17 Be generous with me and I'll live a full life; not for a minute will I take my eyes off your road.
18 Open my eyes so I can see what you show me of your miracle-wonders.
19 I'm a stranger in these parts; give me clear directions.
20 My soul is starved and hungry, ravenous! - insatiable for your nourishing commands.
21 And those who think they know so much, ignoring everything you tell them - let them have it!
22 Don't let them mock and humiliate me; I've been careful to do just what you said.
23 While bad neighbors maliciously gossip about me, I'm absorbed in pondering your wise counsel.
24 Yes, your sayings on life are what give me delight; I listen to them as to good neighbors!
25 I'm feeling terrible - I couldn't feel worse! Get me on my feet again. You promised, remember?
26 When I told my story, you responded; train me well in your deep wisdom. 27 Help me understand these things inside and out so I can ponder your miracle-wonders.
28 My sad life's dilapidated, a falling-down barn; build me up again by your Word. 29 Barricade the road that goes Nowhere; grace me with your clear revelation.
30 I choose the true road to Somewhere, I post your road signs at every curve and corner. 31 I grasp and cling to whatever you tell me; God, don't let me down! 32 I'll run the course you lay out for me if you'll just show me how.
33 God, teach me lessons for living so I can stay the course. 34 Give me insight so I can do what you tell me - my whole life one long, obedient response.
35 Guide me down the road of your commandments; I love traveling this freeway! 36 Give me a bent for your words of wisdom, and not for piling up loot.
37 Divert my eyes from toys and trinkets, invigorate me on the pilgrim way.
38 Affirm your promises to me - promises made to all who fear you.
39 Deflect the harsh words of my critics - but what you say is always so good.
40 See how hungry I am for your counsel; preserve my life through your righteous ways!
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Matthew Henry's Commentary on Psalm 119:17-40
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.