Bible Commentary (1871–1879 Edition)
Sundi-y Prayers, Praises, PSALM CXIX, and Professions of CbcdienM. making His law tlie rule of life. Depart fiom me— i'e can do notliins; with me; /or, &e. (Psalm 6.8). 118-130. But tlie disobedient and rebellious will be visited by God's wrath, which impresses the pious with wholesome fear and awe. tlieir deceit is falsehood—i. e., all their cunning deceit, wherewith they seek to entrap the godly, is V. 150-153. Though the wicked are near to Injure, because far from God's law,' He is near to help, and faithful to His word, which abides for ever.
153-155. Though the remembering of God's law is not meritorious, yet it evinces a filial temper, and provides the pious with promises to plead, while the wicked in neglecting His law, reject God and despise His promises itivain. 130. The "judgments" are those on the wicked (cf. Psalm 9. 13; 43. 1 ; 69. 18). 154. Plead, &c.—HengstenBERG translates, " Fight my fight." (See Psalm 35. 1 ; 43. 1 (v. 119). Joyful hope goes hand in hand with fear (Habakkuk 3. 16-l.S).
Micah 7. 9.) 156. (Cf. v. 149.) 157. (Cf. v. 80, 87, 95.) 158.
1,31-126. On the grounds of his integrity, desire for God'a word, and covenant relation to Him, the servant of God may plead, for His protecting care against the wicked, gracious guidance to the knowledge of truth, and His (Cf. V. 136.) transgressors—or, lit., traitors, who are faithless to a righteous sovereign, and side with His enemies (cf. Psalm 25.3,8). 159. (Cf. i>. 121-120; 153-15.5.) quicken, &c.—{v. 88.) This prayer occurs here for the ninth time, showing a deep sense of frailty. 160. God has been ever faithful, and the principles of His government will ever continue worthy of confidence, from the beginning effective vindication of the righteous and their cause, which is also His own. Be surety—Stand for me against my oppressors (Genesis 43.9; Isaiah 38.14). 13T, 138.
Tlierefoi-e [i. e.. In view of these benefits, or, Because of the glory of thy law, so much praised in the previous parts of tlie Psalm] I love, &c. [and] Therefore (repeated) —All its precepts, on all subjects, are estimable for their purity, and lead one Imbued with their spirit to hate all t. e., " every word from Genesis (called by the Jews from its first words, 'In the beginning') to the end of the Scriptures is true." Hengstenbekg translates more lit., "The sum of thy words is truth." The sense is substantially the same. The whole body of revelation is truth. "Thy word evil (Psalm 19. 10). The word of God admits of no eclecticism; its least title is perfect (Psalm 12.6; Matthew 5. 17-19). is nothing but truth." [Luther.]
161-165. (Cf. V. 46, 86.) 161. awe—reverential, not slavish
139. wonderful—/ii., ivonders, i. e., of moral excellence. 130. The entrance lit., opening; God's words, as an open door, let in light, or knowledge. Rather, as HengstenBEBG explains it, " 7'he opening up," or, "explanation of thy word." To the natural man the doors of God's word are shut. Luke 24. 27, 31; Acts 17. 3; Ephesians 1. 18, confirms tliis view, " Opening (i. e., explaining) and alleging," fear, which could not coexist with love {v. 163; 1 John 4.
8). Instead of fearing his persecutors, he fears God's word alone (Luke 12. 4, 5). The Jews inscribe in the first page of the great Bible (Genesis 28.), "How dreadful is this place ! This Is none other but the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven!" 163. (Cf. Matthew 13. 44, 45.) Though persecuted by the mighty, the pious are not turned from revering God's authority to seek their favour, but rejoice in the possession of this " pearl of great price," as great victors in spoils. Hating falsehood and loving truth, often, every day, praising God for it, they find peace and freedom from temptation. 163. lying— i. c., as in V. 29, unfaithfulness to the covenant of God with His people; apostasy, nothing shall ofl Tend them—or, cause them to olfend (cf. Margin). 166-168. As they keep God's law from motives of love for it, and are free from slavish
&c. unto tlie simple—those needing or desiring it (cf. Psahn I'J. 7i. 1.31-135. An ardent desire (cf. Psalm 56.
