Psalm 119:25-48 NIV

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

Matthew Henry

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's Complete Commentary - Psalms 119:25

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

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

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

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

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

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Psalms 119:37

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Psalms 119:38

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Psalms 119:39

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Psalms 119:40

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