Spurgeon's Treasury of David

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Charles H. Spurgeon's
Treasury of David

Psalm 119: | Darby | Geneva | Gill | Jamieson Faussett Brown | Large Print | Matthew Henry | Matthew Henry Concise | Spurgeon | Wesley | Index | Bible Gateway |

Introduction 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 100 101 102 103 104 105 106 107 108 109 110 111 112 113 114 115 116 117 118 119 120 121 122 123 124 125 126 127 128 129 130 131 132 133 134 135 136 137 138 139 140 141 142 143 144 145 146 147 148 149 150 Job Proverbs

Psalm 119: Hints to the Village Preacher

| Verses 1-44 | Verses 45-88 | Verses 89-132 | Verses 133-176 |

Preface - Introduction - Notes - Exposition - Works Upon This Psalm
Explanatory Notes and Quaint Sayings - Hints to the Village Preacher

Verse 2. Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, and that seek him with the whole heart.

1. The sacred Quest:"Seek him." He has been sought among the trees, the hills, the planets, the stars. He has been sought in his own defaced image, man. He has been sought amid the mysterious wheels of Providence. But these quests have often been prompted simply by intellect, or compelled by conscience, and have therefore resulted but in a cold faint light. He has been sought in the word which this psalm so highly extols, when it has led up the smoke covered and gleaming peaks of Sinai. It has been followed, when it has led beneath the olives of Gethsemane to witness a mysterious struggle in blood sweating and anguish; to Calvary, where, in the place of a skull, life and immortality are brought to light. The sacred quest but there begins.

2. The Conduct of the Quest. Seekers might be mistakenly dejected by so literal an interpretation of the "whole heart." We do not hesitate to say a stream is in its whole volume flowing towards sea while there are little side creeks in which the water eddies backward; or to say the tide is coming despite receding waves; or that spring is upon us despite hailstorm and biting wind. Indication of,

(a) Unity
(b) Intensity.
(c) Determination.

No one conducts this quest aright who is not prompted to or sustained in it by the gracious Spirit.

3. Blessedness both in the pursuit and issue.

(a) Blessedness in the bitterness of penitence. The door handle touched by him drops of myrrh. The rising sun sends kindling beams upon the highest peaks.

(b) Blessedness in the happy findings of salvation and adoption.

(c) Blessedness in the perpetual pursuit. William Anderson, of Reading, 1882.

Verse 2. The double blessing.

1. On keeping the testimonies.
2. On seeking the Lord.

Verse 2. That seek him with the whole heart.

1. Seek what? God himself. No peace until he is found.

2. Seek where? In his testimonies.

(a) By studying them.
(b) By keeping to them.

3. Seek how? With the Whole heart. George Rogers.

Verse 2. Seeking for God.

1. The Psalmist's way of seeking God.

(a) He sought God with the heart. Only the heart can find God. Sight fails.

"The scientific method" fails. All reason fails. Only love and trust can succeed. Love sees much where all other perception finds nothing. Faith generally goes with discovery, and nowhere so much as in finding God.

(b) He sought God with all his heart.

(1) Half heartedness seldom finds anything worth having.

(2) Half heartedness shows contempt for God.

(3) God will not reveal himself to half heartedness. It would be putting the highest premium possible upon indifference.

2. The Psalmist's plea in seeking God: "Let me not wander from thy commandments"

(a) God's commandments lead, presently, into his own presence. If we take even the moral law, every one of the ten commandments leads away from the world, and sin, into that seclusion of holiness in which he hides. It is thus with all the commandments of the Scriptures.

(b) The earnestness of the souls search for God becomes, in itself, a plea with God that he will be found of us. God, who loves importunity in prayer, loves it no less when it takes the form of searching with all the heart. He who seeks with all the heart finds special encouragement to pray: "Let me not wander from thy commandments." F.G. Marchant.

Verse 2. That seek him. We must remember six conditions required in them who would seek the Lord rightly.

1. We must seek him in Christ the Mediator. Joh 14:6.

2. We must seek him in truth. Jer 10:10 Joh 4:24 Ps 7:6.

3. We must seek him in holiness. 2Ti 2:19 Heb 12:14 1Jo 1:3.

4. We must seek him above all things and for himself.

5. We must seek him by the light of his own word.

6. We must seek him diligently and with perseverance, never resting till we find him, with the spouse in the Canticles. William Cowper.

