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Psalm 119

The Glories of God’s Law

Happy are those whose way is blameless,

who walk in the law of the L ord.

Happy are those who keep his decrees,

who seek him with their whole heart,

who also do no wrong,

but walk in his ways.

You have commanded your precepts

to be kept diligently.

O that my ways may be steadfast

in keeping your statutes!

Then I shall not be put to shame,

having my eyes fixed on all your commandments.

I will praise you with an upright heart,

when I learn your righteous ordinances.

I will observe your statutes;

do not utterly forsake me.

How can young people keep their way pure?

By guarding it according to your word.

With my whole heart I seek you;

do not let me stray from your commandments.

I treasure your word in my heart,

so that I may not sin against you.

Blessed are you, O L ord;

teach me your statutes.

With my lips I declare

all the ordinances of your mouth.

I delight in the way of your decrees

as much as in all riches.

I will meditate on your precepts,

and fix my eyes on your ways.

I will delight in your statutes;

I will not forget your word.

Deal bountifully with your servant,

so that I may live and observe your word.

Open my eyes, so that I may behold

wondrous things out of your law.

I live as an alien in the land;

do not hide your commandments from me.

My soul is consumed with longing

for your ordinances at all times.

You rebuke the insolent, accursed ones,

who wander from your commandments;

take away from me their scorn and contempt,

for I have kept your decrees.

Even though princes sit plotting against me,

your servant will meditate on your statutes.

Your decrees are my delight,

they are my counselors.

My soul clings to the dust;

revive me according to your word.

When I told of my ways, you answered me;

teach me your statutes.

Make me understand the way of your precepts,

and I will meditate on your wondrous works.

My soul melts away for sorrow;

strengthen me according to your word.

Put false ways far from me;

and graciously teach me your law.

I have chosen the way of faithfulness;

I set your ordinances before me.

I cling to your decrees, O L ord;

let me not be put to shame.

I run the way of your commandments,

for you enlarge my understanding.

Teach me, O L ord, the way of your statutes,

and I will observe it to the end.

Give me understanding, that I may keep your law

and observe it with my whole heart.

Lead me in the path of your commandments,

for I delight in it.

Turn my heart to your decrees,

and not to selfish gain.

Turn my eyes from looking at vanities;

give me life in your ways.

Confirm to your servant your promise,

which is for those who fear you.

Turn away the disgrace that I dread,

for your ordinances are good.

See, I have longed for your precepts;

in your righteousness give me life.

Let your steadfast love come to me, O L ord,

your salvation according to your promise.

Then I shall have an answer for those who taunt me,

for I trust in your word.

Do not take the word of truth utterly out of my mouth,

for my hope is in your ordinances.

I will keep your law continually,

forever and ever.

I shall walk at liberty,

for I have sought your precepts.

I will also speak of your decrees before kings,

and shall not be put to shame;

I find my delight in your commandments,

because I love them.

I revere your commandments, which I love,

and I will meditate on your statutes.

Remember your word to your servant,

in which you have made me hope.

This is my comfort in my distress,

that your promise gives me life.

The arrogant utterly deride me,

but I do not turn away from your law.

When I think of your ordinances from of old,

I take comfort, O L ord.

Hot indignation seizes me because of the wicked,

those who forsake your law.

Your statutes have been my songs

wherever I make my home.

I remember your name in the night, O L ord,

and keep your law.

This blessing has fallen to me,

for I have kept your precepts.

The L ord is my portion;

I promise to keep your words.

I implore your favor with all my heart;

be gracious to me according to your promise.

When I think of your ways,

I turn my feet to your decrees;

I hurry and do not delay

to keep your commandments.

Though the cords of the wicked ensnare me,

I do not forget your law.

At midnight I rise to praise you,

because of your righteous ordinances.

I am a companion of all who fear you,

of those who keep your precepts.

The earth, O L ord, is full of your steadfast love;

teach me your statutes.

You have dealt well with your servant,

O L ord, according to your word.

Teach me good judgment and knowledge,

for I believe in your commandments.

Before I was humbled I went astray,

but now I keep your word.

You are good and do good;

teach me your statutes.

The arrogant smear me with lies,

but with my whole heart I keep your precepts.

Their hearts are fat and gross,

but I delight in your law.

