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<TITLE>Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary on the Whole Bible [Psalms CXIX].</TITLE>
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"This site is for those friends and family members who may or may not know Our Lord Jesus Christ, and if not, they may come to know Our Lord through His Prophets."> <meta name="author" content="Brian Duncalfe">
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<center><h1>Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary
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on the Whole Bible</h1>
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[<A HREF="MHC00000.HTM">Table of Contents</A>]<BR>
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Matthew Henry<BR><I>Commentary on the Whole Bible</I> (1710)
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<!-- (Begin Body) -->
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<CENTER>
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<BR><FONT SIZE=+3><B>P S A L M S</B></FONT>
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<BR>
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<BR><FONT SIZE=+2>PSALM CXIX.</FONT>
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<HR SIZE=1 WIDTH=50>
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</CENTER>
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<FONT SIZE=-1>
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<P>
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This is a psalm by itself, like none of the rest; it excels them all,
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and shines brightest in this constellation. It is much longer than any
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of them more than twice as long as any of them. It is not making long
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prayers that Christ censurers, but making them for a pretence, which
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intimates that they are in themselves good and commendable. It seems to
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me to be a collection of David's pious and devout ejaculations, the
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short and sudden breathings and elevations of his soul to God, which he
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wrote down as they occurred, and, towards the latter end of his time,
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gathered out of his day-book where they lay scattered, added to them
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many like words, and digested them into this psalm, in which there is
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seldom any coherence between the verses, but, like Solomon's proverbs,
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it is a chest of gold rings, not a chain of gold links. And we may not
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only learn, by the psalmist's example, to accustom ourselves to such
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pious ejaculations, which are an excellent means of maintaining
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constant communion with God, and keeping the heart in frame for the
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more solemn exercises of religion, but we must make use of the
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psalmist's words, both for the exciting and for the expressing of our
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devout affections; what some have said of this psalm is true, "He that
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shall read it considerately, it will either warm him or shame him." The
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composition of it is singular and very exact. It is divided into
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twenty-two parts, according to the number of the letters of the Hebrew
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alphabet, and each part consists of eight verses, all the verses of the
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first part beginning with Aleph, all the verses of the second with
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Beth, and so on, without any flaw throughout the whole psalm.
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Archbishop Tillotson says, It seems to have more of poetical skill and
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number in it than we at this distance can easily understand. Some have
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called it the saints' alphabet; and it were to be wished we had it as
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ready in our memories as the very letters of our alphabet, as ready as
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our A B C. Perhaps the penman found it of use to himself to observe
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this method, as it obliged him to seek for thoughts, and search for
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them, that he might fill up the quota of every part; and the letter he
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was to begin with might lead him to a word which might suggest a good
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sentence; and all little enough to raise any thing that is good in the
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barren soil of our hearts. However, it would be of use to the learners,
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a help to them both in committing it to memory and in calling it to
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mind upon occasion; by the letter the first word would be got, and that
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would bring in the whole verse; thus young people would the more easily
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learn it by heart and retain it the better even in old age. If any
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censure it as childish and trifling, because acrostics are now quite
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out of fashion, let them know that the royal psalmist despises their
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censure; he is a teacher of babes, and, if this method may be
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beneficial to them, he can easily stoop to it; if this to be vile, he
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will be yet more vile.</P>
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<P>
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II. The general scope and design of it is to magnify the law, and make
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it honourable; to set forth the excellency and usefulness of divine
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revelation, and to recommend it to us, not only for the entertainment,
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but for the government, of ourselves, by the psalmist's own example,
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who speaks by experience of the benefit of it, and of the good
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impressions made upon him by it, for which he praises God, and
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earnestly prays, from first to last, for the continuance of God's grace
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with him, to direct and quicken him in the way of his duty. There are
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ten different words by which divine revelation is called in this psalm,
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and they are synonymous, each of them expressive of the whole compass
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of it (both that which tells us what God expects from us and that which
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tells us that we may expect from him) and of the system of religion
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which is founded upon it and guided by it. The things contained in the
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scripture, and drawn from it, are here called,
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1. God's law, because they are enacted by him as our Sovereign.
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2. His way, because they are the rule both of his providence and of
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our obedience.
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3. His testimonies, because they are solemnly declared to the world and
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attested beyond contradiction.
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4. His commandments, because given with authority, and (as the word
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signifies) lodged with us as a trust.
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5. His precepts, because prescribed to us and not left indifferent.
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6. His word, or saying, because it is the declaration of his mind, and
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Christ, the essential eternal Word, is all in all in it.
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7. His judgments, because framed in infinite wisdom, and because by
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them we must both judge and be judged.
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8. His righteousness, because it is all holy, just, and good, and the
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rule and standard of righteousness.
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9. His statutes, because they are fixed and determined, and of
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perpetual obligation. His truth, or faithfulness, because the
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principles upon which the divine law is built are eternal truths. And I
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think there is but one verse (it is
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+119:122">ver. 122</A>)
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in all this long psalm in which there is not one or other of these ten
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words; only in three or four they are used concerning God's providence
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or David's practice (as
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+119:75,84,121">ver. 75, 84, 121</A>),
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and
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+119:132">ver. 132</A>
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they are called God's name. The great esteem and affection David had
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for the word of God is the more admirable considering how little he had
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of it, in comparison with what we have, no more perhaps in writing than
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the first books of Moses, which were but the dawning of this day, which
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may shame us who enjoy the full discoveries of divine revelation and
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yet are so cold towards it. In singing this psalm there is work for all
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the devout affections of a sanctified soul, so copious, so various, is
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the matter of it. We here find that in which we must give glory to God
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both as our ruler and great benefactor, that in which we are to teach
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and admonish ourselves and one another (so many are the instructions
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which we here find about a religious life), and that in which we are to
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comfort and encourage ourselves and one another, so many are the sweet
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experiences of one that lived such a life. Here is something or other
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to suit the case of every Christian. Is any afflicted? Is any merry?
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Each will find that here which is proper for him. And it is so far from
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being a tedious repetition of the same thing, as may seem to those who
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look over it cursorily, that, if we duly meditate upon it, we shall
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find almost every verse has a new thought and something in it very
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lively. And this, as many other of David's psalms, teaches us to be
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sententious in our devotions, both alone and when others join with us;
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for, ordinarily, the affections, especially of weaker Christians, are
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more likely to be raised and kept by short expressions, the sense of
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which lies in a little compass, than by long and laboured periods.</P>
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</FONT>
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<A NAME="Ps119_1"> </A>
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<A NAME="Ps119_2"> </A>
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<A NAME="Ps119_3"> </A>
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<A NAME="Sec1"> </A>
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<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
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<TR><TD ALIGN=CENTER><FONT SIZE=+1>1. ALEPH.</FONT></TD>
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<TD ALIGN=RIGHT><FONT SIZE=-1> <! -- Date --> </FONT></TD></TR>
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</TABLE>
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<P>
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<FONT SIZE=+1>1 Blessed <I>are</I> the undefiled in the way, who walk in
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the law of the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT>.
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2 Blessed <I>are</I> they that keep his testimonies, <I>and that</I> seek
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him with the whole heart.
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3 They also do no iniquity: they walk in his ways.
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</FONT></P>
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<P>
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The psalmist here shows that godly people are happy people; they are,
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and shall be, blessed indeed. Felicity is the thing we all pretend to
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aim at and pursue. He does not say here wherein it consists; it is
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enough for us to know what we must do and be that we may attain to it,
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and that we are here told. All men would be happy, but few take the
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right way; God has here laid before us the right way, which we may be
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sure will end in happiness, though it be strait and narrow.
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Blessednesses are to the righteous; all manner of blessedness. Now
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observe the characters of the happy people. Those are happy,
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1. Who make the will of God the rule of all their actions, and govern
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themselves, in their whole conversation, by that rule: They <I>walk in
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the law of the Lord,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+119:1"><I>v.</I> 1</A>.
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God's word is a law to them, not only in this or that instance, but in
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the whole course of their conversation; they walk within the hedges of
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that law, which they dare not break through by doing any thing it
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forbids; and they walk in the paths of that law, which they will not
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trifle in, but <I>press forward</I> in them <I>towards the mark,</I>
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taking every step by rule and never walking at all adventures. This is
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<I>walking in God's ways</I>
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+119:3"><I>v.</I> 3</A>),
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the ways which he has marked out to us and has appointed us to walk in.
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It will not serve us to make religion the subject of our discourse, but
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we must make it the rule of our walk; we must walk <I>in his ways,</I>
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not in the way of the world, or of our own hearts,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Job+23:10,11,31:7">Job xxiii. 10, 11; xxxi. 7</A>.
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2. Who are upright and honest in their religion--<I>undefiled in the
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way,</I> not only who keep themselves pure from the pollutions of
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actual sin, <I>unspotted from the world,</I> but who are habitually
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sincere in their intentions, <I>in whose spirit there is no guile,</I>
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who are really as good as they seem to be and row the same way as they
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look.
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3. Who are true to the trust reposed in them as God's professing
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people. It was the honour of the Jews that <I>to them were committed
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the oracles of God;</I> and blessed are those who preserve pure and
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entire that sacred deposit, <I>who keep his testimonies</I> as a
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treasure of inestimable value, keep them as the apple of their eye, so
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keep them as to carry the comfort of them themselves to another world
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and leave the knowledge and profession of them to those who shall come
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after them in this world. Those who would <I>walk in the law of the
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Lord</I> must <I>keep his testimonies,</I> that is, his truths. Those
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will not long make conscience of good practices who do not adhere to
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good principles. Or <I>his testimonies</I> may denote his covenant; the
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ark of the covenant is called <I>the ark of the testimony.</I> Those do
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not keep covenant with God who do not keep the commandments of God.
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4. Who have a single eye to God as their chief good and highest end in
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all they do in religion
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+119:2"><I>v.</I> 2</A>):
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They <I>seek him with their whole
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heart.</I> They do not seek themselves and their own things, but God
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only; this is that which they aim at, that God may be glorified in
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their obedience and that they may be happy in God's acceptance. He is,
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and will be, the rewarder, the reward, of all those who thus <I>seek
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him diligently, seek him with the heart,</I> for that is it that God
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looks at and requires; and <I>with the whole heart,</I> for if the
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heart be divided between him and the world it is faulty.
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5. Who carefully avoid all sin
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+119:3"><I>v.</I> 3</A>):
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<I>They do no iniquity;</I> they do not allow themselves in any sin;
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they do not commit it as those do who are the servants of sin; they do
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not make a practice of it, do not make a trade of it. They are
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conscious to themselves of much iniquity that clogs them in the ways of
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God, but not of that iniquity which draws them out of those ways.
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Blessed and holy are those who thus exercise themselves <I>to have
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always consciences void of offence.</I></P>
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<A NAME="Ps119_4"> </A>
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<A NAME="Ps119_5"> </A>
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<A NAME="Ps119_6"> </A>
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<P>
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<FONT SIZE=+1>4 Thou hast commanded <I>us</I> to keep thy precepts diligently.
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5 O that my ways were directed to keep thy statutes!
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6 Then shall I not be ashamed, when I have respect unto all thy
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commandments.
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</FONT></P>
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<P>
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We are here taught,
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1. To own ourselves under the highest obligations to walk in God's law.
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The tempter would possess men with an opinion that they are at their
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liberty whether they will make the word of God their rule or no, that,
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though it may be good, yet it is not so necessary as they are made to
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believe it is. He taught our first parents to question the command:
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<I>Hath God said, You shall not eat?</I> And therefore we are concerned
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to be well established in this
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+119:4"><I>v.</I> 4</A>):
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<I>Thou hast commanded us to keep thy precepts,</I> to make religion
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our rule; and <I>to keep</I> them <I>diligently,</I> to make religion
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our business and to mind it carefully and constantly. We are bound, and
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must obey at our peril.
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2. To look up to God for wisdom and grace to do so
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+119:5"><I>v.</I> 5</A>):
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<I>O that my ways were directed</I> accordingly! not only that all
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events concerning us may be so ordered and disposed by the providence
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of God as not to be in any thing a hindrance to us, but a furtherance
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rather, in the service of God, but that our hearts may be so guided and
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influenced by the Spirit of God that we may not in any thing transgress
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God's commandments--not only that our eyes may be directed to behold
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God's statutes, but our hearts directed to keep them. See how the
|
||
|
|
desire and prayer of a good man exactly agree with the will and command
|
||
|
|
of a good God: "Thou wouldest have me keep thy precepts, and, Lord, I
|
||
|
|
fain would keep them." <I>This is the will of God, even our
|
||
|
|
sanctification;</I> and it should be our will.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
3. To encourage ourselves in the way of our duty with a prospect of the
|
||
|
|
comfort we shall find in it,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+119:6"><I>v.</I> 6</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Note,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(1.) It is the undoubted character of every good man that he has a
|
||
|
|
<I>respect to all</I> God's <I>commandments.</I> He has a respect to
|
||
|
|
the command, eyes it as his copy, aims to conform to it, is sorry
|
||
|
|
wherein he comes short; and what he does in religion he does with a
|
||
|
|
conscientious regard to the command, because it is his duty. He has
|
||
|
|
<I>respect to all</I> the <I>commandments,</I> one as well as another,
|
||
|
|
because they are all backed with the same authority
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jam+2:10,11">Jam. ii. 10, 11</A>)
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
and all levelled at the same end, the glorifying of God in our
|
||
|
|
happiness. Those who have a sincere respect to any command will have a
|
||
|
|
general respect to every command, to the commands of both testaments
|
||
|
|
and both tables, to the prohibitions and the precepts, to those that
|
||
|
|
concern both the inward and the outward man, both the head and the
|
||
|
|
heart, to those that forbid the most pleasant and gainful sins and to
|
||
|
|
those that require the most difficult and hazardous duties.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(2.) Those who have a sincere <I>respect to all</I> God's
|
||
|
|
<I>commandments shall not be ashamed,</I> not only they will thereby be
|
||
|
|
kept from doing that which will turn to their shame, but they shall
|
||
|
|
have <I>confidence towards God</I> and boldness of access to the throne
|
||
|
|
of his grace,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Jo+3:21">1 John iii. 21</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
They shall have credit before men; their honesty will be their honour.
|
||
|
|
And they shall have clearness and courage in their own souls; they
|
||
|
|
shall not be ashamed to retire into themselves, nor to reflect upon
|
||
|
|
themselves, for their hearts shall not condemn them. David speaks this
|
||
|
|
with application to himself. Those that are upright may take the
|
||
|
|
comfort of their uprightness. "As, if I be wicked, woe to me; so, if I
|
||
|
|
be sincere, it is well with me."</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Ps119_7"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Ps119_8"> </A>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>7 I will praise thee with uprightness of heart, when I shall
|
||
|
|
have learned thy righteous judgments.
|
||
|
|
8 I will keep thy statutes: O forsake me not utterly.
|
||
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Here is,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
I. David's endeavour to perfect himself in his religion, and to make
|
||
|
|
himself (as we say) master of his business. He hopes to <I>learn</I>
|
||
|
|
God's <I>righteous judgments.</I> He knew much, but he was still
|
||
|
|
pressing forward and desired to know more, as knowing this, that <I>he
|
||
|
|
had not yet attained;</I> but as far as perfection is attainable in
|
||
|
|
this life he reached towards it, and would not take up short of it. As
|
||
|
|
long as we live we must be scholars in Christ's school, and sit at his
|
||
|
|
feet; but we should aim to be head-scholars, and to get into the
|
||
|
|
highest form. God's judgments are all righteous, and therefore it is
|
||
|
|
desirable not only to learn them, but to be learned in them, <I>mighty
|
||
|
|
in the scriptures.</I></P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
II. The use he would make of his divine learning. He coveted to be
|
||
|
|
learned in the laws of God, not that he might make himself a name and
|
||
|
|
interest among men, or fill his own head with entertaining
|
||
|
|
speculations, but,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
1. That he might give God the glory of his learning: <I>I will praise
|
||
|
|
thee when I have learned thy judgments,</I> intimating that he could
|
||
|
|
not learn unless God taught him, and that divine instructions are
|
||
|
|
special blessings, which we have reason to be thankful for. Though
|
||
|
|
Christ keeps a free-school, and teaches without money and without
|
||
|
|
price, yet he expects his scholars should give him thanks both for his
|
||
|
|
word and for his Spirit; surely it is a mercy worth thanks to be taught
|
||
|
|
so gainful a calling as religion is. Those have learned a good lesson
|
||
|
|
who have learned to praise God, for that is the work of angels, the
|
||
|
|
work of heaven. It is an easy thing to praise God in word and tongue;
|
||
|
|
but those only are well learned in this mystery who have learned to
|
||
|
|
<I>praise</I> him <I>with uprightness of heart,</I> that is, are inward
|
||
|
|
with him in praising him, and sincerely aim at his glory in the course
|
||
|
|
of their conversation as well as in the exercises of devotion. God
|
||
|
|
accepts only the praises of the upright.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
2. That he might himself come under the government of that learning:
|
||
|
|
<I>When I shall have learned thy righteous judgments I will keep thy
|
||
|
|
statutes.</I> We cannot keep them unless we learn them; but we learn
|
||
|
|
them in vain if we do not keep them. Those have well learned God's
|
||
|
|
statutes who have come up to a full resolution, in the strength of his
|
||
|
|
grace, to keep them.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
III. His prayer to God not to leave him: "<I>O forsake me not!</I> that
|
||
|
|
is, leave me not to myself, withdraw not thy Spirit and grace from me,
|
||
|
|
for then <I>I shall</I> not <I>keep thy statutes.</I>" Good men see
|
||
|
|
themselves undone if God forsakes them; for then the tempter will be
|
||
|
|
too hard for them. "Though thou seem to forsake me, and threaten to
|
||
|
|
forsake me, and dost, for a time, withdraw from me, yet let not the
|
||
|
|
desertion be total and final; for that is hell. <I>O forsake me not
|
||
|
|
utterly!</I> for woe unto me if God departs from me."</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Ps119_9"> </A>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Sec2"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
|
||
|
|
<TR><TD ALIGN=CENTER><FONT SIZE=+1>2. BETH.</FONT></TD>
|
||
|
|
<TD ALIGN=RIGHT><FONT SIZE=-1> <! -- Date --> </FONT></TD></TR>
|
||
|
|
</TABLE>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>9 Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by
|
||
|
|
taking heed <I>thereto</I> according to thy word.
|
||
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Here is,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
1. A weighty question asked. By what means may the next generation be
|
||
|
|
made better than this? <I>Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his
|
||
|
|
way?</I> Cleansing implies that it is polluted. Besides the original
|
||
|
|
corruption we all brought into the world with us (from which we are not
|
||
|
|
cleansed unto this day), there are many particular sins which young
|
||
|
|
people are subject to, by which they defile their way, <I>youthful
|
||
|
|
lusts</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ti+2:22">2 Tim. ii. 22</A>);
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
these render their way offensive to God and disgraceful to themselves.
|
||
|
|
Young men are concerned to cleanse their way--to get their hearts
|
||
|
|
renewed and their lives reformed, to make clean, and keep clean, from
|
||
|
|
the <I>corruption that is in the world through lust,</I> that they may
|
||
|
|
have both a good conscience and a good name. Few young people do
|
||
|
|
themselves enquire by what means they may recover and preserve their
|
||
|
|
purity; and therefore David asks the question for them.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
2. A satisfactory answer given to this question. Young men may
|
||
|
|
effectually <I>cleanse their way by taking heed thereto according
|
||
|
|
to</I> the word of God; and it is the honour of the word of God that it
|
||
|
|
has such power and is of such use both to particular persons and to
|
||
|
|
communities, whose happiness lies much in the virtue of their youth.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(1.) Young men must make the word of God their rule, must acquaint
|
||
|
|
themselves with it and resolve to conform themselves to it; that will
|
||
|
|
do more towards the cleansing of young men that the laws of princes or
|
||
|
|
the morals of philosophers.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(2.) They must carefully apply that rule and make use of it; they must
|
||
|
|
take heed to their way, must examine it by the word of God, as a
|
||
|
|
touchstone and standard, must rectify what is amiss in it by that
|
||
|
|
regulator and steer by that chart and compass. God's word will not do
|
||
|
|
without our watchfulness, and a constant regard both to it and to our
|
||
|
|
way, that we may compare them together. The ruin of young men is either
|
||
|
|
living at large (or by no rule at all) or choosing to themselves false
|
||
|
|
rules: let them ponder the path of their feet, and walk by
|
||
|
|
scripture-rules; so their way shall be clean, and they shall have the
|
||
|
|
comfort and credit of it here and for ever.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Ps119_10"> </A>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>10 With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander
|
||
|
|
from thy commandments.
|
||
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Here is,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
1. David's experience of a good work God had wrought in him, which he
|
||
|
|
takes the comfort of and pleads with God: "<I>I have sought thee,</I>
|
||
|
|
sought to thee as my oracle, sought after thee as my happiness, sought
|
||
|
|
thee as my God; for <I>should not a people seek unto their God?</I> If
|
||
|
|
I have not yet found thee, <I>I have sought thee,</I> and thou never
|
||
|
|
saidst, Seek in vain, nor wilt say so to me, for <I>I have sought thee
|
||
|
|
with my heart, with my whole heart,</I> sought thee only, sought thee
|
||
|
|
diligently."
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
2. His prayer for the preservation of that work: "Thou that hast
|
||
|
|
inclined me to seek thy precepts, never suffer me to wander from them."
|
||
|
|
The best are sensible of their aptness to wander; and the more we have
|
||
|
|
found of the pleasure there is in keeping God's commandments the more
|
||
|
|
afraid we shall be of wandering from them and the more earnest we shall
|
||
|
|
be in prayer to God for his grace to prevent our wanderings.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Ps119_11"> </A>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>11 Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin
|
||
|
|
against thee.
|
||
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Here is,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
1. The close application which David made of the word of God to
|
||
|
|
himself: <I>He hid it in his heart,</I> laid it up there, that it might
|
||
|
|
be ready to him whenever he had occasion to use it; he laid it up as
|
||
|
|
that which he valued highly, and had a warm regard for, and which he
|
||
|
|
was afraid of losing and being robbed of. God's word is a treasure
|
||
|
|
worth laying up, and there is no laying it up safely but in our hearts;
|
||
|
|
if we have it only in our houses and hands, enemies may take it from
|
||
|
|
us; if only in our heads, our memories may fail us: but if our hearts
|
||
|
|
be delivered into the mould of it, and the impressions of it remain on
|
||
|
|
our souls, it is safe.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
2. The good uses he designed to make of it: <I>That I might not sin
|
||
|
|
against thee.</I> Good men are afraid of sin, and are in care to
|
||
|
|
prevent it; and the most effectual way to prevent is to hide God's word
|
||
|
|
in our hearts, that we may answer every temptation, as our Master did,
|
||
|
|
with, <I>It is written,</I> may oppose God's precepts to the dominion
|
||
|
|
of sin, his promises to its allurements, and his threatenings to its
|
||
|
|
menaces.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Ps119_12"> </A>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>12 Blessed <I>art</I> thou, O L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT>: teach me thy statutes.
|
||
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Here,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
1. David gives glory to God: "<I>Blessed art thou, O Lord!</I> Thou art
|
||
|
|
infinitely happy in the enjoyment of thyself and hast no need of me or
|
||
|
|
my services; yet thou art pleased to reckon thyself honoured by them;
|
||
|
|
assist me therefore, and then accept me." In all our prayers we should
|
||
|
|
intermix praises.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
2. He asks grace from God: "<I>Teach me thy statutes;</I> give me to
|
||
|
|
know and do my duty in every thing. Thou art the fountain of all
|
||
|
|
blessedness; O let me have this drop from that fountain, this blessing
|
||
|
|
from that blessedness: <I>Teach me thy statutes,</I> that I may know
|
||
|
|
how to bless thee, who art a blessed God, and that I may be blessed in
|
||
|
|
thee."</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Ps119_13"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Ps119_14"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Ps119_15"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Ps119_16"> </A>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>13 With my lips have I declared all the judgments of thy mouth.
|
||
|
|
14 I have rejoiced in the way of thy testimonies, as <I>much as</I>
|
||
|
|
in all riches.
|
||
|
|
15 I will meditate in thy precepts, and have respect unto thy
|
||
|
|
ways.
|
||
|
|
16 I will delight myself in thy statutes: I will not forget thy
|
||
|
|
word.
|
||
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Here,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
I. David looks back with comfort upon the respect he had paid to the
|
||
|
|
word of God. He had the testimony of his conscience for him,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
1. That he had edified others with what he had been taught out of the
|
||
|
|
word of God
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+119:13"><I>v.</I> 13</A>):
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<I>With my lips have I declared all the judgments of thy mouth.</I>
|
||
|
|
This he did, not only as a king in making orders, and giving judgment,
|
||
|
|
according to the word of God, nor only as a prophet by his psalms, but
|
||
|
|
in his common discourse. Thus he showed how full he was of the word of
|
||
|
|
God, and what a holy delight he took in his acquaintance with it; for
|
||
|
|
it is <I>out of the abundance of the heart</I> that <I>the mouth
|
||
|
|
speaks.</I> Thus he did good with his knowledge; he did not hide God's
|
||
|
|
word from others, but hid it for them; and, out of that <I>good
|
||
|
|
treasure in his heart,</I> brought <I>forth good things,</I> as the
|
||
|
|
householder out of his store <I>things new and old.</I> Those whose
|
||
|
|
hearts are fed with the bread of life should with their lips feed many.
|
||
|
|
He had prayed
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+119:12"><I>v.</I> 12</A>)
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
that God would teach him; and here he pleads, "Lord, I have endeavoured
|
||
|
|
to make a good use of the knowledge thou hast given me, therefore
|
||
|
|
increase it;" for <I>to him that has shall be given.</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
2. That he had entertained himself with it: "<I>Lord, teach me thy
|
||
|
|
statutes;</I> for I desire no greater pleasure than to know and do them
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+119:14"><I>v.</I> 14</A>):
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<I>I have rejoiced in the way of thy commandments,</I> in a constant
|
||
|
|
even course of obedience to thee; not only in the speculations and
|
||
|
|
histories of thy word, but in the precepts of it, and in that path of
|
||
|
|
serious godliness which they chalk out to me. <I>I have rejoiced in</I>
|
||
|
|
this <I>as much as in all riches,</I> as much as ever any worldling
|
||
|
|
rejoiced in the increase of his wealth. In the way of God's
|
||
|
|
commandments I can truly say, <I>Soul, take thy ease;</I>" in true
|
||
|
|
religion there is all riches, the unsearchable riches of Christ.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
II. He looks forward with a holy resolution never to cool in his
|
||
|
|
affection to the word of God; what he <I>does that he will do,</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Co+11:12">2 Cor. xi. 12</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Those that have found pleasure in the ways of God are likely to proceed
|
||
|
|
and persevere in them.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
1. He will dwell much upon them in his thoughts
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+119:15"><I>v.</I> 15</A>):
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<I>I will meditate in thy precepts.</I> He not only discoursed of them
|
||
|
|
to others (many do that only to show their knowledge and authority),
|
||
|
|
but he communed with his own heart about them, and took pains to digest
|
||
|
|
in his own thoughts what he had declared, or had to declare, to others.
|
||
|
|
Note, God's words ought to be very much the subject of our thoughts.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
2. He will have them always in his eye: <I>I will have respect unto
|
||
|
|
thy ways,</I> as the traveller has to his road, which he is in care not
|
||
|
|
to miss and always aims and endeavours to hit. We do not meditate on
|
||
|
|
God's precepts to good purpose unless we have respect to them as our
|
||
|
|
rule and our good thoughts produce good works and good intentions in
|
||
|
|
them.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
3. He will take a constant pleasure in communion with God and obedience
|
||
|
|
to him. It is not for a season that he rejoices in this light, but
|
||
|
|
"<I>I will</I> still, I will for ever, <I>delight myself in thy
|
||
|
|
statutes,</I> not only think of them, but do them with delight,"
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+119:16"><I>v.</I> 16</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
David took more delight in God's statutes than in the pleasures of his
|
||
|
|
court or the honours of his camp, more than in his sword or in his
|
||
|
|
harp. When the law is written in the heart duty becomes a delight.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
4. He will never forget what he has learned of the things of God:
|
||
|
|
"<I>I will not forget thy word,</I> not only I will not quite forget
|
||
|
|
it, but I will be mindful of it when I have occasion to use it." Those
|
||
|
|
that meditate in God's word, and delight in it, are in no great danger
|
||
|
|
of forgetting it.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Ps119_17"> </A>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Sec3"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
|
||
|
|
<TR><TD ALIGN=CENTER><FONT SIZE=+1>3. GIMEL.</FONT></TD>
|
||
|
|
<TD ALIGN=RIGHT><FONT SIZE=-1> <! -- Date --> </FONT></TD></TR>
|
||
|
|
</TABLE>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>17 Deal bountifully with thy servant, <I>that</I> I may live,
|
||
|
|
and keep thy word.
|
||
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
We are here taught,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
1. That we owe our lives to God's mercy. David prays, <I>Deal
|
||
|
|
bountifully with</I> me, <I>that I may live.</I> It was God's bounty
|
||
|
|
that gave us life, that gave us this life; and the same bounty that
|
||
|
|
gave it continues it, and gives all the supports and comforts of it; if
|
||
|
|
these be withheld, we die, or, which is equivalent, our lives are
|
||
|
|
embittered and we become weary of them. If God deals in strict justice
|
||
|
|
with us, we die, we perish, we all perish; if these forfeited lives be
|
||
|
|
preserved and prolonged, it is because God deals bountifully with us,
|
||
|
|
according to his mercy, not according to our deserts. The continuance
|
||
|
|
of the most useful life is owing to God's bounty, and on that we must
|
||
|
|
have a continual dependence.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
2. That therefore we ought to spend our lives in God's service. Life is
|
||
|
|
<I>therefore</I> a choice mercy, because it is an opportunity of
|
||
|
|
obeying God in this world, where there are so few that do glorify him;
|
||
|
|
and this David had in his eye: "Not <I>that I may live</I> and grow
|
||
|
|
rich, live and be merry, but <I>that I may live and keep thy word,</I>
|
||
|
|
may observe it myself and transmit it to those that shall come after,
|
||
|
|
which the longer I live the better I shall do."</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Ps119_18"> </A>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>18 Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out
|
||
|
|
of thy law.
|
||
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Observe here,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
1. That there are <I>wondrous things</I> in God's <I>law,</I> which we
|
||
|
|
are all concerned, and should covet, to <I>behold,</I> not only strange
|
||
|
|
things, which are very surprising and unexpected, but excellent things,
|
||
|
|
which are to be highly esteemed and valued, and things which were long
|
||
|
|
<I>hidden from the wise and prudent,</I> but are now <I>revealed unto
|
||
|
|
babes.</I> If there were wonders in the law, much more in the gospel,
|
||
|
|
where Christ is all in all, whose name is <I>Wonderful.</I> Well may
|
||
|
|
we, who are so nearly interested, desire to behold these wondrous
|
||
|
|
things, when the angels themselves reach <I>to look into them,</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Pe+1:12">1 Pet. i. 12</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Those that would see the wondrous things of God's law and gospel must
|
||
|
|
beg of him to <I>open their eyes</I> and to give them an understanding.
|
||
|
|
We are by nature blind to the things of God, till his grace cause the
|
||
|
|
scales to fall from our eyes; and even those in whose hearts God has
|
||
|
|
said, <I>Let there be light,</I> have yet need to be further
|
||
|
|
enlightened, and must still pray to God to open their eyes yet more and
|
||
|
|
more, that those who at first <I>saw men as trees walking</I> may come
|
||
|
|
to see all things clearly; and the more God opens our eyes the more
|
||
|
|
wonders we see in the word of God, which we saw not before.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Ps119_19"> </A>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>19 I <I>am</I> a stranger in the earth: hide not thy commandments
|
||
|
|
from me.
|
||
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Here we have,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
1. The acknowledgment which David makes of his own condition: <I>I am a
|
||
|
|
stranger in the earth.</I> We all are so, and all good people confess
|
||
|
|
themselves to be so; for heaven is their home, and the world is but
|
||
|
|
their inn, the land of their pilgrimage. David was a man that knew as
|
||
|
|
much of the world, and was as well known in it, as most men. God built
|
||
|
|
him a house, established his throne; strangers submitted to him, and
|
||
|
|
people that he had not known served him; he had a name like the names
|
||
|
|
of the great men, and yet he calls himself a stranger. We are all
|
||
|
|
strangers on earth and must so account ourselves.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
2. The request he makes to God thereupon: <I>Hide not thy commandments
|
||
|
|
from me.</I> He means more: "Lord, show thy commandments to me; let me
|
||
|
|
never know the want of the word of God, but, as long as I live, give me
|
||
|
|
to be growing in my acquaintance with it. <I>I am a stranger,</I> and
|
||
|
|
therefore stand in need of a guide, a guard, a companion, a comforter;
|
||
|
|
let me have thy commandments always in view, for they will be all this
|
||
|
|
to me, all that a poor stranger can desire. <I>I am a stranger</I>
|
||
|
|
here, and must be gone shortly; by thy commandments let me be prepared
|
||
|
|
for my removal hence."</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Ps119_20"> </A>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>20 My soul breaketh for the longing <I>that it hath</I> unto thy
|
||
|
|
judgments at all times.
|
||
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
David had prayed that God would open his eyes
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+119:18"><I>v.</I> 18</A>)
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
and open the law
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+119:19"><I>v.</I> 19</A>);
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
now here he pleads the earnestness of his desire for knowledge and
|
||
|
|
grace, for it is the fervent prayer that avails much.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
1. His desire was importunate: <I>My soul breaketh for the longing it
|
||
|
|
hath to thy judgments,</I> or (as some read it) "<I>It is taken up, and
|
||
|
|
wholly employed, in longing for thy judgments;</I> the whole stream of
|
||
|
|
its desires runs in this channel. I shall think myself quite broken and
|
||
|
|
undone if I want the word of God, the direction, converse, and comfort
|
||
|
|
of it."
