Psalm 119

The Christian’s Golden ABC of the Praise, Power, and Value of God’s Word.

This beautiful psalm, whose writer is not known, is divided into twenty-two sections of eight verses each. All the verses in the same paragraph open with the same letter of the Hebrew alphabet, all twenty-two letters of the Hebrew language thus being used. The outstanding characteristic of this wonderful psalm is the fact that in all but two verses (122 and 132) the Word of God is designated by some expression, such as commandments, judgments, statutes, precepts, testimonies, law, and others, all these terms being used here as synonyms, a fact which makes the psalm of direct value to all believers of all times, a manual of pious thought, especially for all teachers of the Word.

Aleph. Of the believer’s conduct in accordance with God’s Word

¹Blessed are the undefiled, the blessed, sincere, irreproachable, in the way, in their entire conduct of life, who walk in the Law of the Lord, being guided by His Word in their entire life. ²Blessed are they that keep His testimonies, the Word in which He testifies of Himself, for the truth and against sin, and that seek Him with the whole heart, desiring to have such a perfect knowledge of Him and His holy will that they will readily conform to it in all their actions. ³They also do no iniquity, no deliberate wickedness; they walk in His ways, arrange their entire life in agreement with the manner prescribed in His Word. ⁴Thou hast commanded us to keep Thy precepts, the directions which relate to the conduct of men in every circumstance of life, diligently, to observe them most carefully. ⁵O that my ways, the behavior of the believer in every condition in which he finds himself, were directed to keep Thy statutes, the express laws relating to the various relations in life! ⁶Then shall I not be ashamed, be brought to shame, heaped with disgrace, when I have respect unto all Thy commandments, those enjoining the good and forbidding the evil, to guard against both sins of commission and of omission. ⁷I will praise Thee with uprightness of heart, without a trace of hypocrisy, when I shall have learned Thy righteous judgments, the decisions based upon God’s justice, of approval as well as of condemnation. ⁸I will keep Thy statutes, the commands of God’s Word which are of permanent value for all men. O forsake me not utterly, for he who is forsaken of God is condemned to a life of unhappiness and to an eternity of woe. The prayer for faithfulness in making one’s conduct agree with the Word of God must ever be in the mouth of every Christian.

Beth. Of the distinguishing signs of an irreproachable life

⁹Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? When will it be possible for a young person, surrounded with the many temptations of youth, 2 Tim. 2, 22, to be and remain clean in his conduct? By taking heed thereto according to Thy Word, by watching carefully over every step and applying the rule of God’s Word to every situation with which he is confronted. The state of mind of such an earnest seeker after truth and holiness is now described. ¹⁰With my whole heart have I sought Thee, earnestly desiring the closest fellowship with the Lord; O let me not wander from Thy commandments, so as to lose sight of the fundamental directions for conduct. ¹¹Thy Word, all that God had said in revealing Himself and His holy will to men, have I hid in mine heart, like a precious treasure which fills his entire inner life, that I might not sin against Thee, for sin cannot gain a foothold in a heart filled with the knowledge of God and with love for His Word. ¹²Blessed art Thou, O Lord, the object of the believer’s joyful praise; teach me Thy statutes, for the more a Christian knows of the precepts of God’s holy will, the more he desires to learn the way of sanctification. At the same time he exercises himself in confession. ¹³With my lips have I declared, he will solemnly proclaim, all the judgments of Thy mouth, especially those decisions of God’s justice which approve of a righteous life and act as a constant spur to the faithful. ¹⁴I have rejoiced in the way of Thy testimonies, in the manner in which God has revealed Himself and all His attributes, as much as in all riches, for therein the true wealth of the faithful consists, in the active possession and in the constant use of the Word of God. ¹⁵I will meditate in Thy precepts, pondering them, mulling over them, trying to penetrate ever more deeply into their divine meaning, and have respect unto Thy ways, ever on the lookout for the paths which God’s Word prescribes. ¹⁶I will delight myself, find the greatest joy, full happiness, in Thy statutes, studying the rules of God’s holy will in their relation to the conduct of every person in the world; I will not forget Thy Word. It is this rallying around the Bible which makes the individual and whole church organizations a power in the Lord.

