1_Blessed are they who are upright _In these words the prophet sets forth the same paradox which we met with at the commencement of the Book of Psalms. All men naturally aspire after happiness, but instead of searching for it in the right path, they designedly prefer wandering up and down through en... [ Continue Reading ]
3._Surely they do not work iniquity _The statement, that they who follow God as their guide do not work iniquity, may seem to be a mere common-place, and universally admitted truth. The prophet has two reasons for making it; first, to teach us that our life must be entirely under the direction of Go... [ Continue Reading ]
5_I wish that my ways may be directed _The original word כון, _kun, _is sometimes rendered to _establish, _and, accordingly, it may seem as if the prophet were soliciting for himself the virtue of perseverance. I am rather inclined to understand it as signifying to _direct; _for, although God’s plai... [ Continue Reading ]
7._I will praise thee _He affirms it to be a singular instance of the loving-kindness of God, if a person has made considerable proficiency in his law. As a token and testimony of this, he here puts the giving of thanks to God; as if he should say, Lord, thou wilt confer upon me an inestimable bless... [ Continue Reading ]
8_I will observe thy statutes _In these words he avers it to be his intention to observe the law of God, but, conscious of his own weakness, he utters a prayer that God would not deprive him of his grace. The term _forsake _is susceptible of two interpretations, either that God withdraws his Spirit,... [ Continue Reading ]
9._Wherewith shall a young man cleanse his way? _In this place he repeats, in different words, the same truth which he formerly advanced, That, however much men may pique themselves upon their own works, there is nothing pure in their life until they have made a complete surrender of themselves to t... [ Continue Reading ]
10._With my whole heart _Conscious of the integrity of his heart, the prophet still implores the help of God, that he might not stumble by reason of his infirmity. He makes no boast of self-preparation, as if he had spontaneously begun to inquire after God, but in praising the grace which he had exp... [ Continue Reading ]
11._I have hid thy word in my heart. _This psalm not being composed for the personal and peculiar use of the author only, we may therefore understand, that as frequently as David sets before us his own example, under this model he points out the course we ought to pursue. Here we are informed that w... [ Continue Reading ]
12._Blessed art thou, O Jehovah! _Such had been the prophet’s proficiency, that he was not only one of ‘God’s disciples, but also a public teacher of the Church. Nevertheless, acknowledging himself and all the upright to be only one their journey till they arrive at the close of life, he fails not t... [ Continue Reading ]
13._With my lips _In this verse he declares that the law of God was not only deeply engraven on his own heart, but that it was his earnest and strenuous endeavor to gain over many of his fellow-disciples into subjection to God. It is indeed a heartless matter to speak of the law of God abstractly, a... [ Continue Reading ]
15._In thy precepts _That to which I formerly adverted must not be forgotten — the prophet’s not making a boast of his own acquirements, but setting before others an example for their imitation. We are aware that the majority of mankind are so much involved in the cares of the world, as to leave no... [ Continue Reading ]
17._Do good to thy servant _The term גמל _gamal, _which some render _to requite, _does not, among the Hebrews, import mutual recompense, but frequently signifies _to confer a benefit, _as in Psalms 116:7, and many other passages. Here it must be viewed as expressive of free favor. The words, however... [ Continue Reading ]
19._I am a stranger on the earth. _It is proper to inquire into the reason for his calling himself a sojourner and stranger in the world. The great concern of the unholy and worldly is to spend their life here easily and quietly; but those who know that they have their journey to pursue, and have th... [ Continue Reading ]
21._Thou hast destroyed the proud. _Others render it:, _Thou hast rebuked the proud; _a translation of which the Hebrew term גער _, gaar, _admits when the letter ב _, beth, _is joined with it in construction; but this being awaiting, it is better to render it _destroy _(406) It makes, however, littl... [ Continue Reading ]
22._Remove from me reproach _This verse may admit of two senses: Let the children of God walk as circumspectly as it is possible for them to do, they will not escape being liable to many slanders, and therefore they have good reason to petition God to protect the unfeigned godliness which they pract... [ Continue Reading ]
24._Also thy testimonies are my delight _The particle גם, _gam, _connects this with the preceding verse. To adhere unflinchingly to our purpose, when the world takes up an unjust opinion of us, and, at the same time, constantly to mediate on God’s law, is an example of Christian fortitude seldom to... [ Continue Reading ]
25._My soul cleaveth to the dust _(409) He means that he had no more hope of life than if he had been shut up in the tomb; and this must be carefully attended to, that we my not become impatient and grieved, whenever it may please God to make us endure various kinds of death. And, by his own example... [ Continue Reading ]
26._I have declared my ways. _In the first part of this verse he affirms he had prayed sincerely, and had not imitated the proud, who, trusting to their own wisdom, fortitude, and opulence, make not God their refuge. That man is said _to declare his ways to God, _who presumes neither to attempt nor... [ Continue Reading ]
28._My soul droppeth away for grief _As a little before he said that his soul cleaved to the dust, so now, almost in the same manner, he complains that it melted away with grief. Some are of opinion that he alludes to tears, as if he had said that his soul was dissolved in tears. But the simpler mea... [ Continue Reading ]
