Psalms 119:2

I beg the Reader very particularly to remark the alteration here made in the manner of expression, from what it was before. Here it is said, Blessed are they that keep his testimonies: implying numbers, namely, the people of the Lord. In the former verse the word are is in Italics, and might more properly have been is. And the learned Reader will know that the word, ashrei, blessed, is only found a noun-plural, and is a proof of the beauty and fulness of the Hebrew language, because blessedness is not made up of anything single, but from an assemblage of many things in one. And the learned Reader will know also, that this word is so used in the first verse of the first psalm; for the word is the same: "Blessed is the man, " etc. But to return to the psalm before us; if I am right in supposing the first verse speaks wholly of Jesus, and this second verse wholly of his people; what a lovely and most interesting scripture hath the Holy Ghost given us? For then the sense will be, "Blessed is the Lord Jesus, the undefiled, " etc. And then follows, "Blessed are they, his people, his redeemed, who keep his testimonies, and who seek him (that is Jesus) with their whole heart." And is not the whole analogy of scripture to this effect, men shall be blessed in him? There is not a blessing out of him; Psalms 72:17; Ephesians 1:3. For the right apprehension of the word testimonies, we may have recourse to various scriptures. The tables of stone were called the tables of testimony, Exodus 31:18; no doubt they were intended to refer to Christ; and in like manner there was a tabernacle of testimony, Exodus 38:21. And when Jesus tabernacled in substance of our flesh, was not that scripture fulfilled? Behold the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, Revelation 21:3. Moreover, the testimony of Jesus is said to be the spirit of prophecy, Revelation 19:10. And indeed the very word testimony is derived from a word, or root, intimating somewhat future. Therefore when it is said in this Psalm, "the people of God keep his testimonies, " it carries with it an idea of believing in and resting upon God's testimonies of grace here, and glory hereafter, in and from the person of the Lord Jesus Christ.