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 133.

1. A holy life is no work of chance, it is a masterpiece of order-- the order of conformity to the prescribed rule; there is arithmetical and geometrical order; the proportional order; the order of relation; an order of period: holiness, as to its order, is seasonable, suitable.

2. The rule of this order: "in thy word."

3. The director chosen. See "Spurgeon's Sermons, "No. 878: "A Well ordered Life."

Verse 133.

1. Order in outward life desired.
2. Order according to the divine idea.
3. Order in the government within.

Verse 133.

1. Help needed.

(a) To avoid sin.
(b) To be holy.

2. Help sought.

(a) From below: "thy word."
(b) From above: "order," etc., and "let not," etc. G.R.

Verse 133. Sin's sway in the soul.

1. Fervently deprecated.

(a) Realization of the horrors of its rule.
(b) Recognition of the better power.
(c) Thorough exclusion sought.

2. Wisely combated.

(a) Practicalness as well as prayerfulness.
(b) Regard had to little "steps."

3. Steps to be governed by divine rule.

4. System not trusted apart from God. W.B.H.

Verse 133. Notice,

1. The right path for human feet: "In thy word."

2. The needed help to control the steps: "Order my steps."

3. The perverting power of a dominant sin: "Let not any," etc. -- J.F.

Verse 134. What sins may be produced by oppression. What obedience ought to come from those who are set free.

Verse 134.

1. The course to he pursued: "thy precepts."

2. The opposition to that course: "the oppression of men."

(a) Human opinions.
(b) Human examples.

3. Human sympathies.

4. Interests.

5. Persecutions.

6. The resistance to that opposition: "Deliver me, so will I," etc. G.R.

Verse 134. Hindrances removed.

1. The impeding influence of persecution.
2. The prayer of the persecuted one.
3. The conduct of the delivered one (Lu 1:74,75). G.A.D.

Verse 134.

1. How some men oppress their fellows. By the laws they make-- as statesmen. By the books they write-- as authors. By the tyranny they exercise-- as masters. By the lives they live-- as professors. By the sermons they deliver-- as ministers!

2. How the prayer of the oppressed may be answered. By the gift of wise and good statesmen. By increase of sound literature. By the conversion or removal of hard masters. By a baptism of the Spirit on the church. W.W.

Verse 135.

1. A choice position: "thy servant."
2. A choice delight: "thy face to shine."
3. A choice privilege: "teach me thy statutes."

Verse 135.

1. God in the word: "Thy word."
2. God for the word: "Teach me," etc.
3. God with the word: "Make thy face, "etc. G.R.

Verse 135. Sunshine.

1. The light in which we can best learn our lessons-- God's favour shown in pardon, justification, adoption, assurance, etc.

2. The lessons we should learn in the light-- grace is productive of holiness. C.A.D.

Verse 135.

1. A rich historic promise (Nu 6:25). Its sublime origin and associations.

2. The new prayer born of it.

(a) Looks up for the face Divine; the same in its majestic sweetness that has watched generations decay since the word was first spoken.

(b) Asks to know its shining. Light of fatherhood, etc.

3. The old prayer repeated: "Teach me thy statutes." Last time in the psalm.

(a) Our need of teaching-- oft repeated prayer.

(b) The intimate connection between obedience and the shining of God's face. W.B.H.

Verse 136. Abundant sorrow for abounding sin. Other men's sins the saint's own sorrows. He thinks of the good God provoked, of the sinners themselves debased, of their death, and their perdition.

Verse 136.

1. Occasion of his grief: "they keep not thy law."

2. Extent of his grief: "rivers," etc. See examples in Jeremiah, Ezra, Paul, Christ himself.

3. Effect of his grief. To warn, teach, invite, and exhort them--as in his psalms. G.R.

Verse 136. Sacred tears.

1. The world sinning.
2. The church weeping.
3. It is time the world began to weep for itself. C.A.D.

Verse 136.

I weep, because,

1. Of the dishonour done to the Law giver.
2. Of the injury done to the law breaker.
3. Of the wrong done to the law abiding.

"That kingly prophet, that wept so plentifully for his own offences (Ps 6:6), had yet floods of tears left to bewail his people's" (Ps 119:136). Thomas Adams.

"Benedetti, a Franciscan monk, author of the Stabat Mater, one day was found weeping, and when asked the reason of his tears, he exclaimed, I weep because Love goes about unloved." W.H.J.P.

Verses 137-138. Solemn contemplation.