29._Take away from me the way of falsehood. _Knowing how prone the nature of man is to vanity and falsehood, he first asks the sanctification of his thoughts, lest, being entangled by the snares of Satan, he fall into error. Next, that he may be kept from falsehood, he prays to be fortified with the... [ Continue Reading ]
30._I have chosen the way of truth. _In this and the following verse he affirms that he was so disposed as to desire nothing more than to follow righteousness and truth. It is, therefore, with great propriety he employs the term _to choose. _The old adage, that man’s life is as it were at the point... [ Continue Reading ]
32_I will run the way of thy commandments. _The meaning of the prophet is, that when God shall inspire him with love for his la he will be vigorous and ready, nay, even steady, so as not to faint in the middle of his course. His words contain an implied admission of the supineness inability of men t... [ Continue Reading ]
33._Teach me, O Jehovah/the way of thy statutes. _He again presents the same prayer which he has already frequently done in this psalm, it being of the last importance for us to know that the main thing in our life consists in having God for our governor. The majority of mankind think of anything ra... [ Continue Reading ]
34._Make me to understand _We are here informed that true wisdom consists in being wise according to the law of God, that it may preserve us in fear and obedience to him. In asking God to confer this wisdom upon him, he owns that men, in consequence of their natural blindness, aim at anything rather... [ Continue Reading ]
35._Direct me in the path _The frequent repetition of this phraseology by the prophet is not to be considered as redundant. Seeing that the end of man’s existence ought to consist in profiting in God’s school, we nevertheless perceive how the world distracts him by its allurements, and how he also f... [ Continue Reading ]
36._Incline my heart _In this verse he confesses the human heart to be so far from yielding to the justice of God, that it is more inclined to follow an opposite course. Were we naturally and spontaneously inclined to the righteousness of the law, there would be no occasion for the petition of the P... [ Continue Reading ]
37._Turn away mine eyes. _By these words we are taught that all our senses are so filled with vanity, that, until refined and rectified, their alienation from the pursuit of righteousness is no matter of surprise. In the former verse he informed us of the reigning of that depravity in the hearts of... [ Continue Reading ]
38._Confirm thy word unto thy servant. _Here we have briefly set forth the sole end and legitimate use of prayer, which is, that we may reap the fruits of God’s promises. Whence it comes to pass, that they commit sin who utter vague and incoherent desires. For we perceive the prophet allows not hims... [ Continue Reading ]
39._Take away my reproach. _It is not certain to what reproach he alludes. Knowing that many calumniators were on the watch to find occasion for reviling him, should they happen to detect him in any offense, it is not without reason he dreaded lest he might fall into such disgrace, and that by his o... [ Continue Reading ]
40._Behold, I have a desire to thy precepts _This is a repetition of what he declared a little before, with regard to his pious affection, and his love of righteousness; and that nothing was wanting but God to complete the work which he had commenced. If this interpretation be admitted, then, _to be... [ Continue Reading ]
41._Let thy mercies come to me _There can be no doubt, that, in mentioning the _mercy of God _first, and afterwards _his salvation, _the Psalmist, according to the natural order, puts the cause before the effect. By adopting this arrangement, he acknowledges that there is no salvation for him but in... [ Continue Reading ]
43._Take not the word of truth too long out of my mouth _(414) It may be asked, why he demands rather to have his tongue filled with, than his heart fortified by, the _word of truth; _inasmuch as the latter takes the precedence, both in point of order and of excellence. What will it profit us to be... [ Continue Reading ]
44._I will keep thy law continually _He resolves to devote himself to the study of the law, not for a short time only, but even to the termination of his life. The employing of three synonymous words, תמיד, _tamid, _ עולם,_olam, _ עד,_ed, _so far from being viewed as a superfluous accumulation of te... [ Continue Reading ]
The next verse may be read as expressing a desire that he might walk. Be this as it may, we retain the commonly received reading, That David exults at the thought of his path becoming plain and easy, in consequence of his seeking diligently after God’s precepts; that is, _to walk at ease _The ways o... [ Continue Reading ]
46._And I will steal, of thy testimonies before kings _(415) In these words he seems to believe that he is in possession of that which he formerly prayed for. Having said, “Take not away the word out of my mouths” and now, as if he had obtained what he requested, he rises up, and maintains he will n... [ Continue Reading ]
47._And I will delight myself _The sentiment contained in this verse is similar to that which he had previously mentioned. The amount is, he held the commandments of God in such high esteem, that he experienced nothing more pleasant to him than the making of them his constant theme of meditation. By... [ Continue Reading ]
49._Remember thy word. He _prays that God would really perform what he promised; for the event proves that he does not forget his word. That he is speaking of the promises we infer from the end of the verse, in which he declares, that cause was given him to hope, for which there would be no place un... [ Continue Reading ]
51._The proud have greatly scorned me _This example is eminently useful, as it serves to inform us, that though our honesty may render us obnoxious to the insults of the ungodly, we ought, by our unflinching constancy, to repel their pride, lest we should take a dislike to the law of God. Many who,... [ Continue Reading ]
