161 Princes have persecuted me without a cause,
but my heart stands in awe of your words.
162 I rejoice at your word,
as one who finds great spoil.
163 I hate and abhor falsehood.
I love your law.
164 Seven times a day, I praise you,
because of your righteous ordinances.
165 Those who love your law have great peace.
Nothing causes them to stumble.
166 I have hoped for your salvation, Yahweh.
I have done your commandments.
167 My soul has observed your testimonies.
I love them exceedingly. 168 I have obeyed your precepts and your testimonies,
for all my ways are before you.
TAV
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Psalm 119:161-168
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.