1,2) for spiritual enlightening, establishment in a right course, deliverance from the wicked, and evidence of fioil's favour is expressed. I opened my mouth, and lianted—as a traveller in a hot desert pants for the cooling
Ijrci'ze (Psnhn li:!. 1; S4. 2). Look . . . upon me—opposed to hiding or avi-i ting the face (cf. Psalm 25. 15; SO. 6; 102.
17). US thou usest to do—or, "as it is rigid in regard to tliose who love thy name." Such have a riglu to the manifestations of God'.s grace, resting on the nature of God as faillit'ul to His promise to such, not on their own merits. Oi-der my steps—^Uafce firm, so that there be no halting (Psalm 40. 2). any iniquity v. 34 favours Heng.stenbkhg, "any Iniquitous man," any "oppressor." But the parallel first clause In this (v. 33) favours Engli.Hh Version (Psalm 19. 13). His hope of deliverance from external oppression of man (v. 34) is founded on his deliverance from the internal "dominion of Iniquity," in answer to his prayer (v. 3;i). 136. Zealous himself to keep God's law, he Is deeply afflicted when others violate it (cf. fear, they are ready to subject their lives to his inspection. 168. all my ways are before thee—I wish to order my ways as before thee, rather than In reference to man (Genesis 19. 1 ; Psalm 73. 23). All men's ways are under God's eye (Proverbs 5. 21); the godly alone realize the fact, and live accordingly.
109, 170. The prayer for understanding of the truth precedes that for deliverance. The fulfilment of the first la the basis of the fulfilment of the second (Psalm 90. 11-17). On the terms "cry" and "supplication" (cf. Psalm 0. 9; 17.
1). 171, 173. shall utfer—or, })OHr out praise (cf. Psalm
19. 2) ; shall cause thy praises to stream forth as from a bubbling, overflowing fountain. My tongue shall speak thy worH—lit., answer thy word, i. c, with praise, respond t'. 53). Lit, Mine epe.s come down (dissolved) HAre water-brooks (Lamentations 3. 48; Jer&mlah 9. 1). because, &c.—(Cf. Ezekiel 9. 4 ; .lerenilnh 13. 17.) 137-139. God's justice and faithfulness In Ills government aggravate tlio neglect of the wicked, and more excite the lively zeal of His people. 139. (Psalm C'J. <J.) 140. very pure—/;/;., refined, shown pure by trial. 141. The I)lous, however despised of men, are distinguished in God's sight by a regard for His law. 143-144. The principles of God's government are permanent and reliable, and In the deepest distress His people find them a theme of deto thy word. Every expression in which we pral.se God and his word Is a response, or ackno-wleilgment, corresponding to the perfections of Him whom we prajse. 173, 174. (Cf. V. 77, 81, 9'2.) 1 have chosen-in preference to all other objects of delight. 175. Save me that I may praise thee, thy Judgments—as v. 149, 156. 170. Though a wanderer from God, the truly pious ever desires to 1)0 drawn back to Him, and, though for a time negligent of duty, never forgets the commandments by which It Is taught, lost— therefore utterly helpless as to recovering Itself (Jeremiah 50.0; Luke 15.4). Not only the sinner before conversion, but the believer after conversion, is nnahle to recover himself; but the latter, after temporary wandering, knows to whom to look for restoration. These lust two verses seem to sum up the petitions, conf»>sslons, and professions of the Psalm. The writer desires Cod's favour, that he may praise Illm for Ills truth, confesses that he has erred, but. In the midst of all his wanderings and adversities, professes an abiding attachment to the revealed word of God, the theme of such repi'ated eulogies, and the recognized source of such great and unnumbered blessings. Thus the Psalm, though more than usually dldactlo, lightful meditation and a source of reviving power (t). 17, 110). everlasting—(Psalm 111. 3), though to outward appearance se(?mlng dead, law Is truth—It therefore cannot deceive as to Its promises.
145-149. An Intelligent devotion Is led by Divine promises, and is directed to an Increase of gracious af Tectlons, arising from a contemplation of revealed truth, prevented— came before, anticipated not only the dawn, but even the usual periods of the night; when the nightwatches, which might be expected to find me asleep, come, they find me awake (Psalm 63.6; 77.4; Lamentations 2. 19). Such Is the earnestness of the desire and love for God's truth, quicken me—revive my heart according to those principles of Justice, founded on thine own nature, and revealed In thy law, which specially set forth thy mercy to the humble as well as Justice to the wicked (cf
Is made the medium of Ootii parts of devotion—prayer and praise