89 'Lamed.' To the age, O Jehovah, Thy word is set up in the heavens. 90 To all generations Thy faithfulness, Thou didst establish earth, and it standeth. 91 According to Thine ordinances They have stood this day, for the whole 'are' Thy servants.
92 Unless Thy law 'were' my delights, Then had I perished in mine affliction.
93 To the age I forget not Thy precepts, For by them Thou hast quickened me.
94 I 'am' Thine, save Thou me, For Thy precepts I have sought.
95 Thy wicked waited for me to destroy me, Thy testimonies I understand.
96 Of all perfection I have seen an end, Broad 'is' Thy command—exceedingly!
97 'Mem.' O how I have loved Thy law! All the day it 'is' my meditation.
98 Than mine enemies Thy command maketh me wiser, For it 'is' before me to the age. 99 Above all my teachers I have acted wisely. For Thy testimonies 'are' my meditation. 100 Above elders I understand more, For Thy precepts I have kept.
101 From every evil path I restrained my feet, So that I keep Thy word.
102 From Thy judgments I turned not aside, For Thou—Thou hast directed me.
103 How sweet to my palate hath been Thy saying, Above honey to my mouth. 104 From Thy precepts I have understanding, Therefore I have hated every false path!
105 'Nun.' A lamp to my foot 'is' Thy word, And a light to my path.
106 I have sworn, and I confirm 'it', To keep the judgments of Thy righteousness.
107 I have been afflicted very much, O Jehovah, quicken me, according to Thy word.
108 Free-will-offerings of my mouth, Accept, I pray Thee, O Jehovah, And Thy judgments teach Thou me.
109 My soul 'is' in my hand continually, And Thy law I have not forgotten. 110 The wicked have laid a snare for me, And from thy precepts I wandered not.
111 I have inherited Thy testimonies to the age, For the joy of my heart 'are' they. 112 I have inclined my heart To do Thy statutes, to the age—'to' the end!
113 'Samech.' Doubting ones I have hated, And Thy law I have loved.
114 My hiding place and my shield 'art' Thou, For Thy word I have hoped.
115 Turn aside from me, ye evil-doers, And I keep the commands of my God.
116 Sustain me according to Thy saying, And I live, and Thou puttest me not to shame Because of my hope. 117 Support Thou me, and I am saved, And I look on Thy statutes continually.
118 Thou hast trodden down All going astray from Thy statutes, For falsehood 'is' their deceit. 119 Dross! Thou hast caused to cease All the wicked of the earth; Therefore I have loved Thy testimonies. 120 Trembled from Thy fear hath my flesh, And from Thy judgments I have been afraid!
121 'Ain.' I have done judgment and righteousness, Leave me not to mine oppressors. 122 Make sure Thy servant for good, Let not the proud oppress me.
123 Mine eyes have been consumed for Thy salvation. And for the saying of Thy righteousness.
124 Do with Thy servant according to Thy kindness. And Thy statutes teach Thou me. 125 Thy servant 'am' I—cause me to understand, And I know Thy testimonies.
126 Time for Jehovah to work! they have made void Thy law.
127 Therefore I have loved Thy commands Above gold—even fine gold. 128 Therefore all my appointments I have declared wholly right, Every path of falsehood I have hated!
129 'Pe.' Wonderful 'are' Thy testimonies, Therefore hath my soul kept them.
130 The opening of Thy words enlighteneth, Instructing the simple.
131 My mouth I have opened, yea, I pant, For, for Thy commands I have longed.
132 Look unto me, and favour me, As customary to those loving Thy name.
133 My steps establish by Thy saying, And any iniquity doth not rule over me.
134 Ransom me from the oppression of man, And I observe Thy precepts,
135 Thy face cause to shine on Thy servant, And teach me Thy statutes.
136 Rivulets of waters have come down mine eyes, Because they have not kept Thy law!
137 'Tzade.' Righteous 'art' Thou, O Jehovah, And upright 'are' Thy judgments. 138 Thou hast appointed Thy testimonies, Righteous and exceeding faithful,
139 Cut me off hath my zeal, For mine adversaries forgot Thy words.
140 Tried 'is' thy saying exceedingly, And Thy servant hath loved it.
141 Small I 'am', and despised, Thy precepts I have not forgotten.
142 Thy righteousness 'is' righteousness to the age, And Thy law 'is' truth.
143 Adversity and distress have found me, Thy commands 'are' my delights. 144 The righteousness of Thy testimonies 'is' to Cause me to understand, and I live!
145 'Koph.' I have called with the whole heart, Answer me, O Jehovah, Thy statutes I keep, 146 I have called Thee, save Thou me, And I do keep Thy testimonies.
