PSALM 119 THE ARGUMENT The author of this Psalm was David; which I know none that deny, and of which there is no just reason to doubt. The scope and design of it is manifest, to commend the serious and diligent study, and the stedfast belief and the constant practice of God's word, as incomparably t... [ Continue Reading ]
THAT KEEP, in mind and heart, that carefully and diligently observe, HIS TESTIMONIES; his precepts. For the reason of this and the other titles of God's word, see the argument or preface to this Psalm. THAT SEEK HIM, to wit, the Lord, expressed PSALMS 119:1, that seek his presence, and favour, and a... [ Continue Reading ]
DO NO INIQUITY; or, _are not workers of iniquity_, i.e. do not knowingly, and resolvedly, and industriously, and customarily continue in sinful courses. So this phrase is understood JOB 31:3, JOB 34:8 PSALMS 5:5, PSALMS 6:8 125:5 PROVERBS 10:29 LUKE 13:27; otherwise _there is not a just man upon ear... [ Continue Reading ]
Nor is it strange that thy people do so exactly and diligently observe and practise thy precepts, because they are commanded so to do by thee their sovereign Lord.... [ Continue Reading ]
My desires answer thy commands. DIRECTED, or _established_, to wit, by thy grace and Holy Spirit; for the direction of God's word he had already.... [ Continue Reading ]
THEN SHALL I NOT BE ASHAMED; either of my actions, or of my profession of religion, or of my hope and confidence in thy favour. When sinners shall be ashamed both here, ROMANS 6:21, and hereafter, DANIEL 12:2, I, having the conscience of mine own integrity, shall lift up my head with courage and _bo... [ Continue Reading ]
PRAISE THEE, i.e. worship thee; one eminent duty of God's worship being put for all, as is frequent in Scripture. WITH UPRIGHTNESS OF HEART; or, _with a right mind_ or _heart_; in a right manner, so as may be acceptable to thee, and beneficial to myself. WHEN I SHALL HAVE LEARNED THY RIGHTEOUS JUDGM... [ Continue Reading ]
I WILL KEEP THY STATUTES; it is my full purpose to do so, whatsoever it cost me. FORSAKE ME NOT UTTERLY; not totally and finally; for then I shall fall into the foulest sins and greatest mischief. Not that he was contented to be forsaken in the least degree, but this he more especially deprecates, a... [ Continue Reading ]
BETH YOUNG MAN; or, any man. But he names the YOUNG MAN, because such are commonly void of wisdom and experience, heady and wilful, and impatient of admonition, full of violent passions and strong lusts, and exposed to many and great temptations. CLEANSE HIS WAY; reform his life, or purge himself fr... [ Continue Reading ]
Deny me not thy grace and assistance, which I have so sincerely and earnestly desired, and laboured to obtain. LET ME NOT WANDER, Heb. _do not make me to wander_, to wit, by leading me into temptation, by withdrawing thy grace, which is necessary to keep me from wandering.... [ Continue Reading ]
I have not contented myself with bare hearing or reading thy word, but have received it in the love of it, have diligently pondered it, and laid it up in my mind and memory like a choice treasure, to be ready upon all occasions, to counsel, or comfort, or quicken, or caution me, as need requires; th... [ Continue Reading ]
BLESSED ART THOU; thou art infinitely blessed, and most worthy of all blessing and praise, and therefore do thou bless me in teaching me, as it follows. Or, _Blessed be thou_. I bless and praise thee for that great blessing of thy word, PSALMS 119:11. TEACH ME THY STATUTES, both to know and to pract... [ Continue Reading ]
If thou wilt teach me, I will teach others, as I have already done; and so thou shalt have glory, and others benefit by it.... [ Continue Reading ]
IN THE WAY OF THY TESTIMONIES; in the study and practice of them.... [ Continue Reading ]
I will diligently and seriously consider the nature, and design, and extent of thy precepts, and especially so far as they concern my own duty. HAVE RESPECT UNTO THY WAYS; or, _look unto them_, as workmen constantly and carefully look to their rule to guide themselves by it.... [ Continue Reading ]
No text from Poole on this verse.... [ Continue Reading ]
GIMEL DEAL BOUNTIFULLY; I plead no merit, but only thy free grace and rich mercy. THAT I MAY LIVE; safely and comfortably, in spite of all the attempts of mine enemies to take away my life. AND KEEP THY WORD: I do not desire life that I may satisfy my own lusts, but that I may spend it in thy servic... [ Continue Reading ]
OPEN THOU MINE EYES; enlighten my mind by the light of thy Holy Spirit, and dispel all ignorance and error. WONDROUS THINGS OUT OF THY LAW; those great and marvellous depths of Divine wisdom and goodness, and those profound mysteries of Christ and of God's grace to mankind, and of that future and ev... [ Continue Reading ]
STRANGER, or _sojourner_. I am not here as in my home, but as a pilgrim travelling homeward in a strange land; which calls for thy pity and help. That law of nature, which thou hast planted in all men's minds, teacheth them to show humanity to strangers, and to direct travellers; much more may this... [ Continue Reading ]
