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

Verses 89-92. The Psalmist here tells us the prescription which soothed his pains and sustained his spirits. Here we have strong consolation.

1. In certain facts which he remembered.

(a) The eternal existence of God.
(b) The immutability of his word.
(c) The faithfulness of the fulfilment of that word.
(d) The perpetuity of the word in nature.
(e) The perpetuity of the word in experience.

2. The delights which tie experienced in the time of his trouble. In bereavements; when everything seemed shifting and inconstant; when his own faith failed him; when all helpers failed him; he fell back upon the eternal settlements: "O Lord, thy word is settled, "etc. See "Spurgeon's Sermons, "No. 1656: "My Solace in my Affliction."

Verse 89. Eternal settlements, or, heavenly certainties.

Verse 89. God's eternal calm (in contrast with earth's mutations) imaged in the starry heavens. William Bickle Haynes, of Stafford, 1882.

Verse 89. Consider,

1. The term, "thy word."

(a) A word is a revealed thought. The Scriptures are just this: the thoughts and purposes of God made intelligible to man.

(b) But a "word" also marks specially unity (it is one word) and wholeness or completeness, a word, not a syllable. The Scriptures are one and complete.

2. The statement, "for ever settled in heaven."

(a) "Settled in heaven" before it came to earth; therefore it could come as a continuous unfolding, through various dispensations, without the shadow of hesitation or contradiction manifest in it.

(b) Abides "settled in heaven, "for its central revelation; the atonement is a completed fact, and Christ is now in heaven a perfected Saviour; thus the word is unalterable.

(c) "For ever settled in heaven." Not only because God in heaven is of one mind and cannot be turned; but because righteousness itself, the righteousness of heaven, demands that an atonement by suffering shall be fully and everlastingly answered by its due reward.

3. The lessons.

(a) If settled in heaven, men on earth can never unsettle it.

(b) The wicked may not indulge a future hope arising from any new dispensation beyond the grave; God's present word to us cannot then be unsettled.

(c) The godly may rely on a settled word amidst the unsettled experiences and feelings incident to earth. J.F.

Verse 90. The stability of the earth a present picture of everlasting faithfulness.

Verses 90-91. Consider,

1. The steadfastness of nature as dependent upon the divine decree: "according to thy ordinances."

2. The subserviency of nature to the divine will: "for all are thy servants."

3. The fixedness of nature's laws, together with their subserviency to God's purposes, as a confirmation of the Christian's faith in the written word, in the care of a divine providence, and in the sureness of spiritual and heavenly things. "Thy faithfulness is," etc. J.F.

Verse 91. Our starry monitors. They teach us,

1. To serve: though we cannot shine with their brightness.
2. To do all with strict regard to God's will.
3. To "continue" "according to thine ordinances." W.B.H.

Verse 91. The service of nature.

1. Universal: "all are thy servants."
2. Obedient: "according to thy ordinances."
3. Perpetual: "they continue."
4. Derived: "thou hast established the earth."

Verse 92. The sustaining power of joy in God.

Verse 92. The word of God as a sustaining power amid the greater sorrows of life.

1. Its necessity.

(a) For want of it, men have become drunkards to drown their sorrows, have become suicides because life was unbearable, have become broken and hopeless because they had no strength to struggle against misfortune, have become atheists in creed as, alas, they were before in practice; all, in fact, become subject to sorrow's worst bitterness and calamity's worst effects.

(b) Nothing can supply the place of God's word. Nature throws no light on the mystery of suffering. Human philosophy is at best cold comfort, and when most needed most fails.

2. Its efficiency. Proved--

(a) In the experience of those who have tried it.

(b) By the character of its promises.

(c) By the discovery it makes of a beneficent providence working through calamity and sorrow.

(d) By the revelation it gives of the pity of God and the sympathy of Christ.

(e) By its record of the "Man of sorrows," who through suffering wrought out man's salvation, and entered into glory.

(f) By its teaching concerning the Incarnate Word; thus showing a suffering God, which may well be a solace to suffering men.

(g) By displaying the glory of heaven and the eternal felicity awaiting those who overcome through the blood of the Lamb. J.F.

Verse 92. The Godly Man's Ark; or, City of Refuge in the day of his Distress. Discovered in divers (five) Sermons...By Edmund Calamy, B.D...Eighteenth edition. 1709. 12mo.

Verse 92. We have here set before us by the Psalmist,

1. The case which he had been in, and which he now refers to-- one sad and sinking. He was under such affliction that he was ready to perish; which seems to include inward and outward trouble at once; trials without and pressure within.

2. What it was that gave him relief, and this when nothing else could, etc., the law of God.

3. How he looked back upon this relief received, namely, with thankfulness to God, to whom he speaks, and records it for the encouragement and direction of others: "Unless thy law had been my delights, I should then have perished in mine affliction." Daniel Wilcox, 1676-1733.

Verse 92. The life buoy. Under the form of the narrative of a shipwrecked mariner, describe the experience of the soul struggling in the sea of affliction; almost overwhelmed: yet buoyed up over each successive billow: and finally saved by clinging to the Word of God. C.A.D.