52._I called to mind thy judgments of old, O Jehovah! _In this psalm, _the judgments of God _are generally taken for his statutes and decrees, that is, his _righteousness. _(417) In this place, in consequence of the qualifying phrase, _of old, _it is more probable that they refer to the examples by... [ Continue Reading ]
53._Terror seized me _(418) This verse may be understood in two senses; either that the prophet was grievously afflicted when he saw God’s law violated by the wicked, or that he was horror-struck at the thought of their perdition. Some would render it _ardor, _which does not so properly agree with t... [ Continue Reading ]
54._Thy statutes have been my songs. _(419) He repeats in different words what he had formerly mentioned, that the law of God was his sole or special delight during all his life. Singing is an indication of joy. The saints are pilgrims in this world, and must be regarded as God’s children and heirs... [ Continue Reading ]
55._By night I remembered thy name, O Jehovah! _As the second clause of the verse depends on the first, I consider the whole verse as setting forth one and the same truth; and, therefore, the prophet means that he was induced, by the remembrance he had of God, to keep the law. Contempt of the law or... [ Continue Reading ]
56._This was done to me. _I doubt not that the prophet, under the term זאת, _zoth, _comprehends all God’s benefits; but as he comes before God in relation to blessings then being enjoyed by him, he speaks as if he were pointing to them. Hence, under this term is included an acknowledgment of all the... [ Continue Reading ]
57._Thou art my portion, O Jehovah! _The meaning of this clause is doubtful, because the term _Jehovah _may be rendered either in the nominative or vocative case, and the phrase, _I have said, _may relate either to the former or latter part of the verse. One lection then is, _Jehovah is my portion,... [ Continue Reading ]
58._I have earnestly besought thy face. _In this verse David asserts, that he still persevered in the exercise of prayer; for without prayer faith would become languid and lifeless. The manner in which he expresses himself, which, in other languages, might be unpolished, among the Hebrews, expresses... [ Continue Reading ]
59._I thought upon my ways _(421) The amount is, that after the prophet had paid due regard to his manner of life, his only aim then was to follow the teaching of the law. In these words he intimates indirectly, that if it be inquired why men go astray, and are miserably distracted amidst conflictin... [ Continue Reading ]
60._I made haste _Though the words are in the past tense, they denote a continued act. The prophet declares with what promptitude he dedicated himself to the service of God. Diligence and dispatch demonstrate the favor of his zeal. Next, in saying that he _delayed not, _(422) this, according to the... [ Continue Reading ]
61._The cords of the wicked have caught hold of me. _Those who translate חבלי _, cheblei, _by _sorrows, _bring out no natural meaning, and perplex themselves as well as wrest the passage. Two readings then remain, either of which may be admitted: _The cords of the wicked have caught hold of me, _or... [ Continue Reading ]
62_I will rise at midnight to praise thee _In this verse he shows not only that he approved and embraced with his whole heart whatever the Divine law contains, but that he also gave evidence of his gratitude to God for having made him partaker of so great a blessing. It seems to be quite a common th... [ Continue Reading ]
63._I am a companion to all those who fear thee _He does not simply speak of the brotherly love and concord which true believers cultivate among themselves, but intimates that, whenever he met with any individual who feared God, he gave him his hand in token of fellowship, and that he was not only o... [ Continue Reading ]
64._O Jehovah! the earth is full of thy mercy _Here the prophet beseeches God, in the exercise of his infinite goodness, which is reflected in every part of the world, graciously to make him a partaker of the treasure of heavenly wisdom — a manner of prayer which is very emphatic. When, therefore, h... [ Continue Reading ]
65._O Jehovah! thou hast done good to thy servant. _Some understand this generally, as if the prophet protested that, in whatever way God dealt with him, he took it in good part, convinced that it would ultimately issue in his welfare; but as express mention is made of the Divine word or promise, th... [ Continue Reading ]
66._Teach me goodness of taste and acknowledge _After having confessed that he had found, by experience, the faithfulness of God to his promises, David here adds a request similar to what is contained in the 64th verse, namely, that he may grow in right understanding; although the phraseology is som... [ Continue Reading ]
67._Before I was brought low I went astray _As the verb ענה _anah, _sometimes signifies _to speak, _or _to testify, _some adopt this rendering, _Before I meditated upon thy statutes I went astray; _but this seems too forced. Others go still farther from the meaning, in supposing it to be, that when... [ Continue Reading ]
69._The proud have weaved _(424) _lies against me _He declares that, notwithstanding the malignant interpretation which the wicked put upon all that he did, and their attempts, by this artifice, to turn him aside from following after and loving uprightness, the state of his mind remained unaltered.... [ Continue Reading ]
71._It has been good for me that I was afflicted. _He here confirms the sentiment which we have previously considered — that it was profitable to him to be subdued by God’s chastisements, that he might more and more be brought back and softened to obedience. By these words he confesses that he was n... [ Continue Reading ]
73._Thy hands have made and fashioned me. _The avowal of the prophet, that he had been created by the hand of God, greatly contributed to inspire him with the hope of obtaining the favor which he supplicates. As we are the creatures and the workmanship of God, and as he has not only bestowed upon us... [ Continue Reading ]