BREAKETH; fainteth, as it frequently doth, when a thing vehemently desired is denied or delayed. Compare PROVERBS 13:12. UNTO THY JUDGMENTS; to a more sound knowledge and serious practice of them.... [ Continue Reading ]
HAST REBUKED, or _dost rebuke_, i.e. severely punish and destroy. And therefore I justly long for thy judgments, as for the love which I have to them, so for fear of those terrible judgments which thou sendest upon the despisers of them. THE PROUD; obstinate and presumptuous sinners, who sin with a... [ Continue Reading ]
REPROACH, which I suffer unjustly and for thy sake, as he elsewhere complains. I HAVE KEPT THY TESTIMONIES, and therefore I am innocent from those crimes for which they censure and reproach me. Or, and therefore thou wilt maintain mine honour and interest according to thy promise made to such as kee... [ Continue Reading ]
DID SIT AND SPEAK; did speak against me continually, (for sitting notes continuance,) and when they sat upon their seats of judicature, and when they sat together in companies, entertaining one another with discourses. DID MEDITATE IN THY STATUTES; all their contumelies and reproaches did not discou... [ Continue Reading ]
MY DELIGHT; my chief comfort under all their censures and persecutions. MY COUNSELLORS, to teach me how to carry myself under them.... [ Continue Reading ]
DALETH MY SOUL CLEAVETH UNTO THE DUST; I am in evident danger of present death, through the rage and power of mine enemies; I am like one laid in the grave, without all hopes of recovery. So this phrase is used PSALMS 22:15. QUICKEN THOU ME; preserve my life, or revive me and raise me out of the dus... [ Continue Reading ]
MY WAYS; my sins, in way of confession; and all my cares, and fears, and troubles, and concerns, in way of humble petition to thee, as appears from God's answer.... [ Continue Reading ]
MAKE ME TO UNDERSTAND, more thoroughly and more practically, the way of thy precepts; either, 1. The full mind and meaning of thy precepts, which are exceeding broad, as he saith afterwards; or, 2. The way wherein I may walk according to thy precepts; how to demean myself in all the varieties of m... [ Continue Reading ]
MELTETH, like wax before the fire; it hath no strength nor consistency left in it, but consumeth or pineth away. FOR HEAVINESS; through grief, partly for my extreme danger and misery; and principally for my sins, and thy wrath and terrors following upon them. STRENGTHEN THOU ME, that so I may bear m... [ Continue Reading ]
THE WAY OF LYING; or, _of falsehood_; either, 1. The practice of lying, and dissembling, and cheating, which is so rife in Saul's court, and in the courts of most princes; but, Lord, let it not be so in my courts. Or rather, 2. Every false way of doctrine or worship; for to this way he opposeth Go... [ Continue Reading ]
I HAVE CHOSEN THE WAY OF TRUTH, to wit, thy word or law, for my portion, and the rule of my worship and whole life. LAID BEFORE ME; or, set before me, as the phrase is fully expressed, PSALMS 16:8, as a delightful object, or as a mark to aim at, or as a rule to direct me.... [ Continue Reading ]
I HAVE STUCK UNTO THY TESTIMONIES; I have resolutely persisted in the practice of thy precepts, in spite of all temptations, reproaches, persecutions, and discouragements, to which I was exposed in and for so doing. PUT ME NOT TO SHAME; either, 1. By giving me over to apostacy or transgression, whi... [ Continue Reading ]
I WILL RUN THE WAY OF THY COMMANDMENTS, I will obey thy precepts with all readiness, fervency, and diligence, WHEN THOU SHALT ENLARGE MY HEART: either, 1. When thou shalt bring me out of my present straits or distresses. This in deed is called _enlarging_, as PSALMS 4:1, PSALMS 18:36, but never, to... [ Continue Reading ]
HE Or, _that I may keep it_, &c. That I may persevere; for apostacy proceeds from the want of a good understanding.... [ Continue Reading ]
No text from Poole on this verse.... [ Continue Reading ]
MAKE ME TO GO, by directing my mind into the right way, by inclining my will, and strengthening my resolution. FOR THEREIN DO I DELIGHT: forsake not him who delighteth in the: and in thy service; and as thou hast wrought in me to will work in me also to do.... [ Continue Reading ]
UNTO THY TESTIMONIES; to the love and practice of them. NOT TO COVETOUSNESS; not to the inordinate love and desire of riches: which particular lust he mentions, partly, be cause this lust is most spreading and universal, and there is scarce any man who doth not desire riches either for the love of r... [ Continue Reading ]
VANITY; the vain things and lusts of this present evil world, such as riches, honours, pleasures; from beholding them, to wit, with admiration and inordinate affection; for such a sight of the eyes doth usually affect the heart, and stir up men's lusts and passions; of which see NUMBERS 15:39 JOB 31... [ Continue Reading ]
Confirm and perform thy promises, as concerning the kingdom, so also for the giving of gracious assistances, directions and comforts to those that fear thee, of which number I am one.... [ Continue Reading ]
