Bible Commentaries
Psalms 119

Verses 1-8

Psa 119:1-8

Psalms 119

OH HOW I LOVE THY LAW; IT IS MY MEDITATION ALL THE DAY

Delitzsch gives us the inscription above this psalm in his old German Version: "The Christian’s golden A-B-C of the praise, love, power and use of the Word of God.” He then added, "For here we have set forth in inexhaustible fulness what the Word of God is to a man, and how a man is to behave himself in relation to it.”

Psalms 119 is an acrostic to end all acrostics! There are twenty-two strophes (paragraphs), corresponding to the twenty-two letters of the Hebrew alphabet. Each of the strophes has eight lines (verses), and every one of the lines in each strophe begins with the appropriate Hebrew letter marking that stanza. The first eight lines begin with ALEPH, the second eight with BETH, and so on throughout the 176 lines of the Psalm. Kidner named the following as the nine acrostic psalms of the Psalter: "Psalms 9; Psalms 10; Psalms 25; Psalms 34; Psalms 37; Psalms 111; Psalms 112; Psalms 119; and Psalms 145.” The use of this literary device cannot be used as a safe indication of the date of a psalm or of any other Biblical book.

There are widely divergent views regarding date and authorship of this psalm. Leupold placed it in the days of Ezra and Nehemiah; McCullough dated it "Some time after Ezra.” Dahood’s comment questions such opinions.

Current scholarship tends to assign a later date to the psalm; but the view that the psalm was composed for some Davidic king does not seem improbable. Numerous poetic usages that were rarely employed in the post-Exilic period have been uncovered in the poem; and these strongly favor a pre-Exilic date.

More than a century earlier, Adam Clarke expressed the same opinion.

Although most judicious interpreters assign it to the times of the Babylonian captivity; yet there are so many things in it that are descriptive of David’s state, experience and affairs, that I am led to think it might have come from his pen.

Matthew Henry, Charles H. Spurgeon, J. W. Burns, and many other older commentators ascribe the psalm to David.

Regarding the author, Delitzsch has written the following.

The poet is a young man who finds himself in a situation which is clearly described. He is derided, oppressed, persecuted by those who despise the divine word (apostasy is all around him), particularly by a government hostile to true religion (Psalms 119:23; Psalms 119:46; Psalms 119:161). He is in bonds (Psalms 119:61; Psalms 119:83), expecting death (Psalms 119:109) .... In the midst of it, God’s Word is his comfort and wisdom. The whole Psalm is a prayer for steadfastness in the midst of an ungodly, degenerate race in the midst of great trouble.

Briggs described the one whom he supposed was the author here as, "A scribe, an early Pharisee of the highest and noblest type.”

One of the outstanding features of this psalm is the occurrence of ten synonyms for "law," one of which is repeated in almost every verse of the whole psalm. Leupold listed the synonyms as: "Law, word, saying, commandment, statute, ordinance, precept, testimony, way, and path.” Rawlinson listed only nine of these, and Kidner listed only eight. This writer believes that "truth" (Psalms 119:151) should also be added to the list, making eleven in all. The first eight of the synonyms listed by Leupold occur twenty times, or more, in the poem; but the others are used less frequently.

Regarding the meaning of "law," along with all the synonyms, it simply cannot be restricted to the Torah, as Yates thought. Our Lord himself and also the Apostle Paul quoted both the Psalms and the Prophets, referring to them as "law." See John 15:25,1 Corinthians 14:21 as proof of this. The synonyms, as used here, therefore mean, "The Scriptures as a whole.”

Christian hymnology owes a lot to this psalm. Isaac Watts’ famous hymn, set to music by Beethoven, "How Shall the Young Secure Their Hearts, is based on this psalm. “ Also, "The Statutes of the Lord," by James MacGranahan, from which hymn we selected a title for the whole chapter, has half a dozen quotations from verses in this psalm. There are also a number of other examples in the average hymnal.

Regarding the classification of this psalm, the only one that really fits is, "Acrostic." As McCullough said, "It is impossible to assign it to any of the familiar categories.” The same scholar also noted that, "God is either addressed or referred to in every one of the 176 verses"!

Regarding the organization of this lengthy psalm, "There is no progress of thought, and such progress would scarcely have been possible under the iron rule which the author imposed upon himself.” Of course, Addis was referring to that requirement of beginning every line with a certain Hebrew letter.

Briggs assigned a title to each of the twenty-two strophes of the psalm; and, although some have been critical of his choices, they are still the best which is available to us. We have not quoted his titles exactly, but have adapted them to conform more exactly to our interpretation. The title for Strophe 22 is our own.

Psalms 119:1-8

STROPHE 1

HAPPY ARE THOSE WHO PERFECTLY OBEY THE LAW

Aleph

"Blessed are they that are perfect in the way,

Who walk in the law of Jehovah.

Blessed are they that keep his testimonies,

That seek him with the whole heart.

Yea, they do no unrighteousness;

They walk in his ways.

Thou hast commanded us thy precepts,

That we should observe them diligently.

Oh that my ways were established

To observe thy statutes.

Then shall I not be put to shame,

When I have respect unto all thy commandments.

I will give thanks unto thee with uprightness of heart,

When I learn thy righteous judgments:

I will observe thy statutes:

O forsake me not utterly."

There is a pattern here which is followed throughout, namely, that of stringing together totally unrelated thoughts because of the psalmist’s honoring of his acrostic pattern. For example, look at Psalms 119:8.

Also, there are several of the synonyms for "law" used here, as throughout the poem. Briggs supposed that these various synonyms once referred to, "several types of Hebrew law," but such distinctions seemed to have been lost in the translations. We shall consider them as referring, in each case, to the teachings of the Holy Bible.

E.M. Zerr:

General remarks. The main subject of this long chapter is the Word of God. With exception of Psalms 119:3; Psalms 119:37; Psalms 119:90; Psalms 119:121-122; Psalms 119:132, each verse of the psalm makes direct mention of that Word under one of the following terms: law, testimonies, precepts, statutes, commandments, word, Judgments and ordinances. The chapter is divided into 22 sections of 8 verses each, and the word that stands as a heading of each section is one of the letters of the Hebrew alphabet, thus giving us the spelling in English letters of the complete Hebrew alphabet. I shall make brief comments on the several verses.

Verse 1. Blessed is from a Hebrew word that Strong defines as "happy." We should include the idea of the future in the definition. Most of the happiness of the righteous is in the future, although they will be happy now over the prospect of what is in store for them. God’s word is designated by law in this verse, and the blessing or happiness is upon those who walk according to that law. Those who do so are regarded as undefiled in God’s sight.

Psalms 119:2. To keep the testimonies means to observe the requirements contained therein. They are called by this name because they have been tested and proved true.

Psalms 119:3. The pronoun his refers to the Lord in the first verse. His ways means the manner of life that is expected of the servants of God.

Psalms 119:4. Precepts is used 21 times in this chapter and I will quote the definition in Strong’s lexicon for the original. "properly, appointed, i.e. a mandate (of God; plural only, collectively for the law)." The leading idea is of a rule of action that has been fixed by some authority that is specific in form but general in its application. To keep them, therefore, means to observe diligently the specific rule of action.

Psalms 119:5. Statutes is another term for the Word of God and it is used 22 times in this chapter. Its meaning is practically the same as that of precepts, so I will not repeat the definition. See the comments on "precepts" in verse 4.

Psalms 119:6. To be ashamed means to be confused and defeated. Such a state will be avoided by having respect unto the commandments. This is another term for the Word of God, and carries the idea of an order or positive requirement.

Psalms 119:7. Judgments is used as one of the terms for the Word of God because it means a verdict or decision. God has always used the proper judgment in forming his Word for the guidance of mankind. When a man is brought to realize this fact he will do the upright thing by giving the Lord due praise for it.

Psalms 119:8. For statutes see the comments at Psalms 119:5. David did not believe that even a keeper of them could entirely avoid all testing afflictions; he asked only that he be not utterly forsaken.

Verses 9-16

Psa 119:9-16

Psalms 119:9-16

STROPHE 2

HE OBSERVES IT WITH HEART, LIP, AND WAY; AND REJOICES IN IT

Beth

"Wherewith shall a young man cleanse his way?

By taking heed thereto according to thy word.

With my whole heart have I sought thee:

Oh let me not wander from thy commandments.

Thy word have I laid up in my heart,

That I might not sin against thee.

Blessed art thou, O Jehovah:

Teach me thy statutes.

With my lips have I declared

All the ordinances of thy mouth.

I have rejoiced in the way of thy testimonies,

As much as in all riches.

I will meditate on thy precepts,

And have respect unto thy ways.

I will delight myself in thy statutes:

I will not forget thy word."

Many comments are suggested by these verses, but all of them seem to be of a very ordinary kind; and we shall allow these beautiful words to stand just as they are written.

E.M. Zerr:

Psalms 119:9. God’s word is designated by a Hebrew term that is here rendered by the simple English one, which is ’word. It is used 38 times in this chapter and indicates that. God said or spoke the document intended as a rule of action, rather than merely influencing that action of man by bodily contact or power over him. God has always proposed to lead man into righteous living by appealing to his intelligence; by saying something to him. In this verse the Psalmist is thinking especially of the young man who should cleanse his way by hearing what God says to him.

