Verse-by-Verse Bible Commentary
Psalms 119:165

Clarke's Commentary

Verse 165. Great peace have they — They have peace in their conscience, and joy in the Holy Spirit; and

Nothing shall offend — Stumble, or put them out of the way.

Bridgeway Bible Commentary

Verses 161-176: Because he rejoices in God’s instruction, the psalmist is steadfast amid perse cution and consistent in his daily prayers (161-164). His life is one of inner peace and stability. In quiet confidence he waits for God to save him (165-168). The psalmist concludes his long meditation with a summary of his main requests: an understanding of God’s word (169), deliverance from affliction (170), boldness to proclaim the excellencies of God’s word (171-172), constant help from God because of his constant obedience to the word (173-175), and God’s correcting hand upon him when he strays from God’s path (176).

Coffman's Commentaries on the Bible

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" 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" 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."Mitchell Dahood in The Anchor Bible, op. cit., p. 193.

Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible

Great peace have they - See the notes at Isaiah 26:3; compare the notes at Philippians 4:6-7. They have great calmness of mind. They are not troubled and anxious. They believe and feel that all things are well-ordered by thee, and will be conducted to the best result. They, therefore, calmly leave all with thee. As a matter of fact, the friends of God have peace and calmness in their minds, even amidst the troubles, the disappointments, and the reverses of life. The love of God is the best - the only - way to secure permanent peace in the soul.

Which love thy law - It is the love of law, and the belief that the law of God is in accordance with justice, that gives peace to their minds. God’s government is a government of law, and therefore it is loved.

And nothing shall offend them - Margin, “They shall have no stumbling-block.” “Hebrew, “And to them no stumbling,” or stumbling-block. See the notes at Matthew 5:29-30; notes at Matthew 18:6; notes at Matthew 16:23; notes at 1 Peter 2:8; notes at James 2:10. The meaning here is, that they would not fall into sin; they would be kept safe; they would be preserved from the power of temptation. The meaning is not, as it would seem to be in our version, that nothing would pain, grieve, or irritate them; but, as above, that as long as they were obedient to the law, and disposed to obey it, they would be safe from the power of temptation.

Calvin's Commentary on the Bible

165.Great peace have they who love thy law. If we take the word peace for a prosperous or happy condition of life — a sense in which the Hebrews often employ it — the word rendered stumbling-block, to correspond with it, will be used for adversity; as if it had been said, that those who love God’s law shall continually prosper and retain their position, although the whole world should fall into ruins. But a different interpretation will be equally appropriate, namely, that they have great peace, because, being persuaded that both their persons and their life are acceptable to God, they calmly repose themselves on a good conscience. This tranquil state of conscience, this serenity of mind, is justly reckoned the chief point of a happy life, that is to say it is so, when it proceeds from God’s being reconciled to us, and from his fatherly favor shining in our hearts. The Prophet justly teaches that we attain this peace from the love of the law; for whoever would make it to depend upon anything else, will be from time to time trembling at every little blast. If this sense is adopted, the word stumbling-block, in the second clause, will signify all the troubles and disquietudes of mind with which all who lean not upon God’s word are miserably distressed and tormented, and with which they are driven about either by their own depraved passions, or by the caprice of other men. But in whatever way understand these two words, peace and stumbling-block, the design of the Prophet will remain the same, which is to show, that those who are not devoted to God are miserable; for although they may applaud themselves for a time, yet they will meet with many stumbling-blocks to drive them suddenly out of their course. From the term love, we gather that this peace is not acquired by a slavish observance of the law, but proceeds from faith; for the law has no sweetness to attract us to it, unless it exhibit to us God in the character of a father, and tranquilize our minds by the assurance of eternal salvation. So far from enjoying peace, all worldly men and despisers of God are justly punished by their own depravity and obdurate rebellion; for each of them is his own executioner, and the more fiercely they rage against the word of God, the sorer are they tormented, until they bring upon themselves utter destruction. The godly, it is true, are also tormented or distressed, but this inward consolation wipes away all their sorrow, or, raising them up, enables them to surmount all stumbling-blocks, or so relieves them, that they faint not.

Smith's Bible Commentary

Psalms 119:1-176

Now as we get to Psalms 119:1-176 , it is an extremely difficult psalm for exposition, because each section seems to be more or less independent of in itself, and each verse, many times, almost independent within itself.

There are many psalms that are called acrostic psalms because the first letter of each line is a succeeding letter of the Hebrew alphabet. And so it's sort of like a crossword puzzle in a sense, wherein writing it, each line that they would write would begin with the successive letter of the Hebrew alphabet. So the first line would begin with Aleph, the second line would begin with Beth. The third line with Gimel, and Daleth, and so forth through their alphabet. Usually those psalms had twenty-two verses in them. Many of them had eleven verses, but they had twenty-two lines. So when we divided them we divided, or when men divided them they divided them into verses. But there are twenty-two lines. And so each succeeding line and some with each succeeding verse is successive letter of the Hebrew alphabet. Now this every eight verses, all of the lines in the first eight verses begin with the Hebrew letter Aleph or A. In the next eight verses, all of the lines begin with the Hebrew letter, Beth, B. All of the verses in the next psalm begin with Gimel, and so on through the whole Hebrew alphabet is here in this psalm, eight verses devoted to each letter. Each verse of the eight beginning with that letter.

Now the Hebrew children in learning their alphabet were required to memorize this one-hundred-and-nineteenth psalm. It would probably be a little easier for them to memorize it because of the fact of it being an acrostic. Because of the A's and the B's and the C's. And it would be extremely difficult for us to memorize it because we would not have the same ability to relate it to the A and the B and the C as they did. But it is, of course, the longest what they call chapter in the Bible. It really... psalms really aren't chapters. They are each one psalms. So with that as a background, let's jump in to Psalms 119:1-176 .

Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the LORD ( Psalms 119:1 ).

Now, in these psalms, it is a psalm that is dedicated to God's Word. And in each verse, with the exception of two, the verse declares something about the Word of God. And so all the way through, you'll find, "Thy law," "Thy statutes," "Thy judgments," "Thy words," "Thy truth," "Thy ways," all of them making reference unto God's Word, with the exception of just two of these verses.

So in understanding this psalm, of course, you need to understand, or you need to underline where the Word of God is referred to in each of the passages. And, of course, in the first verse, "Who walk in the law of the Lord." "Undefiled, who walk in the law of the LORD."

Blessed are they which keep his testimonies, and that seek him with the whole heart. They also do no iniquity: they walk in his ways. Thou hast commanded us to keep thy precepts diligently. O that my ways were directed to keep thy statutes! Then shall I not be ashamed, when I have respect unto all thy commandments. I will praise thee with uprightness of heart, when I shall have learned thy righteous judgments. I will keep thy statutes: forsake me not utterly ( Psalms 119:2-8 ).

So the law, the testimonies, the ways, the precepts, the statutes, the commandments, the judgments, and statutes are mentioned in the first eight verses.

Verse Psalms 119:9 :

Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? ( Psalms 119:9 )

Good question. How can a young man keep clean? How can he cleanse his way?

by taking heed thereto according to thy word ( Psalms 119:9 ).

Jesus said, "Now you are clean through the Word which I have spoken unto you" ( John 15:3 ). We will find another psalm down in the one hundred nineteenth, it said, "Thy word, O Lord, have I hid in my heart that I might not sin against Thee" ( Psalms 119:11 ). The Word of God is a power in your life, God's power in your life against sin. God has purposed that you hide His Word away in your heart. It is a power to keep you clean. It is the power against temptation. If someone comes and is complaining because they're constantly stumbling and falling, it's because they're not really into the Word sufficiently. "Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? By giving heed, taking heed according to Thy Word."

When Satan tempted Jesus in the wilderness and on the high mountain and at the temple pinnacle, in each case Jesus answered the temptation of Satan with, "It is written." He used the Word of God to answer every temptation that the enemy threw in His path. We need to have the Word of God in our hearts that we might be able to withstand every temptation that Satan throws in our path. "Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed according to Thy Word."

With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments ( Psalms 119:10 ).

The Lord said in the day that you seek Me with your whole heart, in that day I will be found of you. There are many people who have a half-hearted seeking after God. "In the day that you seek Me with your whole heart," God said. And so the psalmist, "With my whole heart I've sought Thee."

Thy word have I hid in my heart, that I might not sin against thee ( Psalms 119:11 ).

So going back with verse Psalms 119:9 , "Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? Thy Word have I hid in my heart."

Blessed art thou, O LORD: teach me thy statutes ( Psalms 119:12 ).

Now we've been dealing a lot with the blessed man, and now, "Blessed art Thou, O LORD."

