Psalms 119:144

Verse Psalms 119:144. The righteousness of thy testimonies is everlasting] Thy moral law was not made for one people, or for one particular time; it is as imperishable as thy nature, and of endless obligation. It is that law by which all the children of Adam shall be judged.

Give me understanding] To know and practise it.

And I shall live.] Shall glorify thee, and live eternally; not for the merit of having done it, but because thou didst fulfil the work of the law in my heart, having saved me from condemnation by it.

ANALYSIS OF LETTER TSADDI. - Eighteenth Division

In this division the psalmist -

I. Commends the law of God, from its Author, its equity, its purity, and its perpetuity.

II. A consideration of which led him to love and delight in it, though opposed by many enemies.

I. 1. "Righteous art thou." Thou alterest not with times, thou changest not with persons, thou art ever the same.

2. Thy judgments, in giving rewards and dispensing punishments, are upright.

3. Thy testimonies, that declare this, are righteous and faithful.

He consequently felt an ardent zeal for God's glory.

1. This "zeal consumed him," and he expresses the cause.

2. Men "forgot God's words." He pined away for grief on this account. He turns to another character of God's law.

"Thy word is very pure."

1. It is pure in itself, and the purifier of the heart.

2. On this account he loved it; and we know that "love is the fulfilling of the law."

A third effect was a careful remembrance of it, though tried by his enemies.

1. "I am small." Of no weight nor authority; have no secular power.

2. "Despised." Have no credit nor respect.

3. "Yet do I not forget thy precepts." Nothing can move me while upheld by thee; and thou wilt uphold me while I cleave unto thee.

A fourth commendation of God's law is its immutability.

1. It is immutable, and can never be dispensed with. It is a righteousness that is everlasting.

2. It is the truth: 1. It has priority of all laws; 2. Contains no falsehood.

3. Its promises and threatenings shall all be punctually fulfilled.

II. He loved and delighted in it, notwithstanding he had trouble and anguish.

1. Trouble and anguish. The righteous are often under the cross.

2. Yet "thy commandments are my delights." While faithful to thee, all my afflictions are sanctified to me, so that I can rejoice while I suffer.

He speaks again about the immutability of God's word.

1. "The righteousness of thy testimonies," Thy word is like thyself, for it comes from thee.

2. "Give me understanding." I always stand in need of teaching.

3. "And I shall live." All is death without thee. Live in me, that I may live by thee.