Psalm 119:1-3

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Psalms 119:1-3

The psalmist here shows that godly people are happy people; they are, and shall be, blessed indeed. Felicity is the thing we all pretend to aim at and pursue. He does not say here wherein it consists; it is enough for us to know what we must do and be that we may attain to it, and that we are here told. All men would be happy, but few take the right way; God has here laid before us the right way, which we may be sure will end in happiness, though it be strait and narrow. Blessednesses are to... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 119:1

א . ALEPH.--The First Part . ALEPH. Blessed are the undefiled in the way ,.... Who are in the right way to heaven and happiness, which is Jesus Christ; the strait gate, and narrow way to eternal life; the only true way of life and salvation, in which way believers walk by faith. All out of this way are altogether become filthy; but all in this way are clean, even every bit: they are without spot and blemish, blameless and unreproveable, and without fault, before the throne of God... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 119:2

Blessed are they that keep his testimonies ,.... The whole word of God, the Scriptures of truth, are his testimonies: they testify of the mind of God, and of his love and grace in the method of salvation by Christ; they testify of Christ, his person, offices, and grace; of the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow; and of all the happiness that comes to the people of God thereby. The law is called a testimony, which being put into the ark, that had the name of the ark of... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 119:3

They also do no iniquity ,.... Not that they are free from indwelling sin, nor from the acts of sin, nor that what they do are not sins; but they do not make a trade of sinning, it is not the course of their lives; nor do they do iniquity with that ease and pleasure, without reluctance and remorse, as others do: or rather as new creatures, as born again, they do not and cannot commit sin; for the new man is pure, spiritual, and holy; and nothing can come out of that, or be done by it, which... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 119:1

Blessed are the undefiled in the way - דרך תמימי אשרי ashrey temimey darech , "O the blessedness of the perfect ones in the way." This Psalm begins something like the first, where see the notes Psalm 1:1-6 ; (note). By the perfect, which is the proper meaning of the original word, we are to undertsand those who sincerely believe what God has spoken, religiously observe all the rules and ceremonies of his religion, and have their lives and hearts regulated by the spirit of love, fear,... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 119:3

They also do no iniquity - They avoid all idolatry, injustice, and wrong; and they walk in God's ways, not in those ways to which an evil heart might entice them, nor those in which the thoughtless and the profligate tread. read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 119:1

Verse 1 1Blessed are they who are upright In these words the prophet sets forth the same paradox which we met with at the commencement of the Book of Psalms. All men naturally aspire after happiness, but instead of searching for it in the right path, they designedly prefer wandering up and down through endless by-paths, to their ruin and destruction. The Holy Spirit deservedly condemns this apathy and blindness. And but for man’s cupidity, which, with brutish impetuosity, hurries him in the... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 119:3

Verse 3 3.Surely they do not work iniquity The statement, that they who follow God as their guide do not work iniquity, may seem to be a mere common-place, and universally admitted truth. The prophet has two reasons for making it; first, to teach us that our life must be entirely under the direction of God; and, secondly, that we may more diligently and carefully attend to his doctrine. It is acknowledged by every one, that those who render obedience to God are in no danger of going astray, and... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 119:1

Blessed are the undefiled in the way ; rather, the perfect , or those that are per feet (Revised Version). The "way" intended is, no doubt, "the way of righteousness" (Psalm 1:7; Psalms 23:3 , etc.). Who walk in the Law of the Lord . Compare the introductory paragraph for the meaning of "Law" in this psalm. This clause is exegetical of the preceding. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 119:1

Sincerity is perfectness. The word "undefiled" in the Authorized Version is rendered "perfect" in the Revised Version; and the terms "sincere" and "upright" are marginal suggestions. The term "perfect" includes a variety of meanings, and the Old Testament use materially differs from that of the New Testament. The apostles express the idea of wholeness, completeness; their word is well represented by "entire," i . e . having every part and faculty according to standard, and every part... read more

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