With my lips I have declared all of the judgments of thy mouth. I have rejoiced in the way of thy testimonies, as much as in all riches ( Psalms 119:13-14 ).

There's an interesting verse. How valuable do you consider the Word of God in your life? Here he said, "Hey, I count it as much as... I rejoice in it as much as I do in riches."

I will meditate in thy precepts, and have respect unto thy ways. I will delight myself in thy statutes: I will not forget thy word ( Psalms 119:15-16 ).

Now we enter into the third section, the Gimel.

Deal bountifully with thy servant, that I may live, and keep thy word. Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law ( Psalms 119:17-18 ).

O God, open my eyes. Open my heart to Your Word. Open my eyes that I might see and understand Your truth.

This is, I think, a prayer that we need to always pray before we begin reading the scriptures, because, "The natural man cannot understand the things of the Spirit, neither can he know them, they are spiritually discerned" ( 1 Corinthians 2:14 ). So if I am going to have any understanding at all, it is important that God open my eyes that I might be able to see the truth. That I might be able to understand. That I might come to that spiritual dimension where I can really understand.

A lot of people read the Bible and say, "I don't, you know. I read it but I don't get anything out of it. Or I tried to read it, but man, it just didn't make sense to me." Well, yes, that is quite true, and it is quite logically true because the natural mind of man cannot understand. You have to have that work of the Spirit in opening your eyes. And so the prayer, "Open Thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of Thy law."

I am a stranger in the earth: hide not thy commandments from me. My soul breaks forth for the longing that it hath unto thy judgments at all times. But thou hast rebuked the proud that are cursed, which do err from thy commandments. Remove from me reproach and contempt; for I have kept thy testimonies. Princes also did sit and speak against me: but thy servant did meditate in thy statutes. Thy testimonies also are my delight and my counselors ( Psalms 119:19-24 ).

How many times I look to the Word of God for counseling. I look to the Word of God for guidance. I want God to guide my life. I turn to the Word and the Word becomes my counselor.

Moving into the next section, the Daleth.

My soul cleaveth unto the dust: quicken thou me according to thy word. I have declared my ways, and you heard me: teach me thy statutes. Make me to understand the way of your precepts: so shall I talk of thy wondrous works. My soul melteth for heaviness: strengthen me with thy word ( Psalms 119:25-28 ).

Oh, what strength the Word of God is to our lives. When we're just about ready to give in and roll over and play dead, and the Word comes and just is such strength to us.

Remove me from the way of lying: grant me thy law graciously. I have chosen the way of truth: thy judgments have I laid before me. I have stuck unto thy testimonies: O LORD, put me not to shame. I will run the way of the commandments, when thou shalt enlarge my heart ( Psalms 119:29-32 ).

Now the interesting thing about this is that each of these is talking about the Word of God. Each of them, remember, is beginning with a particular letter of the alphabet. And really, he is not repeating himself. Now it would be an interesting venture on your part to try to write eight verses about the Word of God all beginning with A, and not repeating yourself. And then write eight more beginning with the letter B, about different aspects of the Word of God and not repeat yourself. And going through the alphabet, you'll find that this is indeed quite a remarkable feat of this psalm. As all of these things are written about the Word of God, really no repetitions, saying different things about God's Word and going through the whole alphabet.

In the next section, he speaks of the statutes.

Teach me, LORD, the way of your statutes; I will keep it to the end. Give me understanding, I will keep thy law; I shall observe it with a whole heart. Make me to go in the path of thy commandments; for therein I delight. Incline my heart to your testimonies, and not to covetousness. Turn away my eyes from beholding vanity; and quicken me according to thy way. Stablish thy word unto thy servant, who is devoted to thy reverence. Turn away my reproach which I fear: for thy judgments are good. Behold, I have longed after thy precepts: quicken me in thy righteousness ( Psalms 119:33-40 ).

And then in the next section,

Thy mercies come also unto me, O LORD, even thy salvation, according to thy word ( Psalms 119:41 ).

And so the mercy of God and God's salvation-the knowledge of these things come to us through the Word of God. "How can they hear, how can they believe in whom they have not heard?" ( Romans 10:14 ) So the necessity of the Word, for me to know the mercy of God and the salvation that God has provided.

So shall I have wherewith to answer him that reproaches me: for I trust in thy word ( Psalms 119:42 ).

And so within the Word, the answer to those that bring reproach.

And take not the word of truth utterly out of my mouth; for I have hoped in thy judgments. So shall I keep thy law continually for ever and ever. And I will walk at liberty: for I seek thy precepts. I will speak of thy testimonies also before the kings, and not be ashamed. And I will delight myself in thy commandments, which I have loved. My hands also will I lift up unto thy commandments, which I have loved; and I will meditate in thy statutes ( Psalms 119:43-48 ).

Thy commandments, Thy statutes, Thy testimonies, Thy precepts, Thy Word, Thy judgments. All of these in the particular letter in the Hebrew alphabet here.

Now the next section. The Word.

Remember the word unto your servant. This is my comfort in my affliction: for thy word hath quickened me ( Psalms 119:49 , Psalms 119:50 ).

So God's Word, the comfort to me when I am afflicted.

The proud had me greatly in derision: yet have I not declined from thy law. I remembered thy judgments of old, O LORD; and have comforted myself. Horror 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 LORD, in the night, and have kept thy law. This I had, because I kept thy precepts ( Psalms 119:51-56 ).

I kept Your law. I kept Your precepts.

And the next section, Thy words, Thy Word, Thy testimonies, Thy commandments, Thy law, Thy righteous judgments, Thy precepts, and Thy statutes. All of these are spoken of.

In the next section, again, Thy Word, Thy commandment. And in verse Psalms 119:67 ,

Before I was afflicted I went astray: but now have I kept thy word ( Psalms 119:67 ).

The Bible says, "Is any man afflicted? Let him pray. Is there any sick among you? Let him call for the elders of the church; and let them anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of the Lord will save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up. And if he has committed any sins, they shall be forgiven him" ( James 5:13-15 ). But notice a distinction is made between the affliction and sicknesses.

It would seem that afflictions are something that are placed upon us by God and they come as a chastisement, a punishment. Well, not a correctional exigency of God in my life. The afflictions. Now if I'm afflicted, I'm not told to call for the elders of the church. I'm to work that out between myself and God. It's something that God has allowed in order that He might teach me. God allows afflictions, and when they come, then I am to pray and work that out with God.

If I'm sick, that's something different. Then I'm to call for the elders of the church and they can pray over me in the name of the Lord, anointing me with oil and the prayer of faith will save the sick. The Lord will raise him up. But there's a distinction made between the afflictions and sickness in the New Testament. "Before I was afflicted I went astray." So the purpose of the affliction is to get him back on the path. He had gone astray, but now have I kept Thy Word.

Thou art good, you do good: teach me your statutes. The proud have forged a lie against me: but I will keep your precepts with my whole heart. Their heart is as fat as grease: but I delight in thy law. Now it is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes ( Psalms 119:68-71 ).

Now going back, "Before I was afflicted I went astray." "It's good for me that I was afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes."

For the law of thy mouth is better unto me than thousands of gold or silver ( Psalms 119:72 ).

The Word of God is more valuable to me than all the wealth of the world. "What should it profit a man, if he would gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?" ( Mark 8:36 ) The value of God's Word in our lives is worth more to me than all of the gold or silver.

Thy hands have made me and fashioned me: give me understanding, that I may learn thy commandments. They that fear thee will be glad when they see me; because I have hoped in thy word. I know, O LORD, that thy judgments are right, and that you in faithfulness have afflicted me ( Psalms 119:73-75 ).

"I know, Lord, that Your judgments are right and that the afflictions that I have were just the faithfulness of God." God is so faithful and good to me. I have people that come in and they're into all kinds of trouble because they were messing around. "Everybody's doing it." Yeah? But you can't. Because you see, inasmuch as you are a child of God, He's not going to let you get away with it. They may all be able to cheat and get by with it, but you can't. You're going to get caught. God's not going to let you get by with it because you're His child. God loves you too much to let you get by with those things. And so, "God, You are faithful. When you afflicted me, Lord, for Your judgments are right. What You've done, God, is right. In faithfulness You've afflicted me."

Let, I pray thee, thy merciful kindness 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 ashamed; for they dealt perversely with me without a cause: but I will meditate in thy precepts. Let those that fear thee turn unto me, and those that have known thy testimonies. Let my heart be sound in thy statutes; that I be not ashamed. My soul fainteth for thy salvation: but I hope in thy word. My eyes fail for thy word, saying, When wilt thou comfort me? For I am become like a bottle in the smoke; yet do I not forget thy statutes ( Psalms 119:76-83 ).