1. The contemplation of the deep and awful display of the divine character is good for the soul.

2. It will lead to a conviction of the righteousness of God's character and administration.

3. It will result in loyal submission. C.A.D.

Verse 137. A consideration of divine righteousness. Convinces us of sin, reconciles us to trying providence, excites a desire to imitate, arouses to reverent adoration.

Verse 137. God is righteous.

1. In his commands.
2. In his threatenings.
3. In his chastisement.
4. In his judgments.
5. In his promises. G.R.

Verse 138. Very faithful. Based on a faithful covenant; confirmed by faithful promises; carried out by a faithful Redeemer; enjoyed hitherto; relied on for the future. "Though we believe not, yet he abideth faithful."

Verse 139. Zeal.

1. Consuming self.
2. Inflamed by that which would naturally quench it.
3. Fed upon God's words.

Verse 139. Zeal.

1. Flourishing in an unpromising atmosphere.
2. Attaining an astonishing growth.
3. Accomplishing a blessed work--the consumption of self. C.A.D.

Verse 139.

1. The object of his zeal: "Thy words."
2. The occasion of his zeal: "Mine enemies," etc.
3. The fervour of his zeal: "My zeal hath consumed me." G.R.

Verse 140.

1. An awakened sinner adoring the holy law.
2. A saint loving it because the pure love the pure.
3. A saint among sinners loving the law all the more for its contrast.

Verse 140.

1. The crystal stream.

(a) Flows from under the throne.
(b) Mirrors heaven.
(c) Undefiled through the ages.
(d) Nourishes holiness as it flows.

2. The enraptured pilgrim.

(a) Keeping by its brink.
(b) Delighted with its lucid depths.

3. Pleased with its mirrored revelations-- self, heaven, God.

4. Cleansed and refreshed by its waters. W.B.H.

Verse 140.

1. The purity of God's Word.

(a) It proceeds from a perfectly pure source: "Thy word."

(b) It reveals a purity otherwise unknown.

(c) It treats impure subjects with absolute purity.

(d) It inculcates the most perfect purity.

(e) It produces such purity in those who are subject to its power.

2. The love which its purity inspires in gracious souls.

(a) They love it because, while it reveals their natural impurity, it shows them how to escape from it.

(b) They love it because it conforms them to its own purity.

(c) They love it because to a pure heart the purity of the word is one of its chief commendations.

3. The evidences of this love to the pure word.

(a) Desire to possess it in its purity.
(b) Subjection to its spirit and teachings.
(c) Zeal for its honour and diffusion. W.H.J.P.

Verses 141-144. A mournful song arid a joyful refrain. Stanza 1: "I am small and despised." Refrain. The everlasting righteousness of God. Stanza 2: "Trouble and anguish have seized me." Refrain: The everlasting righteousness of God. C.A.D.

Verse 141. Here is

1. David pious, and yet poor. He was a man after God's own heart, and yet "small and despised" in his own account and in account of many others.

2. David poor and yet pious; "small and despised" for his strict and serious godliness; yet his conscience can witness for him, that he "did not forget God's precepts." M. Henry.

Verse 141.

1. The source of man's littleness is in himself.

2. The source of his greatness is in the Divine word. Hence the greatest philosopher is a small man compared with the most uneducated whose delight is in the law of God, and who meditates, etc. G.R.

Verse 141.

1. A little scholar.
2. A quick learner.
3. A firm reminder.

Verse 141. Unknown, yet well known.

1. The estimate formed of the believer by the world.

2. The estimate formed of the believer by himself.

3. The profession made by the believer to God.

4. On a review, a revised estimate of the believer: 1Co 1:27 Jas 4:5. C.A.D.

Verse 142. Righteousness, immutability, and truth combined in the revelation of God.

Verse 143. Mingled emotions.

Verse 143.

1. The dark cloud. Trouble, etc.
2. His silver lining. Yet, etc.

Verse 143.

1. The Saint cast into prison.

(a) The jailers: "Trouble and anguish."
(b) Their proceeding: "take hold" and make him fast.

2. Songs in the night.

(a) Blessed theme: "thy commandments."
(b) Ecstatic melodies: "delights."

3. Let the prisoners hear them.

(a) Pain held, sin held, despair held.
(b) It is matter and melody to open prisons. W.B.H.

Verse 143. Consider,

1. The excellency of the word, in that it gives delight when trouble and anguish oppress.

2. The great kindness of God in so framing his word that it can give delight at such a time, and under such circumstances.