Gimel. Prayer for enlightenment unto a godly life

¹⁷Deal bountifully with Thy servant, giving him a rich measure of favor and of spiritual blessings, that I may live and keep Thy Word, observing the Word of God being the one great object of his life. But he realizes that he cannot, by his own reason and sense, penetrate into the beauties of Holy Writ. Therefore he cries out: ¹⁸Open Thou mine eyes, the eyes of his spirit, of his understanding, that I may behold wondrous things, the inexpressible miracles of God’s mercy and kindness, out of Thy Law, for it is only with eyes enlightened by the Spirit of God that a person may understand and realize the meaning of the Bible-truths. All our study of the Bible should be begun with, and accompanied by, this prayer for enlightenment. This is all the more necessary since we are strangers and pilgrims in this world, looking forward to the great revelation of God and to our eternal stay with God in our heavenly home. ¹⁹I am a stranger in the earth, a pilgrim seeking the road which leads to the homeland; hide not Thy commandments from me; for without these heavenly directions of conduct our traveling in this strange world would be like that of a mariner without a compass and with the sky overcast. ²⁰My soul breaketh for the longing, is crushed and faint with eager desire, that it hath unto Thy judgments at all times, to meet with God’s approval by following the directions of His Word. ²¹Thou hast rebuked the proud that are cursed, which do err from Thy commandments, that is, the arrogant, who mocked the believer, have encountered the Lord’s warning threat, since His curse will surely strike those who set aside His Word. ²²Remove from me reproach and contempt, that of the haughty and arrogant scoffers, who delight in heaping scorn upon the Christians for their trust in the Word of God; for I have kept Thy testimonies, observing the revelation of God and His essence for the truth and against sin, and following the guiding principles thus set forth. ²³Princes also did sit and speak against me, for it is a sad fact that the mighty and influential people of the earth are in the majority in taking sides against God’s revelation in the Bible; but Thy servant did meditate in Thy statutes, deliberately ignoring the haughty criticism of the Bible, which will be apt to confuse even the believers if they pay too much attention to it, since every error in spiritual matters is more plausible to natural man than the revealed truth. ²⁴Thy testimonies also are my delight and my counselors, the constant study of Scriptures being his favorite occupation, and all its truths are like wise men whose advice fortifies the Bible-student against all opposition on the part of the enemies. This fact should encourage and incite every believer to study his Bible day after day and always to seek counsel from the pages of eternal wisdom.

Daleth. The grace of being confirmed in the truth

²⁵My soul cleaveth unto the dust, is often in great spiritual depression; quicken Thou me, daily filling him with new life and strength, according to Thy Word, it being the privilege of the believers to remind the Lord of His promises and to demand His assistance at such times of affliction. ²⁶I have declared my ways, he would follow the paths of God’s Word, and Thou heardest me, accepting his promise as a prayer for assistance; teach me Thy statutes, for only through the strengthening of the Spirit in the Word can the believer keep the commandments of God. ²⁷Make me to understand the way of Thy precepts, to have the proper understanding of the manner in which the Lord wants His commandments kept; so shall I talk, with a free and full heart, of Thy wondrous works, the miracles of God’s mercy and power which are related in His Word. ²⁸My soul melteth for heaviness, dissolving in tears on account of the griefs which oppress him; strengthen Thou me according unto Thy Word, whose assurances will give new courage to his heart. ²⁹Remove from me the way of lying, the way of faithlessness, the denial of God’s Word; and grant me Thy Law graciously, as the only way of salvation. ³⁰I have chosen the way of truth, being firmly resolved to follow it; Thy judgments have I laid before me, he set the revelations of God’s justice before his eyes. ³¹I have stuck unto Thy testimonies, clinging to the Word with all his heart; O Lord, put me not to shame, which would follow if the Lord would withdraw His Spirit from him. ³²I will run the way of Thy commandments, with a glad willingness to do the Lord’s will, when Thou shalt enlarge my heart, for only under the influence of the Spirit of God is the heart filled with the proper cheerfulness to perform that which is well-pleasing to the Lord.

He. The constancy of the believer upheld and nourished by God’s Word

³³Teach me, O Lord, the way of Thy statutes, just what His holy will wants the believer to do in every situation of life; and I shall keep it unto the end, sustained against falling away by the power of God. ³⁴Give me understanding, and I shall keep Thy Law, observing it by the grace of God; yea, I shall observe it with my whole heart, all the powers of his soul being centered in the proper understanding of God’s holy will. ³⁵Make me to go in the path of Thy commandments, not with mere outward observance, but with the heart fully in accord with the Word; for therein do I delight, finding his highest happiness in obeying the will of God. ³⁶Incline my heart unto Thy testimonies, causing it to be turned in that direction, and not to covetousness, this being the false tendency of the heart by nature. ³⁷Turn away mine eyes from beholding vanity, causing them to pass by, to overlook, the many shows of wickedness in the world, lest they be tempted to take part in them; and quicken Thou me in Thy way, filling him with the new spiritual life and strength which would cause him to make progress on the way of sanctification. ³⁸Stablish Thy Word unto Thy servant, making its possession sure to the believer, who is devoted to Thy fear, literally, “which (namely, Thy Word) is to Thy fear,” its object and aim being the inculcating of the true fear and worship of God. ³⁹Turn away my reproach which I fear, for such shame is the lot of the believers on account of their being identified with God’s Word; for Thy judgments are good, he himself being glad to submit to them. ⁴⁰Behold, I have longed after Thy precepts, with a most intense desire; quicken me in Thy righteousness, imparting new spiritual life to him by making him a partaker of the righteousness of Christ and of the blessings of sanctification following its imputation.