147 I have gone forward in the dawn, and I cry, For Thy word I have hoped. 148 Mine eyes have gone before the watches, To meditate in Thy saying.
149 My voice hear, according to Thy kindness, Jehovah, according to Thy judgment quicken me.
150 Near have been my wicked pursuers, From Thy law they have been far off. 151 Near 'art' Thou, O Jehovah, And all Thy commands 'are' truth.
152 Of old I have known Thy testimonies, That to the age Thou hast founded them!
153 'Resh.' See my affliction, and deliver Thou me, For Thy law I have not forgotten. 154 Plead my plea, and redeem me, According to Thy saying quicken me.
155 Far from the wicked 'is' salvation, For Thy statutes they have not sought.
156 Thy mercies 'are' many, O Jehovah, According to Thy judgments quicken me.
157 Many 'are' my pursuers, and adversaries, From Thy testimonies I have not turned aside.
158 I have seen treacherous ones, And grieve myself, Because Thy saying they have not kept.
159 See, for thy precepts I have loved, Jehovah, According to Thy kindness quicken me.
160 The sum of Thy word 'is' truth, And to the age 'is' every judgment of Thy righteousness!
161 'Shin.' Princes have pursued me without cause, And because of Thy words was my heart afraid.
162 I do rejoice concerning Thy saying, As one finding abundant spoil.
163 Falsehood I have hated, yea I abominate 'it', Thy law I have loved.
164 Seven 'times' in a day I have praised Thee, Because of the judgments of Thy righteousness.
165 Abundant peace have those loving Thy law, And they have no stumbling-block.
166 I have waited for Thy salvation, O Jehovah, And Thy commands I have done.
167 Kept hath my soul Thy testimonies, And I do love them exceedingly. 168 I have kept Thy precepts and Thy testimonies, For all my ways are before Thee!
169 'Taw.' My loud cry cometh near before Thee, O Jehovah; According to Thy word cause me to understand. 170 My supplication cometh in before Thee, According to Thy saying deliver Thou me.
171 My lips do utter praise, For Thou dost teach me Thy statutes.
172 My tongue doth sing of Thy saying, For all Thy commands 'are' righteous.
173 Thy hand is for a help to me, For Thy commands I have chosen. 174 I have longed for Thy salvation, O Jehovah, And Thy law 'is' my delight.
175 My soul liveth, and it doth praise Thee, And Thy judgments do help me.
176 I wandered as a lost sheep, seek Thy servant, For Thy precepts I have not forgotten!
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Psalm 119:89-176
Commentary on Psalm 119:89-96
(Read Psalm 119:89-96)
The settling of God's word in heaven, is opposed to the changes and revolutions of the earth. And the engagements of God's covenant are established more firmly than the earth itself. All the creatures answer the ends of their creation: shall man, who alone is endued with reason, be the only unprofitable burden of the earth? We may make the Bible a pleasant companion at any time. But the word, without the grace of God, would not quicken us. See the best help for bad memories, namely, good affections; and though the exact words be lost, if the meaning remain, that is well. I am thine, not my own, not the world's; save me from sin, save me from ruin. The Lord will keep the man in peace, whose mind is stayed on him. It is poor perfection which one sees and end of. Such are all things in this world, which pass for perfections. The glory of man is but as the flower of the grass. The psalmist had seen the fulness of the word of God, and its sufficiency. The word of the Lord reaches to all cases, to all times. It will take us from all confidence in man, or in our own wisdom, strength, and righteousness. Thus shall we seek comfort and happiness from Christ alone.
Commentary on Psalm 119:97-104
(Read Psalm 119:97-104)
What we love, we love to think of. All true wisdom is from God. A good man carries his Bible with him, if not in his hands, yet in his head and in his heart. By meditation on God's testimonies we understand more than our teachers, when we understand our own hearts. The written word is a more sure guide to heaven, than all the fathers, the teachers, and ancients of the church. We cannot, with any comfort or boldness, attend God in holy duties, while under guilt, or in any by-way. It was Divine grace in his heart, that enabled the psalmist to receive these instructions. The soul has its tastes as well as the body. Our relish for the word of God will be greatest, when that for the world and the flesh is least. The way of sin is a wrong way; and the more understanding we get by the precepts of God, the more rooted will be our hatred of sin; and the more ready we are in the Scriptures, the better furnished we are with answers to temptation.
