The Excellencies of God's Law

1191 <ALEPH> Happy are they who are without sin in their ways, walking in the law of the Lord. 2 Happy are they who keep his unchanging word, searching after him with all their heart. 3 They do no evil; they go in his ways.

4 You have put your orders into our hearts, so that we might keep them with care. 5 If only my ways were ordered so that I might keep your rules! 6 Then I would not be put to shame, as long as I have respect for all your teaching.

7 I will give you praise with an upright heart in learning your right decisions. 8 I will keep your rules: O give me not up completely.

9 <BETH> How may a young man make his way clean? by guiding it after your word.

10 I have made search for you with all my heart: O let me not go wandering far from your teaching.

11 I have kept your sayings secretly in my heart, so that I might do no sin against you.

12 Praise be to you, O Lord: give me knowledge of your rules.

13 With my lips have I made clear all the decisions of your mouth. 14 I have taken as much delight in the way of your unchanging word, as in all wealth. 15 I will give thought to your orders, and have respect for your ways. 16 I will have delight in your rules; I will not let your word go out of my mind.

17 <GIMEL> Give me, your servant, the reward of life, so that I may keep your word;

18 Let my eyes be open to see the wonders of your law.

19 I am living in a strange land: do not let your teachings be kept secret from me.

20 My soul is broken with desire for your decisions at all times.

21 Your hand has been against the men of pride, a curse is on those who go wandering out of your way.

22 Take away from me shame and bitter words; for I have kept your unchanging word in my heart.

23 Rulers make evil designs against me; but your servant gives thought to your rules.

24 Your unchanging word is my delight, and the guide of my footsteps.

25 <DALETH> My soul is joined to the dust: O give me life, in keeping with your word.

26 I put the record of my ways before you, and you gave me an answer: O give me knowledge of your rules. 27 Make the way of your orders clear to me; then my thoughts will be ever on your wonders.

28 My soul is wasted with sorrow; give me strength again in keeping with your word 29 Take from me every false way; and in mercy give me your law.

30 I have taken the way of faith: I have kept your decisions before me. 31 I have been true to your unchanging word; O Lord, do not put me to shame. 32 I will go quickly in the way of your teaching, because you have given me a free heart.

33 <HE> O Lord, let me see the way of your rules, and I will keep it to the end. 34 Give me wisdom, so that I may keep your law; going after it with all my heart.

35 Make me go in the way of your teachings; for they are my delight. 36 Let my heart be turned to your unchanging word, and not to evil desire.

37 Let my eyes be turned away from what is false; give me life in your ways.

38 Give effect to your word to your servant, in whose heart is the fear of you.

39 Take away the shame which is my fear; for your decisions are good.

40 See how great is my desire for your orders: give me life in your righteousness.

41 <VAU> Let your mercies come to me, O Lord, even your salvation, as you have said. 42 So that I may have an answer for the man who would put me to shame; for I have faith in your word.

43 Take not your true word quite out of my mouth; for I have put my hope in your decisions. 44 So that I may keep your law for ever and ever;

45 So that my way may be in a wide place: because my search has been for your orders. 46 So that I may give knowledge of your unchanging word before kings, and not be put to shame. 47 And so that I may take delight in your teachings, to which I have given my love. 48 And so that my hands may be stretched out to you; and I will give thought to your rules.

49 <ZAIN> Keep in mind your word to your servant, for on it has my hope been fixed.

50 This is my comfort in my trouble; that your sayings have given me life.

51 The men of pride have made great sport of me; but I have not been turned from your law.

52 I have kept the memory of your decisions from times past, O Lord; and they have been my comfort.

53 I am burning with wrath, because of the sinners who have given up your law.

54 Your rules have been melodies to me, while I have been living in strange lands.

55 I have given thought to your name in the night, O Lord, and have kept your law. 56 This has been true of me, that I have kept your orders in my heart.

57 <CHETH> The Lord is my heritage: I have said that I would be ruled by your words.

58 I have given my mind to do your pleasure with all my heart; have mercy on me, as you have said.

59 I gave thought to my steps, and my feet were turned into the way of your unchanging word. 60 I was quick to do your orders, and let no time be wasted.

61 The cords of evil-doers are round me; but I have kept in mind your law.

62 In the middle of the night I will get up to give you praise, because of all your right decisions.

63 I keep company with all your worshippers, and those who have your orders in their memory.

64 The earth, O Lord, is full of your mercy: give me knowledge of your rules.

65 <TETH> You have done good to your servant, O Lord, in keeping with your word. 66 Give me knowledge and good sense; for I have put my faith in your teachings.

67 Before I was in trouble I went out of the way; but now I keep your word.

68 You are good, and your works are good; give me knowledge of your rules.

69 The men of pride have said false things about me; but I will keep your orders in my heart. 70 Their hearts are shut up with fat; but my delight is in your law.

71 It is good for me to have been through trouble; so that I might come to the knowledge of your rules.

72 The law of your mouth is better to me than thousands of gold and silver.

73 <JOD> Your hands have made me, and given me form: give me wisdom, so that I may have knowledge of your teaching.

74 Your worshippers will see me and be glad; because my hope has been in your word.

75 I have seen, O Lord, that your decisions are right, and that in unchanging faith you have sent trouble on me.

76 Let your mercy now be my comfort, as you have said to your servant. 77 Let your gentle mercies come to me, so that I may have life; for your law is my delight.

78 Let the men of pride be shamed; because they have falsely given decision against me; but I will give thought to your orders. 79 Let your worshippers be turned to me, and those who have knowledge of your words.

80 Let all my heart be given to your orders, so that I may not be put to shame.

81 <CAPH> My soul is wasted with desire for your salvation: but I have hope in your word. 82 My eyes are full of weariness with searching for your word, saying, When will you give me comfort?

83 For I have become like a wine-skin black with smoke; but I still keep the memory of your rules.

84 How short is the life of your servant! when will you give your decision against those who are attacking me?

85 The men of pride, who are turned away from your law, have put nets for me. 86 All your teachings are certain; they go after me with evil design; give me your help. 87 They had almost put an end to me on earth; but I did not give up your orders.

88 Give me life in your mercy; so that I may be ruled by the unchanging word of your 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.