Vav. The need of a fearless confession of the divine truth

⁴¹Let Thy mercies, the many evidences of God’s favor, come also unto me, O Lord, even Thy salvation, the deliverance which the Messiah was to bring, according to Thy Word. ⁴²So shall I have wherewith to answer him that reproacheth me, in showing the truth of God’s Word to the unbelievers and blasphemers; for I trust in Thy Word. ⁴³And take not the Word of Truth, so called because it reveals the eternal truth, particularly the way of salvation, utterly out of my mouth, namely, by letting him yield to the temptation to abstain from confessing his faith and his trust in Jehovah, for I have hoped in Thy judgments, waiting for Jehovah to make the final decision. ⁴⁴So shall I keep Thy Law, cling to the instruction of God’s Word in the strength given by the Word, continually, forever and ever. ⁴⁵And I will walk at liberty, having freedom to move about in the midst of the restrictions which bound the ungodly, to take a stand against the wicked attacks of the enemies; for I seek Thy precepts. ⁴⁶I will speak of Thy testimonies, confessing them before all men, also before kings, in the presence of rulers, and will not be ashamed, thereby furnishing an example of steadfast confession to all believers. ⁴⁷And I will delight myself in Thy commandments, finding the greatest pleasure in studying and following them, which I have loved. ⁴⁸My hands also will I lift up unto Thy commandments which I have loved, embracing them with a fervent heart and with the eager attitude of a true worshiper; and I will meditate in Thy statutes, always keeping them before the eyes of his mind, to fashion his entire life according to them.

Zain. Patience in persecution and crosses

⁴⁹Remember the word unto Thy servant, since He had given the promise to those who believe in Him, upon which Thou hast caused me to hope. ⁵⁰This is my comfort in my affliction, serving to console and to strengthen the believer in all troubles which strike him; for Thy Word hath quickened me, renewing his courage continually. ⁵¹The proud, the insolent enemies of the Lord and His Word, have had me greatly in derision; yet have I not declined from Thy Law, not setting aside its truths, not abandoning its way. ⁵²I remembered Thy judgments of old, O Lord, the decisions of God’s justice as recorded in Scriptures and as experienced in his own life; and have comforted myself, receiving consolation from the remembrance of God’s former dealings. ⁵³Horror hath taken hold upon me because of the wicked that forsake Thy Law, indignation and trembling seizing upon him when he sees the apostasy of the godless. ⁵⁴Thy statutes have been my songs in the house of my pilgrimage, during the time of his sojourning here on earth, away from his true home in heaven, God’s Word furnishing the theme of his praise. ⁵⁵I have remembered Thy name, O Lord, in the night, during the time of affliction and loneliness, and have kept Thy Law, his remembrance of Jehovah’s revelation leading to obedience. ⁵⁶This I had, namely, this comfort and blessing in tribulation, because I kept Thy precepts, holding fast to the divine directions in faith.

Cheth. True piety the calling of the believers

⁵⁷Thou art my Portion, O Lord; I have said that I would keep Thy words. The believer’s possession is Jehovah Himself, and therefore he promises obedience to His Word. ⁵⁸I entreated Thy favor, literally, “I stroked Thy face,” seeking the Lord’s gracious countenance, with my whole heart, in an earnest and undivided prayer; be merciful unto me according to Thy Word, according to the promise of grace contained in it. ⁵⁹I thought on my ways, carefully considering the direction of his life, and turned my feet unto Thy testimonies, changing his course to walk in the way prescribed by God’s Word. ⁶⁰I made haste, with eager willingness, and delayed not to keep Thy commandments, postponing nothing when obedience to the Lord was required. ⁶¹The bands of the wicked have robbed me, the snares of the ungodly surrounding him and threatening to deprive him of liberty and possessions, but I have not forgotten Thy Law, remaining true to the Word in spite of such oppression. ⁶²At midnight, when the rest of men are sleeping, I will rise to give thanks unto Thee because of Thy righteous judgments, praising God for the justice revealed in His Word and acts. ⁶³I am a companion of all them that fear Thee, gladly associating with those who worship Jehovah in truth, and of them that keep Thy precepts. ⁶⁴The earth, O Lord, is full of Thy mercy, evidences of His goodness being everywhere apparent; teach me Thy statutes; for only the proper appreciation of the Word of God as the highest treasure given by God will cause one to realize the incomparable greatness of His mercy. All Christians are eager to possess the light, the consolation, and the strength of the Word of God.

