Psalms 119:119-126

Psalms 119:119-19. Thou putteth away all the wicked of the earth like dross: therefore I love thy testimonies. My flesh trembleth for fear of thee; and I am afraid of thy judgments. I have done judgment and justice: leave me not to mine oppressors.

Eastern kings cannot often say as much as this, but David had been a just king. This was for his comfort when he himself came under unjust treatment. «I have done judgment and justice: leave me not to mine oppressors.» It is of the same tenor as another prayer: «Forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors.» God often deals with men as they deal with others: «With the forward, he will show himself forward»; «Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.» May our conduct be such that, though we plead no merit, yet we may dare to mention it in prayer.

Psalms 119:122. Be surety for thy servant for good: let not the proud oppress me.

As nearly as I remember, this is the only verse which does not mention the law or the Word of God. Here you have a «surety,» and that is something even better. If the law fails us, the surety stands us in good stead. How I like to think of God the surety of his people! When there is a trial against them, and the oppressor is heavy upon them, they can come to God to be a surety for them in the great action of life. «Be surety for thy servant for good: let not the proud oppress me.» My Master is surety for his servants; his servant is sure enough.

Psalms 119:123. Mine eyes fail for thy salvation, and for the word of thy righteousness.

I have looked until I have looked my eyes out: I am weary with waiting, with watching, with weeping: «Mine eyes fail for thy salvation.» Some do not even look for him. Here is a man who looked until his very eyes gave out.

Psalms 119:124. Deal with thy servant according unto thy mercy, and teach me thy statutes.

He is a just man; he can plead that he has done justly; but he does not ask to be dealt with according to justice: «Deal with thy servant according unto thy mercy» as far as any one of us can get. If you have been greatly sanctified, have walked very near to God, I would not advise you still to go beyond this prayer: «Deal with thy servant according to thy mercy.» Singular is the next sentence: «And teach me thy statutes.» It is a great mercy to be taught the ways of God, to understand his way, to understand the practical part of it, the statutes. To be made holy is a high honour, a great privilege. When you are seeking great favors of God, ask for great holiness.

Psalms 119:125. I am thy servant;

He called himself «servant» many times before; and in this wonderful passage this is the third time. He is delighted to be the «servant of God.» He says little about being a king; he says a great deal about being a servant: «I am thy servant.»

Psalms 119:125. Give me understanding, that I may know thy testimonies.

You know, generally a teacher finds the teaching; the pupil has to find understanding But here is a prayer: «Give me understanding.» The last verse he asked to be taught; here he asks to have an understanding given to him. What a God we have to deal with! And when we are taught of the Lord, how effectually we are taught: he not only gives the facts, but gives the understanding with which to get at their meaning.

Psalms 119:126. It is time for thee, LORD, to work: for they have made void thy law.

When men begin to exercise a destructive criticism upon the Word of God, it is time for God to work. When God's law is held in small esteem, when men go their own way, call vice by the name of pleasure, «It is time for thee, Lord, to work: for they have made void thy law.»