And now one of those two verses in which there is no mention to the Word.

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, which are not after thy law. All thy commandments are faithful: they persecute me wrongfully; help me. Thou had almost consumed me upon earth; but I forsook not your precepts. Quicken me after thy loving-kindness; so shall I keep thy testimony the testimony of thy mouth ( Psalms 119:84-88 ).

Then verse Psalms 119:89 :

For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven ( Psalms 119:89 ).

You have nothing more permanent than the Word of God. This building is not permanent at all. The sidewalks and the asphalt out there are not permanent at all. This earth is not permanent. The sun is not permanent. Someday it will probably go up into a supernova and burn out. Jesus said, "Heaven and earth shall pass away, but My Word shall never pass away" ( Matthew 24:35 ). One thing that God has established forever is His Word. "Forever, O Lord, Thy Word is settled in heaven."

That is why it is so wrong for us to talk about the Word of God applying to a particular culture. "Oh, they wrote according to the understanding of their own culture of those times." And that is why it is so wrong for us to challenge the Word of God or seek to change the Word of God because God has forever settled His Word in heaven. It's something that... God said it; that settles it. There's no disputing of it. There's no arguing of it. There's no challenging of it. It's the Word of God. It's forever settled in heaven.

It doesn't change with the mores of a society. God's commandments and laws don't change because the mores of our society are so changed. The truth of God is absolute. The law of God is absolute. It is not relative to a situation. It is not relative to a society. It is not relative to the mores of a society. God has established the absolute law. His Word is forever settled in heaven. If you find yourself arguing with the Word, you're wrong. God's Word is a settled issue.

Thy faithfulness is unto all generations: thou hast established the earth, and it abides. They continue this day according to thine ordinances ( Psalms 119:90-91 ):

That is, the earth and all are continuing just according to the ordinances that God has established.

for all are thy servants ( Psalms 119:91 ).

The whole universe serves Him.

Unless thy law had been my delights, I should then have perished in my affliction ( Psalms 119:92 ).

I would have been wiped out unless Your law was there.

I will never forget thy precepts: for with them you have made me alive. I am yours, save me; for I have sought your precepts. The wicked have waited for me to destroy me: but I will consider your testimonies. I have seen an end of all perfection: but thy commandment is exceeding broad. [How I love,] O how I love thy law! it is my meditation all the day ( Psalms 119:93-97 ).

That's beautiful, isn't it? "Blessed is the man who walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful. But whose delight is in the law of the Lord" ( Psalms 1:1-2 ). "O how I love Thy law! It is my meditation." "And in His law does he meditate both day and night" ( Psalms 1:2 ).

Thou through thy commandments have made me wiser than mine enemies: for my enemies are ever with me ( Psalms 119:98 ).

You'll never escape enemies as long as you live on this earth.

I have more understanding than all of my teachers: for your testimonies are my meditation. I understand more than the ancients, because I keep your precepts. I have refrained my feet from every evil way, that I might keep thy word. I have not departed from thy judgments: 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 false way ( Psalms 119:99-104 ).

Now here the psalmist is declaring, "I have more understanding than my teachers. I'm wiser than the ancients." Why? Because of the Word of God. To understand God's Word is to have true knowledge. The unchanging truth of God. What wisdom. What understanding.

Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, it is a light unto my path ( Psalms 119:105 ).

It's the guide for my life.

I have sworn, and I will perform it, I will keep your righteous judgments. I am afflicted very much: make me alive, O LORD, according unto thy word. Accept, I beseech thee, the freewill offering of my mouth, O LORD, and teach me thy judgments. My soul is continually in my hand: yet do I not forget thy law. The wicked have laid a snare for me: I erred not from thy precepts. Thy testimonies have I taken as a heritage for ever: for they are the rejoicing of my heart. I have inclined my heart to perform thy statutes always, even unto the end. I hate vain thoughts: but thy law I love. Thou art my hiding place and my shield: I hope in your word. Depart from me, ye evildoers: for I will keep the commandments of my God ( Psalms 119:106-115 ).

That's a good scripture for you to have on hand whenever you get an invitation to some of the parties and some of the events that are happening around. Just remember Psalms 119:115 ,"Depart from me, ye evildoers: for I will 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 me up, and I shall be safe: and I will have respect unto your statutes continually. For thou hast trodden down all them that err from thy statutes: for their deceit is falsehood. You put away all the wicked of the earth like dross: therefore I love your testimonies. My flesh trembles for fear of thee; and I am afraid of thy judgments. I have done judgment and justice: leave me not to my oppressors. Be surety for thy servant for good: and let not the proud oppress me. Mine eyes fail for thy salvation, and for the word of thy righteousness. Deal with thy servant according to thy mercy, teach me your statutes. I am your servant; give me understanding, that I may know your testimonies. It is time for thee, LORD, to work: for they have made void thy law ( Psalms 119:116-126 ).

"Time, O God, for You to work." I look at the world today and I see how they have made void the law of God. I see how in our nation they've made void the law of God. It's time for God to work. And God is going to work. And that very shortly.

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 ( Psalms 119:127-128 ).

I esteem that every precept of God is right.

Thy testimonies are wonderful: therefore doth my soul keep them. The entrance of thy words give light; it gives understanding to the simple ( Psalms 119:129-130 ).

The entrance of God's Word brings light to those that are in darkness. Understanding to those simple understanding.

I opened my mouth, and panted: for I longed for thy commandments ( Psalms 119:131 ).

"I long for Your commandments, God." David said, "As the deer thirsteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God" ( Psalms 42:1 ). Just panting after the Lord.

Look thou unto me upon me, and be merciful unto me, as you used to do unto those that love your name ( Psalms 119:132 ).

Another one that doesn't mention the Word of God.

Order my steps in thy word: let not any iniquity have dominion over me. Deliver me from the oppression of man: so I will keep thy precepts. Make thy face to shine upon thy servant; teach me thy statutes. Rivers of water run down my eyes, because they keep not thy law ( Psalms 119:133-136 ).

The grief that he felt because of the disobedience to God's law by the people.

Righteous art thou, O LORD, and upright are your judgments. Thy testimonies that thou hast commanded are righteous and very faithful. My zeal has consumed me, because mine enemies have forgotten your words. Thy word is very pure: therefore thy servant loves it. I am small and despised: yet do I not forget your precepts. Thy righteousness is everlasting righteousness, and thy law is the truth. Trouble and anguish have taken hold on me: yet thy commandments are my delights. The righteousness of thy testimonies is everlasting: give me understanding, and I shall live. I cried with my whole heart; hear me, O LORD: I will keep thy statutes. I cried unto thee; save me, and I shall keep thy testimonies. I prevented the dawning of the morning, and cried: I hoped in thy word. Mine eyes prevent the night watches, that I might meditate in thy word. Hear my voice according to thy loving-kindness: O LORD, quicken me according to thy judgment. They draw nigh that follow after mischief: they are far from thy law. Thou art near, O LORD; and all thy commandments are truth. Concerning thy testimonies, I have known of old that thou hast founded them for ever ( Psalms 119:137-152 ).

So they are forever established and they have been forever founded. God's Word is... it's forever. It has always and shall always be.

Consider my affliction, and deliver me: for I do not forget thy law. Plead my cause, deliver 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 LORD: quicken me according to thy judgments. Many are my persecutors and mine enemies; yet do I not decline from thy testimonies. I beheld the transgressors, I was grieved; because they kept not thy word. Consider how I love thy precepts: quicken me, O LORD, according to thy loving-kindness. Thy word is true from the beginning: and every one of thy righteous judgments endureth for ever. Princes have persecuted me without a cause: but my heart stands in awe of thy word. I rejoice at thy word, as one that finds great spoil ( Psalms 119:153-162 ).

Oh the rejoicing, have you ever just rejoiced over the Word of God? I get so excited as I read the Word of God. Sometimes I come across a promise or passage of scripture and the Holy Spirit will just open it up to me and I just rejoice. I just have neat shouting fits of joy. When God just seems to open up the Word to my heart. Just, it's like you found treasure or something. Just the glorious rejoicing and it's just something that's always thrilling to me when the Spirit of God just opens up a scripture to my heart. This gives me a new insight, new understanding of its depth and all.