Teth. The realization that God’s humiliation of man is salutary

⁶⁵Thou hast dealt well with Thy servant, O Lord, according unto Thy Word, in agreement with the promises of grace and mercy contained in it. ⁶⁶Teach me good judgment and knowledge, a proper appreciation of matters, a correct understanding of what is good and pleasing to God, for I have believed Thy commandments, accepting them in faith as the rule of life. ⁶⁷Before I was afflicted, before God laid the humbling hand of suffering upon him, I went astray; but now have I kept Thy Word. ⁶⁸Thou art good and doest good, both in His essence and in His works, teach me Thy statutes, that the believer may properly understand and appreciate His goodness. ⁶⁹The proud have forged a lie against me, plastering falsehood over him, spreading slander concerning him; but I will keep Thy precepts with my whole heart, remaining faithful to the Word in spite of calumny. ⁷⁰Their heart is as fat as grease, insensible, dull, and without spiritual feeling, but I delight in Thy Law, finding his pleasure in the divine instruction. ⁷¹It is good for me that I have been afflicted, the chastening of the Lord being beneficial in its results, that I might learn Thy statutes, the humbling experience making him more attentive to God’s will. ⁷²The Law of Thy mouth is better unto me than thousands of gold and silver; no earthly treasure can compare with the instruction which proceeds from the mouth of God.

Jod. The consolation of God’s providence and government

⁷³Thy hands have made me and fashioned me, the Lord being his Creator and Preserver. Give me understanding, that I may learn Thy commandments, for the same God who gave him his body and soul must also enlighten him in spiritual things. ⁷⁴They that fear Thee will be glad when they see me, the Lord’s dealing with the believer becoming a source of joy to all the faithful, because I have hoped in Thy Word, clinging to its promises. ⁷⁵I know, O Lord, that Thy judgments, the decisions of His justice, are right, in full accord with His holiness and truth, and that Thou in faithfulness hast afflicted me, His chastisement being an evidence of covenant faithfulness. ⁷⁶Let, I pray Thee, Thy merciful kindness be for my comfort, consoling and strengthening him in his trial, according to Thy Word unto Thy servant, in accordance with the promise given to the believer. ⁷⁷Let Thy tender mercies come unto me, the manifestations of divine compassion, that I may live, be preserved in spiritual life, for Thy Law is my delight, the source of his joy. ⁷⁸Let the proud, the insolent enemies, be ashamed; for they dealt perversely with me without a cause, seeking to overthrow him by falsehood and violence; but I will meditate in Thy precepts, remaining absorbed in the divine directions. ⁷⁹Let those that fear Thee turn unto me, associating themselves with him as with one who has experienced God’s mercy, and those that have known Thy testimonies, who understand the revelation of God. ⁸⁰Let my heart be sound, sincere and blameless, in Thy statutes, in its relation to the divine commandments, that I be not ashamed, namely, by falling away from the Word.

Caph. The consolation of God’s Word in the midst of great troubles

⁸¹My soul fainteth for Thy salvation, languishing with eager longing for the deliverance of the Lord, but I hope in Thy Word. ⁸²Mine eyes, strained with anxious looking, fail for Thy Word, while waiting for the fulfilment of the promise, saying, When wilt Thou comfort me? ⁸³For I am become like a bottle in the smoke, a skin bottle shrivelled and blackened by the heat and soot, a picture of extreme distress; yet do I not forget Thy statutes, clinging to God’s Word in spite of all trouble. ⁸⁴How many are the days of Thy servant? that is, how long must he still endure such suffering? When wilt Thou execute judgment on them that persecute me? ⁸⁵The proud have digged pits for me, laying snares for his destruction, which are not after Thy Law, their acts being in direct opposition to the divine instruction. ⁸⁶All Thy commandments are faithful, absolutely trustworthy; they persecute me wrongfully, with falsehood and injustice; help Thou me, for only the Lord can deliver him. ⁸⁷They had almost consumed me upon earth, nearly succeeding in destroying him, but I forsook not Thy precepts, refusing to give up the Word. ⁸⁸Quicken me after Thy loving-kindness, giving him new life and strength according to divine mercy; so shall I keep the testimony of Thy mouth, the Word which God Himself has spoken.

