , For I wait for Your ordinances . 44 So I will keep Your law continually , Forever and ever .
45 And I will walk at liberty , For I seek Your precepts . 46 I will also speak of Your testimonies before kings And shall not be ashamed . 47 I shall delight in Your commandments , Which I love . 48 And I shall lift up my hands to Your commandments , Which I love ; And I will meditate on Your statutes . Zayin.
49 Remember the word to Your servant , In which You have made me hope .
50 This is my comfort in my affliction , That Your word has revived me.
51 The arrogant utterly e deride me, Yet I do not turn aside from Your law .
52 I have remembered Your ordinances from of old , O Lord , And comfort myself.
53 Burning indignation has seized me because of the wicked , Who forsake Your law .
54 Your statutes are my songs In the house of my pilgrimage .
55 O Lord , I remember Your name in the night , And keep Your law . 56 This has become mine, That I observe Your precepts . Heth.
57 The Lord is my portion ; I have promised to keep Your words .
58 I sought Your favor with all my heart ; Be gracious to me according to Your word .
59 I considered my ways And turned my feet to Your testimonies . 60 I hastened and did not delay To keep Your commandments .
61 The cords of the wicked have encircled me, But I have not forgotten Your law .
62 At midnight e I shall rise to give thanks to You Because of Your righteous ordinances .
63 I am a companion of all those who fear You, And of those who keep Your precepts .
64 The earth is full of Your lovingkindness , O Lord ; Teach me Your statutes . Teth.
65 You have dealt well with Your servant , O Lord , according to Your word . 66 Teach me good discernment and knowledge , For I believe in Your commandments .
67 Before I was afflicted I went astray , But now I keep Your word .
68 You are good and do good ; Teach me Your statutes .
69 The arrogant have forged a lie against me; With all my heart I will observe Your precepts . 70 Their heart is covered with fat , But I delight in Your law .
71 It is good for me that I was afflicted , That I may learn Your statutes .
72 The law of Your mouth is better to me Than thousands of gold and silver pieces. Yodh.
73 Your hands made me and fashioned me; Give me understanding , that I may learn Your commandments .
74 May those who fear You see me and be glad , Because I wait for Your word .
75 I know , O Lord , that Your judgments are righteous , And that in faithfulness You have afflicted me.
76 O may Your lovingkindness comfort me, According to Your word to Your servant . 77 May Your compassion come to me that I may live , For Your law is my delight .
78 May the arrogant be ashamed , for they subvert me with a lie ; But I shall meditate on Your precepts . 79 May those who fear You turn to me, Even those who know Your testimonies .
80 May my heart be blameless in Your statutes , So that I will not be ashamed . Kaph.
81 My soul languishes for Your salvation ; I wait for Your word . 82 My eyes fail with longing for Your word , While I say , "When will You comfort me?"
83 Though I have become like a wineskin in the smoke , I do not forget Your statutes .
84 How many are the days of Your servant ? When will You execute judgment on those who persecute me?
85 The arrogant have dug pits for me, Men who are not in accord with Your law . 86 All Your commandments are faithful ; They have persecuted me with a lie ; help me! 87 They almost destroyed me on earth , But as for me, I did not forsake Your precepts .
88 Revive me according to Your lovingkindness , So that I may keep the testimony of Your mouth . Lamedh.
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Matthew Henry's Commentary on Psalm 119:1-88
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.
Commentary on Psalm 119:25-32
(Read Psalm 119:25-32)
While the souls of the children of this world cleave to the earth as their portion, the children of light are greatly burdened, because of the remains of carnal affections in their hearts. It is unspeakable comfort to a gracious soul, to think with what tenderness all its complaints are received by a gracious God. We can talk of the wonders of redeeming love, when we understand the way of God's precepts, and walk in that way. The penitent melts in sorrow for sin: even the patient spirit may melt in the sense of affliction, it is then its interest to pour out its soul before God. The way of lying means all false ways by which men deceive themselves and others, or are deceived by Satan and his instruments. Those who know and love the law of the Lord, desire to know it more, and love it better. The way of serious godliness is the way of truth; the only true way to happiness: we must always have actual regard to it. Those who stick to the word of God, may in faith expect and pray for acceptance with God. Lord, never leave me to do that by which I shall shame myself, and do not thou reject my services. Those that are going to heaven, should still press forward. God, by his Spirit, enlarges the hearts of his people when he gives them wisdom. The believer prays to be set free from sin.
