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.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Psalm 119:49-72
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.