Verse 92. The Psalmist's shudder at recollected danger.

1. Sore peril: affliction tending to despair and ruin.
2. Fearful crisis: "then."
3. Many handed help: "thy law my delights." W.B.H.

Verse 93. Experience fixes the word upon the memory.

Verse 93.

1. A good resolve: "I will never forget thy precepts."

(a) The precepts are worth remembering.
(b) Safety lies in remembering them.
(c) Fidelity to God cannot be without remembering them.
(d) Not to remember them is shameful ingratitude.

2. An excellent reason for making it: "For with them thou hast quickened me."

(a) A reason founded upon personal experience: "me."
(b) A reason appreciative of the benefit received: "quickened."
(c) A reason indicative of gratitude to God: "thou." J.F.

Verse 93. Never forget; an often uttered phrase. Here golden.

1. Something that could not be forgotten: life and pardon received. How could it?
2. Something that should not be forgotten: the precious instrumentality. W.B.H.

Verse 93.

1. The instrumental power of truth.

(a) Used by God in our regeneration: Jas 1:18 Ps 19:7.
(b) Used in our liberation: Joh 8:32.
(c) Used in our sanctification: Joh 17:7.

2. Our consequent affection for it. We cannot forget.

(a) Our past obligations to it.
(b) Our present dependence upon it.
(c) Our future needs of it. W.W.

Verse 95. Wicked men patient in carrying out their evil designs. Good men patient in considering the ways of the Lord.

Verse 95. The hatred of the wicked towards the righteous.

1. Show that it ever has been, and still is.

(a) Select Scriptural instances, beginning with Abel.
(b) Notice the persecutions of the church.
(c) Treatment in the workshop.
(d) Often in the home.
(e) The contemptuous manner the "saints" are spoken of, etc.

2. Enquire as to why it is so.

(a) The enmity of the carnal heart to God.

(b) The jealousy excited by the Christian's assurance of eternal blessedness.

(c) The consciousness of being rebuked by a holy life.

(d) Excited to it by Satan.

(e) The restless mischievousness of sin which, if it cannot hinder holiness, will maliciously hurt its advocates.

3. Direct how to act when exposed to it: "I will consider thy testimonies." That means--

(a) Be the more obedient to God.

(b) Have the more watchful control over words and feelings.

(c) Love your enemies.

(d) Pray for those who hate you.

(e) Do good to them on every opportunity.

(f) Be thankful that you are among the hated and not the haters.

(g) Especially consider the holy testimony of Christ's forbearing patience. J.F.

Verse 95. Waiting counter wrought by waiting.

1. Temptations in ambush.
2. The saint with his Lord.
-- W.B.H.

Verse 95. Immunity.

1. I am in danger.
2. I will attend to my duty.
3. I will trust thee to deliver me. C.A.D.

Verse 96.

1. An end: "seen"; seen by one man; seen where it should not have been; seen where there was no end of boasting; seen in all perfection.

2. No end: to the extent, spirituality, perpetuity, and perfectness of the law.

Verse 96.

1. The Finite explored.
2. The Infinite unexplored. W.D.

Verse 96. Perfectionism disproved by experience and inspiration. W.B.H.

Verse 96. Perfection perfect and imperfect.

1. Loud professions of perfection arise from ignorance (of self, or of God's requirements).

2. Are peculiarly liable to collapse: "I have seen an end."

3. Are best corrected by a survey of the breadth of the divine law. C.A.D.

Verse 97.

1. Unusual Exclamation.
2. Unusual Application. W.D.

Verse 97. Indescribable love and insatiable thought. The action and reaction of affection and meditation.

Verse 97.

1. The object of love: "thy law."
2. The degree of that love: "oh, how love I," etc.
3. The evidence of that love: "it is my meditation," etc. G.R.

Verse 97. Love to the law.

1. An ardent confession of love.
2. An unanswerable evidence of love. C.A.D.

Verse 97 (first clause). Vehemency of love for God's word.

1. Its recognisable marks.

(a) Profound reverence for the authority of the word.

(b) Admiration for its holiness.

(c) Jealousy. For its honour; God's servant feels acute pain when men show it any slight.

(d) Respect for its wholeness; he would not divorce precepts from promises, nor ignore a single statement in it.

(e) Indefatigability in its study.

(f) Eager desire to obey it.

(g) Forwardness in praising it.

(h) Activity in spreading it abroad.

2. Its reasonableness.

(a) The word well deserves it.

(b) It is a proof of true intelligence.

(c) It is not less than a regard for our own interest demands.

3. Its requisiteness to the true worship of God. Men sneeringly call such an affection bibliolatry, as though it were the worship of a book. In truth, it is an essential element in the due worship of God. For--

(a) Without it there cannot be the faith which honours God.

(b) It is involved in that love to God which constitutes the very essence of worship.

(c) It is itself an act of homage, that a worshipper dare not withhold. J.F.