I hate and abhor lying: but thy law I love. Seven times a day do I praise thee, because of your righteous judgments. Great peace have they which love thy law ( Psalms 119:163-165 ):

Read that one. Underline that one. "Great peace have they who love thy law."

and nothing shall offend them. LORD, I have hoped for thy salvation, and done thy commandments. My soul hath kept thy testimonies; I love them exceedingly. I have kept thy precepts and thy testimonies: for all my ways are before thee. Let my cry come near before thee, O LORD: give me the understanding according to thy word. Let my supplication come before thee: deliver me according to thy word. My lips shall utter praise, when thou hast taught me thy statutes. My tongue shall speak of thy word: for all of thy commandments are righteous. Let thine hand help me; for I have chosen thy precepts. I have longed for thy salvation, O LORD; and thy law is my delight. Let my soul live, and it shall praise thee; and let thy judgments help me. I have gone astray like a lost sheep: seek thy servant; for I do not forget thy commandments ( Psalms 119:165-176 ).

He surely had a lot to say about the Word of God.

There's an interesting story about the one-hundred-and-nineteenth psalm that actually happened in England. There was a bishop that was about to be put to death because his patron had come into disfavor with the government and had been executed, and the bishop was waiting at the gallows. And according to the British law, he had the right to request that a psalm be sung. And so the wise bishop requested the one-hundred-and-nineteenth psalm. And because it was the law of the land, they started singing the one-hundred-and-nineteenth psalm before the gallows, before he was hanged on the gallows, and about halfway through the psalm, his pardon came. And thus, he was pardoned and missed his appointment on the gallows. Had he chosen Psalms 117:1-2 , he'd have been wiped out. That actually happened. Spurgeon, in his Treasury of the Psalms speaks about that at the beginning of the one-hundred-and-nineteenth psalm. He names the bishop and so forth whose life was actually spared by his choice of this psalm to be sung prior to his execution on the gallows.

Now may the Lord be with you and keep you in His love and grace, watching over you, guiding you, protecting you through this week. May you be enriched in Christ Jesus in all things. And may your understanding of God's love be increased day by day as you begin to fathom the depth, experience the height of God's love and grace and mercies towards you through Jesus our Lord. "

Dr. Constable's Expository Notes

Psalms 119

The anonymous psalmist who wrote this longest psalm sought refuge from his persecutors and found strength by meditating on the Word of God. This psalm, the longest chapter in the Bible, is largely a collection or anthology of prayers and thoughts about God’s Word. C. S. Lewis compared it to a piece of embroidery, done stitch by stitch in the quiet hours for the love of the subject and for the delight in leisurely, disciplined craftsmanship. [Note: Lewis, Reflections on . . ., pp. 58-59.]

"The author of Psalms 119 exemplifies an attitude toward the Mosaic law which was the ideal for all Israel (cf. also Psalms 19:7-11)." [Note: Chisholm, "A Theology . . .," p. 263.]

"It [this psalm] describes how the Word enables us to grow in holiness and handle the persecutions and pressures that always accompany an obedient walk of faith." [Note: Wiersbe, The . . . Wisdom . . ., p. 308.]

This psalm contains a reference to God’s Word in almost every verse (except Psalms 119:84; Psalms 119:90; Psalms 119:121-122; Psalms 119:132). The psalmist used 10 synonyms for the Word of God, each of which conveys a slightly different emphasis.

"Way" and "ways" (Heb. derek) describes the pattern of life God’s revelation marks out. It occurs 13 times in the psalm (Psalms 119:1; Psalms 119:3; Psalms 119:5; Psalms 119:14; Psalms 119:26-27; Psalms 119:29-30; Psalms 119:32-33; Psalms 119:37; Psalms 119:59; Psalms 119:168).

The most frequently used term is "law" (Heb. torah, lit. teaching) that occurs 25 times (Psalms 119:1; Psalms 119:18; Psalms 119:29; Psalms 119:34; Psalms 119:44; Psalms 119:51; Psalms 119:53; Psalms 119:55; Psalms 119:61; Psalms 119:70; Psalms 119:72; Psalms 119:77; Psalms 119:85; Psalms 119:92; Psalms 119:97; Psalms 119:109; Psalms 119:113; Psalms 119:126; Psalms 119:136; Psalms 119:142; Psalms 119:150; Psalms 119:153; Psalms 119:163; Psalms 119:165; Psalms 119:174). It denotes direction or instruction and usually refers to a body of teaching such as the Pentateuch or the Book of Deuteronomy. Jesus used this term to describe the whole Old Testament (John 10:34).

The word "testimony" (Heb. ’edah) occurs 23 times, all but one time in the plural (Psalms 119:2; Psalms 119:14; Psalms 119:22; Psalms 119:24; Psalms 119:31; Psalms 119:36; Psalms 119:46; Psalms 119:59; Psalms 119:79; Psalms 119:88 [sing.], 95, 99,111, 119, 125, 129, 138, 144, 146, 152, 157, 167, 168). It refers to the ordinances that became God’s standard of conduct. Its particular shade of meaning is the solemnity of what God has spoken as His will. The English translations sometimes have "decrees" for this Hebrew word.

"Precepts" (Heb. piqqudim), a synonym for "injunctions" that occurs only in the psalms in the Old Testament, appears 21 times in this psalm (Psalms 119:4; Psalms 119:15; Psalms 119:27; Psalms 119:40; Psalms 119:45; Psalms 119:56; Psalms 119:63; Psalms 119:69; Psalms 119:78; Psalms 119:87; Psalms 119:93-94; Psalms 119:100; Psalms 119:104; Psalms 119:110; Psalms 119:128; Psalms 119:134; Psalms 119:141; Psalms 119:159; Psalms 119:168; Psalms 119:173). It always occurs in the plural.

Another common synonym in this psalm is "statutes" (Heb. huqqim, lit. things inscribed). It refers to enacted laws. The translators sometimes rendered the Hebrew word "decrees." It occurs 21 times (Psalms 119:5; Psalms 119:8; Psalms 119:12; Psalms 119:23; Psalms 119:26; Psalms 119:33; Psalms 119:48; Psalms 119:54; Psalms 119:64; Psalms 119:68; Psalms 119:71; Psalms 119:80; Psalms 119:83; Psalms 119:112; Psalms 119:117-118; Psalms 119:124; Psalms 119:135; Psalms 119:145; Psalms 119:155; Psalms 119:171).

"Commandments" (Heb. miswah) denotes a definite authoritative command. The writer used this word 22 times in Psalms 119, usually in the plural but once as a collective singular (Psalms 119:6; Psalms 119:10; Psalms 119:19; Psalms 119:21; Psalms 119:32; Psalms 119:35; Psalms 119:47-48; Psalms 119:60; Psalms 119:66; Psalms 119:73; Psalms 119:86; Psalms 119:96 [sing.], 98, 115, 127, 131, 143, 151, 166, 172, 176).

"Judgment" or "ordinance" (Heb. mishpot) refers to a judicial decision that establishes precedent and constitutes binding law. Often the English translators rendered this Hebrew word "laws." It sometimes means God’s acts of judgment on the wicked. In this psalm it occurs 19 times in the plural and four times in the singular (Psalms 119:7; Psalms 119:13; Psalms 119:20; Psalms 119:30; Psalms 119:39; Psalms 119:43; Psalms 119:52; Psalms 119:62; Psalms 119:75; Psalms 119:84 [sing.], 91, 102, 106, 108, 120, 121 [sing.], 132 [sing.], 137, 149 [sing.], 156, 160, 164, 175). In Psalms 119:84 it does not refer to the Word of God, however.

The psalmist also identified many different responses he made to God’s Word. One of these was keeping or obeying it (Psalms 119:4-5; Psalms 119:8; Psalms 119:17; Psalms 119:34; Psalms 119:44; Psalms 119:56-57; Psalms 119:60; Psalms 119:67; Psalms 119:88; Psalms 119:100-101; Psalms 119:129; Psalms 119:134; Psalms 119:136; Psalms 119:145; Psalms 119:158; Psalms 119:167-168).

"This untiring emphasis has led some to accuse the psalmist of worshipping the Word rather than the Lord; but it has been well remarked that every reference here to Scripture, without exception, relates it explicitly to its Author; indeed every verse from 4 to the end is a prayer or affirmation addressed to Him. This is true piety; a love of God not desiccated by study but refreshed, informed and nourished by it." [Note: Kidner, Psalms 73-150, p. 419.]

"The longest psalm in the Psalter, Psalms 119, is well known for its teaching on God’s law. Yet the beauty of this psalm lies, not only in the recitation of devotion to the law, but in the psalmist’s absolute devotion to the Lord." [Note: VanGemeren, p. 736.]

In all but 14 verses, the psalmist addressed his words to the Lord personally. [Note: Wiersbe, The . . . Wisdom . . ., p. 308.]

This is one of the alphabetic acrostic psalms (cf. Psalms 111, 112). In each strophe of eight verses, each verse begins with the same letter of the Hebrew alphabet. In Psalms 119:1-8 each line begins with the first Hebrew letter, in Psalms 119:9-16 each line begins with the second Hebrew letter, and so on. In some English versions, the translators have printed or transliterated the Hebrew letter that begins each line in the strophe at the beginning of that strophe.