3. The disposition of the believer to resort to the word for delight, when others give themselves over to vain grief and despondency.

4. The blessed position of the believer, in that he need never be without joy. J.F.

Verse 144. Everlasting righteousness revealed in the word, and producing everlasting life in believers.

Verse 144.

1. Eternal truths.
2. Eternal life dependent upon them.
3. A cry from amid these everlasting hills. W.B.H.

Verse 144 (last clause).

1. Consider the prayer in its simplicity.

(a) It is suitable for the awakened sinner.
(b) For the Christian struggling against temptation.
(c) For the suffering believer.
(d) For the worker
(e) For aspiring minds in the church of God.
(f) For expiring saints.

2. The prayer more fully opened up.

(a) Here is want confessed.

(b) The prayer is evidently put upon the footing of free grace: "Give."

3. Lay bare the argument in the prayer.

(a) The word of God, when practically and experimentally understood, is a pledge of life.

(b) The word of God is the incorruptible "seed" which liveth and abideth for ever.

(c) It is the food of life.

(d) It is the very flower and crown and glory of true life.

(e) It is righteous.

(f) It is everlasting. See "Spurgeon's Sermons, "No. 1572: "Alive."

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

Verses 145-152. The believer's cry. The reiterated cry (Ps 119:145-148) An appeal for audience (Ps 119:149). The nearness of the enemy (Ps 119:150). But, in response to the cry, God is also near (Ps 119:151).

Verses 145-148. The cry.

1. Whence it came: from my heart.
2. Whither it went: to the Lord.
3. When it was heard: at dawn and dark.
4. What it sought: hearing, salvation.
5. What it promised: obedience.
6. How it was sustained: by hope in God's word. C.A.D.

Verses 145, 146. The souls cry.

1. The depth from which it rose.
2. The height it reached.

Verses 145, 146. Childlike prayer.

1. In its ring: "I cried."
2. In its directness: "to thee."
3. In its outburst: "whole heart."
4. In its outcries: "hear me"; "save me."
5. In its promise of better behaviour: "I will keep thy statutes." W.B.H.

Verse 145.

1. The model of player: "I cried with my whole heart."
2. The object of prayer: "Hear me, O Lord."
3. The accompaniment of prayer: "I will keep thy statutes."

Verse 146.

1. Prayer remembered.
2. Prayer continued: "Save me."
3. Prayer yielding fruit: "I shall keep," etc.

Verse 146. Salvation.

1. A likely path to it-- prayer: cry on.

2. The proper place for it: "unto thee"; not man, not the heart.

3. A sound view of it: "keep thy testimonies." Not to escape hell, or gain heaven, but to please and love God. W.B.H.

Verses 147, 148.

1. The heavenly Companions: prayer and meditation. Inseparable. Mutually helpful.

2. Their favourite seasons: times of stillness; night; the hour before day.

3. Their volume and night lamp: "Thy word;" "Hope." Or--

(a) A grand plea: "Thy lovingkindness." Who can match it? Who can measure it? Who can mar it?

(b) An insignificant pleader: "my voice." What can "my voice" ever say to keep step with "thy loving kindness"? Asking too much out of the question.

(c) A clever petition ("according to thy judgment"); requesting life; stolen from God's mouth. God's lovingkindness is matched by God's own promise. --W. B. H.

Verse 147. Observe in this David's diligence.

1. That it was a personal, closet, or secret prayer; "I cried"; I alone, with thee in secret.

2. That it was an early morning prayer: "I prevented the dawning of the morning."

3. That it was a vehement and earnest prayer; for it is expressed by crying. T. Manton

Verse 147. Early rising commended.

1. A fit time for prayer.
2. For reading the word.
3. For indulging the emotions excited by it: "I hoped in they word."

Verse 148. The Inexhaustibleness of the Bible. A sermon by Henry Melvill, at "The Golden Lecture." 1850.

Verse 148. Meditation. Appropriate time, and fruitful subject.

Verse 148. Meditation in the word well worth self denial and care on the part of the Christian.

1. Without meditation reading is a waste of time and an indignity offered to the word.

2. Meditation with prayer, but not prayer without meditation, will discover the sense of the word, when all other means fail; and it has this advantage, that the meaning sinks into the mind.

