Psalm 119:4-6

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Psalms 119:4-6

We are here taught, 1. To own ourselves under the highest obligations to walk in God's law. The tempter would possess men with an opinion that they are at their liberty whether they will make the word of God their rule or no, that, though it may be good, yet it is not so necessary as they are made to believe it is. He taught our first parents to question the command: Hath God said, You shall not eat? And therefore we are concerned to be well established in this (Ps. 119:4): Thou hast commanded... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 119:4

Thou hast commanded us to keep thy precepts diligently. Here, and in the following verses, the psalmist expresses his great regard to the precepts, commandments, statutes, and judgments of God; and that as such, because they were commanded by him; were not the precepts of men, but the commands of God; who had a right to command, as Creator, Preserver, Redeemer, and King; and whose commands are not to be reckoned as indifferent things, that are at the option and choice of a creature, to be... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 119:5

O that my ways were directed to keep thy statutes! The psalmist, sensible of his own inability, as every good man is, to keep the commands of God, prays for grace, direction, and assistance in it; that the ways of his mind, his thoughts, affections, and inclinations, might be directed to an observance of the divine precepts; knowing he could not command his thoughts, raise his affections, dispose his mind, and incline his heart thereunto; and finding a backwardness to religious exercises and... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 119:6

Then shall I not be ashamed ,.... Of hope in God, of a profession of faith in him, and of a conversation agreeable to it before men; nor of appearing before God in his house, worshipping him there; nor at the throne of his grace, nor at the day of judgment, and before Christ at his coming; when I have respect unto all thy commandments ; or "look" F14 בהביטי "quum intuebor", Junius & Tremellius, Piscator, Gejerus, Michaelis. at them constantly, as the rule of walk and... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 119:4

Thy precepts diligently - מאד meod , "superlatively, to the uttermost." God has never given a commandment, the observance of which he knew to be impossible. And to whatsoever he has commanded he requires obedience; and his grace is sufficient for us. We must not trifle with God. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 119:5

O that my ways were directed - " I wish that my way may be confirmed to keep thy statutes." Without thee I can do nothing; my soul is unstable and fickle; and it will continue weak and uncertain till thou strengthen and establish it. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 119:6

Then shall I not be ashamed - Every act of transgression in the wicked man tends to harden his heart; and render it callous. If a man who fears God is so unhappy as to fall into sin, his conscience reproaches him, and he is ashamed before God and man. This is a full proof that God's Spirit has not utterly departed from him, and that he may repent, believe and be healed. Unto all thy commandments - God requires universal obedience, and all things are possible to him whom Christ... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 119:5

Verse 5 5I wish that my ways may be directed The original word כון, kun, is sometimes rendered to establish, and, accordingly, it may seem as if the prophet were soliciting for himself the virtue of perseverance. I am rather inclined to understand it as signifying to direct; for, although God’s plainly instructing us in his law, the obtuseness of our understanding, and the perversity of our hearts, constantly need the direction of his Spirit. Our main desire, therefore, ought to be for an... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 119:1-8

Whole-hearted service of God. I. THE DESCRIPTION GIVEN OF SUCH AS RENDER IT . 1. They are undefiled in the way . They are not merely in the way, but keep themselves undefiled. How difficult this! 2. They walk in the Law of the Lord . It is the habit of their lives, and its pleasure. 3. They keep his testimonies . Keep them in their memory, their affection, and their conduct. 4. They seek him with the whole heart . This sadly rare. The mass... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 119:1-24

The blessedness of obedience. The first two verses of the psalm leave no mistake as to the nature of true obedience; it includes: 1. Integrity of heart . Sincerity, being "undefiled," seeking the favor and entering the service of God "with the whole heart" ( Psalms 119:10 ), with a spirit in which "is no guile." 2. Consistency of conduct . "Walking in the Law," "keeping his commandments;" it is" he that doeth righteousness that is righteous" (John). 3. Patient... read more

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