Lamed. The imperishable nature of the divine Word

⁸⁹Forever, O Lord, Thy Word is settled in heaven; it stands there firm and unchangeable, beyond all attacks of men. ⁹⁰Thy faithfulness is unto all generations, enduring throughout all ages; Thou hast established the earth, and it abideth, standing firm by His command and faithfulness. ⁹¹They continue this day according to Thine ordinances, heaven and earth remaining in their places in accordance with God’s decrees, for all are Thy servants, all creatures being subject to His will. ⁹²Unless Thy Law, the divine instruction, had been my delights, I should then have perished in mine affliction, the Word alone sustaining him in his distress. ⁹³I will never forget Thy precepts, retaining them in grateful remembrance, for with them Thou hast quickened me, imparting spiritual life and strength through them. ⁹⁴I am Thine, save me, since the believer belongs to the Lord by faith, for I have sought Thy precepts, making them the object of his desire and study. ⁹⁵The wicked have waited for me to destroy me, lying in ambush to ruin him, but I will consider Thy testimonies, giving his attention to the Word instead of being terrified by the enemies. ⁹⁶I have seen an end of all perfection, a limit to everything that appears complete and perfect on earth, but Thy commandment is exceeding broad, unlimited in extent and value.

Mem. God’s Word the essence of true wisdom

⁹⁷Oh, how love I Thy Law! his exclamation indicating the fervor of his affection for the Word. It is my meditation all the day; he continually occupies himself with the divine instruction. ⁹⁸Thou through Thy commandments, by means of them, hast made me wiser than mine enemies, giving him a wisdom superior to their craftiness, for they are ever with me, the commandments being his constant companions. ⁹⁹I have more understanding than all my teachers, surpassing them in the true wisdom which comes from God, for Thy testimonies are my meditation, his mind being continually fixed upon them. ¹⁰⁰I understand more than the ancients, those of advanced age and experience, if old people refuse to bow to the wisdom of God’s Word, because I keep Thy precepts, the Bible being the basis and key of all true knowledge. ¹⁰¹I have refrained my feet from every evil way, holding them back from every sinful path, that I might keep Thy Word, for obedience to the Word requires separation from evil. ¹⁰²I have not departed from Thy judgments, not turning aside from the divine decisions, for Thou hast taught me, God Himself being the Instructor through His Word. ¹⁰³How sweet are Thy words unto my taste! the believer finding them delightful and pleasant to his spiritual appetite; yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth, more desirable than the sweetest earthly food. ¹⁰⁴Through Thy precepts, by the instruction which they give, I get understanding, insight into the true nature of good and evil; therefore I hate every false way, every path opposed to God’s truth.

Nun. Trusting in the leadership of God’s Word

¹⁰⁵Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet, guiding his steps in the darkness of this world, and a light unto my path, showing him the way in which he should walk. ¹⁰⁶I have sworn, making a solemn pledge, and I will perform it, carrying out his vow, that I will keep Thy righteous judgments, the decisions of God’s justice. ¹⁰⁷I am afflicted very much, oppressed by many troubles; quicken me, O Lord, according unto Thy Word, giving him new life and strength in accordance with the promise. ¹⁰⁸Accept, I beseech Thee, the free-will offerings of my mouth, O Lord, the sacrifices of praise which the believer brings voluntarily, and teach me Thy judgments, that his thanksgiving may be accompanied by deeper knowledge. ¹⁰⁹My soul is continually in my hand, exposed to constant danger, as though his life were carried where it might easily be lost, yet do I not forget Thy Law, clinging to the Word in peril. ¹¹⁰The wicked have laid a snare for me, seeking to trap and destroy him, yet I erred not from Thy precepts, not straying from the path of God’s commandments. ¹¹¹Thy testimonies have I taken as an heritage forever, making them his permanent possession, for they are the rejoicing of my heart, the source of his inward joy. ¹¹²I have inclined mine heart to perform Thy statutes alway, even unto the end, bending his will toward obedience as the permanent attitude of his life.