Verses 2, 4-5, 8. Blessed are they that keep. "Thou hast commanded; us to keep." "O that my ways were directed to keep." "I will keep." Blessedness of keeping God's precepts-- displayed (Ps 119:2), commanded (Ps 119:4), for (Ps 119:5), resolved upon (Ps 119:8). C.A.D.

Verse 3. They also do no iniquity. They work no iniquity

1. Purpose of heart;

2. Delight;

3. Perseverance;

4. Nor at all when heart is fully sanctified unto God; Christ dwelling in it by faith casting out sin. Adam Clarke.

Verse 3. The relation between negative and positive virtue. Or with God the best preventive of iniquity.

Verse 4.

1. Take notice of the law giver: "Thou." :Not thy equal one that will be baffled, but the great God.

2. He hath interposed authority: "hast commanded."

3. The nature of this obedience, or thing commanded: "To keep thy precepts." T. Manton.

Verse 4. The supplementary commandment. God having ordained moral law, supplements it with a commandment prescribing the manner keeping it. Hence:

1. God is not indifferent to men's treatment of his-- whether they observe, neglect, or defy it.

2. When observed, discriminates the spirit of its observance, whether slavish, partial, or diligent.

3. There is but one spirit of obedience which satisfies requirement. "Diligently" implies an obedience which is, careful ascertain the law-- prompt to fulfil it (Ps 119:60) unreserved-- love inspired ("diligently, "old meaning, through the Latin," lovingly," Ps 119:47,113).

4. Does our obedience come up to this standard? C A.D.

Verse 4. Not only is service commanded, but the manner of it. Heartiess, care, perseverance required, because without these it will not be uniform, or victorious over difficulty.

Verse 4. How to obey: "Diligently."

1. Not, partially, but fully.
2. Not doubtfully, but confidently.
3. Not reluctantly, but readily.
4. Slovenly, but carefully.
5. Not coldly, but earnestly.
6. Not fitfully, but regularly. W. J.

Verses 4-6. A willing recognition (Ps 119:4). An ardent as (Ps 119:5). A happy consequence (Ps 119:6). W. D.

Verse 5. The prayer of the gracious.

1. Suggested by each preceding clause of blessing.
2. By a consciousness of failure.
3. By a loving clinging to the Lord.

Verse 5.

1. The end desired: "To keep thy statutes." Not to be safe merely, or happy, but holy.

2. The help implored.

(a) To understand the divine precepts.
(b) To keep them. G. R.

Verse 5. Longing to obey.

1. It is a noble aspiration. There is nothing grander than the desire to do this except the doing of it.

2. It is a spiritual aspiration. Not the offspring of our carnal nature. It is the heart of God in the new creature.

3. It is a practicable aspiration. We sometimes sigh for the impossible. But this may be attained by divine grace.

4. It is an intense aspiration. It is the "Oh!" of a burning wish.

5. It is an influential aspiration. It does not evaporate in sighs. It is a mighty incentive implanted by grace which will not let us rest without holiness. W. J.

Verse 6. See "Spurgeon's Sermons," No. 1443: "A Clear Conscience."

Verse 6. Holy confidence the offspring of universal obedience.

Verse 6. The armour of proof.

1. Universal obedience will give unabashed confidence--

(a) Before the criticising world.
(b) In the court of conscience.
(c) At the throne of grace.
(d) In the day of judgment.

2. But our obedience is far from universal, and leaves us open to

(a) The world's shafts.
(b) The rebukes of conscience.
(c) It paralyses our prayers
(d) It dares not appear for us at the bar of God.

3. Then let us by faith wrap ourselves in the perfect righteousness of Christ. Our answer to the world's cavil. We are not faultless, and for salvation we rest wholly on another. This righteousness is--

(a) The salve of our wounded conscience.
(b) Our mighty plea in prayer.
(c) Our triumphant vindication in the judgment day. C. A.D.

Verse 6. Topic: Self respect depends on respect for one greater than self. W. D.

Verse 7. The best of praise, the best of learning, the best of blendings, viz., praise and holiness.

Verse 7.