74._They who fear thee shall see me and be glad. _This verse is either connected with the preceding, or it includes other benefits of God, besides the blessing mentioned in that verse. Whether the Psalmist adverts only to one particular species of blessing, or speaks generally, he by these words hig... [ Continue Reading ]
75_I have known, O Jehovah / that thy judgments are justice. _By _judgments, _in this psalm, we are to understand the precepts of the law; but as the prophet immediately adds, that he was justly chastised, he seems to use the word in this verse, for the punishments by which God stirs up men to repen... [ Continue Reading ]
76_I beseech thee let thy goodness be for my consolation. _Although he has acknowledged that he had been justly humbled, yet he desires that his sorrow may be alleviated by some consolation. He implores God’s mercy, as what was essentially necessary to relieve and cure his miseries. He thus shows th... [ Continue Reading ]
77._Let thy companions come unto me. _In this verse, the Psalmist repeats and confirms almost the same request as in the preceding verse, although in phraseology somewhat different. As he had just now said, that his sorrow could not be removed, nor his joy restored, in any other way than by God’s me... [ Continue Reading ]
78._Let the proud be put to shame. _We have already often had occasion to remark, that, in the Hebrew language, the future tense is frequently used in the sense of the optative mood, as here, — They _shall be put to shame, _for, _Let them be put to shame. _Still it would not be unsuitable to explain... [ Continue Reading ]
79._Let such as fear thee turn unto me. _In this verse, which is connected with the preceding, the Psalmist affirms, that the deliverance which he obtained would afford common instruction to all the godly. My condition, as if he had said, may, for a time, have disheartened the righteous, as well as... [ Continue Reading ]
80._Let my heart be sound in thy statutes _Having, a little before, desired to be endued with a sound understanding, he now prays, in a similar manner, for sincere affection of heart. The understanding and affections, as is well known, are the two principal faculties of the human soul, both of which... [ Continue Reading ]
81._My soul hath fainted for thy salvation. _The Psalmist intimates that, although worn out with continual grief, and perceiving no issue to his calamities, yet trouble and weariness had not produced such a discouraging effect upon his mind, as to prevent him from always reposing with confidence in... [ Continue Reading ]
82_My eyes have waxed dim in looking for thy word _This verse is very similar to the preceding, — transforming to the eyes what had been said before concerning the soul. The only difference is, that, instead of _longing after salvation _or _help, _the expression, _longing after God’s word compromise... [ Continue Reading ]
83._For I have been as a bottle in the smoke. _(426) The particle כי,_ki, _translated _for, _might also, not improperly, be resolved into the adverb of time, _when; _so that we might read the verse in one connected sentence, thus’ _When I was like a dried bottle, I, nevertheless, did not forget thy... [ Continue Reading ]
84._How many are the days of thy servant? etc. _Some read these two clauses apart, as if the first were a general complaint of the brevity of human life, such as is to be met with in other psalms, and more frequently in the book of Job; and next, in their opinion, there follows a special prayer of t... [ Continue Reading ]
85_The proud _(428) _have digged pits for me. _He complains that he had been circumvented by the frauds and artifices of his enemies; as if he had said, They have not only endeavored to injure me by open force and the violence of the sword, but have also maliciously sought to destroy me by snares an... [ Continue Reading ]
86._All thy commandments are truth. _In this verse he again confirms the statement, That, in whatever ways he was afflicted, his mind had not been distracted by various devices, because, trusting in the word of God, he never doubted of his assistance. In the first place, he tells us, that the consid... [ Continue Reading ]
87._They have almost consumed me upon the earth. _He repeats, in somewhat different words, what he had spoken a little before, that, although he had been sorely tempted, he had nevertheless kept his footing, because he had not given up with true religion. A single declaration of this fact would have... [ Continue Reading ]
88._Quicken me according to thy goodness _This verse contains nothing new. In the beginning of it David represents his life as depending on God’s mercy, not only because he was conscious of human frailty, but because he saw himself daily exposed to death in multiplied forms, or rather because he was... [ Continue Reading ]
89_Thy word, O Jehovah I endure for ever. _Many explain this verse as if David adduced the stability of the heavens as a proof of God’s truth. According to them the meaning is, that God is proved to be true because the heavens continually remain in the same state. (429) Others offer a still more for... [ Continue Reading ]
90._Thy truth is from generation to generation _In this verse the Psalmist repeats and confirms the same sentiment. He expressly teaches, that although the faithful live for a short time as strangers upon earth, and soon pass away, yet their life is not perishable, since they are begotten again of a... [ Continue Reading ]
91._By thy judgments they continue to this day. _The word, היום, _hayom, _which, following other interpreters, I have translated _to this days might _not improperly _rendered daily, or every day. _In that case, however, the sense would be substantially the same; for the prophet means, that the whole... [ Continue Reading ]