TURN AWAY MY REPROACH; either, 1. For the shameful disappointment of my hopes and confident boastings concerning the truth and certainty of thy promises; or, 2. For my manifold failings, and particularly for that shameful matter about Uriah and Bathsheba; or, 3. For my instability in or apostacy... [ Continue Reading ]
AFTER THY PRECEPTS; after a more solid knowledge and constant performance of thy precepts. QUICKEN ME; do thou preserve and maintain both my natural and spiritual life. IN THY RIGHTEOUSNESS; according to thy justice or faithfulness, which obligeth thee to make good thy promises.... [ Continue Reading ]
VAU Let promised mercies be performed to me.... [ Continue Reading ]
THAT REPROACHETH ME; that chargeth me with folly for my piety and trust in thy promises. FOR I TRUST IN THY WORD; or, _because I trust_, &c. This was the matter of their reproach.... [ Continue Reading ]
Do not deal so with me, that I shall be altogether ashamed to mention thy word, which I have so often affirmed to be a word of truth and infallible certainty, of which I have often made my boast. IN THY JUDGMENTS; either in thy word and promises, or in thy judicial administrations and government of... [ Continue Reading ]
So shall I be obliged and encouraged to the constant and perpetual study and observation of thy laws.... [ Continue Reading ]
I WILL WALK AT LIBERTY; or, _I shall walk at large_, as it is in the margin; I shall be delivered from all my present straits, both of the outward and inward man, and enjoy great freedom and comfort in thy ways.... [ Continue Reading ]
BEFORE KINGS; who commonly entertain all godly discourses with scorn and contempt.... [ Continue Reading ]
Whereas other princes place their delight in the glories and vanities of this world, and the study and practice of religion is generally irksome and loathsome to them, thy law shall be my chief delight and recreation.... [ Continue Reading ]
LIFT UP; to lay hold upon them, to receive and embrace thy precepts and promises by faith and love, and cheerfully and vigorously to put them in practice; for as the _hanging down of the hands_ is a gesture of sloth and listlessness, as 2 CHRONICLES 15:7, and elsewhere; so _the lifting up of the han... [ Continue Reading ]
ZAIN THE WORD; thy promises. CAUSED ME TO HOPE, by thy command requiring it of me, and by thy grace working it in me.... [ Continue Reading ]
THIS, to wit, thy word, as is evident both from the foregoing and following words. HATH QUICKENED ME; hath preserved my life in manifold dangers, and hath revived and cheered my spirit.... [ Continue Reading ]
GREATLY IN DERISION, for my godliness and trust in thy word, as the following words imply.... [ Continue Reading ]
THY JUDGMENTS OF OLD; thy former and ancient dispensations to the children of men in punishing the ungodly, and protecting and delivering thy faithful servants, whose experience is my encouragement.... [ Continue Reading ]
HORROR; a mixed passion made up of indignation at their persons as sinful, and abhorrency of their sins, and dread and sorrow at the consideration of the judgments of God coming upon them. BECAUSE OF THE WICKED THAT FORSAKE THY LAW; for the dishonour which they bring to God, the scandal and mischief... [ Continue Reading ]
MY SONGS; the matter of my songs, my delight and recreation. IN THE HOUSE OF MY PILGRIMAGE; either, 1. In this present world, which I do not own for my home, wherein I am a stranger and pilgrim, as all my fathers were, PSALMS 39:12: compare GENESIS 47:9. Or, 2. In mine exile, and in the wilderness... [ Continue Reading ]
THY NAME; thy holy nature and attributes, thy blessed word, and thy wonderful works; all which come under the title of God's name. IN THE NIGHT, when darkness causeth fear in others, I took pleasure in remembering thee; and when others abandon all business, and wholly give themselves up to rest and... [ Continue Reading ]
THIS I HAD, this comfortable and profitable remembrance and contemplation of thy name and statutes, of which he spoke PSALMS 119:54,55, because I kept thy precepts; which if I had wilfully and wickedly broken, the remembrance of these things would have been sad and frightful to me, as now it is comf... [ Continue Reading ]
CHETH Whereas other men place their portion and happiness in worldly things, I have chosen thee for my portion and chief treasure, as he said, PSALMS 16:5, PSALMS 73:26, and thou hast an all-sufficient and an excellent portion for me. I HAVE SAID; I have not only purposed it in my own heart, but hav... [ Continue Reading ]
THY FAVOUR; thy gracious presence and merciful assistance, as it follows.... [ Continue Reading ]
I seriously considered both my former counsels and courses, that I might be humbled for my past errors, and might now amend them, and my duty in all my future actions. And finding that my feet had too often swerved from thy rule, I turned them to it. And although the ways of sinful pleasure and adva... [ Continue Reading ]