1. The professor of sacred music: "I will praise."
2. The subject of his song: "Thee."
3. The instrument: "Heart."
4. The instrument tuned: "Uprightness of heart."
5. The musician's training academy: "Judgments." W.D.

Verse 7. Learning and praising.

1. They are two spiritual exercises. It is possible for learners and singers to be carnal and sensual; but in this case they are employed about the righteous ends, works, and ways of the Lord.

2. They are two appropriate exercises. What can be more seemly than to learn of God and to praise him?

3. They are two profitable exercises. The expectations of the most utilitarian are surpassed. The pleasure and the profit yield abundant reward. Heart, head, life are all benefited.

4. They are two mutually assisting exercises. In the one we are receptive, and in the other communicative. By the one we are fitted to do the other. By the former we are stimulated to do the latter. How wonderfully the lesson is turned into a song, and the learner into a singer. W.J.

Verse 7.

1. Deficiency confessed: "When I shall have learned." This is essential to growth. It is an admission all can truly make.

2. Progress anticipated. He gave his heart to the work of learning. He sought divine help.

3. Praise promised. He promised it to God alone. He vowed it should be sincere: "with upright heart." W. Williams, of Lambeth, 1882.

Verse 8.

1. A hopeful resolve for life.
2. A dreadful fear.
3. A series of considerations removing the fear.

Verse 8.

1. The resolution: "I will keep, "etc.

2. The position: "O forsake me not utterly."

(a) Filial submission. I deserve it occasionally.
(b) Filial confidence. "Not utterly."

3. The connection between the two. Obedience without prayer and prayer without obedience are equally in vain. To make headway both oars must be applied. God cannot abide lazy beggars, who while they can get anything by asking will not work. G.R.

Verse 8. O forsake me not utterly. Divine desertion deprecated.

1. The anguished prayer.

(a) Sovereign forsaking. Sovereignty is not arbitrariness or capriciousness: perhaps its right definition is mysterious kingly love; unknown now, but justified when revealed.

(b) Vicarious forsaking.

(c) Forsaking on account of sin. David, Jonah, and Peter. The seven churches of Asia; the Jews. But to know what "utter" both in regard to degree and time means, we must go to hell. Like one trembling on the very verge of hell, he prays. Like belated traveller, in vast wood and surrounded by beasts of prey, sighs at day's departure. Like the watch on the raft seeing the sail that he has shouted himself hoarse to stop fading away in the sky line.

2. Its doctrinal foundation. Where he condescends to dwell, his abode is perpetual. He can only utterly forsake us because he was deceived in us. He can only utterly forsake because baffled. Both imply blasphemy. Thou who hatest putting away thou who hast never yet utterly forsaken any saint, make not me the solitary exception.

3. Historical certainty of answer. The saint and the church in all time delivered. It may tarry till "eventide, "as in Cowper's case. His face bore after death an expression of delighted surprise. W.A.

Outlines Upon Keywords of The Psalm, by Pastor C. A. Davis

Verses 9-16. Sanctification by the word, declared generally (Ps 119:9); sought personally (Ps 119:10-12); published to others (Ps 119:13); personally rejoiced in (Ps 119:14-16).

Verse 9.

1. The young man's question.
2. The wise man's reply.

Verse 9. In the word of God, when applied to the heart by the Spirit of God, there is,

1. A sufficiency of light to discover to men the need of cleansing their way.

2. Sufficiency of energy for the cleansing their way.

3. A sufficiency of pleasure to encourage them to choose to cleanse their way.

4. A sufficiency of support to sustain them in their cleansed way. Theophilus Jones, in a "Sermon to the Young," 1829.

Verse 9. The word of God provides for the cleansing of the way.

1. By pointing out to the young man the evil of the way.

2. By discovering an infallible remedy for the disorders of his nature-- the salvation that is by Jesus Christ.

3. By becoming a directory in all the paths of duty to which he may be called. Daniel Wilson, 1828.

Verse 9. The Psalmist's rules for the attainment of holiness deduced from his own experience.

