Psalms 119

Psalms 119

DESCRIPTIVE TITLE

Jehovah's Will in Relation to Human Character and Conduct, celebrated in Twenty-two Alphabetical Stanzas, and by the aid of Eight Comprehensive Synonyms.

ANALYSIS

(The analysis of this Psalm may be seen in its superficial structure, and further discovered by an examination of the following Table of Synonyms.)

SYNONYMS EXPRESSIVE OF JEHOVAH'S WILL IN RELATION TO
HUMAN CONDUCT AS CELEBRATED IN Psalms 119.

TABLE OF PRINCIPAL WORDS AND PHRASES USED IN
CONNECTION WITH EACH SYNONYM.

English

Hebrew

No. of oc. in M.T.

No. Emended

1. COMMANDMENTS

mizwah

22

22

look well to, 6; go astray from, 10, 21, 110; run in way of, 32; lead in path of, 35; delight in, 47, 143; keep, (55), 60; believe in, 66; understand in order to learn, 73; are faithfulness, 86, 151; broad, 96; make wise, 98; observe, 115; love, 47, 127; long for, 131; quicken, (156), done, 166; not forgotten, 176.

2. DECISIONS
(appointments)

mishpat

23

22

learn, 7; rehearse of thy mouth, 13; long for, 20; esteem, 30; good, 39; wait for, 43; remember, 52; thanks for, 62; better than g. and s., 72; righteous, 75; execute on (just decision), 84; h. and earth stand by, 91; not turned aside from, 102; keep, 106; afraid of, 120; done, 121; shew favour ac. to, 132; equitable, 137; quicken ac. to, 149; righteous and age-abiding, 160; praise for righteous, 164; sing of, 172.

3. Law or
INSTRUCTION

torah

25

22

walk in, 1; delight in, (16), 70, 77, 92, 174; discern wonders out of, 18; favour with, 29; observe, 34; keep, 44, 136; forsake, 53; not forgotten, 61, 109, 153; men not ac. to, 85; love, 97, 113, 165; frustrate, 126; truth (or faithfulness), 142; go far from, 150.

4. PRECEPTS or CHARGES

pikkudh

21

22

keep, 4, 63, 128, 134, 168; soliloquise in, 15, 78; observe, (22), 56, 69, 100; cause to understand, 27; long for, 40; sought out, 45, 94; not forsaken, 87, do, (112); stray from, 118; not forgotten, 141; know from, 152; love, 159; choose, 173.

5. PROMISE or SAYING

-'imrah

19

22

keep, (5), 67; treasure, 11; not hide, (19); quicken ac. to, (25), 107, 154; leadeth to revere, 38; salvation ac. to, 41; hath quickened, 50; shew favour ac. to, 58; comfort ac. to, 76; eyes bedimmed for, 82, 123; to gen. after gen., 90; smooth (sweet), 103; uphold ac. to, 116; direct footsteps in, 133; love, refined, 140; soliloquise in, 148; joyful over, 162; deliver ac. to, 170.

6. STATUTES

hok hukkah

19

22

keep, 8; teach me, 12, 26, 64, 68, (108), 124, 135, 172; soliloquise in, 23, 48; point out to me the way of, 33; become melodies, 54; be thorough in, 80; not forgotten, 83, 93; get understanding out of, (104); delight in, 117; righteous, (144); observe, 145; not sought after, 155; love, 163.

7. TESTIMONIES

-edah -eduth

23

22

observe, 2; rejoice in, 14; delight, 23; keep close to, 31; incline heart to, 36; speak of bef. kings, 46; swerved from, 51, 157; turned feet to, 59; learn, (71); know, 79; keep, 88, 146, 167; dil. consider, 95; are soliloquy, 99; take as inheritance, 111; love, 119, 167; get to know, 125; wonderful, observe them, 129; commanded as righteous and faithful, 138; help me, (175).

8. WORD

dhabhar

22

22

walk in, (3); take heed ac. to, 9; keep, 17, 57, 101; raise up ac. to, 28; quicken, 37; trust in, 42; remember, on wh. hope, 49; deal well ac. to, 65; wait for, 74, 81, 114, 147; stationed in heavens, 89; lamp and light, 105; surety with, (122); opening giveth light, 130; forgotten, 139; not kept, (158); stood in awe of, 161; cause understanding ac. to, 169.

[1. THE EIGHTFOLD ALEPH.]
Each verse in the Hebrew beginning with the letter Aleph; and so with the rest.

1

How happy the blameless in behaviour[593]

[593] U.: way.

who walk in the LAW of Jehovah.

2

How happy they who observe his TESTIMONIES

with a whole heart do they seek after him.

3

Yea they have not wrought perversity

in his (WORD)[594] have they walked.

[594] M.T.: waysnot one of the eight synonyms: word otherwise missing from stanza.

4

Thou thyself hast commanded thy PRECEPTS

to be kept[595] diligently.

[595] Ml.: to keep.

5

Ah! that my ways might be established

to keep thy (PROMISE).[596]

[596] M.T.: statutes, in Psalms 119:8: promise not otherwise in stanza.

6

Then shall I not be put to shame

when looking well unto all thy COMMANDMENTS.

7

I will thank thee with uprightness[597] of heart

[597] Or: straightforwardness.

when I learn thy righteous DECISIONS.

8

Thy STATUTES will I keep

do not forsake me utterly.

[2. THE EIGHTFOLD BETH.]

9

Whereby shall a young man keep[598] pure his path?

[598] Or: make.

by taking heed according to thy WORD.[599]

[599] Some cod. (w. 2 ear. pr. edns., Aram., Sep., Syr., Vul.): words (pl)Gn.

10

With all my heart have I sought after thee

let me not go astray from thy COMMANDMENTS.

11

In my heart have I treasured thy PROMISE[600]

[600] Some cod. (w. 1 ear. pr. edn., Aram., Sep., Syr., Vul.): promises (pl.)Gn.

to the end I may not sin against thee.

12

Blessed art thou Jehovah

teach me thy STATUTES.

13

With my lips have I told

of all the DECISIONS of thy mouth.

14

In the way of thy TESTIMONIES have I rejoiced

as over all riches.

15

In thy PRECEPTS will I soliloquise

that I may discern thy paths.

16

In thy (LAW)[601] will I delight myself

[601] M.T.: statutesin Psalms 119:12: law not otherwise in stanza.

I will not forget thy word.[602]

[602] In some cod. (w. 2 ear. pr. edns., Aram., Sep., Syr., Vul.): words (pl.)Gn.

[3. THE EIGHTFOLD GIMEL.]

17

Deal bountifully with thy servant I shall live[603]

[603] Cp. Isaiah 38:19.

so shall I keep thy WORD.[604]

[604] Some cod. (w. Aram., Sep., Syr., Vul.): words (pl.)Gn.

18

Unveil thou mine eyes that I may discern

wonderful things[605] out of thy LAW.

[605] Cp. Psalms 119:27.

19

A sojourner[606] am I in the earth[607]

[606] Cp. Psalms 119:54, Psalms 39:12, Genesis 47:9.

[607] Or: land.

do not hide from me thy (PROMISE).[608]

[608] M.T.: commandmentsin Psalms 119:21; promise not otherwise in stanza.

