Psalm 119 is a lengthy one. So I've split this Psalm into thirds for the week. I figure I can only wade through so much at a time, and really get something from it. And I've added the breaks, to correspond with Henry's commentary on each section.
Vs. 25 "I lie in the dust, completely discouraged; revive me by your word." When we are in the throes of heartache, the midst of despair, when life's challenges feel insurmountable, where are we to turn? To the word of God. We find our refuge in His word. That's a humbling reminder of just how important it is to stay in the Word, so that the Word may remain in us.
Have a blessed Monday and I'll be back for more on Wednesday,
Lili
Psalm 119
1Happy are people of integrity, with the Hebrew letter of its section.> who follow the law of the LORD.2Happy are those who obey his decrees and search for him with all their hearts.3They do not compromise with evil, and they walk only in his paths.4You have charged us to keep your commandments carefully.5Oh, that my actions would consistently reflect your principles!6Then I will not be disgraced when I compare my life with your commands.7When I learn your righteous laws, I will thank you by living as I should!8I will obey your principles. Please don't give up on me!
9How can a young person stay pure? By obeying your word and following its rules.10I have tried my best to find you -- don't let me wander from your commands.11I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.12Blessed are you, O LORD; teach me your principles.13I have recited aloud all the laws you have given us.14I have rejoiced in your decrees as much as in riches.15I will study your commandments and reflect on your ways.16I will delight in your principles and not forget your word.
17Be good to your servant, that I may live and obey your word.18Open my eyes to see the wonderful truths in your law.19I am but a foreigner here on earth; I need the guidance of your commands. Don't hide them from me!20I am overwhelmed continually with a desire for your laws.21You rebuke those cursed proud ones who wander from your commands.22Don't let them scorn and insult me, for I have obeyed your decrees.23Even princes sit and speak against me, but I will meditate on your principles.24Your decrees please me; they give me wise advice.
25I lie in the dust, completely discouraged; revive me by your word.26I told you my plans, and you answered. Now teach me your principles.27Help me understand the meaning of your commandments, and I will meditate on your wonderful miracles.28I weep with grief; encourage me by your word.29Keep me from lying to myself; give me the privilege of knowing your law.30I have chosen to be faithful; I have determined to live by your laws.31I cling to your decrees. LORD, don't let me be put to shame!32If you will help me, I will run to follow your commands.
33Teach me, O LORD, to follow every one of your principles.34Give me understanding and I will obey your law; I will put it into practice with all my heart.35Make me walk along the path of your commands, for that is where my happiness is found.36Give me an eagerness for your decrees; do not inflict me with love for money!37Turn my eyes from worthless things, and give me life through your word.38Reassure me of your promise, which is for those who honor you.39Help me abandon my shameful ways; your laws are all I want in life.40I long to obey your commandments! Renew my life with your goodness.
41LORD, give to me your unfailing love, the salvation that you promised me.42Then I will have an answer for those who taunt me, for I trust in your word.43Do not snatch your word of truth from me, for my only hope is in your laws.44I will keep on obeying your law forever and forever.45I will walk in freedom, for I have devoted myself to your commandments.46I will speak to kings about your decrees, and I will not be ashamed.47How I delight in your commands! How I love them!48I honor and love your commands. I meditate on your principles.
49Remember your promise to me, for it is my only hope.50Your promise revives me; it comforts me in all my troubles.51The proud hold me in utter contempt, but I do not turn away from your law.52I meditate on your age-old laws; O LORD, they comfort me.53I am furious with the wicked, those who reject your law.54Your principles have been the music of my life throughout the years of my pilgrimage.55I reflect at night on who you are, O LORD, and I obey your law because of this.56This is my happy way of life: obeying your commandments.
(the following is from Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary -- www.christnotes.org)
"Chapter Contents
The general scope and design of this psalm is to magnify the Divine law, and make it honourable. There are ten words by which Divine revelation is called in this psalm, and each expresses what God expects from us, and what we may expect from him: 1. God's law; this is enacted by him as our Sovereign. 2. His way; this is the rule of his providence. 3. His testimonies; they are solemnly declared to the world. 4. His commandments; given with authority. 5. His precepts; not left as indifferent matters to us. 6. His word, or saying; it is the declaration of his mind. 7. His judgments; framed in infinite wisdom. 8. His righteousness; it is the rule and standard of what is right. 9. His statutes; they are always binding. 10. His truth or faithfulness; it is eternal truth, it shall endure for ever.
Commentary on Psalm 119:1-8
This psalm may be considered as the statement of a believer's experience. As far as our views, desires, and affections agree with what is here expressed, they come from the influences of the Holy Spirit, and no further. The pardoning mercy of God in Christ, is the only source of a sinner's happiness. And those are most happy, who are preserved most free from the defilement of sin, who simply believe God's testimonies, and depend on his promises. If the heart be divided between him and the world, it is evil. But the saints carefully avoid all sin; they are conscious of much evil that clogs them in the ways of God, but not of that wickedness which draws them out of those ways. The tempter would make men think they are at them out of those ways. The tempter would make men think they are at liberty to follow the word of God or not, as they please. But the desire and prayer of a good man agree with the will and command of God. If a man expects by obedience in one thing to purchase indulgence for disobedience in others, his hypocrisy will be detected; if he is not ashamed in this world, everlasting shame will be his portion. The psalmist coveted to learn the laws of God, to give God the glory. And believers see that if God forsakes them, the temper will be too hard for them.