Psalms 119:10. Wholeheartedness is the main thought in this verse. A halfhearted profession will cause one to wander from the commandments.

Psalms 119:11. It will do very little good to depend upon a manual turning to the Word of God if we do not retain it in the heart. That is why David hid it there that he might always be fortified against sin. It is the same thought that is sugggested in 1 Peter 3:15, in which one has the Lord dwelling in him through the Truth.

Psalms 119:12. Bless in this place is from a word that means to praise and adore. Such adoration would logically prompt one to desire a knowledge of His statutes.

Psalms 119:13. The judgments are defined at Psalms 119:7. David had such faith in them that he wished to repeat them for the instruction of others.

Psalms 119:14. There will not be any additional term introduced for the Word of God until verse 91. I therefore request the reader to recognize the particular term in each verse, which will be italicized, and see its definition at the proper place near the beginning of the chapter. Paul bade Christians to rejoice in the Lord (Philippians 3:1), and David said he would rejoice in the Lord’s testimonies.

Psalms 119:15. Both parts of this verse are related to the same thought. If one meditates on the precepts of the Lord, it will cause him to show respect to the ways of life that are expected of the servants of the Lord.

Psalms 119:16. We have the interesting circumstances of seeing two of the terms used in this verse. It is logical that if one takes delight in the sacred statutes, he will not forget the divine word coming from the same source.

Verses 17-24

Psa 119:17-24

Psalms 119:17-24

STROPHE 3

GOD’S LAW IS COUNSELOR AGAINST PLOTTING PRINCES

Gimel

"Deal bountifully with thy servant that I may live;

So will I observe thy word.

Open mine eyes, that I may behold

Wondrous things out of thy law.

I am a sojourner in the earth:

Hide not thy commandments from me.

My soul breaketh for the longing

That it hath unto thine ordinances at all times.

Thou hast rebuked the proud that are cursed,

That do wander from thy commandments.

Take away from me reproach and contempt;

For I have kept thy testimonies.

Princes also sat and talked against me;

But thy servant did meditate on thy statutes.

Thy testimonies also are my delight

And my counselors."

"Princes sat and talked against me" (Psalms 119:23). See Psalms 119:161 for comment on this.

"These verse are the first indication in the psalm (except in Psalms 119:8 b) of the psalmist’s personal troubles. The insolent or the proud (RSV has `godless’) in Psalms 119:21; Psalms 119:23 are referred to again in Psalms 119:51; Psalms 119:69; Psalms 119:78; Psalms 119:85; Psalms 119:122. Apparently the reference is to irreligious Jews. The princes also were probably Hebrews, but of the nobility." McCullough and others have made such deduction on the basis that there is no reference to Gentiles in the passage.

E.M. Zerr:

Psalms 119:17. The highest motive for wanting to live is expressed in this verse. It is that the Psalmist would have opportunity to keep the word.

Psalms 119:18. This meant for God to help David see the beautiful things revealed in the law. The thought for general consideration is that if people would earnestly search the Sacred Volume they would be surprised at the wondrous things found therein.

Psalms 119:19. A stranger is a foreigner within the meaning of the word here, as the words of a familiar song, "I’m but a stranger here, Heaven is my home," indicates. Such a person would feel the need of the holy commandments.

Psalms 119:20. My soul breaketh means he was overwhelmed with desire for God’s judgments.

Psalms 119:21. A proud man is one who feels above the commandments of God. Such a man will be cursed and rebuked by the Author of those commandments.

Psalms 119:22. David seldom asked for a favor from God without including some condition on which he expected it. The removal of reproach and contempt was to be as a reward for his keeping the divine testimonies.

Psalms 119:23. The original for princes is defined, "a head person (of any rank or class)." Hence it does not always mean officials, but leading characters in a community. Such persons often feel important and are disposed to persecute good men like David. But the Psalmist met the situation by meditating in the holy statutes.

Psalms 119:24. The Psalmist said in the first chapter that the happy man was the one who delighted in the law of the Lord. He now says that he delights in the testimonies, and also that he takes counsel or instruction from them.

Verses 25-32

Psa 119:25-32

Psalms 119:25-32

STROPHE 4

PRAYER FOR STRENGTHENING AND FOR DELIVERANCE FROM HUMILIATION

Daleth

"My soul cleaveth unto the dust:

Quicken thou me according to thy word.

I declared my ways, and thou answeredst me:

Teach me thy statutes.

Make me to understand the way of thy precepts:

So shall I meditate on thy wondrous works.

My soul melteth for heaviness:

Strengthen thou me according unto thy word.

Remove from me the way of falsehood;

And grant me thy law graciously.

I have chosen the way of faithfulness:

Thine ordinances have I set before me.

I cleave unto thy testimonies:

O Jehovah, put me not to shame.

I will run the way of thy commandments,

When thou shalt enlarge my heart."

A constant feature of this psalm is the repetition. For example, Psalms 119:26 b is exactly the same as Psalms 119:12 b. Also, there are many other instances of the same thought appearing in different terminology. "Put me not to shame" (Psalms 119:31) is exactly the same thought as that of Psalms 119:22 a. There are literally dozens of similar examples. As Professor Cheyne is reported to have said, "It is a sweetly monotonous meditation."

"Quicken thou me" (Psalms 119:25). This expression, rendered, "Give me life" in the RSV is repeated a number of times throughout the psalm.

E.M. Zerr:

Psalms 119:25. Cleaveth unto the dust is a figure of speech, meaning the low condition to which the enemies of David were trying to bring him. But he asked to be quickened or enlivened by the word. Psalms 119:26. Declared my ways means he had professed or declared how he wanted to conduct himself. As a guide in such a life, David wished to be taught the divine statutes.

Psalms 119:27. The first clause of this verse is like the preceding verse in thought, only the Psalmist uses the term precepts that he wished to understand. After having understood them, he proposed to talk about them to others.

Psalms 119:28. Soul is used for the whole being. Melteth signifies a state of depression or discouragement. But David never quite gave up hope. When things looked very dark and trying he always turned to the word tor help.

Psalms 119:29. There had been so much falsehood devised against David by henemies that he prayed for the is removal of all such activities. Granting. him the law does not imply that God would deny anyone the benefit of it. The Psalmist meant he craved the help of that law in combatting those who were devising falsehoods against him. Psalms 119:30. In this verse the Psalmist considers the way of truth as the equivalent of walking after the judgments of the Lord.

Psalms 119:31. A mere profession of interest in a thing, or an occasional use of it, will not avail very much, hence David said he stuck or clung to the divine testimonies. On that condition he felt free to pray for help in avoiding an experience of shame.

Psalms 119:32. To run the way means travel it eagerly, referring to the to pointed out in the command- way Enlarging the heart has about ments. the same thought as opening up an avenue of opportunity. Paul wrote along the same line of thought in 2 Corinthians 6:11.

Verses 33-40

Psa 119:33-40

Psalms 119:33-40

STROPHE 5

A PRAYER THAT GOD WILL TEACH HIM THE LAW AND THAT HE WILL TURN THE PSALMIST TO IT AWAY FROM COVETOUSNESS

He

"Teach me, O Jehovah, the way of thy statutes;

And I shall keep it unto the end.

Give me understanding, and I shall keep thy law;

Yea, I shall observe it with my whole heart.

Make me go to the path of thy commandments;

For therein do I delight.

Incline my heart unto thy testimonies,

And not to covetousness.

Turn away mine eyes from beholding vanity,

And quicken me in thy ways.

Confirm unto thy servant thy word,

Which is in order unto the fear of thee.

Turn away my reproach whereof I am afraid;

For thine ordinances are good.

Behold, I have longed after thy precepts:

Quicken me in thy righteousness."

"Turn away mine eyes from beholding vanity" (Psalms 119:37). In spite of the general monotony and constant repetition in the psalm, almost every strophe finds a line of significant fresh and challenging thought. This is such a line.

The lust of the eye entered into the temptation of our mother Eve; and Satan did not overlook the power of it when he tempted the Son of God in the wilderness, showing him "all the kingdoms of the world and the glory of them." Here the psalmist prays that God will control what he is tempted to "look upon."

The Lord has commanded, "Look not thou upon the wine when it is red" (Proverbs 23:31). There are also many other things upon which those who wish to live righteously simply should not allow their eyes to linger. Isaiah commended the man who, "shutteth his eyes from looking upon evil" (Isaiah 33:15).

And Job has this: "I made a solemn promise never to look with lust at a girl" (Job 31:1, the Good News Bible).

E.M. Zerr:

Psalms 119:33. This verse is another prayer for instruction. David craved to know the statutes of the Lord, and promised to keep them always.

Psalms 119:34. A man might have a great deal of understanding of some kind and still not be on the right course. David desired that which the Lord would give him, which would come through the divine law. He promised to give it wholehearted observance, for he realized that knowing the law alone would not suffice. Jesus brought out that same great lesson in John 13:17.

Psalms 119:35. In the 23rd Psalm it was declared that God would lead his sheep in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. The same thought is suggested by the path of the Lord’s commandments. With such a motive anyone would take delight in traveling over such a pathway.

Psalms 119:36. A man’s heart cannot be inclined in two directions at the same time. (Matthew 6:24.) David places the way of God’s testimonies as leading in one direction, and the way of covetousness as leading in the opposite direction.