Verses 97-100. Spiritual wisdom.

1. God's word the source of surpassing wisdom-- excelling that of "mine enemies," "my teachers," "the ancients."

2. The three methods of acquiring this wisdom-- love, meditation, practice.

3. The one Giver of this wisdom: "Thou:" Ps 119:98. C.A.D.

Verse 98. Constant communion with truth the student's road to proficiency.

Verses 98-100. The truly wise man.

1. The source of his wisdom. The word of "the only wise God," here described as

(a) Thy commandments.
(b) Thy testimonies.
(c) Thy precepts.

2. The increase of his wisdom. It arises from

(a) The abiding indwelling of the word: "ever with me," Ps 119:98.
(b) Meditation upon the word, Ps 119:99.
(c) Obedience to the word, Ps 119:100.

3. The measure of his wisdom.

(a) Wiser than his enemies, whose wisdom was "not from above, but earthly, sensual, devilish."

(b) Wiser than his teachers, whose wisdom was "of this world."

(c) Wiser than the ancients, whose wisdom was that of unsanctified age and experience. W.H.J. Page, of Chelsea, 1882.

Verse 99. The surest way to excellence.

1. A good subject: "thy testimonies."
2. A good method: "are my meditations."

Verse 100. Antiquity no security for truth as contrasted with revelation: old age no proof of wisdom as contrasted with holy living: open confession no evidence of boasting as contrasted with sullen pride.

Verse 100. Obedience the high road to understanding. W.B.H.

Verse 100. Obedience the key of knowledge. Joh 7:17.

Verse 101. Self restraint needful to piety.

Verse 102. Divine teaching necessary to secure perseverance, and effectual to that end.

Verse 102. Consider,

1. The path appointed for men to walk in: "Thy judgments."

(a) Right path.
(b) Clean path.
(c) Pleasant path.
(d) Safe path.
(e) The end-- eternal glory.

2. The persistent pursuit of it: "I have not departed."

(a) Persecution would drive from it.
(b) Pleasures would allure from it.
(c) The flesh would weary in it.
(d) But the true believer determines to hold on his way to the end.
(e) And carefully watches his steps lest they depart.

3. The preserving power that holds the traveller to it: "For thou hast taught me."

(a) The traveller walks with God, and receives instruction by the special illumination of the Holy Spirit.

(b) The choice property of this teaching is, not only that it makes wise, but that it captivates the soul, strengthens it, and holds it to a holy obedience. J.F.

Verse 103. Experience in religion the source of enjoyment in it; or,

1. Tasting the word: its sweetness.
2. Declaring the word with the mouth: its greater sweetness.

Verse 103.

1. The word is positively sweet:" sweet to my taste."
2. Comparatively sweet: "sweeter the honey."
3. Superlatively sweet: "how sweet," etc. G.R.

Verse 103. The comparison, setting forth the precious property of sweetness in the word: "Sweeter than honey." "Better than honey, " would not do as well. It is--

1. The purest sweetness; even precepts and rebukes.

2. Uncloying sweetness.

3. Always a beneficial sweetness.

4. A specially grateful sweetness--in affliction, in the hour of death. J.F.

Verse 103. Spiritual delicacy.

1. The taste needed to relish it.
2. The life that alone is nourished by it.
3. The rare enjoyment derived from it. G.A.D.

Verse 103.

1. It is sweet.

2. Let us enjoy it.

3. The best effects will follow. George Herbert says:

"O Book! infinite sweetness! let my heart
Suck every letter, and a honey gain,
Precious for any grief in any part;
To clear the breast, to mollify all pain."

Verse 103. If we would taste the honey of God, we must have the palate of faith. A.R. Fausset.

Verse 104. The influence of the precepts.

1. Upon the understanding.
2. Upon the affections.
3. Upon the life.

Verse 104.

1. The intellectual effect of the Scriptures: "I get understanding."
2. Their moral effect: "I hate," etc. G.R.

Verse 104. The understanding derived from God's precepts begets holy hatred.

1. To the false ways of conventional morality.
2. To the false ways of a formal religiousness.
3. To the false ways of an erring theology.
4. To the false ways of hypocritical practice.
5. To the false ways of sinful suggestions.
6. To the false ways of one's own deceitful heart. J.F.

Verses 105-108.

1. Illumination (Ps 119:105).
2. Decision (Ps 119:106).
3. Testing: "I am afflicted" (Ps 119:107).
4. Consecration (Ps 119:108).
5. Education: "teach me," etc. (Ps 119:108).

Verse 105. The practical, personal, everyday use of the word of God.

Verse 105. Lamp light.

1. The believer's dangerous night journey through the world.

2. The lamp that illumines his path.

3. The eternal day towards which he travels (when the lamp will be laid aside: Re 22:5). C.A.D.

Verse 106. Decision for God, and fit modes of expressing it.

Verse 106.

1. Veneration for the word.
2. Consecration to the word.
3. Fidelity to the word. G.R.

Verse 106. Swearing and performing.