Being fully convinced of the necessity and excellency of obedience, I presently resolved upon it, and immediately put it in execution.... [ Continue Reading ]
ROBBED ME; or, _made a prey of me_; done me many injuries for my respect to thy law.... [ Continue Reading ]
I WILL RISE out of my bed to praise thee in a solemn manner; not being contented with those short ejaculations which he might have used lying in his bed. Thy righteous judgments, i.e. laws, which are so useful to direct and comfort me.... [ Continue Reading ]
Not excepting the poorest and meanest, whose society other princes disdain.... [ Continue Reading ]
Thou dost satisfy the just desires and necessities of all men and all creatures with the fruits of thy goodness. The generality of other men chiefly desire the blessings of this life; but, Lord, give me thy spiritual blessings, the saving knowledge, love, and practice of thy law.... [ Continue Reading ]
TETH No text from Poole on this verse.... [ Continue Reading ]
GOOD JUDGMENT; whereby I may rightly discern between truth and falsehood, good and evil, between the mind of God and my own or others inventions; that so I may be kept from those mistakes and errors in which many are involved, that I may truly judge what thy law requires or permits, and what it forb... [ Continue Reading ]
I WENT ASTRAY, as men generally do in their prosperity. See DEUTERONOMY 32:15 PSALMS 73:4, &c.; PROVERBS 1:32 JEREMIAH 22:21.... [ Continue Reading ]
THOU ART GOOD; gracious and bountiful in thy nature. AND DOEST GOOD to all men, both good and bad, MATTHEW 5:45, and in all things, yea, even when thou afflictest. TEACH ME THY STATUTES; which is the good that I desire above all things.... [ Continue Reading ]
FORGED A LIE; a slander, charging me with hypocrisy towards God, and rebellion against my prince. BUT I WILL KEEP THY PRECEPTS; my practice shall confute their calumnies.... [ Continue Reading ]
THEIR HEART IS AS FAT AS GREASE; the sense is either, 1. They are stupid, and insensible, and past feeling, not affected either with the terrors or comforts of God's word. So the like phrase is used ISAIAH 6:10, compared with 1 THESSALONIANS 12:40. Or, 2. They prosper exceedingly, and are even glu... [ Continue Reading ]
GOOD; necessary, and greatly beneficial. He repeats what in effect he said before, PSALMS 119:67, partly to intimate the certainty and importance of this truth, and partly because it is a great paradox to worldly men, who generally esteem afflictions to be evil, yea, the worst of evils.... [ Continue Reading ]
Not only thy promises, but even thy precepts, which are so unpleasant and hard to ungodly men, to me they are more desirable and more needful and profitable, because they do not only give me abundant satisfaction and comfort in this life, but also they conduct me with safety and delight unto that et... [ Continue Reading ]
JOD I am thy creature, and therefore obliged to serve and obey thee with all my might; which that I may do aright I beg thy instruction or assistance. Or, thou hast made me once, make me a second time, and renew thy decayed image in me, that I may know and serve thee better; and that as I was made b... [ Continue Reading ]
WILL BE GLAD; partly for my sake, of whose innocency and piety they are convinced, and therefore sympathize with me; and partly for their own sakes, both for the encouragement they have by my example to trust in God, and for the manifold benefits, both spiritual and temporal, which they expect from... [ Continue Reading ]
I KNOW by the convictions of my own conscience, and by experience. THY JUDGMENTS, i.e. thy corrections, as the next clause explains this. IN FAITHFULNESS; in pursuance of thy promises, and in order to my good, that by my afflictions thou mightest purge me from those sins which might provoke thy wrat... [ Continue Reading ]
Yet in judgment remember mercy, and give me that comfort and assistance in, and that deliverance out of, my troubles which thou hast promised me.... [ Continue Reading ]
THAT I MAY LIVE; that I may be preserved from that violent and untimely death which mine enemies design to bring upon me. FOR THY LAW IS MY DELIGHT; I humbly beg and expect thy protection, because I am thy faithful servant.... [ Continue Reading ]
THEY DEALT PERVERSELY WITH ME, Heb. _they have perverted me_; either by their calumnies, whereby they have put false and perverse constructions upon all my words and actions; or by endeavouring to overthrow and destroy me, or to turn me out of the way of thy precepts. But all their wicked attempts a... [ Continue Reading ]
TURN UNTO ME; either, 1. Turn their eyes to me as a spectacle of God's wonderful mercy; or rather, 2. Turn their hearts and affections to me, which have been alienated from me, either by the artifices and calumnies of my adversaries, or by my sore and long distresses, which made them prone to thin... [ Continue Reading ]
SOUND, Heb. _perfect_, or _entire_, that I may love and obey them sincerely, constantly, and universally. THAT I BE NOT ASHAMED, to wit, for my sins, which are the only just causes of shame, and for the disappointment of my hopes following upon them.... [ Continue Reading ]