Psalms 119:37. A thing of vanity is something that is useless even though it may have a showy appearance. To quicken means to enliven, and the Psalmist wished to be active in the way of life ordained by the Lord.

Psalms 119:38. The original for stablish means to "rise." The Psalmist means for God to cause his word to rise or have a standing before him, since he was devoted to the attitude of fear or reverence for Him. Psalms 119:39. The reproach that David feared was a threat from his enemies. He believed that God could divert the course of that reproach with his judgments.

Psalms 119:40. To long after the precepts is similar to taking delight in them. (Psalms 119:1-2.) To quicken means to enliven, and such a quickening would be in righteousness.

Verses 41-48

Psa 119:41-48

Psalms 119:41-48

STROPHE 6

A PROMISE TO TRUST IN THE LAW AND A VOW TO SERVE IT WITH DELIGHT AND LOVE

Waw

"Let thy lovingkindness also come unto me, O Jehovah,

Even thy salvation, according to thy word.

So shall I have an answer for him that reproacheth me;

For I trust in thy word.

And take not the word of truth utterly out of my mouth;

For I have hoped in thine ordinances.

So shall I observe thy law continually

Forever and ever.

And I shall walk at liberty;

For I have sought thy precepts.

I will also speak of thy testimonies before kings,

And shall not be put to shame.

And I will delight myself in thy commandments,

Which I have loved.

I will lift up my hands also unto thy commandments,

which I have loved;

I will meditate on thy statutes."

There is not a word in this strophe which has not already been duplicated, or nearly so, in previous passages. Psalms 119:43 b is like Psalms 119:24; Psalms 119:44 is like Psalms 119:35; Psalms 119:45 b is like Psalms 119:6; Psalms 119:22; Psalms 119:31 b; and Psalms 119:48 b is like Psalms 119:15, etc.

E.M. Zerr:

Psalms 119:41. Salvation does not come to mankind on the ground of merit, but through the mercy of God. This truth is an outstanding one that is taught in the holy word.

Psalms 119:42. By trusting in the word the Psalmist would be prepared to answer his enemies. We should compare this with the teaching in 1 Peter 3:15.

Psalms 119:43. No one who loves God would think he would deprive a man of the privilege of speaking the word. This was Just David’s way of expressing his desire and determination to continue speaking it. One of his motives was his confidence in the judgments of God as revealed in the divine revelation.

Psalms 119:44. For ever and ever is an emphatic form of saying it would continue to the end of life. David pledged himself to keep the law that long.

Psalms 119:45. Liberty means to have plenty of room or opportunity to walk. That can be said of one who seeks to find the Lord’s precepts.

Psalms 119:46. The Psalmist has frequently expressed the sentiments of this verse. His confidence in the testimonies of God was so great that he wished others to know about them, neither was he ashamed to speak about them even in the hearing of great men. Jesus taught the same idea in Mark 8:38.

Psalms 119:47. It is not enough merely to tolerate the commandments of God, but a true servant will delight in them. Of course we would expect to find delight in anything we love or have set our affection upon.

Psalms 119:48. Here is another verse that uses two of the terms under consideration, commandments a n d statutes. To lift up the hands means to do something about it, not merely make the profession of being interested in the great instrument of right living.

Verses 49-56

Psa 119:49-56

Psalms 119:49-56

STROPHE 7

PROUD SEDUCERS TORMENT LAW-KEEPERS BUT CANNOT DEPRIVE THEM OF COMFORT AND JOY IN DOING SO

Zayin

"Remember the word unto thy servant,

Because thou hast made me to hope.

This is my comfort in my affliction;

For thy word hath quickened me.

The proud have had me greatly in derision:

Yet have I not swerved from thy law.

I have remembered thine ordinances of old, O Jehovah,

And have comforted myself.

Hot indignation hath taken hold upon me,

Because of the wicked that forsake thy law.

Thy statutes have been my songs

In the house of my pilgrimage.

I have remembered thy name, O Jehovah, in the night,

And have observed thy law.

This I have had,

Because I have kept thy precepts."

The new element in this strophe is the emphasis upon the proud seducers who oppose the psalmist, but have in no way diminished his loving respect for God’s law, nor the comfort he receives from obeying it. Also, the mention of his "hot indignation" (Psalms 119:53) against such wickedness is here mentioned for the first time. The double affirmation that he indeed has kept the statutes of the Lord (Psalms 119:55 b and Psalms 119:56 b) is a recurring theme throughout the whole psalm, as in Psalms 119:15 b,22b, and Psalms 119:30 b.

"I have remembered thine ordinances of old" (Psalms 119:52). If the psalmist was a young man, as Delitzsch reasoned, he could not have meant here that he had personally remembered God’s ordinances for some great length of time. "He is remembering all of the course of God’s providential government of the world, including deliverances of God’s servants.”

E.M. Zerr:

Psalms 119:49. David uses the word "remember" in the sense of a petition only, not that he thinks God ever forgets. The prayer is made because of his hope in the word.

Psalms 119:50. It is comparatively easy to bear affliction if one has a reliable basis of support. David was quickened or enlivened by the word of God.

Psalms 119:51. Pride is often a symptom of envy at another’s good fortune. As a solace the proud man may pretend to belittle the greatness of the other person and he will deride or ridicule him. All of such treatment, however, could not induce David to give up the law of God, for he believed that in it there was true greatness.

Psalms 119:52. The record of the Lord’s dealings with man was known to David. In that record he observed the form of divine judgments and took comfort from it.

Psalms 119:53. Wickedness does not always consist in outright acts of violence. Instead, it is an act of wickedness to forsake the law of God. When men do that it may cause the friends of righteousness to be filled with horror.

Psalms 119:54. Pilgrimage means that David regarded himself as only a stranger here on the earth. While passing his days on the earth he composed songs and had them used to reflect the statutes of the Lord.

Psalms 119:55. To remember the name of the Lord in the night is similar to the thought in Psalms 1:2. After a man would pass a meditative night over the name of the Lord, he would be likely to pass the next day keeping the law in his actions.

Psalms 119:56. This refers to the situation described in the preceding verse. David attributes such a state to his keeping the precepts of the Lord.

Verses 57-64

Psalm 119:57-64

Psalms 119:57-64

STROPHE 8

DESPITE THE ENCROACHMENT OF WICKEDNESS; THE PSALMIST MAINTAINS FELLOWSHIP WITH LAW OBSERVERS

Cheth

"Jehovah is my portion:

I have said that I would observe thy words.

I entreated thy favor with my whole heart:

Be merciful unto me according to thy word.

I thought on my ways,

And turned my feet unto thy testimonies.

I made haste, and delayed not,

To observe thy commandments.

The cords of the wicked have wrapped me around;

But I have not forgotten thy law.

At midnight I will rise to give thanks unto thee

Because of thy righteous ordinances.

I am a companion of all them that fear thee,

And of them that observe thy precepts.

The earth, O Jehovah, is full of thy lovingkindness."

"The cords of the wicked have wrapped me" (Psalms 119:61). Coupled with Psalms 119:110, this verse was interpreted by Delitzsch as meaning the psalmist was in prison. However, the statement in Psalms 119:45 about his walking "in liberty," and the word in this strophe that "he is a companion" of the faithful seems to cast doubt upon that interpretation.

E.M. Zerr:

Psalms 119:57. Portion means allotment or share. The most valuable possession one can have, in David’s estimation, is that which comes from the Lord. That was the reason he had kept the words of the Lord.

Psalms 119:58. In his appeals for the favor of God the Psalmist had been wholehearted. Paul taught practically the same idea when he said for Christians to come boldly unto the throne of grace (Hebrews 4:16). That same mercy of which Paul wrote was expected by the Psalmist because it was according to the word which offered that mercy.

Psalms 119:59. Thought on my ways means the same as "walk circumspectly" (Ephesians 5:15). When David did this he realized the need for being guided by the testimonies.

Psalms 119:60. To make haste does not have reference to speed in action, but to a readiness of mind. It prompted the Psalmist to keep the commandments.

Psalms 119:61. Bands means companies, and the thing of which David was complaining was the forming of conspiracy by his enemies. Those who are wicked enough to plot against a righteous man would not likely care anything about the principles of the law of God. The meaning of the clause is that even the persecutions of his enemies could not distract the attention of David from the law.

Psalms 119:62. A righteous man will not be awakened from midnight sleep by any disturbances of conscience. But other conditions might disturb his sleep, and at such times he will find comfort in going to the Lord and thanking him for his righteous judgments; for the benefits he was deriving from them.

Psalms 119:63. David’s choice of associates were those who reverenced the Lord, and that meant those whose reverence was proved by their keeping His precepts.

Psalms 119:64. The Psalmist believed that all of the blessings enjoyed by the people of the earth were indications of God’s mercy. He wished to return the proper conduct in appreciation for those mercies, and for guidance wanted to know the statutes.

Verses 65-72

Psa 119:65-72

Psalms 119:65-72

STROPHE 9

AFFLICTIONS FROM PROUD ENEMIES CANNOT DENY GOD’S GOODNESS; NOR THAT HE IS THE DOER OF GOOD

Teth

"Thou hast dealt well with thy servant,

O Jehovah, according to thy word.

Teach me good judgments and knowledge;

For I have believed in thy commandments.

Before I was afflicted I went astray;

But now I observe thy word.

Thou art good, and doest good;

Teach me thy statutes.

