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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

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 119:38

Stablish thy word unto thy servant ,.... Either God's word of promise, which never fails, is firm and stable in Christ; and the sense is, that God would assure him of the fulfilment of it, and give him a strong faith and firm belief of it; for otherwise the word of the Lord cannot be surer or more stable than it is: or else the word of his grace; and then the sense is, that he might be established in it, and the truths of it, and be established by it; for the word is a means of... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 119:39

Turn away my reproach which I fear ,.... Either for the sake of religion, which was disagreeable to him; and he might be afraid it would be too heavy for him to bear, and be a temptation to him to forsake the good ways of God: or rather by reason of sin, which brings a reproach on good men; and causes the enemy to speak reproachfully, and is therefore dreaded by them who desire to be kept from sin, for that reason as well as others; see Psalm 39:8 . Jarchi and Kimchi think that David has... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 119:40

Behold, I have longed after thy precepts ,.... After a greater degree of knowledge of them, and an opportunity of hearing them explained and enforced, and of yielding obedience to them; see Psalm 119:7 ; quicken me in thy righteousness : in the way of righteousness, according to the word of righteousness, the Gospel, and with the righteousness of Christ revealed in it; and which is unto life, and quickens and comforts the heart, and from whence abundance of peace and joy flows. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 119:38

Stablish thy word - Fulfil the promises thou hast made to me. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 119:39

Turn away my reproach, which I fear - This may be understood of the reproach which a man may meet with in consequence of living a godly life, for such a life was never fashionable in any time or country. But I have found the following note on the passage: "I have done a secret evil; my soul is sorry for it: if it become public, it will be a heavy reproach to me. O God, turn it away, and let it never meet the eye of man!" - Anon. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 119:40

Behold, I have longed - Thou searchest the heart; thou knowest that I have long desired thy salvation; thou seest that this desire still remains. Behold it! it is thy work; and through thy mercy I breathe after thy mercy. Quicken me - I am dying; O give me the spirit of life in Christ Jesus! read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 119:38

Verse 38 38.Confirm thy word unto thy servant. Here we have briefly set forth the sole end and legitimate use of prayer, which is, that we may reap the fruits of God’s promises. Whence it comes to pass, that they commit sin who utter vague and incoherent desires. For we perceive the prophet allows not himself to petition or wish any thing but what God hath condescended to promise. And certainly their presumption is great, who rush into the presence of God without any call from his word; as if... read more

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