1. Seek God with thy "whole heart" (Ps 119:2). Be truly sensible of your wants.

2. Keep and remember what God says (Ps 119:11): "Thy word have I hidden," etc.

3. Reduce all this to practice (Ps 119:11): "That I might not sin against thee."

4. Bless God for what he has given (vet. 12): "Blessed art thou," etc.

5. Ask more (Ps 119:12): Teach me thy statute.

6. Be ready to communicate his knowledge to others (Ps 119:13): "With my lips have I declared."

7. Let it have a due effect on thy own heart (Ps 119:14): "I have rejoiced," etc.

8. Meditate frequently upon them (Ps 119:15): "I will meditate," etc.

9. Deeply reflect on them (Ps 119:16): "I will have respect," etc. As food undigested will not nourish the body, so the word of God not considered with deep meditation and reflection will not feed the soul.

10. Having pursued the above course he should continue in it, and then his happiness would be secured (Ps 119:16): "I will not forget thy word: I will (in consequence) delight myself in thy statutes." Adam Clarke.

Verse 9. A question and answer for the young. The Bible is a book for young people. Here it intimates,

1. That the young man's way needs to be cleansed. His way of thinking, feeling, speaking, acting.

2. That he must take an active part in the work. The efficient cause in the operation is God. Other good influences are also at work. But the young man must be in hearty and practical sympathy with the work.

3. That he must use the Bible for the purpose. This records facts, presents incitations, enjoins precepts, utters promises, and sets up examples, all which are adapted to make a young man holy. By reading, studying, and imitating the Scriptures in a lowly and prayerful spirit the young shall escape pollution and ornament society. W.J.

Verse 9. A word to the young.

1. Show how the young man is in special danger of defiling his way. Through,

(a) His strong passions.
(b) His immature judgment.
(c) His inexperience.
(d) His rash self sufficiency.
(e) His light companions, and,
(f) His general heedlessness.

2. The circumspection he should use to cleanse his way. "Taking heed,"

(a) Of his evil propensities.
(b) Of his companions.
(c) Of his pursuits.
(d) Of the tendencies of all he does.

3. The infallible guide by which his circumspection is to be regulated: "according to thy word" that is to say,

(a) Its precepts.
(b) Its examples.
(c) Its motives.
(d) Its warnings.
(e) Its allurements. C.A.D.

Verse 10.

1. A grateful review.
2. An anxious forecast.
3. A commendable prayer.

Verse 10. The believer's two great solicitudes.

1. What he is anxious to find: "I have sought thee."
2. What he is afraid of losing: "Thy commandments." W. D.

Verse 10. Sincerity not self sufficiency.

1. The believer must be conscious of wholeheartedness in seeking God.

2. But consciousness of sincerity does not warrant self sufficiency.

3. The most wholehearted seeker must still look to divine grace to keep him from wandering. C.A.D.

Verse 11. The best thing, in the best place, for the best of purposes.

Verse 12. The blessedness of God, and the mode of entering into it.

Verse 12.

1. David gives glory to God: "Blessed art thou, 0 LORD."
2. He asks grace from God. Matthew Henry.

Verse 12.

1. What it is, or how God doth teach us.

(a) God doth teach us outwardly; by his ordinances, by the ministry of men.

(b) Inwardly; by the inspiration and work of the Holy Ghost.

2. The necessity of his teaching.

3. The benefit and utility of it. T. Manton.

Verse 12. Desire for Divine Teaching excited by the Recognition of Divine Blessedness.

1. Unveil in some inadequate degree the happiness of the ever blessed God, arising from his purity, benevolence, love.

2. Show the way in which man may become partaker of that blessedness by conformity to his precepts.

3. Utter the prayer of the text. C.A.D.

Verse 13. Speech fitly employed. It is occupied with a choice subject, a full subject, a subject profitable to men, and glorifying to God.

Verse 14. Practical religion, the source of a comfort surpassing riches. It gives a man ease of mind, independence of carriage, weight of influence, and other matters supposed to arise out of wealth.

Verse 14.

1. The subject of rejoicing. Not the "testimonies" merely, but their observances, "the way of," etc.

2.. The rejoicing in that subject.

(a) In its inward peace.
(b) In its external consequences.

3. The degree of the rejoicing: "as much as," etc. G.R.

Verse 14. The two scales of the balance. Whatever riches are good for, God's testimonies are good for.