The proud have forged a lie against me:

With my whole heart will I keep thy precepts.

Their heart is as fat as grease;

But I delight in thy law.

It is good for me that I have been afflicted;

That I may learn thy statutes.

The law of thy mouth is better unto me

Than thousands of gold and silver."

"Teach me good judgments ... teach me thy statutes" (Psalms 119:66; Psalms 119:68). This is a constantly recurring theme throughout the composition. Psalms 119:12 b,26b,33,34,38 and Psalms 119:64 b have already stated this either verbatim or in different terminology.

The wonderful new thing in this strophe is the blessing of affliction.

"Before I was afflicted I went astray; but now I observe thy word ... It is good for me that I have been afflicted" (Psalms 119:67; Psalms 119:71). "This is language that can be used by many a child of God.” Many a person can look back upon some terrible affliction, whether illness, unemployment, financial disaster, death of precious love ones, or whatever, in full recognition of the truth that is written here. The purpose of all human sorrow is that it might turn men unto God. The primeval curse upon the earth itself (Genesis 3:17-19) was designed for the same purpose.

E.M. Zerr:

Psalms 119:65. Not only was the dealing God well toward David, but it was of in harmony with the general principles taught in the word. Psalms 119:66. A man might have knowledge but not possess good judgment in applying it. David prayed for the Lord to give him both, seeing he already had faith in the commandments and the correctness of their requirements.

Psalms 119:67. Went astray does not especially refer to actions that were considered as sinful although it could include that meaning. It is true that David did sin and had to be corrected by afflictions. But the statement is also one of a great priciple regarding the discipline necessary to hold a man in the line of duty. The Psalmist was always an honest and humble servant of God, and realized that his afflictions had influenced him in keeping the word in connection with his daily walk.

Psalms 119:68. There is a familiar saying that a man ought to "practice what he preaches." We should not expect God to do that exactly since he is divine and man is human. However, David says that God not only but does good teaches his statutes, things himself.

Psalms 119:69. Forged is from TAPHAL which Strong defines, "a primitive root; properly to stick on as a patch; figuratively, to impute falsely." The thought is that David’s enemies had besmirched him with lies. The mistreatment, however, did not prevent him from keeping the Lord’s precepts.

Psalms 119:70. The pronoun their stands for the "proud" in the preceding verse. Fat is from TAPHASH and Strong’s definition is, "to be thick; figuratively to be stupid." Grease is from a word that refers to the richest part of any animal. That being the part without muscles, it would be inactive and a fitting illustration of a man who is stupid or inactive as to any great usefulness. In contrast with such a character, David was actively delightful in God’s law so that he meditated thereon day and night.

Psalms 119:71. This verse takes the same comments as Psalms 119:67 except it uses the term statutes in referring to the same subject that is under consideration in this chapter.

Psalms 119:72. The Psalmist was a possessor of great wealth, yet he did not value it as he did the law of God. He expressed the same sentiment in Psalms 19:10.

Verses 73-80

Psa 119:73-80

Psalms 119:73-80

STROPHE 10

A PRAYER TO THE CREATOR THAT HE MAY VISIT THE PROUD; NOT HIS SERVANTS; WITH SHAME

Yodh

"Thy hands have made me and fashioned me:

Give me understanding that I may learn thy commandments.

They that fear thee shall see me and be glad,

Because I have hoped in thy word.

I know, O Jehovah, that thy judgments are righteous.

And that in faithfulness thou hast afflicted me.

Let, I pray thee, thy lovingkindness be for my comfort.

According to thy word unto thy servant.

Let thy tender mercies come unto me, that I may live;

For thy law is my delight.

Let the proud be put to shame; for they have overthrown me wrongfully:

But I will meditate on thy precepts.

Let those that fear thee turn unto me;

And they shall know thy testimonies.

Let my heart be perfect in thy statutes,

That I be not put to shame."

"In faithfulness thou hast afflicted me" (Psalms 119:75). Miller observed that, "The psalmist recognized that God’s discipline was right.” As Baigent put it, "He is mature enough to realize that there is spiritual value in suffering and that it can be God’s school (Psalms 119:67; Psalms 119:71; Psalms 119:75).”

"Let those that fear thee turn unto me" (Psalms 119:79). "Cognizant of his own rich knowledge of the Law, the psalmist is eager to share it with his co-religionists.”

E.M. Zerr:

Psalms 119:73. This verse is logical in its reasoning. Since God made and fashioned man, he certainly knows what is best for his manner of life. Consequently, David craved an understanding of the Lord’s commandments.

Psalms 119:74. David’s respect for the word caused him also to respect those who feared its Author. He intended to show that respect in such desirable measure when they met the Psalmist that it would make them glad.

Psalms 119:75. The main thought in this verse is the justice of the afflictions that had been suffered to come upon David. Since they were beneficial to him, their infliction proved that God was doing the part of a faithful Friend when he suffered them to come. Consideration for all these truths caused him to affirm that the judgments of God are right.

Psalms 119:76. When one is tortured with fears of what the enemy might be plotting, he is hungry for the comfort that is genuine. That comfort that would come from the merciful kindness of God would certainly bring the support that could come from no other source. David had reason to expect this relief because it had been promised in the word which did not contain any false promises.

Psalms 119:77. This verse is much after the same thought as the preceding one. Tender is not in the original as a separate word. Mercies Is from RACHAM, which is defined by Strong by the simple word "compassion." The motive for requesting this favor from God was David’s delight in the low of God, the subject of his meditations.

Psalms 119:78. A proud man is not one who is ashamed. David means for him to be brought to shame as a punishment for his wicked pride. These enemies had dealt perversely or stubbornly with David without a cause. And again he looked for support and solace by meditating on the precepts of the Lord.

Psalms 119:79. For comments on the first part of this verse see those at Psalms 119:74. To know the Lord’s testimonies in an available sense means to fear Him.

Psalms 119:80. To be sound means to be established in the precepts of God. In that condition the Psalmist felt that he would not be ashamed or confused.

Verses 81-88

Psa 119:81-88

Psalms 119:81-88

STROPHE 11

THE PROUD HAVE ALMOST TRIUMPHED OVER HIM; BUT HE TRUSTS IN THE LAW AND LONGS FOR SALVATION

Kaph

"My soul fainteth for thy salvation;

But I hope in thy word.

Mine eyes fail for thy word,

While I say, When wilt thou comfort me?

For I am become like a wine-skin in the smoke;

Yet do I not forget thy statutes.

How many are the days of thy servant?

When wilt thou execute judgment upon them that persecute me?

The proud have digged pits for me,

Who are not according to thy law.

All thy commandments are faithful:

They persecute me wrongfully; help thou me.

They had almost consumed me upon earth;

But I forsook not thy precepts.

Quicken me after thy lovingkindness;

So shall I observe the testimonies of thy mouth."

"Mine eyes fail for thy word" (Psalms 119:82). His studies of God’s word have been so prolonged and intense that his eyesight has been impaired.

"Like a wine-skin in the smoke" (Psalms 119:83). The simile here is a comparison with, "A skin bottle dried and shriveled up in smoke, so is he withered by sorrow.”

The whole thought of this strophe was apparently captured by Delitzsch. "The psalmist stands in need of fresh grace in order that he may not, however, at last succumb.”

E.M. Zerr:

Psalms 119:81. David’s whole being was hungering and thirsting for the salvation that comes from God. To that end he relied on the word for instruction.

Psalms 119:82. This is some more figurative language, denoting the earnestness of the Psalmist in his desire for the word of the Lord. His particular desire was for comfort in his afflictions and persecutions at the hands of his enemies.

Psalms 119:83. Bottles were made of skins of animals, and when new were moist and pliable and strong. (Matthew 9:17.) But when old or if subjected to smoke or fumes they would become shriveled and weak. David compared himself in the midst of afflictions to a bottle in the midst of smoke or fumes Nevertheless, lie remembered the statutes of the Lord and took courage.

Psalms 119:84. The Psalmist means in his questioning, how many more days of persecution must he suffer? He believed that relief would come whenever God saw fit to apply his law or execute his judgment against the enemies.

Psalms 119:85. Pride is often manifested by a rebellious spirit against those who are righteous. Digged a pit means they plotted to bring about the downfall of David, and the reason they had such wicked desires was because they were not keeping the law.

Psalms 119:86. Faithful is rendered "faithfulness" in the margin which expresses the thought correctly. The meaning is that obedience to the commandments will cause a man to be a true servant of God. The pronoun they stands for the personal enemies of David, so he prayed for the Lord to help him.

Psalms 119:87. They again refers to David’s enemies who had almost brought him to the brink of ruin. But he clung to the precepts of the Lord and thus won the victory.

Psalms 119:88. To quicken means to enliven or cheer up another, and the lovingkindness of the Lord will have that effect on a man. With such an incentive, David felt assured that he would keep and observe the testimony that had been spoken by the Lord.

Verses 89-96

Psa 119:89-96

Psalms 119:89-96

STROPHE 12

THE ETERNITY OF GOD’S EXCEEDINGLY BROAD LAW IS FIXED FOR EVER IN HEAVEN AND ON EARTH

Lamed

"Forever, O Jehovah,

Thy word is settled in heaven.

Thy faithfulness is unto all generations:

Thou hast established the earth, and it abideth.