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
2. It was constant--<I>at all times.</I> It was not now and then, in a
|
||
|
|
good humour, that he was so fond of the word of God; but it is the
|
||
|
|
habitual temper of every sanctified soul to hunger after the word of
|
||
|
|
God as its necessary food, which there is no living without.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Ps119_21"> </A>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>21 Thou hast rebuked the proud <I>that are</I> cursed, which do err
|
||
|
|
from thy commandments.
|
||
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Here is,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
1. The wretched character of wicked people. The temper of their minds
|
||
|
|
is bad. They are <I>proud;</I> they magnify themselves above others.
|
||
|
|
And yet that is not all: they magnify themselves against God, and set
|
||
|
|
up their wills in competition with and opposition to the will of God,
|
||
|
|
as if their hearts, and tongues, and all, were their own. There is
|
||
|
|
something of pride at the bottom of every wilful sin, and the tenour of
|
||
|
|
their lives is no better: They <I>do err from thy commandments,</I> as
|
||
|
|
Israel, that did <I>always err in their hearts;</I> they err in
|
||
|
|
judgment, and embrace principles contrary to thy commandments, and then
|
||
|
|
no wonder that they err in practice, and wilfully turn aside out of the
|
||
|
|
good way. This is the effect of their pride; for they say, <I>What is
|
||
|
|
the Almighty, that we should serve him?</I> As Pharaoh, <I>Who is the
|
||
|
|
Lord?</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
2. The wretched case of such. They are certainly cursed, for <I>God
|
||
|
|
resists the proud;</I> and those that throw off the commands of the law
|
||
|
|
lay themselves under its curse
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ga+3:10">Gal. iii. 10</A>),
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
and he that now <I>beholds them afar off</I> will shortly say to them,
|
||
|
|
<I>Go, you cursed.</I> The proud sinners bless themselves; God curses
|
||
|
|
them; and, though the most direful effects of this curse are reserved
|
||
|
|
for the other world, yet they are often severely rebuked in this world:
|
||
|
|
Providence crosses them, vexes them, and, wherein they dealt proudly,
|
||
|
|
God shows himself above them; and these rebukes are earnests of worse.
|
||
|
|
David took notice of the rebukes proud men were under, and it made him
|
||
|
|
cleave the more closely to the word of God and pray the more earnestly
|
||
|
|
that he might not <I>err from God's commandments.</I> Thus saints get
|
||
|
|
good by God's judgments on sinners.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Ps119_22"> </A>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>22 Remove from me reproach and contempt; for I have kept thy
|
||
|
|
testimonies.
|
||
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Here,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
1. David prays against the reproach and contempt of men, that they
|
||
|
|
might be <I>removed,</I> or (as the word is) <I>rolled, from off
|
||
|
|
him.</I> This intimates that they lay upon him, and that neither his
|
||
|
|
greatness nor his goodness could secure him from being libelled and
|
||
|
|
lampooned. Some despised him and endeavoured to make him mean; others
|
||
|
|
reproached him and endeavoured to make him odious. It has often been
|
||
|
|
the lot of those that do well to be ill-spoken of. It intimates that
|
||
|
|
they lay heavily upon him. Hard and foul words indeed break no bones,
|
||
|
|
and yet they are very grievous to a tender and ingenuous spirit;
|
||
|
|
therefore David prays, "Lord, <I>remove</I> them from me, that I may
|
||
|
|
not be thereby either driven from my duty or discouraged in it." God
|
||
|
|
has all men's hearts and tongues in his hand, and can silence lying
|
||
|
|
lips, and raise up a good name that is trodden in the dust. To him we
|
||
|
|
may appeal as the assertor of right and avenger of wrong, and may
|
||
|
|
depend on his promise that he will clear up our <I>righteousness as the
|
||
|
|
light,</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+37:6">Ps. xxxvii. 6</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Reproach and contempt may humble us and do us good and then it shall be
|
||
|
|
removed.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
2. He pleads his constant adherence to the word and way of God: <I>For
|
||
|
|
I have kept thy testimonies.</I> He not only pleads his innocency, that
|
||
|
|
he was unjustly censured, but,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(1.) That he was jeered for well-doing. He was despised and abused for
|
||
|
|
his strictness and zeal in religion; so that it was for God's name's
|
||
|
|
sake that he suffered reproach, and therefore he could with the more
|
||
|
|
assurance beg of God to appear for him. The reproach of God's people,
|
||
|
|
if it be not removed now, will be turned into the greater honour
|
||
|
|
shortly.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(2.) That he was not jeered out of well-doing: "Lord, remove it from
|
||
|
|
me, <I>for I have kept thy testimonies</I> notwithstanding." If in a
|
||
|
|
day of trial we still retain our integrity, we may be sure it will end
|
||
|
|
well.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Ps119_23"> </A>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>23 Princes also did sit <I>and</I> speak against me: <I>but</I> thy
|
||
|
|
servant did meditate in thy statutes.
|
||
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
See here,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
1. How David was abused even by great men, who should have known better
|
||
|
|
his character and his case, and have been more generous: <I>Princes did
|
||
|
|
sit,</I> sit in council, sit in judgment, and <I>speak against me.</I>
|
||
|
|
What even princes say is not always right; but it is sad when judgment
|
||
|
|
is thus turned to wormwood, when those that should be the protectors of
|
||
|
|
the innocent are their betrayers. Herein David was a type of Christ,
|
||
|
|
for they were the princes of this world that vilified and <I>crucified
|
||
|
|
the Lord of glory,</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Co+2:8">1 Cor. ii. 8</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
2. What method he took to make himself easy under these abuses: he
|
||
|
|
<I>meditated in God's statutes,</I> went on in his duty, and did not
|
||
|
|
regard them; as a deaf man, he heard not. When they spoke against him,
|
||
|
|
he found that in the word of God which spoke for him, and spoke comfort
|
||
|
|
to him, and then none of these things moved him. Those that have
|
||
|
|
pleasure in communion with God may easily despise the censures of men,
|
||
|
|
even of princes.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Ps119_24"> </A>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>24 Thy testimonies also <I>are</I> my delight <I>and</I> my counsellors.
|
||
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Here David explains his meditating in God's statutes
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+119:23"><I>v.</I> 23</A>),
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
which was of such use to him when princes sat and spoke against him.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
1. Did the affliction make his sad? The word of God comforted him, and
|
||
|
|
was <I>his delight,</I> more his delight than any of the pleasures
|
||
|
|
either of court or camp, of city or country. Sometimes it proves that
|
||
|
|
the comforts of the word of God are most pleasant to a gracious soul
|
||
|
|
when other comforts are embittered.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
2. Did it perplex him? Was he at a loss what to do when the princes
|
||
|
|
spoke against him? God's statutes were <I>his counsellors,</I> and they
|
||
|
|
counselled him to bear it patiently and commit his cause to God. God's
|
||
|
|
<I>testimonies</I> will be the best counsellors both to princes and
|
||
|
|
private persons. <I>They are the men of my counsel;</I> so the word is.
|
||
|
|
There will be found more safety and satisfaction in consulting them
|
||
|
|
than in the multitude of other counsellors. Observe here, Those that
|
||
|
|
would have God's testimonies to be their delight must take them for
|
||
|
|
their counsellors and be advised by them; and let those that take them
|
||
|
|
for their counsellors in close walking take them for their delight in
|
||
|
|
comfortable walking.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Ps119_25"> </A>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Sec4"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
|
||
|
|
<TR><TD ALIGN=CENTER><FONT SIZE=+1>4. DALETH.</FONT></TD>
|
||
|
|
<TD ALIGN=RIGHT><FONT SIZE=-1> <! -- Date --> </FONT></TD></TR>
|
||
|
|
</TABLE>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>25 My soul cleaveth unto the dust: quicken thou me
|
||
|
|
according to thy word.
|
||
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Here is,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
I. David's complaint. We should have thought his soul soaring to
|
||
|
|
heaven; but he says himself, <I>My soul</I> not only rolls in the dust,
|
||
|
|
but <I>cleaves to the dust,</I> which is a complaint either,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
1. Of his corruptions, his inclination to the world and the body (both
|
||
|
|
which are dust), and that which follows upon it, a deadness to holy
|
||
|
|
duties. When he would <I>do good evil was present with him.</I> God
|
||
|
|
intimated that Adam was not only mortal, but sinful, when he said,
|
||
|
|
<I>Dust thou art,</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ge+3:19">Gen. iii. 19</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
David's complaint here is like St. Paul's of a body of death that he
|
||
|
|
carried about with him. The remainders of in-dwelling corruption are a
|
||
|
|
very grievous burden to a gracious soul. Or,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
2. Of his afflictions, either trouble of mind or outward trouble.
|
||
|
|
<I>Without were fightings, within were fears,</I> and both together
|
||
|
|
brought him even to the <I>dust of death</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+22:15">Ps. xxii. 15</A>),
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
and his soul clave inseparably to it.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
II. His petition for relief, and his plea to enforce that petition:
|
||
|
|
"<I>Quicken thou me according to thy word.</I> By thy providence put
|
||
|
|
life into my affairs, by thy grace put life into my affections; cure me
|
||
|
|
of my spiritual deadness and make me lively in my devotion." Note, When
|
||
|
|
we find ourselves dull we must go to God and beg of him to quicken us;
|
||
|
|
he has an eye to God's word as a means of quickening (for the words
|
||
|
|
which God speaks, <I>they are spirit and they are life</I> to those
|
||
|
|
that receive them), and as an encouragement to hope that God would
|
||
|
|
quicken him, having promised grace and comfort to all the saints, and
|
||
|
|
to David in particular. God's word must be our guide and plea in every
|
||
|
|
prayer.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Ps119_26"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Ps119_27"> </A>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>26 I have declared my ways, and thou heardest me: teach me thy
|
||
|
|
statutes.
|
||
|
|
27 Make me to understand the way of thy precepts: so shall I
|
||
|
|
talk of thy wondrous works.
|
||
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
We have here,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
1. The great intimacy and freedom that had been between David and his
|
||
|
|
God. David had opened his case, opened his very heart to God: "<I>I
|
||
|
|
have declared my ways,</I> and acknowledged thee in them all, have
|
||
|
|
taken thee along with me in all my designs and enterprises." Thus
|
||
|
|
<I>Jephthah uttered all his words,</I> and Hezekiah spread his letters,
|
||
|
|
<I>before the Lord. "I have declared my ways,</I> my wants, and
|
||
|
|
burdens, and troubles, that I meet with in my way, or my sins, my
|
||
|
|
by-ways (I have made an ingenuous confession of them), and <I>thou
|
||
|
|
heardest me,</I> heardest patiently all I had to say, and tookedst
|
||
|
|
cognizance of my case." It is an unspeakable comfort to a gracious soul
|
||
|
|
to think with what tenderness all its complaints are received by a
|
||
|
|
gracious God,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Jo+5:14,15">1 John v. 14, 15</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
2. David's earnest desire of the continuance of that intimacy, not by
|
||
|
|
visions and voices from heaven, but by the word and Spirit in an
|
||
|
|
ordinary way: <I>Teach me thy statutes,</I> that is, <I>Make me to
|
||
|
|
understand the way of thy precepts.</I> When he knew God had heard his
|
||
|
|
declaration of his ways he did not say, "Now, Lord, tell me my lot, and
|
||
|
|
let me know what the event will be;" but, "Now, Lord, tell me my duty;
|
||
|
|
let me know what thou wouldst have me to do as the case stands." Note,
|
||
|
|
Those who in all their ways acknowledge God may pray in faith that he
|
||
|
|
will <I>direct their steps</I> in the right way. And the surest way of
|
||
|
|
keeping up our communion with God is by learning his statutes and
|
||
|
|
walking intelligently in the <I>way of his precepts.</I> See
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Jo+1:6,7">1 John i. 6, 7</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
3. The good use he would make of this for the honour of God and the
|
||
|
|
edification of others: "Let me have a good understanding of <I>the way
|
||
|
|
of thy precepts;</I> give me a clear, distinct, and methodical
|
||
|
|
knowledge of divine things; <I>so shall I talk</I> with the more
|
||
|
|
assurance, and the more to the purpose, <I>of thy wondrous works.</I>"
|
||
|
|
We can talk with a better grace of God's wondrous works, the wonders of
|
||
|
|
providence, and especially the wonders of redeeming love, when we
|
||
|
|
understand the way of God's precepts and walk in that way.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Ps119_28"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Ps119_29"> </A>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>28 My soul melteth for heaviness: strengthen thou me according
|
||
|
|
unto thy word.
|
||
|
|
29 Remove from me the way of lying: and grant me thy law
|
||
|
|
graciously.
|
||
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Here is,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
1. David's representation of his own griefs: <I>My soul melteth for
|
||
|
|
heaviness,</I> which is to the same purport with
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+119:25"><I>v.</I> 25</A>,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<I>My soul cleaveth to the dust.</I> Heaviness in the heart of man
|
||
|
|
makes it to melt, to drop away like a candle that wastes. The penitent
|
||
|
|
soul melts in sorrow for sin, and even the patient soul may melt in the
|
||
|
|
sense of affliction, and it is then its interest to pour out its
|
||
|
|
supplication before God.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
2. His request for God's grace.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(1.) That God would enable him to bear his affliction well and
|
||
|
|
graciously support him under it: "<I>Strengthen thou me</I> with
|
||
|
|
strength in my soul, <I>according to thy word,</I> which, as the bread
|
||
|
|
of life, strengthens man's heart to undergo whatever God is pleased to
|
||
|
|
inflict. Strengthen me to do the duties, resist the temptations, and
|
||
|
|
bear up under the burdens, of an afflicted state, that the spirit may
|
||
|
|
not fail. <I>Strengthen me according to</I> that <I>word</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+33:25">Deut. xxxiii. 25</A>),
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<I>As thy days so shall thy strength be.</I>"
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(2.) That God would keep him from using any unlawful indirect means for
|
||
|
|
the extricating of himself out of his troubles
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+119:29"><I>v.</I> 29</A>):
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<I>Remove from me the way of lying.</I> David was conscious to himself
|
||
|
|
of a proneness to this sin; he had, in a strait, cheated Ahimelech
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Sa+21:2">1 Sam. xxi. 2</A>),
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
and Achish,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Sa+21:13,27:10"><I>v.</I> 13 and <I>ch.</I> xxvii. 10</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Great difficulties are great temptations to palliate a lie with the
|
||
|
|
colour of a pious fraud and a necessary self-defence; therefore David
|
||
|
|
prays that God would prevent him from falling into this sin any more,
|
||
|
|
lest he should settle in the way of it. A course of lying, of deceit
|
||
|
|
and dissimulation, is that which every good man dreads and which we are
|
||
|
|
all concerned to beg of God by his grace to keep us from.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(3.) That he might always be under the guidance and protection of God's
|
||
|
|
government: <I>Grant me thy law graciously;</I> grant me that to keep
|
||
|
|
me from the <I>way of lying.</I> David had the law written with his own
|
||
|
|
hand, for the king was obliged to transcribe a copy of it for his own
|
||
|
|
use
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+17:18">Deut. xvii. 18</A>);
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
but he prays that he might have it written in his heart; for then, and
|
||
|
|
then only, we have it indeed, and to good purpose. "Grant it me more
|
||
|
|
and more." Those that know and love the law of God cannot but desire to
|
||
|
|
know it more and love it better. "Grant it me <I>graciously;</I>" he
|
||
|
|
begs it as a special token of God's favour. Note, We ought to reckon
|
||
|
|
God's law a grant, a gift, an unspeakable gift, to value it, and pray
|
||
|
|
for it, and to give thanks for it accordingly. The divine code of
|
||
|
|
institutes and precepts is indeed a charter of privileges; and God is
|
||
|
|
truly gracious to those whom he makes gracious by giving them his
|
||
|
|
law.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Ps119_30"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Ps119_31"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Ps119_32"> </A>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>30 I have chosen the way of truth: thy judgments have I laid
|
||
|
|
<I>before me.</I>
|
||
|
|
31 I have stuck unto thy testimonies: O L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT>, put me not to
|
||
|
|
shame.
|
||
|
|
32 I will run the way of thy commandments, when thou shalt
|
||
|
|
enlarge my heart.
|
||
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Observe,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
I. That those who will make anything to purpose of their religion must
|
||
|
|
first make it their serious and deliberate choice; so David did: <I>I
|
||
|
|
have chosen the way of truth.</I> Note,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
1. The way of serious godliness is the way of truth; the principles it
|
||
|
|
is founded on are principles of eternal truth, and it is the only true
|
||
|
|
way to happiness.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
2. We must choose to walk in this way, not because we know no other
|
||
|
|
way, but because we know no better; nay we know no other safe and good
|
||
|
|
way. Let us choose that way for our way, which we will walk in, though
|
||
|
|
it be narrow.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
II. That those who have chosen the way of truth must have a constant
|
||
|
|
regard to the word of God as the rule of their walking: <I>Thy
|
||
|
|
judgments have I laid before me,</I> as he who learns to write lays his
|
||
|
|
copy before him, that he may write according to it, as the workman lays
|
||
|
|
his model and platform before him, that he may do his work exactly. As
|
||
|
|
we must have the word in our heart by an habitual conformity to it, so
|
||
|
|
we must have it in our eye by an actual regard to it upon all
|
||
|
|
occasions, that we may walk accurately and by rule.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
III. That those who make religion their choice and rule are likely to
|
||
|
|
adhere to it faithfully: "<I>I have stuck to thy testimonies</I> with
|
||
|
|
unchanged affection and an unshaken resolution, stuck to them at all
|
||
|
|
times, through all trials. <I>I have chosen them,</I> and therefore
|
||
|
|
<I>I have stuck</I> to them." Note, The choosing Christian is likely to
|
||
|
|
be the steady Christian; while those that are Christians by chance tack
|
||
|
|
about if the wind turn.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
IV. That those who stick to the word of God may in faith expect and
|
||
|
|
pray for acceptance with God; for David means this when he begs,
|
||
|
|
"<I>Lord, put me not to shame;</I> that is, never leave me to do that
|
||
|
|
by which I shall shame myself, and do thou not reject my services,
|
||
|
|
which will put me to the greatest confusion."</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
V. That the more comfort God gives us the more duty he expects from us,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+119:32"><I>v.</I> 32</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Here we have,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
1. His resolution to go on vigorously in religion: <I>I will run the
|
||
|
|
way of thy commandments.</I> Those that are going to heaven should make
|
||
|
|
haste thither and be still pressing forward. It concerns us to redeem
|
||
|
|
time and take pains, and to go on in our business with cheerfulness. We
|
||
|
|
<I>then</I> run the way of our duty, when we are ready to it, and
|
||
|
|
pleasant in it, and <I>lay aside every weight,</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Heb+12:1">Heb. xii. 1</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
2. His dependence upon God for grace to do so: "I shall <I>then</I>
|
||
|
|
abound in thy work, <I>when thou shalt enlarge my heart.</I>" God, by
|
||
|
|
his Spirit, enlarges the hearts of his people when he gives them wisdom
|
||
|
|
(for that is called <I>largeness of heart,</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ki+4:29">1 Kings iv. 29</A>),
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
when he <I>sheds abroad the love of God</I> in the heart, and puts
|
||
|
|
gladness there. The joy of our Lord should be wheels to our
|
||
|
|
obedience.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Ps119_33"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Ps119_34"> </A>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Sec5"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
|
||
|
|
<TR><TD ALIGN=CENTER><FONT SIZE=+1>5. HE.</FONT></TD>
|
||
|
|
<TD ALIGN=RIGHT><FONT SIZE=-1> <! -- Date --> </FONT></TD></TR>
|
||
|
|
</TABLE>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>33 Teach me, O L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT>, the way of thy statutes; and I shall
|
||
|
|
keep it <I>unto</I> the end.
|
||
|
|
34 Give me understanding, and I shall keep thy law; yea, I
|
||
|
|
shall observe it with <I>my</I> whole heart.
|
||
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Here,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
I. David prays earnestly that God himself would be his teacher; he had
|
||
|
|
prophets, and wise men, and priests, about him, and was himself well
|
||
|
|
instructed in the law of God, yet he begs to be taught of God, as
|
||
|
|
knowing that <I>none teaches like him,</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Job+36:22">Job xxxvi. 22</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Observe here,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
1. What he desires to be taught, not the notions or language of God's
|
||
|
|
statutes, but <I>the way</I> of them--"the way of applying them to
|
||
|
|
myself and governing myself by them; teach me the way of my duty which
|
||
|
|
thy statutes prescribe, and in every doubtful case let me know what
|
||
|
|
thou wouldst have me to do, let me hear the word behind me, saying,
|
||
|
|
<I>This is the way, walk in it</I>"
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+30:21">Isa. xxx. 21</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
2. How he desires to be taught, in such a way as no man could teach
|
||
|
|
him: <I>Lord, give me understanding.</I> As the God of nature, he has
|
||
|
|
given us intellectual powers and faculties; but here we are taught to
|
||
|
|
pray that, as the God of grace, he would give us understanding to use
|
||
|
|
those powers and faculties about the great things which belong to our
|
||
|
|
peace, which, through the corruption of nature, we are averse to:
|
||
|
|
<I>Give me understanding,</I> an enlightened understanding; for it is
|
||
|
|
as good to have no understanding at all as not to have it sanctified.
|
||
|
|
Nor will the spirit of revelation in the word answer the end unless we
|
||
|
|
have the spirit of wisdom in the heart. This is that which we are
|
||
|
|
indebted to Christ for; for the <I>Son of God has come and has given us
|
||
|
|
understanding,</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Jo+5:20">1 John v. 20</A>.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
II. He promises faithfully that he would be a good scholar. If God
|
||
|
|
would teach him, he was sure he should learn to good purpose: "<I>I
|
||
|
|
shall keep thy law,</I> which I shall never do unless I be taught of
|
||
|
|
God, and therefore I earnestly desire that I may be taught." If God, by
|
||
|
|
his Spirit, give us a right and good understanding, we shall be,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
1. Constant in our obedience: "<I>I shall keep it to the end,</I> to
|
||
|
|
the end of my life, which will be the surest proof of sincerity." It
|
||
|
|
will not avail the traveller to keep the way for a while, if he do not
|
||
|
|
keep it to the end of his journey.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
2. Cordial in our obedience: <I>I shall observe it with my whole
|
||
|
|
heart,</I> with pleasure and delight, and with vigour and resolution.
|
||
|
|
That way which the whole heart goes the whole man goes; and that should
|
||
|
|
be the way of God's commandments, for the keeping of them is the whole
|
||
|
|
of man.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Ps119_35"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Ps119_36"> </A>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>35 Make me to go in the path of thy commandments; for therein
|
||
|
|
do I delight.
|
||
|
|
36 Incline my heart unto thy testimonies, and not to
|
||
|
|
covetousness.
|
||
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
He had before prayed to God to enlighten his understanding, that he
|
||
|
|
might know his duty, and not mistake concerning it; here he prays to
|
||
|
|
God to bow his will, and quicken the active powers of his soul, that he
|
||
|
|
might do his duty; for <I>it is God that works in us both to will and
|
||
|
|
to do,</I> as well as to understand, what is good,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Php+2:13">Phil. ii. 13</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Both the good head and the good heart are from the good grace of God,
|
||
|
|
and both are necessary to every good work. Observe here,</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
I. The grace he prays for.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
1. That God would make him able to do his duty: "<I>Make me to go;</I>
|
||
|
|
strengthen me for every good work." Since we are not sufficient of
|
||
|
|
ourselves, our dependence must be upon the grace of God, for from him
|
||
|
|
all our sufficiency is. God puts his Spirit within us, and so causes us
|
||
|
|
to <I>walk in his statutes</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Eze+36:27">Ezek. xxxvi. 27</A>),
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
and this is that which David here begs.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
2. That God would make him willing to do it, and would, by his grace,
|
||
|
|
subdue the aversion he naturally had to it: "<I>Incline my heart to thy
|
||
|
|
testimonies,</I> to those things which thy testimonies prescribe; not
|
||
|
|
only make me willing to do my duty, as that which I must do and
|
||
|
|
therefore am concerned to make the best of, but make me desirous to do
|
||
|
|
my duty as that which is agreeable to the new nature and really
|
||
|
|
advantageous to me." Duty is then done with delight when the heart is
|
||
|
|
inclined to it: it is God's grace that inclines us, and the more
|
||
|
|
backward we find ourselves to it the more earnest we must be for that
|
||
|
|
grace.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
II. The sin he prays against, and that is covetousness: "<I>Incline my
|
||
|
|
heart to keep thy testimonies,</I> and restrain and mortify the
|
||
|
|
inclination there is in me to <I>covetousness.</I>" That is a sin which
|
||
|
|
stands opposed to all God's testimonies; for the love of money is such
|
||
|
|
a sin as is the root of much sin, of all sin. Those therefore that
|
||
|
|
would have the love of God rooted in them must get the love of the
|
||
|
|
world rooted out of them; for <I>the friendship of the world is enmity
|
||
|
|
with God.</I> See in what way God deals with men, not by compulsion,
|
||
|
|
but he draws with the cords of a man, working in them an inclination to
|
||
|
|
that which is good and an aversion to that which is evil.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
III. His plea to enforce this prayer: "Lord, bring me to, and keep me
|
||
|
|
in, <I>the way of thy commandments, for therein do I delight;</I> and
|
||
|
|
therefore I pray thus earnestly for grace to walk in that way. Thou
|
||
|
|
hast wrought in me this delight in the way of thy commandments; wilt
|
||
|
|
thou not work in me an ability to walk in them, and so crown thy own
|
||
|
|
work?"</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Ps119_37"> </A>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>37 Turn away mine eyes from beholding vanity; <I>and</I> quicken
|
||
|
|
thou me in thy way.
|
||
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Here,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
1. David prays for restraining grace, that he might be prevented and
|
||
|
|
kept back from that which would hinder him in the way of his duty:
|
||
|
|
<I>Turn away my eyes from beholding vanity.</I> The honours, pleasures,
|
||
|
|
and profits of the world are the vanities, the aspect and prospect of
|
||
|
|
which draw multitudes away from the paths of religion and godliness.
|
||
|
|
The eye, when fastened on these, infects the heart with the love of
|
||
|
|
them, and so it is alienated from God and divine things; and therefore,
|
||
|
|
as we ought to <I>make a covenant with our eyes,</I> and lay a charge
|
||
|
|
upon them, that they shall not wander after, much less fix upon, that
|
||
|
|
which is dangerous
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Job+31:1">Job xxxi. 1</A>),
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
so we ought to pray that God by his providence would keep vanity out of
|
||
|
|
our sight and that by his grace he would keep us from being enamoured
|
||
|
|
with the sight of it.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
2. He prays for constraining grace, that he might not only be kept from
|
||
|
|
every thing that would obstruct his progress heaven-ward, but might
|
||
|
|
have that grace which was necessary to forward him in that progress:
|
||
|
|
"<I>Quicken thou me in thy way;</I> quicken me to redeem time, to
|
||
|
|
improve opportunity, to press forward, and to do every duty with
|
||
|
|
liveliness and fervency of spirit." Beholding vanity deadens us and
|
||
|
|
slackens our pace; a traveller that stands gazing upon every object
|
||
|
|
that presents itself to his view will not rid ground; but, if our eyes
|
||
|
|
be kept from that which would divert us, our hearts will be kept to
|
||
|
|
that which will excite us.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Ps119_38"> </A>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>38 Stablish thy word unto thy servant, who <I>is devoted</I> to thy
|
||
|
|
fear.
|
||
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Here is
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
1. The character of a good man, which is the work of God's grace in
|
||
|
|
him; he is <I>God's servant,</I> subject to his law and employed in his
|
||
|
|
work, that is, <I>devoted to his fear,</I> given up to his direction
|
||
|
|
and disposal, and taken up with high thoughts of him and all those acts
|
||
|
|
of devotion which have a tendency to his glory. Those are truly God's
|
||
|
|
servants who, though they have their infirmities and defects, are
|
||
|
|
sincerely <I>devoted to the fear of God</I> and have all their
|
||
|
|
affections and motions governed by that fear; they are engaged and
|
||
|
|
addicted to religion.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
2. The confidence that a good man has towards God, in dependence upon
|
||
|
|
the word of his grace to him. Those that are God's servants may, in
|
||
|
|
faith and with humble boldness, pray that God would <I>establish his
|
||
|
|
word to them,</I> that is, that he would fulfil his promises to them in
|
||
|
|
due time, and in the mean time give them an assurance that they shall
|
||
|
|
be fulfilled. What God has promised we must pray for; we need not be so
|
||
|
|
aspiring as to ask more; we need not be so modest as to ask less.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Ps119_39"> </A>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>39 Turn away my reproach which I fear: for thy judgments <I>are</I>
|
||
|
|
good.
|
||
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Here,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
1. David prays against <I>reproach,</I> as before,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+119:22"><I>v.</I> 22</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
David was conscious to himself that he had done that which might give
|
||
|
|
<I>occasion to the enemies of the Lord to blaspheme,</I> which would
|
||
|
|
blemish his own reputation and turn to the dishonour of his family; now
|
||
|
|
he prays that God, who has all men's hearts and tongues in his hands,
|
||
|
|
would be pleased to prevent this, to <I>deliver him from all his
|
||
|
|
transgressions,</I> that he <I>might not be the reproach of the
|
||
|
|
foolish,</I> which he feared
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+39:8">Ps. xxxix. 8</A>);
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
or he means that reproach which his enemies unjustly loaded him with.
|
||
|
|
Let their <I>lying lips be put to silence.</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
2. He pleads the goodness of God's judgments: "Lord, thou sittest in
|
||
|
|
the throne, and <I>thy judgments are right</I> and <I>good,</I> just
|
||
|
|
and kind, to those that are wronged, and therefore to thee I appeal
|
||
|
|
from the unjust and unkind censures of men." It is a small thing to be
|
||
|
|
judged of man's judgment, while <I>he that judges us is the Lord.</I>
|
||
|
|
Or thus: "Thy word, and ways, and thy holy religion, are very good, but
|
||
|
|
the reproaches cast on me will fall on them; therefore, <I>Lord, turn
|
||
|
|
them away;</I> let not religion be wounded through my side."</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Ps119_40"> </A>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>40 Behold, I have longed after thy precepts: quicken me in thy
|
||
|
|
righteousness.
|
||
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Here,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
1. David professes the ardent affection he had to the word of God:
|
||
|
|
"<I>I have longed after thy precepts,</I> not only loved them, and
|
||
|
|
delighted in what I have already attained, but I have earnestly desired
|
||
|
|
to know them more and do them better, and am still pressing forward
|
||
|
|
towards perfection." Tastes of the sweetness of God's precepts will but
|
||
|
|
set us a longing after a more intimate acquaintance with them. He
|
||
|
|
appeals to God concerning this passionate desire after his precepts:
|
||
|
|
"<I>Behold, I have</I> thus loved, thus <I>longed;</I> thou knowest all
|
||
|
|
things, thou knowest that I am thus affected."