92._Had not thy law been my delight _The prophet continues to prosecute almost the same theme; affirming, that he would have been undone, had he not in his calamities sought consolation from the law of God. The adverb, אז _az, _signifies _then; _but as it is sometimes used for _a long time, _it is e... [ Continue Reading ]
93._I will never forget thy statutes. _This verse contains a thanksgiving. As the law of the Lord had preserved him, he engages that he will never forget it. Yet he, at the same time, admonishes himself and others how necessary it is to cherish in the heart the remembrance of the Divine Law; for tho... [ Continue Reading ]
94._I am thine, save me. _In the first place, he takes encouragement to pray from the consideration, that he is one of God’s own stamp and coinage, as we speak. In the second place, he proves that he is God’s from the fact of his keeping his commandments. This ought not, however, to be understood as... [ Continue Reading ]
96._In all perfection, I have seen the end. _(430) The prophet again, using other words, commends the same truth which he had taught in the first verse of this part — that the word of God is not subject to change, because it is elevated far above the perishable elements of this world. He here assert... [ Continue Reading ]
97._O how have I loved thy law! _Not contented with a simple affirmation, the prophet exclaims, by way of interrogation, that he was inflamed with incredible love to the law of God; and, in proof of this, he adds, that he was continually engaged in meditating upon it. If any person boasts that he lo... [ Continue Reading ]
98._Thou hast made me wiser than my adversaries _He here declares, that he was more learned than his adversaries, his instructors, and the aged, because he was a scholar of God’s law. It is in a different sense that he describes himself as endued with understanding above his adversaries, from that i... [ Continue Reading ]
101._I have restrained my feet from every evil path _He intimates that he proclaimed war against every vice, that he might wholly devote himself to the service of God. From this we learn the profitable lesson, that in order to our keeping God’s Law, we must, from the commencement, beware lest our fe... [ Continue Reading ]
103._O how sweet have been thy words to my palate! _He again repeats what he had previously stated in different words, that he was so powerfully attracted by the sweetness of the Divine Law, as to have no desire after any other delight. It is possible that a man may be affected with reverence toward... [ Continue Reading ]
104_By thy statutes I have acquired understanding _The prophet seems here to invert the order he has just now laid down. He observed that he had kept his feet from going astray, that he might observe God’s Law, and now he institutes a contrary order, beginning with the observance of the Law; for he... [ Continue Reading ]
105._Thy word is a lamp to my feet. _In this verse the Psalmist testifies that the Divine Law was his schoolmaster and guide in leading a holy life. He thus, by his own example, prescribes the same rule to us all; and it is highly necessary to observe this rule; for while each of us follows what see... [ Continue Reading ]
106._I have sworn, and will perform _Here the Psalmist speaks of his own constancy. He had declared a little before, that during the whole course of his life, he had not declined from God’s law, and now he speaks of the purpose of his mind. By the word _swear, _he intimates that he had solemnly pled... [ Continue Reading ]
107._I am greatly afflicted, O Jehovah! _This verse teaches, that God did not cherish the fathers under the law in his bosom so delicately as not to exercise them with grievous temptations; for the Psalmist declares that he was not afflicted lightly, or in an ordinary degree, but above measure. His... [ Continue Reading ]
108._O Jehovah! I beseech thee, let the flee-will-offerings of my mouth. _This verse may be read in one connected sentence, as well as divided into two members. According to the former view, the sense will be, Receive, e Lord, my sacrifices, to this end, that thou mayest teach me thy commandments. I... [ Continue Reading ]
109._My soul is continually in my hand. _He declares, that no calamities, afflictions, or dangers, which he had experienced: had withdrawn him from the service of God, and the observance of his law. _To bear his soul in his hand, _is equivalent to his being in danger of his life, so that the soul wa... [ Continue Reading ]
110._The wicked have laid a snare for me _The meaning of this verse is similar to that of the preceding. The prophet shows more definitely in what respect he carried his life in his hand; namely, because, being hemmed in on all sides by the snares of the wicked, he saw scarcely any hope of life. We... [ Continue Reading ]
111._I have thy testimonies as an inheritance for ever. _He again confirms the sentiment, which cannot be too often repeated, That the law of God was more precious to him than all the pleasures, riches, and possessions, of the world. I have said, that it is not in vain that these things are so often... [ Continue Reading ]
112._I have inclined my heart to perform thy statutes. _In this verse he describes the right observance of the law, which consists in Our cheerfully and heartily preparing ourselves for doing what the law commands. Slavish and constrained obedience differs little from rebellion. The prophet, therefo... [ Continue Reading ]
113._I have hated crooked thoughts. _Those who are of opinion that the word סעפום _seaphim, _the first in the verse, and which is rendered _crooked thoughts, _is an appellate noun, translate it, _those who think evil; _(436) but it is more correct to understand it of the thoughts themselves, (437) a... [ Continue Reading ]
114._Thou art my hiding place and my shield. _The meaning is, that the prophet, persuaded that the only way in which he could be safe, was by lying hid under the wings of God, confided in his promises, and, therefore, feared nothing. And, assuredly, the first point is, that the faithful should hold... [ Continue Reading ]