1. The usefulness of religious vows. To quicken perception; to rouse conscience; (seen in Jewish nation: Ex 24:37 2Ch 15:12-15 Ne 5:28,29; in Scottish nation-- Solemn League and Covenant).

2. The danger of religious vows. A vow unfulfilled, or receded from, is a moral injury: Ec 5:4-7.

3. The safeguard of religious vows: dependence on the Spirit of God: Eze 11:19-20 2Co 4:5. C.A.D.

Verse 107.

1. A good man greatly afflicted.
2. A sure cute for the ills of affliction: "Quicken me."
3. A safe rule to pray by when afflicted: "according unto thy word."

Verse 107.

1. The "very much" afflicted.

(a) The world has such-- widows, orphans, etc.
(b) Most take their turn.

2. But there is "very much" grace.

(a) God's word promises the needed quickening.
(b) Himself very much greater than all our needs.
(c) Christ died "in all points" has all help.

3. Therefore bring "very much" faith, as the Psalmist here.

(a) Keen eyed for promises.
(b) Fervent in pleading them.
(c) Strong in expectation. W.B.H.

Verse 108. Consider,

1. The instructive title given to prayer and praise: "The free will offerings of my mouth."

(a) It shows the believer to be a priest: "offerings."
(b) It shows the peculiarity of his service: "free will."
(c) It implies wholehearted consecration.

2. The humility portrayed in the prayer: "Accept, I beseech thee."

(a) Here is no pharisaic boasting.
(b) Even the free will offering is felt to need an "I beseech thee."

3. The longing desire for further instruction in order to a more perfect obedience: "Teach me thy judgments." J.P.

Verse 108. Free will seeking free grace. W.D.

Verse 108. Work for "Free willers."

1. Offerings of Prayer-- for each of the blessings of salvation.
2. Offerings of Repudiation-- of all claim to unassisted good.
3. Offerings of Praise-- for sovereign grace. W.B.H.

Verse 109. The soul's life in jeopardy. The life of the soul secured.

Verses 109-110. Here is,

1. David in danger of losing his life. There is but a step between him and death; for "the wicked have laid a snare" for him. Wherever he was he found some design or other laid against him; which made him say, "My soul is continually in my hand." It was not so only as a man--it is true of us all that we are exposed to the strokes of death--but as a man of war, and especially as "a man after God's own heart."

2. David in no danger of losing his religion through this peril; for,

(a) He "doth not forget the law, "and therefore is likely to persevere.

(b) He hath not yet erred from God's precepts, and therefore it is to be hoped he will not. M. Henry.

Verse 110. Various kinds of snares, and the one way of escaping them.

Verse 110. Consider,

1. Some of the snares set for saints by sinners.

(a) Doctrinal snares, by intellectual sinners.
(b) False accusations, by malignant sinners.
(c) False flatteries, by deceitful sinners.
(d) False charity, by a large number of sinners nowadays.

2. The secure safeguard for a saint's safety: "I erred not from thy precepts." Obedience to God gives security, because--

(a) The snares are then suspected and watched against.
(b) The feet cannot become entangled by them.
(c) God keeps him who keeps his word. J.F.

Verse 111.

1. Estate.
2. Entering upon it.
3. Entail upon it.
4. Enjoyment of it.

Verse 111. Notice,

1. How rich the Psalmist was determined to be: "Thy testimonies have I taken as a heritage." Rich, --

(a) In knowledge.
(b) In holiness.
(c) In comfort.
(d) In companionship, for God's company goes with his word.
(e) In hope.

2. How he clung to his wealth: "For ever."

(a) He hurt none by so doing; he could give generously his portion, and yet not waste.

(b) He was right; for he had the only wealth of which an everlasting possession is possible.

(c) He was wise.

3. How he rejoiced in his wealth: "They are the rejoicing of my heart."

(a) Here is internal and deep joy; not always possible to the possession of wealth.

(b) Pure, unalloyed joy; it is never so with other wealth.

(c) Safe joy; other joy is dangerous.

(d) Unloseable joy. J.F.

Verse 112. Heart leanings. Personality, pressure, inclination, performance, constancy, perpetuity.

Verse 112. The godly man's obedience.

1. Its reality

(a) "To perform"; not words or feelings merely; but deeds.

(b) "Thy statutes"; not human inventions, nor self conceits, nor conventional maxims.

2. Its cordiality: "inclined my heart."

(a) Heart inclination is requisite for pleasing a heart searching God.

(b) And to make obedience easy and even delightful.

(c) "I have," he says; was it therefore his doing? Yes. Was it his work alone No. See Ps 119:36.

(d) The proofs. (1) Universality: "statutes," the whole of them. (2) Uniformity: "alway."

3. Its constancy: "even unto the end."

(a) Though a man should be cautious when planning for the future, yet this life long purpose is right, wise, and safe.

(b) Nor can he purpose less, if holy fervency fill the heart.

(c) It is no more than what God and consistency demand. J.F.