20

Crushed is my soul with longing

for thy DECISIONS at all times.

21

Thou hast rebuked the insolent as accursed[609]

[609] Or: insolentaccursed are they who, etc.

who go astray from thy COMMANDMENTS.

22

Roll off from me reproach and contempt

for thy (PRECEPTS)[610] have I observed.

[610] M.T.: testimoniesin Psalms 119:24: precepts not otherwise in stanza.

23

Although princes have taken their seat against me have talked

thy servant doth soliloquise in thy STATUTES.

24

Yea[611] thy TESTIMONIES are my delight

[611] So Dr., Br.; also Per.; Nevertheless (thus connecting Psalms 119:23-24)Del.

[they are] my cousellors.[612]

[612] Ml.: my men of counsel=my counselmen=my counsellors.

[4. THE EIGHTFOLD DALETH.]

25

My soul cleaveth unto the dust

quicken me according to thy (PROMISE).[613]

[613] M.T.: wordin Psalms 119:28: promise otherwise not in stanza.

26

My ways I recounted and thou didst answer me

teach me thy STATUTES.

27

The way of thy PRECEPTS cause thou me to understand

so will I soliloquise in thy wondrous things.[614]

[614] Cp. Psalms 119:18; Psalms 119:129.

28

My soul hath wept itself away for grief

raise me up according to thy WORD.[615]

[615] Some cod. (w. 1 ear. pr. edn.): according to thy words (pl). But other cod. (w. Sep., Vul.): in (or -by-') thy words (pl.)Gn.

29

The way of falsehood remove from me[616]

[616] Cp. Matthew 6:13.

and with thy LAW be gracious unto me.[617]

[617] And favour me with Thine instruction (torah not having the notion of fixed doctrine, but that of living empirical instruction)Del. Grant me thy law graciouslyA.V., R.Y., Dr. With thy law be gracious to meBr., Per. Bestow upon me thy lawCarter. Be gracious to me according to thy lawAglen.

30

The way of faithfulness have I chosen

thy DECISIONS do I esteem.[618]

[618] So Dr. Have I set before meDel.

31

I have kept close to thy TESTIMONIES

Jehovah! do not put me to shame.

32

The way of thy COMMANDMENTS will I run

for thou wilt enlarge my heart.[619]

[619] That is, cause it to swell for joy. Cp. Isaiah 60:5Dr. Sp. I. Watts-'hm. My God the spring, Psalms 119:4.

[5. THE EIGHTFOLD HE.]

33

Point out to me Jehovah the way of thy STATUTES

and I will observe it unto the end.

34

Cause me to understand that I may observe thy LAW

and I will keep it with a whole heart.

35

Lead me in the path of thy COMMANDMENTS

for therein do I find[620] pleasure.

[620] Or: have I found.

36

Incline my heart unto thy TESTIMONIES

and not unto covetousness.

37

Cause mine eyes to pass on from beholding unreality[621]

[621] So Dr. Without real, i.e., without divine substance; God-opposed teaching and lifeDel. WorthlessnessBr. DelusionCarter. Perhaps from looking on idolsAglen. And cp. Matthew 6:13.

by thy (WORD)[622] quicken thou me.

[622] M.T.: waysnot one of the eight: word not otherwise in stanza.

38

Confirm unto thy servant thy PROMISE

which leadeth men to revere thee.[623]

[623] Cp. Psalms 130:4.

39

Cause to pass away my reproach which I have feared

for thy DECISIONS are good.

40

Lo! I have longed for thy PRECEPTS

in thy righteousness quicken thou me.

[6. THE EIGHTFOLD WAW.]

41

And let thy kindness reach me O Jehovah

thy salvation according to thy PROMISE.

42

And I will make answer to him that reproacheth me

for[624] I trust in thy WORD.

[624] Or: that.

43

And do not snatch away from my mouth a truthful word utterly

because for thy DECISIONS have I waited.

44

And I will keep thy LAW continually

to the ages[625] and beyond.

[625] U.: to times age-abiding.

45

And I will walk to and fro in a roomy place[626]

[626] Cp. Psalms 18:19, Psalms 31:8, Psalms 118:5.

because thy PRECEPTS have I sought out.[627]

[627] Or: studied.

46

And I will speak of thy TESTIMONIES before kings

and shall not be put to shame.

47

And I will delight myself in thy COMMANDMENTS

the which I have loved.

48

And I will lift up mine open hands[628] unto thy commandments[629]

[628] Ml.: palms.

[629] M.T. adds: which I have lovedrepeated probably by error from Psalms 119:47Dr.

and will soliloquise in thy STATUTES.

[7. THE EIGHTFOLD ZAYLN.]

49

Remember the WORD to thy servant

seeing that thou hast caused me to hope.

50

This is my comfort in my humiliation[630]

[630] Cp. Psalms 119:67; Psalms 119:71; Psalms 119:75; Psalms 119:92; Psalms 119:107.

that thy PROMISE hath quickened me.

51

Insolent men have scorned me exceedingly

from thy (TESTIMONIES)[631] have I not swerved.

[631] M.T.: lawin Psalms 119:53: testimonies not otherwise in stanza.

52

I have remembered thy DECISIONS [that have been] from antiquity Jehovah

and have consoled myself.

53

A ranging heat hath seized me by reason of the lawless

forsakers of thy LAW.

54

Melodies have thy STATUTES become to me

in my house of sojourn.[632]

[632] Cp. Psalms 119:19, Psalms 39:12, Genesis 47:9. Ormay not the allusion be to a temporary banishment? Cp. and consider Psalms 42, 43.

55

I have remembered in the night thy name Jehovah!

and have kept thy (COMMANDMENTS).[633]

[633] M.T.: lawin Psalms 119:53: commandments not otherwise in stanza.

56

This hath become mine

that thy PRECEPTS have I observed.

[8. THE EIGHTFOLD HETH.]

57

My portion Jehovah!

I have said[634] I would keep thy WORDS.

[634] Or: promised. Cp. 1 Chronicles 27:23, 2 Chronicles 21:7, Esther 4:7, 2 Kings 8:19, Nehemiah 9:23; hence -'imrah easily becomes promise where context favours.

58

I have sought the smile of thy face[635] with a whole heart

[635] Lit. make the face of any one sweet pleasantO.G. 318b.

be gracious unto me according to thy PROMISE.

59

I thought on my ways

and turned my feet unto thy TESTIMONIES.

60

I have hastened and not delayed

to keep thy COMMANDMENTS.

61

The meshes of lawless men have enclosed me

thy LAW have I not forgotten.

62

At midnight I arise to give thanks to theebecause of thy righteous DECISIONS.

63

Companion am I to all who revere thee

and to them who keep thy PRECEPTS.

64

Of thy kindness Jehovah the earth is full

thy STATUTES O teach me.

[9. THE EIGHTFOLD TETH.]

65

Well hast thou dealt with thy servant

O Jehovah according to thy WORD.

66

Good perception[636] and knowledge teach thou me

[636] Ml.: taste=quick moral perception.

for in thy COMMANDMENTS have I believed.

67

Before I was humbled[637] I was going astray

[637] Cp. refs, to Psalms 119:50.

but now thy PROMISE[638] have I kept.

[638] Promiseif understood as conditional or directory: else, saying.

