Psalm 119

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Psalms 119:30-32

Observe, I. That those who will make anything to purpose of their religion must first make it their serious and deliberate choice; so David did: I have chosen the way of truth. Note, 1. The way of serious godliness is the way of truth; the principles it is founded on are principles of eternal truth, and it is the only true way to happiness. 2. We must choose to walk in this way, not because we know no other way, but because we know no better; nay we know no other safe and good way. Let us... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Psalms 119:33-34

Here, I. David prays earnestly that God himself would be his teacher; he had prophets, and wise men, and priests, about him, and was himself well instructed in the law of God, yet he begs to be taught of God, as knowing that none teaches like him, Job 36:22. Observe here, 1. What he desires to be taught, not the notions or language of God's statutes, but the way of them??the way of applying them to myself and governing myself by them; teach me the way of my duty which thy statutes prescribe,... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Psalms 119:35-36

He had before prayed to God to enlighten his understanding, that he might know his duty, and not mistake concerning it; here he prays to God to bow his will, and quicken the active powers of his soul, that he might do his duty; for it is God that works in us both to will and to do, as well as to understand, what is good, Phil. 2:13. Both the good head and the good heart are from the good grace of God, and both are necessary to every good work. Observe here, I. The grace he prays for. 1. That... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Psalms 119:37

Here, 1. David prays for restraining grace, that he might be prevented and kept back from that which would hinder him in the way of his duty: Turn away my eyes from beholding vanity. The honours, pleasures, and profits of the world are the vanities, the aspect and prospect of which draw multitudes away from the paths of religion and godliness. The eye, when fastened on these, infects the heart with the love of them, and so it is alienated from God and divine things; and therefore, as we ought... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Psalms 119:38

Here is 1. The character of a good man, which is the work of God's grace in him; he is God's servant, subject to his law and employed in his work, that is, devoted to his fear, given up to his direction and disposal, and taken up with high thoughts of him and all those acts of devotion which have a tendency to his glory. Those are truly God's servants who, though they have their infirmities and defects, are sincerely devoted to the fear of God and have all their affections and motions governed... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Psalms 119:39

Here, 1. David prays against reproach, as before, Ps. 119:22. David was conscious to himself that he had done that which might give occasion to the enemies of the Lord to blaspheme, which would blemish his own reputation and turn to the dishonour of his family; now he prays that God, who has all men's hearts and tongues in his hands, would be pleased to prevent this, to deliver him from all his transgressions, that he might not be the reproach of the foolish, which he feared (Ps. 39:8); or he... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Psalms 119:40

Here, 1. David professes the ardent affection he had to the word of God: ?I have longed after thy precepts, not only loved them, and delighted in what I have already attained, but I have earnestly desired to know them more and do them better, and am still pressing forward towards perfection.? Tastes of the sweetness of God's precepts will but set us a longing after a more intimate acquaintance with them. He appeals to God concerning this passionate desire after his precepts: ?Behold, I have... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Psalms 119:41-42

Here is, 1. David's prayer for the salvation of the Lord. ?Lord, thou art my Saviour; I am miserable in myself, and thou only canst make me happy; let thy salvation come to me. Hasten temporal salvation to me from my present distresses, and hasten me to the eternal salvation, by giving me the necessary qualifications for it and the comfortable pledges and foretastes of it.? 2. David's dependence upon the grace and promise of God for that salvation. These are the two pillars on which our hope... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Psalms 119:43-44

Here is, 1. David's humble petition for the tongue of the learned, that he might know how to speak a word in season for the glory of God: Take not the word of truth utterly out of my mouth. He means, ?Lord, let the word of truth be always in my mouth; let me have the wisdom and courage which are necessary to enable me both to use my knowledge for the instruction of others, and, like the good householder, to bring out of my treasury things new and old, and to make profession of my faith... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Psalms 119:45-48

We may observe in these verses, 1. What David experienced of an affection to the law of God: ?I seek thy precepts, Ps. 119:45. I desire to know and do my duty, and consult thy word accordingly; I do all I can to understand what the will of the Lord is and to discover the intimations of his mind. I seek thy precepts, for I have loved them, Ps. 119:47, 48. I not only give consent to them as good, but take complacency in them as good for me.? All that love God love his government and therefore... read more

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