113I hate those who are undecided about you, but my choice is clear -- I love your law.114You are my refuge and my shield; your word is my only source of hope.115Get out of my life, you evil-minded people, for I intend to obey the commands of my God.116LORD, sustain me as you promised, that I may live! Do not let my hope be crushed.117Sustain me, and I will be saved; then I will meditate on your principles continually.118But you have rejected all who stray from your principles. They are only fooling themselves.119All the wicked of the earth are the scum you skim off; no wonder I love to obey your decrees!120I tremble in fear of you; I fear your judgments.
121Don't leave me to the mercy of my enemies, for I have done what is just and right.122Please guarantee a blessing for me. Don't let those who are arrogant oppress me!123My eyes strain to see your deliverance, to see the truth of your promise fulfilled.124I am your servant; deal with me in unfailing love, and teach me your principles.125Give discernment to me, your servant; then I will understand your decrees.126LORD, it is time for you to act, for these evil people have broken your law.127Truly, I love your commands more than gold, even the finest gold.128Truly, each of your commandments is right. That is why I hate every false way.
129Your decrees are wonderful. No wonder I obey them!130As your words are taught, they give light; even the simple can understand them.131I open my mouth, panting expectantly, longing for your commands.132Come and show me your mercy, as you do for all who love your name.133Guide my steps by your word, so I will not be overcome by any evil.134Rescue me from the oppression of evil people; then I can obey your commandments.135Look down on me with love; teach me all your principles.136Rivers of tears gush from my eyes because people disobey your law.
137O LORD, you are righteous, and your decisions are fair.138Your decrees are perfect; they are entirely worthy of our trust.139I am overwhelmed with rage, for my enemies have disregarded your words.140Your promises have been thoroughly tested; that is why I love them so much.141I am insignificant and despised, but I don't forget your commandments.142Your justice is eternal, and your law is perfectly true.143As pressure and stress bear down on me, I find joy in your commands.144Your decrees are always fair; help me to understand them, that I may live.
145I pray with all my heart; answer me, LORD! I will obey your principles.146I cry out to you; save me, that I may obey your decrees.147I rise early, before the sun is up; I cry out for help and put my hope in your words.148I stay awake through the night, thinking about your promise.149In your faithful love, O LORD, hear my cry; in your justice, save my life.150Those lawless people are coming near to attack me; they live far from your law.151But you are near, O LORD, and all your commands are true.152I have known from my earliest days that your decrees never change.
153Look down upon my sorrows and rescue me, for I have not forgotten your law.154Argue my case; take my side! Protect my life as you promised.155The wicked are far from salvation, for they do not bother with your principles.156LORD, how great is your mercy; in your justice, give me back my life.157Many persecute and trouble me, yet I have not swerved from your decrees.158I hate these traitors because they care nothing for your word.159See how I love your commandments, LORD. Give back my life because of your unfailing love.160All your words are true; all your just laws will stand forever.
161Powerful people harass me without cause, but my heart trembles only at your word.162I rejoice in your word like one who finds a great treasure.163I hate and abhor all falsehood, but I love your law.164I will praise you seven times a day because all your laws are just.165Those who love your law have great peace and do not stumble.166I long for your salvation, LORD, so I have obeyed your commands.167I have obeyed your decrees, and I love them very much.168Yes, I obey your commandments and decrees, because you know everything I do.
169O LORD, listen to my cry; give me the discerning mind you promised.170Listen to my prayer; rescue me as you promised.171Let my lips burst forth with praise, for you have taught me your principles.172Let my tongue sing about your word, for all your commands are right.173Stand ready to help me, for I have chosen to follow your commandments.174O LORD, I have longed for your salvation, and your law is my delight.175Let me live so I can praise you, and may your laws sustain me.176I have wandered away like a lost sheep; come and find me, for I have not forgotten your commands.
(the following is from Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary -- www.christnotes.org)
"Commentary on 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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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."
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