68

Good art thou and a doer of good[639]

[639] Cp. Wesley's hymn: Good thou art.

teach me thy STATUTES.

69

Insolent men have plastered falsehood over me[640]

[640] So Dr.

I with a whole heart will observe thy PRECEPTS.

70

Unfeeling like fat[641] is their heart

[641] Impervious to good influences; cp. Isaiah 6:10Dr.

I in thy LAW have found delight.

71

Well was it for me that I was humbled[642]

[642] Cp. refs. to Psalms 119:50.

to the end I might learn thy (TESTIMONIES).[643]

[643] M.T.: statutesin Psalms 119:68: testimonies not otherwise in stanza.

72

Better to me the (DECISIONS)[644] of thy mouth[645]

[644] M.T.: lawin Psalms 119:70: decisions not otherwise in stanza.

[645] Cp. Psalms 119:13; Psalms 119:88.

than thousands of gold and silver.

[10. THE EIGHTFOLD YODH.]

73

Thine own hands made me and established me

cause me to understand that I may learn thy COMMANDMENTS.

74

They who revere thee shall see me and rejoice

that[646] for thy WORD I waited[647]

[646] Or: because.

[647] Cp. Psalms 35:27.

75

I know Jehovah that righteous are thy DECISIONS

and in faithfulness didst thou humble[648] me.

[648] Cp. refs. to Psalms 119:50.

76

Let thy kindness pray serve to comfort me

according to thy PROMISE to thy servant.

77

Let thy compassions reach me that I may live

for thy LAW is my delight.

78

Put to shame[649] be insolent men that with falsehood they deprived me of justice[650]

[649] Cp. Psalms 35:26.

[650] So (prob.)O.G.

I soliloquise in thy PRECEPTS.

79

Let those who revere thee turn[651] unto me

[651] Or: return.

and they shall[652] know thy TESTIMONIES.

[652] Or: whoancient authorities divided.

80

Let my heart be blameless[653] in thy STATUTES

[653] Or: thorough; cp. Psalms 119:113.

to the end I may not be put to shame.

[11. THE EIGHTFOLD KAPH.]

81

My soul languisheth[654] for thy salvation

[654] Cp. Psalms 84:2.

for thy WORD have I waited.

82

Bedimmed are mine eyes for thy PROMISE

saying When wilt thou comfort me?

83

Though I have become like a wine-skin in smoke

thy STATUTES have I not forgotten.

84

How many are the days of thy servant?

when wilt thou execute on my persecutors a DECISION?[655]

[655] A pos. error for the customary thy decisions.

85

Insolent men have digged for me pits

who are not according to thy LAW.

86

All thy COMMANDMENTS are faithfulness

falsely[656] have they persecuted me help me!

[656] Cp. Psalms 119:78: and Psalms 35:19.

87

Almost had they made an end of me[657] in the land[658]

[657] Cp. Psalms 35:25.

[658] Or: earth.

but I forsook not thy PRECEPTS.

88

According to thy kindness quicken me

that I may keep the TESTIMONY[659] of thy mouth.

[659] Read -testimonies-' as usualBr.

[12. THE EIGHTFOLD LAMEDH.]

89

To the ages[660] O Jehovah[661]

[660] U.: To times age-abiding.
[661] For ever is JahveDel.

thy WORD is stationed in the heavens.

90

To generation after generation is thy PROMISE[662]

[662] M.T.: faithfulnessnot a syn.: promise not otherwise in stanza.

thou hast[663] established the earth and it standeth.

[663] Or: didst.

91

By thy DECISIONS they stand to-day

for they all[664] are thy servants.

[664] All thingsDr. All beingsDel.

92

Unless thy LAW had been my delight

then should I have perished in my humiliation.[665]

[665] Cp. refs. to Psalms 119:50, and cp. Genesis 8:21-22, also Psalms 33:6-9.

93

To the ages will I not forget thy STATUTES[666]

[666] M.T.: preceptsin Psalms 119:94: statutes not otherwise in stanza.

for by them hast thou quickened me.

94

Thine am I O save me

for thy PRECEPTS have I sought out.[667]

[667] Or: studied.

95

For me have lawless men waited to destroy me

thy TESTIMONIES do I diligently consider.

96

To all completeness have I seen an end

broad is thy COMMANDMENT exceedingly.

[13. THE EIGHTFOLD MEM.]

97

Oh how I love thy LAW!

all the day is it my soliloquy.

98

Beyond mine enemies shall thy COMMANDMENT make me wise

for age-abiding it is mine.

99

Beyond all my teachers have I shewn understanding

because thy TESTIMONIES are a soliloquy to me.

100

Beyond elders do I get understanding

because thy PRECEPTS have I observed.

101

From every path of wickedness have I restrained[668] my feet

[668] Dr. after P.B.V.: refrained.

to the end I might keep thy WORD.

102

From thy DECISIONS have I not turned aside

for thou thyself hast directed me.

103

How pleasant[669] to my palate is thy PROMISE[670]

[669] Ml.: smooth.
[670] Some cod. (w. Sep., Syr., Vul.): are thy promises (pl.)Gn.

more than honey to my mouth.

104

Out of thy (STATUTES)[671] do I get understanding

[671] M.T.: preceptsin Psalms 119:100: statutes not otherwise in stanza

therefore do I hate every path of falsehood.

[14. THE EIGHTFOLD NUN.]

105

A lamp to my foot is thy WORD

and a light to my path.

106

I have sworn and have confirmed it

to keep thy righteous DECISIONS.

107

I have been humbled[672] exceedingly Jehovah!

[672] Cp. refs. to Psalms 119:50.

quicken thou me according to thy (PROMISE).[673]

[673] M.T.: wordin Psalms 119:105: promise not otherwise in stanza.

108

The freewill offerings of my mouth accept pray Jehovah!

and thy (STATUTES)[674] teach thou me.

[674] M.T.: decisionsin Psalms 119:106.

109

My life[675] is in mine open hand[676] continually

[675] U.: soul.
[676] Ml.: palm.

yet thy LAW have I not forgotten.

110

The lawless set a trap for me

yet from thy COMMANDMENTS[677] I went not astray.

[677] M.T.: preceptscommandments not otherwise in stanza.

111

I have taken as an inheritance thy TESTIMONIES to the ages

for the exultation of my heart are they.

112

I have inclined my heart to do thy (PRECEPTS)[678]

[678] M.T.: statutes(now) in Psalms 119:108.

a reward to the ages.

[15. THE EIGHTFOLD SAMECH.]

113

Half-hearted ones[679] do I hate

[679] Cp. Psalms 119:80 n.

but thy LAW do I love.

114

My hiding-place and my shield art thou

for thy WORD have I waited.

115

Depart from me ye evil-doers

and I will observe the COMMANDMENTS of my God.

116

Uphold me according to thy PROMISE that I may live

and do not shame me out[680] of my hope.

[680] Or: on account.

117

Support me that I may be saved

and I will delight in thy STATUTES continually.

118

Thou hast made light of all who stray from thy (PRECEPTS)[681]

[681] M.T.: statutesin Psalms 119:117: precepts not otherwise in stanza.

because of the falsehood of their deceit.[682]

[682] Cp. Psalms 35:19.