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
2. He prays for grace to enable him to answer this profession. "Thou
|
||
|
|
hast wrought in me this languishing desire, put life into me, that I
|
||
|
|
may prosecute it; <I>quicken me in thy righteousness,</I> in thy
|
||
|
|
righteous ways, according to thy righteous promise." Where God has
|
||
|
|
wrought to will he will work to do, and where he has wrought to desire
|
||
|
|
he will satisfy the desire.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Ps119_41"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Ps119_42"> </A>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Sec6"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
|
||
|
|
<TR><TD ALIGN=CENTER><FONT SIZE=+1>6. VAU.</FONT></TD>
|
||
|
|
<TD ALIGN=RIGHT><FONT SIZE=-1> <! -- Date --> </FONT></TD></TR>
|
||
|
|
</TABLE>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>41 Let thy mercies come also unto me, O L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT>, <I>even</I> thy
|
||
|
|
salvation, according to thy word.
|
||
|
|
42 So shall I have wherewith to answer him that reproacheth me:
|
||
|
|
for I trust in thy word.
|
||
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Here is,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
1. David's prayer for the salvation of the Lord. "Lord, thou art my
|
||
|
|
Saviour; I am miserable in myself, and thou only canst make me happy;
|
||
|
|
<I>let thy salvation come to me.</I> Hasten temporal salvation to me
|
||
|
|
from my present distresses, and hasten me to the eternal salvation, by
|
||
|
|
giving me the necessary qualifications for it and the comfortable
|
||
|
|
pledges and foretastes of it."
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
2. David's dependence upon the grace and promise of God for that
|
||
|
|
salvation. These are the two pillars on which our hope is built, and
|
||
|
|
they will not fail us:--
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(1.) The grace of God: <I>Let thy mercies come, even thy salvation.</I>
|
||
|
|
Our salvation must be attributed purely to God's mercy, and not to any
|
||
|
|
merit of our own. Eternal life must be expected as the <I>mercy of our
|
||
|
|
Lord Jesus Christ,</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jude+1:21">Jude 21</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
"Lord, I have by faith thy mercies in view; let me by prayer prevail to
|
||
|
|
have them come to me."
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(2.) The promise of God: "<I>Let it come according to thy word,</I> thy
|
||
|
|
word of promise. <I>I trust in thy word,</I> and therefore may expect
|
||
|
|
the performance of the promise." We are not only allowed to trust in
|
||
|
|
God's word, but our trusting in it is the condition of our benefit by
|
||
|
|
it.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
3. David's expectation of the good assurance which that grace and
|
||
|
|
promise of God would give him: "<I>So shall I have wherewith to answer
|
||
|
|
him that reproaches me</I> for my confidence in God, as if it would
|
||
|
|
deceive me." When God saves those out of their troubles who trusted in
|
||
|
|
him he effectually silences those who would have <I>shamed that counsel
|
||
|
|
of the poor</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+14:6">Ps. xiv. 6</A>),
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
and their reproaches will be for ever silenced when the salvation of
|
||
|
|
the saints is completed; then it will appear, beyond dispute, that it
|
||
|
|
was not in vain to trust in God.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Ps119_43"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Ps119_44"> </A>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>43 And take not the word of truth utterly out of my mouth; for
|
||
|
|
I have hoped in thy judgments.
|
||
|
|
44 So shall I keep thy law continually for ever and ever.
|
||
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Here is,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
1. David's humble petition for the tongue of the learned, that he might
|
||
|
|
know how to <I>speak a word in season</I> for the glory of God: <I>Take
|
||
|
|
not the word of truth utterly out of my mouth.</I> He means, "Lord, let
|
||
|
|
the word of truth be always in my mouth; let me have the wisdom and
|
||
|
|
courage which are necessary to enable me both to use my knowledge for
|
||
|
|
the instruction of others, and, like the good householder, to bring out
|
||
|
|
of my treasury <I>things new and old,</I> and to make profession of my
|
||
|
|
faith whenever I am called to it." We have need to pray to God that we
|
||
|
|
may never be afraid or ashamed to own his truths and ways, nor deny him
|
||
|
|
before men. David found that he was sometimes at a loss, that the
|
||
|
|
<I>word of truth</I> was not so ready to him as it should have been,
|
||
|
|
but he prays, "Lord, let it not be taken utterly from me; let my always
|
||
|
|
have so much of it at hand as will be necessary to the due discharge of
|
||
|
|
my duty."
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
2. His humble profession of the heart of the upright, without which the
|
||
|
|
tongue of the learned, however it may be serviceable to others, will
|
||
|
|
stand us in no stead.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(1.) David professes his confidence in God: "Lord, make me ready and
|
||
|
|
mighty in the scriptures, <I>for I have hoped in those judgments</I> of
|
||
|
|
thy mouth, and, if they be not at hand, my support and defence have
|
||
|
|
departed from me."
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(2.) He professes his resolution to adhere to his duty in the strength
|
||
|
|
of God's grace: "<I>So shall I keep thy law continually.</I> If I have
|
||
|
|
thy word not only in my heart, but in my mouth, I shall do all I should
|
||
|
|
do, stand complete in thy whole will." Thus shall the <I>man of God be
|
||
|
|
perfect, thoroughly furnished for every good word and work,</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ti+3:17,Col+3:16">2 Tim. iii. 17; Col. iii. 16</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Observe how he resolves to keep God's law,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
[1.] Continually, without trifling. God must be served in a constant
|
||
|
|
course of obedience every day, and all the day long.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
[2.] <I>For ever and ever,</I> without backsliding. We must never be
|
||
|
|
<I>weary of well-doing.</I> If we serve him to the end of our time on
|
||
|
|
earth, we shall be serving him in heaven to the endless ages of
|
||
|
|
eternity; so shall we <I>keep his law for ever and ever.</I> Or thus:
|
||
|
|
"Lord, let me have the word of truth in <I>my mouth,</I> that I may
|
||
|
|
commit that sacred deposit to the rising generation
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ti+2:2">2 Tim. ii. 2</A>)
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
and by them it may be transmitted to succeeding ages; so shall thy law
|
||
|
|
be kept <I>for ever and ever,</I>" that is, from one generation to
|
||
|
|
another, according to that promise
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+59:21">Isa. lix. 21</A>),
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<I>My word in thy mouth shall not depart out of the mouth of thy seed,
|
||
|
|
nor thy seed's seed.</I></P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Ps119_45"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Ps119_46"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Ps119_47"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Ps119_48"> </A>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>45 And I will walk at liberty: for I seek thy precepts.
|
||
|
|
46 I will speak of thy testimonies also before kings, and will
|
||
|
|
not be ashamed.
|
||
|
|
47 And I will delight myself in thy commandments, which I have
|
||
|
|
loved.
|
||
|
|
48 My hands also will I lift up unto thy commandments, which I
|
||
|
|
have loved; and I will meditate in thy statutes.
|
||
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
We may observe in these verses,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
1. What David experienced of an affection to the law of God: "<I>I seek
|
||
|
|
thy precepts,</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+119:45"><I>v.</I> 45</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
I desire to know and do my duty, and consult thy word accordingly; I do
|
||
|
|
all I can to <I>understand what the will of the Lord is</I> and to
|
||
|
|
discover the intimations of his mind. <I>I seek thy precepts,</I> for
|
||
|
|
<I>I have loved them,</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+119:47,48"><I>v.</I> 47, 48</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
I not only give consent to them as good, but take complacency in them
|
||
|
|
as good for me." All that love God love his government and therefore
|
||
|
|
love all his commandments.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
2. What he expected from this. Five things he promises himself here in
|
||
|
|
the strength of God's grace:--
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(1.) That he should be free and easy in his duty: "<I>I will walk at
|
||
|
|
liberty,</I> freed from that which is evil, not hampered with the
|
||
|
|
fetters of my own corruptions, and free to that which is good, doing it
|
||
|
|
not by constraint, but willingly." The service of sin is perfect
|
||
|
|
slavery; the service of God is perfect liberty. Licentiousness is
|
||
|
|
bondage to the greatest of tyrants; conscientiousness is freedom to the
|
||
|
|
meanest of prisoners,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+8:32,36,Lu+1:74,75">John viii. 32, 36; Luke i. 74, 75</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(2.) That he should be bold and courageous in his duty: <I>I will speak
|
||
|
|
of thy testimonies also before kings.</I> Before David came to the
|
||
|
|
crown kings were sometimes his judges, as Saul, and Achish; but, if he
|
||
|
|
were called before them to give a reason of the hope that was in him,
|
||
|
|
he would <I>speak of God's testimonies,</I> and profess to build his
|
||
|
|
hope upon them and make them his council, his guards, his crown, his
|
||
|
|
all. We must never be afraid to own our religion, though it should
|
||
|
|
expose us to the wrath of kings, but speak of it as that which we will
|
||
|
|
live and die by, like the three children before Nebuchadnezzar,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Da+3:16,Ac+4:20">Dan. iii. 16; Acts iv. 20</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
After David came to the crown kings were sometimes his companions; they
|
||
|
|
visited him and he returned their visits; but he did not, in
|
||
|
|
complaisance to them, talk of every thing but religion, for fear of
|
||
|
|
affronting them and making his conversation uneasy to them. No; God's
|
||
|
|
testimonies shall be the principal subject of his discourse with the
|
||
|
|
kings, not only to show that he was not ashamed of his religion, but to
|
||
|
|
instruct them in it and bring them over to it. It is good for kings to
|
||
|
|
hear of God's testimonies, and it will adorn the conversation of
|
||
|
|
princes themselves to speak of them.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(3.) That he should be cheerful and pleasant in his duty
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+119:47"><I>v.</I> 47</A>):
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
"<I>I will delight myself in thy commandments,</I> in conversing with
|
||
|
|
them, in conforming to them. I will never be so well pleased with
|
||
|
|
myself as when I do that which is pleasing to God." The more delight we
|
||
|
|
take in the service of God the nearer we come to the perfection we aim
|
||
|
|
at.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(4.) That he should be diligent and vigorous in his duty: <I>I will
|
||
|
|
lift up my hands to thy commandments,</I> which denotes not only a
|
||
|
|
vehement desire towards them
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+143:6">Ps. cxliii. 6</A>)
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
--"I will lay hold of them as one afraid of missing them, or letting
|
||
|
|
them go;" but a close application of mind to the observance of them--"I
|
||
|
|
will lay my hands to the command, not only to praise it, but practise
|
||
|
|
it; nay, I will lift up my hands to it, that is, I will put forth all
|
||
|
|
the strength I have to do it." The hands that hang down, through sloth
|
||
|
|
and discouragement, shall be lifted up,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Heb+12:12">Heb. xii. 12</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(5.) That he should be thoughtful and considerate in his duty
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+119:48"><I>v.</I> 48</A>):
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
"<I>I will meditate in thy statutes,</I> not only entertain myself with
|
||
|
|
thinking of them as matters of speculation, but contrive how I may
|
||
|
|
observe them in the best manner." By <I>this</I> it will appear that we
|
||
|
|
truly love God's commandments, if we apply both our minds and our hands
|
||
|
|
to them.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Ps119_49"> </A>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Sec7"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
|
||
|
|
<TR><TD ALIGN=CENTER><FONT SIZE=+1>7. ZAIN.</FONT></TD>
|
||
|
|
<TD ALIGN=RIGHT><FONT SIZE=-1> <! -- Date --> </FONT></TD></TR>
|
||
|
|
</TABLE>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>49 Remember the word unto thy servant, upon which thou
|
||
|
|
hast caused me to hope.
|
||
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Two things David here pleads with God in prayer for that mercy and
|
||
|
|
grace which he hoped for, according to the word, by which his requests
|
||
|
|
were guided:--
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
1. That God had given him the promise on which he hoped: "Lord, I
|
||
|
|
desire no more than that thou wouldst <I>remember thy word unto thy
|
||
|
|
servant,</I> and <I>do as thou hast said;</I>" see
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ch+17:23">1 Chron. xvii. 23</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
"Thou art wise, and therefore wilt perfect what thou hast purposed, and
|
||
|
|
not change thy counsel. Thou art faithful, and therefore wilt perform
|
||
|
|
what thou hast promised, and not break thy word." Those that make God's
|
||
|
|
promises their portion may with humble boldness make them their plea.
|
||
|
|
"Lord, is not that the word which thou hast spoken; and wilt thou not
|
||
|
|
make it good?"
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ge+32:9,Ex+33:12">Gen. xxxii. 9; Exod. xxxiii. 12</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
2. That God, who had given him the promise in the word, had by his
|
||
|
|
grace wrought in him a hope in that promise and enabled him to depend
|
||
|
|
upon it, and had raised his expectations of great things from it. Has
|
||
|
|
God kindled in us desires towards spiritual blessings more than towards
|
||
|
|
any temporal good things, and will he not be so kind as to satisfy
|
||
|
|
those desires? Has he filled us with hopes of those blessings, and will
|
||
|
|
he not be so just as to accomplish these hopes? He that did by his
|
||
|
|
Spirit work faith in us will, according to our faith, work for us, and
|
||
|
|
will not disappoint us.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Ps119_50"> </A>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>50 This <I>is</I> my comfort in my affliction: for thy word hath
|
||
|
|
quickened me.
|
||
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Here is David's experience of benefit by the word.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
1. As a means of his sanctification: "<I>Thy word has quickened me.</I>
|
||
|
|
It made me alive when I was dead in sin; it has many a time made me
|
||
|
|
lively when I was dead in duty; it has quickened me to that which is
|
||
|
|
good when I was backward and averse to it, and it has quickened me in
|
||
|
|
that which is good when I was cold and indifferent."
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
2. Therefore as a means of his consolation when he was in affliction
|
||
|
|
and needed something to support him: "Because thy word has quickened my
|
||
|
|
at other times, it has comforted me then." The word of God has much in
|
||
|
|
it that speaks <I>comfort in affliction;</I> but those only may apply
|
||
|
|
it to themselves who have experienced in some measure the quickening
|
||
|
|
power of the word. If through grace it make us holy, there is enough
|
||
|
|
in it to make us easy, in all conditions, under all events.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Ps119_51"> </A>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>51 The proud have had me greatly in derision: <I>yet</I> have I not
|
||
|
|
declined from thy law.
|
||
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
David here tells us, and it will be of use to us to know it,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
1. That he had been jeered for his religion. Though he was a man of
|
||
|
|
honour, a man of great prudence, and had done eminent services to his
|
||
|
|
country, yet, because he was a devout conscientious man, <I>the proud
|
||
|
|
had him greatly in derision;</I> they ridiculed him, bantered him, and
|
||
|
|
did all they could to expose him to contempt; they laughed at him for
|
||
|
|
his praying, and called it <I>cant,</I> for his seriousness, and called
|
||
|
|
it <I>mopishness,</I> for his strictness, and called it <I>needless
|
||
|
|
preciseness.</I> They were the proud that sat in the scorner's seat and
|
||
|
|
valued themselves on so doing.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
2. That yet he had not been jeered out of his religion: "They have done
|
||
|
|
all they could to make me quit it for shame, but none of these things
|
||
|
|
move me: <I>I have not declined from thy law</I> for all this; but,
|
||
|
|
<I>if this be to be vile</I>" (as he said when Michal had him greatly
|
||
|
|
in derision), "<I>I will be yet more vile.</I>" He not only had not
|
||
|
|
quite forsaken the law, but had not so much as declined from it. We
|
||
|
|
must never shrink from any duty, nor let slip an opportunity of doing
|
||
|
|
good, for fear of the reproach of men, or their revilings. The
|
||
|
|
traveller goes on his way though the dogs bark at him. Those can bear
|
||
|
|
but little for Christ that cannot bear a hard word for him.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Ps119_52"> </A>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>52 I remembered thy judgments of old, O L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT>; and have
|
||
|
|
comforted myself.
|
||
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
When David was derided for his godliness he not only held fast his
|
||
|
|
integrity, but,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
1. He comforted himself. He not only bore reproach, but bore it
|
||
|
|
cheerfully. It did not disturb his peace, nor break in upon the repose
|
||
|
|
of his spirit in God. It was a comfort to him to think that it was for
|
||
|
|
God's sake that he bore reproach, and that his worst enemies could find
|
||
|
|
<I>no occasion against him, save only in the matter of his God,</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Da+6:5">Dan. vi. 5</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Those that are derided for their adherence to God's law may comfort
|
||
|
|
themselves with this, that <I>the reproach of Christ</I> will prove, in
|
||
|
|
the end, <I>greater riches</I> to them <I>than the treasures of
|
||
|
|
Egypt.</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
2. That which he comforted himself with was the remembrance of God's
|
||
|
|
<I>judgments of old,</I> the providences of God concerning his people
|
||
|
|
formerly, both in mercy to them and in justice against their
|
||
|
|
persecutors. God's judgments of old, in our own early days and in the
|
||
|
|
days of our fathers, are to be remembered by us for our comfort and
|
||
|
|
encouragement in the way of God, for he is still the same.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Ps119_53"> </A>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>53 Horror hath taken hold upon me because of the wicked that
|
||
|
|
forsake thy law.
|
||
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Here is,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
1. The character of wicked people; he means those that are openly and
|
||
|
|
grossly wicked: <I>They forsake thy law.</I> Every sin is a
|
||
|
|
transgression of the law, but a course and way of wilful and avowed sin
|
||
|
|
is downright forsaking it and throwing it off.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
2. The impression which the wickedness of the wicked made upon David;
|
||
|
|
it frightened him, it put him into an amazement. He trembled to think
|
||
|
|
of the dishonour thereby done to God, the gratification thereby given
|
||
|
|
to Satan, and the mischiefs thereby done to the souls of men. He
|
||
|
|
dreaded the consequences of it both to the sinners themselves (and
|
||
|
|
cried out, <I>O gather not my soul with sinners! let my enemy be as the
|
||
|
|
wicked</I>) and to the interests of God's kingdom among men, which he
|
||
|
|
was afraid would be thereby sunk and ruined. He does not say,
|
||
|
|
"<I>Horror has taken hold on me</I> because of their cruel designs
|
||
|
|
against me," but "because of the contempt they put on God and his law."
|
||
|
|
Sin is a monstrous horrible thing in the eyes of all that are
|
||
|
|
sanctified,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jer+5:30,23:14,Ho+6:10,Jer+2:12">Jer. v. 30; xxiii. 14;
|
||
|
|
Hos. vi. 10; Jer. ii. 12</A>.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Ps119_54"> </A>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>54 Thy statutes have been my songs in the house of my
|
||
|
|
pilgrimage.
|
||
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Here is,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
1. David's state and condition; he was <I>in the house of</I> his
|
||
|
|
<I>pilgrimage,</I> which may be understood either as his peculiar
|
||
|
|
trouble (he was often tossed and hurried, and forced to fly) or as his
|
||
|
|
lot in common with all. This world is the house of our pilgrimage, the
|
||
|
|
house in which we are pilgrims; it is our tabernacle; it is our inn. We
|
||
|
|
must confess ourselves <I>strangers and pilgrims upon earth,</I> who
|
||
|
|
are not at home here, nor must be here long. Even David's palace is but
|
||
|
|
the house of his pilgrimage.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
2. His comfort in this state: "<I>Thy statutes have been my songs,</I>
|
||
|
|
with which I here entertain myself," as travellers are wont to divert
|
||
|
|
the thoughts of their weariness, and take off something of the
|
||
|
|
tediousness of their journey, by singing a pleasant song now and then.
|
||
|
|
David was the sweet singer of Israel, and here we are told whence he
|
||
|
|
fetched his songs; they were all borrowed from the word of God. God's
|
||
|
|
statutes were as familiar to him as the songs which a man is accustomed
|
||
|
|
to sing; and he conversed with them in his pilgrimage-solitudes. They
|
||
|
|
were as pleasant to him as songs, and <I>put gladness into his
|
||
|
|
heart</I> more than those have that <I>chant to the sound of the
|
||
|
|
viol,</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Am+6:5">Amos vi. 5</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<I>Is any afflicted</I> then? Let him sing over God's statutes, and try
|
||
|
|
if he cannot so <I>sing away sorrow,</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+138:5">Ps. cxxxviii. 5</A>.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Ps119_55"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Ps119_56"> </A>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>55 I have remembered thy name, O L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT>, in the night, and have
|
||
|
|
kept thy law.
|
||
|
|
56 This I had, because I kept thy precepts.
|
||
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Here is,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
1. The converse David had with the word of God; he kept it in mind, and
|
||
|
|
upon every occasion he called it to mind. God's name is the discovery
|
||
|
|
he has made of himself to us in and by his word. <I>This is his
|
||
|
|
memorial unto all generations,</I> and therefore we should always keep
|
||
|
|
it in memory--remember it <I>in the night,</I> upon a waking bed, when
|
||
|
|
we are communing with our own hearts. When others were sleeping David
|
||
|
|
was remembering God's name, and, by repeating that lesson, increasing
|
||
|
|
his acquaintance with it; in the night of affliction this he called to
|
||
|
|
mind.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
2. The conscience be made of conforming to it. The due remembrance of
|
||
|
|
God's name, which is prefixed to his law, will have a great influence
|
||
|
|
upon our observance of the law: <I>I remembered thy name in the
|
||
|
|
night,</I> and therefore was careful to <I>keep thy law</I> all day.
|
||
|
|
How comfortable will it be in the reflection if our own hearts can
|
||
|
|
witness for us that we have thus remembered God's name, and kept his
|
||
|
|
law!
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
3. The advantage he got by it
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+119:56"><I>v.</I> 56</A>):
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<I>This I had because I kept thy precepts.</I> Some understand this
|
||
|
|
indefinitely: <I>This I had</I> (that is I had that which satisfied me;
|
||
|
|
I had every thing that is comfortable) <I>because I kept thy
|
||
|
|
precepts.</I> Note, All that have made a business of religion will own
|
||
|
|
that it has turned to a good account, and that they have been
|
||
|
|
unspeakable gainers by it. Others refer it to what goes immediately
|
||
|
|
before: "I had the comfort of keeping thy law because I kept it." Note,
|
||
|
|
God's work is its own wages. A heart to obey the will of God is a most
|
||
|
|
valuable reward of obedience; and the more we do the more we may do,
|
||
|
|
and shall do, in the service of God; the branch that bears fruit is
|
||
|
|
made <I>more fruitful,</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+15:2">John xv. 2</A>.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Ps119_57"> </A>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Sec8"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
|
||
|
|
<TR><TD ALIGN=CENTER><FONT SIZE=+1>8. CHETH.</FONT></TD>
|
||
|
|
<TD ALIGN=RIGHT><FONT SIZE=-1> <! -- Date --> </FONT></TD></TR>
|
||
|
|
</TABLE>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>57 <I>Thou art</I> my portion, O L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT>: I have said that I
|
||
|
|
would keep thy words.
|
||
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
We may hence gather the character of a godly man.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
1. He makes the favour of God his felicity: <I>Thou art my portion, O
|
||
|
|
Lord!</I> Others place their happiness in the wealth and honours of
|
||
|
|
this world. Their portion is in this life; they look no further; they
|
||
|
|
desire no more; these are <I>their good things,</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+16:25">Luke xvi. 25</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
But all that are sanctified take the Lord for the portion of their
|
||
|
|
inheritance and their cup, and nothing less will satisfy them. David
|
||
|
|
can appeal to God in this matter: "Lord, thou knowest that I have
|
||
|
|
chosen thee for my portion, and depend upon thee to make me happy."
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
2. He makes the law of God his rule: "<I>I have said that I would keep
|
||
|
|
thy words;</I> and what I have said by thy grace I will do, and will
|
||
|
|
abide by it to the end." Note, Those that take God for their portion
|
||
|
|
must take him for their prince, and swear allegiance to him; and,
|
||
|
|
having promised to <I>keep his word,</I> we must often put ourselves in
|
||
|
|
mind of our promise,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+39:1">Ps. xxxix. 1</A>.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Ps119_58"> </A>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>58 I intreated thy favour with <I>my</I> whole heart: be merciful
|
||
|
|
unto me according to thy word.
|
||
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
David, having in the foregoing verse reflected upon his covenants with
|
||
|
|
God, here reflects upon his prayers to God, and renews his petition.
|
||
|
|
Observe,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
1. What he prayed for. Having taken God for his portion, he
|
||
|
|
<I>entreated his favour,</I> as one that knew he had forfeited it, was
|
||
|
|
unworthy of it, and yet undone without it, but for ever happy if he
|
||
|
|
could obtain it. We cannot demand God's favour as a debt, but must be
|
||
|
|
humble suppliants for it, that God will not only be reconciled to us,
|
||
|
|
but accept us and smile upon us. He prays, "<I>Be merciful to me,</I>
|
||
|
|
in the forgiveness of what I have done amiss, and in giving me grace to
|
||
|
|
do better for the future."
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
2. How he prayed--<I>with his whole heart,</I> as one that knew how to
|
||
|
|
value the blessing he prayed for. The gracious soul is entirely set
|
||
|
|
upon the favour of God, and is therefore importunate for it. <I>I will
|
||
|
|
not let thee go except thou bless me.</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
3. What he pleaded--the promise of God: "<I>Be merciful to me,
|
||
|
|
according to thy word.</I> I desire the mercy promised, and depend upon
|
||
|
|
the promise for it." Those that are governed by the precepts of the
|
||
|
|
word and are resolved to keep them
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+119:57"><I>v.</I> 57</A>)
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
may plead the promises of the word and take the comfort of them.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Ps119_59"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Ps119_60"> </A>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>59 I thought on my ways, and turned my feet unto thy
|
||
|
|
testimonies.
|
||
|
|
60 I made haste, and delayed not to keep thy commandments.
|
||
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
David had said he <I>would keep God's word</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+119:57"><I>v.</I> 57</A>),
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
and it was well said; now here he tells us how and in what method he
|
||
|
|
pursued that resolution.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
1. He <I>thought on his ways.</I> He thought beforehand what he should
|
||
|
|
do, pondering the path of his feet
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Pr+4:26">Prov. iv. 26</A>),
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
that he might walk surely, and not at all adventures. He thought after
|
||
|
|
what he had done, reflected upon his life past, and recollected the
|
||
|
|
paths he had walked in and the steps he had taken. The word signifies a
|
||
|
|
fixed abiding thought. Some make it an allusion to those who work
|
||
|
|
embroidery, who are very exact and careful to cover the least flaw, or
|
||
|
|
to those who cast up their accounts, who reckon with themselves, What
|
||
|
|
do I owe? What am I worth? "<I>I thought</I> not on my wealth (as the
|
||
|
|
covetous man,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+49:11">Ps. xlix. 11</A>)
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
but <I>on my ways,</I> not on what I have, but what I do:" for what we
|
||
|
|
do will follow us into another world when what we have must be left
|
||
|
|
behind. Many are critical enough in their remarks upon other people's
|
||
|
|
ways who never think of their own: but <I>let every man prove his own
|
||
|
|
work.</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
2. He <I>turned his feet to God's testimonies.</I> He determined to
|
||
|
|
make the word of God his rule, and to walk by that rule. He turned
|
||
|
|
from the by-paths to which he had turned aside, and returned to God's
|
||
|
|
testimonies. He turned not only his eye to them, but his feet, his
|
||
|
|
affections to the love of God's word and his conversation to the
|
||
|
|
practice of it. The bent and inclinations of his soul were towards
|
||
|
|
God's testimonies and his conversation was governed by them Penitent
|
||
|
|
reflections must produce pious resolutions.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
3. He did this immediately and without demur
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+119:60"><I>v.</I> 60</A>):
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<I>I made haste
|
||
|
|
and delayed not.</I> When we are under convictions of sin we must
|
||
|
|
strike while the iron is hot, and not think to defer the prosecution of
|
||
|
|
them, as Felix did, to <I>a more convenient season.</I> When we are
|
||
|
|
called to duty we must lose no time, but set about it <I>to-day, while
|
||
|
|
it is called to-day.</I> Now this account which David here gives of
|
||
|
|
himself may refer either to his constant practice every day (he
|
||
|
|
reflected on his ways at night, directed his feet to God's testimonies
|
||
|
|
in the morning, and what his hand found to do that was good he did it
|
||
|
|
without delay), or it may refer to his first acquaintance with God and
|
||
|
|
religion, when he began to throw off the vanity of childhood and youth,
|
||
|
|
and to remember his Creator; that blessed change was, by the grace of
|
||
|
|
God, thus wrought. Note,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(1.) Conversion begins in serious consideration,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Eze+18:28,Lu+15:17">Ezek. xviii. 28; Luke xv. 17</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(2.) Consideration must end in a sound conversion. To what purpose have
|
||
|
|
we thought on our ways if we do not turn our feet with all speed to
|
||
|
|
God's testimonies?</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Ps119_61"> </A>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>61 The bands of the wicked have robbed me: <I>but</I> I have not
|
||
|
|
forgotten thy law.
|
||
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Here is,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
1. The malice of David's enemies against him. They were wicked men, who
|
||
|
|
hated him for his godliness. There were bands or troops of them
|
||
|
|
confederate against him. They did him all the mischief they could; they
|
||
|
|
robbed him; having endeavoured to take away his good name
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+119:51"><I>v.</I> 51</A>),
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
they set upon his goods, and spoiled him of them, either by plunder in
|
||
|
|
time of war or by fines and confiscations under colour of law. Saul (it
|
||
|
|
is likely) seized his effects, Absalom his palace, and the Amalekites
|
||
|
|
rifled Ziklag. Worldly wealth is what we may be robbed of. David,
|
||
|
|
though a man of war, could not keep his own. <I>Thieves break through
|
||
|
|
and steal.</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
2. The testimony of David's conscience for him that he had held fast
|
||
|
|
his religion when he was stripped of every thing else, as Job did when
|
||
|
|
the bands of the Chaldeans and Sabeans had robbed him: <I>But I have
|
||
|
|
not forgotten thy law.</I> No care nor grief should drive God's word
|
||
|
|
out of our minds, or hinder our comfortable relish of it and converse
|
||
|
|
with it. Nor must we ever think the worse of the ways of God for any
|
||
|
|
trouble we meet with in those ways, nor fear being losers by our
|
||
|
|
religion at last, however we may be losers for it now.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Ps119_62"> </A>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>62 At midnight I will rise to give thanks unto thee because of
|
||
|
|
thy righteous judgments.