Samech. The need of a firm stand for the truth of God’s Word

¹¹³I hate vain thoughts, the wavering opinions and divided counsels of the double-minded, but Thy Law do I love, setting his affection on the sure Word of God. ¹¹⁴Thou art my Hiding-place, where he finds shelter from all attacks, and my Shield; I hope in Thy Word, trusting in the promise of protection. ¹¹⁵Depart from me, ye evil-doers, he rejects fellowship with the wicked, for I will keep the commandments of my God, remaining loyal to Him. ¹¹⁶Uphold me according unto Thy Word, sustaining him in accordance with the divine promise, that I may live, spiritually and eternally; and let me not be ashamed of my hope, disappointed in the expectation founded on God’s Word. ¹¹⁷Hold Thou me up, supporting him by grace, and I shall be safe, secure against falling; and I will have respect unto Thy statutes continually, looking to them as the rule of his conduct. ¹¹⁸Thou hast trodden down all them that err from Thy statutes, rejecting and overthrowing those who wander from the Word, for their deceit is falsehood, their crafty plans are vain lies. ¹¹⁹Thou puttest away all the wicked of the earth like dross, casting them aside as refuse after the refining process; therefore I love Thy testimonies, because they reveal the holiness and justice of God. ¹²⁰My flesh trembleth for fear of Thee, particularly when he witnesses the punishment of the Lord upon the wicked, and I am afraid of Thy judgments, this same holy awe and reverence of the righteous God serving the Christians of all times to keep their flesh in bounds and to shun evil in every form.

Ain. The proper estimation of God’s Word in the midst of oppression

¹²¹I have done judgment and justice, performing and observing the rules of conduct which have been labeled with God’s approval in His Word; leave me not to mine oppressors. Just as the consciousness of guilt aggravates any suffering, so the feeling of having performed one’s duty yields at least a measure of comfort. ¹²²Be surety for Thy servant for good, becoming his advocate and so answerable for him against the slurs and accusations of the enemies; let not the proud oppress me, by making use of cruelty whenever opportunity offers and they feel that they have the power to use it. ¹²³Mine eyes fail, with anxious gazing, for Thy salvation, for the final deliverance promised to all believers, and for the Word of Thy righteousness, in which the righteousness of the Lord is promised to all those who accept it in faith. This is, of course, not a matter of merit on his part, as the psalmist says: ¹²⁴Deal with Thy servant according unto Thy mercy, according to His free grace and favor, the outflow of His love, and teach me Thy statutes; for every believer, having accepted the mercy of the heavenly Father, is anxious to show his appreciation of it by following the precepts of His holy will as closely as possible. ¹²⁵I am Thy servant, desiring nothing more than to occupy a position of the lowest service before Jehovah; give me understanding, a proper appreciation and insight, that I may know Thy testimonies, the Word in which God testifies of Himself, for the truth, against sin. ¹²⁶It is time for Thee, Lord, to work, all the signs and conditions of the times point to the urgent need of the Lord’s interference; for they have made void Thy Law, set aside His Word as no longer possessing validity, just as the godless scoffers are trying to do in our days. A thorough and firm knowledge of the Word being all the more necessary when the enmity against it is so great, the psalmist adds: ¹²⁷Therefore I love Thy commandments above gold, yea, above fine gold, which might be his as the reward of denial of the truth. ¹²⁸Therefore I esteem all Thy precepts concerning all things to be right, he is bound to acknowledge all the directions of the Lord as good and praiseworthy, not only in matters of doctrine, but also in instructions pertaining to the everyday conduct of life; and I hate every false way, utterly rejecting every tendency which does not conform to the rule of the divine Word. It is true to this day that the Bible instructs the conscientious Christian in every question pertaining to his entire conduct, and therefore it should not only be consulted, but also followed with constant faithfulness.