"Even the literary qualities of the 119th Psalm contribute to the development of its major theme-the Word of God in the child of God." [Note: George J. Zemek Jr., "The Word of God in the Child of God: Psalms 119," Spire 10:2 (1982):8.]

Psalms 145 is another acrostic psalm. In that psalm the intent of the acrostic structure seems to have been to encourage full praise of God. In this one, the intent seems to have been to encourage full obedience to God. [Note: Brueggemann, p. 39.]

The genre of the psalm is primarily wisdom, though there are also elements of lament, thanksgiving, praise, and confidence in it.

As you read this psalm, note the consequences of obeying God’s Word that the writer enumerated. These include being unashamed (Psalms 119:6) and giving thanks (Psalms 119:7).

"The basic theme of Psalms 119 is the practical use of the Word of God in the life of the believer." [Note: Wiersbe, The . . . Wisdom . . ., p. 309.]

"The lesson to be learned above all others is that knowledge and practical application of the Word will keep one from sin and thus enable him to know and serve God appropriately (Psalms 119:9; Psalms 119:11; Psalms 119:92; Psalms 119:98; Psalms 119:105; Psalms 119:130; Psalms 119:133; Psalms 119:176)." [Note: Merrill, "Psalms," p. 466.]

Dr. Constable's Expository Notes

21. Joy in God’s Word 119:161-168

The opposition of powerful individuals did not intimidate the writer (Psalms 119:161). He continued to love God’s Word and to find it a ceaseless source of joy, but he hated falsehood (Psalms 119:162-164). Great peace (Heb. shalom, the fullness of God’s blessings) is the portion of those who love God’s law and hope in His salvation (Psalms 119:165-166). Love had motivated the writer to keep the Lord’s commandments and to live openly before God (Psalms 119:167-168).

"The joy, devotion, and benefits of a godly life radiate through this strophe." [Note: VanGemeren, p. 762.]

Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible

Great peace have they which love thy law,.... The Targum adds,

"in this world.''

Great prosperity, especially prosperity of soul, inward peace, peace of conscience, peace in Christ, and from him, flowing from his blood, righteousness, and sacrifice, and a view of interest therein; which is usually enjoyed in a way of believing, and frequently had in the ways, worship, and ordinances of God. Such as love the law of God, his word, precepts, and doctrines, have a large share of it; a peace so great, that it passes the understanding of unregenerate men, and cannot be fully expressed by the saints themselves; there is none to the wicked, it is peculiar to them that love the Lord, and what belong to him: the Arabic and Ethiopic versions render it, "which love thy name";

and nothing shall offend them; the Targum is,

"in the world to come.''

Nothing shall disturb their minds, and break their peace; nothing from without, though sin, temptations, and desertions do; not outward afflictions, the reproaches and persecutions of wicked men, nor the reproof of good men; nor what God does to them in a providential way: though in the world they have tribulation, in Christ they have peace, which the world can neither give nor take away. "There is no stumbling block unto them" l, as it may be rendered; nothing that shall cause them to be offended and depart out of the good ways of God, which is the case of carnal formal professors, Matthew 13:21; such stumble not at the word, as others do, at any of the doctrines of it; and the true light shining in them, and the word without being a light unto them, there is no occasion of stumbling in them; they see their way, and what lies in it, and so avoid that at which they might stumble, 1 John 2:10. Moreover, such do not easily either give or take offence; they are possessed of that charity or love, which is not suspicious or easily provoked; and they endeavour to give no offence to any, but live without it, in the midst of a perverse generation, 1 Corinthians 13:5 Philippians 2:15.

l אין למו מכשול "non est ipsis offendiculum", Cocceius, Gejerus, Michaelis.

Henry's Complete Commentary on the Bible

      165 Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them.

      Here is an account of the happiness of good men, who are governed by a principle of love to the word of God, who make it their rule and are ruled by it. 2. They are easy, and have a holy serenity; none enjoy themselves more than they do: Great peace have those that love thy law, abundant satisfaction in doing their duty and pleasure in reflecting upon it. The work of righteousness is peace (Isaiah 32:17), such peace as the world can neither give nor take away. They may be in great troubles without and yet enjoy great peace within, sat lucis intus--abundance of internal light. Those that love the world have great vexation, for it does not answer their expectation; those that love God's word have great peace, for it outdoes their expectation, and in it they have sure footing. 2. They are safe, and have a holy security: Nothing shall offend them; nothing shall be a scandal, snare, or stumbling-block, to them, to entangle them either in guilt or grief. No event of providence shall be either an invincible temptation or an intolerable affliction to them, but their love to the word of God shall enable them both to hold fast their integrity and to preserve their tranquility. They will make the best of that which is, and not quarrel with any thing that God does. Nothing shall offend or hurt them, for every thing shall work for good to them, and therefore shall please them, and they shall reconcile themselves to it. Those in whom this holy love reigns will not be apt to perplex themselves with needless scruples, nor to take offence at their brethren, 1 Corinthians 13:6; 1 Corinthians 13:7.

Spurgeon's Verse Expositions of the Bible

The Lover of God's Law is Filled with Peace

January 22, 1888 by C. H. SPURGEON (1834-1892)

“Great peace have they which love Your Law: and nothing shall offend them.” Psalms 119:165 .

