Expositions on the Book of Psalms (continued)
PSALMS. 583
PsaALM CXIX.] ON THE
Did not the holy people of God much the more gloriously keep the commandments among these very calumnies, when they were at their hottest in the midst of tribulations, when they yielded not to their persecutors to commit impieties? But, in truth, the meaning of these words is this: Do Thou, by pouring upon me Thy Spirit, guard me from being overcome by the terrors of human calumny, and from being drawn over to their evil deeds away from Thy commandments. For if Thou hast thus dealt with me, that is, if Thou hast in this manner delivered me by the gift of patience from their calumnies, so that I fear not the false charges they prefer against me; among those very calumnies I will keep Thy commandments. ments. And this is truth also, that God may become known by such testimonies.
137. But what is it that followeth: '" My zeal hath caused me to pine" (ver. 139); or, as other copies read, Thy zeal? Others have also, "The zeal of Thy house :"' and, " hath eaten me up," instead of, "hath caused me to pine." This, as it seems to me, has been considered as an emendation to be introduced from another Psalm, where it is written, "The zeal of Thy house hath eaten me up:"¢ a text quoted also, as we know, in the Gospel. The two words, however, "hath caused me to pine," and " hath eaten me up," are somewhat like. But the words, "my zeal," which most of the copies read, occasion no dispute: for what wonder is it if every man pineth away from his own zeal? The words read in other copies, "Thy zeal," signify a man zealous for God, not for himself: but there is no difficulty in using "my" in the same sense... . The Psalmist's jealousy is therefore also to be understood in a good sense : for he addeth the cause, and saith, '' Because mine enemies have forgotten Thy words." : 138. Then considering with himself with what a flame of love he burned for the commandments of God: "Fiery," saith he, "is Thy word exceedingly, and Thy servant hath loved it" (ver.
134. " Show the light of Thy countenance on Thy servant, and teach me thy statutes" (ver.
135): that is, manifest Thy presence, by succouring and aiding me. "And teach me Thy righteousnesses." 'Teach me to work them: as it is more plainly expressed elsewhere, "Teach me to do Thy will.' For they who hear, although they retain in their memories what they hear, are by no means to be considered to have learnt, unless they do. For it is the word of Truth : "Every man that hath heard and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto Me."? He therefore who obeyeth not in deed, that is, who cometh not, hath not learnt.
140). Justly jealous was he of the impenitent heart in His enemies, who had forgotten God's word ; for he endeavoured-to bring them unto that which he himself most ardently loved.
135. '""My eyes have descended streams of waters, because they have not kept Thy law" (ver. 136): that is, my eyes. For in some copies there is this reading, " Because I have not kept Thy law, streams of waters" therefore " descended," that is, floods of tears.3 .. .
139. "I am young, and of no reputation ; yet do I not forget Thy rightéousnesses :"' not as my enemies, who "have forgotten Thy words " (ver.
141). The younger seems to grieve for those older than himself who had forgotten the righteousnesses of God, while he himself had not forgotten. For what meaneth, "I am young, vet do I not forget"? save this, Those older than me have forgotten. For the Greek word is vewrepos, the same as that used in the words above, " Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way?" 5 This is a comparative, and is therefore well understood in its relation to some one older. Let us therefore here recognise the two nations, who were striving even in Rebecca's womb ; when it was said to her, not from works, but of Him that calleth, "' The elder shall serve the younger." © But the younger saith here that he is of no reputation: for this reason he hath become greater: since "behold, they that were first are last, and they that were last first." 7
Tadze.
136. Thus, then, as if giving a reason why he had cause to weep much, and to mourn deeply for his sin, he saith, " Righteous art Thou, O Lord, and true is Thy judgment" (ver. 137). "Thou hast commanded Thy testimonies, righteousness, and Thy truth exceedingly" (ver. 138). This righteousness of God and righteous judgment and truth, is to be feared by every sinner : for thereby all who are condemned are condemned of God; nor is there one who can righteously complain against the righteous God of his own damnation. Therefore the tears of the penitent are needful; since if his impenitent heart were condemned, he would be most justly condemned. He indeed calleth the testimonies of God righteousness: for He proveth himself righteous by giving righteous command-
140. It is no wonder that they have forgotten the words of God, who have chosen to set up their own righteousness, ignorant of the righteousness of God ;® but he, the younger, hath not 1 Ps. exliii. ro. 2 John vi. 3 [He eaiee There are copies which do not read ' descended,' but ' overpassed,' meaning that he said hyperbolically, that in weeping he had overpast streams of ohne: that is, by weeping more than the waters flow in their streams.
5 Ps. cxix. 9. 7 Matt. xx. 16.
4 Ps. Ixix. 9; John ii. 17. 6 Gen. xxv. 22, 23; Rom. ix. 12, 13. 8 Rom. x. 3.