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

Verses 113-120. Vain thoughts contrasted with God's law. The believer takes sides (Ps 119:113-115); prays for upholding in the law (Ps 119:116-117); contemplates the fate of the followers of vain thoughts (Ps 119:118-119); and expresses the godly fear thereby inspired (Ps 119:120).

Verse 113. The thought of the age, and the truth of all ages.

Verse 113.

1. The object of hatred.
2. The object of love.

OR

1. Love the cause of hatred.
2. Hatred the effect of love. G.R.

Verse 113. Vain thoughts. What they are. Whence they arise. The mischief they cause. How they should be treated. W.H.J.P.

Verse 113. How the believer--

1. Is troubled by vain thoughts. A frequent and painful experience:

2. Does not tolerate vain, thoughts. Some, suffer them to lodge within; he is anxious to expel them.

3. Triumphs over vain thoughts. By his love to the law of God. His prayer is--

"With thoughts of Christ and things divine,
Fill up this foolish heart of mine." W.H.J.P.

Verse 114. Our protection from danger-- "hiding-place"; in danger "shield"; before danger-- "I hope."

Verse 114. Hiding place. Secrecy to conceal us. Capacity to hold us. Safety. Comfort. T. Manton.

Verse 114. Hiding and hoping.

1. A hiding place needed.
2. A hiding place provided (Isa 25:14 32:2).
3. A hiding place used. C.A.D.

Verse 114.

1. The refuge provided: "Thou art," etc.
2. The refuge revealed: "In thy word."
3. The refuge found: "I hope," etc. G.R.

Verse 114. Thou art my hiding place.

1. In thy grace, from condemnation.
2. In thy compassion, from sorrow.
3. In thy succour, from temptation.
4. In thy power, from opposition.
5. In thy fulness, from want. W.J.

Verse 115.

1. Ill company hinders piety.

2. Piety quits ill company.

3. Piety, in compelling this departure, acts as God will do at the last.

Verse 115. Evil companionship incompatible with genuine righteousness.

1. They necessitate concealment and compromise.

2. They destroy the capability of communion with God, and the relish for spiritual things.

3. They blunt the sensitiveness of conscience.

4. They involve deliberate disobedience to God. J.F.

Verse 116.

1. Upholding promised.
2. Needful for holy living.
3. The preventive of shameful acts.

Verse 116. Uphold me according unto thy word, etc.

1. The Psalmist pleads the promise of God, his dependence upon the promise, and his expectation from it: "Uphold me according unto thy word," which word I hope in and if it be not performed I shall be "ashamed of my hope."

2. He pleads the great need he had of God's grace, and the great advantage it would be to him: "Uphold me, that I may live"; intimating that he could not live without the grace of God. M. Henry.

Verse 117.

1. Upholding-- God's holding us up. It implies a danger, and that danger takes many forms. The believer's life may be described as walking in uprightness; he is a pilgrim. He needs upholding, for--

(a) The way is slippery.

(b) Our feet make the danger as well as the way.

(c) Cunning foes seek to trip us up.

(d) Sometimes the difficulty is not caused by the way, but by the height to which God may elevate us.

(e) The prayer is all the more needful because the most of people do not keep upright.

2. Two blessed things that come out of this holding up.

(a) We shall be safe for ourselves, as examples, and as pillars of the church.

(b) We shall be watchful and sensitive: "I will have respect unto thy statutes continually." Without this no man is safe. See "Spurgeon's Sermons," No. 1657: "My Hourly Prayer."

Verse 117. Hold thou me up, etc.

1. The good man is up.

2. The good man wishes to keep up.

3. The good man prays to be held up.

4. The good man knows that divine support is abundantly sufficient. W.J.

Verse 117.

1. Dependence for the future: "Hold," etc.
2. Resolution for the future: "I will have," etc. G.R.

Verse 118. Sin and falsehood: their connection, punishment, and cure.

Verse 118.

1. Hearken to the tramp of God's armies. In nature; providence; angelic hosts of last day.

2. The mangled victims. Cunning deceivers specially obnoxious to God. Examples: Balaam, Pharaoh, Rome, the deceiver of the nations.

3. The warnings to us of this Aceldama. Repent. Avoid deceit. Mind God's landmarks. Hide in Christ. W.B.H.

Verse 118. God's punishment of the wicked though awfully severe is just and necessary.

1. It is due as the merited wages of iniquity.

2. It is demanded by the position of God as moral governor, and by his character as righteous.

3. It is necessary to mark the real worth of righteousness and its reward. If the wicked are not punished, the full worth of righteousness cannot appear.

4. In the nature of the case, it is absolutely unavoidable, except upon one condition, namely, the gift of genuine repentance and holiness after death; that no man has any right to expect, nor has God given the slightest intimation that he will bestow if.

5. Hell lies in the bosom of sin; and if the wicked were taken to heaven, they would carry hell thither. Heaven supplies not the things in which the wicked delight, while it abounds in those they can neither understand nor sympathise with. J.F.

Verse 118 (second clause). The deceits of the wicked are all falsehoods.