Pe. The need of spiritual light in the midst of godlessness

¹²⁹Thy testimonies are wonderful, elevated above everyday life and the common understanding, becoming more marvelous the longer one contemplates them; therefore doth my soul keep them, anxious to have the light of the Word fall into his dark heart and illumine it with rays of divine mercy and beauty. ¹³⁰The entrance of Thy words giveth light, that is, the opening, the unfolding, of His Word, as His Holy Spirit explains it to the heart of man, makes the words of divine wisdom clear; it giveth understanding unto the simple, to those without any pretense or show of learning in this world’s wisdom, for that is not essential for the understanding of the fundamental divine truths. ¹³¹I opened my mouth and panted, with great eagerness, as a traveler in a hot desert pants for a cooling breeze and for a refreshing draft of water; for I longed for Thy commandments, his desire was for the refreshment of God’s Word. ¹³²Look Thou upon me, instead of averting His face in anger, and be merciful unto me, as Thou usest to do unto those that love Thy name, or, “according to the right of those that love Thy name.” It is true that God’s gift of grace is a gift of His free love, but it is true also that the believers may expect it of Him on the basis of His merciful promise. ¹³³Order my steps in Thy Word, making them firm in accordance with His promise, and let not any iniquity have dominion over me, which would cause him to stray from the path of rectitude and obedience to God. ¹³⁴Deliver me from the oppression of man, since it was bound to hinder him in his duties of obedience toward God; so will I keep Thy precepts, observing them with eager cheerfulness. ¹³⁵Make Thy face to shine upon Thy servant, with the assurance of His grace, Num. 6, 25, and teach me Thy statutes, His Word assuring the believer that he was truly a child of God. ¹³⁶Rivers of waters run down mine eyes, in deep grief and sorrow over the manner in which men reject the Lord and bring destruction upon themselves, because they keep not Thy Law. It is not overweening pride which causes the believers to speak to the godless in such an emphatic manner, but a sincere love for their soul’s salvation.

Tzaddi. The proper appreciation of the Word of God

¹³⁷Righteous art Thou, O Lord, and upright are Thy judgments, for the right knowledge of God is gained from Scriptures and results in the proper worship of God. ¹³⁸Thy testimonies that Thou hast commanded, whose observance He has laid upon all men, are righteous and very faithful, literally, “righteousness and faithfulness,” not falsehood and deceit, as the enemies of the Word falsely state. ¹³⁹My zeal hath consumed me, has brought him near to destruction, has almost robbed him of his life, because mine enemies have forgotten Thy words. All believers, filled with true zeal for God and His Word, consume themselves in fighting false doctrine and godless life. ¹⁴⁰Thy Word is very pure, like a precious metal which comes out of the assayer’s refining without a trace of dross; therefore Thy servant loveth it. ¹⁴¹I am small and despised, young and insignificant, without influential connections in the world, his opinions, therefore, being belittled and ridiculed by the wise and mighty of this world; yet do I not forget Thy precepts, they had not been able to shake his convictions concerning the Word. ¹⁴²Thy righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, outlasting all earthly cavil and enmity, and Thy Law is the truth, Cp. John 17, 17. ¹⁴³Trouble and anguish have taken hold on me, on account of the opposition of the enemies; yet Thy commandments are my delights, wherefore he continues to cling to them in spite of all affliction. ¹⁴⁴The righteousness of Thy testimonies is everlasting, they had proved their power in the past and would again do so in the future, upon this fact he could rely; give me understanding, and I shall live, be partaker of true spiritual life through the knowledge of the Word, the source from which all believers draw life and strength day after day.

Koph. Constant prayer for faithfulness over against opposition

¹⁴⁵I cried with my whole heart; hear me, O Lord; I will keep Thy statutes, guarding the Word of the Lord as his precious treasure. ¹⁴⁶I cried unto Thee; save me, with a gracious deliverance, and I shall keep Thy testimonies, observing carefully what God testified of Himself and His works in His Word. ¹⁴⁷I prevented the dawning of the morning, being awake before the coming of dawn, and cried; I hoped in Thy Word. ¹⁴⁸Mine eyes prevent the night-watches, the coming of each of which finds him awake, that I might meditate in Thy Word, give himself to its undisturbed contemplation. ¹⁴⁹Hear my voice according unto Thy loving-kindness, on the basis of His mercy and grace alone, there being no merit on the psalmist’s side which he might urge. O Lord, quicken me according to Thy judgment, reviving his heart by such declarations of gracious approval as served this purpose. ¹⁵⁰They draw nigh that follow after mischief, surrounding the Lord’s servant with threats of violence; they are far from Thy Law, not guided by its precepts. ¹⁵¹Thou art near, O Lord, with His help stepping between the psalmist and the enemies seeking to hurt him, and all Thy commandments are truth, especially those promises of the Word which proclaim deliverance to the oppressed. ¹⁵²Concerning Thy testimonies, on the basis of his knowledge as gained from the Word, I have known of old that Thou hast founded them forever. No matter how much time and effort the godless spend in trying to discredit the Word, the believers refuse to be led astray, since they know the eternal nature of God’s Word.

