145 I call out at the top of my lungs, "God! Answer! I'll do whatever you say." 146 I called to you, "Save me so I can carry out all your instructions."
147 I was up before sunrise, crying for help, hoping for a word from you. 148 I stayed awake all night, prayerfully pondering your promise.
149 In your love, listen to me; in your justice, God, keep me alive.
150 As those out to get me come closer and closer, they go farther and farther from the truth you reveal; 151 But you're the closest of all to me, God, and all your judgments true.
152 I've known all along from the evidence of your words that you meant them to last forever.
153 Take a good look at my trouble, and help me - I haven't forgotten your revelation. 154 Take my side and get me out of this; give me back my life, just as you promised.
155 "Salvation" is only gibberish to the wicked because they've never looked it up in your dictionary.
156 Your mercies, God, run into the billions; following your guidelines, revive me.
157 My antagonists are too many to count, but I don't swerve from the directions you gave.
158 I took one look at the quitters and was filled with loathing; they walked away from your promises so casually!
159 Take note of how I love what you tell me; out of your life of love, prolong my life.
160 Your words all add up to the sum total: Truth. Your righteous decisions are eternal.
161 I've been slandered unmercifully by the politicians, but my awe at your words keeps me stable.
162 I'm ecstatic over what you say, like one who strikes it rich.
163 I hate lies - can't stand them! - but I love what you have revealed.
164 Seven times each day I stop and shout praises for the way you keep everything running right.
165 For those who love what you reveal, everything fits - no stumbling around in the dark for them.
166 I wait expectantly for your salvation; God, I do what you tell me.
167 My soul guards and keeps all your instructions - oh, how much I love them! 168 I follow your directions, abide by your counsel; my life's an open book before you.
169 Let my cry come right into your presence, God; provide me with the insight that comes only from your Word. 170 Give my request your personal attention, rescue me on the terms of your promise.
171 Let praise cascade off my lips; after all, you've taught me the truth about life!
172 And let your promises ring from my tongue; every order you've given is right.
173 Put your hand out and steady me since I've chosen to live by your counsel. 174 I'm homesick, God, for your salvation; I love it when you show yourself!
175 Invigorate my soul so I can praise you well, use your decrees to put iron in my soul.
176 And should I wander off like a lost sheep - seek me! I'll recognize the sound of your voice.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Psalm 119:145-176
Commentary on Psalm 119:145-152
(Read Psalm 119:145-152)
Supplications with the whole heart are presented only by those who desire God's salvation, and who love his commandments. Whither should the child go but to his father? Save me from my sins, my corruptions, my temptations, all the hinderances in my way, that I may keep thy testimonies. Christians who enjoy health, should not suffer the early hours of the morning to glide away unimproved. Hope in God's word encourages us to continue in prayer. It is better to take time from sleep, than not to find time for prayer. We have access to God at all hours; and if our first thoughts in the morning are of God, they will help to keep us in his fear all the day long. Make me lively and cheerful. God knows what we need and what is good for us, and will quicken us. If we are employed in God's service, we need not fear those who try to set themselves as far as they can out of the reach of the convictions and commands of his law. When trouble is near, God is near. He is never far to seek. All his commandments are truth. And God's promises will be performed. All that ever trusted in God have found him faithful.
Commentary on Psalm 119:153-160
(Read Psalm 119:153-160)
The closer we cleave to the word of God, both as our rule and as our stay, the more assurance we have of deliverance. Christ is the Advocate of his people, their Redeemer. Those who were quickened by his Spirit and grace, when they were dead in trespasses and sins, often need to have the work of grace revived in them, according to the word of promise. The wicked not only do not God's statutes, but they do not even seek them. They flatter themselves that they are going to heaven; but the longer they persist in sin, the further it is from them. God's mercies are tender; they are a fountain that can never be exhausted. The psalmist begs for God's reviving, quickening grace. A man, steady in the way of his duty, though he may have many enemies, needs to fear none. Those that hate sin truly, hate it as sin, as a transgression of the law of God, and a breaking of his word. Our obedience is only pleasing to God, and pleasant to ourselves, when it comes from a principle of love. All, in every age, who receive God's word in faith and love, find every saying in it faithful.
Commentary on Psalm 119:161-168
(Read Psalm 119:161-168)
Those whose hearts stand in awe of God's word, will rather endure the wrath of man, than break the law of God. By the word of God we are unspeakable gainers. Every man hates to have a lie told him, but we should more hate telling a lie; by the latter we give an affront to God. The more we see the beauty of truth, the more we shall see the hateful deformity of a lie. We are to praise God even for afflictions; through grace we get good from them. Those that love the world have great vexation, for it does not answer what they expect; those that love God's word have great peace, for it outdoes what they expect. Those in whom this holy love reigns, will not perplex themselves with needless scruples, or take offence at their brethren. A good hope of salvation will engage the heart in doing the commandments. And our love to the word of God must subdue our lusts, and root out carnal affections: we must make heart work of it, or we make nothing of it. We must keep the commandments of God by obedience to them, and his promises by reliance on them. God's eye is on us at all times; this should make us very careful to keep his commandments.
Commentary on Psalm 119:169-176
(Read Psalm 119:169-176)
The psalmist desired grace and strength to lift up his prayers, and that the Lord would receive and notice them. He desired to know more of God in Christ; to know more of the doctrines of the word, and the duties of religion. He had a deep sense of unworthiness, and holy fear that his prayer should not come before God; Lord, what I pray for is, what thou hast promised. We have learned nothing to purpose, if we have not learned to praise God. We should always make the word of God the rule of our discourse, so as never to transgress it by sinful speaking, or sinful silence. His own hands are not sufficient, nor can any creature lend him help; therefore he looks up to God, that the hand that had made him may help him. He had made religion his deliberate choice. There is an eternal salvation all the saints long for, and therefore they pray that God would help their way to it. Let thy judgments help me; let all ordinances and all providences, (both are God's judgments,) further me in glorifying God; let them help me for that work. He often looks back with shame and gratitude to his lost estate. He still prays for the tender care of Him who purchased his flock with his own blood, that he may receive from him the gift of eternal life. Seek me, that is, Find me; for God never seeks in vain. Turn me, and I shall be turned. Let this psalm be a touchstone by which to try our hearts, and our lives. Do our hearts, cleansed in Christ's blood, make these prayers, resolutions and confessions our own? Is God's word the standard of our faith, and the law of our practice? Do we use it as pleas with Christ for what we need? Happy those who live in such delightful exercises.