1. The world they embrace is a false Delilah.
2. The pleasure they enjoy is a Satanic snare.
3. Their formal religiousness is a vain delusion.
4. Their conceits of God are self invented lies. J.F.

Verses 118-120. Saved by fear.

1. The wrath of God revealed against sin.
2. The judgment of God executed upon sinners.
3. The fear of God created in the heart. G.A.D.

Verse 119. An insight into the divine will, the best assistance in our journey through the earth. Or, what I am; where I am; where I am going; how am I to get there?

Verse 119 (first clause). The stranger in the earth.

1. A short exposition. The text means,

(a) That the saint is not born of the earth.
(b) That the saint is not known on earth.
(c) The saint's portion is not upon the earth.
(d) The saint is compassed with sorrows and trials upon earth.
(e) The saint is soon to leave the earth.

2. A short application.

(a) Do not be like the world.
(b) Be prepared to be a sufferer on the earth.
(c) Sit loose to the world.
(d) Correspond with home.
(e) Cherish brotherly love for your fellow strangers on the earth.
(f) Hasten home.
(g) Press others to come with you.

-- Duncan Macgregor's Sermon in "The Shepherd in Israel," 1869.

Verse 119. The stranger's prayer.

1. How he came to be a stranger in the earth. He was born again. He learned the manners of his foreign home. He spoke the language of his Fatherland; and so was misunderstood and rejected on earth.

2. How he longed after everything homelike. Home rules: "thy commandments." Home teaching: "hide not." Specially his Father's voice.

3. How in his loneliness he solaced himself by communication with his Father.

4. Would you not like to be a stranger? C.A.D.

Verse 119. The saint's acquiescence in God's judgments. W.B.H.

Verse 119.

1. Comparison of the wicked to dross.

2. Comparison of their doom to the putting away of dross.

3. The saint's admiration of divine justice as seen in the rejection of the wicked.

Verse 119. God's putting away the wicked like dross.

1. God's judgments are a searching and separating fire.

2. The final judgment of the great day will complete the separating process.

3. The great result will be, the true metal and the dross, each gathered to its own place. J. F.

Verse 120. The judgments of God on the wicked cause in the righteous,

1. Love.
2. Awe.
3. Fear.

Verse 120.

1. Describe the true character of the fear.

(a) It is the fear of reverence for God's authority and power.

(b) It is the fear of horror against sin as meriting judgment.

2. Show its compatibility with filial love.

(a) The more we love God the more firmly we believe in the certainty and awfulness of his judgments.

(b) The more we love God the more will we fear to arouse his chastising rod against ourselves.

(a) In fact, if we love not God, we shall have no fear lest sin should involve us in judgment.

3. Commend it.

(a) As it proves a just sense of sin's desert.

(b) As it shows a true appreciation of God's righteousness.

(c) As it is not a fear that hath torment, but a fear which increases watchfulness, and walks hand in hand with perfect confidence in saying grace. J.F.

Verses 121-128. The just man's prayer against injustice. Out of the prison of oppression he appeals to God to be his surely (Ps 119:121-122); utters his weary longing for deliverance (Ps 119:123-125); points to the "time" (Ps 119:126); and professes his supreme love for God's law in contrast to the oppressors' contempt of it (Ps 119:127-128).

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

Verses 121-122. The double appeal.

1. Of conscious integrity: "I have done judgment," etc.

2. Of conscious deficiency: "Be surety for thy servant for good." C.A.D.

Verse 122.

1. Suretyship entreated.
2. Good expected.
3. Obligation acknowledged: "thy servant."

Verse 122 (first clause). After explaining the Psalmist's meaning as shown in the preceding verse, this sentence may be used for a sermon upon the Suretyship of Christ, by a reference to Heb 7:22.

1. A Surety for good wanted-- the deeply felt, though, perhaps, undefined want of a sin burdened soul.

(a) The mere statement of a gratuitous pardon on the part of God is not thoroughly believable to such a soul, nor, if it could be believed in, would it give peace to the conscience. For, on the one hand, the pardon could not be perceived as just, nor as consistent with God's necessary hatred of sin, yet the conscience demands this perception; on the other hand, mere pardon does not show how the obligation to a perfect fulfilment of God's law, as righteousness, can be met, yet the conscience demands to see this before it can be satisfied to realize peace Luther's experience.

(b) Now the Scriptures tell us that God "justifies the ungodly," and that his "righteousness" is declared in his justifying sinners: Ro 3:25. He can forgive sins with justice. He can treat sinners as righteous persons, and yet be righteous in doing so. How? By a Surety. Therefore, a Surety is the real want.

2. A Surety existent. Jesus is the Surety.

(a) He undertook to bear our obligation to the law's penalty, and fulfilled it in death. Thus pardon, though mercy to us, is an act of justice to Christ.

(b) He undertook our obligation to a perfect obedience, and satisfied for that in his fulfilment of the law; thus for God to treat us as righteous is only just to Christ.