1. Riches are desirable as the means of procuring the necessaries of life; but God's testimonies supply the necessities of the soul.

2. Riches are desirable as a means of procuring personal enjoyment; but God's testimonies produce the highest joy.

3. Riches are desirable as a means of attaining personal improvement; but God's testimonies are the highest educators.

4. Riches are desirable as a means of doing good; but God's testimonies work the highest good. C.A.D.

Verse 15. The contemplative and active life; their common food, object, and reward.

Verse 16.

1. What there is to be delighted in.
2. What comes of such delight: "I will never forget."
3. What comes of such memory-- more delight.

Outlines Upon Keywords of the Psalm, By Pastor C. A. Davis.

Verses 17-24. Divine bounties desired. Life, for godly service (Ps 119:17). Illumination (Ps 119:18). Guidance homeward for the stranger ("thy commandments") (Ps 119:19-20), and, glancing at the proud who err from this guidance (Ps 119:21), the Psalmist prays for removal of the "reproach" entailed by fidelity to God (Ps 119:22-24).

Verse 17.

1. A bountiful master.
2. A needy servant-- begging for very life.
3. A suitable recompense: "and keep thy word."

Verse 17. We are here taught,

1. That we owe our lives to God's mercy.

2. That therefore we ought to spend our lives in God's service. -- Matthew Henry.

Verse 18.

1. The precious casket: "thy law."
2. The invisible treasure: "wondrous things."
3. The miraculous eyesight: "that I may behold."
4. The divine oculist: "Open thou mine eyes."

Verse 18. The hidden wonders of the gospel. There are many hidden things in nature; many in our fellow men; so there are many in the Bible. The things of the Bible are hidden because of the blindness of Man.

1. The blind man's sorrow:"Open mine eyes." I cannot see. I have eyes and see not. The pain of this conscious blindness when a man really feels it.

2. The blind man's conviction:"That I may behold wondrous, "etc. There are wondrous things there to be seen. I am sure of it. There is a wonderful view,

(a) of sin;
(b) of hell, as its desert;
(c) of One ready to save;
(d) of perfect pardon;
(e) of God's love:
(f) of all sufficient grace;
(g) of heaven.

3. The blind man's wisdom. The fault is in my eyes, not in thy word. "Open my eyes, "and all will be well. The reason for not seeing is because the eyes are blinded by sin. There is nothing wanting in the Bible.

4. The blind man's prayer:"Open thou mine eyes."

(a) I cannot open them.
(b) My dearest friends cannot.
(c) Only thou canst. "Lord, I pray thee, now open them."

Many seek to stop such praying. Be like Bartimaeus who "cried so much the more."

5. The blind man's anticipation: "That I may behold."

(a) The joy of a cured blind man when he is about to behold, for the first time, the beauties of nature.

(b) The joy of the spiritually healed when they begin "looking unto Jesus."

(c) The personal character of the joy: "Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold." I have hitherto had to see through the eyes of others. I would depend on other eyes no longer. The glad anticipation of Job: "Whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another." Frederick G. Marchant, 1882.

Verse 18. God's word suited to man's sense of wonder.

1. We shall make some remarks on the sense of wonder in man, and what generally excites it. One of the first causes of wonder is the new or unexpected. The second source is to be found in things beautiful and grand. A third source is the mysterious which surrounds man-- there are things unknowable.

2. God has made provision for this sense of wonder in his revealed word. The Bible addresses our sense of wonder by constantly presenting the new and unexpected to us; it sets before us things beautiful and grand. If we come to the third source of wonder, that which raises it to awe, it is the peculiar province of the Bible to deal with this.

3. The means we are to use in order to have God's word thus unfolded the prayer of the Psalmist may be our guide-- "Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law." John Ker, of Glasgow, 1877.

Verse 18. Wondrous sights for opened eyes.

1. The wondrous things in God's law. A wondrous rule of life. A wondrous curse against transgression. A wondrous redemption from the curse shadowed forth in the ceremonial law.