It is good for me that I was humbled,

so that I might learn your statutes.

The law of your mouth is better to me

than thousands of gold and silver pieces.

Your hands have made and fashioned me;

give me understanding that I may learn your commandments.

Those who fear you shall see me and rejoice,

because I have hoped in your word.

I know, O L ord, that your judgments are right,

and that in faithfulness you have humbled me.

Let your steadfast love become my comfort

according to your promise to your servant.

Let your mercy come to me, that I may live;

for your law is my delight.

Let the arrogant be put to shame,

because they have subverted me with guile;

as for me, I will meditate on your precepts.

Let those who fear you turn to me,

so that they may know your decrees.

May my heart be blameless in your statutes,

so that I may not be put to shame.

My soul languishes for your salvation;

I hope in your word.

My eyes fail with watching for your promise;

I ask, “When will you comfort me?”

For I have become like a wineskin in the smoke,

yet I have not forgotten your statutes.

How long must your servant endure?

When will you judge those who persecute me?

The arrogant have dug pitfalls for me;

they flout your law.

All your commandments are enduring;

I am persecuted without cause; help me!

They have almost made an end of me on earth;

but I have not forsaken your precepts.

In your steadfast love spare my life,

so that I may keep the decrees of your mouth.

The L ord exists forever;

your word is firmly fixed in heaven.

Your faithfulness endures to all generations;

you have established the earth, and it stands fast.

By your appointment they stand today,

for all things are your servants.

If your law had not been my delight,

I would have perished in my misery.

I will never forget your precepts,

for by them you have given me life.

I am yours; save me,

for I have sought your precepts.

The wicked lie in wait to destroy me,

but I consider your decrees.

I have seen a limit to all perfection,

but your commandment is exceedingly broad.

Oh, how I love your law!

It is my meditation all day long.

Your commandment makes me wiser than my enemies,

for it is always with me.

I have more understanding than all my teachers,

for your decrees are my meditation.

100

I understand more than the aged,

for I keep your precepts.

101

I hold back my feet from every evil way,

in order to keep your word.

102

I do not turn away from your ordinances,

for you have taught me.

103

How sweet are your words to my taste,

sweeter than honey to my mouth!

104

Through your precepts I get understanding;

therefore I hate every false way.

105

Your word is a lamp to my feet

and a light to my path.

106

I have sworn an oath and confirmed it,

to observe your righteous ordinances.

107

I am severely afflicted;

give me life, O L ord, according to your word.

108

Accept my offerings of praise, O L ord,

and teach me your ordinances.

109

I hold my life in my hand continually,

but I do not forget your law.

110

The wicked have laid a snare for me,

but I do not stray from your precepts.

111

Your decrees are my heritage forever;

they are the joy of my heart.

112

I incline my heart to perform your statutes

forever, to the end.

113

I hate the double-minded,

but I love your law.

114

You are my hiding place and my shield;

I hope in your word.

115

Go away from me, you evildoers,

that I may keep the commandments of my God.

116

Uphold me according to your promise, that I may live,

and let me not be put to shame in my hope.

117

Hold me up, that I may be safe

and have regard for your statutes continually.

118

You spurn all who go astray from your statutes;

for their cunning is in vain.

119

All the wicked of the earth you count as dross;

therefore I love your decrees.

120

My flesh trembles for fear of you,

and I am afraid of your judgments.

121

I have done what is just and right;

do not leave me to my oppressors.

122

Guarantee your servant’s well-being;

do not let the godless oppress me.

123

My eyes fail from watching for your salvation,

and for the fulfillment of your righteous promise.

124

Deal with your servant according to your steadfast love,

and teach me your statutes.

125

I am your servant; give me understanding,

so that I may know your decrees.

126

It is time for the L ord to act,

for your law has been broken.

127

Truly I love your commandments

more than gold, more than fine gold.

128

Truly I direct my steps by all your precepts;

I hate every false way.

129

Your decrees are wonderful;

therefore my soul keeps them.

130

The unfolding of your words gives light;

it imparts understanding to the simple.

131

With open mouth I pant,

because I long for your commandments.

132

Turn to me and be gracious to me,

as is your custom toward those who love your name.

133

Keep my steps steady according to your promise,

and never let iniquity have dominion over me.

134

Redeem me from human oppression,

that I may keep your precepts.