|
||
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Though David is, in this psalm, much in prayer, yet he did not neglect
|
||
|
|
the duty of thanksgiving; for those that pray much will have much to
|
||
|
|
give thanks for. See,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
1. How much God's hand was eyed in his thanksgivings. He does not say,
|
||
|
|
"<I>I will give thanks</I> because of thy favours to me, which I have
|
||
|
|
the comfort of," but, "<I>Because of thy righteous judgments,</I> all
|
||
|
|
the disposals of thy providence in wisdom and equity, which thou hast
|
||
|
|
the glory of." We must give thanks for the asserting of God's honour
|
||
|
|
and the accomplishing of his word in all he does in the government of
|
||
|
|
the world.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
2. How much David's heart was set upon his thanksgivings. He would
|
||
|
|
<I>rise at midnight to give thanks</I> to God. Great and good thoughts
|
||
|
|
kept him awake, and refreshed him, instead of sleep; and so zealous was
|
||
|
|
he for the honour of God that when others were in their beds he was
|
||
|
|
upon his knees at his devotions. He did not affect to be seen of men in
|
||
|
|
it, but gave thanks in secret, where our heavenly Father sees. He had
|
||
|
|
praised God <I>in the courts of the Lord's house,</I> and yet he will
|
||
|
|
do it in his bed-chamber. Public worship will not excuse us from secret
|
||
|
|
worship. When David found his heart affected with God's judgments, he
|
||
|
|
immediately offered up those affections to God, in actual adorations,
|
||
|
|
not deferring, lest they should cool. Yet observe his reverence; he did
|
||
|
|
not lie still and give thanks, but rose out of his bed, perhaps in the
|
||
|
|
cold and in the dark, to do it the more solemnly. And see what a good
|
||
|
|
husband he was of time; when he could not lie and sleep, he would rise
|
||
|
|
and pray.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Ps119_63"> </A>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>63 I <I>am</I> a companion of all <I>them</I> that fear thee, and of them
|
||
|
|
that keep thy precepts.
|
||
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
David had often expressed the great love he had to God; here he
|
||
|
|
expresses the great love he had to the people of God; and observe,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
1. Why he loved them; not so much because they were his best friends,
|
||
|
|
most firm to his interest and most forward to serve him, but because
|
||
|
|
they were such as <I>feared God</I> and <I>kept his precepts,</I> and
|
||
|
|
so did him honour and helped to support his kingdom among men. Our love
|
||
|
|
to the saints is <I>then</I> sincere when we love them for the sake of
|
||
|
|
what we see of God in them and the service they do to him.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
2. How he showed his love to them: He was <I>a companion of them.</I>
|
||
|
|
He had not only a spiritual communion with them in the same faith and
|
||
|
|
hope, but he joined with them in holy ordinances in the courts of the
|
||
|
|
Lord, where rich and poor, prince and peasant, meet together. He
|
||
|
|
sympathized with them in their joys and sorrows
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Heb+10:33">Heb. x. 33</A>);
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
he conversed familiarly with them, communicated his experiences to
|
||
|
|
them, and consulted theirs. He not only took such to be his companions
|
||
|
|
as did fear God, but he vouchsafed himself to be a companion with all,
|
||
|
|
with any, that did so, wherever he met with them. Though he was a king,
|
||
|
|
he would associate with the poorest of his subjects that feared God,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+15:4,Jam+2:1">Ps. xv. 4; Jam. ii. 1</A>.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Ps119_64"> </A>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>64 The earth, O L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT>, is full of thy mercy: teach me thy
|
||
|
|
statutes.
|
||
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Here,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
1. David pleads that God is good to all the creatures according to
|
||
|
|
their necessities and capacities; as the heaven is full of God's glory,
|
||
|
|
so <I>the earth is full of his mercy,</I> full of the instances of his
|
||
|
|
pity and bounty. Not only the land of Canaan, where God is known and
|
||
|
|
worshipped, but the whole earth, in many parts of which he has no
|
||
|
|
homage paid him, is full of his mercy. Not only the children of men
|
||
|
|
upon the earth, but even the inferior creatures, taste of God's
|
||
|
|
goodness. <I>His tender mercies are over all his works.</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
2. He therefore prays that God would be good to him according to his
|
||
|
|
necessity and capacity: "<I>Teach me thy statutes.</I> Thou feedest the
|
||
|
|
young ravens that cry, with food proper for them; and wilt thou not
|
||
|
|
feed me with spiritual food, the bread of life, which my soul needs and
|
||
|
|
craves, and cannot subsist without? <I>The earth is full of thy
|
||
|
|
mercy;</I> and is not heaven too? Wilt thou not then give me spiritual
|
||
|
|
blessings in heavenly places?" A gracious heart will fetch an argument
|
||
|
|
from any thing to enforce a petition for divine teaching. Surely he
|
||
|
|
that will not let his birds be unfed will not let his children be
|
||
|
|
untaught.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Ps119_65"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Ps119_66"> </A>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Sec9"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
|
||
|
|
<TR><TD ALIGN=CENTER><FONT SIZE=+1>9. TETH.</FONT></TD>
|
||
|
|
<TD ALIGN=RIGHT><FONT SIZE=-1> <! -- Date --> </FONT></TD></TR>
|
||
|
|
</TABLE>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>65 Thou hast dealt well with thy servant, O L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT>,
|
||
|
|
according unto thy word.
|
||
|
|
66 Teach me good judgment and knowledge: for I have believed
|
||
|
|
thy commandments.
|
||
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Here,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
1. David makes a thankful acknowledgment of God's gracious dealings
|
||
|
|
with him all along: <I>Thou hast dealt well with thy servant.</I>
|
||
|
|
However God has dealt with us, we must own he has dealt <I>well</I>
|
||
|
|
with us, better than we deserve, and all in love and with design to
|
||
|
|
work for our good. In many instances God has done well for us beyond
|
||
|
|
our expectations. He has done well for all his servants; never any of
|
||
|
|
them complained that he had used them hardly. <I>Thou hast dealt well
|
||
|
|
with</I> me, not only according to thy mercy, but <I>according to thy
|
||
|
|
word.</I> God's favours look best when they are compared with the
|
||
|
|
promise and are seen flowing from that fountain.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
2. Upon these experiences he grounds a petition for divine instruction:
|
||
|
|
"<I>Teach me good judgment and knowledge,</I> that, by thy grace, I may
|
||
|
|
render again, in some measure, according to the benefit done unto me."
|
||
|
|
Teach me <I>a good taste</I> (so the word signifies), a good relish, to
|
||
|
|
discern things that differ, to distinguish between truth and falsehood,
|
||
|
|
good and evil; for <I>the ear tries words, as the mouth tastes
|
||
|
|
meat.</I> We should pray to God for a sound mind, that we may have
|
||
|
|
<I>spiritual senses exercised,</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Heb+5:14">Heb. v. 14</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Many have knowledge who have little judgment; those who have both are
|
||
|
|
well fortified against the snares of Satan and well furnished for the
|
||
|
|
service of God and their generation.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
3. This petition is backed with a plea: "<I>For I have believed thy
|
||
|
|
commandments,</I> received them, and consented to them that they are
|
||
|
|
good, and submitted to their government; therefore, Lord, <I>teach
|
||
|
|
me.</I>" Where God has given a good heart a good head too many in faith
|
||
|
|
be prayed for.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Ps119_67"> </A>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>67 Before I was afflicted I went astray: but now have I kept
|
||
|
|
thy word.
|
||
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
David here tells us what he had experienced,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
1. Of the temptations of a prosperous condition: "<I>Before I was
|
||
|
|
afflicted,</I> while I lived in peace and plenty, and knew no sorrow,
|
||
|
|
<I>I went astray</I> from God and my duty." Sin is going astray; and we
|
||
|
|
are most apt to wander from God when we are easy and think ourselves at
|
||
|
|
home in the world. Prosperity is the unhappy occasion of much iniquity;
|
||
|
|
it makes people conceited of themselves, indulgent of the flesh,
|
||
|
|
forgetful of God, in love with the world, and deaf to the reproofs of
|
||
|
|
the word. See
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+30:6">Ps. xxx. 6</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
It is good for us, when we are afflicted, to remember how and wherein
|
||
|
|
we went astray <I>before we were afflicted,</I> that we may answer the
|
||
|
|
end of the affliction.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
2. Of the benefit of an afflicted state: "<I>Now have I kept thy
|
||
|
|
word,</I> and so have been recovered from my wanderings." God often
|
||
|
|
makes use of afflictions as a means to reduce those to himself who have
|
||
|
|
wandered from him. Sanctified afflictions humble us for sin and show us
|
||
|
|
the vanity of the world; they soften the heart, and open the ear to
|
||
|
|
discipline. The prodigal's distress brought him to himself first and
|
||
|
|
then to his father.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Ps119_68"> </A>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>68 Thou <I>art</I> good, and doest good; teach me thy statutes.
|
||
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Here,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
1. David praises God's goodness and gives him the glory of it: <I>Thou
|
||
|
|
art good and doest good.</I> All who have any knowledge of God and
|
||
|
|
dealings with him wilt own that he does good, and therefore will
|
||
|
|
conclude that he is good. The streams of God's goodness are so
|
||
|
|
numerous, and run so full, so strong, to all the creatures, that we
|
||
|
|
must conclude the fountain that is in himself to be inexhaustible. We
|
||
|
|
cannot conceive how much good our God does every day, much less can we
|
||
|
|
conceive how good he is. Let us acknowledge it with admiration and
|
||
|
|
with holy love and thankfulness.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
2. He prays for God's grace, and begs to be under the guidance and
|
||
|
|
influence of it: <I>Teach me thy statutes.</I> "Lord, thou doest good
|
||
|
|
to all, art the bountiful benefactor of all the creatures; this is the
|
||
|
|
good I beg thou wilt do to me,--Instruct me in my duty, incline me to
|
||
|
|
it, and enable me to do it. <I>Thou art good, and doest good;</I>
|
||
|
|
Lord, <I>teach me thy statutes,</I> that I may be good and do good, may
|
||
|
|
have a good heart and live a good life." It is an encouragement to poor
|
||
|
|
sinners to hope that God will <I>teach them his way</I> because he is
|
||
|
|
<I>good and upright,</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+25:8">Ps. xxv. 8</A>.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Ps119_69"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Ps119_70"> </A>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>69 The proud have forged a lie against me: <I>but</I> I will keep
|
||
|
|
thy precepts with <I>my</I> whole heart.
|
||
|
|
70 Their heart is as fat as grease; <I>but</I> I delight in thy law.
|
||
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
David here tells us how he was affected as to the proud and wicked
|
||
|
|
people that were about him.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
1. He did not fear their malice, nor was he by it deterred from his
|
||
|
|
duty: <I>They have forged a lie against me.</I> Thus they aimed to take
|
||
|
|
away his good name. Nay, all we have in the world, even life itself,
|
||
|
|
may be brought into danger by those who make no conscience of forging a
|
||
|
|
lie. Those that were proud envied David's reputation, because it
|
||
|
|
eclipsed them, and therefore did all they could to blemish him. They
|
||
|
|
took a pride in trampling upon him. They therefore persuaded themselves
|
||
|
|
it was no sin to tell a deliberate lie if it might but expose him to
|
||
|
|
contempt. Their wicked wit forged lies, invented storied which there
|
||
|
|
was not the least colour for, to serve their wicked designs. And what
|
||
|
|
did David do when he was thus belied? He will bear it patiently; he
|
||
|
|
will keep that precept which forbids him to render railing for railing,
|
||
|
|
and will with all his heart sit down silently. He will go on in his
|
||
|
|
duty with constancy and resolution: "Let them say what they will, <I>I
|
||
|
|
will keep thy precepts,</I> and not dread their reproach."
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
2. He did not envy their prosperity, nor was he by it allured from his
|
||
|
|
duty. <I>Their heart is as fat as grease.</I> The proud are <I>at
|
||
|
|
ease</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+123:4">Ps. cxxiii. 4</A>);
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
they are full of the world, and the wealth and pleasures of it; and
|
||
|
|
this makes them,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(1.) Senseless, secure, and stupid; they are past feeling: thus the
|
||
|
|
phrase is used,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+6:10">Isa. vi. 10</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<I>Make the heart of this people fat.</I> They are not sensible of the
|
||
|
|
touch of the word of God or his rod.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(2.) Sensual and voluptuous: "<I>Their eyes stand out with fatness</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+73:7">Ps. lxxiii. 7</A>);
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
they roll themselves in the pleasures of sense, and take up with them
|
||
|
|
as their chief good; and much good may it do them. I would not change
|
||
|
|
conditions with them. <I>I delight in thy law;</I> I build my security
|
||
|
|
upon the promises of God's word and have pleasure enough in communion
|
||
|
|
with God, infinitely preferable to all their delights." The children of
|
||
|
|
God, who are acquainted with spiritual pleasures, need not envy the
|
||
|
|
children of this world their carnal pleasures.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Ps119_71"> </A>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>71 <I>It is</I> good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might
|
||
|
|
learn thy statutes.
|
||
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
See here,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
1. That it has been the lot of the best saints to be afflicted. The
|
||
|
|
proud and the wicked lived in pomp and pleasure, while David, though he
|
||
|
|
kept close to God and his duty, was still in affliction. <I>Waters of a
|
||
|
|
full cup are wrung out to</I> God's people,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+73:10">Ps. lxxiii. 10</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
2. That it has been the advantage of God's people to be afflicted.
|
||
|
|
David could speak experimentally: <I>It was good for me;</I> many a
|
||
|
|
good lesson he had learnt by his afflictions, and many a good duty he
|
||
|
|
had been brought to which otherwise would have been unlearnt and
|
||
|
|
undone. <I>Therefore</I> God visited him with affliction, that he might
|
||
|
|
learn God's statutes; and the intention was answered: the afflictions
|
||
|
|
had contributed to the improvement of his knowledge and grace. He that
|
||
|
|
chastened him taught him. <I>The rod and reproof give wisdom.</I></P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Ps119_72"> </A>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>72 The law of thy mouth <I>is</I> better unto me than thousands of
|
||
|
|
gold and silver.
|
||
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
This is a reason why David reckoned that when by his afflictions he
|
||
|
|
learned God's statutes, an the profit did so much counterbalance the
|
||
|
|
loss, he was really a gainer by them; for God's <I>law,</I> which he
|
||
|
|
got acquaintance with by his affliction, was <I>better</I> to him than
|
||
|
|
all the <I>gold and silver</I> which he lost by his affliction.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
1. David had but a little of the word of God in comparison with what
|
||
|
|
we have, yet see how highly he valued it; how inexcusable then are we,
|
||
|
|
who have both the Old and New Testament complete, and yet account them
|
||
|
|
as a strange thing! Observe, <I>Therefore</I> he valued the law,
|
||
|
|
because it is <I>the law of God's mouth,</I> the revelation of his
|
||
|
|
will, and ratified by his authority.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
2. He had a great deal of gold and silver in comparison with what we
|
||
|
|
have, yet see how little he valued it. His riches increased, and yet he
|
||
|
|
did not set his heart upon them, but upon the word of God. That was
|
||
|
|
better to him, yielded him better pleasures, and better maintenance,
|
||
|
|
and a better inheritance, than all the treasures he was master of.
|
||
|
|
Those that have read, and believe, David's <I>Psalms</I> and Solomon's
|
||
|
|
<I>Ecclesiastes,</I> cannot but prefer the word of God far before the
|
||
|
|
wealth of this world.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Ps119_73"> </A>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Sec10"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
|
||
|
|
<TR><TD ALIGN=CENTER><FONT SIZE=+1>10. JOD.</FONT></TD>
|
||
|
|
<TD ALIGN=RIGHT><FONT SIZE=-1> <! -- Date --> </FONT></TD></TR>
|
||
|
|
</TABLE>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>73 Thy hands have made me and fashioned me: give me
|
||
|
|
understanding, that I may learn thy commandments.
|
||
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Here,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
1. David adores God as the God of nature and the author of his being:
|
||
|
|
<I>Thy hands have made me and fashioned me,</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Job+10:8">Job x. 8</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Every man is as truly the work of God's hands as the first man was,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+139:15,16">Ps. cxxxix. 15, 16</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
"<I>Thy hands have</I> not only <I>made me,</I> and given me a being,
|
||
|
|
otherwise I should never have been, but <I>fashioned me,</I> and given
|
||
|
|
me this being, this noble and excellent being, endued with these powers
|
||
|
|
and faculties;" and we must own that we are <I>fearfully and
|
||
|
|
wonderfully made.</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
2. He addresses himself to God as the God of grace, and begs he will be
|
||
|
|
the author of his new and better being. God made us to serve him and
|
||
|
|
enjoy him; but by sin we have made ourselves unable for his service and
|
||
|
|
indisposed for the enjoyment of him; and we must have a new and divine
|
||
|
|
nature, otherwise we had the human nature in vain; therefore David
|
||
|
|
prays, "Lord, since thou hast made me by thy power for thy glory, make
|
||
|
|
me anew by thy grace, that I may answer the ends of my creation and
|
||
|
|
live to some purpose: <I>Give me understanding, that I may learn thy
|
||
|
|
commandments.</I>" The way in which God recovers and secures his
|
||
|
|
interest in men is by giving them an understanding; for by that door he
|
||
|
|
enters into the soul and gains possession of it.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Ps119_74"> </A>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>74 They that fear thee will be glad when they see me; because I
|
||
|
|
have hoped in thy word.
|
||
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Here is,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
1. The confidence of this good man in the hope of God's salvation:
|
||
|
|
"<I>I have hoped in thy word;</I> and I have not found it in vain to do
|
||
|
|
so; it has not failed me, nor have I been disappointed in my
|
||
|
|
expectations from it. It is a hope that <I>maketh not ashamed;</I> but
|
||
|
|
is present satisfaction, and fruition at last."
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
2. The concurrence of other good men with him in the joy of that
|
||
|
|
salvation: "<I>Those that fear thee will be glad when they see me</I>
|
||
|
|
relieved by my hope in thy word and delivered according to my hope."
|
||
|
|
The comforts which some of God's children have in God, and the favours
|
||
|
|
they have received from him, should be matter of joy to others of them.
|
||
|
|
Paul often expressed the hope that for God's grace to him thanks would
|
||
|
|
be rendered by many,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Co+1:11,4:15">2 Cor. i. 11; iv. 15</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Or it may be taken more generally; good people are glad to see one
|
||
|
|
another; they are especially pleased with those who are eminent for
|
||
|
|
their hope in God's word.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Ps119_75"> </A>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>75 I know, O L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT>, that thy judgments <I>are</I> right, and <I>that</I>
|
||
|
|
thou in faithfulness hast afflicted me.
|
||
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Still David is in affliction, and being so he owns,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
1. That his sin was justly corrected: <I>I know, O Lord! that thy
|
||
|
|
judgments are right,</I> are righteousness itself. However God is
|
||
|
|
pleased to afflict us, he does us no wrong, nor can we charge him with
|
||
|
|
any iniquity, but most acknowledge that it is less than we have
|
||
|
|
deserved. We know that God is holy in his nature and wise and just in
|
||
|
|
all the acts of his government, and therefore we cannot but know, in
|
||
|
|
the general, that his <I>judgments are right,</I> though, in some
|
||
|
|
particular instances, there may be difficulties which we cannot easily
|
||
|
|
resolve.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
2. That God's promise was graciously performed. The former may silence
|
||
|
|
us under our afflictions, and forbid us to repine, but this may satisfy
|
||
|
|
us, and enable us to rejoice; for afflictions are in the covenant, and
|
||
|
|
therefore they are not only not meant for our hurt, but they are really
|
||
|
|
intended for our good: "<I>In faithfulness thou hast afflicted me,</I>
|
||
|
|
pursuant to the great design of my salvation." It is easier to own, in
|
||
|
|
general, that God's <I>judgments are right,</I> than to own it when it
|
||
|
|
comes to be our own case; but David subscribes to it with application,
|
||
|
|
"Even my afflictions are just and kind."</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Ps119_76"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Ps119_77"> </A>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>76 Let, I pray thee, thy merciful kindness be for my comfort,
|
||
|
|
according to thy word unto thy servant.
|
||
|
|
77 Let thy tender mercies come unto me, that I may live: for
|
||
|
|
thy law <I>is</I> my delight.
|
||
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Here is,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
1. An earnest petition to God for his favour. Those that own the
|
||
|
|
justice of God in their afflictions (as David had done,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+119:75"><I>v.</I> 75</A>)
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
may, in faith, and with humble boldness, be earnest for the mercy of
|
||
|
|
God, and the tokens and fruits of that mercy, in their affliction. He
|
||
|
|
prays for God's <I>merciful kindness</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+119:76"><I>v.</I> 76</A>),
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
his <I>tender mercies,</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+119:77"><I>v.</I> 77</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
He can claim nothing as his due, but all his supports under his
|
||
|
|
affliction must come from mere mercy and compassion to one in misery,
|
||
|
|
one in want. "Let these <I>come to me,</I>" that is, "the evidence of
|
||
|
|
them (clear it up to me that thou hast a kindness for me, and mercy in
|
||
|
|
store), and the effects of them; let them work my relief and
|
||
|
|
deliverance."
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
2. The benefit he promised himself from God's lovingkindness: "Let it
|
||
|
|
<I>come to me for my comfort</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+119:76"><I>v.</I> 76</A>);
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
that will comfort me when nothing else will; that will comfort me
|
||
|
|
whatever grieves me." Gracious souls fetch all their comfort from a
|
||
|
|
gracious God, as the fountain of all happiness and joy: "Let it <I>come
|
||
|
|
to me, that I may live,</I> that is, that I may be revived, and my life
|
||
|
|
may be made sweet to me, for I have no joy of it while I am under God's
|
||
|
|
displeasure. <I>In his favour is life;</I> in his frowns are death." A
|
||
|
|
good man cannot live with any satisfaction any longer than he has some
|
||
|
|
tokens of God's favour to him.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
3. His pleas for the benefits of God's favour. He pleads,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(1.) God's promise: "Let me have thy kindness, <I>according to thy word
|
||
|
|
unto thy servant,</I> the kindness which thou hast promised and because
|
||
|
|
thou hast promised it." Our Master has passed his word to all his
|
||
|
|
servants that he will be kind to them, and they may plead it with him.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(2.) His own confidence and complacency in that promise: "<I>Thy law is
|
||
|
|
my delight;</I> I hope in thy word and rejoice in that hope." Note,
|
||
|
|
Those that delight in the law of God may depend upon the favour of God,
|
||
|
|
for it shall certainly make them happy.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Ps119_78"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Ps119_79"> </A>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>78 Let the proud be ashamed; for they dealt perversely with me
|
||
|
|
without a cause: <I>but</I> I will meditate in thy precepts.
|
||
|
|
79 Let those that fear thee turn unto me, and those that have
|
||
|
|
known thy testimonies.
|
||
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Here David shows,</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
I. How little he valued the will--will of sinners. There were those that
|
||
|
|
dealt perversely with him, that were peevish and ill-conditioned
|
||
|
|
towards him, that sought advantages against him, and misconstrued all
|
||
|
|
he said and did. Even those that deal most fairly may meet with those
|
||
|
|
that deal perversely. But David regarded it not, for,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
1. He knew it was <I>without cause,</I> and that for his love they were
|
||
|
|
his adversaries. The causeless reproach, like the curse causeless, may
|
||
|
|
be easily slighted; it does not hurt us, and therefore should not move
|
||
|
|
us.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
2. He could pray, in faith, that they might <I>be ashamed</I> of it;
|
||
|
|
God's dealing favourably with him might make them ashamed to think that
|
||
|
|
they had dealt perversely with him. "<I>Let</I> them <I>be ashamed,</I>
|
||
|
|
that is, let them be brought either to repentance or to ruin."
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
3. He could go on in the way of his duty, and find comfort in that.
|
||
|
|
"However they deal with me, <I>I will meditate in thy precepts,</I> and
|
||
|
|
entertain myself with them."</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
II. How much he valued the good-will of saints, and how desirous he was
|
||
|
|
to stand right in their opinion, and keep up his interest in them and
|
||
|
|
communion with them: <I>Let those that fear thee turn to me.</I> He
|
||
|
|
does not mean so much that they might side with him, and take up arms
|
||
|
|
in his cause, as that they might love him, and pray for him, and
|
||
|
|
associate with him. Good men desire the friendship and society of those
|
||
|
|
that are good. Some think it intimates that when David had been guilty
|
||
|
|
of that foul sin in the murder of Uriah, though he was a king, those
|
||
|
|
that feared God grew strange to him and turned from him, for they were
|
||
|
|
ashamed of him; this troubled him, and therefore he prays, Lord, let
|
||
|
|
them <I>turn to me again.</I> He desires especially the company of
|
||
|
|
those that were not only honest, but intelligent, <I>that have known
|
||
|
|
thy testimonies,</I> have good heads as well as good hearts, and whose
|
||
|
|
conversation will be edifying. It is desirable to have an intimacy with
|
||
|
|
such.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Ps119_80"> </A>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>80 Let my heart be sound in thy statutes; that I be not
|
||
|
|
ashamed.
|
||
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Here is,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
1. David's prayer for sincerity, that his heart might be brought to
|
||
|
|
God's <I>statutes,</I> and that it might be <I>sound</I> in them, not
|
||
|
|
rotten and deceitful, that he might not rest in the form of godliness,
|
||
|
|
but be acquainted with the subject to the power of it,--that he might
|
||
|
|
be hearty and constant in religion, and that his soul might be in
|
||
|
|
health.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
2. His dread of the consequences of hypocrisy: <I>That I be not
|
||
|
|
ashamed.</I> Shame is the portion of hypocrites, either here, if it be
|
||
|
|
repented of, or hereafter, if it be not: "<I>Let my heart be sound,</I>
|
||
|
|
that I fall not into scandalous sin, that I fall not quite off from the
|
||
|
|
ways of God, and so shame myself. <I>Let my heart be sound,</I> that I
|
||
|
|
may come <I>boldly to the throne of grace,</I> and may lift up my face
|
||
|
|
without spot at the great day."</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Ps119_81"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Ps119_82"> </A>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Sec11"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
|
||
|
|
<TR><TD ALIGN=CENTER><FONT SIZE=+1>11. CAPH.</FONT></TD>
|
||
|
|
<TD ALIGN=RIGHT><FONT SIZE=-1> <! -- Date --> </FONT></TD></TR>
|
||
|
|
</TABLE>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>81 My soul fainteth for thy salvation: <I>but</I> I hope in
|
||
|
|
thy word.
|
||
|
|
82 Mine eyes fail for thy word, saying, When wilt thou comfort
|
||
|
|
me?
|
||
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Here we have the psalmist,</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
I. Longing for help from heaven: <I>My soul faints; my eyes fail.</I>
|
||
|
|
He longs <I>for the salvation of the Lord</I> and <I>for his word,</I>
|
||
|
|
that is, salvation according to the word. He is not thus eager for the
|
||
|
|
creatures of fancy, but for the objects of faith, salvation from the
|
||
|
|
present calamities under which he was groaning and the doubts and fears
|
||
|
|
which he was oppressed with. It may be understood of the coming of the
|
||
|
|
Messiah, and so he speaks in the name of the Old-Testament church; the
|
||
|
|
souls of the faithful even <I>fainted to see</I> that salvation of
|
||
|
|
which the prophets testified.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Pe+1:10">1 Pet. i. 10</A>);
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
their eyes failed for it. Abraham saw it at a distance, and so did
|
||
|
|
others, but at such a distance that it put their eyes to the stretch
|
||
|
|
and they could not stedfastly see it. David was now under prevailing
|
||
|
|
dejections, and, having been long so, his eyes cried our, "<I>When wilt
|
||
|
|
thou comfort me?</I> Comfort me with <I>thy salvation,</I> comfort me
|
||
|
|
with <I>thy word.</I>" Observe,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
1. The salvation and consolation of God's people are secured to them by
|
||
|
|
the word, which will certainly be fulfilled in its season.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
2. The promised salvation and comfort may be, and often are, long
|
||
|
|
deferred, so that they are ready to faint and fall in the expectation
|
||
|
|
of them.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
3. Though we think the time long ere the promised salvation and comfort
|
||
|
|
come, yet we must still keep our eye upon that salvation, and resolve
|
||
|
|
to take up with nothing short of it. "Thy salvation, thy word, thy
|
||
|
|
comfort, are what my heart is still upon."</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
II. Waiting for that help, assured that it will come, and tarrying till
|
||
|
|
it come: <I>But I hope in thy word;</I> and but for hope the heart
|
||
|
|
would break. When the <I>eyes fail</I> yet the faith must not; for
|
||
|
|
<I>the vision is for an appointed time, and at the end it shall speak
|
||
|
|
and shall not lie.</I></P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Ps119_83"> </A>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>83 For I am become like a bottle in the smoke; <I>yet</I> do I not
|
||
|
|
forget thy statutes.
|
||
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
David begs God would make haste to comfort him,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
1. Because his affliction was great, and therefore he was an object of
|
||
|
|
God's pity: Lord, make haste to help me, <I>for I have become like a
|
||
|
|
bottle in the smoke,</I> a leathern bottle, which, if it hung any while
|
||
|
|
in the smoke, was not only blackened with soot, but dried, and parched,
|
||
|
|
and shrivelled up. David was thus wasted by age, and sickness, and
|
||
|
|
sorrow. See how affliction will mortify the strongest and stoutest of
|
||
|
|
men! David had been of a ruddy countenance, as fresh as a rose; but
|
||
|
|
now he is withered, his colour is gone, his cheeks are furrowed. Thus
|
||
|
|
does man's beauty consume under God's rebukes, as a moth fretting a
|
||
|
|
garment. A bottle, when it is thus wrinkled with smoke, is thrown by,
|
||
|
|
and there is no more use of it. Who will put wine into such old
|
||
|
|
bottles? Thus was David, in his low estate, looked upon <I>as a
|
||
|
|
despised broken vessel,</I> and as <I>a vessel in which there was no
|
||
|
|
pleasure.</I> Good men, when they are drooping and melancholy,
|
||
|
|
sometimes think themselves more slighted than really they are.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
2. Because, though his affliction was great, yet it had not driven him
|
||
|
|
from his duty, and therefore he was within the reach of God's promise:
|
||
|
|
<I>Yet do I not forget thy statutes.</I> Whatever our outward condition
|
||
|
|
is we must not cool in our affection to the word of God, nor let that
|
||
|
|
slip out of our minds; no care, no grief, must crowd that out. As some
|
||
|
|
<I>drink and forget the law</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Pr+31:5">Prov. xxxi. 5</A>),
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
so others weep and forget the law; but we must in every condition, both
|
||
|
|
prosperous and adverse, have the things of God in remembrance; and, if
|
||
|
|
we be mindful of God's statutes, we may pray and hope that he will be
|
||
|
|
mindful of our sorrows, though for a time he seems to forget us.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Ps119_84"> </A>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>84 How many <I>are</I> the days of thy servant? when wilt thou
|
||
|
|
execute judgment on them that persecute me?
|
||
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Here,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
I. David prays against the instruments of his troubles, that God would
|
||
|
|
make haste to execute judgment on those that persecuted him. He prays
|
||
|
|
not for power to avenge himself (he bore no malice to any), but that
|
||
|
|
God would take to himself the vengeance that belonged to him, and
|
||
|
|
<I>would repay</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ro+12:19">Rom. xii. 19</A>),
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
as the God that <I>sits in the throne judging right.</I> There is a day
|
||
|
|
coming, and a great and terrible day it will be, when God will execute
|
||
|
|
judgment on all the proud persecutors of his people, <I>tribulation to
|
||
|
|
those that troubled them;</I> Enoch foretold it
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jude+1:14">Jude 14</A>),
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
whose prophecy perhaps David here had an eye to; and that day we are to
|
||
|
|
look for and pray for the hastening of. <I>Come, Lord Jesus, come
|
||
|
|
quickly.</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
2. He pleads the long continuance of his trouble: "<I>How many are the
|
||
|
|
days of thy servant? The days of my life are but few</I>" (so some);
|
||
|
|
"therefore let them not all be miserable, and therefore make haste to
|
||
|
|
appear for me against my enemies, <I>before I go hence and shall be
|
||
|
|
seen no more.</I>" Or rather, "<I>The days of my affliction are
|
||
|
|
many;</I> thou seest, Lord, how many they be; when wilt thou return in
|
||
|
|
mercy to me? Sometimes, for the elect's sake, <I>the days of trouble
|
||
|
|
are shortened.</I> O let the days of my trouble be shortened; I am
|
||
|
|
<I>thy servant;</I> and therefore, as the eyes of a servant are to the
|
||
|
|
hand of his master, so are mine to thee, until thou have mercy on
|
||
|
|
me."</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Ps119_85"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Ps119_86"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Ps119_87"> </A>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>85 The proud have digged pits for me, which <I>are</I> not after thy
|
||
|
|
law.
|
||
|
|
86 All thy commandments <I>are</I> faithful: they persecute me
|
||
|
|
wrongfully; help thou me.
|
||
|
|
87 They had almost consumed me upon earth; but I forsook not
|
||
|
|
thy precepts.
|
||
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
David's state was <I>herein</I> a type and figure of the state both of
|
||
|
|
Christ and Christians that he was grievously persecuted; as there are
|
||
|
|
many of his psalms, so there are many of the verses of this psalm,
|
||
|
|
which complain of this, as those here. Here observe,</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
I. The account he gives of his persecutors and their malice against
|
||
|
|
him.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
1. They were <I>proud,</I> and in their pride <I>they persecuted
|
||
|
|
him,</I> glorying in this, that they could trample upon one who was so
|
||
|
|
much cried up, and hoping to raise themselves on his ruins.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
2. They were unjust: <I>They persecuted him wrongfully;</I> so far was
|
||
|
|
he from giving them any provocation that he had studied to oblige them;
|
||
|
|
but <I>for his love they were his adversaries.</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
3. They were spiteful: <I>They dug pits for him,</I> which intimates
|
||
|
|
that they were deliberate in their designs against him and that what
|
||
|
|
they did was of malice prepense; it intimates likewise that they were
|
||
|
|
subtle and crafty, and had the serpent's head as well as the serpent's
|
||
|
|
venom, that they were industrious and would refuse no pains to do him a
|
||
|
|
mischief, and treacherous, laying snares in secret for him, as hunters
|
||
|
|
do take wild beasts,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+35:7">Ps. xxxv. 7</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Such has been the enmity of the serpent's seed to the seed of the
|
||
|
|
woman.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
4. They herein showed their enmity to God himself. The pits they <I>dug
|
||
|
|
for him</I> were <I>not after God's law;</I> he means they were very
|
||
|
|
much against his law, which forbids to <I>devise evil to our
|
||
|
|
neighbour,</I> and has particularly said, <I>Touch not my anointed.</I>
|
||
|
|
The law appointed that, if a man dug a pit which occasioned any
|
||
|
|
mischief, he should answer for the mischief
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ex+21:33,34">Exod. xxi. 33, 34</A>),
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
much more when it was dug with a mischievous design.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
5. They carried on their designs against him so far that <I>they had
|
||
|
|
almost consumed him upon earth;</I> they went near to ruin him and all
|
||
|
|
his interests. It is possible that those who shall shortly be
|
||
|
|
consummate in heaven may be, for the present, <I>almost consumed on
|
||
|
|
earth;</I> and <I>it is of the Lord's mercies</I> (and, considering the
|
||
|
|
malice of their enemies, it is a miracle of mercy) <I>that they are not
|
||
|
|
quite consumed.</I> But the bush in which God is, though it burns,
|
||
|
|
shall not be burnt up.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
II. His application to God in his persecuted state.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
1. He acknowledges the truth and goodness of his religion, though he
|
||
|
|
suffered: "However it be, <I>all thy commandments are faithful,</I> and
|
||
|
|
therefore, whatever I lose for my observance of them, I know I shall
|
||
|
|
not lose by it." True religion, if it be worth any thing, is worth
|
||
|
|
every thing, and therefore worth suffering for. "Men are false; I find
|
||
|
|
them do; men of low degree, men of high degree, are so, there is no
|
||
|
|
trusting them. But <I>all thy commandments are faithful;</I> on them I
|
||
|
|
may rely."