CAPH FAINTETH, with longing desire, and earnest expectation, and hope deferred, and hitherto disappointed.... [ Continue Reading ]
MINE EYES FAIL, with looking hither and thither, and to thee for help.... [ Continue Reading ]
IN THE SMOKE; hung up in a smoking chimney. My natural moisture is dried and burnt up; I am withered, and deformed, and despised, and my case grows worse and worse every day.... [ Continue Reading ]
THE DAYS; either, 1. The days of my life, as the word _days_ is commonly used, GENESIS 6:3 JOB 7:1,6 PSA 39:5,6. I have but a little while to live in the world, give me some respite before I die, and help me speedily, otherwise it will be too late. Or rather, 2. The days of my misery, as the next... [ Continue Reading ]
HAVE DIGGED PITS FOR ME; have sought to destroy me by deceit and treachery, as well as by violence. WHICH; either, 1. Which men have no respect to thy law, which forbids such things. Or rather, 2. Which thing, to wit, to dig pits for me, an innocent and just man, is not agreeable to thy law, but d... [ Continue Reading ]
ARE FAITHFUL; they are in themselves most just and true, and they require justice and faithfulness from men, promising many blessings to those that perform it, and severely forbid all fraud and falseness, threatening grievous punishments to those that use it; and such promises and threatenings are t... [ Continue Reading ]
THEY HAD ALMOST CONSUMED ME UPON EARTH, as to my present life and all my happiness upon earth; whereby he implies that his immortal soul and eternal happiness in heaven, of which he speaks, PSALMS 16:11, PSALMS 17:15, and elsewhere, was safe, and out of their reach.... [ Continue Reading ]
Heb. _and I will keep_. I will testify my gratitude to thee by my obedience.... [ Continue Reading ]
LAMED Although many things happen upon earth which seem contrary to thy word, and at which men take occasion to question the truth of thy word, yet in heaven it is sure and certainly true. IN HEAVEN; either, 1. With thee in thy heavenly habitation, or in thy breast; as thy nature is unchangeable, s... [ Continue Reading ]
Every age gives fresh proofs of the truth of thy word. THE EARTH ABIDETH in that place and state in which thou didst establish it. See ECCLESIASTES 1:4.... [ Continue Reading ]
THEY CONTINUE; the heaven and the earth last mentioned. ACCORDING TO THINE ORDINANCES; as thou hast appointed, and by virtue of thine appointment. ALL ARE THY SERVANTS; all things are subject to thy power and pleasure, and none can resist thy will or word.... [ Continue Reading ]
THEN; at the very instant; I could not have outlived one stroke of thine afflicting hand.... [ Continue Reading ]
Revived and cheered me, when my heart was ready to sink and die within me.... [ Continue Reading ]
I AM THINE by creation and redemption, and manifold obligations, as also by my own choice and designation. I have devoted myself to thy service, and committed myself to thy care.... [ Continue Reading ]
As my best comforters, and counsellors, and defenders against all the assaults and designs of mine enemies.... [ Continue Reading ]
I HAVE SEEN AN END OF ALL PERFECTION; I have observed by my experience that the greatest and most perfect accomplishments and enjoyments in this world, the greatest glory, and riches, and power, and wisdom, are too narrow and shortlived to make men happy. THY COMMANDMENT; thy word; one part of it be... [ Continue Reading ]
MEM O HOW LOVE I THY LAW! O Lord, thou knowest it, and to thee I appeal herein against all the censures and calumnies of mine enemies to the contrary.... [ Continue Reading ]
THOU, THROUGH THY COMMANDMENTS, HAST MADE ME WISER THAN MINE ENEMIES, because by that means I have thy wisdom to guide me, and thy power engaged to protect and save me; which is a more certain and effectual way to obtain my desires and ends than all the policy and craft of mine enemies is to hinder... [ Continue Reading ]
UNDERSTANDING: he speaks not here of notional, but of spiritual, and practical, and experimental knowledge. THAN ALL MY TEACHERS; than all or most (for that general word is oft so understood) of those who taught me formerly, or of the public teachers in Saul's time; which probably were for the gener... [ Continue Reading ]
By which reason he intimates that the practice of religion is the best way to understand it, and that men's vicious hearts and lives are the greatest hinderances of all true and solid knowledge of it.... [ Continue Reading ]
EVIL WAY; or, _way of evil_; which either is evil, or leads to it; sin, and the temptations or occasions of sin. THAT, I MIGHT KEEP THY WORD; I did this not for any carnal reasons, as some men abstain from divers sins for their credit or advantage, but out of pure respect to thy word.... [ Continue Reading ]
To wit, by thy blessed Spirit, illuminating my mind, and working upon my heart, which other teachers cannot do.... [ Continue Reading ]
The study and obedience of thy words yields me more satisfaction and delight than any worldly men find in their sensual pleasures.... [ Continue Reading ]