135

Make your face shine upon your servant,

and teach me your statutes.

136

My eyes shed streams of tears

because your law is not kept.

137

You are righteous, O L ord,

and your judgments are right.

138

You have appointed your decrees in righteousness

and in all faithfulness.

139

My zeal consumes me

because my foes forget your words.

140

Your promise is well tried,

and your servant loves it.

141

I am small and despised,

yet I do not forget your precepts.

142

Your righteousness is an everlasting righteousness,

and your law is the truth.

143

Trouble and anguish have come upon me,

but your commandments are my delight.

144

Your decrees are righteous forever;

give me understanding that I may live.

145

With my whole heart I cry; answer me, O L ord.

I will keep your statutes.

146

I cry to you; save me,

that I may observe your decrees.

147

I rise before dawn and cry for help;

I put my hope in your words.

148

My eyes are awake before each watch of the night,

that I may meditate on your promise.

149

In your steadfast love hear my voice;

O L ord, in your justice preserve my life.

150

Those who persecute me with evil purpose draw near;

they are far from your law.

151

Yet you are near, O L ord,

and all your commandments are true.

152

Long ago I learned from your decrees

that you have established them forever.

153

Look on my misery and rescue me,

for I do not forget your law.

154

Plead my cause and redeem me;

give me life according to your promise.

155

Salvation is far from the wicked,

for they do not seek your statutes.

156

Great is your mercy, O L ord;

give me life according to your justice.

157

Many are my persecutors and my adversaries,

yet I do not swerve from your decrees.

158

I look at the faithless with disgust,

because they do not keep your commands.

159

Consider how I love your precepts;

preserve my life according to your steadfast love.

160

The sum of your word is truth;

and every one of your righteous ordinances endures forever.

161

Princes persecute me without cause,

but my heart stands in awe of your words.

162

I rejoice at your word

like one who finds great spoil.

163

I hate and abhor falsehood,

but I love your law.

164

Seven times a day I praise you

for your righteous ordinances.

165

Great peace have those who love your law;

nothing can make them stumble.

166

I hope for your salvation, O L ord,

and I fulfill your commandments.

167

My soul keeps your decrees;

I love them exceedingly.

168

I keep your precepts and decrees,

for all my ways are before you.

169

Let my cry come before you, O L ord;

give me understanding according to your word.

170

Let my supplication come before you;

deliver me according to your promise.

171

My lips will pour forth praise,

because you teach me your statutes.

172

My tongue will sing of your promise,

for all your commandments are right.

173

Let your hand be ready to help me,

for I have chosen your precepts.

174

I long for your salvation, O L ord,

and your law is my delight.

175

Let me live that I may praise you,

and let your ordinances help me.

176

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

for I do not forget your commandments.

New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

137. O Jehovah! thou art righteous. The Prophet yields to God the praise of righteousness, and also acknowledges that it is to be found in his law. Some understand judgments as referring to those infliction’s by which God chastises the sins of men; but this does not seem so fitly to agree with the scope of the passage. Besides, as the adjective ישר, yashar, translated right, is put in the singular number with the word judgments, the sentence should be explained thus that there is not any one of the judgments of God which is not right. Should we be inclined to take ישר as a substantive, the sense will be almost the same. All men indeed grant that God is righteous; but the Prophet has expressed more than the common sort of men, yea than the whole world, perceive in reference to this subject; for in designating God righteous, he means, that as soon as we depart from Him, we will not find a particle of righteousness anywhere else. When he adds that the evidence and testimony of this righteousness are to be seen in the law, he teaches us that God is robbed of his praise, if we do not subscribe to all his commandments. To the same purpose is the following verse, which declares that God has taught in his law full and perfect righteousness and truth. The adverb, מאד, meod, which signifies greatly, is with more propriety connected with the nouns than with the verb commanded; inasmuch as it was God’s design to exhibit in the law a perfect rule of righteousness. The doctrine of the law is honored with these encomiums, that all of us may learn to derive wisdom from it, and that no man may devise for himself any other standard of rectitude or righteousness than that which is exhibited in the law; a very necessary lesson, since every man would willingly frame for himself a new pattern or standard of righteousness.

