Psa 119:1-8
Back to Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible
Back to Psalms.
- The general scope and design of this psalm is to magnify the Divine law, and make it honourable. There are ten words by which Divine revelation is called in this psalm, and each expresses what God expects from us, and what we may expect from him.
1. God's law; this is enacted by him as our Sovereign.
2. His way; this is the rule of his providence.
3. His testimonies; they are solemnly declared to the world.
4. His commandments; given with authority.
5. His precepts; not left as indifferent matters to us.
6. His word, or saying; it is the declaration of his mind.
7. His judgments; framed in infinite wisdom.
8. His righteousness; it is the rule and standard of what is right.
9. His statutes; they are always binding.
10. His truth or faithfulness; it is eternal truth, it shall endure for ever.
1-8 This psalm may be considered as the statement of a believer's experience. As far as our views, desires, and affections agree with what is here expressed, they come from the influences of the Holy Spirit, and no further. The pardoning mercy of God in Christ, is the only source of a sinner's happiness.
And those are most happy, who are preserved most free from the defilement of sin, who simply believe God's testimonies, and depend on his promises. If the heart be divided between him and the world, it is evil.
But the saints carefully avoid all sin; they are conscious of much evil that clogs them in the ways of God, but not of that wickedness which draws them out of those ways. The tempter would make men think they are at them out of those ways. The tempter would make men think they are at liberty to follow the word of God or not, as they please. But the desire and prayer of a good man agree with the will and command of God.
If a man expects by obedience in one thing to purchase indulgence for disobedience in others, his hypocrisy will be detected; if he is not ashamed in this world, everlasting shame will be his portion. The psalmist coveted to learn the laws of God, to give God the glory. And believers see that if God forsakes them, the temper will be too hard for them.