119

Dross have I accounted[683] all the lawless of the land[684]

[683] So it shd. be (w. Sep., Vul.)Gn.
[684] Or: earth.

therefore do I love thy TESTIMONIES.

120

My flesh hath bristled up from dread of thee

and of thy DECISIONS have I been afraid.

[16. THE EIGHTFOLD AYIN.]

121

I have done (thy righteous DECISIONS)[685]

[685] M.T.: justice and righteousnessin which case no synonym in ver.

do not leave me to mine oppressors.

122

Be thou surety (with thy WORD)[686] for thy servant for good

[686] So Br. M.T.: no synonym.

let not insolent men oppress me.

123

Mine eyes have become dim for thy salvation

and for thy righteous PROMISE.

124

Deal with thy servant according to thy kindness

and thy STATUTES teach thou me.

125

Thy servant am I cause me to have understanding

so shall I get to know thy TESTIMONIES.

126

It is time for Jehovah to act

they have frustrated thy LAW.

127

Therefore do I love thy COMMANDMENTS

more than gold yea than fine gold.

128

Therefore all thy PRECEPTS concerning me have I kept[687]

[687] So. Gt.

every path of falsehood[688] do I hate.

[688] Cp. Psalms 119:118, Ph. 35:19.

[17. THE EIGHTFOLD PE.]

129

Wonderful[689] are thy TESTIMONIES

[689] Cp. Psalms 119:18; Psalms 119:27.

therefore hath my soul observed them.

130

The opening of thy WORD[690] giveth light

[690] M.T.: words (pl.).

causing the simple to understand.

131

My mouth have I opened wide and panted[691]

[691] Cp. Psalms 42, 43.

because for thy COMMANDMENTS have I longed.

132

Turn to him that loveth thy name

and according to thy DECISIONS be gracious unto me.[692]

[692] Verse emended after Br., restoring synonym.

133

My footsteps direct thou in thy PROMISE[693]

[693] Promiseif understood to be conditional and directory: otherwise saying.

and let no iniquity[694] have dominion over me.

[694] NaughtinessDr.

134

Ransom me from the oppression of man

and I will keep thy PRECEPTS.

135

Thy face light thou up on thy servant

and teach me thy STATUTES.

136

Streams[695] of water have run down mine eyes[696]

[695] RillsDr.

[696] Cp. Psalms 42:3.

because they have not kept thy LAW.

[18. THE EIGHTFOLD ZADHE.]

137

Righteous art thou Jehovah

and straightforward[697] are thy DECISIONS.

[697] UprightDr. StraightDel. Cp. Psalms 19:8.

138

Thou hast commanded as[698] righteousness thy TESTIMONIES

[698] Or: in.

and as[698] exceeding faithfulness.

139

My zeal hath undone[699] me

[699] U.: exterminated.

for mine adversaries have forgotten thy WORD.[700]

[700] M.T.: words (pl.). Some cod. (w. 1 ear. pr. edn., Syr.): word (sing.)Gn.

140

Refined[701] is thy PROMISE to the uttermost

[701] Sterling metalDr. Cp. Proverbs 30:5. Is very pureDel.

and thy servant loveth it.

141

Young[702] am I and despised

[702] So Del. SmallPer., Kp., Br., Dr. (or young). LittleCarter. More often of ageO.G.

thy PRECEPTS have I not forgotten.

142

Thy righteousness is right to the ages[703]

[703] U.: to times age-abiding.

and thy LAW is truth.

143

Strait and stress have found me

thy COMMANDMENTS are my delight.

144

Righteous are thy (STATUTES) to the ages

give me understanding that I may live.

[19. THE EIGHTFOLD KOPH.]

145

I have called with a whole heart answer me Jehovah!

thy STATUTES will I observe.

146

I have called upon thee O save me!

and I will keep thy TESTIMONIES.

147

I am beforehand with the morning twilight and cry for help

for thy WORD[704] have I waited.

[704] MSS. and versions vary between word and wordscp. Gn.

148

Mine eyes forestall the night-watches

to soliloquise in thy PROMISE.

149

My voice O hear according to thy kindness

Jehovah! according to thy DECISIONS[705] quicken me.

[705] So (pl.) in some cod. (w. 6 ear. pr edns.)Gn. M.T. sing.

150

They have drawn near who persecute[706] with infamous devices

[706] Some cod. (w. Sep., Syr., Vul.): persecute meGn.

from thy LAW have they gone far away.

151

Near art thou Jehovah

and all thy COMMANDMENTS are truth.

152

Long have I known from thy (PRECEPTS)[707]

[707] M.T.: testimoniesin Psalms 119:146: precepts otherwise not in stanza.

that to the ages[708] thou didst found them.

[708] U.: to times age-abiding.

[20. THE EIGHTFOLD RESH.]

153

O see my humiliation and rescue me

for thy LAW have I not forgotten.

154

Plead my cause and redeem me

by thy PROMISE O quicken me.

155

Far from lawless men is salvation

for thy STATUTES have they not sought out.[709]

[709] Or: studied.

156

Thy compassions are many Jehovah

according to thy (COMMANDMENTS)[710] quicken me.

[710] M.T.: decisionsin Psalms 119:160: commandments not otherwise in stanza.

157

Many are my persecutors and mine adversaries

from thy TESTIMONIES have I not swerved.

158

I beheld traitors and felt loathing

because thy (WORD)[711] had they not kept.

[711] M.T.: promisein Psalms 119:154: word not otherwise in stanza.

159

O see that thy PRECEPTS I have loved

Jehovah! according to thy kindness quicken me.

160

The sum of thy word is truth

and to the ages are all[712] thy righteous DECISIONS.

[712] Some cod. (w. Aram., Sep., Syr., Vul.): allGn. M.T.: is each of.

[21. THE EIGHTFOLD SIN (OR SHIN).]

161

Princes have persecuted me without cause

but of thy WORD[713] hath my heart stood in awe.

[713] MSS. and versions vary between word and wordscp. Gn.

162

Joyful am I over thy PROMISE

like the finder of spoil in abundance.

163

Falsehood I hate and abhor

thy (STATUTES)[714] I love.

[714] M.T.: lawin Psalms 119:165: statutes not otherwise in stanza.

164

Seven times a day have I praised thee

because of thy righteous DECISIONS.

165

Blessing in abundance[715] have the lovers of thy LAW

[715] Or: great peace, great prosperity.

with nothing to make them stumble.

166

I have hoped for thy salvation Jehovah

and thy COMMANDMENTS have I done.

167

My soul hath kept thy TESTIMONIES

and I have loved them greatly.

168

I have kept thy PRECEPTS (and thy testimonies)[716]

[716] Clearly redundant. Implying variant readings at an early dateBr.

for all my ways are before thee.

[22. THE EIGHTFOLD TAU.]

169

Let my ringing[717] cry come near before thee Jehovah!

[717] Or: piercing.

according to thy WORD cause me to understand.

170

Let my supplications come in before thee

according to thy PROMISE deliver me.

171

Let my lips pour forth praise

because thou teachest me thy STATUTES.

172

Let my tongue sing (in faithfulness)

of thy rightful DECISIONS.[718]

[718] M.T.: Let my tongue sing thy promisefor all thy commandments are righteous. Promise is in Psalms 119:170; and commandments in Psalms 119:176.