139. My zeal hath consumed me. ¹⁷¹⁷ “Hath consumed me. The strong term here made use of corresponds very well with the forcible language of the preceding verse. My zeal for thy word is so great, that when I see how my enemies disregard it, I am overpowered by feelings of shame at their neglect.” — Phillips. The Psalmist speaks of his persecutors, by whom it is certain he had been subjected to much trouble. But although they were virulent and cruel towards him, he avows that it was not so much his own private wrongs which offended him as the violation of God’s law; yea rather, that he was so consumed with grief on that account as not to be affected at all with his own individual troubles. This is an example from which much profit may be derived. We are too tender and delicate in bearing wrongs; and hence it is that if we are but touched with a finger, we are instantly inflamed with anger, whilst at the same time we are but coldly affected at the most grievous offenses committed against God. But if we are animated with the zeal that inspired the Prophet it will carry us away to another kind of sorrow, which will take entire possession of our souls.

140. Thy word is exceedingly refined. In this verse he intimates that the cause of his zeal was the love which he bore to heavenly doctrine. For to be displeased with or severely to condemn the contempt of divine truth, unless we are bound to it by the cords of love, is pure hypocrisy. And he affirms that his love to God’s word was not a rash, or a blind and inconsiderate affection, but that he loved it, because like gold or silver which has been refined, it was pure and free from all dregs and dross. This is the idea contained in the metaphorical term צרופה, tseruphah, translated refined; ¹⁸¹⁸     Dr. Adam Clarke translates צרופה, tseruphah, by purification. This rendering conveys a beautiful idea. God’s word is not only a purified thing, but a thing that purifies. It cleanses from sin every heart with which it comes into contact.
   “Now ye are clean,” said Christ,
“by the word which I have spoken unto you.” (John 15:3.)
   This tendency of the word to impart a measure of its own purity to such as yield to its influence, endears it to all God’s people; and for this reason they make it the subject of their constant meditation. and though it seems to be commonplace, yet, vindicating God’s word from all perverse and malicious judgments, it expresses graphically the true obedience of faith. How few are there who are not guilty, either by their distrust, or waywardness, or pride, or voluptuousness, of casting upon God’s word some spot or stain! The flesh then being so rebellious, it is no small commendation of revealed truth, when it is compared to gold well refined, so that it shines pure from all defilement. Farther, it serves not a little to show the truth of this testimony, that the Prophet confirms it by his own experience. The more effectually to repress the foolish rashness with which we are chargeable whenever we imagine that there is any fault in God’s word, he declares that in commending it he gives utterance to the unfeigned feeling of his heart, having experienced a blissful pleasure in that purity of which he speaks.

141. I am, insignificant and despised. The meaning is, that although he was tried with poverty and many other calamities, he steadily persevered in the exercise of true godliness, and in the observance of the law. On that account, as he states, he was despised by wicked men. Every man gives praise to God just in proportion as he is gorged with his benefits; and very few will be found applying their minds to the service of God, unless they have all their wishes gratified. Hence it comes to pass that hypocrites, as long as they are pampered to the full, accumulate riches and increase in power, are very lavish in praising God. But let them be treated in some degree roughly, and immediately the blessed name of God is heard of no more. Since then men are ordinarily mercenary in serving God, let us learn from the Prophet’s example that true godliness is disinterested, so that when under its influence we cease not to praise God, although he may afflict us with adversity and make us despised in the eyes of the world. These upbraiding words of Christ in John 6:26, ought, no doubt, to be carefully attended to,

“Ye seek me, not because ye saw the miracles, but because ye did eat of the loaves, and were filled.” (John 6:26)

The persons then who serve God ingenuously and sincerely, are such as continue steadfast in his fear, although their condition in this world may be mean and despised; in short, they are such as seek not their reward on earth, but through heat and cold, poverty and danger, slanders and mockeries, persevere with unwearied steps in the course of their warfare.

