The Excellencies of God's Law

1191 'Aleph.' O the happiness of those perfect in the way, They are walking in the law of Jehovah, 2 O the happiness of those keeping His testimonies, With the whole heart they seek Him. 3 Yea, they have not done iniquity, In His ways they have walked.

4 Thou hast commanded us Thy precepts to keep diligently, 5 O that my ways were prepared to keep Thy statutes, 6 Then I am not ashamed In my looking unto all Thy commands.

7 I confess Thee with uprightness of heart, In my learning the judgments of Thy righteousness. 8 Thy statutes I keep, leave me not utterly!

9 'Beth.' With what doth a young man purify his path? To observe—according to Thy word.

10 With all my heart I have sought Thee, Let me not err from Thy commands.

11 In my heart I have hid Thy saying, That I sin not before Thee.

12 Blessed 'art' Thou, O Jehovah, teach me Thy statutes.

13 With my lips I have recounted All the judgments of Thy mouth. 14 In the way of Thy testimonies I have joyed, As over all wealth. 15 In Thy precepts I meditate, And I behold attentively Thy paths. 16 In Thy statutes I delight myself, I do not forget Thy word.

17 'Gimel.' Confer benefits on Thy servant, I live, and I keep Thy word.

18 Uncover mine eyes, and I behold wonders out of Thy law.

19 A sojourner I 'am' on earth, Hide not from me Thy commands.

20 Broken hath my soul for desire Unto Thy judgments at all times.

21 Thou hast rebuked the cursed proud, Who are erring from Thy commands.

22 Remove from me reproach and contempt, For Thy testimonies I have kept.

23 Princes also sat—against me they spoke, Thy servant doth meditate in Thy statutes,

24 Thy testimonies also 'are' my delight, The men of my counsel!

25 'Daleth.' Cleaved to the dust hath my soul, Quicken me according to Thy word.

26 My ways I have recounted, And Thou answerest me, teach me Thy statutes, 27 The way of Thy precepts cause me to understand, And I meditate in Thy wonders.

28 My soul hath dropped from affliction, Establish me according to Thy word. 29 The way of falsehood turn aside from me And with Thy law favour me.

30 The way of faithfulness I have chosen, Thy judgments I have compared, 31 I have adhered to Thy testimonies, O Jehovah, put me not to shame. 32 The way of Thy commands I run, For Thou dost enlarge my heart!

33 'He.' Show me, O Jehovah, the way of Thy statutes, And I keep it—'to' the end. 34 Cause me to understand, and I keep Thy law, And observe it with the whole heart.

35 Cause me to tread in the path of Thy commands, For in it I have delighted. 36 Incline my heart unto Thy testimonies, And not unto dishonest gain.

37 Remove mine eyes from seeing vanity, In Thy way quicken Thou me.

38 Establish to Thy servant Thy saying, That 'is' concerning Thy fear.

39 Remove my reproach that I have feared, For Thy judgments 'are' good.

40 Lo, I have longed for Thy precepts, In Thy righteousness quicken Thou me,

41 'Waw.' And meet me doth Thy kindness, O Jehovah, Thy salvation according to Thy saying. 42 And I answer him who is reproaching me a word, For I have trusted in Thy word.

43 And Thou takest not utterly away From my mouth the word of truth, Because for Thy judgment I have hoped. 44 And I keep Thy law continually, To the age and for ever.

45 And I walk habitually in a broad place, For Thy precepts I have sought. 46 And I speak of Thy testimonies before kings, And I am not ashamed. 47 And I delight myself in Thy commands, That I have loved, 48 And I lift up my hands unto Thy commands, That I have loved, And I do meditate on Thy statutes!

49 'Zain.' Remember the word to Thy servant, On which Thou hast caused me to hope.

50 This 'is' my comfort in mine affliction, That Thy saying hath quickened me.

51 The proud have utterly scorned me, From Thy law I have not turned aside.

52 I remembered Thy judgments of old, O Jehovah, And I comfort myself.

53 Horror hath seized me, Because of the wicked forsaking Thy law.

54 Songs have been to me Thy statutes, In the house of my sojournings.

55 I have remembered in the night Thy name, O Jehovah, And I do keep Thy law. 56 This hath been to me, That Thy precepts I have kept!

57 'Cheth.' My portion 'is' Jehovah; I have said—to keep Thy words,

58 I appeased Thy face with the whole heart, Favour me according to Thy saying.

59 I have reckoned my ways, And turn back my feet unto Thy testimonies. 60 I have made haste, And delayed not, to keep Thy commands.

61 Cords of the wicked have surrounded me, Thy law I have not forgotten.

62 At midnight I rise to give thanks to Thee, For the judgments of Thy righteousness.

63 A companion I 'am' to all who fear Thee, And to those keeping Thy precepts.

64 Of Thy kindness, O Jehovah, the earth is full, Thy statutes teach Thou me!

65 'Teth.' Good Thou didst with Thy servant, O Jehovah, According to Thy word. 66 The goodness of reason and knowledge teach me, For in Thy commands I have believed.

67 Before I am afflicted, I—I am erring, And now Thy saying I have kept.

68 Good Thou 'art', and doing good, Teach me Thy statutes.

69 Forged against me falsehood have the proud, I with the whole heart keep Thy precepts. 70 Insensate as fat hath been their heart, I—in Thy law I have delighted.

71 Good for me that I have been afflicted, That I might learn Thy statutes.

72 Better to me 'is' the law of Thy mouth Than thousands of gold and silver!

73 'Yod.' Thy hands made me and establish me, Cause me to understand, and I learn Thy commands.

74 Those fearing Thee see me and rejoice, Because for Thy word I have hoped.

75 I have known, O Jehovah, That righteous 'are' Thy judgments, And 'in' faithfulness Thou hast afflicted me.

76 Let, I pray Thee, Thy kindness be to comfort me, According to Thy saying to Thy servant. 77 Meet me do Thy mercies, and I live, For Thy law 'is' my delight.

78 Ashamed are the proud, For 'with' falsehood they dealt perversely with me. I meditate in Thy precepts. 79 Those fearing Thee turn back to me, And those knowing Thy testimonies.

80 My heart is perfect in Thy statutes, So that I am not ashamed.

81 'Kaph.' Consumed for Thy salvation hath been my soul, For Thy word I have hoped. 82 Consumed have been mine eyes for Thy word, Saying, 'When doth it comfort me?'

83 For I have been as a bottle in smoke, Thy statutes I have not forgotten.

84 How many 'are' the days of Thy servant? When dost Thou execute Against my pursuers judgment?

85 The proud have digged for me pits, That 'are' not according to Thy law. 86 All Thy commands 'are' faithfulness, 'With' falsehood they have pursued me, Help Thou me. 87 Almost consumed me on earth have they, And I—I have not forsaken Thy precepts.

88 According to Thy kindness quicken Thou me, And I keep the testimony of Thy mouth!

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.