This forms part of a devotional passage. It is not merely a statement that great peace comes to those who love the Law of God, but it is uttered as part of a hymn of praise unto the Lord. We cannot praise God better than by stating facts concerning Him and His Word. If you desire to praise God, you must speak of Him as He is. If you would pour out an acceptable libation before Him, you must fill the vessel from Himself, as the wellhead of all excellence. Our Te Deums are simply declarations of what God is there can be no higher praise. His praises can only be the reflection of His own light. All glory is already in Him, none can be added to Him. And so, when we are adoring Him for His Law and blessing Him for giving us His Word, we cannot do better than observe how that Law operates upon the heart and praise Him because it so works. We have no need to heap up flattering titles as men do with their kings. We have no need to invent exaggerated expressions. We have but to speak the simple Truth concerning our God and we have praised Him. By the word, “Law,” here is intended, not only the Law of the Ten Commandments but the whole of Divine Revelation, as it was in David’s time and as it is now. Whatever God has revealed is loved by saintly men. This sacred Book, which we commonly call the Bible, contains the mind of God so far as He has seen fit to reveal it to men. It is the Law of holiness as the guide of our actions and the Law of faith by which we receive of His Divine Grace. Here we have the Law of the kingdom of Heaven, the Law of life in Christ Jesus. As a Law of works, this holy Book convicts us of sin. As a Law of love it leads us to Jesus, to find forgiveness through His blood. In David’s day the Law was a smaller Book than ours but he found great peace in the reading of it it was even then competent for the highest spiritual ends. We have that Book at greater length but it is one and the same. The same Gospel is in Genesis as in Matthew. The Old Testament was perfect in itself as the Law of the Lord and the New Testament is but an expansion of the same Truth which the Old contains. We rejoice to find that our larger edition of the Word of God contains nothing which lessens that great peace which the earlier Scriptures were able to produce. As the light is clearer, the joy is brighter and the reasons for great peace are more clearly seen. God’s Law comprises all His precepts and in keeping these we have peace of conscience. It contains all His promises and these are our great peace in the hour of need. And it comprehends all those great doctrines which surround the Cross of Christ and the Covenant of Grace and each one of these is a fountain of peace to our hearts. We take this Book as a whole and in this way we have peace. We dare not rend it, we would not leave out any part of it lest we miss the blessed effect which, as a whole, it is calculated to produce. Sitting as learners at the feet of Jesus our Master, submitting our hearts and minds to the infallible teaching of the Holy Spirit who leads us into all Truth, we find that the peace of God, which passes all understanding, keeps our hearts and minds by Christ Jesus. Three things in the text are worthy of earnest attention. May the Spirit of God bless all we say! First, here is a spiritual character “they which love Your Law.” Secondly, here is a special possession “great peace have they.” And thirdly, here is a singular preservation “nothing shall offend them” or nothing shall be a stumbling block to them. Oh, that we may know our text experimentally! I. First, here is A SPIRITUAL CHARACTER “they which love Your Law.” Love lies deep it is in the heart it is not a thing of the surface, it is of the man’s own self. As a man loves so is he. To love God’s Law is to have the very nature and essence of our manhood in a right condition. To love the Word is something more than to read it, even though we should study it day and night. It is more even than to understand it. For the cold light of the intellect is of little worth compared with the warm sunlight of love. Many, no doubt, perceive the Truths which are taught in God’s Word and so become orthodox in their professed creed. But without love their faith is dead. You cannot learn the Law of God as you learn the laws of nature. Your heart must be affected by it and you must obey it in your life or you do not truly know it. Only he who does the will of God can know of the doctrine. Mere knowledge brings no peace to the man. The Truth must go from the head to the heart before its power is known. Some even try to keep the Law of the Lord so far as to make the outward life conformable to morality and religion. But this falls far short of the love of the heart. To stand in slavish fear and dread of God is better than to be utterly indifferent but it is a poor thing compared with love. Slaves obey their masters because of the lash and so do many outwardly follow the Word because of the spirit of bondage which will not permit them to rebel. But there is something lacking nothing in religion is sound till the heart goes with it. God says, “My son, give Me your heart,” and He cannot be satisfied with anything short of it. Search, then, my Hearers and see if you really love the Law of the Lord. He who loves the Word would not wish to have it altered, enlarged, or diminished it reveals enough for him and no more. For he is content with what God chooses to teach him. If he finds any want of conformity in his own thoughts to God’s thoughts, he throws his own thoughts away and sets up the Divine thoughts in their place. As he is reconciled to God in Christ Jesus, so is his mind reconciled to the teaching against which he at first rebelled. He loves the Law of the Lord just as he finds it. And instead of judging it and daring to set himself up as a dictator of what it ought to be, he is humble and docile and cries, “Speak, Lord, for Your servant hears.” He loves every Truth which the Lord declares yes, and the very style and method of the declaration. Every word of God’s Book has in it music for his ears, beauty for his eyes, honey for his mouth and food for his soul. The teachings of God’s Word are to the instructed Believer not only articles of faith but matters of life. Our faith has imbibed them and our experience has assimilated them. We could part with everything except what we have learned out of the Sacred Book by the teaching of the Holy Spirit. For that flows through our souls like the blood through our body and it is intermixed with every vital part of our being. Like wool which has been made to lie long in scarlet we are dyed ingrain. As certain insects take their color from the leaves they feed upon, so have we become tinctured to the core of our nature with the living and incorruptible Word. It has proved its own inspiration by inspiring us with its Spirit. Now we live in the Word as the fish in the stream. It is the element of our spiritual life. This may suffice to set before you the sort of people who obtain great peace from the Law of the Lord, because, in the truest sense, they love it. This inward and spiritual love to God’s Word includes many other good things. Permit me to use the connection in order to help myself as to order and to help you as to memory. Read the first verse of this octave the 161st verse “Princes have persecuted me without a cause: but my heart stands in awe of Your Word.” The love of God’s Law includes a deep reverence for it. That man is blessed who trembles at God’s Word. This Book is not to be compared with other books. It is not of the same class and order. It is inspired in a sense in which they are not. It stands alone and is not one among other books. As towers an Alp above the molehills of the meadow, so Holy Scripture rises above the purest, truest and holiest literature of man’s composing. Even if all those other books are purged of error and are corrected to the highest degree of human knowledge, yet would they no more reach to the degree of the Book of God than man can become God. It is supreme and of another quality from all the rest of them. Other writings we feel free to criticize but, “My heart stands in awe of Your Word.” The man who loves God’s Word does not trifle with it. It is far too sacred to be toyed with. He does not mock it. For he believes it to be God’s Word. With a docility which comes of true sonship, it is enough for him that his Father says so. His one anxiety is, as far as possible, to know the meaning of his Father’s Words and, that known, all debate is out of the question. “Thus says the Lord,” is to every true child of God the end of the matter. I have often told you, my dear Friends, that I view the difficulties of Holy Scriptures as so many prayer-stools upon which I kneel and worship the glorious Lord. What we cannot comprehend by our understanding, we apprehend by our affections. Awe of God’s Word is a main element in that love of God’s Law which brings great peace. This advances to rejoicing in it. Read verse 162 “I rejoice at Your Word, as one that finds great spoil.” As a conqueror in the glad hour of victory shouts over the dividing of the prey, so do Believers rejoice in God’s Word. I can recollect as a youth the great joy I had when the doctrines of Divine Grace were gradually opened up to me by the Spirit of Truth. I did not at first perceive the whole chain of precious Truth. I knew that Jesus had suffered in my place and that by believing in Him I had found peace. But the deep things of the Covenant of Grace came to me one by one, even as at night you first see one star and then another and by-and-by the whole heavens are studded with them. When it first became clear to me that salvation was all of grace, what a revelation it was! I saw that God had made me to differ from others I ascribed my salvation wholly to His free favor. I perceived that, at the back of the grace which I had received, there must have been a purpose to give that grace and then the glorious fact of an election of grace flowed in upon my soul in a torrent of delight. I saw that the love of God to His own was without beginning a boundless, fathomless, infinite, endless love which carries every chosen vessel of mercy from grace to glory. What a God is the God of Sovereign Grace! How did my soul rejoice as I saw the God of love in His sovereignty, immutability, faithfulness and omnipotence! “Among the gods there is none like unto You.” So will any young convert here rejoice if he so loves the Law of the Lord as to continue studying it and receiving the illumination of the Holy Spirit concerning it. As the child of God sees into the deep things of God he will be ready to clap his hands for joy. It is a delightful sensation to feel that you are growing. Trees, I suppose, do not know when they grow, but men and women do when the growth is spiritual. We seem to pass into a new Heaven and a new earth as we discover God’s Truth. A new guest has come to live within our mind and He has brought with Him banquets such as we never tasted before. Oh how happy is that man to whose loving mind Holy Scripture is opening up its priceless treasures! We know that we love God’s Word when we can rejoice in it. We wish that we could gather up every crumb of Scripture and find food in its smallest fragments. Even its bitter rebukes are sweet to us. I would kiss the very feet of Scripture and wash them with my tears! Alas, that I should sin against it by a thought, much more by a word! If it is but God’s Word, though some may call it nonessential, we dare not think it so. The little things of God are more precious than the great things of man. The Truth of God is no trifle to one who has fought his way to it and learned it in the school of affliction. “O my Soul, you have trod down strength!” And that which you have gained in the battle is your joyful spoil. Further than this, we receive Holy Scripture with emotion. David says, “I hate and abhor lying: but Your Law do I love.” He regards all that is opposed to the Law of the Lord as hateful lying. Those are hard words, David! Surely you are sinning against the charity of our cultured age! Yes, but when a man feels strongly, he cannot help speaking strongly. “I hate,” says he and that is not enough. He says, “I hate and abhor lying.” His whole being revolts at it. He means not only that lying with which in common life men would deceive their fellows that is hateful enough. But he refers especially to that kind of teaching which gives the lie to the Law of the Lord. For he adds, “But your Law do I love.” A good man’s hate of falsehood is as intense as his love of the Truth of God. It must necessarily be so. He who worships the true God detests and loathes idols. In these days there are many men to whom the Truths of Scripture are like a pack of cards to be shuffled as occasion suits. To them peace and quietness are jewels and the Truth of God is as the mire of the streets. It does not matter to them what this man preaches and what that man writes. Hold your tongue it will be all the same a hundred years from now and really, nobody can be quite sure of anything! To the man that is loyal to his Lord and faithful to his convictions, it can never be so. He hates the teaching which belies his God. He that has never felt his blood boil against an error which robs God of His glory does not love the Law, nor will he know that great peace which comes by having the Law enshrined in the heart. One other virtue is included in the love of the Word. According to the context, great gratitude to God for His Word is formed in the believing heart. “Seven times a day do I praise You because of Your righteous judgments.” God’s judgments written in His Word are matters of praise

“This is the judge that ends the strife Where wit and reason fail.”