(c) God has shown his satisfaction with the office of Christ, and with his work, by the resurrection and glorification of Christ. Hence a well accredited and efficient Surety exists.

3. A Surety nigh at hand.

(a) In the gospel, Christ as Surety comes to the sinner as truly as though he himself left his throne and came in his own person.

(b) Thus, he is so close that a sinner has but to receive the gospel into his heart and he receives Christ.

(c) Christ received as a Surety is the Surety for whosoever receives him. J.F.

Verse 123. Holy expectation-- long maintained, in danger of failing; this fact pleaded; reasons for never renouncing it.

Verses 124-125. The servant of God.

1. Making profession: "I am thy servant."
2. Making confession-- of guilt, dulness, ignorance.
3. Making petition-- for mercy, understanding, and teaching. C.A.D.

Verse 124. Heavenly instruction a great mercy.

Verse 124.

1. His confidence in divine mercy.
2. His submission to divine authority.
3. His prayer for divine teaching. G.R.

Verse 124. A Perfect Prayer.

1. As to the matter of it.

(a) Here is nothing superfluous; no petition for wealth, nor for honours, nor for anything the worldling covets.

(b) Here is nothing wanting; "Deal with thy servant according to thy mercy" comprehends everything the guilty soul needs; "Teach me thy statutes" comprehends all a saint needs to be anxious for.

2. As to the manner of it.

(a) It is direct and definite.
(b) It is simple and fervent.
(c) It is reverent yet bold.

3. As to the spirit of it.

(a) "Deal with thy servant"; a sense of obligation; a feeling of devotedness; a spirit of consecration to holy work.

(b) "Deal...according to thy mercy"; a sense of unworthiness; becoming humility; submissiveness to the divine will as to what form the mercy shall take; great faith in the mercy, its freeness and sufficiency.

(c) "Teach me thy statutes." Longing for holiness, sense of ignorance, of weakness, of dependence upon special divine spiritual influence. J.F.

Verse 125.

1. An office accepted.
2. Fitness requested.
3. Discernment desired.

Verse 125.

1. A cheerful acknowledgment: "I am thy servant."
2. A desire implied-- to serve more perfectly.
3. A need recognized-- Divine instruction in holy service.
4. A plea urged: "I am thy servant," therefore "Teach me," etc. -- W.H.J.P.

Verses 126-128.

1. A terrible fact: "They have made void thy law": Ps 119:126.

2. Two blessed inferences: "Therefore," "Therefore," etc.: Ps 119:127-128.

Verse 126. They make void the law, by denying inspiration, by exalting tradition, by antinomianism, by scepticism, by indifference, etc.

Verse 126.

1. There are times when sin is specially active and dominant.

2. Such times reveal the dependence of the church upon God.

3. Such times awaken the desires of the church for the intervention of God.

4. Such times are the times when God does arise to plead his own cause. W.H.J.P.

Verse 126.

1. The work anticipated-- the vindication of the divine law.
2. The work delayed.
3. The work executed: "It is time," etc. G.R.

Verse 127. The world's assault upon the truth a reason for our loving it.

Verse 127.

1. The object of love: "Thy commandments."

2. The degree of love: "above gold," etc.

3. The reason of this love: "therefore," etc., because its object must ultimately prevail. G.R.

Verse 127. God's will versus the golden idol.

1. God's commandments are better than gold.

2. The love of them is proportionably nobler.

3. The unmeasurable superiority of character they produce. W.B.H.

Verse 128 (first clause). This view should be taken of all divine precepts in their bearing,

1. Toward Christ.
2. Toward Self.
3. Toward the World.
4. Toward the Church.
5. Toward Heaven. W.J.

Verse 128. The Bible right.

1. Its science is correct.
2. Its history is true.
3. Its promises are genuine.
4. Its morality is perfect.
5. Its doctrines are divine. W.J.

Verse 128. Learn four lessons,

1. It is a good thing when wicked men do not praise the truth they cannot love.

2. It is a suspicious circumstance when they are found speaking well of any part of it; it is a Judas' kiss in order to betray its interests.

3. It must be right to accept and love what the wicked oppose.

4. It is always safe to be on the opposite side to them. J.F.

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

Verses 129-136. The wonderfulness of God's testimonies. (Ps 119:129), instanced as light giving (Ps 119:130), pantingly longed (Ps 119:131). An appeal for divine ordering in the word (Ps 119:132-135) at its rejection by others (Ps 119:136).

Verses 129-136. In this division the Psalmist--

1. Praises God's word.
2. Shows his affection to it.
3. Prays for grace to keep it.
4. Mourns for those who do not. Adam Clarke.

Verse 129. The wonderful character of the word a reason for obedience. So wonderfully pure, just, balanced, elevating. So much for our own benefit, for the good of society, and for the divine glory.

Verse 129.

1. What is wonderful in God's word should be believed.
2. What is believed should be obeyed. G.R.

Verse 129. Thy testimonies are wonderful.

1. The facts which they record are wonderful--so wonderful, that, if the book recording them were now published for the first time, there would be no bounds to the avidity and curiosity with which it would be sought and perused.

