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Psalm 119
Weak and wavering desires should be utterly eschewed. The true child of God so longs for the precious Word, that his soul seems scarcely able to contain the swelling feeling. Unless the presence of God's Word relieves, he can scarcely live.
21. "You have rebuked the proud who are cursed, who err from Your commandments."
We have heard who are the blessed. We have now the portrait of the cursed. They proudly wander from the everlasting way. Their straying feet rush to destruction. God's rebuke descends, and the rebuke is ruin.
22. "Remove from me reproach and contempt; for I have kept Your testimonies."
The pious are generally regarded with scorn in this fallen world. It is a grievous trial. When we are conscious that contempt is incurred by adhering to God's Word, we may humbly pray for its removal.
23. "Princes also sat and spoke against me; but Your servant meditated on Your statutes."
Men of exalted rank too often slander the servants of the Lord. But a sweet refuge is always near in meditation on the glorious law. They will not hear nor heed whose souls are thus engaged.
24. "Your testimonies also are my delight and my counselors."
Such meditation is most precious. It is a boundless expanse of happiness. It is a treasury of counsels to guide throughout life's course. May we be thus happy and thus wise!
25. "My soul cleaves to the dust; quicken me according to Your word."
The soul by nature rises not to heaven; unaided from on high it grovels in the mire of earth. Hence the wisdom of constant prayer, that spiritual life may expand wings for upward flight. Many promises give prospect of success.
26. "I have declared my ways, and You heard me; teach me Your statutes."
Having deep experience of the success of prayer, let us keep nothing back from God. He will hear, and heavenly lessons will be granted.
27. "Make me to understand the way of Your precepts; so shall I talk of Your wondrous works."
Our desire for intelligence in God's precepts cannot be too earnest. When thus enlightened we shall not be mute. Delighted converse will tell the dealings of Him whose name is Wonderful.
28. "My soul melts for heaviness; strengthen me according to Your word."
Periods recur when the soul is heavy laden. When thus powerless, strength should be implored in accordance with the sure promises of God.
29. "Remove from me the way of lying; and grant me Your law graciously."
Grievous evidence of the fall is seen in the tendency to misrepresent and to deceive. The devil was a liar from the beginning; and his progeny inherits his propensities. Let us strive to be the followers of Him who is emphatically the truth. For this purpose let us pray that God would write His law of uprightness on our hearts.
30. "I have chosen the way of truth; Your judgments have I laid before me."
False ways will indeed be eschewed by the blessed man. The way of truth will be his deliberate choice. God's judgments will be the desired path. Let us not, however, forget that in ourselves we are weak to execute these good resolves.
31. "I have stuck to Your testimonies; O Lord, put me not to shame."
With clinging hands the testimonies will be grasped. The disgrace of straying will be dreaded. Prayer will be made for deliverance from such shame.
32. "I will run the way of Your commandments, when You shall enlarge my heart."
The narrowness of the contracted heart forbids expanse. Encumbered affections cannot mount; therefore earnest prayer is made that the entangling chains may be removed, and freedom granted to run nimbly up the blessed road.
33. "Teach me, O Lord, the way of Your statutes, and I shall keep it to the end."
The believer, conscious of ignorance, ever seeks divine instruction. He knows that the page of Scripture is obscure unless heavenly light shines on it. Therefore constant is his prayer, and constant his resolve to persevere unto the end.
34. "Give me understanding, and I shall keep Your law; yes, I shall observe it with my whole heart."
Repeated prayer wrestles for an understanding heart. Resolution is declared that the law shall be cherished with undivided affection.
35. "Make me to go in the path of Your commandments; for therein do I delight."
Prayer again wrestles for strict adherence to the holy path. It is the way of pleasantness; every step abounds in delights.
36. "Incline my heart to Your testimonies, and not to covetousness."
Without a restraining hand the heart is prone to turn aside into the byways of petty love of self. The remedy must be from above. Heavenly aid is therefore sought.
37. "Turn away my eyes from beholding vanity; and quicken me in Your way."
The world abounds with sights of emptiness, frivolity, and folly. Eyes are enticed to gaze; there is danger in the very sight. Let prayer be made that the eyes may not behold, and that quickened steps may ascend Zion's hill.
38. "Establish Your word to Your servant, who is devoted to Your fear."
It is happiness to have the Word firmly rooted in the heart. This blessed state will be the desire of those who are jealously apprehensive of straying from the gospel-rule.
39. "Turn away my reproach which I fear; for Your judgments are good."
It is a reproach to wander. The godly man will dread this shame. He knows how excellent the ways of God are, and he prays that he may never incur the dishonor of disobedience.
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