89 For ever, O Lord, thy word is firmly fixed in the heavens. 90 Thy faithfulness endures to all generations; thou hast established the earth, and it stands fast. 91 By thy appointment they stand this day; for all things are thy servants.

92 If thy law had not been my delight, I should have perished in my affliction.

93 I will never forget thy precepts; for by them thou hast given me life.

94 I am thine, save me; for I have sought thy precepts.

95 The wicked lie in wait to destroy me; but I consider thy testimonies.

96 I have seen a limit to all perfection, but thy commandment is exceedingly broad.

97 Oh, how I love thy law! It is my meditation all the day.

98 Thy commandment makes me wiser than my enemies, for it is ever with me. 99 I have more understanding than all my teachers, for thy testimonies are my meditation. 100 I understand more than the aged, for I keep thy precepts.

101 I hold back my feet from every evil way, in order to keep thy word.

102 I do not turn aside from thy ordinances, for thou hast taught me.

103 How sweet are thy words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth! 104 Through thy precepts I get understanding; therefore I hate every false way.

105 Thy word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.

106 I have sworn an oath and confirmed it, to observe thy righteous ordinances.

107 I am sorely afflicted; give me life, O Lord, according to thy word!

108 Accept my offerings of praise, O Lord, and teach me thy ordinances.

109 I hold my life in my hand continually, but I do not forget thy law. 110 The wicked have laid a snare for me, but I do not stray from thy precepts.

111 Thy testimonies are my heritage for ever; yea, they are the joy of my heart. 112 I incline my heart to perform thy statutes for ever, to the end.

113 I hate double-minded men, but I love thy law.

114 Thou art my hiding place and my shield; I hope in thy word.

115 Depart from me, you evildoers, that I may keep the commandments of my God.

116 Uphold me according to thy promise, that I may live, and let me not be put to shame in my hope! 117 Hold me up, that I may be safe and have regard for thy statutes continually!

118 Thou dost spurn all who go astray from thy statutes; yea, their cunning is in vain. 119 All the wicked of the earth thou dost count as dross; therefore I love thy testimonies. 120 My flesh trembles for fear of thee, and I am afraid of thy judgments.

121 I have done what is just and right; do not leave me to my oppressors. 122 Be surety for thy servant for good; let not the godless oppress me.

123 My eyes fail with watching for thy salvation, and for the fulfilment of thy righteous promise.

124 Deal with thy servant according to thy steadfast love, and teach me thy statutes. 125 I am thy servant; give me understanding, that I may know thy testimonies!

126 It is time for the Lord to act, for thy law has been broken.

127 Therefore I love thy commandments above gold, above fine gold. 128 Therefore I direct my steps by all thy precepts; I hate every false way.

129 Thy testimonies are wonderful; therefore my soul keeps them.

130 The unfolding of thy words gives light; it imparts understanding to the simple.

131 With open mouth I pant, because I long for thy commandments.

132 Turn to me and be gracious to me, as is thy wont toward those who love thy name.

133 Keep steady my steps according to thy promise, and let no iniquity get dominion over me.

134 Redeem me from man's oppression, that I may keep thy precepts.

135 Make thy face shine upon thy servant, and teach me thy statutes.

136 My eyes shed streams of tears, because men do not keep thy law.

137 Righteous art thou, O Lord, and right are thy judgments. 138 Thou hast appointed thy testimonies in righteousness and in all faithfulness.

139 My zeal consumes me, because my foes forget thy words.

140 Thy promise is well tried, and thy servant loves it.

141 I am small and despised, yet I do not forget thy precepts.

142 Thy righteousness is righteous for ever, and thy law is true.

143 Trouble and anguish have come upon me, but thy commandments are my delight. 144 Thy testimonies are righteous for ever; give me understanding that I may live.

145 With my whole heart I cry; answer me, O Lord! I will keep thy statutes. 146 I cry to thee; save me, that I may observe thy testimonies.

147 I rise before dawn and cry for help; I hope in thy words. 148 My eyes are awake before the watches of the night, that I may meditate upon thy promise.

149 Hear my voice in thy steadfast love; O Lord, in thy justice preserve my life.

150 They draw near who persecute me with evil purpose; they are far from thy law. 151 But thou art near, O Lord, and all thy commandments are true.

152 Long have I known from thy testimonies that thou hast founded them for ever.

153 Look on my affliction and deliver me, for I do not forget thy law. 154 Plead my cause and redeem me; give me life according to thy promise!