They abide this day according to thine ordinances;

For all things are thy servants.

Unless thy law had been my delight,

I should then have perished in mine affliction.

I will never forget thy precepts;

For with them thou hast quickened me.

I am thine, save me;

For I have sought thy precepts.

The wicked have waited for me to destroy me;

But I will consider thy testimonies.

I have seen an end of all perfection;

But thy commandment is exceeding broad."

"They abide this day" (Psalms 119:91). "The `they’ of this verse must include the heavens and the earth, mentioned in the two preceding verses.” However, we prefer the marginal reading in the ASV, "As for thy ordinances, they abide this day."

"I have seen an end of all perfection" (Psalms 119:96). "This could well be a summary of Ecclesiastes, where every earthly enterprise has its day and comes to nothing, and where only in God and his commandments do we get beyond these frustrating limits.”

"Thy commandment is exceeding broad" (Psalms 119:96). This means, according to Dummelow, that, "The most perfect earthly things are finite and limited; but God’s law is for all needs and for all time.”

E.M. Zerr:

Psalms 119:89. Settled is from NATSAB, and the following is the definition: "A primitive root; to station, in various applications (literal or figurative)." --Strong. The verse means that God’s Word is stationed or established in heaven for ever. If it were possible for infidels to destroy every copy of the Bible that is on the earth, that would not get rid of it. The Sacred Text is reposited in the eternal vault to which no enemy will ever have access. However, I am not in the least uneasy that the copies of the Word will all be destroyed. Many attempts have been made to do so but all have failed. At the present time the Bible is placed at the top of the list of "best sellers" by those who are unbiased, and whose chief motive is one of statistical accuracy and not one prompted by any partisan religious interests.

Psalms 119:90. Faithfulness is used in the sense of keeping one’s word. God made the earth for man’s temporal abode and has promised to preserve it as long as it is needed. At the time David wrote the earth was at least 3000 years old and had been keeping up its daily and annual revolutions with the accuracy of a perfect timepiece.

Psalms 119:91. This verse introduces the one additional term referred to earlier in the chapter, which is ordinances. It is from MISPHAT and Strong defines it, "properly a verdict (favorable or unfavorable) pronounced judicially, especially a sentence or formal decree (human or divine law, individual or collective), including the act, the place, the suit. the crime, and the penalty; abstractly, justice, including a particular right or privilege (statutory or customary), or even a style." This is the only place this Hebrew word is used for ordinance in this chapter, but it is a word with such a comprehensive meaning that I have copied the definition in full. They is a plural pronoun and refers to the items of God’s control over the universe.

Psalms 119:92. There was no physical connection between the law and the afflictions of David. But he would have given up in despair and thus perished (figuratively speaking) had he not been encouraged by the moral support of the law.

Psalms 119:93. This verse is similar in thought to the preceding one. The precepts of the Lord had quickened or enlivened the morale of the Psalmist.

Psalms 119:94. Save me did not have reference to spiritual things especially, but to relief from the afflictions of the enemy. The basis on which David expected the Lord to help him was the relation between them, and the fact he had sought His precepts.

Psalms 119:95. Have waited means the wicked had been spying and watching to detect something in the life of David for which they could ruin him. He had defeated their expectation by observing the Lord’s testimonies in his daily life.

Psalms 119:96. This verse is a contrast between the best there is in the world and the commandments of God. The first is limited while the second is broad.

Verses 97-104

Psa 119:97-104

Psalms 119:97-104

STROPHE 13

THE PSALMIST LOVES THE LAW WHICH IMPARTS WISDOM AND HATES EVERY EVIL WAY

Mem

"Oh how love I thy law!

It is my meditation all the day.

Thy commandments make me wiser than mine enemies;

For they are ever with me.

I have more understanding than all my teachers;

For thy testimonies are my meditation.

I understand more than the aged,

Because I have kept thy precepts.

I have refrained my feet from every evil way,

That I might observe thy word.

I have not turned aside from thine ordinances;

For thou hast taught me.

How sweet are thy words unto my taste!

Yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth.

Through thy precepts I get understanding:

Therefore I hate every evil way."

This strophe is the one that was made the basis of the hymn, "Oh How Love I thy Law," (See chapter introduction), and from which we selected a title for this entire Psalms 119. Psalms 119:103, here, and also selected lines form several other psalms are woven into the text of that hymn.

Psalms 119:98-100 may be summarized in a single line, "Knowledge of God’s law has made him wiser than his enemies, his teachers, and even the old men!" The reason behind this is that, "God is actually his teacher (Psalms 119:102), with the result of love (Psalms 119:97), desire (Psalms 119:103), and sound moral judgment (Psalms 119:104).”

E.M. Zerr:

Psalms 119:97. A person might occasionally think about a matter in which he does not have any interest, but if he loves a thing he will think about it constantly. That was why David passed whole days meditating on the law of the Lord.

Psalms 119:98. The wisest man in the world is the one who knows the commandments of God. Moses taught this truth in Deuteronomy 4:5-6, and the same principle is set forth in other places in the Bible too numerous to cite here. The pronoun they refers to the commandments just mentioned by the Psalmist. In order for them to benefit him, however, they must be ever with him as his constant rule of life.

Psalms 119:99. Teachers is from a Hebrew word that is defined "a goad," and is used in reference to those who would insist that David observe his obligations but who do not attend to them in their own lives. They were somewhat like the persons of whom Paul wrote in Romans 2:21. David set a better example than was ever demanded by these "teachers," because his manner of life was the result of meditation on the testimonies.

Psalms 119:100. This verse is much like the preceding one except the contrast is made wtih the ancients. It was thought because a man was old that he would possess superior wisdom. That would be true as a general thing, but even "age and experience" will not contribute as much understanding to a person as comes from keeping the divine precepts.

Psalms 119:101. A man cannot travel over the evil ways of the world and at the same time be keeping the requirements of the ’word of the Lord.

Psalms 119:102. A man’s faithfulness to the things he has been taught sometimes is affected by his confidence in his teacher. David had clung to the judgments of God because he had been taught by Him.

Psalms 119:103. The Psalmist had taught practically this same truth concerning the words of God in Psalms 19:10. Please see the comments at that place.

Psalms 119:104. The understanding coming through the precepts of God was set forth in vs. 98-100 above. Such knowledge so exposed all false ways that David hated them.

Verses 105-112

Psa 119:105-112

Psalms 119:105-112

STROPHE 14

THE PSALMIST REJOICES IN GOD’S LAW AS HIS INHERITANCE AND AS A LAMP EXPOSING SNARES OF THE WICKED

Nun

"Thy word is a lamp unto my feet,

A light unto my path.

I have sworn, and have confirmed it,

That I will observe thy righteous ordinances.

I am afflicted very much:

Quicken me, O Jehovah, according to thy word.

Accept, I beseech thee, the freewill-offerings of my mouth, O Jehovah.

And teach me thine ordinances.

My soul is continually in my hand;

Yet do I not forget thy law.

The wicked have laid a snare for me;

Yet have I not gone astray from thy precepts.

Thy testimonies have I taken as a heritage forever;

For they are the rejoicing of my heart.

I have inclined my heart to perform thy statutes

Forever, even unto the end."

Yates’ summary of the teaching here is that, "The word of God is the Light of Life, a lamp; and the psalmist’s pilgrimage through life is under the guidance of God’s teachings. He thus vows to follow the light wherever it may lead and whatever dangers may be involved.” A number of the thoughts and expressions of this psalm are included in Isaac Watts’ famous hymn, "How Shall the Young Secure Their Hearts?”

"Accept the freewill-offerings of my mouth" (Psalms 119:108). This is the exciting new idea that adorns this strophe. In it there is an indication of the time when the bloody sacrifices of the Law of Moses shall no longer be "the way" to worship God, but he shall be worshipped with the "fruit of our lips" (Hebrews 13:15).

E.M. Zerr:

Psalms 119:105. This verse is a very similar saying and full of beautiful thought. When one has to make his way through a pathway that is somewhat obscure, and that is beset with dangerous snares and pitfalls, he feels the need of a light to guide him in his walk. The word was that light for David and will be so for all who will accept it.

Psalms 119:106. Oaths were permitted in the Old Testament but not in the New. (Matthew 5:33-37; James 5:12.) David had made an oath that he would keep the judgments of the Lord. He here affirmed that he would not break it and thus violate Leviticus 19:12.

Psalms 119:107. The Psalmist asked to be quickened, which means to be enlivened or cheered up, by the consolation in the word.

Psalms 119:108. Some sacrifices were literal or material, such as the offering of animals or products of the ground. Others consisted in the offerings of praise and thanksgiving. Paul set forth this truth in Hebrews 13:16. In reward for such offerings David expected to be taught the judgments of the Lord.

Psalms 119:109. The first clause is a figure of speech, somewhat like saying "my heart was in my mouth," meaning that the danger of death was very near. In all such circumstances the Psalmist relied upon the law for help.

Psalms 119:110. A snare is a trap that is generally set near a beaten path and not right in it because such a path would be clean of anything with which to hide the trap. But being to one side it could be covered in the hope that the traveler would leave the path through the spirit of adventure or perhaps of thoughtlessness and then be caught. The literal meaning of "err" is to wander to one side. The clauses of this verse are hence logical, for David says he did not err (wander) from the Lord’s precepts; he kept within the strait and narrow way. Psalms 119:111. Heritage is used in the sense of a possession, and the Psalmist considers the testimonies as a valuable inheritance that he is holding for ever.

