Psalm 119

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Psalms 119:18

Observe here, 1. That there are wondrous things in God's law, which we are all concerned, and should covet, to behold, not only strange things, which are very surprising and unexpected, but excellent things, which are to be highly esteemed and valued, and things which were long hidden from the wise and prudent, but are now revealed unto babes. If there were wonders in the law, much more in the gospel, where Christ is all in all, whose name is Wonderful. Well may we, who are so nearly... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Psalms 119:19

Here we have, 1. The acknowledgment which David makes of his own condition: I am a stranger in the earth. We all are so, and all good people confess themselves to be so; for heaven is their home, and the world is but their inn, the land of their pilgrimage. David was a man that knew as much of the world, and was as well known in it, as most men. God built him a house, established his throne; strangers submitted to him, and people that he had not known served him; he had a name like the names... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Psalms 119:20

David had prayed that God would open his eyes (Ps. 119:18) and open the law (Ps. 119:19); now here he pleads the earnestness of his desire for knowledge and grace, for it is the fervent prayer that avails much. 1. His desire was importunate: My soul breaketh for the longing it hath to thy judgments, or (as some read it) ?It is taken up, and wholly employed, in longing for thy judgments; the whole stream of its desires runs in this channel. I shall think myself quite broken and undone if I want... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Psalms 119:21

Here is, 1. The wretched character of wicked people. The temper of their minds is bad. They are proud; they magnify themselves above others. And yet that is not all: they magnify themselves against God, and set up their wills in competition with and opposition to the will of God, as if their hearts, and tongues, and all, were their own. There is something of pride at the bottom of every wilful sin, and the tenour of their lives is no better: They do err from thy commandments, as Israel, that... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Psalms 119:22

Here, 1. David prays against the reproach and contempt of men, that they might be removed, or (as the word is) rolled, from off him. This intimates that they lay upon him, and that neither his greatness nor his goodness could secure him from being libelled and lampooned. Some despised him and endeavoured to make him mean; others reproached him and endeavoured to make him odious. It has often been the lot of those that do well to be ill-spoken of. It intimates that they lay heavily upon him.... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Psalms 119:23

See here, 1. How David was abused even by great men, who should have known better his character and his case, and have been more generous: Princes did sit, sit in council, sit in judgment, and speak against me. What even princes say is not always right; but it is sad when judgment is thus turned to wormwood, when those that should be the protectors of the innocent are their betrayers. Herein David was a type of Christ, for they were the princes of this world that vilified and crucified the... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Psalms 119:24

Here David explains his meditating in God's statutes (Ps. 119:23), which was of such use to him when princes sat and spoke against him. 1. Did the affliction make his sad? The word of God comforted him, and was his delight, more his delight than any of the pleasures either of court or camp, of city or country. Sometimes it proves that the comforts of the word of God are most pleasant to a gracious soul when other comforts are embittered. 2. Did it perplex him? Was he at a loss what to do when... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Psalms 119:25

Here is, I. David's complaint. We should have thought his soul soaring to heaven; but he says himself, My soul not only rolls in the dust, but cleaves to the dust, which is a complaint either, 1. Of his corruptions, his inclination to the world and the body (both which are dust), and that which follows upon it, a deadness to holy duties. When he would do good evil was present with him. God intimated that Adam was not only mortal, but sinful, when he said, Dust thou art, Gen. 3:19. David's... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Psalms 119:26-27

We have here, 1. The great intimacy and freedom that had been between David and his God. David had opened his case, opened his very heart to God: ?I have declared my ways, and acknowledged thee in them all, have taken thee along with me in all my designs and enterprises.? Thus Jephthah uttered all his words, and Hezekiah spread his letters, before the Lord. ?I have declared my ways, my wants, and burdens, and troubles, that I meet with in my way, or my sins, my by-ways (I have made an... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Psalms 119:28-29

Here is, 1. David's representation of his own griefs: My soul melteth for heaviness, which is to the same purport with Ps. 119:25; My soul cleaveth to the dust. Heaviness in the heart of man makes it to melt, to drop away like a candle that wastes. The penitent soul melts in sorrow for sin, and even the patient soul may melt in the sense of affliction, and it is then its interest to pour out its supplication before God. 2. His request for God's grace. (1.) That God would enable him to bear his... read more

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