155 Salvation is far from the wicked, for they do not seek thy statutes.

156 Great is thy mercy, O Lord; give me life according to thy justice.

157 Many are my persecutors and my adversaries, but I do not swerve from thy testimonies.

158 I look at the faithless with disgust, because they do not keep thy commands.

159 Consider how I love thy precepts! Preserve my life according to thy steadfast love.

160 The sum of thy word is truth; and every one of thy righteous ordinances endures for ever.

161 Princes persecute me without cause, but my heart stands in awe of thy words.

162 I rejoice at thy word like one who finds great spoil.

163 I hate and abhor falsehood, but I love thy law.

164 Seven times a day I praise thee for thy righteous ordinances.

165 Great peace have those who love thy law; nothing can make them stumble.

166 I hope for thy salvation, O Lord, and I do thy commandments.

167 My soul keeps thy testimonies; I love them exceedingly. 168 I keep thy precepts and testimonies, for all my ways are before thee.

169 Let my cry come before thee, O Lord; give me understanding according to thy word! 170 Let my supplication come before thee; deliver me according to thy word.

171 My lips will pour forth praise that thou dost teach me thy statutes.

172 My tongue will sing of thy word, for all thy commandments are right.

173 Let thy hand be ready to help me, for I have chosen thy precepts. 174 I long for thy salvation, O Lord, and thy law is my delight.

175 Let me live, that I may praise thee, and let thy ordinances help me.

176 I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek thy servant, for I do not forget thy commandments.

Matthew Henry's Commentary on Psalm 119:89-176

Commentary on Psalm 119:89-96

(Read Psalm 119:89-96)

The settling of God's word in heaven, is opposed to the changes and revolutions of the earth. And the engagements of God's covenant are established more firmly than the earth itself. All the creatures answer the ends of their creation: shall man, who alone is endued with reason, be the only unprofitable burden of the earth? We may make the Bible a pleasant companion at any time. But the word, without the grace of God, would not quicken us. See the best help for bad memories, namely, good affections; and though the exact words be lost, if the meaning remain, that is well. I am thine, not my own, not the world's; save me from sin, save me from ruin. The Lord will keep the man in peace, whose mind is stayed on him. It is poor perfection which one sees and end of. Such are all things in this world, which pass for perfections. The glory of man is but as the flower of the grass. The psalmist had seen the fulness of the word of God, and its sufficiency. The word of the Lord reaches to all cases, to all times. It will take us from all confidence in man, or in our own wisdom, strength, and righteousness. Thus shall we seek comfort and happiness from Christ alone.

Commentary on Psalm 119:97-104

(Read Psalm 119:97-104)

What we love, we love to think of. All true wisdom is from God. A good man carries his Bible with him, if not in his hands, yet in his head and in his heart. By meditation on God's testimonies we understand more than our teachers, when we understand our own hearts. The written word is a more sure guide to heaven, than all the fathers, the teachers, and ancients of the church. We cannot, with any comfort or boldness, attend God in holy duties, while under guilt, or in any by-way. It was Divine grace in his heart, that enabled the psalmist to receive these instructions. The soul has its tastes as well as the body. Our relish for the word of God will be greatest, when that for the world and the flesh is least. The way of sin is a wrong way; and the more understanding we get by the precepts of God, the more rooted will be our hatred of sin; and the more ready we are in the Scriptures, the better furnished we are with answers to temptation.

Commentary on Psalm 119:105-112

(Read Psalm 119:105-112)

The word of God directs us in our work and way, and a dark place indeed the world would be without it. The commandment is a lamp kept burning with the oil of the Spirit, as a light to direct us in the choice of our way, and the steps we take in that way. The keeping of God's commands here meant, was that of a sinner under a dispensation of mercy, of a believer having part in the covenant of grace. The psalmist is often afflicted; but with longing desires to become more holy, offers up daily prayers for quickening grace. We cannot offer any thing to God, that he will accept but what he is pleased to teach us to do. To have our soul or life continually in our hands, implies constant danger of life; yet he did not forget God's promises nor his precepts. Numberless are the snares laid by the wicked; and happy is that servant of God, whom they have not caused to err from his Master's precepts. Heavenly treasures are a heritage for ever; all the saints accept them as such, therefore they can be content with little of this world. We must look for comfort only in the way of duty, and that duty must be done. A good man, by the grace of God, brings his heart to his work, then it is done well.

Commentary on Psalm 119:113-120

(Read Psalm 119:113-120)

Here is a dread of the risings of sin, and the first beginnings of it. The more we love the law of God, the more watchful we shall be, lest vain thoughts draw us from what we love. Would we make progress in keeping God's commands, we must be separate from evil-doers. The believer could not live without the grace of God; but, supported by his hand, his spiritual life shall be maintained. Our holy security is grounded on Divine supports. All departure from God's statutes is error, and will prove fatal. Their cunning is falsehood. There is a day coming which will put the wicked into everlasting fire, the fit place for the dross. See what comes of sin Surely we who fall so low in devout affections, should fear, lest a promise being left us of entering into heavenly rest, any of us should be found to come short of it, Hebrews 4:1.