Commentary on Psalm 119:33-40
(Read Psalm 119:33-40)
Teach me thy statutes, not the mere words, but the way of applying them to myself. God, by his Spirit, gives a right understanding. But the Spirit of revelation in the word will not suffice, unless we have the Spirit of wisdom in the heart. God puts his Spirit within us, causing us to walk in his statutes. The sin here prayed against is covetousness. Those that would have the love of God rooted in them, must get the love of the world rooted out; for the friendship of the world is enmity with God. Quicken me in thy way; to redeem time, and to do every duty with liveliness of spirit. Beholding vanity deadens us, and slackens our pace; a traveller must not stand gazing upon every object that presents itself to his view. The promises of God's word greatly relate to the preservation of the true believer. When Satan has drawn a child of God into worldly compliances, he will reproach him with the falls into which he led him. Victory must come from the cross of Christ. When we enjoy the sweetness of God's precepts, it will make us long for more acquaintance with them. And where God has wrought to will, he will work to do.
Commentary on Psalm 119:41-48
(Read Psalm 119:41-48)
Lord, I have by faith thy mercies in view; let me by prayer prevail to obtain them. And when the salvation of the saints is completed, it will plainly appear that it was not in vain to trust in God's word. We need to pray that we may never be afraid or ashamed to own God's truths and ways before men. And the psalmist resolves to keep God's law, in a constant course of obedience, without backsliding. The service of sin is slavery; the service of God is liberty. There is no full happiness, or perfect liberty, but in keeping God's law. We must never be ashamed or afraid to own our religion. The more delight we take in the service of God, the nearer we come to perfection. Not only consent to his law as good, but take pleasure in it as good for us. Let me put forth all the strength I have, to do it. Something of this mind of Christ is in every true disciple.
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.
Commentary on Psalm 119:73-80
(Read Psalm 119:73-80)
God made us to serve him, and enjoy him; but by sin we have made ourselves unfit to serve him, and to enjoy him. We ought, therefore, continually to beseech him, by his Holy Spirit, to give us understanding. The comforts some have in God, should be matter of joy to others. But it is easy to own, that God's judgments are right, until it comes to be our own case. All supports under affliction must come from mercy and compassion. The mercies of God are tender mercies; the mercies of a father, the compassion of a mother to her son. They come to us when we are not able to go to them. Causeless reproach does not hurt, and should not move us. The psalmist could go on in the way of his duty, and find comfort in it. He valued the good will of saints, and was desirous to keep up his communion with them. Soundness of heart signifies sincerity in dependence on God, and devotedness to him.
Commentary on Psalm 119:81-88
(Read Psalm 119:81-88)
The psalmist sought deliverance from his sins, his foes, and his fears. Hope deferred made him faint; his eyes failed by looking out for this expected salvation. But when the eyes fail, yet faith must not. His affliction was great. He was become like a leathern bottle, which, if hung up in the smoke, is dried and shrivelled up. We must ever be mindful of God's statutes. The days of the believer's mourning shall be ended; they are but for a moment, compared with eternal happiness. His enemies used craft as well as power for his ruin, in contempt of the law of God. The commandments of God are true and faithful guides in the path of peace and safety. We may best expect help from God when, like our Master, we do well and suffer for it. Wicked men may almost consume the believer upon earth, but he would sooner forsake all than forsake the word of the Lord. We should depend upon the grace of God for strength to do every good work. The surest token of God's good-will toward us, is his good work in us.