Psalm 119

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Psalms 119:102

Here is, 1. David's constancy in his religion. He had not departed from God's judgments; he had not chosen any other rule than the word of God, nor had he wilfully deviated from that rule. A constant adherence to the ways of God in trying times will be a good evidence of our integrity. 2. The cause of his constancy: ?For thou hast taught me; that is, they were divine instructions that I learned; I was satisfied that the doctrine was of God, and therefore I stuck to it.? Or rather, ?It was... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Psalms 119:103-104

Here is, 1. The wonderful pleasure and delight which David took in the word of God; it was sweet to his taste, sweeter than honey. There is such a thing as a spiritual taste, an inward savour and relish of divine things, such an evidence of them to ourselves, by experience, as we cannot give to others. We have heard him ourselves, John 4:2. To this scripture-taste the word of God is sweet, very sweet, sweeter than any of the gratifications of sense, even those that are most delicious. David... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Psalms 119:105

Observe here, 1. The nature of the word of God, and the great intention of giving it to the world; it is a lamp and a light. It discovers to us, concerning God and ourselves, that which otherwise we could not have known; it shows us what is amiss, and will be dangerous; it directs us in our work and way, and a dark place indeed the world would be without it. It is a lamp which we may set up by us, and take into our hands for our own particular use, Prov. 6:23. The commandment is a lamp kept... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Psalms 119:106

Here is, 1. The notion David had of religion; it is keeping God's righteous judgments. God's commands are his judgments, the dictates of infinite wisdom. They are righteous judgments, consonant to the eternal rules of equity, and it is our duty to keep them carefully. 2. The obligation he here laid upon himself to be religious, binding himself, by his own promise, to that which he was already bound to by the divine precept, and all little enough. ?I have sworn (I have lifted up my head to the... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Psalms 119:107

Here is, 1. The representation David makes of the sorrowful condition he was in: I am afflicted very much, afflicted in spirit; he seems to mean that especially. He laboured under many discouragements; without were fightings, within were fears. This is often the lot of the best saints; therefore think it not strange if sometimes it be ours. 2. The recourse he has to God in this condition; he prays for his grace: ?Quicken me, O Lord! make me lively, make me cheerful; quicken me by afflictions... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Psalms 119:108

Two things we are here taught to pray for, in reference to our religious performances:?1. Acceptance of them. This we must aim at in all we do in religion, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of the Lord. What David here earnestly prays for the acceptance of are the free-will-offerings, not of his purse, but of his mouth, his prayers and praises. The calves of our lips (Hos. 14:2), the fruit of our lips (Heb. 13:15), these are the spiritual offerings which all Christians, as... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Psalms 119:109-110

Here is, 1. David in danger of losing his life. There is but a step between him and death, for the wicked have laid a snare for him; Saul did so many a time, because he hated him for his piety. Wherever he was he found some design or other laid against him to take away his life, for it was that they aimed at. What they could not effect by open force they hoped to compass by treachery, which made him say, My soul is continually in my hand. It was so with him, not only as a man (so it is true of... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Psalms 119:111-112

The psalmist here in a most affectionate manner, like an Israelite indeed, resolves to stick to the word of God and to live and die by it. I. He resolves to portion himself in it, and there to seek his happiness, nay, there to enjoy it; ?Thy testimonies (the truths, the promises, of thy word) have I taken as a heritage for ever, for they are the rejoicing of my heart.? The present delight he took in them was an evidence that the good things contained in them were in his account the best... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Psalms 119:113

Here we have, 1. David's dread of the risings of sin, and the first beginnings of it: I hate vain thoughts. He does not mean that he hated them in others, for there he could not discern them, but he hated them in his own heart. Every good man makes conscience of his thoughts, for they are words to God. Vain thoughts, how light soever most make of them, are sinful and hurtful, and therefore we should account them hateful and dreadful, for they do not only divert the mind from that which is... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Psalms 119:114

Here is, 1. God's care of David to protect and defend him, which he comforted himself with when his enemies were very malicious against him: Thou art my hiding-place and my shield. David, when Saul pursued him, often betook himself to close places for shelter; in war he guarded himself with his shield. Now God was both these to him, a hiding-place to preserve him from danger and a shield to preserve him in danger, his life from death and his soul from sin. Good people are safe under God's... read more

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Psalms 119:102

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Psalms 119:103-104

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Psalms 119:105

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Psalms 119:106

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Psalms 119:107

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Psalms 119:108

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Psalms 119:109-110

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Psalms 119:111-112

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Psalms 119:113

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Psalms 119:114

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