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.

Commentary on Psalm 119:145-152

(Read Psalm 119:145-152)

Supplications with the whole heart are presented only by those who desire God's salvation, and who love his commandments. Whither should the child go but to his father? Save me from my sins, my corruptions, my temptations, all the hinderances in my way, that I may keep thy testimonies. Christians who enjoy health, should not suffer the early hours of the morning to glide away unimproved. Hope in God's word encourages us to continue in prayer. It is better to take time from sleep, than not to find time for prayer. We have access to God at all hours; and if our first thoughts in the morning are of God, they will help to keep us in his fear all the day long. Make me lively and cheerful. God knows what we need and what is good for us, and will quicken us. If we are employed in God's service, we need not fear those who try to set themselves as far as they can out of the reach of the convictions and commands of his law. When trouble is near, God is near. He is never far to seek. All his commandments are truth. And God's promises will be performed. All that ever trusted in God have found him faithful.

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.

Commentary on Psalm 119:161-168

(Read Psalm 119:161-168)

Those whose hearts stand in awe of God's word, will rather endure the wrath of man, than break the law of God. By the word of God we are unspeakable gainers. Every man hates to have a lie told him, but we should more hate telling a lie; by the latter we give an affront to God. The more we see the beauty of truth, the more we shall see the hateful deformity of a lie. We are to praise God even for afflictions; through grace we get good from them. Those that love the world have great vexation, for it does not answer what they expect; those that love God's word have great peace, for it outdoes what they expect. Those in whom this holy love reigns, will not perplex themselves with needless scruples, or take offence at their brethren. A good hope of salvation will engage the heart in doing the commandments. And our love to the word of God must subdue our lusts, and root out carnal affections: we must make heart work of it, or we make nothing of it. We must keep the commandments of God by obedience to them, and his promises by reliance on them. God's eye is on us at all times; this should make us very careful to keep his commandments.

Commentary on Psalm 119:169-176

(Read Psalm 119:169-176)

The psalmist desired grace and strength to lift up his prayers, and that the Lord would receive and notice them. He desired to know more of God in Christ; to know more of the doctrines of the word, and the duties of religion. He had a deep sense of unworthiness, and holy fear that his prayer should not come before God; Lord, what I pray for is, what thou hast promised. We have learned nothing to purpose, if we have not learned to praise God. We should always make the word of God the rule of our discourse, so as never to transgress it by sinful speaking, or sinful silence. His own hands are not sufficient, nor can any creature lend him help; therefore he looks up to God, that the hand that had made him may help him. He had made religion his deliberate choice. There is an eternal salvation all the saints long for, and therefore they pray that God would help their way to it. Let thy judgments help me; let all ordinances and all providences, (both are God's judgments,) further me in glorifying God; let them help me for that work. He often looks back with shame and gratitude to his lost estate. He still prays for the tender care of Him who purchased his flock with his own blood, that he may receive from him the gift of eternal life. Seek me, that is, Find me; for God never seeks in vain. Turn me, and I shall be turned. Let this psalm be a touchstone by which to try our hearts, and our lives. Do our hearts, cleansed in Christ's blood, make these prayers, resolutions and confessions our own? Is God's word the standard of our faith, and the law of our practice? Do we use it as pleas with Christ for what we need? Happy those who live in such delightful exercises.

Food Offered to Idols

81 Now concerning food offered to idols: we know that "all of us possess knowledge." "Knowledge" puffs up, but love builds up. 2 If any one imagines that he knows something, he does not yet know as he ought to know. 3 But if one loves God, one is known by him.

4 Hence, as to the eating of food offered to idols, we know that "an idol has no real existence," and that "there is no God but one." 5 For although there may be so-called gods in heaven or on earth--as indeed there are many "gods" and many "lords" -- 6 yet for us there is one God, the Father, from whom are all things and for whom we exist, and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things and through whom we exist.

7 However, not all possess this knowledge. But some, through being hitherto accustomed to idols, eat food as really offered to an idol; and their conscience, being weak, is defiled. 8 Food will not commend us to God. We are no worse off if we do not eat, and no better off if we do. 9 Only take care lest this liberty of yours somehow become a stumbling block to the weak. 10 For if any one sees you, a man of knowledge, at table in an idol's temple, might he not be encouraged, if his conscience is weak, to eat food offered to idols? 11 And so by your knowledge this weak man is destroyed, the brother for whom Christ died. 12 Thus, sinning against your brethren and wounding their conscience when it is weak, you sin against Christ. 13 Therefore, if food is a cause of my brother's falling, I will never eat meat, lest I cause my brother to fall.