2. The morality which they inculcate is wonderful.

3. If you turn from the morality to the doctrines of the Bible, your admiration will rather increase than diminish at the contents of the singular book.

4. These testimonies are wonderful for the style in which they are written.

5. They are wonderful for their preservation in the world.

6. They are wonderful for the effects which they have produced. -- Hugh Hughes, 1838.

Verse 129. Thy testimonies are wonderful.

1. The ceremonial law is wonderful, because the mystery of our redemption by the blood of Christ is pointed out in it.

2. The prophecies are wonderful, as predicting things, humanly speaking, so uncertain, and at such great distance of time, with so much accuracy.

3. The decalogue is wonderful, as containing in a very few words all the principles of justice and charity.

4. Were we to go to the New Testament, here wonders rise on wonders! All is astonishing; but the Psalmist could not have had this in view. Adam Clarke.

Verse 129 (first clause). --

1. Let us look at five of the wonders of the Bible.

(a) Its authority. It prefaces every statement with a "Thus saith the Lord."

(b) Its light.

(c) Its power-- it has a convincing, awakening, drawing, life giving power.

(d) Its depth.

(e) Its universal adaptation.

2. Indicate three practical uses.

(a) Study the Bible daily.

(b) Pray for the Spirit to grave it on your heart with a pen of iron.

(c) Practise it daily. D. Macgregor.

Verse 129. To whom and in what respects are God's testimonies wonderful?

1. To whom? To those, and those only, who through grace do know, believe, and experience the truth and power of them for themselves.

2. In what respects wonderful, i.e., astonishingly pleasing, delightful, and profitable (see Ps 119:174).

(a) In respect of the Author and origin of them, whose they are and from whence they come.

(b) In respect of the subject matter of them, which they contain and reveal.

(c) In respect of the manner of language in which they are revealed and declared.

(d) In respect of the multitude and variety of them suited to every case.

(e) In respect of the usefulness of them, and the great benefit and advantage he received from them.

(f) In the respect of the pleasure and delight he finds in them (see Ps 119:111).

(g) In respect of the final design, intent, and end of them: viz., eternal life, salvation, and glory. Samuel Medley, 1738-1799.

Verse 130.

1. The essential light of the word.
2. The dawn of it in the soul.
3. The great benefit of its advancing day.

Verse 130.

1. The source of divine light to man: "Thy words."
2. Its force. It forces an entrance into the heart.
3. Its direction: "unto the simple."
4. Its effect: "it giveth understanding." G.R.

Verse 130. A Bible Society Sermon.

1. Evidence from history and from personal experience that God's word has imparted the light of civilization, liberty, holiness.

2. Argument drawn from hence for the further spread of the word of God. G.A.D.

Verse 130. The Self evidencing Virtue of God's Word.

1. Prove it. "Entrance of thy word giveth light." If this be true, God's word is light for only light can give light. But light is self evidencing; it needs nothing to show its presence and its value but itself; so the word of God, show its own truth and divinity to the believer.

(a) His conscience it; in its convictions of sin; in its peace through the stoning blood.

(b) heart proves it; in its outgoings of love to the God, the Christ, and righteousness revealed.

(c) His experience in affliction and temptation it; in the solace and in the strength given by the word.

2. Answer an objection. "If God's word were self evidencing as light is, then everyone would acknowledge it to be truth." Answer, No; for the law holds good universal experience, that the "entrance" only of light gives light. Light cannot enter a blind man.

(a) The Scriptures teach that men by nature blind.

(b) If all men did perceive, by merely reading and hearing word, that it was light and truth, paradoxical as it may seem, the would not be truth.

(c) Hence the want of universal acknowledgment is an objection, but a confirmation.

3. Show its importance.

(a) It the believer independent of church authority for his faith.

(b) He need trouble to examine books of evidence; his faith is valid enough them.

(c) He who receives the word into his soul shall be satisfied of truth and value. J.F.

Verse 131. Panting for holiness. A rare hunger; the evidence of much grace, and the pledge of glory.

Verse 132.

1. Look.
2. Love.
3. Use and wont.

Verse 132. Fellowship with the righteous.

1. There are some who love God's name.

2. His mercy is the source of all the goodness they experience.

3. The Lord has been always accustomed to deal mercifully with them.

4. His mercy towards them should encourage us to implore mercy for ourselves.

5. We should be anxious to secure the mercy that is peculiar to them.

6. We should be content if God deals with us as he has always dealt with his people. W. Jay.

Verse 132. Divine use and wont.

1. God is accustomed to look upon and be merciful toward his people.

2. We are stirred up to specially desire such merciful dealings in time of affliction.

3. Love to God qualifies us for these loving looks and merciful dealings. C.A.D.

Verse 132. Notice,

1. The mark of true believers: "Those that love thy name."

2. God's custom of dealing with them: "Be merciful as thou usest to do."

3. Their individual and earnest solicitude: "Look thou upon me." J.F.

| 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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