173

Let thy hand be ready to help me

for thy PRECEPTS have I chosen.

174

I have longed for thy salvation O Jehovah!

and thy LAW is my delight:

175

Let my soul live and it shall praise thee

and let thy (TESTIMONIES)[719] help me.

[719] M.T.: decision. In some cod. (w. 3 ear. pr. edns., Aram., Sep., Vul.): decisions (pl.)Gn. Decisions needed in Psalms 119:172.

176

I have strayed like a wandering sheep seek thou thy servant[720]

[720] If I should go astraylike a lost sheep seek thy servant; for, etc.Del. I wander like a lost sheep; seek thy servantCarter. I have gone erringly astray like lost sheep: seek thy servant; for, etc.Leeser. I have gone astray like a sheep that is lost; O seek thy servant; for, etc.Dr.

for thy COMMANDMENTS have I not forgotten.

PARAPHRASE

Psalms 119

Happy are all who perfectly follow the laws of God.
2 Happy are all who search for God, and always do His will,
3 Rejecting compromise with evil, and walking only in His paths.
4 You have given us Your laws to obey
5 Oh, how I want to follow them consistently.
6 Then I will not be disgraced, for I will have a clean record.
7 After You have corrected[721] me I will thank You by living as I should!

[721] Literally, when I learn (have experienced) Your righteous judgments.

8 I will obey! Oh, don-'t forsake me and let me slip back into sin again.[722]

[722] Literally, Oh forsake me not utterly.

9 How can a young man stay pure? By reading Your word and following its rules.
10 I have tried my best to find Youdon-'t let me wander off from Your instructions.
11 I have thought much about Your words, and stored them in my heart so that they would hold me back from sin.
12 Blessed Lord, teach me Your rules.
13 I have recited Your laws,
14 And rejoiced in them more than in riches.
15 I will meditate upon them and give them my full respect.
16 I will delight in them and not forget them.
17 Bless me with life[723] so that I can continue to obey You.

[723] Literally, deal bountifully that I may live.

18 Open my eyes to see wonderful things in Your word.
19 I am but a pilgrim here on earth: how I need a mapand Your commands are my chart and guide.
20 I long for Your instructions more than I can tell.
21 You rebuke those cursed proud ones who refuse Your commands
22 Don-'t let them scorn me for obeying You.
23 For even princes sit and talk against me, but I will continue in Your plans.
24 Your laws are both my light and my counselors.
25 I am completely discouragedI lie in the dust. Revive me by Your Word.
26 I told You my plans and You replied. Now give me Your instructions.
27 Make me understand what You want; for then I shall see Your miracles.
28 I weep with grief; my heart is heavy with sorrow; encourage and cheer me with Your words.
29, 30 Keep me far from every wrong; help me, undeserving as I am, to obey Your laws, for I have chosen to do right.
31 I cling to Your commands and follow them as closely as I can. Lord, don-'t let me make a mess of things.
32 If You will only help me to want Your will, then I will follow Your laws even more closely.
33, 34 Just tell me what to do and I will do it, Lord. As long as I live I-'ll wholeheartedly obey.
35 Make me walk along the right paths for I know how delightful they really are.
36 Help me to prefer obedience to making money!
37 Turn me away from wanting any other[724] plan than Yours. Revive my heart toward You.

[724] Literally, from beholding vanity.

