Psalms 119:168

I have kept Thy precepts and Thy testimonies: for all my ways are before Thee.

A sincere summary, and a searching inquiry

(with verse 176):--These two verses form a paradox, both true, and true of the same man, at the same time.

I. Our first text is a sincere summary of a godly man’s life. Looking back, he can say of it in general, “I have kept Thy precepts,” etc.

1. It is needfull that we should have so lived that this shall be the summary of our life; for if we have not so lived, what evidence have we that we have been born again,--that we have passed from death unto life,--that we have been delivered from the bondage of sin, and brought into the way of holiness?

2. Whenever a man can truly say, with the psalmist, “I have kept Thy precepts and Thy testimonies,” it is a fruit of grace.

3. This summary of life is excellent for its breadth. “I have kept Thy precepts and Thy testimonies.” I feel that I am as much bound to believe right as to act right; and it is just as truly a sin to believe error, when I can learn the truth, as it is to commit iniquity.

4. It is excellent for its length.

5. It is excellent from its cause. The psalmist kept God’s precepts and testimonies because all his ways were before God. He felt that God was watching him, he lived under the consciousness of God’s presence with him both by night and day.

6. It is excellent from its use. It is an argument for the Gospel which the most sceptical cannot refute, and it is a most blessed way of propagating that Gospel, for men are more often convinced by our actions than by our words.

II. The psalmist, after he had spoken thus, and spoken quite sincerely and truly, yet felt that he must close his long life’s summary in another fashion. He then uttered our second text, which I called a searching scrutiny: “I have gone astray,” etc. The life of a believer may be like that of Job, “perfect and upright,” but when it comes under the scrutiny of an eye that is illuminated by the Spirit of God, and touched with the heavenly eye-salve, quite another verdict is given; and, tremblingly, with many tears, the confession is poured into the ear of God, “I have gone astray like a lost sheep”; followed by the petition, “Seek Thy servant”; and the renewed declaration, “for I do not forget Thy commandment.” (C. H. Spurgeon.)