Psalm 119:121-147

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Psalms 119:121-122

David here appeals to God, 1. As his witness that he had not done wrong; he could truly say, ?I have done judgment and justice, that is, I have made conscience of rendering to all their due, and have not by force or fraud hindered any of their right.? Take him as a king, he executed judgment and justice to all his people, 2 Sam. 8:15. Take him in a private capacity, he could appeal to Saul himself that there was no evil or transgression in his hand, 1 Sam. 24:11. Note, Honesty is the best... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Psalms 119:123

David, being oppressed, is here waiting and wishing for the salvation of the Lord, which would make him easy. 1. He cannot but think that it comes slowly: My eyes fail for thy salvation. His eyes were towards it and had been long so. He looked for help from heaven (and we deceive ourselves if we look for it any other way), but it did not come so soon as he expected, so that his eyes began to fail, and he was sometimes ready to despair, and to think that, because the salvation did not come when... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Psalms 119:124-125

Here is, 1. David's petition for divine instruction: ?Teach me thy statutes; give me to know all my duty; when I am in doubt, and know not for certain what is my duty, direct me, and make it plain to me; now that I am afflicted, oppressed, and my eyes are ready to fail for thy salvation, let me know what my duty is in this condition.? In difficult times we should desire more to be told what we must do than what we may expect, and should pray more to be led into the knowledge of... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Psalms 119:126

Here is, 1. A complaint of the daring impiety of the wicked. David, having in himself a holy indignation at it, humbly represents it to God: ?Lord, there are those that have made void thy law, have set thee and thy government at defiance, and have done what in them lay to cancel and vacate the obligation of thy commands.? Those that sin through infirmity transgress the law, but presumptuous sinners do in effect make void the law, saying, Who is the Lord? What is the Almighty, that we should... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Psalms 119:127-128

David here, as often in this psalm, professes the great love he had to the word and law of God; and, to evidence the sincerity of it, observe, 1. The degree of his love. He loved his Bible better than he loved his money?above gold, yea, above fine gold. Gold, fine gold, is what most men set their hearts upon; nothing charms them and dazzles their eyes so much as gold does. It is fine gold, a fine thing in their eyes; they will venture their souls, their God, their all, to get and keep it. But... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Psalms 119:129

See here how David was affected towards the word of God. 1. He admired it, as most excellent in itself: Thy testimonies are wonderful. The word of God gives us admirable discoveries of God, and Christ, and another world; admirable proofs of divine love and grace. The majesty of the style, the purity of the matter, the harmony of the parts, are all wonderful. Its effects upon the consciences of men, both for conviction and comfort, are wonderful; and it is a sign that we are not acquainted with... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Psalms 119:130

Here is, 1. The great use for which the word of God was intended, to give light, that is, to give understanding, to give us to understand that which will be of use to us in our travels through this world; and it is the outward and ordinary means by which the Spirit of God enlightens the understanding of all that are sanctified. God's testimonies are not only wonderful for the greatness of them, but useful, as a light in a dark place. 2. Its efficacy for this purpose. It admirably answers the... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Psalms 119:131

Here is, 1. The desire David had towards the word of God: I longed for thy commandments. When he was under a forced absence from God's ordinances he longed to be restored to them again; when he enjoyed ordinances he greedily sucked in the word of God, as new-born babes desire the milk. When Christ is formed in the soul there are gracious longings, unaccountable to one that is a stranger to the work. 2. The degree of that desire appearing in the expressions of it: I opened my mouth and panted,... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Psalms 119:132

Here is, 1. David's request for God's favour to himself: ?Look graciously upon me; let me have thy smiles, and the light of thy countenance. Take cognizance of me and my affairs, and be merciful to me; let me taste the sweetness of thy mercy and receive the gifts of thy mercy.? See how humble his petition is. He asks not for the operations of God's hand, only for the smiles of his face; a good look is enough; and for that he does not plead merit, but implores mercy. 2. His acknowledgment of... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Psalms 119:133

Here David prays for two great spiritual blessings, and is, in this verse, as earnest for the good work of God in him as, in the verse before, for the good-will of God towards him. He prays, 1. For direction in the paths of duty: ?Order my steps in thy word; having led me into the right way, let every step I take in that way be under the guidance of thy grace.? We ought to walk by rule; all the motions of the soul must not only be kept within the bounds prescribed by the word, so as not to... read more

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