38 Reassure me that Your promises are for me; for I trust and revere You.
39 How I dread being mocked for obeying; for Your laws are right and good.
40, 41, 42 I long to obey them! Therefore in fairness renew my life, for this was Your promiseyes, Lord, to save me! Now spare me by Your kindness and Your love. Then I will have an answer for those who taunt me, for I trust Your promises.
43 May I never forget Your words; for they are my only hope.
44, 45, 46 Therefore I will keep on obeying You forever and forever, free within the limits of Your laws. I will speak to kings about their value, and they will listen with interest and respect.
47 How I love Your laws! How I enjoy Your commands!
48 Come, come to me, I call to them, for I love them and will let them fill my life.
49, 50 Never forget Your promises to me Your servant; for they are my only hope. They give me strength in all my troubles; how they refresh and revive me!
51 Proud men hold me in contempt for obedience to God, but I stand unmoved.
52 From my earliest youth I have tried to obey You; Your Word has been my comfort.
53 I am very angry with those who spurn Your commands.
54 For these laws of Yours have been my source of joy and singing through all these years of my earthly pilgrimage.
55 I obey them even at night and keep my thoughts, O Lord, on You.
56 What a blessing this has been to meto constantly obey.
57 Jehovah is mine! And I promise to obey!
58 With all my heart I want Your blessings. Be merciful just as You promised.
59, 60 I thought about the wrong direction in which I was headed, and turned around and came running back to You.
61 Evil men have tried to drag me into sin, but I am firmly anchored to Your laws.
62 At midnight I will rise to give my thanks to You for Your good laws.
63 Anyone is my brother who fears and trusts the Lord and obeys Him.
64 O Lord, the earth is full of Your lovingkindness! Teach me Your good paths.
65 Lord, I am overflowing with Your blessings, just as You promised!
66 Now teach me good judgment as well as knowledge! For Your laws are my guide.
67 I used to wander off until You punished me; now I closely follow all You say.
68 You are good and do only good; make me follow Your lead!
69 Proud men have made up lies about me, but the truth is that I obey Your laws with all my heart.
70 Their minds are dull and stupid, but I have sense enough to follow You.
71, 72 The punishment You gave me was the best thing that could have happened to me, for it taught me to pay attention to Your laws. They are more valuable to me than millions in silver and gold!
73 You made my body, Lord; now give me sense to heed Your laws.
74 All those who fear and trust in You will welcome me because I too am trusting in Your Word.
75, 76, 77 I know, O Lord, that Your decisions are right and that Your punishment was right and did me good. Now let Your lovingkindness comfort me, just as You promised. Surround me with Your tender mercies, that I may live. For Your law is my delight.
78 Let the proud be disgraced, for they have cut me down with all their lies. But I will concentrate my thoughts upon Your laws.
79 Let all others join me, who trust and fear You, and we will discuss Your laws.
80 Help me to love Your every wish; then I will never have to be ashamed of myself!
81 I faint for Your salvation; but I expect Your help, for You have promised it.
82 My eyes are straining to see Your promises come true. When will You comfort me with Your help?
83 I am shriveled like a wineskin in the smoke, exhausted with waiting. But still I cling to Your laws and obey them.
84 How long must I wait before You punish those who persecute me?
85, 86 These proud men who hate Your truth and laws have dug deep pits for me to fall in. Their lies have brought me into deep trouble. Help me, for You love only truth.
87 They had almost finished me off, yet I refused to yield and disobey Your laws.
88 In Your kindness, spare my life; then I can continue to obey You.
89 Forever, O Lord, Your Word stands firm in heaven.
90, 91 Your faithfulness extends to every generation, like the earth You created; it endures by Your decree, for everything serves Your plans.
92 I would have despaired and perished unless Your laws had been my deepest delight.
93 I will never lay aside Your laws, for You have used them to restore my joy and health.
94 I am Yours! Save me! For I have tried to live according to Your desires.
95 Though the wicked hide along the way to kill me, I will quietly keep my mind upon Your promises.
96 Nothing is perfect except Your words.
97 Oh, how I love them. I think about them all day long.
98 They make me wiser than my enemies, because they are my constant guide.
99 Yes, wiser than my teachers; for I am ever thinking of Your rules.
100 They make me even wiser than the aged.
101 I have refused to walk the paths of evil for I will remain obedient to Your Word.
102, 103 No, I haven-'t turned away from what You taught me: Your words are sweeter than honey.
104 And since only Your rules can give me wisdom and understanding, no wonder I hate every false teaching.
105 Your words are a flashlight to light the path ahead of me, and keep me from stumbling.
106 I-'ve said it once and I-'ll say it again and again: I will obey these wonderful laws of Yours.
107 I am close to death at the hands of my enemies; oh, give me back my life again, just as You promised me.
108 Accept my grateful thanks and teach me Your desires.
109 My life hangs in the balance, but I will not give up obedience to Your laws.
110 The wicked have set their traps for me along Your path, but I will not turn aside.
111 Your laws are my joyous treasure forever.
112 I am determined to obey You until I die.
113 I hate those who are undecided whether or not to obey You; but my choice is clearI love Your law.
114 You are my refuge and my shield, and Your promises are my only source of hope.
115 Begone, you evil-minded men. Don-'t try to stop me from obeying God's commands.
116 Lord, You promised to let me live! Never let it be said that God failed me.
117 Hold me safe above the heads of all my enemies; then I can continue to obey Your laws.
118 But You have rejected all who reject Your laws. They are only fooling themselves.
119 The wicked are the scum You skim off and throw away; no wonder I live to obey Your laws!
120 I tremble in fear of You; I fear Your punishments.
121 Don-'t leave me to the mercy of my enemies, for I have done what is right; I-'ve been perfectly fair.
122 Commit Yourself to bless me! Don-'t let the proud oppress me!
123 My eyes grow dim with longing for You to fulfill Your wonderful promise to rescue me.
124 Lord, deal with me in lovingkindness, and teach me, Your servant, to obey;
125 For I am Your servant; therefore give me common sense to apply Your rules to everything I do.
126 Lord, it is time for You to act. For these evil men have violated Your laws,
127 While I love Your commandments more than the finest gold.
128 Every law of God is right, whatever it concerns. I hate every other way.
129 Your laws are wonderful; no wonder I obey them.
130 As Your plan unfolds, even the simple can understand it.
131 No wonder I wait expectantly for each of Your commands.
132 Come and have mercy on me as is Your way with those who love You.
133 Guide me with Your laws so that I will not be overcome by evil.
134 Rescue me from the oppression of evil men; then I can obey You.
135 Look down in love upon me and teach me all Your laws.
136 I weep because Your laws are disobeyed.
137 O Lord, You are just and Your punishments are fair.
138 Your demands are just and right.
139 I am indignant and angry because of the way my enemies have disregarded Your laws.
140 I have thoroughly tested Your promises and that is why I love them so much.
141 I am worthless and despised, but I don-'t despise Your laws.
142 Your justice is eternal for Your laws are perfectly fair.
143 In my distress and anguish, Your commandments comfort me.
144 Your laws are always fair; help me to understand them and I shall live.
145 I am praying with great earnestness; answer me, O Lord, and I will obey Your laws.
146 Save me, I cry, for I am obeying.
147 Early in the morning, before the sun is up, I was praying and pointing out how much I trust in You.
148 I stay awake through the night to think about Your promises.
149 Because You are so loving and kind, listen to me and make me well again.
150 Here come these lawless men to attack me;
151 But You are near, O Lord; all Your commandments are based on truth.
152 I have known from earliest days that Your will never changes.
153 Look down upon my sorrows and rescue me, for I am obeying Your commands.
154 Yes, rescue me and give me back my life again just as You have promised.
155 The wicked are far from salvation for they do not care for Your laws.
156 Lord, how great is Your mercy: oh, give me back my life again.
157 My enemies are so many. They try to make me disobey; but I have not swerved from Your will.
158 I loathed these traitors because they care nothing for Your laws.
159 Lord, see how much I really love Your demands, Now give me back my life and health because You are so kind.
160 There is utter trust in all Your laws; Your decrees are eternal
161 Great men have persecuted me, though they have no reason to, but I stand in awe of only Your words.
162 I rejoice in Your laws like one who finds a great treasure.
163 How I hate all falsehood but how I love Your laws.
164 I will praise You seven times a day because of Your wonderful laws.
165 Those who love Your laws have great peace of heart and mind and do not stumble.
166 I long for Your salvation, Lord and so I have obeyed Your laws.
167 I have looked for Your commandments and I love them very much;
168 Yes, I have searched for them. You know this because everything I do is known to You.
169 O Lord, listen to my prayers; give me the common sense You promised.
170 Hear my prayers; rescue me as You said You would.
171 I praise You for letting me learn Your laws.
172 I will sing about their wonder, for each of them is just.
173 Stand ready to help me because I have chosen to follow Your will.
174 O Lord, I have longed for Your salvation and Your law is my delight.
175 If You will let me live, I will praise You; let Your laws assist me.
176 I have wandered away like a lost sheep; come and find me for I have not turned away from Your commandments.

EXPOSITION

The Descriptive Title prefixed to this psalm may make the inadequate impression, that here we have an excessively artificial composition; and a cursory perusal of the psalm itself may awaken the further apprehension, that this artificially constructed series of sayings is wearisomely monotonous. The instant correction of these plausible forebodings is desirable. The monotone, whose existence cannot be denied, is that of a lullaby by which a troubled soul may be softly and sweetly hushed to rest. The art is so exquisite that, when familiarised, it not only gratifies the taste, but aids the judgment, and ministers to the hunger of the spirit. This psalm, so far as it is a song at all, is one composed in mournful measure. It is, however, a soliloquy rather than a song. It is a study set to the murmuring of the sea. Its repetitions are like the recurring waves of light by which new satellites are discovered in the ancient heavens. In truth, it reveals a soul in close communion with God; and its art resolves itself into the measured movements of an eagle's wings by which is sustained its nearness to the sun.
The art is undeniably there: visibly therein the eight-fold aleph, the eight-fold beth, and so on to the end of the Hebrew alphabet of twenty-two letters, yielding in all one hundred and seventy-six verses; credibly therein the eight synonyms which continue changefully pealing like so many bells till full measure has been given; and possibly therein the closing assonances in ka and ee which some critics deem they discover in the original, though now buried beneath numberless transpositional inadvertences committed by editors and copyists not sufficiently on the alert to safeguard so many stylistic beauties.

But the art is subservient to the sense. Even the grouped initial letters are luminous with concentrated rays of light. For instance, the aleph bursts forth, once and again, with impassioned benedictions on the head of the man of Godat once rebuking those who fancy that art cannot minister to devout feeling; the humble linguistic peg, waw, shews how nimbly it can suggest logical continuity of thought; the serpent-like teth, harmless as a dove, and full of all goodness, makes the dweller in its stanza feel that it is good to be here; the ayin has an eye to the beautiful, and opens fresh fountains of gladness; and, to name no more, the zadhe looks well to it that righteousness shall be strong, and right on every side be done.