UNDERSTANDING; true, and useful and powerful knowledge. THEREFORE; because that discovers to me, as the wickedness, so the folly and mischief of such practices. EVERY FALSE WAY; every thing which is contrary to that rule of truth and right, all false doctrine and worship, and all sinful or vicious c... [ Continue Reading ]
NUN Ver. 105. To direct me in all my doubts and difficulties, to preserve from sin and misery, both which oft come under the name of darkness, and to comfort me in all my fears and distresses.... [ Continue Reading ]
I HAVE SWORN; obliged myself by serious purpose and solemn vow, or by a formal oath, which was not unusual amongst God's people, as 2 CHRONICLES 15:15 NEHEMIAH 10:29. WILL PERFORM IT; I do not repent of it, but by God's grace I will fulfil it.... [ Continue Reading ]
No text from Poole on this verse.... [ Continue Reading ]
THE FREE-WILL OFFERINGS OF MY MOUTH; either, 1. Those which I have promised with my mouth, though I am not now in a capacity of performing my promises, as being banished from thy house. Or rather, 2. The sacrifices of prayer and praises, which I do freely and frequently offer unto thee; which are... [ Continue Reading ]
IN MY HAND; exposed to perpetual and extreme danger, as any precious and frail thing is which a man carrieth openly in his hand, whence it may easily fall or be snatched away by a violent hand. See the same or like phrase, JUDGES 12:3 1 SAMUEL 19:5 JOB 13:14.... [ Continue Reading ]
No text from Poole on this verse.... [ Continue Reading ]
I have chosen them for my chief portion, from which I will never part.... [ Continue Reading ]
As I prayed to thee to incline mine heart to them, above PSALMS 119:36, so I did not neglect my duty, but cheerfully complied with the motions of thy Spirit, and yielded up my mind and heart to the study and practice of them.... [ Continue Reading ]
SAMECH Ver. 113. THOUGHTS -this word signifies thoughts, JOB 4:13, JOB 20:2, or opinions, 1 KINGS 18:21; which being indifferent to good and evil, is here taken in an evil sense, for vain _thoughts_, as we render it, or for thoughts, or opinions, or devices of men differing from or opposite to God's... [ Continue Reading ]
No text from Poole on this verse.... [ Continue Reading ]
And therefore will avoid your society and conversation, lest I should be hindered from that which is good, and drawn to sin by your evil counsel or example.... [ Continue Reading ]
Or, _because of my hope_, or _confidence_ in thy promises, of the certainty whereof I have oft made my boast before others.... [ Continue Reading ]
And being freed from those distractions and diversions which my pressing dangers occasion, I will wholly devote myself to the study and practice of thy blessed word.... [ Continue Reading ]
All their crafty and deceitful devices, by which they design to insnare and ruin me, and other good men, shall deceive them and their own expectations, and bring that destruction upon themselves which they design for others.... [ Continue Reading ]
THOU PUTTEST AWAY; thou removest them from thy presence, and from the society of thy people, and from the land of the living. LIKE DROSS; which, though for a season it be mixed with gold or silver, is not only separated from it as a useless and contemptible thing, but also is utterly consumed by fir... [ Continue Reading ]
The observation of thy terrible judgments against ungodly men, and the conscience of my own infirmity and manifold sins, makes me fear lest thou shouldst punish me also, as thou mightest justly do, if thou shouldst be strict to mark what is amiss in me; or lest I should partake with them in their si... [ Continue Reading ]
AIN Ver. 121. JUDGMENT AND JUSTICE, i.e. just judgment, as ECCLESIASTES 5:8, to wit, towards mine oppressors, whom I have no way injured.... [ Continue Reading ]
Do thou undertake and plead my cause against all mine enemies, as a surety rescues the poor persecuted debtor from the hands of a severe creditor. FOR GOOD; for my safety and comfort.... [ Continue Reading ]
For the performance of thy righteous, or faithful, or merciful word or promise.... [ Continue Reading ]
Not according to strict justice, nor according to my sins.... [ Continue Reading ]
No text from Poole on this verse.... [ Continue Reading ]
IT IS TIME; it is high time, or a fit season. _To work_; to put forth thy power for the vindication of thy own name and cause, and for the restraint and punishment of evildoers. THEY, to wit, mine oppressors, or the wicked; whom it was needless to express, both because they had been lately and frequ... [ Continue Reading ]
Partly, because it is one evidence of their excellency, that they are disliked by the vilest of men; partly, out of a just indignation and opposition against my sworn enemies; and partly, because the great and general apostacy of others makes this duty more necessary to prevent their own and other m... [ Continue Reading ]
THEREFORE, for the reasons now mentioned, I do not make void all thy precepts, as they did, PSALMS 119:126, nor yet am I partial in my approbation of them, as others are, who reject all such as are opposite to their lusts and interests; but I approve all of them without any exception, and that not o... [ Continue Reading ]