115._Depart from me, ye wicked! _Some explain this verse as if David declared that he would devote himself with more alacrity and greater earnestness to the keeping of the law, when the wicked should have desisted from assaulting him. And, unquestionably, when we feel that God has delivered us, we a... [ Continue Reading ]
116._Sustain me by thy word, and I shall live. _Many read, _According to thy word, _so that the letter ב, _beth, _which signifies in, is taken for the letter כ, _caph, _which signifies _as; _and thus the sense would be, Sustain me according to the promise which thou hast made to me, or, as thou hast... [ Continue Reading ]
118._Thou hast trodden under foot all those who wander from thy statutes. _By _treading under foot _he means, that God overthrows all the despisers of his law, and casts them down from that loftiness which they assume to themselves. The phrase is directed against the foolish, or rather frantic, conf... [ Continue Reading ]
119._Thou hast made all the wicked of the earth to cease as dross. _The meaning of this verse is similar to that of the preceding. By the similitude employed, there is described a sudden and an unexpected change, when their imaginative glory and happiness become dissipated in smoke. It is to be obse... [ Continue Reading ]
120._My flesh hath trembled for fear of thee. _(441) At first sight the prophet seems to contradict himself. He had just now said, that, by God’s severity, he was gently drawn to love his testimonies; now he declares, that he was seized with terror. But although these two effects differ widely from... [ Continue Reading ]
121._I have done judgment and righteousness. _The Prophet implores the help of God against the wicked who troubled him, and he does so in such a manner as at the same time to testify that the harassing treatment he received from them was on his part altogether undeserved. If we would have God to com... [ Continue Reading ]
122._Become surety for thy servant for good. _This prayer is almost similar to that of the preceding verse; for I prefer translating the Hebrew verb ערוב, _arob, _by _Become surety for, _to rendering, as others do, _Delight thy servant in good, _or _Make thy servant to delight in good _According to... [ Continue Reading ]
123._My eyes have failed for thy salvation. _(6) In the first; place he testifies, that he had been afflicted with severe troubles, and that not for a short time only, but for a period so protracted as might have exhausted his patience and occasioned despondency. But so far was this from being the e... [ Continue Reading ]
124._Deal with thy servant according to thy goodness. _The two clauses of this verse must be read correctly; for he does not first separately desire God to deal well with him, and next desire him to be his master and teacher. He rather beseeches him in the exercise of that goodness and mercy, which... [ Continue Reading ]
125._I am thy servant, give me understanding. _Here the prayer of the preceding verse is repeated. The repetition shows how ardently he wished the blessing prayed for, and how earnest and importunate he was in pleading with God for it. By the words he expresses still more plainly in what way it is t... [ Continue Reading ]
126._It is time for thee, O Jehovah! to be doing. _It being the object of the Prophet to imprecate upon the impious and wicked the vengeance which they have deserved, he says, that the fit time for executing it had now arrived, inasmuch as they had carried to a great extent their wanton forwardness... [ Continue Reading ]
127._And therefore I have loved thy statutes above gold. _This verse, I have no doubt, is connected with the preceding; for otherwise the illative particle _therefore _would be without meaning. Viewing it in this connection, I understand the Psalmist as intimating, that the reason why he esteemed Go... [ Continue Reading ]
128._Therefore I have esteemed all thy commandments to be altogether right _(7) This verse, like the preceding, is connected with the 26th, and the connection may be brought out by observing, that the Prophet, waiting patiently for God’s judgments, and also earnestly calling for their infliction, ha... [ Continue Reading ]
129._Thy testimonies are marvelous. _I have given this translation to avoid an ambiguous form of expression. The Prophet does not simply mean, that the doctrine of the law is wonderful, but that it contains high and hidden mysteries. Accordingly he declares, that the sublime and admirable wisdom whi... [ Continue Reading ]
130._The entrance of thy word is light. _The amount is, that the light of the truth revealed in God’s word, is so distinct that the very first sight of it illuminates the mind. The word פתח _pethach, _properly signifies _an opening, _(10) but metaphorically it is taken for _a gate. _Accordingly the... [ Continue Reading ]
131._I opened my mouth and panted. _(11) By these words the Psalmist would have us to understand that he was inflamed with such love to and longing for the divine law, that he was unceasingly sighing after it. In comparing himself to such as are hungry, or to such as burn with parching thirst, he ha... [ Continue Reading ]
132._Look upon me, and be merciful to me_. In this verse he beseeches God to have a regard to him: as he is accustomed always to look to those who are his people. The Hebrew word משפט _mishpat, _translated _judgment, _signifies in this passage, as in many others, _a common rule, _or _ordinary usage.... [ Continue Reading ]
133._Direct my steps according to thy word. _By these words he shows, as he has often done before in other places, that the only rule of living well is for men to regulate themselves wholly by the law of God. We have already repeatedly seen in this Psalm, that so long as men allow there-selves to wa... [ Continue Reading ]
134._Deliver me from the oppression of men. _When recounting what had befallen himself, the Prophet shows, by his own example, that all the godly are exposed to rapine and oppression, and that, like sheep in the mouths of wolves, they will be inevitably destroyed unless God defend them. As very few... [ Continue Reading ]
