Verse-by-Verse Bible Commentary
Psalms 119:36

Clarke's Commentary

Verse Psalms 119:36. Not to covetousness. — Let me have no inordinate love for gain of any kind, nor for any thing that may grieve thy Spirit, or induce me to seek my happiness here below.

Bridgeway Bible Commentary

Verses 33-48: For the psalmist, life is built around devotion to God’s word. He does not want to be sidetracked by trying to gain wealth or prestige (33-37). What he dreads most is to displease God. What he longs for is a life directed by God through his word (38-40). The word gives him assurance of salvation, which in turn gives him courage to answer those who mock him (41-43), confidence to live in the freedom God has given him (44-45), and boldness to speak about God to the nation’s rulers (46-48).

Coffman's Commentaries on the Bible

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" 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).

Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible

Incline my heart unto thy testimonies - Cause my heart to be inclined to them, or to be disposed to keep them. This, too, is a recognition of dependence, and a prayer for guidance.

And not to covetousness - To gain; to the love of money. This seems to be referred to here as the principal thing which would turn away the heart from religion, or as that from which the most danger was to be feared. There are undoubtedly many other things which will do this - for all sin will do it; but this was the chief danger which the psalmist apprehended in his own case, and perhaps he meant to refer to this as the principal danger on this subject which besets the path of man. There are manymore persons turned away from the service of God, and kept away from it, by covetousness than there are by any other one sin. When the psalmist prays that God would not “incline” his heart to covetousness, the language is similar to that in the Lord’s prayer - “And lead us not into temptation.” That is, Restrain us from it; let us not be put in circumstances where we shall be in danger of it. We are not to suppose that God exerts any positive influence either to make a man covetous, or to tempt him. See James 1:13-14.

Calvin's Commentary on the Bible

36.Incline my heart In this verse he confesses the human heart to be so far from yielding to the justice of God, that it is more inclined to follow an opposite course. Were we naturally and spontaneously inclined to the righteousness of the law, there would be no occasion for the petition of the Psalmist, Incline my heart It remains, therefore, that our hearts are full of sinful thoughts, and wholly rebellious, until God by his grace change them. This confession on the part of the prophet must not be overlooked, That the natural corruption of man is so great, that he seeks for any thing rather than what is right, until he be turned by the power of God to new obedience, and thus begin to be inclined to that which is good.

In the second clause of the verse the prophet points to those impediments which prevent mankind from attaining to the desire of righteousness; their being inclined to covetousness. By a figure of speech, ⁽⁴¹²⁾ in which a part is put for the whole, the species is put for the genus. The Hebrew term, בצע batsang, signifies to use violence, or to covet, or to defraud; but covetousness is most in accordance with the spirit of the passage, provided we admit the prophet to have selected this species, “the root of all evils,” to demonstrate that nothing is more opposed to the righteousness of God, (1 Timothy 6:10). We are here instructed generally, that we are so much under the influence of perverse and vicious affections, our hearts abhor the study of God’s law, until God inspire us with the desire for that which is good.

(412) Per Synecdochen.

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

5. Loyal commitment to God’s Word 119:33-40

The psalmist professed wholehearted loyalty to God’s statutes (Psalms 119:33-35). He asked Yahweh to keep him from covetousness and vanity (Psalms 119:36-37). He wanted God to root the Word deeply in his life (Psalms 119:38-40).

Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible

Incline my heart unto thy testimonies,.... To read the word of God, to hear it opened and explained, to observe and keep the things contained in it; to which there is a disinclination in men naturally: but the Lord, who fashions the hearts of men, and has them in his hands, can bend and incline them by his efficacious grace to regard these his testimonies; which, as Aben Ezra observes, are more precious than all substance, and so are opposed to what follows:

and not to covetousness; not to mammon or money, as the Targum; the love of it, which is the root of all evil, and very pernicious and harmful; in hearing the word it chokes it, and makes it unfruitful, 1 Timothy 6:9. Not that God inclines the heart to evil, as he does to good; but he may suffer the heart to be inclined, and may leave a man to the natural inclinations of his heart, and to the temptations of Satan, and the snares of the world, which may have great influence upon him; and this is what is here deprecated; see Psalms 141:4.

Henry's Complete Commentary on the Bible

      35 Make me to go in the path of thy commandments; for therein do I delight.   36 Incline my heart unto thy testimonies, and not to covetousness.

      He had before prayed to God to enlighten his understanding, that he might know his duty, and not mistake concerning it; here he prays to God to bow his will, and quicken the active powers of his soul, that he might do his duty; for it is God that works in us both to will and to do, as well as to understand, what is good, Philippians 2:13. Both the good head and the good heart are from the good grace of God, and both are necessary to every good work. Observe here,

      I. The grace he prays for. 1. That God would make him able to do his duty: "Make me to go; strengthen me for every good work." Since we are not sufficient of ourselves, our dependence must be upon the grace of God, for from him all our sufficiency is. God puts his Spirit within us, and so causes us to walk in his statutes (Ezekiel 36:27), and this is that which David here begs. 2. That God would make him willing to do it, and would, by his grace, subdue the aversion he naturally had to it: "Incline my heart to thy testimonies, to those things which thy testimonies prescribe; not only make me willing to do my duty, as that which I must do and therefore am concerned to make the best of, but make me desirous to do my duty as that which is agreeable to the new nature and really advantageous to me." Duty is then done with delight when the heart is inclined to it: it is God's grace that inclines us, and the more backward we find ourselves to it the more earnest we must be for that grace.

      II. The sin he prays against, and that is covetousness: "Incline my heart to keep thy testimonies, and restrain and mortify the inclination there is in me to covetousness." That is a sin which stands opposed to all God's testimonies; for the love of money is such a sin as is the root of much sin, of all sin. Those therefore that would have the love of God rooted in them must get the love of the world rooted out of them; for the friendship of the world is enmity with God. See in what way God deals with men, not by compulsion, but he draws with the cords of a man, working in them an inclination to that which is good and an aversion to that which is evil.

      III. His plea to enforce this prayer: "Lord, bring me to, and keep me in, the way of thy commandments, for therein do I delight; and therefore I pray thus earnestly for grace to walk in that way. Thou hast wrought in me this delight in the way of thy commandments; wilt thou not work in me an ability to walk in them, and so crown thy own work?"