Commentary on Psalm 119:9-16
To original corruption all have added actual sin. The ruin of the young is either living by no rule at all, or choosing false rules: let them walk by Scripture rules. To doubt of our own wisdom and strength, and to depend upon God, proves the purpose of holiness is sincere. God's word is treasure worth laying up, and there is no laying it up safe but in our hearts, that we may oppose God's precepts to the dominion of sin, his promises to its allurements, and his threatenings to its violence. Let this be our plea with Him to teach us his statutes, that, being partakers of his holiness, we may also partake of his blessedness. And those whose hearts are fed with the bread of life, should with their lips feed many. In the way of God's commandments there is the unsearchable riches of Christ. But we do not meditate on God's precepts to good purpose, unless our good thoughts produce good works. I will not only think of thy statutes, but do them with delight. And it will be well to try the sincerity of our obedience by tracing the spring of it; the reality of our love by cheerfulness in appointed duties.
Commentary on Psalm 119:17-24
If God deals in strict justice with us, we all perish. We ought to spend our lives in his service; we shall find true life in keeping his word. Those that would see the wondrous things of God's law and gospel, must beg him to give them understanding, by the light of his Spirit. Believers feel themselves strangers on earth; they fear missing their way, and losing comfort by erring from God's commandments. Every sanctified soul hungers after the word of God, as food which there is no living without. There is something of pride at the bottom of every wilful sin. God can silence lying lips; reproach and contempt may humble and do us good, and then they shall be removed. Do we find the weight of the cross is above that we are able to bear? He that bore it for us will enable us to bear it; upheld by him we cannot sink. It is sad when those who should protect the innocent, are their betrayers. The psalmist went on in duty, and he found comfort in the word of God. The comforts of the word of God are most pleasant to a gracious soul, when other comforts are made bitter; and those that would have God's testimonies to be their delight, must be advised by them. May the Lord direct us in exercising repentance of sin, and faith in Christ.
Commentary on Psalm 119:25-32
While the souls of the children of this world cleave to the earth as their portion, the children of light are greatly burdened, because of the remains of carnal affections in their hearts. It is unspeakable comfort to a gracious soul, to think with what tenderness all its complaints are received by a gracious God. We can talk of the wonders of redeeming love, when we understand the way of God's precepts, and walk in that way. The penitent melts in sorrow for sin: even the patient spirit may melt in the sense of affliction, it is then its interest to pour out its soul before God. The way of lying means all false ways by which men deceive themselves and others, or are deceived by Satan and his instruments. Those who know and love the law of the Lord, desire to know it more, and love it better. The way of serious godliness is the way of truth; the only true way to happiness: we must always have actual regard to it. Those who stick to the word of God, may in faith expect and pray for acceptance with God. Lord, never leave me to do that by which I shall shame myself, and do not thou reject my services. Those that are going to heaven, should still press forward. God, by his Spirit, enlarges the hearts of his people when he gives them wisdom. The believer prays to be set free from sin.
Commentary on Psalm 119:33-40
Teach me thy statutes, not the mere words, but the way of applying them to myself. God, by his Spirit, gives a right understanding. But the Spirit of revelation in the word will not suffice, unless we have the Spirit of wisdom in the heart. God puts his Spirit within us, causing us to walk in his statutes. The sin here prayed against is covetousness. Those that would have the love of God rooted in them, must get the love of the world rooted out; for the friendship of the world is enmity with God. Quicken me in thy way; to redeem time, and to do every duty with liveliness of spirit. Beholding vanity deadens us, and slackens our pace; a traveller must not stand gazing upon every object that presents itself to his view. The promises of God's word greatly relate to the preservation of the true believer. When Satan has drawn a child of God into worldly compliances, he will reproach him with the falls into which he led him. Victory must come from the cross of Christ. When we enjoy the sweetness of God's precepts, it will make us long for more acquaintance with them. And where God has wrought to will, he will work to do.
Commentary on Psalm 119:41-48
Lord, I have by faith thy mercies in view; let me by prayer prevail to obtain them. And when the salvation of the saints is completed, it will plainly appear that it was not in vain to trust in God's word. We need to pray that we may never be afraid or ashamed to own God's truths and ways before men. And the psalmist resolves to keep God's law, in a constant course of obedience, without backsliding. The service of sin is slavery; the service of God is liberty. There is no full happiness, or perfect liberty, but in keeping God's law. We must never be ashamed or afraid to own our religion. The more delight we take in the service of God, the nearer we come to perfection. Not only consent to his law as good, but take pleasure in it as good for us. Let me put forth all the strength I have, to do it. Something of this mind of Christ is in every true disciple.
Commentary on Psalm 119:49-56
Those that make God's promises their portion, may with humble boldness make them their plea. He that by his Spirit works faith in us, will work for us. The word of God speaks comfort in affliction. If, through grace, it makes us holy, there is enough in it to make us easy, in all conditions. Let us be certain we have the Divine law for what we believe, and then let not scoffers prevail upon us to decline from it. God's judgments of old comfort and encourage us, for he is still the same. Sin is horrible in the eyes of all that are sanctified. Ere long the believer will be absent from the body, and present with the Lord. In the mean time, the statutes of the Lord supply subjects for grateful praise. In the season of affliction, and in the silent hours of the night, he remembers the name of the Lord, and is stirred up to keep the law. All who have made religion the first thing, will own that they have been unspeakable gainers by it."
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