Resh. The increasing confidence of the believer

¹⁵³Consider mine affliction, and deliver me; for I do not forget Thy Law, and he sets up his childlike obedience as a reason why God should regard his prayer favorably. ¹⁵⁴Plead my cause, God Himself acting as the great Advocate of His servant, and deliver me; quicken me, according to Thy Word. ¹⁵⁵Salvation is far from the wicked, on account of their own obstinate disobedience; for they seek not Thy statutes, refusing to heed the Word of the Lord. ¹⁵⁶Great are Thy tender mercies, O Lord, to which the inspired singer appeals throughout the psalm, to the unmerited favor of the Lord; quicken me according to Thy judgments, reviving his soul with the wonderful and merciful decisions of approval found in His Word. ¹⁵⁷Many are my persecutors and mine enemies, their number increasing in proportion to his faithfulness to the Word; yet do I not decline from Thy testimonies, refusing to be turned aside from the Word, with its revelation of the great God and His love. ¹⁵⁸I beheld the transgressors, those who wilfully reject the Word, and was grieved, filled with loathing, because they kept not Thy Word, for this fact, with its accompanying unbelief, shuts them out from the mercies of God. ¹⁵⁹Consider how I love Thy precepts, marking well this love for the Word which is characteristic of all true children of God. Quicken me, O Lord, according to Thy loving-kindness, the appeal being again to God’s mercy and grace alone. ¹⁶⁰Thy Word is true from the beginning, its sum, the whole body of revelation, the Bible, being the truth; and every one of Thy righteous judgments endureth forever, His decisions of approval encouraging His children in the midst of all the present tribulations and opening up vistas of eternal glory before them.

Schin (and Sin). The believer’s fellowship with God in prayer

¹⁶¹Princes, the mighty and influential ones of the earth, have persecuted me without a cause, although he had done nothing which might justly have provoked their hatred; but my heart standeth in awe of Thy Word, in reverential fear of its marvelous strength and beauty. ¹⁶²I rejoice at Thy Word, instead of currying the favor of the wicked princes, he finds his greatest joy in the Word of his Lord, as one that findeth great spoil, being enriched by its possession beyond the dreams of avarice. ¹⁶³I hate and abhor lying, unfaithfulness to the covenant of God in any form; but Thy Law do I love. ¹⁶⁴Seven times a day do I praise Thee, in a continued course of devotional exercises, because of Thy righteous judgments. The hearts of the believers are temples of the Holy Spirit, in them the incense of their praise rises in continual adoration. ¹⁶⁵Great peace have they which love Thy Law, for in the midst of all the battles of life they have the assurance of the grace of God promised in the Word; and nothing shall offend them, causing the believers to stumble and fall, since they are upheld by the strength of God. ¹⁶⁶Lord, I have hoped for Thy salvation, longing for it as Jacob did of old, Gen. 49, 18, and done Thy commandments, obedient to the holy will of God, as laid down in His Word. ¹⁶⁷My soul hath kept Thy testimonies, observing them carefully, and I love them exceedingly. ¹⁶⁸I have kept Thy precepts and Thy testimonies, in an earnest effort to follow the way of sanctification; for all my ways are before Thee. All believers should strive to reach this level of calm assurance in urging the sincerity of their lives before the face of God.

Tav. Concluding appeal

¹⁶⁹Let my cry come near before Thee, O Lord, with no obstructions to hinder it in its course; give me understanding according to Thy Word, since the Word alone is the source of all true knowledge. ¹⁷⁰Let my supplication come before Thee, be brought into His presence for favorable consideration; deliver me according to Thy Word, the psalmist’s appeal time and again being to the mercy and to the promise of the Lord. ¹⁷¹My lips shall utter praise, proclaiming His glory, when Thou hast taught me Thy statutes, leading him ever more deeply into the glories of His Word. ¹⁷²My tongue shall speak of Thy Word, being constrained so to do by the miracles related in the Word; for all Thy commandments are righteousness, in full agreement with eternal right and truth. ¹⁷³Let Thine hand help me, literally, “Be Thy hand for my help”; for I have chosen Thy precepts, thereby placing himself entirely on the side of the Lord, with the right to expect help from Him. ¹⁷⁴I have longed for Thy salvation, O Lord; thus his eagerness once more causes him to exclaim; and Thy Law is my delight, he finds his greatest pleasure in the knowledge of the Word. ¹⁷⁵Let my soul live, in full fellowship with the heavenly Father, to whom he has appealed in his wonderful prayer, and it shall praise Thee, and let Thy judgments help me, sustaining him in all trials and leading him safely to the home of the Father. ¹⁷⁶I have gone astray like a lost sheep, apparently all forsaken in the midst of a host of enemies; seek Thy servant, to bring him back to rest and shelter; for I do not forget Thy commandments. On the side of men there is ever erring and getting lost; on the part of God there is ever seeking and finding and taking home to the enjoyment of eternal blessings.¹