135._Make thy face to shine upon thy servant. _There is here the repetition of a prayer which we have several times met with before in this Psalm. The Prophet intimates, that he regarded nothing as of more importance than rightly to understand the divine law. When he beseeches God _to make his face... [ Continue Reading ]
136._Rivers of waters run from my eyes. _(15) Here David affirms that he was inflamed with no ordinary zeal for the glory of God, inasmuch as he dissolved wholly into tears on account of the contempt put upon the divine law. He speaks hyperbolically; but still he truly and plainly expresses the disp... [ Continue Reading ]
137.O _Jehovah! thou art righteous. _The Prophet yields to God the praise of righteousness, and also acknowledges that it is to be found in his law. Some understand_judgments _as referring to those infliction’s by which God chastises the sins of men; but this does not seem so fitly to agree with the... [ Continue Reading ]
139._My zeal hath consumed me. _(17) The Psalmist speaks of his persecutors, by whom it is certain he had been subjected to much trouble. But although they were virulent and cruel towards him, he avows that it was not so much his own private wrongs which offended him as the violation of God’s law; y... [ Continue Reading ]
140._Thy word is exceedingly refined. _In this verse he intimates that the cause of his zeal was the love which he bore to heavenly doctrine. For to be displeased with or severely to condemn the contempt of divine truth, unless we are bound to it by the cords of love, is pure hypocrisy. And he affir... [ Continue Reading ]
141._I am, insignificant and despised. _The meaning is, that although he was tried with poverty and many other calamities, he steadily persevered in the exercise of true godliness, and in the observance of the law. On that account, as he states, he was despised by wicked men. Every man gives praise... [ Continue Reading ]
142._Thy righteousness is an everlasting righteousness. _Here the law of God is honored by the additional encomium, that it is everlasting righteousness and truth; as if it had been said, that all other rules of life, with whatever attractions they may appear to be recommended, are but a shadow, whi... [ Continue Reading ]
144._The righteousness of thy testimonies endureth forever. _The Psalmist repeats what he had already before stated, that there is a great dissimilarity between the righteousness of God’s testimonies and man’s inventions; the splendor of the last quickly vanishing away, whereas the other continues s... [ Continue Reading ]
145_I have cried with my whole heart. _This verse may be so read and connected as that in the end of it the Psalmist may show what he desired in crying; (20) and thus the meaning would be, that as he was inflamed with an intense desire to keep the law, he continually made supplication to God on that... [ Continue Reading ]
147._I have prevented the twilight. _The Hebrew noun נשף _, nesheph, _is in this place improperly translated by _crepusculum, twilight; _for it rather signifies the dawn of morning. But as the Latin’s derive the word _crepusculum, _from _creperus, _which signifies _doubtful _or _uncertain, _so that... [ Continue Reading ]
148._My eyes have prevented the night watchers. _(21) The Psalmist here intimates, that he was more sedulously intent on meditating upon the law of God than watchmen of the night were to keep watch. Others are of opinion, that the verb שוח, _suach, _is put for _to discourse. _If this opinion is admi... [ Continue Reading ]
149._Hear my voice, O Jehovah! according to thy mercy. _In the first place he declares, that the goodness of God was the only ground of his hope of being heard by him. Whatever blessings the saints may plead for in prayer, their opening argument must be the free and unmerited grace of God. Nor is th... [ Continue Reading ]
150._The pursuers of malice have drawn near. _As the Hebrew word רודפי _rodphee, _translated _the pursuers of, _is put in the construct state, that is to say, as it is so related to the word זמה, _zimmah, _rendered _wickedness, _that in Latin the latter would be put in the genitive ease, I expound t... [ Continue Reading ]
151._Thou, O Jehovah! art near. _He encourages himself from the consolatory consideration, that God, when he sees his own people sore pressed, comes forward, seasonably to afford them succor; even as Paul on this subject says, “Be not over-careful, the Lord is at hand, let your moderation be known... [ Continue Reading ]
152_. I have known from thy testimonies _(24) _from the beginning. _Others here translate, _I have known long ago of thy testimonies. _(25) This translation I would not directly reject; but I am more inclined to retain the sense which I have given, namely, That the Prophet not only knew the everlast... [ Continue Reading ]
153._Behold my affliction and rescue me. _The Psalmist teaches by his own example that those who are devoted to the service and fear of God, must not be discouraged though they are not rewarded for it in this world. Their condition upon earth is one of warfare, and therefore they should not be disma... [ Continue Reading ]
154._Debate thy cause, and redeem me. _In this verse David specifics the kind of his affliction, which was the wrongful and harassing treatment which he met with at the hands of evil and unprincipled men. The reading literally is, _Plead my cause, _which is the same thing as to undertake a cause, or... [ Continue Reading ]
155_Safety is far from the wicked. _Fully persuaded that the world is governed by the secret providence of God, who is a just judge, the Prophet draws from that source the doctrine, That the wicked are far removed from safety, and safety from them. Hence proceeds the confidence of prayer; for as God... [ Continue Reading ]
156._O Jehovah,! thy tender mercies are many; _as if he had said that no offenders are safe but those who betake themselves to the divine mercy. Farther, to encourage himself to approach God with the greater confidence, he not only says that God is merciful, but he mightily magnifies and extols his... [ Continue Reading ]