Psalms 119:112. It is not the most natural thing for a human being to prefer the spiritual rules of life. But David acted upon his own heart and inclined or trained it for the performance of the statutes of the Lord. This service was not for a brief period only but unto the end.

Verses 113-120

Psa 119:113-120

Psalms 119:113-120

STROPHE 15

REVERENCING GOD’S LAW; THE PSALMIST PRAYS FOR SUPPORT AGAINST HATEFUL BACKSLIDERS

Samech

"I hate them that are of a double mind;

But thy law do I love.

Thou art my hiding-place and my shield:

I hope in thy word.

Depart from me ye evil-doers,

That I may keep the commandments of my God.

Uphold me according to thy word, that I may live;

And let me not be ashamed of my hope.

Hold thou me up, and I shall be safe,

And shall have respect unto thy statutes continually.

Thou hast set at naught all them that err from thy statutes;

For their deceit is falsehood.

Thou puttest away all the wicked of the earth, like dross:

Therefore I love thy testimonies.

My flesh trembleth for fear of thee;

And I am afraid of thy judgments."

"Thou puttest away all the wicked of the earth, like dross" (Psalms 119:119). This can be nothing less than a glimpse of the Eternal Judgment, an interpretation which is confirmed by the trembling fear of the psalmist in the last two verses. We may, at first, be surprised at his fear and trembling, for has he not stated twenty or more times already in this psalm that he "loves God’s statutes," "trusts in them," "keeps them," etc.? Maclaren has a satisfactory explanation of this: "Resolutions melt in the fires of temptation, and the psalmist knows life and himself too well to trust himself. So he betakes himself to prayer for God’s upholding, without which he cannot live (Psalms 119:116).”

E.M. Zerr:

Psalms 119:113. Vain thoughts are those that are useless and not containing anything solid. In contrast with these things David loved the law of God.

Psalms 119:114. Hiding place and shield mean the same and are used figuratively. The Psalmist meant that he hoped to be cared for amid all his trials by the word.

Psalms 119:115. Depart from me is said as an indirect disowning of evil characters. In contrast with this David said he would keep the commandments of God. This teaches that one cannot harbor or endorse evil-workers while keeping the commandments of the Lord. Jesus taught the same thing in Matthew 6:24.

Psalms 119:116. God will not uphold an unrighteous man and David knew it. He therefore prayed to be upheld according to His word. A hope based on such foundation would be permanent and not one of which a person would be ashamed.

Psalms 119:117. This verse has the same thoughts as the preceding one, except that it uses a different term which is statutes.

Psalms 119:118. To err from the statutes means to step aside from them. Those who did so were trodden down by the Lord. Sometimes the truth may be handled in such a manner that the hearer will be deceived. The characters David had in mind, however, were bold and misled their hearers with direct falsehood.

Psalms 119:119. The wicked persons were not made literally to disappear, for they were at that very hour alive and tormenting David. But he was speaking prospectively of the fate of all the wicked. They were destined to be brought to ruin while the Psalmist would survive to enjoy the blessings provided for in the testimonies of God.

Psalms 119:120. The testing afflictions that God suffered to come upon David were often very severe. For that reason he trembled, which means he was on the alert in expectation of them. To fear and be afraid of the judgments as used here meant that he had respect for them to such an extent that he wished to observe them.

Verses 121-128

Psa 119:121-128

Psalms 119:121-128

STROPHE 16

A PRAYER FOR SALVATION FROM OPPRESSORS AND FOR UNDERSTANDING OF GOD’S LAW WHICH THE PSALMIST LOVES

Ayin

"I have done justice and righteousness:

Leave me not to mine oppressors.

Be surety for thy servant for good:

Let not the proud oppress me.

My eyes fail for thy salvation,

And for thy righteous word.

Deal with thy servant according to thy lovingkindness,

And teach me thy statutes.

I am thy servant; give me understanding,

That I may know thy testimonies.

It is time for Jehovah to work;

For they have made void thy law.

Therefore I love thy commandments

Above gold, yea above fine gold.

Therefore I esteem all thy precepts concerning all things to be right;

And I hate every false way."

As far as we can determine, this psalm is made up of thoughts repeatedly used throughout the composition, with very slight variations in expression.

"Teach me" (Psalms 119:124) "David (Spurgeon accepted David as the author) had Nathan, Gad, and the prophets, and besides that all the Levites to teach him; he read the Word of God diligently and meditated upon it day and night; but he here acknowledges that all this was nothing unless God taught him.”

"It is time for Jehovah to work" (Psalms 119:126). "David (Matthew Henry believed David was the author) here represents unto God the following, `Lord, there are those that have made void thy law, have set thee and thy government at defiance, and have done all they could to cancel and vacate thy commandments.” Henry went on to distinguish between these enemies of God and "the godly man who might, through weakness, sin against God’s commandment.”

"Therefore I esteem all thy precepts" (Psalms 119:127). "The word `therefore’ here does not mean that the Psalmist loved God’s law because others set it at naught, but that he loved it more on that account." These words are suggested by a statement from Addis.

"The flow of thought in this stanza is more awkward than in most of the others, being hindered by the sparseness of words beginning with the letter ayin. It is especially difficult to see the logical significance of therefore in Psalms 119:127. Apparently the alphabetical arrangement, rather than the flow of thought, suggested the use of that word.”

E.M. Zerr:

Psalms 119:121. The Psalmist really had been a good ruler and judged his people rightly. On this ground he asked the Lord for protection against his oppressors.

Psalms 119:122. The request in this verse is similar to that of the preceding one. "Proud" is from a word that means to be arrogant or overbearing.

Psalms 119:123. Eyes fail means he was looking eagerly, and salvation means relief from his oppression. T h e Psalmist relied upon God’s righteous word for such relief, and for safe guidance through the storms of life.

Psalms 119:124. David never did ask for absolute freedom from trials; he only asked for them to be sent in mercy. In order to conduct himself properly amid the conflicts before him, he desired to be taught the statutes of the Lord.

Psalms 119:125. A powerful king was placing himself in the class of servants. Of course such a person would want to render acceptable service, and to do so he should understand how to observe the Master’s testimonies.

Psalms 119:126. It is time, etc., should not be considered as an impertinent speech of David. His meaning was that an instance of great need had come for God to vindicate his law, because the enemies had broken it. Psalms 119:127. The value here placed on the Lord’s commandments is the same as in Psalms 19:10; see the comments at that place.

Psalms 119:128. It is right to hate the false ways of evil men even though we should love the deluded travelers in those ways. In harmony with those principles we should consider all the precepts of God as being right.

Verses 129-136

Psa 119:129-136

Psalms 119:129-136

STROPHE 17

A PRAYER FOR REDEMPTION FROM OPPRESSORS WHO BREAK GOD’S WONDERFUL LAW WHICH GIVES LIGHT

Pe

"Thy testimonies are wonderful;

Therefore doth my soul keep them.

The opening of thy words giveth light;

It giveth understanding unto the simple.

I opened wide my mouth, and panted;

For I longed for thy commandments.

Turn thee unto me, and have mercy upon me,

As thou usest to do unto those that love thy name.

Establish my footsteps in thy word;

And let not iniquity have dominion over me.

Redeem me from the oppression of man:

So will I observe thy precepts.

Make thy face to shine upon thy servant;

And teach me thy statutes.

Streams of water run down mine eyes,

Because they observe not thy law."

"The opening of thy word giveth light ... understanding to the simple" (Psalms 119:130). "The exposition of God’s Word gives light to all, even to those who are simple.” We must also add that it gives light to the most intellectual and learned men on earth. Brilliant men like Lenin, Marx, Stalin, etc., refused the light from God’s Word, and as a consequence engineered the most terrible governmental fiasco in the history of mankind!

"I opened wide my mouth and panted ... for thy commandments" (Psalms 119:131). DeHoff thought the metaphor here is that of "an exhausted animal” panting for fresh air or water; but the wide opened mouth seems rather to suggest the way tiny birds open their mouths for food from the mother bird. We may also have here a mixed metaphor including both these views, which is not uncommon in Hebrew.

"Streams of water run down mine eyes, because they observe not thy law" (Psalms 119:136). As Kyle Yates wrote, "The psalmist is broken-hearted over those who do not keep God’s law."

E.M. Zerr:

Psalms 119:129. Wonderful in this verse means outstanding, and David placed that estimate on the testimonies of God. By the same token, the man who would keep them would be made into an outstanding character in God’s sight. For this reason the Psalmist resolved to keep them with his soul or whole being.

Psalms 119:130. The simple does not mean people who are unintelligent, but those who are uninstructed. The entrance or acceptance of the word will bring the light of instruction to all people if they will open their hearts to receive it.

Psalms 119:131. Open my mouth is a figure of speech, meaning that the Psalmist was as hungry for spiritual food as the birdling was for material, when it opens its mouth eagerly to receive the nourishment ready to be dropped into it. The food that David was craving was the commandments of the Lord.

Psalms 119:132. "As thou usest" does not imply that God ceased to extend mercy to those who love Him. The marginal rendering is "according to the custom." It has always been the manner of the Lord to show mercy to good men and David was praying for it now.