2. Special eyesight needed to behold them. They are spiritual things. Men are spiritually blind. 1Co 2:14.

3. Personal prayer to the Great Opener of eyes. C.A.D.

Verse 20. --

1. The word sought, and sought at all times.

2. The word sought, and sought with intense desire.

3. The word sought, and sought the more intensely the more it is found. It was because he had found so much in the word of the Lord already, that the soul of the Psalmist was breaking to find more. Those who have been once admitted to "the secret of the Lord" find their highest joy in knowing that secret still more fully. It is to those who know that secret that the promise is given: "He will show them his covenant:" Ps 25:14. F.G.M.

Verse 20. One of the best tests of character and prophecies of what a man will be, are his longings.

1. The saint's absorbing object:"Thy judgments." The word here is synonymous with the "word" of God.

(a) The Psalmist greatly reverenced the word.

(b) He intensely desired to know its contents.

(c) He wishes to feed upon God's word.

(d) He longed to obey it.

(e) He longed to feel the power of God's judgments in his own heart.

2. The saint's ardent longings.

(a) They constitute a living experience.

(b) The expression used in the text represents a humble sense of imperfection.

(c) It indicates an advanced experience.

(d) It is an experience which we may term a bitter sweet.

(e) These longings may become very wearying to a man's soul.

3. Cheering reflections.

(a) God is at work in your soul.

(b) The result of God's work is very precious.

(c) It is leading on to something more precious.

(d) The desire itself is doing you good.

(e) It makes Christ precious. See "Spurgeon's Sermons," No. 1586: "Holy Longings."

Verse 21.

1. The character of the proud.
2. God's dealings with them.
3. Our own relation to them.

Verse 21.

1. The sin; "Err from the commandments."

(a) By neglect; or,
(b) By abuse of them.

2. Its origin pride: pride of reason, of heart, of life.

3. Its punishment.

(a) Rebuke.
(b) Condemnation. G.R.

Verse 23. Meditation.

1. Our best employment while others slander.
2. Our best comfort under their falsehood.
3. Our best preservative from a spirit of revenge.
4. Our best mode of showing our superiority to their attacks.

Verse 24.

1. He reverenced them as God's testimonies.
2. He revelled in them as his delight.
3. He referred to them as his counsellors.

Verse 26. Confession. Absolution. Instruction.

Verse 26.

1. The duty: "I have declared my ways" made known my experience of thy word to others.

2. Its notice by God: "Thou heardest me."

3. Its reward. More knowledge will be given: "Teach me, "etc. G.R.

Verse 27.

1. A student's prayer.

(a) It deals with the main subject of the conversation which is to be that student's occupation-- "the way of God's precepts."

(b) A confession is implied: "Make me, "etc.

(c) A great boon is asked-- to understand, to know, thy statutes.

(d) The Fountain of all wisdom is applied to.

2. The occupation of the instructed man.

(a) He testifies of God's works-- his wondrous works-- Christ's work for us; the Holy Spirit's work in us. The wonderful character of these works of God, a wide field for devout study.

(b) He speaks very plainly: "I will talk," etc.

(c) He will speak very frequently: "I will talk."

(d) He will speak to the point: "So" i.e., according to understanding.

3. The intimate relation between the prayer of the student and the pursuit that he subsequently followed. See "Spurgeon's Sermons," No. 1344: "The Student's Prayer."

Verse 27. Education for the ministry.

1. The student at college: "Make me to understand." His lesson. His instructor. His application.

2. The preacher at his work: "So shall I talk," etc. His qualification. His theme. His manner. C.A.D.

Verse 28. Heaviness, its cause, curse, and cure.

Verse 29. The way of lying.

1. Describe the way of lying. Various paths, e.g., erroneous views of doctrine: false grounds of faith: looseness of practice: shrinking from the daily cross.

2. Show why it is thus named. It does not furnish its promised pleasures. It does not lead to its professed goal. It lies through the territory of the father of lies.

3. Notice the peculiarity in the prayer against it. Not remove me from, but remove from me: for the way of lying is within us.

4. Our deliverance from the way of lying lies with God. -- C.A.D.

Verses 29-30.

1. The way of lying, our wish to have it removed, and the method of answer.

2. The way of truth, our choice, and the method of carrying it out.

Verse 31. Reasons for sticking to the Divine testimonies.

Verse 31. A wholesome mixture.

1. Sturdy fidelity.
2. Self distrust,
3. Importunate prayer. C.A.D.

Verse 32. The Fettered Racer set free.