God’s judgments actively going on in the world which tally with those predicted in His Word are also matters for adoring praise. The God of the Word is the God of the deed. What He says He does and every day and all the day we praise Him for it. Beloved, God may do what He wills and we will praise Him. He may say what He wills and we will praise Him. We read in His Word stern things, words of wrath and deeds of vengeance. Shall we try to soften them, or invent apologies for them? By no means. Jehovah our God is a consuming fire. We love Him, not as He is improved upon by “modern thought,” but as He reveals Himself in Scripture. The God of Abraham, of Isaac and of Jacob “this God is our God forever and ever He will be our Guide, even unto death.” Even when He is robed in the terror of His judgments, we sing praises unto His name. Even as they did at the Red Sea, when they saw Pharaoh and his host swallowed up in the mighty waters “Sing unto the Lord, for He has triumphed gloriously: the horse and his rider has He thrown into the sea.” Our hallelujahs are “to Him that slew mighty kings; for His mercy endures forever.” It is not mine to improve upon the character of Jehovah but to reverence and adore Him as He manifests Himself, either in judgment or in Divine Grace. I, who am less than nothing, and vanity, dare not scan His work, nor bring Him to my bar, lest I hear a voice saying, “No, but O man, who are you that replies against God?” What am I that I should be the ultimate judge of truth, or of justice, or of wisdom? Whatever God may be, or speak, or do that is right it is not mine to arraign my Maker but to adore Him. Extenuations, explanations and apologies may be produced from the best of motives. But too often they suggest to opposers that it is admitted that God’s most Holy Word contains something in it which is doubtful, or weak, or antiquated. It looks as though it needed to be defended by human wisdom. Brethren, the Word of the Lord can stand alone, without the propping which many are giving it. These props come down and then our adversaries think that the Book is down, too. The Word of God can take care of itself and will do so if we preach it and cease defending it. See that lion? They have caged him for his preservation shut him up behind iron bars to secure him from his foes! See how a band of armed men have gathered together to protect the lion. What a clatter they make with their swords and spears! These mighty men are intent upon defending a lion. O fools and slow of heart! Open that door! Let the lord of the forest come forth free. Who will dare to encounter him? What does he want with your guardian care? Let the pure Gospel go forth in all its lion-like majesty and it will soon clear its own way and ease itself of its adversaries. Yes, without attempting to apologize even for the severer Truths of Revelation, seven times a day do we praise the Lord for giving us His judgments, so righteous and so sure. I have shown you now, dear Friends, how this love lies deep in the heart and how it includes much of honor and reverence. Let me further remark that this love is productive of many good things. They that love God’s Word will meditate on it and make it the man of their right hand. What a companion the Bible is! It talks with us by the way, it communes with us upon our beds it knows us altogether and has a suitable word for every condition of life. Hence we cannot be long without listening to our Beloved’s voice in this Book of books. I hope we realize the character described in the first Psalm “His delight is in the Law of the Lord. And in His Law does he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water.” Love to the Word of God creates great courage in the defense of it. It is wonderful how the most timid creatures will defend their young, how even a hen becomes a terrible bird when she has to take care of her chicks even so, quiet men and women contend earnestly for the faith once delivered to the saints and will not tamely submit to see the Truth of God torn in pieces by the hounds of error and hypocrisy. The love of the Law of God breeds penitence for having sinned against it and perseverance in obedience to it. It also begets patience under suffering, for it leads the man to submit himself to the will of God whom he loves so much. He says, “It is the Lord. Let Him do what seems good to Him.” The Word of God begets and fosters holiness. Jesus said, “Sanctify them through Your Truth; Your Word is Truth.” You cannot study the Scriptures diligently and love them heartily without having your thoughts and acts savored and sweetened by them. A gentleness and kindness will be infused into your spirit by the very tone of the Word. A sacred delicacy and carefulness of conduct will surround your daily life in proportion as you steep your mind in Scripture. Let me commend to you, my beloved Friends, that you live with the Law of the Lord till even men of the world perceive that you keep choice company. The trashy lives of most people are the fit outcome of the trash which they read. A life fed on fiction is a life of fiction. A life fed on Divine fact will become a life of Divine fact. I have no time in which to show you all the sweet uses of the Law of the Lord it does much for the formation of a perfect character. No molding force is so much to be desired as that of the Word of the Lord in the love of it. This much, however, I must add if in any of us there is a love of the Law of the Lord, this is a work of the Holy Spirit. Nature does not love God and hence it does not love God’s Law. Human nature is in open and active rebellion to everything that is commanded or commended by the thrice-holy God. If, then, you love God and His holy Law, the Holy Spirit has been at work in you. And by this new love it is proven that you are a new creature. The old nature delights itself in everything which is of the earth earthy. It is only the new and heavenly life which can appreciate and love heavenly things. My Brothers and Sisters, let your love of the Law be to you a proof of your regeneration you have passed from darkness into marvelous light for you love light. Let this be to you the evidence of your election you had never loved God and His Law if He had not loved you first. What can your love to God be but a reflection of His love to you? Hear Him say, “I have loved you with an everlasting love.” See, also, in this love of God’s Law the prophecy of your ultimate perfection. We do not keep the Law as we would. But if we desire to keep it, that which holds the will is the real Law of our life. If there is in us a strong and passionate desire to accept and obey God’s Word in everything and to be conformed to it in thought and life, that desire will ultimately get the victory. Use well the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God and by the force of your love give sin sharp and heavy thrusts and you shall conquer until every thought is brought into captivity to the Law of Christ. II. We have spent too long a time upon our first point and shall have to be brief upon the other heads. Our second division is a very sweet part of the text. Here is A SPECIAL POSSESSION, “great peace have they which love Your Law.” When Orientals meet each other their usual salutation is “Shalom” “Peace be to you.” The word does not mean merely quiet and rest but happiness or prosperity. Great peace means great prosperity. Those who love God’s Law have great blessedness in this life as well as in that which is to come. In loving the Law of God we have intense enjoyment and real success in life. Let us, however, take the text as we have it in our Bibles. By peace here is not meant that a man who loves God’s Law will have great peace with everybody, for that is not at all true. If David penned this sentence, he certainly was not an instance of great peace with men flowing out of his love to the Lord’s Law. He was a man of war from his youth. He had peace as a shepherd boy but even then he had to kill lions and bears and soon after he had to meet a giant in single combat. Neither in his family nor in Saul’s court was he at peace. He was hunted like a partridge upon the mountains and had to run for it from day to day. He had not much earthly peace. When he had done with Saul, the Philistines invaded the land. If it is possible, we are to live peaceably with all men. But He who has put enmity between the serpent and the woman never meant that we should enjoy the friendship of the world. The great peace which they have who love God’s Law refers to a peace which can exist when strife rages all around us. Does not it mean this first, great restfulness of the intellect? If we love God’s Law in the sense in which we have explained it, so as to stand in awe of it and rejoice over it, the result will be great peace of mind. Everybody must find infallibility somewhere. Some think it is with the Pope at Rome, others dream that it is in themselves the second theory is no more true than the first. Others of us believe that infallibility lies in the Word of God this Book is to us the final court of appeal. When God’s Holy Spirit leads us into the Truth which He has revealed in this Book, we feel a full assurance that we know the Truth of God and we speak from experience when we say that the loving belief of the Word brings us great intellectual repose. I care nothing what supposed philosophers may discover they cannot discover anything true which is contrary to God’s Word. I know that I am speaking that which is best for my fellow men in the highest and best sense, when I am not venting a theory but setting forth a Revelation from Heaven. He who gave us the infallible Book has all the responsibility for its contents. If I believe what God tells me and do what He bids me, the results are with Him and not with me. He is the ruler of the universe and not I. And if there are any terrible mysteries, He must explain them not I if they ought to be explained. I am like a servant who is sent to the door with a message. If I deliver the message which my Master gives me as I receive it, you must not be angry with me, for I did not invent the message, I only repeated it to you. Be angry with my Master, not with me. That is how I feel when I have done preaching. If I have honestly preached what I believe to be in God’s Word, I am free from all responsibility for my ministry. My responsibility lies in endeavoring to interpret the Word as clearly as I can. I am not accountable for its teaching. I have not before me the unbearable burden of composing a Gospel. I remember well a minister, whom I much respect, saying to me, “I wish I could feel as you do. You have certain fixed principles about which you are sure and you have only to state them and enforce them. But I am in a formative state. I make my theology fresh every week.” Dear me, I thought, what a hopeless state for progress and establishment! If the student of mathematics had no fixed law as to the value of numbers but made a new multiplication table every week, he would not make many calculations. If a baker were to say to me, “Sir, I am always altering the ingredients of my bread I make a different bread every week,” I should be afraid the fellow would poison me one of these days. I would rather go to a man whose bread I had found good and nourishing. I cannot afford to experiment in the Bread of Life. Besides, there is an intellectual unrest in all this kind of thing which is escaped from when we come to love the Word of the Lord as we love our lives. Oh, the rest of knowing within your