157._My persecutors and oppressors are many. _The Psalmist here as in other places testifies, that although he had been provoked by many injuries, yet he had not departed from the right way; which, as I have elsewhere observed, was an evidence of great and singular constancy. It is an easy matter to... [ Continue Reading ]
158._I saw the perfidious and child them. _In this verse the Psalmist proceeds yet farther, declaring that he was inflamed with a holy zeal when he saw the law of God despised by the wicked. Expositors are not however agreed as to one word in the text, namely the verb אתקוטטה _, ethkotatah, _which w... [ Continue Reading ]
159._Behold, O Jehovah how I have loved thy commandments. _What I have state before must be remembered — that when the saints speak of their own piety before God they are not chargeable with obtruding their own merits as the ground of their confidence; but they regard this as, a settled principle, t... [ Continue Reading ]
160._The beginning of thy word is truth. _The design of the Prophet it is not difficult to perceive; but the words admit of being understood in two ways. Some interpret the noun _beginning _as denoting that the truth of God shines forth conspicuously in his word, immediately when we enter for the fi... [ Continue Reading ]
161_Princes have persecuted me without a cause. _(34) Here the Psalmist, informs us that sore and grievous as his temptation had been, he was restrained by the fear of God from desiring to attempt anything unworthy of the character of a godly man. We are prone to fall into despair when princes who a... [ Continue Reading ]
162._I have rejoiced at thy word as one who hath found great spoil _No gain, it is well known, brings greater joy than that which conquerors acquire from the spoil of their enemies; for to the gain there is added the glory of triumph; and when profit comes on a sudden, the delight experienced is fro... [ Continue Reading ]
163._I have hated and abhorred deceit. _In this verse he declares more distinctly what I have adverted to a little before, that he was cleansed from corrupt affections that he might bestow upon the law of God such honor and estimation as it deserved. Having elsewhere met with almost the same sentenc... [ Continue Reading ]
164._Seven times a day have I praised thee. _By the adverb _seven times, _the Prophet means that he was continually or very often engaged in celebrating the praises of God; just as it is said in Proverbs 24:16, “A just man falleth seven times,” when he often falls into divers temptations. (35) The p... [ Continue Reading ]
165._Great peace have they who love thy law. _If we take the word _peace _for a prosperous or happy condition of life — a sense in which the Hebrews often employ it — the word rendered _stumbling-block, _to correspond with it, will be used for _adversity; _as if it had been said, that those who love... [ Continue Reading ]
166_O Jehovah! I have waited for thy salvation. _It is not without cause that the Prophet often repeats this sentence, which is in all men’s mouths, there being nothing easier than to ascribe to God the praise and office of saving, while yet there is hardly to be met with in the world a single examp... [ Continue Reading ]
168._I have kept thy commandments and thy testimonies. _What the Psalmist had expressed more strongly, he now repeats more simply, adding there to reason. He abbreviates the statement as made in the preceding verse only by here omitting the word _soul, _which he there uses, whilst to _commandments _... [ Continue Reading ]
169._Let my cry come _(38) _near into thy presence. _The Psalmist repeats the same sentiment which has already come under our notice — that his chief desire, and what he, most of all pressed after, regarding everything else as of secondary importance, was to make progress in the study of the divine... [ Continue Reading ]
170._Let my prayer come into thy presence. _After having made supplication that the gift of right understanding might be imparted to him, the Psalmist now implores God for deliverance, by which he acknowledges that he was continually involved in multiplied dangers from which he found it impossible t... [ Continue Reading ]
171._My lips shall speak praise. _David now shows in another way than in the preceding verse, how high a privilege he accounted it to be admitted by God among the number of His disciples, and to profit aright in His school, by declaring that, if so privileged, he will hasten forward to render thanks... [ Continue Reading ]
172._My tongue shall speak of thy word. _Here the Psalmist says, that when he shall have profited in God’s law he will also employ himself in teaching it to others. This order is undoubtedly to be observed, That divine truth take root in our hearts before we engage in the work of teaching it to othe... [ Continue Reading ]
173._Let thy hand be to succor me. _As he had devoted himself to the doctrine of the law, David requests that the hand of God may be stretched forth for his aid. Farther, by these words he declares, that those who yield themselves to God to be governed by His word have continually need of His help.... [ Continue Reading ]
174._I have longed for thy salvation, O Jehovah! _Although all men desire to be in happy circumstances, and no man avowedly repudiates God’s favor; yet so confused and uncertain are the ideas which they entertain of that in which a life of happiness or propriety consists, that very few are to be fou... [ Continue Reading ]
175._Let my soul live and let it praise thee. _As the verbs are in the future tense, _shall live, shall praise, _this sentence may be expounded thus: Lord, when thou shalt have bestowed life upon me, I will endeavor, by celebrating thy praises, to show that I am not ungrateful. If this sense is appr... [ Continue Reading ]
176._I have wandered like a lost sheep. _He is not to be understood as here confessing his sins, — an opinion erroneously held by many, — as if he had been drawn into the trails of Satan; for this is inconsistent with the second clause, in which he denies that he had forgotten God’s law. It is a poo... [ Continue Reading ]