PE Ver. 129. WONDERFUL; in regard of the deep and wonderful mysteries, and most excellent counsels and directions, far exceeding all the rules of the greatest philosophers, and the exceeding great and precious promises of God contained in them. This is the reason of his high estimation of them, expr... [ Continue Reading ]
THE ENTRANCE OF THY WORDS; the very beginnings and rudiments of them; the first discoveries of those sacred mysteries; and much more the depths of them, in which their chief excellency consists. Or, as others both ancient and later interpreters render the place, _The opening of thy words_; by which... [ Continue Reading ]
I thirst after thy precepts, and pursue them eagerly, as it were with open mouth, ready and greedy to receive them. It is a metaphor from one that makes great haste after another, whereby he is forced to pant and to open his mouth for air to refresh himself.... [ Continue Reading ]
LOOK THOU UPON ME, to wit, favourably, as the next clause explains it, and as this phrase is commonly used; whereby also he implies that God at present did hide his face and favour from him. AS THOU USEST TO DO UNTO THOSE THAT LOVE THY NAME; as thou hast done in all former ages. Do not deny me the c... [ Continue Reading ]
ORDER MY STEPS; by thy grace direct and govern all my motions and actions. IN THY WORD; in the way prescribed in thy word; or, _by thy word_. Let thy Spirit accompany thy word, and ingraft it within me, so that I may be guided and ruled by it. And although I have evil inclinations and affections wit... [ Continue Reading ]
As he prayed against the inward impediment of his obedience, PSALMS 119:133, so here he prayeth against an external impediment of it, and a common temptation to sin.... [ Continue Reading ]
Look upon me with a pleased and favourable countenance. Compare NUMBERS 6:25 PROVERBS 16:15.... [ Continue Reading ]
RIVERS OF WATERS; plentiful and perpetual tears, witnesses of my deep sorrow for God's dishonour and displeasure, and for the miseries which sinners bring upon themselves and others. They, to wit, the wicked, as before, PSALMS 119:126, who were not worthy to be mentioned; for this pronoun is oft use... [ Continue Reading ]
TZADDI Ver. 137. RIGHTEOUS ART THOU, by thine essence and nature, and therefore it is impossible that thou shouldst be unjust in any of thy laws or providences.... [ Continue Reading ]
But this verse is otherwise rendered by all the ancient interpreters, and by divers others, and that more agreeably to the order of the words in the Hebrew text, _Thou hast commanded righteousness_, even THY TESTIMONIES (or, _the righteousness of thy testimonies_; or, _thy righteous testimonies_, by... [ Continue Reading ]
HATH CONSUMED ME; I am tormented and cut to the heart with grief and anger at it. HAVE FORGOTTEN THY WORDS, i.e. despise and disobey them; which in Scripture use is oft called a forgetting of them, as the remembering of them is oft put for loving and practising them.... [ Continue Reading ]
VERY PURE; without the least mixture of any falsehood or sin, both which are frequent in the words or precepts of men. THEREFORE; because of that exact purity and holiness of it, for which very reason ungodly men either despise or hate it.... [ Continue Reading ]
SMALL; or, _a little one_; not for age, but in respect of my condition in the world; mean and obscure.... [ Continue Reading ]
AN EVERLASTING RIGHTEOUSNESS; constant and unchangeable, the same in all ages and places, and to all persons, of eternal truth and justice, never to be dispensed with, nor to be made void. THE TRUTH; nothing but truth; or as true as truth itself.... [ Continue Reading ]
Outward troubles and anguish of spirit, or great anguish or distress.... [ Continue Reading ]
I shall be kept from those sins which deserve and bring death.... [ Continue Reading ]
KOPH Ver. 145. No text from Poole on this verse.... [ Continue Reading ]
No text from Poole on this verse.... [ Continue Reading ]
THE DAWNING OF THE MORNING, Heb. _the twilight_, to wit, of the morning, by comparing PSALMS 88:13. And so this word is used 1 SAMUEL 30:17.... [ Continue Reading ]
THE NIGHT WATCHES, Heb. _the watches_; which were kept only by night. And these watches were then three, as hath been more than once observed. And this is not to be understood of the first watch, which was at the beginning of the night, for the prevention thereof was very easy, and frequent, and inc... [ Continue Reading ]
According to thy word, which is oft called God's judgment; or, according to thy custom or manner of dealing with me and with others of thy people; as this word is taken above, PSALMS 119:132.... [ Continue Reading ]
THEY DRAW NIGH, to wit, to me, or against me, as PSALMS 27:2; they are at hand, and ready to seize upon me. THEY ARE FAR FROM THY LAW; they cast away far from them all thoughts of and respect to thy law, which forbids such wicked practices.... [ Continue Reading ]