very soul that the Truth of God you rest upon is a sure foundation! Those who love God’s Word have also a great peace which comes of a pacified conscience. Conscience is as a terrible wild beast when aroused and irritated by a sense of sin. Nothing will quiet conscience effectually and properly but the great doctrine of the Substitutionary sacrifice of Christ. When we see that God has laid on His only begotten Son all our iniquities and that the chastisement of our peace was exacted of Him as our Substitute, then conscience smiles upon us. If God is satisfied with regard to our sins, we are satisfied, too. We see in the sacrifice of our Lord Jesus Christ that which must satisfy Divine justice and therefore our conscience receives a safe and holy quiet and we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom also we have received the atonement. And the same conscience also brings great peace when it bears testimony to renewal of heart and life. When a man knows in his own soul that he seeks to do that which is right in the sight of God, and that he is aspiring after a pure, gracious, useful life, he has great peace even when others ridicule him. If you have taken your own way and acted dishonestly for gain, peace will not visit your heart. But if you have loved God’s Law and kept to the way of strict integrity, you will have within your own bosom an angel of peace to strengthen you in the hour of sorrow. “The testimony of a good conscience is like the song of the angels to the shepherds at Bethlehem.” Beloved, what a peace the love of the Word brings to the heart! All hearts require an object of love. How many hearts have been broken because the thing beloved has disappointed them and proved false to their hopes? But when you love God’s Word, your love is not wasted upon an unworthy object. It introduces you to Christ and you love Him intensely, and however much you yield your heart to Him, you are always safe. Jesus is never a Judas to His friends. Jesus cannot be loved too well and hence the heart has great peace when it comes to Him. To love God’s Word gives great peace as to our desires. You will not be grasping after wealth when the Word is better to you than the most fine gold. You will not be ambitious to shine among men when to you the Word of the Lord is a kingdom large enough. Your desires will be regulated by true wisdom when your heart is garrisoned by the Word of the Lord which dwells in you richly. When Christ Himself is our All in All, we are harbored in the haven of peace. When our desires find their pasturage around the Great Shepherd’s feet, our ambitions cease to roam and we abide at home in peace. Content with a dinner of herbs in our Lord’s company, we no longer pine for the stalled ox of the wicked who prospers in his way. To love the Law is to cease from covetousness and to cease from covetousness is great peace. When we love God’s Law, we reach forward to the peace of resignation to God, acquiescence in His will and conformity to it. It is of no use to quarrel with God. Let me say more it is disgraceful, ungrateful and wicked for a child of God to do so. When we perfectly yield to God our heart’s sorrow is at an end. The sting of affliction lies in the tail of our rebellion against the Divine will. When we love God’s Word intensely, we take pleasure in persecutions, tribulations and infirmities, since they instruct us in the Divine promises and open up to us the hidden meanings of the Spirit. Our mind is so near to God and so pleased with all that pleases Him, that we do not desire to suffer less, or to be less weak, or less tried, than the will of God ordains. To love the Law and the Lawgiver goes a great way towards loving all that He appoints and decrees. And this is a garden of peace to all who know it. Besides, the love of the Word breeds a happy confidence in God as to all things in the past, the present and the future. Whatsoever the Lord does or permits must be right, or works right. “We know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them that are the called according to His purpose.” This is a very peace-breathing belief. When we love God’s Word, we see God at the beginning of everything, God at the end of everything and God in the middle of everything. And as we see Him present whom we love, we cease from anxious thought. “My soul is even as a weaned child.” Of such a man is it written, “His soul shall dwell at ease.” The Lord whom he takes to be his Shepherd makes him to lie down in green pastures and he asks no more. III. I am cramped by want of time. I must, therefore, in a very few words sum up what deserves to be spoken at length upon the third point. Here is A SINGULAR PRESERVATION “Nothing shall offend them.” There shall be no stumbling block in their way. Intellectual stumbling blocks are gone. One asks me, “Do you mean to say that you read the Bible and do not find difficulties in it?” I regard the Word of God as being infallibly inspired and therefore if I find difficulties in it, which I must do from the very nature of things, I accept what God says about those difficulties and pass on. The Word of God does not profess to explain all mysteries it leaves them mysteries and my faith accepts them as such. When out in a yacht in the Clyde we came opposite the great rock called the Rock of Arran. Our captain did not steam right ahead and rush at the rock no, he did what was much wiser he cast anchor for the night in the bay at the foot of it, so that we were sheltered from the wind by the vast headland. I remember looking up through the darkness of the night and admiring its great sheltering wing. A difficulty it was it became a shelter. Every now and then in Scripture you come before a vast Truth. Will you steam against it and wreck your soul? Will you not, with truer wisdom, cast anchor under the lee of it? Do we need to understand everything? Are we to be all brain and no heart? What should we be the better if we understood all mysteries? I believe God. I bow before His Word. Is not this better for us than the conceit of knowing and understanding? We are as yet mere children. We know in part. Of course, we are blessed, in this enlightened age, with some wonderfully great men who understand more than the ancients and either know the unknowable, or think they do. In a sentence I will give you the result of my observation upon men and things “No man knows everything except a fool and he knows nothing.” I have not yet met with any exception to this rule no, not even among the superior persons who prefer culture to Scripture. If you love the Word of God, you will see no difficulties which will in the least cause you to stumble. Love to the Word is the abolition of difficulties. Things hard to be understood become steppingstones on which to rise and not stumbling blocks over which to fall. “Nothing shall offend them.” Does not this also mean that no moral duty shall be a cross to them which shall cause them to turn aside? They will not turn away from Jesus because a sin has to be abandoned, a lust denied, or a pleasure given up. The man who has counted the cost will not be offended by his Lord’s requirements. Does Jesus say, “Do this”? He does it without demur. Does Jesus say, “Cease from that”? He withdraws his hand at once. When a man once loves the Law of God, albeit it involves self-denial, humiliation, loss he shrinks not at the cost. Self-denial ceases to be self-denial when love commands it. The Cross of Christ is an easy yoke and soon ceases to be a burden. A duty which for a little season is irksome, becomes pleasurable before long to a lover of the Law of the Lord. Moreover, the man who loves God’s Law is not offended if he has to stand alone. To some persons it is impossible to traverse a lonesome way but he that truly loves God’s Law resolves that if all men forsake him he will cleave to the Lord and His Truth. Can you not stand alone? Does solitude offend you? As for me, I am resolved, by God’s grace, not to follow a multitude to do evil. I will keep to the old faith and the old way if I never find a comrade between here and the celestial gates. I do not think a man loves God’s Word thoroughly till it breeds in him a self-contained peace so that he is satisfied from himself and drinks water out of the cistern of his own experience. Paul was not offended though at his first answer no man stood by him. What have we to do with other men as supporters of our faith? To their own master they stand or fall. As for our Master in Heaven, let us follow Him through life and unto death. For to whom else could we go? He only has the words of Eternal Life. Neither will such persons ever be so offended as to despair of God’s great cause. The night grows darker and darker but the man who loves the Divine Law expects the sun to rise at its appointed hour. Oh, that the Lord would hasten it in His own time! If He delays we will not, therefore, doubt. Divine Grace has produced, in past ages, men who were confident as to the triumph of the Truth of God when others feared for it. Look at the dauntless courage of Luther, who, when everybody else despaired of the Gospel, trusted his God and cheered his people and would not hear of drawing back. He could not pronounce the word “despair.” “Luther, can you shake Rome? The harlot sits enthroned upon her seven hills, can you hope to dislodge her, or loose the captive nations from her bonds? Can you do this?” “No,” said Luther, “but God can.” Luther brought his God into the quarrel and you know which way the conflict turned. Not today, nor tomorrow, nor in twenty years, may God’s Truth win but the Lord can afford to wait His lifetime is eternity. O Struggler for the Truth, make sure that you are with God and with the Truth and then be sure that God is with you in Truth and will deliver you. “Nothing shall offend them.” It is wonderful, if you love God’s Word, how things which are stumbling blocks to others cease to be injurious to you. Suppose you enjoy prosperity if you love God’s Law you will not be puffed up by deceitful riches or honors. You will be humble when all men admire you and all comforts flow in upon you. The Lord’s Word in your heart will be as a salt to your estate so that it breeds in you neither worldliness, nor forgetfulness of God, nor pride. Your goods shall be your good, if you learn to use them for God’s glory. The same will be true of adversity. He that can stand on the hilltop can stand in the valley. If you love God’s Law you are the man to be poor, to be sickly, to be slandered. For you can bear it all because you have meat to eat that the world knows not of. Your love to God’s Law will furnish you with a ceaseless stream of consolation. Nothing will dampen the flame of your spirit because the Lord feeds it secretly with a golden oil. O Servants of God, let us be glad together in this day of rebuke! The thunder is heard but it is mere noise. The sea roars but it is only roaring. Let us laugh at those who would silence faithful testimony. For the Lord God omnipotent reigns and great is the peace which He gives to the lovers of His Law. As for you who love not God’s Law, who know nothing of Jesus, because you have never submitted to the Law of faith there is no “great peace” for you. There may be the deceptive cry of, “Peace, peace, when there is no peace.” But may the Lord save you from it! Soul, there is no hope for you, you can not rest till you are at one with God. As surely as God made you, you must yield to your Maker and accept your Redeemer and be renewed by His Holy Spirit, or you are lost forever.