Psalms 119:133. This verse should always be considered in connection with Psalms 37:23. God does not order the steps of man in any direct manner independent of teaching. Instead, he does it through the directions in the word.

Psalms 119:134. David had such a spirit of justice and fairness that he did not expect favors of God unconditionally. He asked for deliverance from oppression of evil men, but promised to keep the Lord’s precepts.

Psalms 119:135. Face to shine means to look with favor. As return for such a mercy David offered to be taught the statutes of the Lord. Psalms 119:136. Rivers of waters is a figure of speech, meaning that the Psalmist had not fully used his eyes in keeping with the law, and as a result he had been brought to tears of shame. The event of himself and Bathsheba (2 Samuel 11:2) was a noted instance of misusing his eyes, and the 51st Psalm indicates his anguish and tears over it.

Verses 137-144

Psa 119:137-144

Psalms 119:137-144

STROPHE 18

LIKE HIMSELF; GOD’S LAW IS RIGHTEOUS; THE PSALMIST IS VERY ZEALOUS FOR IT; DOES NOT FORGET IT

Tsade

"Righteous art thou, O Jehovah,

And upright are thy judgments.

Thou has commanded thy testimonies in righteousness

And very faithfulness.

My zeal hath consumed me,

Because mine adversaries have forgotten thy words.

Thy word is very pure;

Therefore thy servant loveth it.

I am small and despised;

Yet do I not forget thy precepts.

Thy righteousness is an everlasting righteousness,

And thy law is truth.

Trouble and anguish have taken hold on me;

For thy commandments are my delight.

Thy testimonies are righteous forever:

Give me understanding, and I shall live."

The feature of this stanza is its emphasis upon the righteousness of God (Psalms 119:137), followed by an extension of this principle as applied to God’s Word, mentioned in a number of synonyms.

God’s judgments are upright (Psalms 119:137).

His testimonies are righteous (Psalms 119:138).

God’s righteousness is everlasting (Psalms 119:142).

All of his law is truth (Psalms 119:142).

His commandments are a delight (Psalms 119:143).

His testimonies are eternal (Psalms 119:144).

Burns’ conclusion from this was that, all of God’s testimonies effectively declare his righteousness, "And therefore are to be depended upon by man.”

E.M. Zerr:

Psalms 119:137. No request is expected in this verse. The Psalmist makes another reference to the excellencies of God’s judgments.

Psalms 119:138. The same kind of praise is meant in this verse as was given in the preceding one. The term testimonies is used and David says they are righteous and faithful. That means that obedience to them will result in righteousness and faithfulness in the lives of those who observe them.

Psalms 119:139. Strong defines "consumed" as being either literal or figurative; the latter is the meaning in this verse. David had been so active in his zeal for the words of God that his enemies had all but destroyed him in their hatred.

Psalms 119:140. The general definition of pure is "unmixed." The marginal rendering here is "tried or refined." Both definitions amount to the same thought. If a metal has been put through the refinery until all the dross has been burned out it naturally will be unmixed. That condition is used to illustrate the quality of the word of God. There is this exception, however, that God’s word was always unmixed.

Psalms 119:141. David means that his enemies regarded him as of little importance. To despise means to belittle another, and the evil men in that day were envious of David’s true greatness, so they consoled themselves by making light of him. But such evil treatment could not make him forget the precepts of the Lord.

Psalms 119:142. Not only is God everlastingly righteous, but those who obey Him will reap the benefits of right living even to everlasting life. The key to these conclusions is in the truth of the law that had been approved by the power of God.

Psalms 119:143. Trouble and anguish may disturb our earthly interests, but that need not hinder our delight in the Lord’s commandments. In fact, in times of distress is when we should take the greatest delight in such a document.

Psalms 119:144. The reader will please apply the comments at v. 142 to this one. The difference is that the term here is testimonies.

Verses 145-152

Psa 119:145-152

Psalms 119:145-152

STROPHE 19

PRAYER FOR SALVATION FROM ENEMIES IN THE PRESENCE OF GREAT PERIL

Qoph

"I have called with my whole heart; answer me, O Jehovah:

I will keep thy statutes.

I have called unto thee; save me,

And I will observe thy testimonies.

I anticipated the dawning of the morning, and cried:

I hoped in thy words.

Mine eyes anticipated the night-watches,

That I might meditate on thy word.

Hear my voice according to thy lovingkindness:

Quicken me, O Jehovah, according to thine ordinances.

They draw nigh that follow after wickedness;

They are far from thy law.

Thou art nigh, O Jehovah;

And all thy commandments are truth.

Of old have I known from thy testimonies,

That thou hast founded them forever."

"I have called with my whole heart" (Psalms 119:145). This is the primary earmark of an acceptable prayer. As Spurgeon said, "There may be no beauty of elocution in such prayers, no length of expression, no depth of doctrine nor accuracy of diction; but if the whole heart be in them, they will find their way to the heart of God."

"I anticipated the dawning of the morning" (Psalms 119:147). The King James has this, "I prevented the dawning, etc.," the same being an example of how the meaning of words has changed since the publication of the KJV in the year 1611, A.D. The American Standard Version is an improvement; but the RSV is still better, "I rise before dawn and cry for help."

"They draw near that follow after wickedness" (Psalms 119:150). The marginal reading sheds light on what is meant. "They draw near that persecute me with wickedness."

"Thou art nigh, O Jehovah" (Psalms 119:151). No matter how near to the believer the forces of evil may come, the nearness of God himself is the true and sufficient protection. Many hymns are founded upon the soul’s fervent cry for nearness to God. "Nearer My God to Thee," "Nearer, Still Nearer," and "Nearer the Cross" are examples.

E.M. Zerr:

Psalms 119:145. This means that David’s cry or prayer to God was wholehearted. And being thus wholly devoted to the Lord, the Psalmist would logically keep the statutes.

Psalms 119:146. David stated a good motive for wanting to be preserved from his enemies. It would give him opportunity to keep the testimonies.

Psalms 119:147. To prevent means to precede. David prevented or arose before dawn to go to God in prayer because of his hope in the word.

Psalms 119:148. The same word is used as in the foregoing verse, only this time David preceded the night with his prayer. Also, this time he began meditating in the word before the night had come, doubtless to continue into the night according to ch. 1:2.

Psalms 119:149. The Psalmist’s cry was not based on his own merit, but on the Lord’s lovingkindness. He wished to be quickened or enlivened by the Lord’s judgment.

Psalms 119:150. The pronoun they refers to David’s personal enemies. Draw nigh means they were approaching David, and their motive was to do him some mischief. The reason for their evil design was their disconnection from the law of God.

Psalms 119:151. The way to be near the Lord is to keep his commandments. That is because they are according to truth, and the Lord is the source of all true principles.

Psalms 119:152. Known of old means that David had known for many years that the testimonies of God had been well founded. Their foundation was so firm that it was destined to stand for ever, even after the heavens and earth had passed away.

Verses 153-160

Psa 119:153-160

Psalms 119:153-160

STROPHE 20

HOPE IN GOD’S LAW SUPPORTS PRAYER FOR SALVATION FROM ENEMIES

Resh

"Consider mine affliction, and deliver me;

Plead thou my cause, and redeem me:

Quicken me according to thy word.

Salvation is far from the wicked;

For they seek not thy statutes.

Great are thy tender mercies, O Jehovah:

Quicken me according to thine ordinances.

Many are my persecutors and mine adversaries;

Yet have I not swerved from thy testimonies.

I beheld the treacherous, and was grieved,

Because they observe not thy word.

Consider how I love thy precepts:

Quicken me, O Jehovah, according to thy lovingkindness.

The sum of the word is truth;

And every one of thy righteous ordinances endureth forever."

"Salvation is far from the wicked, for they seek not thy statutes" (Psalms 119:155). This is another of those surprising revelations that crop out now and then in this great psalm. A necessary deduction from what is said here is that "Salvation comes from a knowledge of the Word of God and becomes the possession of those who seek to know what that word is." Paul himself could hardly have said it any better. "From a babe thou hast know the sacred writings which are able to make the wise unto salvation." (2 Timothy 3:15). Briggs also made the same deduction on the basis of Psalms 119:155, stating that, "The wicked are far from salvation, because they are far off from God’s Law that gives it.”

"Quicken me according to thy word ... according to thine ordinances ... according to thy lovingkindnesses" (Psalms 119:154; Psalms 119:156; Psalms 119:159). The RSV renders "Give me life" instead of quicken me, a plea that has already been repeated a dozen times in this psalm. This petition of the psalmist that God would give him "life" is a prayer for that "more abundant life" of which Jesus spoke (John 10:10), There is a great similarity of meaning in the three verses which feature this petition.

"Consider mine affliction ... I do not forget thy law ... I have not swerved from thy testimonies ... I was grieved for the treacherous" (Psalms 119:153; Psalms 119:157-158). Four "arguments" if we might call them that, or "reasons," upon which the psalmist hopes to receive a favorable answer of his prayers, are listed in these verses.

E.M. Zerr:

Psalms 119:153. This verse contains the same request that David has uttered a number of times. The affliction of which he complains is not physical, but refers to the oppression from his enemies. He backs up his prayer by profession of his interest in the law, which he will demonstrate by remembering it.

Psalms 119:154. To plead the cause of David meant to take an active interest in it by delivering him from his enemies. To quicken meant to enliven or cheer up the Psalmist, and it was to be done according to the word of the Lord.