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
2. He begs that God would stand by him, and succour him: "<I>They
|
||
|
|
persecute me; help thou me;</I> help me under my troubles, that I may
|
||
|
|
bear them patiently, and as becomes me, and may still hold fast my
|
||
|
|
integrity, and in due time help me out of my troubles." <I>God help
|
||
|
|
me</I> is an excellent comprehensive prayer; it is a pity that it
|
||
|
|
should ever be used lightly and as a by-word.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
III. His adherence to his duty notwithstanding all the malice of his
|
||
|
|
persecutors
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+119:87"><I>v.</I> 87</A>):
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<I>But I forsook not thy precepts.</I> That which they aimed at was to
|
||
|
|
frighten him from the ways of God, but they could not prevail; he would
|
||
|
|
sooner forsake all that was dear to him in this world than forsake the
|
||
|
|
word of God, would sooner lose his life than lose the comfort of doing
|
||
|
|
his duty.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Ps119_88"> </A>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>88 Quicken me after thy lovingkindness; so shall I keep the
|
||
|
|
testimony of thy mouth.
|
||
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Here is,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
1. David in care to be found in the way of his duty. His constant
|
||
|
|
desire and design are to <I>keep the testimony of God's mouth,</I> to
|
||
|
|
keep to it as his rule and to keep hold of it as his confidence and
|
||
|
|
portion for ever. This we must keep, whatever we lose.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
2. David at prayer for divine grace to assist him therein: "<I>Quicken
|
||
|
|
me after thy lovingkindness</I> (make me alive and make me lively),
|
||
|
|
<I>so shall I keep thy testimonies,</I>" implying that otherwise he
|
||
|
|
should not keep them. We cannot proceed, nor persevere, in the good
|
||
|
|
way, unless God quicken us and put life into us; we are therefore here
|
||
|
|
taught to depend upon the grace of God for strength to do every good
|
||
|
|
work, and to depend upon it as grace, as purely the fruit of God's
|
||
|
|
favour. He had prayed before, <I>Quicken me in thy righteousness</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+119:40"><I>v.</I> 40</A>);
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
but here, <I>Quicken me after thy lovingkindness.</I> The surest token
|
||
|
|
of God's good-will toward us is his good work in us.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Ps119_89"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Ps119_90"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Ps119_91"> </A>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Sec12"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
|
||
|
|
<TR><TD ALIGN=CENTER><FONT SIZE=+1>12. LAMED.</FONT></TD>
|
||
|
|
<TD ALIGN=RIGHT><FONT SIZE=-1> <! -- Date --> </FONT></TD></TR>
|
||
|
|
</TABLE>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>89 For ever, O L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT>, thy word is settled in heaven.
|
||
|
|
90 Thy faithfulness <I>is</I> unto all generations: thou hast
|
||
|
|
established the earth, and it abideth.
|
||
|
|
91 They continue this day according to thine ordinances: for
|
||
|
|
all <I>are</I> thy servants.
|
||
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Here,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
1. The psalmist acknowledges the unchangeableness of the word of God
|
||
|
|
and of all his counsels: "<I>For ever, O Lord! thy word is settled.
|
||
|
|
Thou art for ever thyself</I> (so some read it); thou art the same, and
|
||
|
|
with thee there is no variableness, and this is a proof of it. <I>Thy
|
||
|
|
word,</I> by which the heavens were made, <I>is settled</I> there in
|
||
|
|
the abiding products of it;" or the settling of God's word in heaven is
|
||
|
|
opposed to the changes and revolutions that are here upon earth. <I>All
|
||
|
|
flesh is grass;</I> but <I>the word of the Lord endures for ever.</I>
|
||
|
|
It <I>is settled in heaven,</I> that is, in the secret counsel of God,
|
||
|
|
which is hidden in himself and is far above out of our sight, and is
|
||
|
|
immovable, <I>as mountains of brass.</I> And his revealed will is as
|
||
|
|
firm as his secret will; as he will fulfil the thoughts of his heart,
|
||
|
|
so no word of his shall <I>fall to the ground;</I> for it follows here,
|
||
|
|
<I>Thy faithfulness is unto all generations,</I> that is, the promise
|
||
|
|
is sure to every age of the church and it cannot be antiquated by lapse
|
||
|
|
of time. The promises that look ever so far forward shall be performed
|
||
|
|
in their season.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
2. He produces, for proof of it, the constancy of the course of nature:
|
||
|
|
<I>Thou hast established the earth for ever and it abides;</I> it is
|
||
|
|
what it was at first made, and where it was at first placed, poised
|
||
|
|
with its own weight, and notwithstanding the convulsions in its own
|
||
|
|
bowels, the agitations of the sea that is interwoven with it, and the
|
||
|
|
violent concussions of the atmosphere that surrounds it, it remains
|
||
|
|
unmoved. "<I>They</I>" (the heavens and the earth and all the hosts of
|
||
|
|
both) "<I>continue to this day according to thy ordinances;</I> they
|
||
|
|
remain in the posts wherein thou hast set them; they fill up the place
|
||
|
|
assigned them, and answer the purposes for which they were intended."
|
||
|
|
The stability of the ordinances of the day and night, of heaven and
|
||
|
|
earth, is produced to prove the perpetuity of God's covenant,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jer+31:35,36,33:20,21">Jer. xxxi. 35, 36; xxxiii. 20, 21</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
It is by virtue of God's promise to Noah
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ge+8:22">Gen. viii. 22</A>)
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
that <I>day and night, summer and winter,</I> observe a steady course.
|
||
|
|
"They have continued to this day, and shall still continue to the end
|
||
|
|
of time, acting according to the ordinances which were at first given
|
||
|
|
them; for all are thy servants; they do thy will, and set forth thy
|
||
|
|
glory, and in both <I>are thy servants.</I>" All the creatures are, in
|
||
|
|
their places, and according to their capacities, serviceable to their
|
||
|
|
Creator, and answer the ends of their creation; and shall man be the
|
||
|
|
only rebel, the only revolter from his allegiance, and the only
|
||
|
|
unprofitable burden of the earth?</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Ps119_92"> </A>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>92 Unless thy law <I>had been</I> my delights, I should then have
|
||
|
|
perished in mine affliction.
|
||
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Here is,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
1. The great distress that David was in. He was in affliction, and
|
||
|
|
ready to <I>perish in his affliction,</I> not likely to die, so much as
|
||
|
|
likely to despair; he was ready to give up all for gone, and to look
|
||
|
|
upon himself as cut off from God's sight; he therefore admires the
|
||
|
|
goodness of God to him, that he had not perished, that he kept the
|
||
|
|
possession of his own soul, and was not driven out of his wits by his
|
||
|
|
troubles, but especially that he was enabled to keep close to his God
|
||
|
|
and was not driven off from his religion by them. Though we are not
|
||
|
|
kept from affliction, yet, if we are kept from perishing in our
|
||
|
|
affliction, we have no reason to say, <I>We have cleansed our hands in
|
||
|
|
vain;</I> or, <I>What profit is it that we have served God?</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
2. His support in this distress. God's law was his delight,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(1.) It had been so formerly, and the remembrance of that was a comfort
|
||
|
|
to him, as it afforded him a good evidence of his integrity.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(2.) It was so now in his affliction; it afforded him abundant matter
|
||
|
|
of comfort, and from these fountains of life he drew living waters,
|
||
|
|
when the cisterns of the creature were broken or dried up. His converse
|
||
|
|
with God's law, and his meditations on it, were his delightful
|
||
|
|
entertainment in solitude and sorrow. A Bible is a pleasant companion
|
||
|
|
at any time if we please.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Ps119_93"> </A>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>93 I will never forget thy precepts: for with them thou hast
|
||
|
|
quickened me.
|
||
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Here is,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
1. A very good resolution: "<I>I will never forget thy precepts,</I>
|
||
|
|
but will always retain a remembrance of and regard to thy word as my
|
||
|
|
rule." It is a resolution for perpetuity, never to be altered. Note,
|
||
|
|
The best evidence of our love to the word of God is never to forget it.
|
||
|
|
We must resolve that we will never, at any time, cast off our religion,
|
||
|
|
and never, upon any occasion, lay aside our religion, but that we will
|
||
|
|
be constant to it and persevere in it.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
2. A very good reason for it: "<I>For by them thou hast quickened
|
||
|
|
me;</I> not only they are quickening, but,"
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(1.) "They have been so to me; I have found them so." Those speak best
|
||
|
|
of the things of God who speak by experience, who can say that by the
|
||
|
|
word the spiritual life has been begun in them, maintained and
|
||
|
|
strengthened in them, excited and comforted in them.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(2.) "Thou hast made them so;" the word of itself, without the grace of
|
||
|
|
God, would not quicken us. Ministers can but prophesy upon the dry
|
||
|
|
bones, they cannot put life into them; but, ordinarily, the grace of
|
||
|
|
God works by the word and makes use of it as a means of quickening, and
|
||
|
|
this is a good reason why we should never forget it, but should highly
|
||
|
|
value what God has put such honour upon, and dearly love what we have
|
||
|
|
found and hope still to find such benefit by. See here what is the best
|
||
|
|
help for bad memories, namely, good affections. If we are quickened by
|
||
|
|
the word, we shall never forget it; nay, that word that does really
|
||
|
|
quicken us to and in our duty is not forgotten; though the expressions
|
||
|
|
be lost, if the impressions remain, it is well.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Ps119_94"> </A>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>94 I <I>am</I> thine, save me; for I have sought thy precepts.
|
||
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Here,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
1. David claims relation to God: "<I>I am thine,</I> devoted to thee
|
||
|
|
and owned by thee, thine in covenant." He does not say, <I>Thou art
|
||
|
|
mine</I> (as Dr. Manton observes), though that follows of course,
|
||
|
|
because that were a higher challenge; but, <I>I am thine,</I>
|
||
|
|
expressing himself in a more humble and dutiful way of resignation; nor
|
||
|
|
does he say, <I>I am thus,</I> but, <I>I am thine,</I> not pleading his
|
||
|
|
own good property or qualification, but God's propriety in him: "<I>I
|
||
|
|
am thine,</I> not my own, not the world's."
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
2. He proves his claim: "<I>I have sought thy precepts;</I> I have
|
||
|
|
carefully enquired concerning my duty and diligently endeavoured to do
|
||
|
|
it." This will be the best evidence that we belong to God; all that are
|
||
|
|
his, though they have not found perfection, are seeking it.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
3. He improves his claim: "<I>I am thine; save me;</I> save me from
|
||
|
|
sin, save me from ruin." Those that have in sincerity given up
|
||
|
|
themselves to God to be his may be sure that he will protect them and
|
||
|
|
preserve them to his heavenly kingdom,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mal+3:18">Mal. iii. 18</A>.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Ps119_95"> </A>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>95 The wicked have waited for me to destroy me: <I>but</I> I will
|
||
|
|
consider thy testimonies.
|
||
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Here,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
1. David complains of the malice of his enemies: <I>The wicked</I> (and
|
||
|
|
none but such would be enemies to so good a man) <I>have waited for me
|
||
|
|
to destroy me.</I> They were very cruel, and aimed at no less than his
|
||
|
|
destruction; they were very crafty, and sought all opportunities to do
|
||
|
|
him a mischief; and they were <I>confident</I> (they <I>expected,</I>
|
||
|
|
so some read it), that they should destroy him; they thought themselves
|
||
|
|
sure of their prey.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
2. He comforts himself in the word of God as his protection: "While
|
||
|
|
they are contriving my destruction, <I>I consider thy testimonies,</I>
|
||
|
|
which secure to me my salvation." God's testimonies are <I>then</I>
|
||
|
|
likely to be our support, when we consider them, and dwell in our
|
||
|
|
thoughts upon them.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Ps119_96"> </A>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>96 I have seen an end of all perfection: <I>but</I> thy commandment
|
||
|
|
<I>is</I> exceeding broad.
|
||
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Here we have David's testimony from his own experience,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
1. Of the vanity of the world and its insufficiency to make us happy:
|
||
|
|
<I>I have seen an end of all perfection.</I> Poor perfection which one
|
||
|
|
sees an end of! Yet such are all those things in this world which pass
|
||
|
|
for perfections. David, in his time, had seen Goliath, the strongest,
|
||
|
|
overcome, Asahel, the swiftest, overtaken, Ahithophel, the wisest,
|
||
|
|
befooled, Absalom, the fairest, deformed; and, in short, he had <I>seen
|
||
|
|
an end of perfection,</I> of <I>all perfection.</I> He saw it by faith;
|
||
|
|
he saw it by observation; he saw an end of the perfection of the
|
||
|
|
creature both in respect of sufficiency (it was scanty and defective;
|
||
|
|
there is that to be done for us which the creature cannot do) and in
|
||
|
|
respect of continuance; it will not last our time, for it will not last
|
||
|
|
to eternity as we must. The glory of man is but as the flower of the
|
||
|
|
grass.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
2. Of the fulness of the word of God, and its sufficiency for our
|
||
|
|
satisfaction: <I>But thy commandment is broad, exceedingly broad.</I>
|
||
|
|
The word of God reaches to all cases, to all times. The divine law lays
|
||
|
|
a restraint upon the whole man, is designed to sanctify us wholly.
|
||
|
|
There is a great deal required and forbidden in every commandment. The
|
||
|
|
divine promise (for that also is commanded) extends itself to all our
|
||
|
|
burdens, wants, and grievances, and has that in it which will make a
|
||
|
|
portion and happiness for us when we <I>have seen an end of all
|
||
|
|
perfection.</I></P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Ps119_97"> </A>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Sec13"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
|
||
|
|
<TR><TD ALIGN=CENTER><FONT SIZE=+1>13. MEM.</FONT></TD>
|
||
|
|
<TD ALIGN=RIGHT><FONT SIZE=-1> <! -- Date --> </FONT></TD></TR>
|
||
|
|
</TABLE>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>97 MEM. O how love I thy law! it <I>is</I> my meditation all the
|
||
|
|
day.
|
||
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Here is,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
1. David's inexpressible love to the word of God: <I>O how love I thy
|
||
|
|
law!</I> He protests his affection to the word of God with a holy
|
||
|
|
vehemency; he found that love to it in his heart which, considering the
|
||
|
|
corruption of his nature and the temptations of the world, he could not
|
||
|
|
but wonder at, and at that grace which had wrought it in him. He not
|
||
|
|
only loved the promises, but loved the law, and delighted in it after
|
||
|
|
the inner man.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
2. An unexceptionable evidence of this. What we love we love to think
|
||
|
|
of; by <I>this</I> it appeared that David loved the word of God that it
|
||
|
|
was his <I>meditation.</I> He not only read the book of the law, but
|
||
|
|
digested what he read in his thoughts, and was delivered into it as
|
||
|
|
into a mould: it was his meditation not only in the night, when he was
|
||
|
|
silent and solitary, and had nothing else to do, but in the day, when
|
||
|
|
he was full of business and company; nay, and <I>all the day;</I> some
|
||
|
|
good thoughts were interwoven with his common thoughts, so full was he
|
||
|
|
of the word of God.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Ps119_98"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Ps119_99"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Ps119_100"> </A>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>98 Thou through thy commandments hast made me wiser than mine
|
||
|
|
enemies: for they <I>are</I> ever with me.
|
||
|
|
99 I have more understanding than all my teachers: for thy
|
||
|
|
testimonies <I>are</I> my meditation.
|
||
|
|
100 I understand more than the ancients, because I keep thy
|
||
|
|
precepts.
|
||
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
We have here an account of David's learning, not that of the Egyptians,
|
||
|
|
but of the <I>Israelites indeed.</I></P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
I. The good method by which he got it. In his youth he minded business
|
||
|
|
in the country as a shepherd; from his youth he minded business in the
|
||
|
|
court and camp. Which way then could he get any great stock of
|
||
|
|
learning? He tells us here how he came by it; he had it from God as the
|
||
|
|
author: <I>Thou hast made me wise.</I> All true wisdom is from God. He
|
||
|
|
had it by the word of God as the means, by <I>his commandments</I> and
|
||
|
|
<I>his testimonies.</I> These are able to <I>make us wise to
|
||
|
|
salvation</I> and <I>to furnish the man of God for every good work.</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
1. These David took for his constant companions: "<I>They are ever with
|
||
|
|
me,</I> ever in my mind, ever in my eye." A good man, wherever he goes,
|
||
|
|
carries his Bible along with him, if not in his hands, yet in his head
|
||
|
|
and in his heart.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
2. These he took for the delightful subject of his thoughts; they were
|
||
|
|
his <I>meditation,</I> not only as matters of speculation for his
|
||
|
|
entertainment, as scholars meditate on their notions, but as matters of
|
||
|
|
concern, for his right management, as men of business think of their
|
||
|
|
business, that they may do it in the best manner.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
3. These he took for the commanding rules of all his actions: <I>I keep
|
||
|
|
thy precepts,</I> that is, I make conscience of doing my duty in every
|
||
|
|
thing. The best way to improve in knowledge is to abide and abound in
|
||
|
|
all the instances of serious godliness; for, <I>if any man do his will,
|
||
|
|
he shall know of the doctrine</I> of Christ, shall know more and more
|
||
|
|
of it,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+7:17">John vii. 17</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
The love of the truth prepares for the light of it; the <I>pure in
|
||
|
|
heart shall see God</I> here.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
II. The great eminency he attained to in it. By studying and practising
|
||
|
|
God's commandments, and making them his rule, he learnt to <I>behave
|
||
|
|
himself wisely in all his ways,</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Sa+18:14">1 Sam. xviii. 14</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
2. He outwitted his enemies; God, by these means, made him wiser to
|
||
|
|
baffle and defeat their designs against him than they were to lay them.
|
||
|
|
Heavenly wisdom will carry the point, at last, against carnal policy.
|
||
|
|
By keeping the commandments we secure God on our side and make him our
|
||
|
|
friend, and therein are certainly wiser than those that make him their
|
||
|
|
enemy. By keeping the commandments we preserve in ourselves that peace
|
||
|
|
and quiet of mind which our enemies would rob us of, and so are wise
|
||
|
|
for ourselves, wiser than they are for themselves, for this world as
|
||
|
|
well as for the other.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
2. He outstripped his <I>teachers,</I> and had more understanding than
|
||
|
|
all of them. He means either those who would have been his teachers,
|
||
|
|
who blamed his conduct and undertook to prescribe to him (by keeping
|
||
|
|
God's commandments he managed his matters so that it appeared, in the
|
||
|
|
event, he had taken the right measures and they had taken the wrong),
|
||
|
|
or those who should have been his teachers, the priests and Levites,
|
||
|
|
who sat in Moses's chair, and whose lips ought to have kept knowledge,
|
||
|
|
but who neglected the study of the law, and minded their honours and
|
||
|
|
revenues, and the formalities only of their religion; and so David, who
|
||
|
|
conversed much with the scriptures, by that means became more
|
||
|
|
intelligent than they. Or he may mean those who had been his teachers
|
||
|
|
when he was young; he built so well upon the foundation which they had
|
||
|
|
laid that, with the help of his Bible, he became able to teach them, to
|
||
|
|
teach them all. He was not now a babe that needed milk, but had
|
||
|
|
<I>spiritual senses exercised,</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Heb+5:14">Heb. v. 14</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
It is no reflection upon our teachers, but rather an honour to them, to
|
||
|
|
improve so as really to excel them, and not to need them. By meditation
|
||
|
|
we preach to ourselves, and so we come to <I>understand more than our
|
||
|
|
teachers,</I> for we come to understand our own hearts, which they
|
||
|
|
cannot.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
3. He outdid <I>the ancients,</I> either those of his day (he was
|
||
|
|
young, like Elihu, and they were very old, but his keeping God's
|
||
|
|
precepts taught more wisdom than the multitude of their years,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Job+32:7,8">Job xxxii. 7, 8</A>)
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
or those of former days; he himself quotes the proverb of the ancients
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Sa+24:13">1 Sam. xxiv. 13</A>),
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
but the word of God gave him to understand things better than he could
|
||
|
|
do by tradition and all the learning that was handed down from
|
||
|
|
preceding ages. In short, the written word is a surer guide to heaven
|
||
|
|
than all the doctors and fathers, the teachers and ancients, of the
|
||
|
|
church; and the sacred writings kept, and kept to, will teach us more
|
||
|
|
wisdom than all their writings.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Ps119_101"> </A>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>101 I have refrained my feet from every evil way, that I might
|
||
|
|
keep thy word.
|
||
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Here is,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
1. David's care to avoid the ways of sin: "<I>I have refrained my feet
|
||
|
|
from the evil ways</I> they were ready to step aside into. I checked
|
||
|
|
myself and drew back as soon as I was aware that I was entering into
|
||
|
|
temptation." Though it was a broad way, a green way, a pleasant way,
|
||
|
|
and a way that many walked in, yet, being a sinful way, it was an evil
|
||
|
|
way, and he refrained his feet from it, foreseeing the end of that way.
|
||
|
|
And his care was universal; he shunned every evil way. <I>By the words
|
||
|
|
of thy lips I have kept myself from the paths of the destroyer,</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+17:4">Ps. xvii. 4</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
2. His care to be found in the way of duty; <I>That I might keep thy
|
||
|
|
word,</I> and never transgress it. His abstaining from sin was,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(1.) An evidence that he did conscientiously aim to keep God's word and
|
||
|
|
had made that his rule.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(2.) It was a means of his keeping God's word in the exercises of
|
||
|
|
religion; for we cannot with any comfort or boldness attend on God in
|
||
|
|
holy duties, so as in them to keep his word, while we are under guilt
|
||
|
|
or in any by-way.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Ps119_102"> </A>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>102 I have not departed from thy judgments: for thou hast
|
||
|
|
taught me.
|
||
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Here is,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
1. David's constancy in his religion. He had <I>not departed from God's
|
||
|
|
judgments;</I> he had not chosen any other rule than the word of God,
|
||
|
|
nor had he wilfully deviated from that rule. A constant adherence to
|
||
|
|
the ways of God in trying times will be a good evidence of our
|
||
|
|
integrity.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
2. The cause of his constancy: "<I>For thou hast taught me;</I> that
|
||
|
|
is, they were divine instructions that I learned; I was satisfied that
|
||
|
|
the doctrine was of God, and therefore I stuck to it." Or rather, "It
|
||
|
|
was divine grace in my heart that enabled me to receive those
|
||
|
|
instructions." All the saints are taught of God, for he it is that
|
||
|
|
gives the understanding; and those, and those only, that are taught of
|
||
|
|
God, will continue to the end in the things that they have learned.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Ps119_103"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Ps119_104"> </A>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>103 How sweet are thy words unto my taste! <I>yea, sweeter</I> than
|
||
|
|
honey to my mouth!
|
||
|
|
104 Through thy precepts I get understanding: therefore I hate
|
||
|
|
every false way.
|
||
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Here is,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
1. The wonderful pleasure and delight which David took in the word of
|
||
|
|
God; it was <I>sweet to his taste, sweeter than honey.</I> There is
|
||
|
|
such a thing as a spiritual taste, an inward savour and relish of
|
||
|
|
divine things, such an evidence of them to ourselves, by experience, as
|
||
|
|
we cannot give to others. We have <I>heard him ourselves,</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+4:2">John iv. 42</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
To this scripture-taste the word of God is sweet, very sweet, sweeter
|
||
|
|
than any of the gratifications of sense, even those that are most
|
||
|
|
delicious. David speaks as if he wanted words to express the
|
||
|
|
satisfaction he took in the discoveries of the divine will and grace;
|
||
|
|
no pleasure was comparable to it.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
2. The unspeakable profit and advantage he gained by the word of God.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(1.) It helped him to a good head: "<I>Through thy precepts I get
|
||
|
|
understanding</I> to discern between truth and falsehood, good and
|
||
|
|
evil, so as not to mistake either in the conduct of my own life or in
|
||
|
|
advising others."