Commentary on Psalm 119:105-112
(Read Psalm 119:105-112)
The word of God directs us in our work and way, and a dark place indeed the world would be without it. The commandment is a lamp kept burning with the oil of the Spirit, as a light to direct us in the choice of our way, and the steps we take in that way. The keeping of God's commands here meant, was that of a sinner under a dispensation of mercy, of a believer having part in the covenant of grace. The psalmist is often afflicted; but with longing desires to become more holy, offers up daily prayers for quickening grace. We cannot offer any thing to God, that he will accept but what he is pleased to teach us to do. To have our soul or life continually in our hands, implies constant danger of life; yet he did not forget God's promises nor his precepts. Numberless are the snares laid by the wicked; and happy is that servant of God, whom they have not caused to err from his Master's precepts. Heavenly treasures are a heritage for ever; all the saints accept them as such, therefore they can be content with little of this world. We must look for comfort only in the way of duty, and that duty must be done. A good man, by the grace of God, brings his heart to his work, then it is done well.
Commentary on Psalm 119:113-120
(Read Psalm 119:113-120)
Here is a dread of the risings of sin, and the first beginnings of it. The more we love the law of God, the more watchful we shall be, lest vain thoughts draw us from what we love. Would we make progress in keeping God's commands, we must be separate from evil-doers. The believer could not live without the grace of God; but, supported by his hand, his spiritual life shall be maintained. Our holy security is grounded on Divine supports. All departure from God's statutes is error, and will prove fatal. Their cunning is falsehood. There is a day coming which will put the wicked into everlasting fire, the fit place for the dross. See what comes of sin Surely we who fall so low in devout affections, should fear, lest a promise being left us of entering into heavenly rest, any of us should be found to come short of it, Hebrews 4:1.
Commentary on Psalm 119:121-128
(Read Psalm 119:121-128)
Happy is the man, who, acting upon gospel principles, does justice to all around. Christ our Surety, having paid our debt and ransom, secures all the blessings of salvation to every true believer. The psalmist expects the word of God's righteousness, and no other salvation than what is secured by that word, which cannot fall to the ground. We deserve no favour form God; we are most easy when we cast ourselves upon God's mercy, and refer ourselves to it. If any man resolve to do God's will as his servant, he shall be made to know his testimonies. We must do what we can for the support of religion, and, after all, must beg of God to take the work into his own hands. It is hypocrisy to say we love God's commandments more than our worldly interests. The way of sin is a false way, being directly contrary to God's precepts, which are right: those that love and esteem God's law, hate sin, and will not be reconciled to it.
Commentary on Psalm 119:129-136
(Read Psalm 119:129-136)
The wonders of redeeming love will fix the heart in adoration of them. The Scriptures show us what we were, what we are, and what we shall be. They show us the mercy and the justice of the Lord, the joys of heaven, and the pains of hell. Thus they give to the simple, in a few days, understanding of those matters, which philosophers for ages sought in vain. The believer, wearied with the cares of life and his conflicts with sin, pants for the consolations conveyed to him by means of the sacred word. And every one may pray, Look thou upon me, and be merciful unto me as thou usest to do unto those that love thy name. We must beg that the Holy Spirit would order our steps. The dominion of sin is to be dreaded and prayed against by every one. The oppression of men is often more than flesh and blood can bear; and He who knoweth our frame, will not refuse to remove it in answer to the prayers of his people. Whatever obscurity may appear as to the faith of the Old Testament believers, their confidence at the throne of grace can only be explained by their having obtained more distinct views of gospel privileges, through the sacrifices and services of their law, than is generally imagined. Go to the same place, plead the name and merits of Jesus, and you will not, you cannot plead in vain. Commonly, where there is a gracious heart, there is a weeping eye. Accept, O Lord, the tears our blessed Redeemer shed in the days of his flesh, for us who should weep for our brethren or ourselves.
Commentary on Psalm 119:137-144
(Read Psalm 119:137-144)
God never did, and never can do wrong to any. The promises are faithfully performed by Him that made them. Zeal against sin should constrain us to do what we can against it, at least to do more in religion ourselves. Our love to the word of God is evidence of our love to God, because it is designed to make us partake his holiness. Men's real excellency always makes them low in their own eyes. When we are small and despised, we have the more need to remember God's precepts, that we may have them to support us. The law of God is the truth, the standard of holiness, the rule of happiness; but the obedience of Christ alone justifies the believer. Sorrows are often the lot of saints in this vale of tears; they are in heaviness through manifold temptations. There are delights in the word of God, which the saints often most sweetly enjoy when in trouble and anguish. This is life eternal, to know God and Jesus Christ whom he has sent, John 17:3. May we live the life of faith and grace here, and be removed to the life of glory hereafter.
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.