Then those eight synonymseven though we have lost for the present the poetry of the system by which, chorus-like, they change placeshow logically expansive and expanding they are! They are the sworn foes of over-narrowness of definition, and irresistibly demand that grace be permitted to temper law. For what, let us ask, is the master-thought of the psalm? A weighty question truly, and one to which the synonyms must be heard in reply. The verbsto love, to hate, to run, to keep, to quicken, etc.all have their quota of evidence to tender; but they cluster about their nouns, and chiefly about those sturdy synonyms-low, precept, word, etc.which dominate the landscape. If we start with ever so narrow a concept of law, for example,then we have to hearken to testimony, with its witness to the love of God as well as to the duty of man. If we begin with the written word, as we very well may, by starting at statute, from a root meaning to engrave,then the question comeswhether we must not include the oral word as well, seeing that the psalmist speaks of waiting for it (74, 81, 114, 147), which he would not need to do if it were already in his hand. The word written and oralso far, at least, we must go. But we find the word stationed in the heavens; its synonymous promise assuring us that Jehovah hath established the earth so that it standeth; and its synonymous decisions evidently applying to all created things in heaven and earth, and causing them all to obey as Jehovah's servants. We are thus uplifted to the altitude of Jehovah's WILLwritten, oral, or effectuated only, by the silently working power of God. THE KEY-NOTE OF ALL THE SYNONYMS IS, THEREFORE, JEHOVAH'S WILL HOWEVER MADE MANIFEST.

This conclusion at once places us at the psalmist's own angle of vision, and explains how it is that his whole soul is aflame with affection for an object so variously named as by these eight synonyms. But it does more. It justifies our adoption of a new synonymor at least it vindicates our search for one, so as not to render both dabhar and -'imrah by the one English term word. The presumption is that in some way they perceptibly differ, or they would not both be employed. Saying for -'imrah would have commended itself but for the feeling that it leaned over too much to the sense of familiar proverb. Finding, therefore, that the usage of this term has generally an especially gladsome set of words in association with it (as tracing it through the Table will shew), we have ventured on the welcome word promise as its suitable English representative. There is one restriction to be placed on all these synonyms; and that is, that they must be held to have a regulative bearing on human character and conduct. The manner of the man they make is always an essential question throughout the psalm. The psalmist's one absorbing passion is to be conformed to Jehovah's will. The word promise, therefore, can only be accepted in so far as it submits to this limitation. But, to this rule, it easily conforms; since divine promises are often, in their very wording, directory of human conduct; and even when no condition is expressed, one nevertheless is mostly implied. Indeed, it may perhaps safely be said, and dutifully borne in mind, that as a rule Jehovah's promises are conditional; and only when it is distinctly protested by Himself that they are absolutely unconditional, can they wisely be so held. There is perhaps not more than a single instance to be discovered in the accompanying Table in which the rendering of -'imrah needs to be subdued to saying.

Thus far our effort after exposition has been directed chiefly to the helping of the student to use the Table of Synonyms with pleasure and profit. It is needless to remind him that there are several other veins of interest running through the psalm: as, for instance the words descriptive of sacred study and meditation, and those displaying the moods and tenses of affection and devotion and holy living.
But all these lines of inquiry fall into a secondary place when compared with the familiar question of authorship; which, in this case, becomes one of unusual interestunless, indeed, it is at once vetoed as a bootless inquiry. The present writer,forgetting that he had already, when commenting on Psalms 1, 19, committed himself to an opinion as to the authorship of this psalm also,started to deal with this extraordinary composition with an open mind as to its probable author; and could not help being at once rather fascinated by the opinion of Thrupp that Daniel wrote it. But, little by little, the plausibility of this conclusion melted away before continuous meditation on the circumstantial evidence, which, it should be noted, is in this case unusually voluminous. Here is a man admitting us into his closet, and permitting us to hearken to the prolonged outpouring of his soul before Jehovah; in the course of which he not only reflects the character and aspirations and struggles of his own soul, but makes so many allusions to his enemies and affords so many indications of his relations to them and their attitude and endeavours regarding him, that it becomes feasible that with due patience we shall discover with something like moral certainty who he is. And, in point of fact, the situation ultimately becomes so patent, that we are persuaded that only one man in the field of sacred story fits the situation and fulfils its many-sided demands. But, in order to make this discovery, we need to have studied the psychology of the previous psalms with some persistence and insight. If we have already caught glimpses of THE MAN, without foreseeing whither they would lead us; but now at length realise a SITUATION exactly fitted for him, and, so far as we can judge, for no other possible writer of a psalm like the present, we may hope for the patience of our readers, before the strength of our persuasion that we have found the author, is condemned. Those fellow-students who have accompanied us in our investigation of Psalms 31, 35; Psalms 42, 43, will anticipate the avowal that here again we are on the track of PRINCE HEZEKIAH. We say prince advisedly; for it is only by antedating Hezekiah's ascension to the throne; by reflecting that he must have been prince before he became king; by assuring ourselves that he must have had a history before he began to reign, that certainly he did not burst forth from oblivion an already strong man of God without decision of character previously formed or moral culture previously pursued; that probably he had had a godly mother; that possibly he had quite easily and naturally come under the tutorial care of the prophet Isaiah with whom we know he was intimate in after years; that, almost certainly, he had long had access to the royal library in which the archives of Israel and the psalms of David were stored; that as a king's son he would be well-educated, would have leisure at command, and could easily secure assistance in any pursuit in which he might care to indulge;it is only when we put these things together, that we begin to conceive of the situation as it really must have been formed by the circumstances and conditions of Hezekiah's younger days. These are by no means all the formative influences on which we can reckon. The life and doings of his father Ahaz are known to us: his vanityhis timidityhis inclinations towards idolatryhis readiness to use his priests as patrons of his apostate doings and his ministers as the tools of his innovating designs: these things are well known to us. Then we have our knowledge of human nature to furnish an element of guidance. We can readily conceive how the pious and faithful Hezekiah would be a thorn in his father's side; a reflection on his father's instability; a rebuke to the sycophantic courtiers who would be only too ready to connive at his father's questionable courses; and, moreover, how, less than a word from such a father against such a son would serve as a cloak under which those courtiers who chiefly wished to curry favour with the reigning monarch would little by little develop into persecutors of the pious prince and, it may be, secure his banishment from court, or at least his retirement into country life. Then, too, we must remember that Hezekiah did not begin to reign till he was twenty-five; and if we date his conscious manhood and perceptible self-assertion no further back than to eighteen years of age, that gives us seven ample years for culture in music and song, abundant leisure for searching among the library scrolls and tablets, and for writing acrostics of any length. Hezekiah, at five-and-twenty, would practically be as old as most of his compeers at fifty.