1. The course that invited him.
2. The shackles that bound him.
3. The impatience that prompted him.
4. The Lord that freed him.
5. Now let him go. C.A.D.

Verse 32.

1. Liberty desired.
2. Liberty rightly used. Or, the effect of the heart upon the feet.

Verse 32. The text will give us occasion to speak,

1. Of the benefit of an enlarged heart. The necessary precedence of this work on God's part, before there can be any serious bent or motion of heart towards God on our part.

2. The subsequent resolution of the saints to engage their hearts to live to God.

3. With what earnestness, alacrity and rigour of spirit this work is to be carried on: "I will run." T. Manton.

Verse 32.

1. The way of obedience: "Thy commandments."

2. The duty of obedience: "I will run" not stand still-- not loiter-- not creep-- not walk, but run.

3. The life of obedience.

(a) Where it lies-- in the heart.
(b) Whence it comes: "When thou shalt," etc.
(c) What it does-- enlarges the heart. G.R.

Verse 33. In this prayer for grace observe,

1. The person to whom he prays: "O Lord."

2. The person for whom: "teach me."

3. The grace for which he prayeth: to be taught.

4. The object of this teaching: "The way of thy statutes." The teaching which he begs, is not speculative, but practical, to learn how to walk in the way of God. T. Manton.

Verse 33. The superior efficacy of divine teaching: it secures holy practice and insures its perpetuity.

Verses 33-34. Light from above.

1. The blinding power of sin. "Teach me", i.e., "point out to me." "Give me understanding." Whatever may have been the original amount of light which came item eating from the tree of knowledge of good and evil, that light has long been insufficient.

(a) Men need light to discern the right way from the wrong.

(b) Men need light to understand the beauties of the right way. Such beauties line the way of truth on either hand, but only the God taught mind appreciates them. Even Jesus, who is the way, the truth, and the life, is as a root out of a dry ground, till the mind is taught of the Lord. Sin is the cause of this blindness. The farther any man walks in the way of sin, the less can he see of the beauties of holiness.

2. The enlightening grace of the Lord. "Teach me." "Give me understanding." This grace,

(a) May be boldly asked: "If any man lack wisdom let him ask of God."

(b) Will be freely given. "Who giveth to all men liberally." "Ask, and it shall be given."

(c) Will be amply sufficient. "I shall keep it unto the end." "I shall keep Thy law." To see is to follow.

3. The stimulating power of clearly revealed truth. "I shall observe it with my whole heart." To see is not only to follow, but to follow with love and gladness. It is written of the light which will come before the throne, "We shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is." "O thou, that dwellest between the Cherubim, shine forth," even here, on the way that leads to thy presence. F.G.M.

Verses 33-35. Alpha and Omega.

1. God, the giver of spiritual instruction: Ps 119:33.
2. Of spiritual understanding, without which this instruction is in vain: Ps 119:34.
3. Of grace for practical obedience when thus instructed: Ps 119:35.
4. For wholehearted obedience: Ps 119:84.
5. For final perseverance: Ps 119:33. C.A.D.

Verses 33-36. Human Dependence on Divine help.

1. There can be no steady keeping in the way of the Lord without the Lord's guidance: Ps 119:83.

2. There can be no observing of the way with the heart without Divine light for the mind: Ps 119:34.

3. There can be no diligent pursuit of the way till divine energy be given to the will: Ps 119:35.

4. There can be no true love of the way unless the heart be constrained by the love of God: Ps 119:36. He who said, "Without me ye can do nothing, "is necessary for us to see the way, to understand the way, to walk in the way, and to love the way. F. G. M.

Verse 34. The influence of the understanding upon the heart, and the united power of understanding and heart over the life.

Verse 34. Seeing and loving.

1. When men see they love (the whole verse).

2. When men love they see. Only the loving heart would have seen enough to write such a verse. F. G. M.

Verse 35. The prayer of a child, and the delight of a child. Or, Our pleasure in holiness a plea for grace.

Verse 35.

1. Delight avowed.
2. Disinclination implied.
3. Constraint implored. W. W.

Verse 36. Holiness a cure for covetousness.

Verses 36, 112. The Cooperation of the Divine and the Human in Salvation.