142. Thy righteousness is an everlasting righteousness. Here the law of God is honored by the additional encomium, that it is everlasting righteousness and truth; as if it had been said, that all other rules of life, with whatever attractions they may appear to be recommended, are but a shadow, which quickly vanishes away. The Psalmist, no doubt, indirectly contrasts the doctrine of the law with all the human precepts which were ever delivered, that he may bring all the faithful in subjection to it, since it is the school of perfect wisdom. There may be more of plausibility in the refined and subtle disquisition’s of men; but there is in them nothing firm or solid at bottom, as there is in God’s law. This firmness of the divine law he proves in the following verse from one instance — the continual comfort he found in it when grievously harassed with temptations. And the true test of the profit we have reaped from it is, when we oppose to all the distresses of whatever kind which may straiten us, the consolation derived from the word of God, that thereby all sadness may be effaced from our minds. David here expresses something more than he did in the preceding verse; for there he only said that he reverently served God, although from his rough and hard treatment he might seem to lose his labor; but now when distressed and tormented, he affirms that he finds in the law of God the most soothing delight, which mitigates all grief’s, and not only tempers their bitterness, but also seasons them with a certain sweetness. And assuredly when this taste does not exist to afford us delight, nothing is more natural than for us to be swallowed up of sorrow. Nor ought we to omit noticing the form of expression which the Prophet employs, by which he teaches, that although he was besieged and shut up on all sides, he found a remedy sufficiently powerful in improving the consolation offered him by the word of God. As this could not be true of the bare commandments, which so far from remedying our distresses, rather fill us with anxiety, there is no doubt that under the word commandments there is comprehended by the figure synecdoche, the whole doctrine of the law, in which God not only requires what is right, but in which also calling his elect ones to the hope of eternal salvation, he opens the gate of perfect happiness. Yea, under the term law are comprehended both free adoption, and also the promises which flow from it.

144. The righteousness of thy testimonies endureth forever. The Psalmist repeats what he had already before stated, that there is a great dissimilarity between the righteousness of God’s testimonies and man’s inventions; the splendor of the last quickly vanishing away, whereas the other continues steadfast for ever. He repeats this twice; for although the world is forced to attribute the praise of righteousness to the law of God, yet the majority of mankind are carried away after their own speculations, so that there is nothing more difficult than to hold us fast in our obedience to God. David’s drift is to show that everlasting righteousness is not comprehended elsewhere than in God’s law, and that it is in vain to seek for it anywhere else; and there is accordingly here laid down a clearer definition of righteousness, which is, that righteousness consists in our keeping ourselves within the bounds of the law. As to the last clause of the verse, Give me understanding and I shall live, I read it in connection with the preceding clause; for although David desires to have his mind enlightened by God, yet he does not conceive of any other way by which he was to obtain an enlightened understanding than by his profiting aright in the study of the law. Farther, he here teaches, that men cannot, properly speaking, be said to live when they are destitute of the light of heavenly wisdom; and as the end for which men are created is not that, like swine or asses, they may stuff their bellies, but that they may exercise themselves in the knowledge and service of God, when they turn away from such employment, their life is worse than a thousand deaths. David therefore protests that for him to live was not merely to be fed with meat and drink, and to enjoy earthly comforts, but to aspire after a better life, which he could not do save under the guidance of faith. This is a very necessary warning; for although it is universally acknowledged that man is born with this distinction, that he excels the lower animals in intelligence, yet the great bulk of mankind, as if with deliberate purpose: stifle whatever light God pours into their understandings. I indeed admit that all men desire to be sharp-witted; but how few aspire to heaven, and consider that the fear of,God is the beginning of wisdom. Since then meditation upon the celestial life is buried by earthly cares, men do nothing else than plunge into the grave, so that while living to the world, they die to God. Under the term life, however, as I have elsewhere said, the Prophet denotes the utmost he could wish. Lord, as if he had said, although I am already dead, yet if thou art pleased to illumine my mind with the knowledge of heavenly truth, this grace alone will be sufficient to revive me.

¹⁷ “Hath consumed me. The strong term here made use of corresponds very well with the forcible language of the preceding verse. My zeal for thy word is so great, that when I see how my enemies disregard it, I am overpowered by feelings of shame at their neglect.” — Phillips.

¹⁸ Dr. Adam Clarke translates צרופה, tseruphah, by purification. This rendering conveys a beautiful idea. God’s word is not only a purified thing, but a thing that purifies. It cleanses from sin every heart with which it comes into contact. “Now ye are clean,” said Christ, “by the word which I have spoken unto you.” (John 15:3.) This tendency of the word to impart a measure of its own purity to such as yield to its influence, endears it to all God’s people; and for this reason they make it the subject of their constant meditation.