If now. we bring into comparison with these conditions the indications afforded by the psalm itself, we become more and more amazed at the correspondence between the two sets of circumstances. Daniel, it is true, had enemies of high rank (23, 161) watchful and treacherous (61, 85, 110, 150; 118, 158): Hezekiah's enemies were all this; and, besides, had one characteristic which Daniel was not confronted with in Babylon: Hezekiah's enemies were faithless to the Divine Law, which they nevertheless knew (118, 150, 158); and this alone puts Daniel out of court as having any claim to be considered the author of this psalm. Not only were this writer's enemies acquainted with the law of Jehovah, but they were frustrators of it (126); and it is no wonder that our author was both indignant at their conduct (53) and deeply grieved by it (136). Hezekiah's privileged position, in having access to the Library of the Law, fully justified him in promising that those who turned (or returned) to him should know Jehovah's testimonies (79). He could tell them as well as any scribe. Accustomed, as prince, to enjoy the benefit of competent counsellors, in dark days of apostacy he would be glad to find counsellors in his much-loved sacred books (24). His position made him well aware of the value of wealth; and, therefore, it was no empty comparison when he preferred the knowledge of Jehovah's will to all riches, to thousands of gold and silver (14, 36, 72, 127). If Hezekiah was ever banished to the upper reaches of the Jordan, as appears probable (Psalms 42), we can perceive an especial fitness in the allusion here (54) to his house of sojourn, made vocal with melodies in honour of Jehovah's statutes; and at the same time can appreciate his sense of distance from Jehovah's house which he so greatly loved (41, 77). It is only needful to add, that in spite of the appearance of age in the author of this psalm which has persuaded several commentators into the inference that he was at least a middle-aged man, the balance of evidence contained in the comparisons and positive assertion of the psalm itself (99, 100, 141) is decidedly in favour of the conclusion that he was still a young man when he composed it; and we can well believe what an unspeakable solace it was to the banished prince Hezekiah thus to beguile the weary hours in constructing this work of sacred artwhich probably, merely as literature, has few if any equals in the world. The references appended to the text above, calling attention to the third stanza of Psalms 35, will add another item of circumstantial evidence, which tends to make the inference, that Hezekiah wrote this psalm as well as that stanza, well-nigh irresistible.

It was hoped to close this merely introductory Exposition with the foregoing paragraph. But the psalm refuses to be hastily dismissed. By this time it has cast over us a spell which is not easily broken. We began with something akin to a defence of the psalm from the suspicion of necessarily being dry, because so obviusly artificial and inevitably monotonous. But, little by little, how completely has such an anticipation vanished. How full the psalm is of passion; how many sidelights on character does it convey; how gem-like many of its single sentences have come to sparkle in our eyes, commending themselves as texts and mottoes, memorable words of warning and cheer; how charmingly its biographical contributions, profusely scattered through its stanzas, have opened up to us the engrossing incidents which probably bestudded a single good man's life; and especially how profound are the historical and theological problems to which it effectively introduces us. Only to instance a single biographical suggestion, and an unexpected theological inquiry:What have we before us in the way of personality, but a young man, who at least once went astray; whose sin seems to have become known to those who wished him ill, who very probably magnified his offence, procuring by their evil tongues a punishment which, directly or indirectly, nearly cost the young prince his life: this same young man, being led to bethink him of his ways, to turn his feet into the way of Jehovah's testimonies, and ever after to serve his pardoning God with an enthusiasm and thoroughness which converted his ill-wishers into crafty and persistent persecutors. Some such personal history as this floats before us, as the kaleidoscope of alphabetical reminiscence continues its aphoristic suggestions. The theological inquiry alluded to is no less profound than that which concerns itself with the beginnings and fluctuations of the divine life in the human soul. This same young man, was he already a backslider in the divine life when he first egregiously went astray; or did he suddenly fall into unforeseen and unexpected temptation and as quickly experience recovery to Divine favour, thenceforth to walk more guardedly than before in the narrow way of Jehovah's commandments? We cannot exactly know; nor would we, if we could, brood over the diagnosis of his sin. The thing that interests us is, the simple fact, that eleven times over in the course of this psalm is reference made to the quickening of the spiritual life within him (namely in Psalms 119:25; Psalms 119:37; Psalms 119:40; Psalms 119:50; Psalms 119:88; Psalms 119:93; Psalms 119:107; Psalms 119:149; Psalms 119:154; Psalms 119:156; Psalms 119:159); which interest is intensified into sustained wonder, that the contact of Jehovah's WILL, which we are so ready to denominate LAW, and to regard as killing rather than giving life, should have been so largely instrumental in bringing this psalmist's soul into conscious nearness to God. As closely related Scripture words often qualify each other; so it would seem do related human experiences, though far removed in point of time and condition, limit each other so materially as to require careful adjustment before we finally pronounce on the whole psychological question involved. In other words: How can we harmonise the condemnatory and slaying effects of law as portrayed in the Seventh of Romans with the life-giving functions discharged by law in the one hundred and nineteenth psalm? Doubtless, there is perfect harmony between them: but how seldom do we allow a steady eye on that harmony to guard us from exaggerations when we are engrossed in either the one sphere of thought or the other. It may be added that, intimately entwining itself with these biographical and theological questions, is another, which, though closely related, is nevertheless distinct: namely, the historical problem of growing spirituality in the nation of Israel. Many writers plausibly argue that these remarkable approximations of Old Testament spirituality to that of New Testament times, can only have resulted from the long and severe discipline of the Exile. Grant that assumption, as regards the nation as a nation, does it hold good also and equally of individuals? We need not disturb the foregone conclusion which goes so far to solve the mystery of pain, namely that the highest form of goodness can be produced only from the refining process of suffering; and yet we may discover, that the painful schooling of a nation is mostly or always heralded by the stern discipline of individuals. From this point of view, the enquiry becomes pertinent, how far the best of the preexilic kings were perfected by suffering; or, to close in upon the problem offered by this psalm: If we assume that such a chastened composition as the one-hundred-and-nineteenth psalm could only have sprung from the soil of sanctified suffering, it is still open to us to conclude that the Young Prince Hezekiah had himself graduated in that school; and that he, out of the treasuries of a varied and instructive experience, stored and wrought up into exquisite form during a period of ample leisure, produced this unique sacred compositionwhich not being a Temple Song was not earlier introduced in the Psalter, and being in an especial sense a piece of private autobiography was not readily placed at the public service; but which some such discerning Scribe as Ezra has, under Divine Guidance, saved from permanent oblivion.

QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION

1.

How answer the charge that this psalm is wearisomely monotonous? Rotherham uses two or three beautiful figures of speech to answer this charge. Discuss them.

2.

There are two devises used to give art and beauty (as well as structure) to this psalm. What are they?

3.

What is the master-thought of the psalm? How is an answer reached to the above question?

4.

The writer of the psalm is aflame with affection for the object of this psalm. What is it? Why so concerned about it?

5.

There are nine synonyms instead of eight. Why? What is the ninth?

6.

The study of all 176 verses of this psalm is a life-long pursuit. Consider what is said here about the study and meditation on the word of God. What about holy living as seen in this psalm?

7.

There is some possibility that Daniel was the writer of this psalm. Why rejected?

8.

Hezekiah is the writer of the psalm with hardly a question of doubt in the mind of Rotherham. Do you agree? Discuss.

9.

At what time in the life of Hezekiah was this written? Hezekiah's resources for writing were very good. What were they?

10.

The life and doings of Ahaz could relate to this psalm. How?

11.

Consider the details given as to the enemies of Hezekiah and of Daniel. How compared and related to this psalm?

12.

The place of the writing is also discussed. What is said?

13.

There is an intriguing biographical inference to the author in the psalm. What is it?

14.

What theological question could be raised here? How answered? (It is importantdo not ignore it!)

15.

The historical problem of growing spirituality in the nation of Israel is here mentioned. What is said about it?