1. It is God that worketh in you: Ps 119:36.

2. Therefore work out your own salvation with fear and trembling: Ps 119:112. C.A.D.

Verse 37. Quicken thou me in thy way. This brief prayer--

1. Deals with the believer's frequent need.

2. It directs us to the sole worker of quickening: "Thou."

3. It describes the sphere of renewed rigour: "in thy way."

4. It denotes that there may be special reasons and special seasons for this prayer-- times of temptation: Ps 119:37; seasons of affliction: Ps 119:107; when called to some extraordinary service. See "Spurgeon's Sermons, "No. 1073: "A Honeycomb."

Verse 37. Here is,

1. Conversion from "vanity."
2. Conversion to-- "thy way."
3. Conversion by-- "Quicken thou me." G. R.

Verse 37. David prays,

1. 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 mine eyes from beholding vanity."

2. For constraining grace, that he might not only be kept from everything that would obstruct his progress heavenward, but that he might have that grace which was necessary to forward him in that progress: "Quicken thou me in thy way." M. Henry.

Verse 38. Confirmation. What? "Thy word established." To whom? "Unto thy servant." Why? "Who is devoted," etc.

Verse 38. Fear of God evidences itself,

1. By a dread of his displeasure.
2. Desire of his favour.
3. Regard for his excellencies.
4. Submission to his will.
5. Gratitude for his benefits.
6. Conscientious obedience to his commands. Charles Buck.

Verse 38. The four kinds of fear.

1. The fear of man, by which we are led rather to do wrong than to suffer evil.

2. Servile fear, through which we are induced to avoid sin only from the dread of hell.

3. Initial fear, in which we avoid sin partly from the fear of hell, but partly also from the love of God, which is the fear of ordinary Christians.

4. Filial fear, when we are afraid to disobey God only and altogether from the love we bear him. Jer 32:40. Ayguan, in J. Edward Vaux's "Preacher's Storehouse," 1878.

Verse 39.

1. Man's judgment dreaded.
2. God's judgment approved.

Verse 39. The reproach of inconsistency.

1. The dishonour caused by it (2Sa 12:14).
2. The danger of incurring it.
3. The prayer against it. C.A.D.

Verse 41. See "Spurgeon's Sermons," No. 1524: "Your Personal Salvation."

Verse 41.

1. God's mercies come to us unsought continually. His sparing mercies, temporal mercies, etc.

2. The chief outcome of God's mercies is his salvation. It is our greatest need; it is his greatest gift.

3. We should have a personal interest in this salvation: "Let thy mercies come also unto me."

4. When we seek God's salvation, we may plead his promise: "according to thy word." Horatio Wilkins, of Cheltenham, 1882.

Verse 41. Even me.

1. In me there is need of mercy.
2. To me mercy can come.
3. Thy salvation suits me.
4. Special difficulties would daunt me.
5. Thy word encourages me.

Verse 41.

1. Salvation is all of mercy.

2. All mercies are in salvation.

3. All men should be anxious for salvation to come to them.

4. It can only come according to God's word. -- W.W.

Verses 41-43. A Comprehensive Prayer.

1. The possession of salvation, Ps 119:41.
2. Is the power for defence: Ps 119:42.
3. And the qualification for usefulness: Ps 119:43. C.A.D.

Verse 42. Faith's answer to reproach found in the fact that she trusts God's word.

Verses 42-43, 47. Faith, hope, and love. "I trust." "I have hoped." "I have loved." Faith warring, hope testifying, love obeying.

Verse 43. How the true preacher could be silenced, and his plea that he may not be so.

Verse 44. The perpetuity of gracious living. On what it is conditioned: "So." How entirely it is consistent with free agency: "I keep." How continuous it is, and how eternal.

Verse 44. Heaven begun below.

1. The present life of the believer-- keeping God's law.

2. The continual care of the believer-- to keep God's law.

3. The eternal prospect of the believer-- keeping God's law for ever and ever. C.A.D.

| Verses 1-44 | Verses 45-88 | Verses 89-132 | Verses 133-176 |

Preface - Introduction - Notes - Exposition - Works Upon This Psalm
Explanatory Notes and Quaint Sayings - Hints to the Village Preacher

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Classic Bible Commentaries
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