165 For those who love what you reveal, everything fits - no stumbling around in the dark for them.

166 I wait expectantly for your salvation; God, I do what you tell me.

167 My soul guards and keeps all your instructions - oh, how much I love them! 168 I follow your directions, abide by your counsel; my life's an open book before you.

169 Let my cry come right into your presence, God; provide me with the insight that comes only from your Word. 170 Give my request your personal attention, rescue me on the terms of your promise.

171 Let praise cascade off my lips; after all, you've taught me the truth about life!

172 And let your promises ring from my tongue; every order you've given is right.

173 Put your hand out and steady me since I've chosen to live by your counsel. 174 I'm homesick, God, for your salvation; I love it when you show yourself!

175 Invigorate my soul so I can praise you well, use your decrees to put iron in my soul.

176 And should I wander off like a lost sheep - seek me! I'll recognize the sound of your voice.

Matthew Henry's Commentary on Psalm 119:165-329

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.