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(2.) It helped him to a good heart: "<I>Therefore,</I> because I have
|
||
|
|
got understanding of the truth, <I>I hate every false way,</I> and am
|
||
|
|
stedfastly resolved not to turn aside into it." Observe here,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
[1.] The way of sin is a false way; it deceives, and will ruin, all
|
||
|
|
that walk in it; it is the wrong way, and yet it seems to a man right,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Pr+14:12">Prov. xiv. 12</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
[2.] It is the character of every good man that he hates the way of
|
||
|
|
sin, and hates it because it is a false way; he not only refrains his
|
||
|
|
feet from it
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+119:101"><I>v.</I> 101</A>),
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
but he <I>hates it,</I> has an antipathy to it and a dread of it.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
[3.] Those who hate sin as sin will hate all sin, hate every false way,
|
||
|
|
because every false way leads to destruction. And,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
[4.] The more understanding we get by the word of God the more rooted
|
||
|
|
will our hatred of sin be (for <I>to depart from evil, that is
|
||
|
|
understanding,</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Job+28:28">Job xxviii. 28</A>),
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
and the more ready we are in the scriptures the better furnished we are
|
||
|
|
with answers to temptation.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Ps119_105"> </A>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Sec14"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
|
||
|
|
<TR><TD ALIGN=CENTER><FONT SIZE=+1>14. NUN.</FONT></TD>
|
||
|
|
<TD ALIGN=RIGHT><FONT SIZE=-1> <! -- Date --> </FONT></TD></TR>
|
||
|
|
</TABLE>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>105 NUN. Thy word <I>is</I> a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my
|
||
|
|
path.
|
||
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Observe here,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
1. The nature of the word of God, and the great intention of giving it
|
||
|
|
to the world; it is a <I>lamp and a light.</I> It discovers to us,
|
||
|
|
concerning God and ourselves, that which otherwise we could not have
|
||
|
|
known; it shows us what is amiss, and will be dangerous; it directs us
|
||
|
|
in our work and way, and a dark place indeed the world would be without
|
||
|
|
it. It is a lamp which we may set up by us, and take into our hands for
|
||
|
|
our own particular use,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Pr+6:23">Prov. vi. 23</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
The commandment is a lamp kept burning with the oil of the Spirit; it
|
||
|
|
is like the lamps in the sanctuary, and the pillar of fire to Israel.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
2. The use we should make of it. It must be not only a <I>light to out
|
||
|
|
eyes,</I> to gratify them, and fill our heads with speculations, but a
|
||
|
|
<I>light to our feet</I> and <I>to our path,</I> to direct us in the
|
||
|
|
right ordering of our conversation, both in the choice of our way in
|
||
|
|
general and in the particular steps we take in that way, that we may
|
||
|
|
not take a false way nor a false step in the right way. We are then
|
||
|
|
truly sensible of God's goodness to us in giving us such a lamp and
|
||
|
|
light when we make it a guide to our feet, our path.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Ps119_106"> </A>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>106 I have sworn, and I will perform <I>it,</I> that I will keep thy
|
||
|
|
righteous judgments.
|
||
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Here is,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
1. The notion David had of religion; it is <I>keeping God's righteous
|
||
|
|
judgments.</I> God's commands are his judgments, the dictates of
|
||
|
|
infinite wisdom. They are righteous judgments, consonant to the eternal
|
||
|
|
rules of equity, and it is our duty to keep them carefully.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
2. The obligation he here laid upon himself to be religious, binding
|
||
|
|
himself, by his own promise, to that which he was already bound to by
|
||
|
|
the divine precept, and all little enough. "<I>I have sworn (I have
|
||
|
|
lifted up my head to the Lord, and I cannot go back</I>) and therefore
|
||
|
|
must go forward: <I>I will perform it.</I>" Note,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(1.) It is good for us to bind ourselves with a solemn oath to be
|
||
|
|
religious. We must swear to the Lord as subjects swear allegiance to
|
||
|
|
their sovereign, promising fealty, appealing to God concerning our
|
||
|
|
sincerity in this promise, and owning ourselves liable to the curse of
|
||
|
|
we do not perform it.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(2.) We must often call to mind the vows of God that are upon us, and
|
||
|
|
remember that we have sworn.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(3.) We must make conscience of performing unto the Lord our oaths (an
|
||
|
|
honest man will be as good as his word); nor have we sworn to our own
|
||
|
|
hurt, but it will be unspeakably to our hurt if we do not perform.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Ps119_107"> </A>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>107 I am afflicted very much: quicken me, O L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT>, according
|
||
|
|
unto thy word.
|
||
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Here is,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
1. The representation David makes of the sorrowful condition he was in:
|
||
|
|
<I>I am afflicted very much,</I> afflicted in spirit; he seems to mean
|
||
|
|
that especially. He laboured under many discouragements; without were
|
||
|
|
fightings, within were fears. This is often the lot of the best
|
||
|
|
saints; therefore think it not strange if sometimes it be ours.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
2. The recourse he has to God in this condition; he prays for his
|
||
|
|
grace: "<I>Quicken me, O Lord!</I> make me lively, make me cheerful;
|
||
|
|
quicken me by afflictions to greater diligence in my work. <I>Quicken
|
||
|
|
me,</I> that is, deliver me out of my afflictions, which will be as
|
||
|
|
life from the dead." He pleads the promise of God, guides his desires
|
||
|
|
by it, and grounds his hopes upon it: <I>Quicken me according to thy
|
||
|
|
word.</I> David resolved to perform his promises to God
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+119:106"><I>v.</I> 106</A>)
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
and therefore could, with humble boldness, beg of God to make good his
|
||
|
|
word to him.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Ps119_108"> </A>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>108 Accept, I beseech thee, the freewill offerings of my mouth,
|
||
|
|
O L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT>, and teach me thy judgments.
|
||
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Two things we are here taught to pray for, in reference to our
|
||
|
|
religious performances:--
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
1. Acceptance of them. This we must aim at in all we do in religion,
|
||
|
|
that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of the Lord. What
|
||
|
|
David here earnestly prays for the acceptance of are the
|
||
|
|
<I>free-will-offerings,</I> not of his purse, but of his <I>mouth,</I>
|
||
|
|
his prayers and praises. <I>The calves of our lips</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ho+14:2">Hos. xiv. 2</A>),
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<I>the fruit of our lips</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Heb+1:15">Heb. i. 15</A>),
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
these are the spiritual offerings which all Christians, as spiritual
|
||
|
|
priests, must offer to God; and they must be
|
||
|
|
<I>free-will-offerings,</I> for we must offer them abundantly and
|
||
|
|
cheerfully, and it is this willing mind that is accepted. The more
|
||
|
|
there is of freeness and willingness in the service of God the more
|
||
|
|
pleasing it is to him.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
2. Assistance in them: <I>Teach me thy judgments.</I> We cannot offer
|
||
|
|
any thing to God which we have reason to think he will accept of, but
|
||
|
|
what he is pleased to instruct us in the doing of; and we must be as
|
||
|
|
earnest for the grace of God in us as for the favour of God towards
|
||
|
|
us.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Ps119_109"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Ps119_110"> </A>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>109 My soul <I>is</I> continually in my hand: yet do I not forget
|
||
|
|
thy law.
|
||
|
|
110 The wicked have laid a snare for me: yet I erred not from
|
||
|
|
thy precepts.
|
||
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Here is,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
1. David in danger of losing his life. There is but a step between him
|
||
|
|
and death, for the <I>wicked have laid a snare</I> for him; Saul did so
|
||
|
|
many a time, because he hated him for his piety. Wherever he was he
|
||
|
|
found some design or other laid against him to take away his life, for
|
||
|
|
it was that they aimed at. What they could not effect by open force
|
||
|
|
they hoped to compass by treachery, which made him say, <I>My soul is
|
||
|
|
continually in my hand.</I> It was so with him, not only as a
|
||
|
|
<I>man</I> (so it is true of us all; wherever we are we lie exposed to
|
||
|
|
the strokes of death; what we carry in our hands is easily snatched
|
||
|
|
away from us by violence, or if sandy, as our life is, it easily of
|
||
|
|
itself slips through our fingers), but as a <I>man of war,</I> a
|
||
|
|
soldier, who often jeoparded his life in the high places of the field,
|
||
|
|
and especially as <I>a man after God's own heart,</I> and, as such,
|
||
|
|
hated and persecuted, and <I>always delivered to death</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Co+4:11">2 Cor. iv. 11</A>),
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<I>killed all the day long.</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
2. David in no danger of losing his religion, notwithstanding this,
|
||
|
|
thus in jeopardy every hour and yet constant to God and his duty. None
|
||
|
|
of these things move him; for,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(1.) He <I>does not forget the law,</I> and therefore he is likely to
|
||
|
|
persevere. In the multitude of his cares for his own safety he finds
|
||
|
|
room in his head and heart for the word of God, and has that in his
|
||
|
|
mind as fresh as ever; and where that dwells richly it will be a
|
||
|
|
<I>well of living water.</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(2.) He has not yet erred from God's precepts, and therefore it is to
|
||
|
|
be hoped he will not. He had stood many a shock and kept his ground,
|
||
|
|
and surely that grace which had helped him hitherto would not fail him,
|
||
|
|
but would still prevent his wanderings.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Ps119_111"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Ps119_112"> </A>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>111 Thy testimonies have I taken as a heritage for ever: for
|
||
|
|
they <I>are</I> the rejoicing of my heart.
|
||
|
|
112 I have inclined mine heart to perform thy statutes alway,
|
||
|
|
<I>even unto</I> the end.
|
||
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
The psalmist here in a most affectionate manner, like an Israelite
|
||
|
|
indeed, resolves to stick to the word of God and to live and die by
|
||
|
|
it.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
I. He resolves to portion himself in it, and there to seek his
|
||
|
|
happiness, nay, there to enjoy it; "<I>Thy testimonies</I> (the truths,
|
||
|
|
the promises, of thy word) <I>have I taken as a heritage for ever, for
|
||
|
|
they are the rejoicing of my heart.</I>" The present delight he took in
|
||
|
|
them was an evidence that the good things contained in them were in his
|
||
|
|
account the best things, and the treasure which he set his heart upon.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
1. He expected an eternal happiness in God's testimonies. The covenant
|
||
|
|
God had made with him was an everlasting covenant, and therefore he
|
||
|
|
took it as <I>a heritage for ever.</I> If he could not yet say, "They
|
||
|
|
are my heritage," yet he could say, "I have made choice of them for my
|
||
|
|
heritage; and will never take up with a portion in this life,"
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+17:14,15">Ps. xvii. 14, 15</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
God's testimonies are a heritage to all that have received the Spirit
|
||
|
|
of adoption; for, <I>if children, then heirs.</I> They are a
|
||
|
|
<I>heritage for ever,</I> and that no earthly heritage is
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Pe+1:4">1 Pet. i. 4</A>);
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
all the saints accept them as such, take up with them, live upon them,
|
||
|
|
and can therefore be content with but little of this world.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
2. He enjoyed a present satisfaction in them: <I>They are the rejoicing
|
||
|
|
of my heart,</I> because they will be <I>my heritage for ever.</I> It
|
||
|
|
requires the heart of a good man to see his portion in the promise of
|
||
|
|
God and not in the possessions of this world.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
II. He resolves to govern himself by it and thence to take his
|
||
|
|
measures: <I>I have inclined my heart to do thy statutes.</I> Those
|
||
|
|
that would have the blessings of God's testimonies must come under the
|
||
|
|
bonds of his statutes. We must look for comfort only in the way of
|
||
|
|
duty, and that duty must be done,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
1. With full consent and complacency: "<I>I have,</I> by the grace of
|
||
|
|
God, <I>inclined my heart to it,</I> and conquered the aversion I had
|
||
|
|
to it." A good man brings his heart to his work and then it is done
|
||
|
|
well. A gracious disposition to do the will of God is the acceptable
|
||
|
|
principle of all obedience.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
2. With constancy and perseverance. He would perform God's statutes
|
||
|
|
always, in all instances, in the duty of every day, in a constant
|
||
|
|
course of holy walking, and this <I>to the end,</I> without weariness.
|
||
|
|
This is following the Lord fully.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Ps119_113"> </A>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Sec15"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
|
||
|
|
<TR><TD ALIGN=CENTER><FONT SIZE=+1>15. SAMECH.</FONT></TD>
|
||
|
|
<TD ALIGN=RIGHT><FONT SIZE=-1> <! -- Date --> </FONT></TD></TR>
|
||
|
|
</TABLE>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>113 I hate <I>vain</I> thoughts: but thy law do I love.
|
||
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Here we have,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
1. David's dread of the risings of sin, and the first beginnings of it:
|
||
|
|
<I>I hate</I> vain <I>thoughts.</I> He does not mean that he hated them
|
||
|
|
in others, for there he could not discern them, but he hated them in
|
||
|
|
his own heart. Every good man makes conscience of his thoughts, for
|
||
|
|
they are words to God. Vain thoughts, how light soever most make of
|
||
|
|
them, are sinful and hurtful, and therefore we should account them
|
||
|
|
hateful and dreadful, for they do not only divert the mind from that
|
||
|
|
which is good, but open the door to all evil,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jer+4:14">Jer. iv. 14</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Though David could not say that he was free from vain thoughts, yet he
|
||
|
|
could say that he hated them; he did not countenance them, nor give
|
||
|
|
them any entertainment, but did what he could to keep them out, at
|
||
|
|
least to keep them under. <I>The evil I do I allow not.</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
2. David's delight in the rule of duty: <I>But thy law do I love,</I>
|
||
|
|
which forbids those vain thoughts, and threatens them. The more we love
|
||
|
|
the law of God the more we shall get the mastery of our vain thoughts,
|
||
|
|
the more hateful they will be to us, as being contrary to the whole
|
||
|
|
law, and the more watchful we shall be against them, lest they draw us
|
||
|
|
from that which we love.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Ps119_114"> </A>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>114 Thou <I>art</I> my hiding place and my shield: I hope in thy
|
||
|
|
word.
|
||
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Here is,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
1. God's care of David to protect and defend him, which he comforted
|
||
|
|
himself with when his enemies were very malicious against him: <I>Thou
|
||
|
|
art my hiding-place and my shield.</I> David, when Saul pursued him,
|
||
|
|
often betook himself to close places for shelter; in war he guarded
|
||
|
|
himself with his shield. Now God was both these to him, a hiding-place
|
||
|
|
to preserve him from danger and a shield to preserve him in danger, his
|
||
|
|
life from death and his soul from sin. Good people are safe under God's
|
||
|
|
protection. He is their <I>strength and their shield,</I> their <I>help
|
||
|
|
and their shield,</I> their <I>sun and their shield,</I> their
|
||
|
|
<I>shield and their great reward,</I> and here their <I>hiding-place
|
||
|
|
and their shield.</I> They may by faith retire to him, and repose in
|
||
|
|
him as their hiding-place, where they are kept in secret. They may by
|
||
|
|
faith oppose his power to all the might and malice of their enemies, as
|
||
|
|
their shield to quench every fiery dart.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
2. David's confidence in God. He is safe, and therefore he is easy,
|
||
|
|
under the divine protection: "<I>I hope in thy word,</I> which has
|
||
|
|
acquainted me with thee and assured me of thy kindness to me." Those
|
||
|
|
who depend on God's promise shall have the benefit of his power and be
|
||
|
|
taken under his special protection.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Ps119_115"> </A>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>115 Depart from me, ye evildoers: for I will keep the
|
||
|
|
commandments of my God.
|
||
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Here is,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
1. David's firm and fixed resolution to live a holy life: <I>I will
|
||
|
|
keep the commandments of my God.</I> Bravely resolved! like a saint,
|
||
|
|
like a soldier; for true courage consists in a steady resolution
|
||
|
|
against all sin and for all duty. Those that would keep God's
|
||
|
|
commandments must be often renewing their resolutions to do so: "<I>I
|
||
|
|
will keep them.</I> Whatever others do, this I will do; though I be
|
||
|
|
singular, though all about me be evil-doers, and desert me; whatever I
|
||
|
|
have done hitherto, I will for the future walk closely with God. They
|
||
|
|
are the commandments of God, of my God, and therefore I will keep them.
|
||
|
|
He is God and may command me, my God and will command me nothing but
|
||
|
|
what is for my good."
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
2. His farewell to bad company, pursuant to this resolution: <I>Depart
|
||
|
|
from me, you evil-doers.</I> Though David, as a good magistrate, was a
|
||
|
|
terror to evil-doers, yet there were many such, even about court,
|
||
|
|
intruding near his person; these he here abdicates, and resolves to
|
||
|
|
have no conversation with them. Note, Those that resolve to keep the
|
||
|
|
commandments of God must have no society with evil-doers; for bad
|
||
|
|
company is a great hindrance to a holy life. We must not choose wicked
|
||
|
|
people for our companions, nor be intimate with them; we must not do as
|
||
|
|
they do nor do as they would have us do,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+1:1,Eph+5:11">Ps. i. 1; Eph. v. 11</A>.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Ps119_116"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Ps119_117"> </A>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>116 Uphold me according unto thy word, that I may live: and let
|
||
|
|
me not be ashamed of my hope.
|
||
|
|
117 Hold thou me up, and I shall be safe: and I will have
|
||
|
|
respect unto thy statutes continually.
|
||
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Here,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
1. David prays for sustaining grace; for this grace sufficient he
|
||
|
|
besought the Lord twice: <I>Uphold me;</I> and again, <I>Hold thou me
|
||
|
|
up.</I> He sees himself not only unable to go on in his duty by any
|
||
|
|
strength of his own, but in danger of falling into sin unless he was
|
||
|
|
prevented by divine grace; and therefore he is thus earnest for that
|
||
|
|
grace to uphold him in his integrity
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+41:12">Ps. xli. 12</A>),
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
to keep him from falling and to keep him from tiring, that he might
|
||
|
|
neither turn aside to evil-doing nor be weary of well-doing. We stand
|
||
|
|
no longer than God holds us and go no further than he carries us.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
2. He pleads earnestly for this grace.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(1.) He pleads the promise of God, his dependence upon the promise, and
|
||
|
|
his expectation from it: "<I>Uphold me, according to thy word,</I>
|
||
|
|
which word I hope in; and, if it be not performed, I shall be made
|
||
|
|
<I>ashamed of my hope,</I> and be called a fool for my credulity." But
|
||
|
|
those that hope in God's word may be sure that the word will not fail
|
||
|
|
them, and therefore their hope will not make them ashamed.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(2.) He pleads the great need he had of God's grace and the great
|
||
|
|
advantage it would be of to him: <I>Uphold me, that I may live,</I>
|
||
|
|
intimating that he could not live without the grace of God; he should
|
||
|
|
fall into sin, into death, into hell, if God did not hold him up; but,
|
||
|
|
supported by his hand, he shall live; his spiritual life shall be
|
||
|
|
maintained and be an earnest of eternal life. <I>Hold me up, and I
|
||
|
|
shall be safe,</I> out of danger and out of the fear of danger. Our
|
||
|
|
holy security is grounded on divine supports.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(3.) He pleads his resolution, in the strength of this grace, to
|
||
|
|
proceed in his duty: "<I>Hold me up,</I> and then <I>I will have
|
||
|
|
respect unto thy statutes continually</I> and never turn my eyes or
|
||
|
|
feet aside from them." <I>I will employ myself</I> (so some), I <I>will
|
||
|
|
delight myself</I> (so others) <I>in thy statutes.</I> If God's right
|
||
|
|
hand uphold us, we must, in his strength, go on in our duty both with
|
||
|
|
diligence and pleasure.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Ps119_118"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Ps119_119"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Ps119_120"> </A>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>118 Thou hast trodden down all them that err from thy statutes:
|
||
|
|
for their deceit <I>is</I> falsehood.
|
||
|
|
119 Thou puttest away all the wicked of the earth <I>like</I> dross:
|
||
|
|
therefore I love thy testimonies.
|
||
|
|
120 My flesh trembleth for fear of thee; and I am afraid of thy
|
||
|
|
judgments.
|
||
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Here is,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
I. God's judgment on wicked people, on those that <I>wander from his
|
||
|
|
statutes,</I> that take their measures from other rules and will not
|
||
|
|
have God to reign over them. All departure from God's statutes is
|
||
|
|
certainly an error, and will prove a fatal one. These are <I>the wicked
|
||
|
|
of the earth;</I> they mind earthly things, lay up their treasures in
|
||
|
|
the earth, live in pleasure on the earth, and are strangers and enemies
|
||
|
|
to heaven and heavenly things. Now see how God deals with them, that
|
||
|
|
you may neither fear them nor envy them.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
1. He <I>treads them all down.</I> He brings them to ruin, to utter
|
||
|
|
ruin, to shameful ruin; he makes them his footstool. Though they are
|
||
|
|
ever so high, he can bring them low
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Am+2:9">Amos ii. 9</A>);
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
he has done it many a time, and he will do it, for he resists the proud
|
||
|
|
and will triumph over those that oppose his kingdom. Proud persecutors
|
||
|
|
trample upon his people, but, sooner or later, he will trample upon
|
||
|
|
them.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
2. He <I>puts them all away like dross.</I> Wicked people are as dross,
|
||
|
|
which, though it be mingled with the good metal in the ore, and seems
|
||
|
|
to be of the same substance with it, must be separated from it. And in
|
||
|
|
God's account they are worthless things, the scum and refuse of the
|
||
|
|
earth, and no more to be compared with the righteous than dross with
|
||
|
|
fine gold. There is a day coming which will put them away from among
|
||
|
|
the righteous
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+13:49">Matt. xiii. 49</A>),
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
so that they shall have no place <I>in their congregation</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+1:5">Ps. i. 5</A>),
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
which will put them away into everlasting fire, the fittest place for
|
||
|
|
the dross. Sometimes, in this world, the wicked are, by the censures of
|
||
|
|
the church, or the sword of the magistrate, or the judgments of God,
|
||
|
|
<I>put away as dross,</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Pr+25:4,5">Prov. xxv. 4, 5</A>.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
II. The reasons of these judgments. God casts them off because they
|
||
|
|
<I>err from his statutes</I> (those that will not submit to the
|
||
|
|
commands of the word shall feel the curses of it) and because <I>their
|
||
|
|
deceit is falsehood,</I> that is, because they deceive themselves by
|
||
|
|
setting up false rules, in opposition to God's statutes, which they err
|
||
|
|
from, and because they go about to deceive others with their
|
||
|
|
hypocritical pretences of good and their crafty projects of mischief.
|
||
|
|
<I>Their cunning is falsehood,</I> so Dr. Hammond. The utmost of their
|
||
|
|
policy is treachery and perfidiousness; this the God of truth hates and
|
||
|
|
will punish.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
III. The improvement David made of these judgments. He took notice of
|
||
|
|
them and received instruction from them. The ruin of the wicked helped
|
||
|
|
to increase,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
1. His love to the word of God. "I see what comes of sin; <I>therefore
|
||
|
|
I love thy testimonies,</I> which warn me to take heed of those
|
||
|
|
dangerous courses and <I>keep me from the paths of the destroyer.</I>"
|
||
|
|
We see the word of Go fulfilled in his judgments on sin and sinners,
|
||
|
|
and therefore we should love it.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
2. His fear of the wrath of God: <I>My flesh trembles for fear of
|
||
|
|
thee.</I> Instead of insulting over those who fell under God's
|
||
|
|
displeasure, he humbled himself. What we read and hear of the judgments
|
||
|
|
of God upon wicked people would make us,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(1.) To reverence his terrible majesty, and to stand in awe of him:
|
||
|
|
<I>Who is able to stand before this holy Lord God?</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Sa+6:20">1 Sam. vi. 20</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(2.) To fear lest we offend him and become obnoxious to his wrath. Good
|
||
|
|
men have need to be restrained from sin by <I>the terrors of the
|
||
|
|
Lord,</I> especially when judgment <I>begins at the house of God</I>
|
||
|
|
and hypocrites are discovered and <I>put away as dross.</I></P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Ps119_121"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Ps119_122"> </A>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Sec16"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
|
||
|
|
<TR><TD ALIGN=CENTER><FONT SIZE=+1>16. AIN.</FONT></TD>
|
||
|
|
<TD ALIGN=RIGHT><FONT SIZE=-1> <! -- Date --> </FONT></TD></TR>
|
||
|
|
</TABLE>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>121 I have done judgment and justice: leave me not to mine
|
||
|
|
oppressors.
|
||
|
|
122 Be surety for thy servant for good: let not the proud
|
||
|
|
oppress me.
|
||
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
David here appeals to God,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
1. As his witness that he had not done wrong; he could truly say, "<I>I
|
||
|
|
have done judgment and justice,</I> that is, I have made conscience of
|
||
|
|
rendering to all their due, and have not by force or fraud hindered any
|
||
|
|
of their right." Take him as a king, he <I>executed judgment and
|
||
|
|
justice to all his people,</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Sa+8:15">2 Sam. viii. 15</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Take him in a private capacity, he could appeal to Saul himself that
|
||
|
|
<I>there was no evil or transgression in his hand,</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Sa+24:11">1 Sam. xxiv. 11</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Note, Honesty is the best policy and will be our rejoicing in the day
|
||
|
|
of evil.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
2. As his Judge, that he might not be wronged. Having done justice for
|
||
|
|
others that were oppressed, he begs that God would do him justice and
|
||
|
|
avenge him of his adversaries: "<I>Be surety for thy servant, for
|
||
|
|
good;</I> undertake for me against those that would run me down and
|
||
|
|
ruin me." He is sensible that he cannot make his part good himself, and
|
||
|
|
therefore begs that God would appear for him. Christ is our surety with
|
||
|
|
God; and, if he be so, Providence shall be our surety against all the
|
||
|
|
world. Who or what shall harm us if God's power and goodness be engaged
|
||
|
|
for our protection and rescue? He does not prescribe to God what he
|
||
|
|
should do for him; only let it be <I>for good,</I> in such way and
|
||
|
|
manner as Infinite Wisdom sees best; "only <I>let me not be left to my
|
||
|
|
oppressors.</I>" Though David had <I>done judgment and justice,</I> yet
|
||
|
|
he had many enemies; but, having God for his friend, he hoped they
|
||
|
|
should not have their will against him; and in that hope he prayed
|
||
|
|
again, <I>Let not the proud oppress me.</I> David, one of the best of
|
||
|
|
men, was oppressed by the proud, whom God beholds afar off; the
|
||
|
|
condition therefore of the persecuted is better than that of the
|
||
|
|
persecutors, and will appear so at last.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Ps119_123"> </A>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>123 Mine eyes fail for thy salvation, and for the word of thy
|
||
|
|
righteousness.
|
||
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
David, being oppressed, is here waiting and wishing for the salvation
|
||
|
|
of the Lord, which would make him easy.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
1. He cannot but think that it comes slowly: <I>My eyes fail for thy
|
||
|
|
salvation.</I> His eyes were towards it and had been long so. He looked
|
||
|
|
for help from heaven (and we deceive ourselves if we look for it any
|
||
|
|
other way), but it did not come so soon as he expected, so that his
|
||
|
|
eyes began to fail, and he was sometimes ready to despair, and to think
|
||
|
|
that, because the salvation did not come when he looked for it, it
|
||
|
|
would never come. It is often the infirmity even of good men to be
|
||
|
|
weary of waiting God's time when <I>their</I> time has elapsed.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
2. Yet he cannot hope that it comes surely; for he expects <I>the word
|
||
|
|
of God's righteousness,</I> and no other salvation than what is secured
|
||
|
|
by that word, which cannot fall to the ground because it is a word of
|
||
|
|
righteousness. Though our eyes fail, yet God's word does not, and
|
||
|
|
therefore those that build upon it, though now discouraged, shall in
|
||
|
|
due time see his salvation.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Ps119_124"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Ps119_125"> </A>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>124 Deal with thy servant according unto thy mercy, and teach
|
||
|
|
me thy statutes.
|
||
|
|
125 I <I>am</I> thy servant; give me understanding, that I may know
|
||
|
|
thy testimonies.
|
||
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Here is,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
1. David's petition for divine instruction: "<I>Teach me thy
|
||
|
|
statutes;</I> give me to know all my duty; when I am in doubt, and know
|
||
|
|
not for certain what is my duty, direct me, and make it plain to me;
|
||
|
|
now that I am afflicted, oppressed, and <I>my eyes</I> are ready to
|
||
|
|
<I>fail for thy salvation,</I> let me know what my duty is in this
|
||
|
|
condition." In difficult times we should desire more to be told what we
|
||
|
|
must do than what we may expect, and should pray more to be led into
|
||
|
|
the knowledge of scripture-precepts than of scripture-prophecies. If
|
||
|
|
God, who gave us his statutes, do not teach us, we shall never learn
|
||
|
|
them. How God teaches is implied in the next petition: <I>Give me
|
||
|
|
understanding</I> (a renewed understanding, apt to receive divine
|
||
|
|
light), <I>that I may know thy testimonies.</I> It is God's prerogative
|
||
|
|
to give an understanding, that understanding without which we cannot
|
||
|
|
know God's testimonies. Those who know most of God's testimonies desire
|
||
|
|
to know more, and are still earnest with God to teach them, never
|
||
|
|
thinking they know enough.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
2. His pleas to enforce this petition.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(1.) He pleads God's goodness to him: <I>Deal with me according to thy
|
||
|
|
mercy.</I> The best saints count this their best plea for any blessing,
|
||
|
|
"Let me have it according to thy mercy;" for we deserve no favour from
|
||
|
|
God, nor can we claim any as a debt, but we are most likely to be easy
|
||
|
|
when we cast ourselves upon God's mercy and refer ourselves to it.
|
||
|
|
Particularly, when we come to him for instruction, we must beg it as a
|
||
|
|
mercy, and reckon that in being taught we are well dealt with.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(2.) He pleads his relation to God: "<I>I am thy servant,</I> and have
|
||
|
|
work to do for thee; therefore <I>teach me</I> to do it and to do it
|
||
|
|
well." The servant has reason to expect that, if he be at a loss about
|
||
|
|
his work, his master should teach him, and, if it were in his power,
|
||
|
|
give him an understanding. "Lord," says David, "I desire to serve thee;
|
||
|
|
show me how." If any man resolve to do God's will as his servant, he
|
||
|
|
shall be made to know his testimonies,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+7:17,Ps+25:14">John vii. 17; Ps. xxv. 14</A>.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Ps119_126"> </A>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>126 <I>It is</I> time for <I>thee,</I> L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT>, to work: <I>for</I> they have
|
||
|
|
made void thy law.
|
||
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Here is,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
1. A complaint of the daring impiety of the wicked. David, having in
|
||
|
|
himself a holy indignation at it, humbly represents it to God: "Lord,
|
||
|
|
there are those that <I>have made void thy law,</I> have set thee and
|
||
|
|
thy government at defiance, and have done what in them lay to cancel
|
||
|
|
and vacate the obligation of thy commands." Those that sin through
|
||
|
|
infirmity transgress the law, but presumptuous sinners do in effect
|
||
|
|
make void the law, saying, <I>Who is the Lord? What is the Almighty,
|
||
|
|
that we should fear him?</I> It is possible a godly man may sin against
|
||
|
|
the commandment, but a wicked man would sin away the commandment, would
|
||
|
|
repeal God's laws and enact his own lusts. This is the sinfulness of
|
||
|
|
sin and the malignity of the carnal mind.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
2. A desire that God would appear, for the vindication of his own
|
||
|
|
honour: "<I>It is time for thee, Lord, to work,</I> to do something for
|
||
|
|
the effectual confutation of atheists and infidels, and the silencing
|
||
|
|
of those that set their mouth against the heavens." God's time to work
|
||
|
|
is when vice has become most daring and the measure of iniquity is
|
||
|
|
full. <I>Now will I arise, saith the Lord.</I> Some read it, and the
|
||
|
|
original will bear it, <I>It is time to work for thee, O Lord!</I> it
|
||
|
|
is time for every one in his place to appear on the Lord's
|
||
|
|
side--against the threatening growth of profaneness and immorality. We
|
||
|
|
must do what we can for the support of the sinking interests of
|
||
|
|
religion, and, after all, we must beg of God to take the work into his
|
||
|
|
own hands.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Ps119_127"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Ps119_128"> </A>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>127 Therefore I love thy commandments above gold; yea, above
|
||
|
|
fine gold.
|
||
|
|
128 Therefore I esteem all <I>thy</I> precepts <I>concerning</I> all
|
||
|
|
<I>things to be</I> right; <I>and</I> I hate every false way.
|
||
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
David here, as often in this psalm, professes the great love he had to
|
||
|
|
the word and law of God; and, to evidence the sincerity of it, observe,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
1. The degree of his love. He loved his Bible better than he loved his
|
||
|
|
money--<I>above gold, yea, above fine gold.</I> Gold, fine gold, is what
|
||
|
|
most men set their hearts upon; nothing charms them and dazzles their
|
||
|
|
eyes so much as gold does. It is fine gold, a fine thing in their eyes;
|
||
|
|
they will venture their souls, their God, their all, to get and keep
|
||
|
|
it. But David saw that the word of God answers all purposes better than
|
||
|
|
money does, for it enriches the soul towards God; and therefore he
|
||
|
|
loved it better than gold, for it had done that for him which gold
|
||
|
|
could not do, and would stand him in stead when the wealth of the world
|
||
|
|
would fail him.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
2. The ground of his love. He loved all God's commandments because he
|
||
|
|
esteemed them to be right, all reasonable and just, and suited to the
|
||
|
|
end for which they were made. They are all as they should be, and no
|
||
|
|
fault can be found with them; and we must love them because they bear
|
||
|
|
God's image and are the revelations of his will. If we thus <I>consent
|
||
|
|
to the law that it is good,</I> we shall delight in it after the inner
|
||
|
|
man.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
3. The fruit and evidence of this love: He <I>hated every false
|
||
|
|
way.</I> The way of sin being directly contrary to God's precepts,
|
||
|
|
which are right, is a false way, and therefore those that have a love
|
||
|
|
and esteem for God's law hate it and will not be reconciled to it.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Ps119_129"> </A>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Sec17"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
|
||
|
|
<TR><TD ALIGN=CENTER><FONT SIZE=+1>17. PE.</FONT></TD>
|
||
|
|
<TD ALIGN=RIGHT><FONT SIZE=-1> <! -- Date --> </FONT></TD></TR>
|
||
|
|
</TABLE>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>129 Thy testimonies <I>are</I> wonderful: therefore doth my soul
|
||
|
|
keep them.
|
||
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
See here how David was affected towards the word of God.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
1. He admired it, as most excellent in itself: <I>Thy testimonies are
|
||
|
|
wonderful.</I> The word of God gives us admirable discoveries of God,
|
||
|
|
and Christ, and another world; admirable proofs of divine love and
|
||
|
|
grace. The majesty of the style, the purity of the matter, the harmony
|
||
|
|
of the parts, are all wonderful. Its effects upon the consciences of
|
||
|
|
men, both for conviction and comfort, are wonderful; and it is a sign
|
||
|
|
that we are not acquainted with God's testimonies, or do not understand
|
||
|
|
them, if we do not admire them.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
2. He adhered to it as of constant use to him: "<I>Therefore doth my
|
||
|
|
soul keep them,</I> as a treasure of inestimable value, which I cannot
|
||
|
|
be without." We do not keep them to any purpose unless our souls keep
|
||
|
|
them. There they must be deposited, as the tables of testimony in the
|
||
|
|
ark, there they must have the innermost and uppermost place. Those that
|
||
|
|
see God's word to be admirable will prize it highly and preserve it
|
||
|
|
carefully, as that which they promise themselves great things from.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Ps119_130"> </A>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>130 The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth
|
||
|
|
understanding unto the simple.
