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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.

67. Before I was brought low I went astray As the verb ענה anah, sometimes signifies to speak, or to testify, some adopt this rendering, Before I meditated upon thy statutes I went astray; but this seems too forced. Others go still farther from the meaning, in supposing it to be, that when the prophet went astray, he had nothing to say in answer to God. I will not stop to refute these conceits, there being no ambiguity in the words. David in his own person describes either that wantonness or rebellion, common to all mankind, which is displayed in this, that we never yield obedience to God until we are compelled by his chastisements. It is indeed a monstrous thing obstinately to refuse to submit ourselves to Him; and yet experience demonstrates, that so long as he deals gently with us, we are always breaking forth into insolence. Since even a prophet of God required to have his rebellion corrected by forcible means, this kind of discipline is assuredly most needful for us. The first step in obedience being the mortifying of the flesh, to which all men are naturally disinclined, it is not surprising if God bring us to a sense of our duty by manifold afflictions. Yea, rather as the flesh is from time to time obstreperous, even when it seems to be tamed, it is no wonder to find him repeatedly subjecting us anew to the rod. This is done in different ways. He humbles some by poverty, some by shame, some by diseases, some by domestic distresses, some by hard and painful labors; and thus, according to the diversity of vices to which we are prone, he applies to each its appropriate remedy. It is now obvious how profitable a truth this confession contains. The prophet speaks of himself even as Jeremiah, (Jeremiah 31:18,) in like manner, says of himself, that he was “as a bullock unaccustomed to the yoke;” but still he sets before us an image of the rebellion which is natural to us all. We are very ungrateful, indeed, if this fruit which we reap from chastisements do not assuage or mitigate their bitterness. So long as we are rebellious against God, we are, in a state of the deepest wretchedness: now, the only means by which He bends and tames us to obedience, is his instructing us by his chastisements. The prophet, at the same time, teaches us by his own example, that since God gives evidence of his willingness that we should become his disciples, by the pains he takes to subdue our hardness, we should at least endeavor to become gentle, and, laying aside all stubbornness, willingly bear the yoke which he imposes upon us.

The next verse needs no explanation, being nearly of the same import as the last verse of the former eight. He beseeches God to exercise his goodness towards him, not by causing him to increase in riches and honors, or to abound in pleasures, but by enabling him to make progress in the knowledge of the law. It is usual for almost all mankind to implore the exercise of God’s goodness towards them, and to desire that he would deal bountifully with them, in the way of gratifying the diversity of the desires into which they are severally hurried by the inclinations of the flesh; but David protests that he would be completely satisfied, provided he experienced God to be liberal towards him in this one particular, which almost all men pass over with disdain.

69. The proud have weaved ⁴²⁴⁴²⁴ Archbishop Secker reads, “made up.” “It signifies,” says he, “fastening things together.” lies against me He declares that, notwithstanding the malignant interpretation which the wicked put upon all that he did, and their attempts, by this artifice, to turn him aside from following after and loving uprightness, the state of his mind remained unaltered. It is a severe temptation, when, although innocent, we are loaded with reproach and infamy, and are not only assailed by injurious words, but also held up to the odium of the world by wicked persons, under some specious pretense or other. We see many who otherwise are good people, and inclined to live uprightly, either become discouraged, or are greatly shaken, when they find themselves so unworthily rewarded. On this account the prophet’s example is the more to be attended t that we may not be appalled by the malignity of men; that we may not cease to nourish within us the fear of God, even when they may have succeeded in destroying our reputation in the sight of our fellow-creatures; and that we may be contented to have our piety shining at the judgment-scat of God, although it may be defaced by the calumnies of men. So long as we depend upon the judgment of men, we will always be in a state of fluctuation, as has been already observed. Farther, let our works be never so splendid, we know that they will be of no account in the sight of God, if, in performing them, our object is to gain the favor of the world. Let us therefore learn to cast our eyes to that heavenly stage, and to despise all the malicious reports which men may spread against us. Let us leave the children of this world to, enjoy their reward, since our crown is laid up for us in heaven, and not on the earth. Let us disentangle ourselves from the snares with which Satan endeavors to obstruct us, by patiently bearing infamy for a season. The verb טפל, taphal, which otherwise signifies to join together, is here, by an elegant metaphor, taken for to weave, or to trim; intimating that the enemies of the prophet not only loaded him with coarse reproaches, but also invented crimes against him, and did so with great cunning and color of truth, that he might seem to be the blackest of characters. But though they ceased not to weave for him this web, he was enabled to break through it by his invincible constancy; and, exercising a strict control over his heart, he continued faithfully to observe the law of God. He applies to them the appellation of proud; and the reason of this, it may be conjectured, is, that the persons of whom he speaks were not the common people, but great men, who inflated with confidence in their honors and riches, rose up against him with so much the more audacity. He evidently intimates that they trampled him under their feet by their proud disdain, just as if he had been a dead dog.

With this corresponds the statement in the subsequent verse (70th) that their heart is fat as grease, ⁴²⁵⁴²⁵ The fat of the human body, as physiologists inform us, is absolutely insensible; the lean membranous parts being those only which are sensitive. Accordingly, fatness of heart is used, with much propriety, to express the insensibility, stupidity, or sensuality of those feelings or affections of which the heart is considered the seat. — a vice too common among the despisers of God. Whence is it that wicked men, whom their own conscience gnaws within, vaunt themselves so insolently against the most eminent servants of God, but because a certain grossness overgrows their hearts, so that they are stupefied, and even frenzied by their own obstinacy? But wonderful and worthy of the highest praise is the magnanimity of the prophet, who found all his delight in the law of God: it is as if he declared that this was the food on which he fed, and with which he was refreshed in the highest degree; which could not have been the case had not his heart been freed, and thoroughly cleansed from all unhallowed pleasures.

71. It has been good for me that I was afflicted. He here confirms the sentiment which we have previously considered — that it was profitable to him to be subdued by God’s chastisements, that he might more and more be brought back and softened to obedience. By these words he confesses that he was not exempt from the perverse obstinacy with which all mankind are infected; for, had it been otherwise with him, the profit of which he speaks, when he says that his docility was owing to his being brought low, would have been merely pretended; even as none of us willingly submits his neck to God, until He soften our natural hardness by the strokes of a hammer. It is good for us to taste continually the fruit which comes to us from God’s corrections, that they may become sweet to us; and that, in this way, we, who are so rebellious and wayward, may suffer ourselves to be brought into subjection.

The last verse also requires no exposition, as it contains a sentiment of very frequent occurrence in this psalm, and, in itself, sufficiently plain, — That he preferred God’s law to all the riches of the world, the immoderate desire of which so deplorably infatuates the great bulk of mankind. He does not compare the law of God with the riches he himself possessed; but he affirms, that it was more precious in his estimation than a vast inheritance.

⁴²⁴ Archbishop Secker reads, “made up.” “It signifies,” says he, “fastening things together.”

⁴²⁵ The fat of the human body, as physiologists inform us, is absolutely insensible; the lean membranous parts being those only which are sensitive. Accordingly, fatness of heart is used, with much propriety, to express the insensibility, stupidity, or sensuality of those feelings or affections of which the heart is considered the seat.