THOU ART NEAR to me. Thou art as ready and present to succour me as they are to molest me. THY COMMANDMENTS; considered with the promises and threatenings, which are frequently annexed to them. Or, the promises, as this word seems to be used, PSALMS 111:7, and elsewhere in this Psalm. And God is sai... [ Continue Reading ]
KNOWN OF OLD, by my own long experience, ever since I arrived at any knowledge in those matters. THAT THOU HAST FOUNDED THEM FOR EVER; that thou hast established them upon sure and everlasting foundations.... [ Continue Reading ]
RESH Ver. 153. No text from Poole on this verse.... [ Continue Reading ]
No text from Poole on this verse.... [ Continue Reading ]
And therefore, on the contrary, I trust that thou wilt save me because I do seek them. My wicked enemies shall certainly be destroyed, by which means I shall be delivered.... [ Continue Reading ]
According to the manner of thy administrations towards thy people, as PSALMS 119:149.... [ Continue Reading ]
Though they tempt me to do so, and persecute me because I will not do it.... [ Continue Reading ]
I observed and considered their ungodly courses.... [ Continue Reading ]
I LOVE THY PRECEPTS; which was the cause of my grief for their violation of them.... [ Continue Reading ]
FROM THE BEGINNING; either from the beginning of the world, or ever since thou hast revealed thy mind by thy word to the sons of men; all thy words have been found to be true and certain, and so they will be to the end of the world, as is implied in the next clause. Or, as it is in the margin, _the... [ Continue Reading ]
SCHIN Ver. 161. PRINCES; who had power to do it, and who ought to have used their authority to protect me, whom they knew to be innocent and injured. BUT MY HEART STANDETH IN AWE OF THY WORD; but I feared thine offence and displeasure more than their wrath.... [ Continue Reading ]
No text from Poole on this verse.... [ Continue Reading ]
LYING; or, _falsehood_; either, 1. In my speech and actions; all hypocrisy and deceit, which is the common practice of mine enemies, and of all godless politicians: or, 2. In doctrine and worship, as this word seems to be used, PSALMS 119:29, because both there and here it is opposed to God's law.... [ Continue Reading ]
SEVEN TIMES; many times; that definite number being oft taken indefinitely, as LEVITICUS 26:28, and elsewhere.... [ Continue Reading ]
GREAT PEACE; either outward prosperity and happiness, which God in his law hath expressly promised to good men; or at least inward peace, satisfaction and tranquility of mind, arising from the sense of God's love to them and watchful care over them in all the concerns of this life and of the next. H... [ Continue Reading ]
Thus performing the condition which thou hast required, I justly and confidently hope for thy mercy promised.... [ Continue Reading ]
I have not only obeyed thy commands, which a hypocrite may sometimes and in part do for worldly ends, but I have done it with my very soul, and from a hearty love to them.... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR, or _because, all my ways are before thee_. This is added either, 1. As the reason or motive of his obedience, which was the consideration of God's omniscience, and his desire to approve himself and his ways to God; or, 2. As a proof and evidence of it. Whereas this and all his former professi... [ Continue Reading ]
TAU Ver. 169. NEAR BEFORE THEE; which at present thou seemest to _shut out_, as the church complained, LAMENTATIONS 3:8. UNDERSTANDING; whereby I may both know and perform my duty in all particulars.... [ Continue Reading ]
No text from Poole on this verse.... [ Continue Reading ]
No text from Poole on this verse.... [ Continue Reading ]
SHALL SPEAK, Heb. _shall pour forth_, freely and abundantly, like a fountain. Of thy word; in praise of it, for its righteousness, as it here follows, its truth, and purity, and other excellencies. THY COMMANDMENTS; even those which to men of corrupted minds seem harsh and unjust.... [ Continue Reading ]
For my guide and companion, and chief joy and treasure.... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR THY SALVATION; either, 1. For deliverance from my present straits and calamities, that I may serve thee with more freedom, and may glorify thy name in a more solemn and public manner; or, 2. That thou wouldst completely save me, not only from my outward pressures, but also from my sins, from m... [ Continue Reading ]
Either, 1. Thy providential dispensation, whereby thou judgest and rulest the world, punishing the wicked, and protecting and delivering the godly. Or, 2. Thy word or testimonies, as this word most commonly signifies in this Psalm, which are the only ground of my hope in thy help.... [ Continue Reading ]
I HAVE GONE ASTRAY LIKE A LOST SHEEP: this is meant either, 1. Of sinful errors. I have too often swerved from the path of thy precepts through mine own infirmity, or the power of temptation. Or, 2. Of penal errors. I have been banished by the power and tyranny of mine enemies from all my friends... [ Continue Reading ]