|
||
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Here is,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
1. The great use for which the word of God was intended, to give light,
|
||
|
|
that is, to give understanding, to give us to understand that which
|
||
|
|
will be of use to us in our travels through this world; and it is the
|
||
|
|
outward and ordinary means by which the Spirit of God enlightens the
|
||
|
|
understanding of all that are sanctified. God's testimonies are not
|
||
|
|
only wonderful for the greatness of them, but useful, as a light in a
|
||
|
|
dark place.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
2. Its efficacy for this purpose. It admirably answers the end; for,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(1.) Even <I>the entrance of God's word gives light.</I> If we begin at
|
||
|
|
the beginning, and take it before us, we shall find that the very first
|
||
|
|
verses of the Bible give us surprising and yet satisfying discoveries
|
||
|
|
of the origin of the universe, about which, without that, the world is
|
||
|
|
utterly in the dark. As soon as the word of God enters into us, and
|
||
|
|
has a place in us, it enlightens us; we find we begin to see when we
|
||
|
|
begin to study the word of God. The very first principles of the
|
||
|
|
oracles of God, the plainest truths, the milk appointed for the babes,
|
||
|
|
bring a great light into the soul, much more will the soul be
|
||
|
|
illuminated by the sublime mysteries that are found there. "The
|
||
|
|
exposition or explication of thy word gives light;" then it is most
|
||
|
|
profitable when ministers do their part <I>in giving the sense,</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ne+8:8">Neh. viii. 8</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Some understand it of the New Testament, which is the opening or
|
||
|
|
unfolding of the Old, which would give light concerning life and
|
||
|
|
immortality.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(2.) It would <I>give understanding</I> even <I>to the simple,</I> to
|
||
|
|
the weakest capacities; for it shows us a way to heaven so plain that
|
||
|
|
the <I>wayfaring men, though fools, shall not err therein.</I></P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Ps119_131"> </A>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>131 I opened my mouth, and panted: for I longed for thy
|
||
|
|
commandments.
|
||
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Here is,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
1. The desire David had towards the word of God: <I>I longed for thy
|
||
|
|
commandments.</I> When he was under a forced absence from God's
|
||
|
|
ordinances he longed to be restored to them again; when he enjoyed
|
||
|
|
ordinances he greedily sucked in the word of God, <I>as new-born babes
|
||
|
|
desire the milk.</I> When Christ is formed in the soul there are
|
||
|
|
gracious longings, unaccountable to one that is a stranger to the work.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
2. The degree of that desire appearing in the expressions of it: <I>I
|
||
|
|
opened my mouth and panted,</I> as one overcome with hear, or almost
|
||
|
|
stifled, pants for a mouthful of fresh air. Thus strong, thus earnest,
|
||
|
|
should our desires be towards God and the remembrance of his name,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+42:1,2+Lu+12:50">Ps. xlii. 1, 2. Luke xii. 50</A>.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Ps119_132"> </A>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>132 Look thou upon me, and be merciful unto me, as thou usest
|
||
|
|
to do unto those that love thy name.
|
||
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Here is,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
1. David's request for God's favour to himself: "<I>Look</I> graciously
|
||
|
|
<I>upon me;</I> let me have thy smiles, and the light of thy
|
||
|
|
countenance. Take cognizance of me and my affairs, <I>and be merciful
|
||
|
|
to me;</I> let me taste the sweetness of thy mercy and receive the
|
||
|
|
gifts of thy mercy." See how humble his petition is. He asks not for
|
||
|
|
the operations of God's hand, only for the smiles of his face; a good
|
||
|
|
look is enough; and for that he does not plead merit, but implores
|
||
|
|
mercy.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
2. His acknowledgment of his favour to all his people: <I>As thou usest
|
||
|
|
to do unto those that love thy name.</I> This is either,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(1.) A plea for mercy: "Lord, I am one of <I>those that love thy
|
||
|
|
name,</I> love thee and thy word, and thou usest to be kind to those
|
||
|
|
that do so; and wilt thou be worse to me than to others of thy people?"
|
||
|
|
Or,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(2.) A description of the favour and mercy he desired--"that which thou
|
||
|
|
usest to bestow on those that love thy name, which <I>thou bearest to
|
||
|
|
thy chosen,</I>"
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+106:4,5">Ps. cvi. 4, 5</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
He desires no more, no better, than neighbour's fare, and he will take
|
||
|
|
up with no less; common looks and common mercies will not serve, but
|
||
|
|
such as are reserved for those that love him, which are such as <I>eye
|
||
|
|
has not seen,</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Co+2:9">1 Cor. ii. 9</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Note, The dealings of God with those that love him are such that a man
|
||
|
|
needs not desire to be any better dealt with, for he will make them
|
||
|
|
truly and eternally happy. And as long as God deals with us no
|
||
|
|
otherwise than as he uses to deal with those that love him we have no
|
||
|
|
reason to complain,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Co+10:13">1 Cor. x. 13</A>.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Ps119_133"> </A>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>133 Order my steps in thy word: and let not any iniquity have
|
||
|
|
dominion over me.
|
||
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Here David prays for two great spiritual blessings, and is, in this
|
||
|
|
verse, as earnest for the good work of God in him as, in the verse
|
||
|
|
before, for the good-will of God towards him. He prays,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
1. For direction in the paths of duty: "<I>Order my steps in thy
|
||
|
|
word;</I> having led me into the right way, let every step I take in
|
||
|
|
that way be under the guidance of thy grace." We ought to walk by rule;
|
||
|
|
all the motions of the soul must not only be kept within the bounds
|
||
|
|
prescribed by the word, so as not to transgress them, but carried out
|
||
|
|
in the paths prescribed by the word, so as not to trifle in them. And
|
||
|
|
therefore we must beg of God that by his good Spirit he would order our
|
||
|
|
steps accordingly.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
2. For deliverance from the power of sin: "<I>Let no iniquity have
|
||
|
|
dominion over me,</I> so as to gain my consent to it, and that I should
|
||
|
|
be led captive by it." The dominion of sin is to be dreaded and
|
||
|
|
deprecated by every one of us; and, if in sincerity we pray against it,
|
||
|
|
we may receive that promise as an answer to the prayer
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ro+6:14">Rom. vi. 14</A>),
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<I>Sin shall not have dominion over you.</I></P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Ps119_134"> </A>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>134 Deliver me from the oppression of man: so will I keep thy
|
||
|
|
precepts.
|
||
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Here,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
1. David prays that he might live a quiet and peaceable life, and might
|
||
|
|
not be harassed and discomposed by those that studied to be vexatious:
|
||
|
|
"<I>Deliver me from the oppression of man</I>--man, whom God can
|
||
|
|
control, and whose power is limited. Let them know themselves to be
|
||
|
|
<I>but men</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+9:20">Ps. ix. 20</A>),
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
and let me be delivered out of the hands of my enemies, that I may
|
||
|
|
serve God without fear; <I>so will I keep thy precepts.</I>" Not but
|
||
|
|
that he would keep God's precepts, though he should be continued under
|
||
|
|
oppression; "but so shall I keep thy precepts more cheerfully and with
|
||
|
|
more enlargement of heart, my bonds being loosed." <I>Then</I> we may
|
||
|
|
expect temporal blessings when we desire them with this in our eye,
|
||
|
|
that we may serve God the better.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Ps119_135"> </A>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>135 Make thy face to shine upon thy servant; and teach me thy
|
||
|
|
statutes.
|
||
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
David here, as often as elsewhere, writes himself God's servant, a
|
||
|
|
title he gloried in, though he was a king; now here, as became a good
|
||
|
|
servant,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
1. He is very ambitious of his Master's favour, accounting that his
|
||
|
|
happiness and chief good. He asks not for corn and wine, for silver and
|
||
|
|
gold, but, "<I>Make thy face to shine upon thy servant;</I> let me be
|
||
|
|
accepted of thee, and let me know that I am so. Comfort me with the
|
||
|
|
light of thy countenance in every cloudy and dark day. If the world
|
||
|
|
frown upon me, yet do thou smile."
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
2. He is very solicitous about his Master's work, accounting that his
|
||
|
|
business and chief concern. This he would be instructed in, that he
|
||
|
|
might do it, and do it well, so as to be accepted in the doing of it:
|
||
|
|
<I>Teach me thy statutes.</I> Note, We must pray as earnestly for grace
|
||
|
|
as for comfort. If God hides his face from us, it is because we have
|
||
|
|
been careless in keeping his statutes; and therefore, that we may be
|
||
|
|
qualified for the returns of his favour, we must pray for wisdom to do
|
||
|
|
our duty.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Ps119_136"> </A>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>136 Rivers of waters run down mine eyes, because they keep not
|
||
|
|
thy law.
|
||
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Here we have David in sorrow.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
1. It is a great sorrow, to such a degree that he weeps <I>rivers of
|
||
|
|
tears.</I> Commonly, where there is a gracious heart, there is a
|
||
|
|
weeping eye, in conformity to Christ, who was a man of sorrows and
|
||
|
|
acquainted with grief. David had prayed for comfort in God's favour
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+119:135"><I>v.</I> 135</A>),
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
now he pleads that he was qualified for that comfort, and had need of
|
||
|
|
it, for he was one of those that mourned in Zion, and those that do so
|
||
|
|
shall be comforted,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+61:3">Isa. lxi. 3</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
2. It is godly sorrow. He wept not for his troubles, though they were
|
||
|
|
many, but for the dishonour done to God: <I>Because they keep not thy
|
||
|
|
law,</I> either <I>because my eyes keep not thy law,</I> so some (the
|
||
|
|
eye is the inlet and outlet of a great deal of sin, and therefore it
|
||
|
|
ought to be a weeping eye), or, rather, <I>they,</I> that is, those
|
||
|
|
about me,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+119:139"><I>v.</I> 139</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Note, The sins of sinners are the sorrows of saints. We must mourn for
|
||
|
|
that which we cannot mend.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Ps119_137"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Ps119_138"> </A>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Sec18"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
|
||
|
|
<TR><TD ALIGN=CENTER><FONT SIZE=+1>18. TZADDI.</FONT></TD>
|
||
|
|
<TD ALIGN=RIGHT><FONT SIZE=-1> <! -- Date --> </FONT></TD></TR>
|
||
|
|
</TABLE>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>137 Righteous <I>art</I> thou, O L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT>, and upright <I>are</I> thy
|
||
|
|
judgments.
|
||
|
|
138 Thy testimonies <I>that</I> thou hast commanded <I>are</I> righteous
|
||
|
|
and very faithful.
|
||
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Here is,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
1. The righteousness of God, the infinite rectitude and perfection of
|
||
|
|
his nature. As he is what he is, so he is what he should be, and in
|
||
|
|
every thing acts as becomes him; there is nothing wanting, nothing
|
||
|
|
amiss, in God; his will is the eternal rule of equity, and he is
|
||
|
|
righteous, for he does all according to it.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
2. The righteousness of his government. He rules the world by his
|
||
|
|
providence, according to the principles of justice, and never did, nor
|
||
|
|
ever can do, any wrong to any of his creatures: <I>Upright are thy
|
||
|
|
judgments,</I> the promises and threatenings and the executions of
|
||
|
|
both. Every word of God is pure, and he will be true to it; he
|
||
|
|
perfectly knows the merits of every cause and will judge accordingly.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
3. The righteousness of his commands, which he has given to be the rule
|
||
|
|
of our obedience: "<I>Thy testimonies that thou hast commanded,</I>
|
||
|
|
which are backed with thy sovereign authority, and to which thou dost
|
||
|
|
require our obedience, <I>are</I> exceedingly <I>righteous and
|
||
|
|
faithful,</I> righteousness and faithfulness itself." As he acts like
|
||
|
|
himself, so his law requires that we act like ourselves and like him,
|
||
|
|
that we be just to ourselves and to all we deal with, true to all the
|
||
|
|
engagements we lay ourselves under both to God and man. That which we
|
||
|
|
are commanded to practise is righteous; that which we are commanded to
|
||
|
|
believe is faithful. It is necessary to our faith and obedience that we
|
||
|
|
be convinced of this.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Ps119_139"> </A>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>139 My zeal hath consumed me, because mine enemies have
|
||
|
|
forgotten thy words.
|
||
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Here is,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
1. The great contempt which wicked men put upon religion: <I>My enemies
|
||
|
|
have forgotten thy words.</I> They have often heard them, but so little
|
||
|
|
did they heed them that they soon forgot them, they willingly forgot
|
||
|
|
them, not only through carelessness let them slip out of their minds,
|
||
|
|
but contrived how to cast them behind their backs. This is at the
|
||
|
|
bottom of all the wickedness of the wicked, and particularly of their
|
||
|
|
malignity and enmity to the people of God; they have forgotten the
|
||
|
|
words of God, else those would give check to their sinful courses.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
2. The great concern which godly men show for religion. David reckoned
|
||
|
|
those his enemies who forgot the words of God because they were enemies
|
||
|
|
to religion, which he had entered into a league with, offensive and
|
||
|
|
defensive. And therefore his <I>zeal</I> even <I>consumed him,</I> when
|
||
|
|
he observed their impieties. He conceived such an indignation at their
|
||
|
|
wickedness as preyed upon his spirits, even <I>ate them up</I> (as
|
||
|
|
Christ's zeal,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+2:17">John ii. 17</A>),
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
swallowed up all inferior considerations, and made him forget himself.
|
||
|
|
<I>My zeal has pressed or constrained me</I> (so Dr. Hammond reads it),
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+18:5">Acts xviii. 5</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Zeal against sin should constrain us to do what we can against it in
|
||
|
|
our places, at least to do so much the more in religion ourselves. The
|
||
|
|
worse others are the better we should be.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Ps119_140"> </A>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>140 Thy word <I>is</I> very pure: therefore thy servant loveth it.
|
||
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Here is,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
1. David's great affection for the word of God: <I>Thy servant loves
|
||
|
|
it.</I> Every good man, being a servant of God, loves the word of God,
|
||
|
|
because it lets him know his Master's will and directs him in his
|
||
|
|
Master's work. Wherever there is grace there is a warm attachment to
|
||
|
|
the word of God.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
2. The ground and reason of that affection; he saw it to be <I>very
|
||
|
|
pure,</I> and therefore he loved it. Our love to the word of God is
|
||
|
|
<I>then</I> an evidence of our love to God when we love it for the sake
|
||
|
|
of its purity, because it bears the image of God's holiness and is
|
||
|
|
designed to make us partakers of his holiness. It commands purity, and,
|
||
|
|
as it is itself refined from all corrupt mixture, so if we receive it
|
||
|
|
in the light and love of it it will refine us from the dross of
|
||
|
|
worldliness and fleshly-mindedness.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Ps119_141"> </A>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>141 I <I>am</I> small and despised: <I>yet</I> do not I forget thy
|
||
|
|
precepts.
|
||
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Here is,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
1. David pious and yet poor. He was a man after God's own heart, one
|
||
|
|
whom the King of kings did delight to honour, and yet <I>small and
|
||
|
|
despised</I> in his own account and in the account of many others.
|
||
|
|
Men's excellency cannot always secure them from contempt; nay, it often
|
||
|
|
exposes them to the scorn of others and always makes them low in their
|
||
|
|
own eyes. <I>God has chosen the foolish things of the world,</I> and it
|
||
|
|
has been the common lot of his people to be a despised people.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
2. David poor and yet pious, <I>small and despised</I> for his strict
|
||
|
|
and serious godliness, yet his conscience can witness for him that he
|
||
|
|
did <I>not forget God's precepts.</I> He would not throw off his
|
||
|
|
religion, though it exposed him to contempt, for he knew that was
|
||
|
|
designed to try his constancy. When we are small and despised we have
|
||
|
|
the more need to remember God's precepts, that we may have them to
|
||
|
|
support us under the pressures of a low condition.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Ps119_142"> </A>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>142 Thy righteousness <I>is</I> an everlasting righteousness, and
|
||
|
|
thy law <I>is</I> the truth.
|
||
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Observe,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
1. That God's word <I>is righteousness,</I> and it <I>is an everlasting
|
||
|
|
righteousness.</I> It is the rule of God's judgment, and it is
|
||
|
|
consonant to his counsels from eternity and will direct his sentence
|
||
|
|
for eternity. The word of God will judge us, it will judge us in
|
||
|
|
righteousness, and by it our everlasting state will be determined. This
|
||
|
|
should possess us with a very great reverence for the word of God that
|
||
|
|
it is righteousness itself, the standard of righteousness, and it is
|
||
|
|
everlasting in its rewards and punishments.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
2. That God's word is a law, and that law is truth. See the double
|
||
|
|
obligation we are under to be governed by the word of God. We are
|
||
|
|
reasonable creatures, and as such we must be ruled by truth,
|
||
|
|
acknowledging the force and power of it. If the principles be true, the
|
||
|
|
practices must be agreeable to them, else we do not act rationally. We
|
||
|
|
are creatures, and therefore subjects, and must be ruled by our
|
||
|
|
Creator; and whatever he commands we are bound to obey as a law. See
|
||
|
|
how these obligations are here twisted, these cords of a man. Here is
|
||
|
|
truth brought to the understanding, there to sit chief, and direct the
|
||
|
|
motions of the whole man; but, lest the authority of that should become
|
||
|
|
weak through the flesh, here is a law to bind the will and bring that
|
||
|
|
into subjection. God's truth is a law
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+18:37">John xviii. 37</A>)
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<I>and</I> God's <I>law is the truth;</I> surely we cannot break such
|
||
|
|
words as these asunder.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Ps119_143"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Ps119_144"> </A>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>143 Trouble and anguish have taken hold on me: <I>yet</I> thy
|
||
|
|
commandments <I>are</I> my delights.
|
||
|
|
144 The righteousness of thy testimonies <I>is</I> everlasting: give
|
||
|
|
me understanding, and I shall live.
|
||
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
These two verses are almost a repetition of the two foregoing verses,
|
||
|
|
but with improvement.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
1. David again professes his constant adherence to God and his duty,
|
||
|
|
notwithstanding the many difficulties and discouragements he met with.
|
||
|
|
He had said
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+119:141"><I>v.</I> 141</A>),
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<I>I am small and despised,</I> and yet adhere to my duty. Here he
|
||
|
|
finds himself not only mean, but miserable, as far as this world could
|
||
|
|
make him so: <I>Trouble and anguish have taken hold on me</I>--trouble
|
||
|
|
without, anguish within; they surprised him, they seized him, they held
|
||
|
|
him. Sorrows are often the lot of saints in this vale of tears; they
|
||
|
|
are <I>in heaviness through manifold temptations.</I> There he had
|
||
|
|
said, <I>Yet do I not forget thy precepts;</I> here he carries his
|
||
|
|
constancy much higher: <I>Yet thy commandments are my delights.</I> All
|
||
|
|
this trouble and anguish did not put his mouth out of taste for the
|
||
|
|
comforts of the word of God, but he could still relish them and find
|
||
|
|
that peace and pleasure in them which all the calamities of this
|
||
|
|
present time could not deprive him of. There are delights, variety of
|
||
|
|
delights, in the word of God, which the saints have often the sweetest
|
||
|
|
enjoyment of when they are in trouble and anguish,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Co+1:5">2 Cor. i. 5</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
2. He again acknowledges the everlasting righteousness of God's word as
|
||
|
|
before
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+119:142"><I>v.</I> 142</A>):
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<I>The righteousness of thy testimonies is everlasting</I> and cannot
|
||
|
|
be altered; and, when it is admitted in its power into a soul, it is
|
||
|
|
there an abiding principle, <I>a well of living water,</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+4:14">John iv. 14</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
We ought to meditate much and often upon the equity and the eternity of
|
||
|
|
the word of God. Here he adds, by way of inference,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(1.) His prayer for grace: <I>Give me understanding.</I> Those that
|
||
|
|
know much of the word of God should still covet to know more; for there
|
||
|
|
is more to be known. He does not say, "Give me a further revelation,"
|
||
|
|
but, <I>Give me a further understanding;</I> what is revealed we should
|
||
|
|
desire to understand, and what we know to know better; and we must go
|
||
|
|
to God for a heart to know.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(2.) His hope of glory: "Give me this renewed understanding, and then
|
||
|
|
<I>I shall live,</I> shall live for ever, shall be eternally happy, and
|
||
|
|
shall be comforted, for the present, in the prospect of it." <I>This is
|
||
|
|
life eternal, to know God,</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+17:3">John xvii. 3</A>.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Ps119_145"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Ps119_146"> </A>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Sec19"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
|
||
|
|
<TR><TD ALIGN=CENTER><FONT SIZE=+1>19. KOPH.</FONT></TD>
|
||
|
|
<TD ALIGN=RIGHT><FONT SIZE=-1> <! -- Date --> </FONT></TD></TR>
|
||
|
|
</TABLE>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>145 I cried with <I>my</I> whole heart; hear me, O L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT>: I
|
||
|
|
will keep thy statutes.
|
||
|
|
146 I cried unto thee; save me, and I shall keep thy
|
||
|
|
testimonies.
|
||
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Here we have,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
I. David's good prayers, by which he sought to God for mercy; these he
|
||
|
|
mentions here, not as boasting of them, or trusting to any merit in
|
||
|
|
them, but reflecting upon them with comfort, that he had taken the
|
||
|
|
appointed way to comfort. Observe here,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
1. That he was inward with God in prayer; he prayed <I>with his
|
||
|
|
heart,</I> and prayer is acceptable no further than the heart goes
|
||
|
|
along with it. Lip-labour, if that be all, is lost labour.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
2. He was importunate with God in prayer; he <I>cried,</I> as one in
|
||
|
|
earnest, with fervour of affection and a holy vehemence and vigour of
|
||
|
|
desire. <I>He cried with his whole heart;</I> all the powers of his
|
||
|
|
soul were not only engaged and employed, but exerted to the utmost, in
|
||
|
|
his prayers. <I>Then</I> we are likely to speed when we thus strive and
|
||
|
|
wrestle in prayer.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
3. That he directed his prayer to God: <I>I cried unto thee.</I>
|
||
|
|
Whither should the child go but to his father when any thing ails him?
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
4. That the great thing he prayed for was salvation: <I>Save me.</I> A
|
||
|
|
short prayer (for we mistake if we think we shall be heard for our much
|
||
|
|
speaking), but a comprehensive prayer: "Not only rescue me from ruin,
|
||
|
|
but make me happy." We need desire no more than God's salvation
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+50:23">Ps. l. 23</A>)
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
and the <I>things that accompany</I> it,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Heb+6:9">Heb. vi. 9</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
5. That he was earnest for an answer; and not only looked up in his
|
||
|
|
prayers, but looked up after them, to see what became of them
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+5:3">Ps. v. 3</A>):
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
"Lord, <I>hear me,</I> and let me know that thou hearest me."</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
II. David's good purposes, by which he bound himself to duty when he
|
||
|
|
was in the pursuit of mercy. "<I>I will keep thy statutes;</I> I am
|
||
|
|
resolved that by thy grace I will;" for, <I>if we turn away our ear
|
||
|
|
from hearing the law,</I> we cannot expect an answer of peace to our
|
||
|
|
prayers,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Pr+28:9">Prov. xxviii. 9</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
This purpose is used as a humble plea
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+119:146"><I>v.</I> 146</A>):
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
"<I>Save me</I> from my sins, my corruptions, my temptations, all the
|
||
|
|
hindrances that lie in my way, that I may <I>keep thy testimonies.</I>"
|
||
|
|
We must cry for salvation, not that we may have the ease and comfort of
|
||
|
|
it, but that we may have an opportunity of serving God the more
|
||
|
|
cheerfully.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Ps119_147"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Ps119_148"> </A>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>147 I prevented the dawning of the morning, and cried: I hoped
|
||
|
|
in thy word.
|
||
|
|
148 Mine eyes prevent the <I>night</I> watches, that I might
|
||
|
|
meditate in thy word.
|
||
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
David goes on here to relate how he had abounded in the duty of prayer,
|
||
|
|
much to his comfort and advantage: he cried unto God, that is, offered
|
||
|
|
up to him his pious and devout affections with all seriousness.
|
||
|
|
Observe,</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
I. The handmaids of his devotion. The two great exercises that attended
|
||
|
|
his prayers, and were helpful to them, were,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
1. Hope in God's word, which encouraged him to continue instant in
|
||
|
|
prayer, though the answer did not come immediately: "I cried, and hoped
|
||
|
|
that at last I should speed, because <I>the vision is for an appointed
|
||
|
|
time, and at the end it will speak and not lie. I hoped in thy
|
||
|
|
word,</I> which I knew would not fail me."
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
2. Meditation in God's word. The more intimately we converse with the
|
||
|
|
word of God, and the more we dwell upon it in our thoughts, the better
|
||
|
|
able we shall be to speak to God in his own language and the better we
|
||
|
|
shall know what to pray for as we ought. Reading the word will not
|
||
|
|
serve, but we must meditate in it.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
II. The hours of his devotion. <I>He anticipated the dawning of the
|
||
|
|
morning,</I> nay, and <I>the night-watches.</I> See here,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
1. That David was an early riser, which perhaps contributed to his
|
||
|
|
eminency. He was none of those that say, <I>Yet a little sleep.</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
2. That he began the day with God. The first thing he did in the
|
||
|
|
morning, before he admitted any business, was to pray, when his mind
|
||
|
|
was most fresh and in the best frame. If our first thoughts in the
|
||
|
|
morning be of God they will help to keep us in his fear all the day
|
||
|
|
long.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
3. That his mind was so full of God, and the cares and delights of his
|
||
|
|
religion, that a little sleep served his turn. Even in <I>the
|
||
|
|
night-watches,</I> when he awaked from his first sleep, he would rather
|
||
|
|
meditate and pray than turn himself and go to sleep again. He
|
||
|
|
<I>esteemed the words of God's mouth more than his necessary</I>
|
||
|
|
repose, which we can as ill spare as our <I>food,</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Job+23:12">Job xxiii. 12</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
4. That he would redeem time for religious exercises. He was full of
|
||
|
|
business all day, but that will excuse no man from secret devotion; it
|
||
|
|
is better to take time from sleep, as David did, than not to find time
|
||
|
|
for prayer. And this is our comfort, when we pray in the night, that we
|
||
|
|
can never come unseasonably to the throne of grace; for we may have
|
||
|
|
access to it at all hours. Baal may be asleep, but Israel's God never
|
||
|
|
slumbers, nor are there any hours in which he may not be spoken
|
||
|
|
with.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Ps119_149"> </A>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>149 Hear my voice according unto thy lovingkindness: O L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT>,
|
||
|
|
quicken me according to thy judgment.
|
||
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Here,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
1. David applies to God for grace and comfort with much solemnity. He
|
||
|
|
begs of God to hear his voice: "Lord, I have something to say to thee;
|
||
|
|
shall I obtain a gracious audience?" Well, what has he to say? What is
|
||
|
|
his petition and what is his request? It is not long, but it has much
|
||
|
|
in a little: "<I>Lord, quicken me;</I> stir me up to that which is
|
||
|
|
good, and make me vigorous, and lively, and cheerful in it. Let habits
|
||
|
|
of grace be drawn out into act."
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
2. He encourages himself to hope that he shall obtain his request; for
|
||
|
|
he depends,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(1.) Upon God's lovingkindness: "He is good, therefore he will be good
|
||
|
|
to me, who hope in his mercy. His lovingkindness manifested to me will
|
||
|
|
help to quicken me, and put life into me."
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(2.) Upon God's <I>judgment,</I> that is, his wisdom ("He knows what I
|
||
|
|
need, and what is good for me, and therefore will quicken me"), or his
|
||
|
|
promise, the word which he has spoken, mercy secured by the new
|
||
|
|
covenant: <I>Quicken me according to</I> the tenour of that
|
||
|
|
covenant.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Ps119_150"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Ps119_151"> </A>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>150 They draw nigh that follow after mischief: they are far
|
||
|
|
from thy law.
|
||
|
|
151 Thou <I>art</I> near, O L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT>; and all thy commandments <I>are</I>
|
||
|
|
truth.
|
||
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Here is,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
I. The apprehension David was in of danger from his enemies.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
1. They were very malicious, and industrious in prosecuting their
|
||
|
|
malicious designs: They <I>follow after mischief,</I> any mischief they
|
||
|
|
could do to David or his friends; they would let slip no opportunity
|
||
|
|
nor let fall any pursuit that might be to his hurt.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
2. They were very impious, and had no fear of God before their eyes:
|
||
|
|
<I>They are far from thy law,</I> setting themselves as far as they can
|
||
|
|
out of the reach of its convictions and commands. The persecutors of
|
||
|
|
God's people are such as make light of God himself; we may therefore be
|
||
|
|
sure that God will take his people's part against them.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
3. They followed him closely and he was just ready to fall into their
|
||
|
|
hands: <I>They draw nigh,</I> nigher than they were; so that they got
|
||
|
|
ground of him. They were at his heels, just upon his back. God
|
||
|
|
sometimes suffers persecutors to prevail very far against his people,
|
||
|
|
so that, as David said
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Sa+20:3">1 Sam. xx. 3</A>),
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<I>There is but a step between them and death.</I> Perhaps this comes
|
||
|
|
in here as a reason why David was so earnest in prayer,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+119:149"><I>v.</I> 149</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
God brings us into imminent perils, as he did Jacob, that, like him, we
|
||
|
|
may wrestle for a blessing.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
II. The assurance David had of protection with God: "<I>They draw
|
||
|
|
nigh</I> to destroy me, but <I>thou art near, O Lord!</I> to save me,
|
||
|
|
not only mightier than they and therefore able to help me against them,
|
||
|
|
but nearer than they and therefore ready to help." It is the happiness
|
||
|
|
of the saints that, when trouble is near, God is near, and no trouble
|
||
|
|
can separate between them and him. He is never far to seek, but he is
|
||
|
|
within our call, and means are within his call,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+4:7">Deut. iv. 7</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<I>All thy commandments are truth.</I> The enemies thought to defeat
|
||
|
|
the promises God had made to David, but he was sure it was out of their
|
||
|
|
power; they were inviolably true, and would be infallibly
|
||
|
|
performed.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Ps119_152"> </A>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>152 Concerning thy testimonies, I have known of old that thou
|
||
|
|
hast founded them for ever.
|
||
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
This confirms what he had said in the close of the foregoing verses,
|
||
|
|
<I>All thy commandments are truth;</I> he means the covenant, the word
|
||
|
|
which God has commanded to a thousand generations. This is firm, as
|
||
|
|
true as truth itself. For,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
1. God has founded it so; he has framed it for a perpetuity. Such is
|
||
|
|
the constitution of it, and so well ordered is it in all things, that
|
||
|
|
it cannot but be sure. The promises are <I>founded for ever,</I> so
|
||
|
|
that when heaven and earth shall have passed away every iota and tittle
|
||
|
|
of the promise shall stand firm,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Co+1:20">2 Cor. i. 20</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
2. David had found it so, both by a work of God's grace upon his heart
|
||
|
|
(begetting in him a full persuasion of the truth of God's word and
|
||
|
|
enabling him to rely upon it with a full satisfaction) and by the works
|
||
|
|
of his providence on his behalf, fulfilling the promise beyond what he
|
||
|
|
expected. Thus he <I>knew of old,</I> from the days of his youth, ever
|
||
|
|
since he began to look towards God, that the word of God is what one
|
||
|
|
may venture one's all upon. This assurance was confirmed by the
|
||
|
|
observations and experiences of his own life all along, and of others
|
||
|
|
that had gone before him in the ways of God. All that ever dealt with
|
||
|
|
God, and trusted in him will own that they have found him faithful.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Ps119_153"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Ps119_154"> </A>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Sec20"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
|
||
|
|
<TR><TD ALIGN=CENTER><FONT SIZE=+1>20. RESH.</FONT></TD>
|
||
|
|
<TD ALIGN=RIGHT><FONT SIZE=-1> <! -- Date --> </FONT></TD></TR>
|
||
|
|
</TABLE>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>153 Consider mine affliction, and deliver me: for I do
|
||
|
|
not forget thy law.
|
||
|
|
154 Plead my cause, and deliver me: quicken me according to thy
|
||
|
|
word.
