Psalm 119:57-64

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Psalms 119:57

We may hence gather the character of a godly man. 1. He makes the favour of God his felicity: Thou art my portion, O Lord! Others place their happiness in the wealth and honours of this world. Their portion is in this life; they look no further; they desire no more; these are their good things, Luke 16:25. But all that are sanctified take the Lord for the portion of their inheritance and their cup, and nothing less will satisfy them. David can appeal to God in this matter: ?Lord, thou knowest... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Psalms 119:58

David, having in the foregoing verse reflected upon his covenants with God, here reflects upon his prayers to God, and renews his petition. Observe, 1. What he prayed for. Having taken God for his portion, he entreated his favour, as one that knew he had forfeited it, was unworthy of it, and yet undone without it, but for ever happy if he could obtain it. We cannot demand God's favour as a debt, but must be humble suppliants for it, that God will not only be reconciled to us, but accept us and... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Psalms 119:59-60

David had said he would keep God's word (Ps. 119:57), and it was well said; now here he tells us how and in what method he pursued that resolution. 1. He thought on his ways. He thought beforehand what he should do, pondering the path of his feet (Prov. 4:26), that he might walk surely, and not at all adventures. He thought after what he had done, reflected upon his life past, and recollected the paths he had walked in and the steps he had taken. The word signifies a fixed abiding thought.... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Psalms 119:61

Here is, 1. The malice of David's enemies against him. They were wicked men, who hated him for his godliness. There were bands or troops of them confederate against him. They did him all the mischief they could; they robbed him; having endeavoured to take away his good name (Ps. 119:51), they set upon his goods, and spoiled him of them, either by plunder in time of war or by fines and confiscations under colour of law. Saul (it is likely) seized his effects, Absalom his palace, and the... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Psalms 119:62

Though David is, in this psalm, much in prayer, yet he did not neglect the duty of thanksgiving; for those that pray much will have much to give thanks for. See, 1. How much God's hand was eyed in his thanksgivings. He does not say, ?I will give thanks because of thy favours to me, which I have the comfort of,? but, ?Because of thy righteous judgments, all the disposals of thy providence in wisdom and equity, which thou hast the glory of.? We must give thanks for the asserting of God's honour... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Psalms 119:63

David had often expressed the great love he had to God; here he expresses the great love he had to the people of God; and observe, 1. Why he loved them; not so much because they were his best friends, most firm to his interest and most forward to serve him, but because they were such as feared God and kept his precepts, and so did him honour and helped to support his kingdom among men. Our love to the saints is then sincere when we love them for the sake of what we see of God in them and the... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Psalms 119:64

Here, 1. David pleads that God is good to all the creatures according to their necessities and capacities; as the heaven is full of God's glory, so the earth is full of his mercy, full of the instances of his pity and bounty. Not only the land of Canaan, where God is known and worshipped, but the whole earth, in many parts of which he has no homage paid him, is full of his mercy. Not only the children of men upon the earth, but even the inferior creatures, taste of God's goodness. His tender... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 119:57

ח , CHETH.--The Eighth Part . CHETH. Thou art my portion, O Lord ,.... Which he chose and preferred to all others; to the riches, honours, and profits of this world; the grant of which was made to him in the covenant of grace; the first discovery of it was from the Lord himself; and the choice and claim were made under the influence of his grace; and a great act of faith it is to assert this, and a wonderful blessing to enjoy it. This is a large portion indeed, immense and... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 119:58

I entreated thy favour with my whole heart ,.... Or, "thy face" F13 פניך "tuam faciem", Pagninus; "tuae facies", Montanus. ; to see it; or thy presence, to enjoy it; to have communion with God, and the light of his countenance; than which nothing is more desirable and delightful to a gracious man: as also to be remembered with the special favour of God, in which is life; to have his love shed abroad in the heart; to have large views of interest in it, and to be rooted and grounded... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 119:59

I thought on my ways ,.... What they were, whether right or wrong; whither they led, what would be the consequences of walking in them: the Septuagint and Arabic versions read, "thy ways"; no doubt the psalmist thought of both; of his own ways, in which he had walked; and of God's ways, which he directed him to walk in: and, considering the superior pleasure and profit of the latter, he preferred them to the former. The Targum is, "I thought to mend my ways", or "make them good". Hence he... read more

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