Psalms 119:155. Salvation in this connection means the spiritual kind, and the wicked did not have it because they were far from the statutes of God. There could be no salvation through any other source than what is found in the divine document.

Psalms 119:156. In most of the verses the Psalmist connects his petition for further favors with acknowledgement of those already received. The mercies already received from God were many. Now David asks to be quickened or encouraged according to the judgments of the Lord, which are recorded in the Sacred Text.

Psalms 119:157. Persecutors and enemies would be considered the same, only a different form of opposition. The first might be more personal and violent than the second. But all mistreatment failed to draw the Psalmist away from the holy testimonies.

Psalms 119:158. David’s unpleasant feelings in this verse were not for personal complaints, but because of the transgressions of those who would not keep the word.

Psalms 119:159. The basis for his request was named first by the Psalmist; it was his love for the precepts. He then asked to be quickened or cheered up in keeping with the lovingkindness of the Lord.

Psalms 119:160. This verse uses two of the terms for the subject being considered in this long chanter, word and judgments. The significant assertion is made that covers both the past and future. They were true to begin with, were the truth at the time of their introduction, and will be found to be so to the end of their existence, or until they have fulfilled their divine purpose in the conduct of man on the earth.

Verses 161-168

Psa 119:161-168

Psalms 119:161-168

STROPHE 21

THE PSALMIST PRAISES GOD’S LAW AND HOPES FOR SALVATION DESPITE PERSECUTION BY PRINCES

Sin, Shin

"Princes have persecuted me without a cause;

But my heart standeth in awe of thy words.

I rejoice at thy word,

As one that findeth great spoil.

I hate and abhor falsehood;

But thy law do I love.

Seven times a day do I praise thee,

Because of thy righteous ordinances.

Great peace have they that love thy law;

And they have no occasion of stumbling.

I have hoped for thy salvation, O Jehovah,

And have done thy commandments.

My soul hath observed thy testimonies;

And I love them exceedingly.

I have observed the precepts and thy testimonies;

For all my ways are before thee."

"Princes have persecuted me" (Psalms 119:161). A line like this almost assures the royal standing of the psalmist. It is hard to imagine princes persecuting some ordinary citizen. A line such as this favors the opinion of many of the older interpreters that David was the author here.

The most astounding thing in the whole composition is the frequency and firmness of the psalmist’s declarations of his being free of violating God’s law. In this single strophe, note the following.

He respects God’s Word (Psalms 119:161).

He rejoices at it (Psalms 119:162).

He abhors falsehood (Psalms 119:163).

He loves God’s law (Psalms 119:163).

He hoped for salvation (Psalms 119:166).

He has done God’s commandments (Psalms 119:166).

He has observed God’s testimonies (Psalms 119:167).

He loves them exceedingly (Psalms 119:167).

He has observed the precepts (Psalms 119:168).

He has observed the testimonies (Psalms 119:168).

All his ways are before the Lord (Psalms 119:168).

This last line has the effect of an affirmation that God knows he is telling the truth about all these claims. The average Christian must exclaim, upon reading this, "For heaven’s sake, this man is perfect"! However, no one is perfect except the Lord Jesus Christ; and we must therefore understand these marvelous assertions as this psalmist’s earnest and heart-felt intentions, rather than evidences of his absolute perfection. Such statements as these are throughout the psalm, but there is an unusual concentration of them here.

"My heart standeth in awe of thy words" (Psalms 119:161). Contrary to our version (the American Standard Version) and the RSV, Dahood suggested that this synonym for God’s law (`thy words’) should be eliminated from this verse, despite the prevailing impression that there is such a synonym in every verse of the whole psalm. He also alleged that, "No such term is to be found in the following verses: Psalms 119:37; Psalms 119:90; Psalms 119:121-122; Psalms 119:132, and Psalms 119:149.”

E.M. Zerr:

Psalms 119:161. Princes were not officials but were leading persons of any class. Such might feel as if they were privileged characters and would envy a man like David. Their persecution of such a good man would be without a cause to be sure. In spite of such treatment the Psalmist stood in awe, or had deep reverence for the word,

Psalms 119:162. David’s estimate of the word was that it was of more value than great spoil, which means great wealth stored away and then accidently found by another.

Psalms 119:163. The record of David’s life will bear out the statement of this verse. In the sad affair with Bath sheba he did not attempt even to modify his guilt but plainly admitted, "I have sinned against the Lord" (2 Samuel 12:13). This would give force to the other part of the verse, that he loved the law of God which was divine truth.

Psalms 119:164. Seven as a figurative term denotes completeness and it is used evidently in that way here. It means that David’s entire life was tilled with praise for the Lord and for his righteous judgments.

Psalms 119:165. The word offended means to stumble or falter in one’s pathway. Those who love the law of the Lord will have the peace that "passeth all understanding" (Philippians 4:7), and they will have no occasion to stumble because such persons will be watching where they go. They will be walking "circumspectly" (watching their steps, Ephesians 5:15), and will thus avoid the snares laid for them by the enemy of souls.

Psalms 119:166. David has made frequent reference to salvation, but it is generally concerning relief from his many persecutions. And even the temporal benefits which he expected from the Lord were to be had on condition of doing the commandments.

Psalms 119:167. Soul is used for the whole being, because a true servant of God will keep the testimonies with his mind and body.

Psalms 119:168. This is another verse that uses two of the terms, precepts and testimonies. The Psalmist had kept them so that all his ways (manner of life) would be before or in the favorable view of the Lord.

Verses 169-176

Psa 119:169-176

Psalms 119:169-176

STROPHE 22

ACKNOWLEDGING SIN; THE PSALMIST PRAYS FOR SALVATION; VOWING TO CONTINUE PRAYERS WITH LIP; TONGUE AND SOUL

Tau

"Let my cry come near before thee, O Jehovah:

Give me understanding according to thy word.

Let my supplication come before thee:

Deliver me according to thy word.

Let my lips utter praise;

For thou teaches me thy statutes.

Let my tongue sing of thy word;

For all thy commandments are righteousness.

Let thy hand be ready to help me;

For I have chosen thy precepts.

I have longed for thy salvation, O Jehovah;

And thy law is my delight.

Let my soul live, and it shall praise thee;

And let thine ordinances help me.

I have gone astray, like a lost sheep; seek thy servant;

For I do not forget thy commandments."

The glorious surprise of this strophe is the acknowledgment of sin on the part of the psalmist, contrasting dramatically with the previous strophe. What a refreshing word this is! He is not, after all, a self-righteous braggart, but a sinner standing in need of the Lord’s forgiveness, just like all the rest of the human race.

"I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek thy servant" (Psalms 119:176). Yes, of course, he has not forgotten the commandments; but he has not kept them perfectly, else he would not be like lost sheep, subject to instant death, unless the Lord shall seek and save him. It is surprising that McCullough did not interpret this remark as a reference to sin, but "To a deterioration in the psalmist’s circumstances, or to an absence from his people.” To us, it is impossible to allow such an interpretation to stand. "Going astray like a lost sheep" is a reference to sin.

"Let my lips utter praise ... let my tongue sing ... my soul shall praise thee" (Psalms 119:171-172; Psalms 119:175). This is the psalmist’s pledge to continue with all his heart to seek the Lord’s help in his prayers with lip, tongue, and soul. No more noble resolution could have been found to close this magnificent psalm.

The John A. Dickson Reference Bible lists seventy-six New Testament quotations from the Book of Psalms, but none from Psalms 119, and none from the balance of the Psalter.

We cannot, at this time challenge that analysis; but there is one New Testament reference which certainly seems to have Psalms 119:172 in view. Luke wrote of Zacharias and Elizabeth, "They were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless" (Luke 1:6).

E.M. Zerr:

Psalms 119:169. When David speaks of his cry he generally means his earnest prayer. To come near means for it to be heard and considered by the Lord. The Psalmist realized that he needed understanding, both as a king and also as an individual servant of God, and he wished it to be according to the word.

Psalms 119:170. Supplication is used in the same sense as "cry" in many of the other verses. And, as always, the Psalmist depended on the word as the instrument of God through which he was to obtain all divine favors.

Psalms 119:171. Misdirected praise is not desired by the Lord and David realized it. He therefore wished to be first taught by the precepts of God.

Psalms 119:172. Here is another verse with two of the terms, word and commandments. David’s reason for speaking of them was the righteousness of the inspired document.

Psalms 119:173. The same One whose hand could help David was the Author of the precepts that he had chosen as his rule of action in life.

Psalms 119:174. Salvation would be used in its broadest sense in this place, including relief from personal enemies and salvation for his soul spiritually. The Psalmist was not willing merely to accept this salvation but longed for it. This is like the teaching of Jesus in Matthew 5:6. In keeping with the statement David says he delighted in the law which was the instrument that was to guide him.

Psalms 119:175. The word soul is used with reference to the whole being. David’s life had been threatened many times by his enemies, and he is praying for the preservation coming from the Lord, and it was to come through means of the divine judgments.

Psalms 119:176. I have gone astray is just a general admission of his mistakes in life, and not necessarily in reference to any specific sin. He prayed for restoration to the divine favor as a sheep that had been found after having wandered. The noted chapter closes with the promise that David will not forget the Lord’s commandments.