|
||
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Here,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
I. David prays for succour in distress. <I>Is any afflicted? let him
|
||
|
|
pray;</I> let him pray as David does here.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
1. He has an eye to God's pity, and prays, "<I>Consider my
|
||
|
|
affliction;</I> take it into thy thoughts, and all the circumstances of
|
||
|
|
it, and sit not by as one unconcerned." God is never unmindful of his
|
||
|
|
people's afflictions, but he will have us to <I>put him in
|
||
|
|
remembrance</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+43:26">Isa. xliii. 26</A>),
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
to spread our case before him, and then leave it to his compassionate
|
||
|
|
consideration to do in it as in his wisdom he shall think fit, in his
|
||
|
|
own time and way.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
2. He has an eye to God's power and prays, <I>Deliver me;</I> and
|
||
|
|
again, "<I>Deliver me;</I> consider my troubles and bring me out of
|
||
|
|
them." God has promised deliverance
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+50:15">Ps. l. 15</A>)
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
and we may pray for it, with submission to his will and with regard to
|
||
|
|
his glory, that we may serve him the better.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
3. He has an eye to God's righteousness, and prays, "<I>Plead my
|
||
|
|
cause;</I> be thou my patron and advocate, and take me for thy client."
|
||
|
|
David had a just cause, but his adversaries were many and mighty, and
|
||
|
|
he was in danger of being run down by them; he therefore begs of God to
|
||
|
|
clear his integrity and silence their false accusations. If God do not
|
||
|
|
plead his people's cause, who will? He is righteous, and they commit
|
||
|
|
themselves to him, and therefore he will do it, and do it effectually,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+51:22,Jer+50:34">Isa. li. 22; Jer. l. 34</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(4.) He has an eye to God's grace, and prays, "<I>Quicken me.</I> Lord,
|
||
|
|
I am weak, and unable to bear my troubles; my spirit is apt to droop
|
||
|
|
and sink. O that thou wouldst revive and comfort me, till the
|
||
|
|
deliverance is wrought!"</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
II. He pleads his dependence upon the word oaf God and his obedient
|
||
|
|
regard to its directions: <I>Quicken</I> and <I>deliver me according to
|
||
|
|
thy word</I> of promise, <I>for I do not forget thy precepts.</I> The
|
||
|
|
more closely we cleave to the word of God, both as our rule and as our
|
||
|
|
stay, the more assurance we may have of deliverance in due time.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Ps119_155"> </A>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>155 Salvation <I>is</I> far from the wicked: for they seek not thy
|
||
|
|
statutes.
|
||
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Here is,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
1. The description of wicked men. They do not only do God's statutes,
|
||
|
|
but they do not so much as seek them; they do not acquaint themselves
|
||
|
|
with them, nor so much as desire to know their duty, nor in the least
|
||
|
|
endeavour to do it. Those are wicked indeed who do not think the law of
|
||
|
|
God worth enquiring after, but are altogether regardless of it, being
|
||
|
|
resolved to live at large and to walk in the way of their heart.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
2. Their doom: <I>Salvation is far from</I> them. They cannot upon any
|
||
|
|
good grounds promise themselves temporal deliverance. <I>Let not that
|
||
|
|
man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord.</I> How can
|
||
|
|
those expect to seek God's favour with success, when they are in
|
||
|
|
adversity, who never sought his statutes when they were in prosperity?
|
||
|
|
But eternal salvation is certainly far from them. They flatter
|
||
|
|
themselves with a conceit that it is near, and that they are going to
|
||
|
|
heaven; but they are mistaken: it is far from them. They thrust it from
|
||
|
|
them by thrusting the Saviour from them; it is so far from them that
|
||
|
|
they cannot reach it, and the longer they persist in sin the further it
|
||
|
|
is; nay, while salvation is far from them, damnation is near; it
|
||
|
|
slumbers not. <I>Behold, the Judge stands before the door.</I></P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Ps119_156"> </A>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>156 Great <I>are</I> thy tender mercies, O L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT>: quicken me
|
||
|
|
according to thy judgments.
|
||
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Here,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
1. David admires God's grace: <I>Great are thy tender mercies, O
|
||
|
|
Lord!</I> The goodness of God's nature, as it is his glory, so it is
|
||
|
|
the joy of all the saints. His mercies are tender, for he is full of
|
||
|
|
compassion; they are many, they are great, a fountain that can never be
|
||
|
|
exhausted. He is rich in mercy to all that call upon him. David had
|
||
|
|
spoken of the misery of the wicked
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+119:155"><I>v.</I> 155</A>);
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
but God is good notwithstanding; there were tender mercies sufficient
|
||
|
|
in God to have saved them, if they had not "<I>despised the riches of
|
||
|
|
those mercies.</I>" Those that are delivered from the sinner's doom are
|
||
|
|
bound for ever to own the greatness of God's mercies which delivered
|
||
|
|
them.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
2. He begs for God's grace, reviving quickening grace, <I>according to
|
||
|
|
his judgments,</I> that is, according to the tenour of the new covenant
|
||
|
|
(that established rule by which he goes in dispensing that grace) or
|
||
|
|
according to his manner, his custom or usage, with those that love his
|
||
|
|
name,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+119:132"><I>v.</I> 132</A>.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Ps119_157"> </A>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>157 Many <I>are</I> my persecutors and mine enemies; <I>yet</I> do I not
|
||
|
|
decline from thy testimonies.
|
||
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Here is,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
1. David surrounded with difficulties and dangers: <I>Many are my
|
||
|
|
persecutors and my enemies.</I> When Saul the king was his persecutor
|
||
|
|
and enemy no marvel that many more were so: multitudes will follow the
|
||
|
|
pernicious ways of abused authority. David, being a public person, had
|
||
|
|
many enemies, but withal he had many friends, who loved him and wished
|
||
|
|
him well; let him set the one over-against the other. In this David was
|
||
|
|
a type both of Christ and his church. The enemies, the persecutors, of
|
||
|
|
both, are many, very many.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
2. David established in the way of his duty, notwithstanding: "<I>Yet
|
||
|
|
do I not decline from thy testimonies,</I> as knowing that while I
|
||
|
|
adhere to them God is for me; and then no matter who is against me." A
|
||
|
|
man who is steady in the way of his duty, though he may have many
|
||
|
|
enemies, needs fear none.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Ps119_158"> </A>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>158 I beheld the transgressors, and was grieved; because they
|
||
|
|
kept not thy word.
|
||
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Here is,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
1. David's sorrow for the wickedness of the wicked. Though he conversed
|
||
|
|
much at home, yet sometimes he looked abroad, and could not but see the
|
||
|
|
wicked walking on every side. He <I>beheld the transgressors,</I> those
|
||
|
|
whose sins were open before all men, and it <I>grieved</I> him to see
|
||
|
|
them dishonour God, serve Satan, debauch the world, and ruin their own
|
||
|
|
souls, to see the transgressors so numerous, so daring, so very
|
||
|
|
impudent, and so industrious to draw unstable souls into their snares.
|
||
|
|
All this cannot but be a grief to those who have any regard to the
|
||
|
|
glory of God and the welfare of mankind.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
2. The reason of that sorrow. He was grieved, not because they were
|
||
|
|
vexatious to him, but because they were provoking to God: <I>They kept
|
||
|
|
not thy word.</I> Those that hate sin truly hate it as sin, as a
|
||
|
|
transgression of the law of God and a violation of his word.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Ps119_159"> </A>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>159 Consider how I love thy precepts: quicken me, O L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT>,
|
||
|
|
according to thy lovingkindness.
|
||
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Here is,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
1. David's appeal to God concerning his love to his precepts: "Lord,
|
||
|
|
thou knowest all things, thou knowest that I love them; consider it
|
||
|
|
then, and deal with me as thou usest to deal with those that love thy
|
||
|
|
word, which thou hast magnified above all thy name." He does not say,
|
||
|
|
"Consider how I fulfil thy precepts;" he was conscious to himself that
|
||
|
|
in many things he came short; but, "Consider how I love them." Our
|
||
|
|
obedience is pleasing to God, and pleasant to ourselves, only when it
|
||
|
|
comes from a principle of love.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
2. His petition thereupon: "<I>Quicken me,</I> to do my duty with
|
||
|
|
vigour; revive me, keep me alive, not according to any merit of mine,
|
||
|
|
though I love thy word, <I>but according to thy lovingkindness;</I>" to
|
||
|
|
that we owe our lives, nay, that is better than live itself. We need
|
||
|
|
not desire to be quickened any further than God's lovingkindness will
|
||
|
|
quicken us.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Ps119_160"> </A>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>160 Thy word <I>is</I> true <I>from</I> the beginning: and every one of
|
||
|
|
thy righteous judgments <I>endureth</I> for ever.
|
||
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
David here comforts himself with the faithfulness of God's word, for
|
||
|
|
the encouragement of himself and others to rely upon it.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
1. It has always been found faithful hitherto, and never failed any
|
||
|
|
that ventured upon it; <I>It is true from the beginning.</I> Ever since
|
||
|
|
God began to reveal himself to the children of men all he said was true
|
||
|
|
and to be trusted. The church, from its beginning, was built upon this
|
||
|
|
rock. It has not gained its validity by lapse of time, as many
|
||
|
|
governments, whose best plea is prescription and long usage, <I>Quod
|
||
|
|
initio non valet, tractu temporis convalescit--That which, at first,
|
||
|
|
wanted validity, in the progress of time acquired it.</I> But the
|
||
|
|
<I>beginning of God's word was true</I> (so some read it); his
|
||
|
|
government was laid on a sure foundation. And all, in every age, that
|
||
|
|
have received God's word in faith and love, have found every saying in
|
||
|
|
it <I>faithful and well worthy of all acceptation.</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
2. It will be found faithful to the end, because righteous: "<I>Every
|
||
|
|
one of thy judgments remains for ever</I> unalterable and of perpetual
|
||
|
|
obligation, adjusting men's everlasting doom."</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Ps119_161"> </A>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Sec21"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
|
||
|
|
<TR><TD ALIGN=CENTER><FONT SIZE=+1>21. SCHIN.</FONT></TD>
|
||
|
|
<TD ALIGN=RIGHT><FONT SIZE=-1> <! -- Date --> </FONT></TD></TR>
|
||
|
|
</TABLE>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>161 Princes have persecuted me without a cause: but my
|
||
|
|
heart standeth in awe of thy word.
|
||
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
David here lets us know,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
1. How he was discouraged in his duty by the fear of man: <I>Princes
|
||
|
|
persecuted him.</I> They looked upon him as a traitor and an enemy to
|
||
|
|
the government, and under that notion sought his life, and bade him
|
||
|
|
<I>go serve other gods,</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Sa+26:19">1 Sam. xxvi. 19</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
It has been the common lot of the best men to be persecuted; and the
|
||
|
|
case is the worse if princes be the persecutors, for they have not only
|
||
|
|
the sword in their hand, and therefore can do the more hurt, but they
|
||
|
|
have the law on their side, and can do it with reputation and a colour
|
||
|
|
of justice. It is sad that the power which magistrates have from God,
|
||
|
|
and should use for him, should ever be employed against him. But
|
||
|
|
<I>marvel not at the matter,</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ec+5:8">Eccl. v. 8</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
It was a comfort to David that when princes persecuted him he could
|
||
|
|
truly say it was without cause, he never gave them any provocation.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
2. How he was kept to his duty, notwithstanding, by the fear of God:
|
||
|
|
"They would make me stand in awe of them and their word, and do as they
|
||
|
|
bid me; but <I>my heart stands in awe of thy word,</I> and I am
|
||
|
|
resolved to please God, and keep in with him, whoever is displeased and
|
||
|
|
falls out with me." Every gracious soul stands in awe of the word of
|
||
|
|
God, of the authority of its precepts and the terror of its
|
||
|
|
threatenings; and to those that do so nothing appears, in the power and
|
||
|
|
wrath of man, at all formidable. We ought to obey God rather than men,
|
||
|
|
and to make sure of God's favour, though we throw ourselves under the
|
||
|
|
frowns of all the world,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+12:4,5">Luke xii. 4, 5</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
The heart that stands in awe of God's word is armed against the
|
||
|
|
temptations that arise from persecution.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Ps119_162"> </A>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>162 I rejoice at thy word, as one that findeth great spoil.
|
||
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Here is,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
1. The pleasure David took in the word of God. He rejoiced at it,
|
||
|
|
rejoiced that God had made such a discovery of his mind, that Israel
|
||
|
|
was blessed with that light when other nations sat in darkness, that he
|
||
|
|
was himself let into the understanding of it and had had experience of
|
||
|
|
the power of it. He took a pleasure in reading it, hearing it, and
|
||
|
|
meditating on it, and every thing he met with in it was agreeable to
|
||
|
|
him. He had just now said that his heart stood in awe of his word, and
|
||
|
|
yet here he declares that he rejoiced in it. The more reverence we have
|
||
|
|
for the word of God the more joy we shall find in it.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
2. The degree of that pleasure--<I>as one that finds great spoil.</I>
|
||
|
|
This supposes a victory over the enemy. It is through much opposition
|
||
|
|
that a soul comes to this, to <I>rejoice in God's word.</I> But,
|
||
|
|
besides the pleasure and honour of a conquest, there is great advantage
|
||
|
|
gained by the plunder of the field, which adds much to the joy. By the
|
||
|
|
word of God we become more than conquerors, that is, unspeakable
|
||
|
|
gainers.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Ps119_163"> </A>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>163 I hate and abhor lying: <I>but</I> thy law do I love.
|
||
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Love and hatred are the leading affections of the soul; if those be
|
||
|
|
fixed aright, the rest move accordingly. Here we have them fixed aright
|
||
|
|
in David.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
1. He had a rooted antipathy to sin; he could not endure to think of
|
||
|
|
it: <I>I hate and abhor lying,</I> which may be taken for all sin,
|
||
|
|
inasmuch as by it we deal treacherously and perfidiously with God and
|
||
|
|
put a cheat upon ourselves. Hypocrisy is lying; false doctrine is
|
||
|
|
lying; breach of faith is lying. Lying, in commerce or conversation, is
|
||
|
|
a sin which every good man hates and abhors, hates and doubly hates,
|
||
|
|
because of the seven things which the Lord hates <I>one</I> is a
|
||
|
|
<I>lying tongue</I> and <I>another</I> is a <I>false witness that
|
||
|
|
speaks lies,</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Pr+6:16">Prov. vi. 16</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Every man hates to have a lie told him; but we should more hate telling
|
||
|
|
a lie because by the former we only receive an affront from men, by the
|
||
|
|
latter we give an affront to God.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
2. He had a rooted affection to the word of God: <I>Thy law do I
|
||
|
|
love.</I> And therefore he abhorred lying, for lying is contrary to the
|
||
|
|
whole law of God; and the reason why he loved the law of God was
|
||
|
|
because of the truth of it. The more we see of the amiable beauty of
|
||
|
|
truth the more we shall see of the detestable deformity of a lie.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Ps119_164"> </A>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>164 Seven times a day do I praise thee because of thy righteous
|
||
|
|
judgments.
|
||
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
David, in this psalm, is full of complaints, yet those did neither
|
||
|
|
jostle out his praises nor put him out of tune for them; whatever
|
||
|
|
condition a child of God is in he does not want matter for praise and
|
||
|
|
therefore should not want a heart. See here,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
1. How often David praised God--<I>Seven times a day,</I> that is,
|
||
|
|
very frequently, not only every day, but often every day. Many think
|
||
|
|
that once a week will serve, or once or twice a day, but David would
|
||
|
|
praise God seven times a day at least. Praising God is a duty which we
|
||
|
|
should very much abound in. We must praise God at every meal, praise
|
||
|
|
him upon all occasions, in every thing give thanks. We should praise
|
||
|
|
God seven times a day, for the subject can never be exhausted and our
|
||
|
|
affections should never be tired. See
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+119:62"><I>v.</I> 62</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
2. What he praised God for--<I>because of thy righteous judgments.</I>
|
||
|
|
We must praise God for his precepts, which are all just and good, for
|
||
|
|
his promises and threatenings and the performance of both in his
|
||
|
|
providence. We are to praise God even for our afflictions, if through
|
||
|
|
grace we get good by them.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Ps119_165"> </A>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>165 Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall
|
||
|
|
offend them.
|
||
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Here is an account of the happiness of good men, who are governed by a
|
||
|
|
principle of love to the word of God, who make it their rule and are
|
||
|
|
ruled by it.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
2. They are easy, and have a holy serenity; none enjoy themselves more
|
||
|
|
than they do: <I>Great peace have those that love thy law,</I> abundant
|
||
|
|
satisfaction in doing their duty and pleasure in reflecting upon it.
|
||
|
|
<I>The work of righteousness is peace</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+32:17">Isa. xxxii. 17</A>),
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
such peace as the world can neither give nor take away. They may be in
|
||
|
|
great troubles without and yet enjoy great peace within, <I>sat lucis
|
||
|
|
intus--abundance of internal light.</I> Those that love the world have
|
||
|
|
great vexation, for it does not answer their expectation; those that
|
||
|
|
love God's word have great peace, for it outdoes their expectation, and
|
||
|
|
in it they have sure footing.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
2. They are safe, and have a holy security: <I>Nothing shall offend
|
||
|
|
them;</I> nothing shall be a scandal, snare, or stumbling-block, to
|
||
|
|
them, to entangle them either in guilt or grief. No event of providence
|
||
|
|
shall be either an invincible temptation or an intolerable affliction
|
||
|
|
to them, but their love to the word of God shall enable them both to
|
||
|
|
hold fast their integrity and to preserve their tranquility. They will
|
||
|
|
make the best of that which is, and not quarrel with any thing that God
|
||
|
|
does. Nothing shall offend or hurt them, for every thing shall work for
|
||
|
|
good to them, and therefore shall please them, and they shall reconcile
|
||
|
|
themselves to it. Those in whom this holy love reigns will not be apt
|
||
|
|
to perplex themselves with needless scruples, nor to take offence at
|
||
|
|
their brethren,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Co+13:6,7">1 Cor. xiii. 6, 7</A>.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Ps119_166"> </A>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>166 L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT>, I have hoped for thy salvation, and done thy
|
||
|
|
commandments.
|
||
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Here is the whole duty of man; for we are taught,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
1. To keep our eye upon God's favour as our end: "<I>Lord, I have hoped
|
||
|
|
for thy salvation,</I> not only temporal but eternal salvation. I have
|
||
|
|
hoped for that as my happiness and laid up my treasure in it; I have
|
||
|
|
hoped for it as thine, as a happiness of thy preparing, thy promising,
|
||
|
|
and which consists in being with thee. Hope of this has raised me above
|
||
|
|
the world, and borne me up under all my burdens in it."
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
2. To keep our eye upon God's word as our rule: <I>I have done thy
|
||
|
|
commandments,</I> that is, I have made conscience of conforming myself
|
||
|
|
to thy will in every thing. Observe here how God has joined these two
|
||
|
|
together, and let no man put them asunder. We cannot, upon good
|
||
|
|
grounds, hope for God's salvation, unless we set ourselves to do his
|
||
|
|
commandments,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Re+22:14">Rev. xxii. 14</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
But those that sincerely endeavour to do his commandments ought to keep
|
||
|
|
up a good hope of the salvation; and that hope will both engage and
|
||
|
|
enlarge the heart in doing the commandments. The more lively the hope
|
||
|
|
is the more lively the obedience will be.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Ps119_167"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Ps119_168"> </A>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>167 My soul hath kept thy testimonies; and I love them
|
||
|
|
exceedingly.
|
||
|
|
168 I have kept thy precepts and thy testimonies: for all my
|
||
|
|
ways <I>are</I> before thee.
|
||
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
David's conscience here witnesses for him,</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
I. That his practices were good.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
1. He loved God's testimonies, he loved them exceedingly. Our love to
|
||
|
|
the word of God must be a superlative love (we must love it better than
|
||
|
|
the wealth and pleasure of this world), and it must be a victorious
|
||
|
|
love, such as will subdue and mortify our lusts and extirpate carnal
|
||
|
|
affections.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
2. He kept them, his soul kept them. Bodily exercise profits little in
|
||
|
|
religion; we must make heart-work of it or we make nothing of it. The
|
||
|
|
soul must be sanctified and renewed, and delivered into the mould of
|
||
|
|
the word; the soul must be employed in glorifying God, for he will be
|
||
|
|
worshipped in the spirit. We must keep both the precepts and the
|
||
|
|
testimonies, the commands of God by our obedience to them and his
|
||
|
|
promises by our reliance on them.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
II. That he was governed herein by a good principle: "<I>Therefore</I>
|
||
|
|
I have kept thy precepts, because by faith I have seen thy eye always
|
||
|
|
upon me; <I>all my ways are before thee;</I> thou knowest every step I
|
||
|
|
take and strictly observest all I say and do. Thou dost see and accept
|
||
|
|
all that I say and do well; thou dost see and art displeased with all I
|
||
|
|
say and do amiss." Note, The consideration of this, that God's eye is
|
||
|
|
upon us at all times, should make us very careful in every thing to
|
||
|
|
keep his commandments,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ge+17:1">Gen. xvii. 1</A>.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Ps119_169"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Ps119_170"> </A>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Sec22"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
|
||
|
|
<TR><TD ALIGN=CENTER><FONT SIZE=+1>22. TAU.</FONT></TD>
|
||
|
|
<TD ALIGN=RIGHT><FONT SIZE=-1> <! -- Date --> </FONT></TD></TR>
|
||
|
|
</TABLE>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>169 Let my cry come near before thee, O L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT>: give me
|
||
|
|
understanding according to thy word.
|
||
|
|
170 Let my supplication come before thee: deliver me according
|
||
|
|
to thy word.
|
||
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Here we have,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
I. A general petition for audience repeated: <I>Let my cry come near
|
||
|
|
before thee;</I> and again, <I>Let my supplication come before
|
||
|
|
thee.</I> He calls his prayer his <I>cry,</I> which denotes the
|
||
|
|
fervency and vehemence of it, and his <I>supplication,</I> which
|
||
|
|
denotes the humility of it. We must come to God as beggars come to our
|
||
|
|
doors for an alms. He is concerned that his prayer might come before
|
||
|
|
God, might come near before him, that is, that he might have grace and
|
||
|
|
strength by faith and fervency to lift up his prayers, that no guilt
|
||
|
|
might interpose to shut out his prayers and to separate between him and
|
||
|
|
God, and that God would graciously receive his prayers and take notice
|
||
|
|
of them. His prayer that his supplication might come before God implied
|
||
|
|
a deep sense of his unworthiness, and a holy fear that his prayer
|
||
|
|
should come short or miscarry, as not fit to come before God; nor would
|
||
|
|
any of out prayers have had access to God if Jesus Christ had not
|
||
|
|
approached to him as an advocate for us.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
II. Two particular requests, which he is thus earnest to present:--
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
1. That God, by his grace, would give him wisdom to conduct himself
|
||
|
|
well under his troubles: <I>Give me understanding;</I> he means that
|
||
|
|
wisdom of the prudent which is to understand his way; "Give me to know
|
||
|
|
thee and myself, and my duty to thee."
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
2. That God, by his providence, would rescue him out of his troubles:
|
||
|
|
<I>Deliver me,</I> that is, with the temptation make a way to escape,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Co+10:13">1 Cor. x. 13</A>.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
III. The same general plea to enforce these requests--<I>according to
|
||
|
|
thy word.</I> This directs and limits his desires: "Lord, give me such
|
||
|
|
an understanding as thou hast promised and such a deliverance as thou
|
||
|
|
hast promised; I ask for no other." It also encourages his faith and
|
||
|
|
expectation: "Lord, that which I pray for is what thou hast promised,
|
||
|
|
and wilt not thou be as good as thy word?"</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Ps119_171"> </A>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>171 My lips shall utter praise, when thou hast taught me thy
|
||
|
|
statutes.
|
||
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Here is,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
1. A great favour which David expects from God, that he will teach him
|
||
|
|
his <I>statutes.</I> This he had often prayed for in this psalm, and
|
||
|
|
urged his petition for it with various arguments; and now that he is
|
||
|
|
drawing towards the close of the psalm he speaks of it as taken for
|
||
|
|
granted. Those that are humbly earnest with God for his grace, and
|
||
|
|
resolve with Jacob that they will not let him go unless he bless them
|
||
|
|
with spiritual blessings, may be humbly confident that they shall at
|
||
|
|
length obtain what they are so importunate for. The God of Israel will
|
||
|
|
grant them those things which they request of him.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
2. The grateful sense he promises to have of that favour: <I>My lips
|
||
|
|
shall utter praise when thou hast taught me.</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(1.) Then he shall have cause to praise God. Those that are taught of
|
||
|
|
God have a great deal of reason to be thankful, for this is the
|
||
|
|
foundation of all these spiritual blessings, which are the best
|
||
|
|
blessings, and the earnest of eternal blessings.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(2.) Then he shall know how to praise God, and have a heart to do it.
|
||
|
|
All that are taught of God are taught this lesson; when God opens the
|
||
|
|
understanding, opens the heart, and so opens the lips, it is that the
|
||
|
|
mouth may show forth his praise. We have learned nothing to purpose if
|
||
|
|
we have not learned to praise God.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(3.) <I>Therefore</I> he is thus importunate for divine instructions,
|
||
|
|
that he might praise God. Those that pray for God's grace must aim at
|
||
|
|
God's glory,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Eph+1:12">Eph. i. 12</A>.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Ps119_172"> </A>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>172 My tongue shall speak of thy word: for all thy commandments
|
||
|
|
<I>are</I> righteousness.
|
||
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Observe here,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
1. The good knowledge David had of the word of God; he knew it so well
|
||
|
|
that he was ready to own, with the utmost satisfaction, that all God's
|
||
|
|
commandments are not only righteous, but righteousness itself, the rule
|
||
|
|
and standard of righteousness.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
2. The good use he resolved to make of that knowledge: <I>My tongue
|
||
|
|
shall speak of thy word,</I> not only utter praise for it to the glory
|
||
|
|
of God, but discourse of it for the instruction and edification of
|
||
|
|
others, as that which he himself was full of (for out of the abundance
|
||
|
|
of the heart the mouth will speak) and as that which he desired others
|
||
|
|
also might be filled with. The more we see of the righteousness of
|
||
|
|
God's commandments the more industrious we should be to bring others
|
||
|
|
acquainted with them, that they may be ruled by them. We should always
|
||
|
|
make the word of God the governor of our discourse, so as never to
|
||
|
|
transgress it by sinful speaking or sinful silence; and we should often
|
||
|
|
make it the subject-matter of our discourse, that it may feed many and
|
||
|
|
<I>minister grace to the hearers.</I></P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Ps119_173"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Ps119_174"> </A>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>173 Let thine hand help me; for I have chosen thy precepts.
|
||
|
|
174 I have longed for thy salvation, O L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT>; and thy law <I>is</I>
|
||
|
|
my delight.
|
||
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Here,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
1. David prays that divine grace would work for him: <I>Let thy hand
|
||
|
|
help me.</I> He finds his own hands are not sufficient for him, nor can
|
||
|
|
any creature lend him a helping hand to any purpose; therefore he looks
|
||
|
|
up to God in hopes that the hand that had made him would help him; for,
|
||
|
|
if the Lord do not help us, whence can any creature help us? All our
|
||
|
|
help must be expected from God's hand, from his power and his bounty.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
2. He pleads what divine grace had already wrought in him as a pledge
|
||
|
|
of further mercy, being a qualification for it. Three things he
|
||
|
|
pleads:--
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(1.) That he had made religion his serious and deliberate choice: "<I>I
|
||
|
|
have chosen thy precepts.</I> I took them for my rule, not because I
|
||
|
|
knew no other, but because, upon trial, I knew no better." Those are
|
||
|
|
good, and do good indeed, who are good and do good, not by chance, but
|
||
|
|
from choice; and those who have thus chosen God's precepts may depend
|
||
|
|
upon God's helping hand in all their services and under all their
|
||
|
|
sufferings.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(2.) That his heart was upon heaven: <I>I have longed for thy
|
||
|
|
salvation.</I> David, when he had got to the throne, met with enough in
|
||
|
|
the world to court his stay, and to make him say, "It is good to be
|
||
|
|
here;" but still he was looking further, and longing for something
|
||
|
|
better in another world. There is an eternal salvation which all the
|
||
|
|
saints are longing for, and therefore pray that God's hand would help
|
||
|
|
them forward in their way to it.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(3.) That he took pleasure in doing his duty: "<I>Thy law is my
|
||
|
|
delight.</I> Not only I delight in it, but it is my delight, the
|
||
|
|
greatest delight I have in this world." Those that are cheerful in
|
||
|
|
their obedience may in faith beg help of God to carry them on in their
|
||
|
|
obedience; and those that expect God's salvation must take delight in
|
||
|
|
his law and their hopes must increase their delight.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Ps119_175"> </A>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>175 Let my soul live, and it shall praise thee; and let thy
|
||
|
|
judgments help me.
|
||
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
David's heart is still upon praising God; and therefore,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
1. He prays that God would give him time to praise him: "<I>Let my soul
|
||
|
|
live, and it shall praise thee,</I> that is, let my life be prolonged,
|
||
|
|
that I may live to thy glory." The reason why a good man desires to
|
||
|
|
live is that he may praise God in the land of the living, and do
|
||
|
|
something to his honour. Not, "Let me live and serve my country, live
|
||
|
|
and provide for my family;" but, "Let me live that, in doing this, I
|
||
|
|
may praise God here in this world of conflict and opposition." When we
|
||
|
|
die we hope to go to a better world to praise him, and that is more
|
||
|
|
agreeable for us, though here there is more need of us. And therefore
|
||
|
|
one would not desire to live any longer than we may do God some service
|
||
|
|
here. <I>Let my soul live,</I> that is, let me be sanctified and
|
||
|
|
comforted, for sanctification and comfort are the life of the soul,
|
||
|
|
<I>and</I> then <I>it shall praise thee.</I> Our souls must be employed
|
||
|
|
in praising God, and we must pray for grace and peace that we may be
|
||
|
|
fitted to praise God.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
2. He prays that God would give him strength to praise him: "<I>Let thy
|
||
|
|
judgments help me;</I> let all ordinances and all providences" (both
|
||
|
|
are God's judgments) "further me in glorifying God; let them be the
|
||
|
|
matter of my praise and let them help to fit me for that work."</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Ps119_176"> </A>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>176 I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek thy servant; for
|
||
|
|
I do not forget thy commandments.
|
||
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Here is,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
1. A penitent confession: <I>I have gone astray,</I> or wander up and
|
||
|
|
down, <I>like a lost sheep.</I> As unconverted sinners are like lost
|
||
|
|
sheep
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+15:4">Luke xv. 4</A>),
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
so weak unsteady saints are like lost sheep,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+18:12,13">Matt. xviii. 12, 13</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
We are apt to wander like sheep, and very unapt, when we have gone
|
||
|
|
astray, to find the way again. By going astray we lose the comfort of
|
||
|
|
the green pastures and expose ourselves to a thousand mischiefs.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
2. A believing petition: <I>Seek thy servant,</I> as the good shepherd
|
||
|
|
seeks a wandering sheep to bring it back again,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Eze+34:12">Ezek. xxxiv. 12</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
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"Lord, seek me, as I used to seek my sheep when they went astray;" for
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David had been himself a tender shepherd. "Lord, own me for one of
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thine; for, though I am a stray sheep, I have thy mark; concern thyself
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for me, send after me by the word, and conscience, and providences;
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bring me back by thy grace." <I>Seek me,</I> that is, <I>find me;</I>
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for God never seeks in vain. <I>Turn me, and I shall be turned.</I>
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3. An obedient plea: "Though I have gone astray, yet I have not
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wickedly departed, <I>I do not forget thy commandments.</I>" Thus he
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concludes the psalm with a penitent sense of his own sin and believing
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dependence on God's grace. With these a devout Christian will conclude
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his duties, will conclude his life; he will live and die repenting and
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praying. Observe here,
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(1.) It is the character of good people that they do not <I>forget
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God's commandments,</I> being well pleased with their convictions and
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well settled in their resolutions.
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(2.) Even those who, through grace, are mindful of their duty, cannot
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but own that they have in many instances wandered from it.
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(3.) Those that have wandered from their duty, if they continue mindful
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of it, may with a humble confidence commit themselves to the care of
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God's grace.</P>
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<!-- (End Body) -->
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