3. Meditation extracts sweetness from the promises, and nourishment from the whole truth.

4. Meditation makes a wise teacher and an efficient worker of one who has little natural skill or learning.

5. Meditation subjects the soul to the sanctifying power of the word.

6. Meditation is an invitation to the Holy Spirit to bless the soul, for he is closely associated with the truth, and delights to see the truth honoured. J.F.

Verse 149. Prayer--hearing the result of love; prayer--answering ruled by wisdom.

Verse 149. Quickening.

1. A prayer of unquestionable necessity: "quicken me."

2. Twin pleas of irresistible power: "thy lovingkindness:" "thy judgment." C.A.D.

Verse 149. The two accordings.

1. The "according, "to which a believer hopes to be heard by God: "Hear my voice according unto thy loving kindness."

(a) The believer is fully aware of his own unworthiness, and the imperfections of his prayers, therefore he would have God to accept him and interpret them after the rule of his own lovingkindness.

(b) Nor does he hope in vain; God's loving kindness overlooks the imperfections, and supplies the omissions.

(c) What a blessed thing it is, that while the Holy Spirit helps our infirmities, the groanings that cannot be uttered are read in their true meaning by divine lovingkindness!

2. The "according" to which he expects to be answered by God: "Quicken me according to thy judgment." "Judgment" here may mean the revealed word. Then--

(a) He expects to be answered certainly.

(b) He expects to be answered wisely.

(c) He expects to be answered fully, as all his needs require.

(d) He expects that every answer should quicken spiritual life, making him holy. -- J.F.

Verse 150-151. Against mischief makers.

1. They press as near as they can to, harm us.
2. They get far from right to get more liberty to injure us.
3. The Lord is nearer than they.
4. God's truth is our shield and sword.

Verse 150-151. Foes near: the Friend nearer.

1. The believer viewing with alarm the approach of his foes: "They draw near."

2. The believer recollecting with comfort the presence of his friend: "Thou art near:" Ge 15:1; 2Ki 6:14-17. C.A.D.

Verse 150-151. Two beleaguering hosts.

1. The host of evil: NEAR--

(a) Demons, godless men, spiritual foes of world and heart.
(b) Mischief in their van.
(c) Law and truth left far behind.
(d) Seeking to narrow their lines.
(e) Thus are all saints beset.

2. The host of God: NEARER-- Jehovah, his angels, and battalions of truths holy and immortal: "Thou and all thy commandments."

(a) Entrenched in the reason: "are truth."
(b) Camped in the heart's pavilion: "near."
(c) Forming impregnable lines within those of the foe. -- W.B.H.

Verse 150. Consider--

1. Whether the description here given does not apply, more or less, to all unbelievers in Christ: "They that follow after mischief."

(a) Some men undoubtedly and of set purpose do follow after mischief; they make themselves the tempters of others, and delight in it.

(b) Others, who do not delight in it, yet cannot help the mischievous effect of their example.

(c) The very morality of many unbelievers enables them to carry the pernicious influence of their unbelief Where the immorally wicked cannot come.

(d) Even regular attendants at public worship may by their indecision encourage others in delay.

2. The dangerous position of all to whom the description, in any measure, belongs: "They are far from thy law."

(a) They are so, in that they are unbelievers; for "this is his commandment, that we shall believe," etc.

(b) They are so, in that they are a cause of evil to others; for we are commanded to love and do good.

(c) To be far from God's law is to be nigh unto God's righteous wrath.

(d) For the sake of others, as well as their own, men should believe in Christ, and through faith become sanctified. -- J.F.

Verse 151. (last clause). The commandments of the Lord are true in principle; they lead to true living, if carried out; they truly reward the obedient; they never lead to falsehood, nor cause to be deluded.

Verse 152. Knowledge of the word.

1. It is well to know it as God's own word.
2. As founded in truth.
3. As founded forever.
4. The earlier we know this the better.

Verses 153-160. Divine consideration besought. "Consider my affliction" (Ps 119:153); my cause (Ps 119:154); "for thy mercies' sake" (Ps 119:156). Consider my persecutors (Ps 119:157-158), and my love to thy precepts (Ps 119:160) and act accordingly.

Verse 153-159. The two considers. The subjects, the prayers, the arguments.

Verse 153-154. Here--

1. David prays for succour in distress. "Is any afflicted? let him pray"; let him pray as David doth here.

(a) He hath an eye to God's pity, and prays, "Consider mine affliction"; take it unto thy thoughts, and all the circumstances, and sit not by as one unconcerned. God is never unmindful of his people's afflictions, but he will have us to "put him in remembrance" (Isa 43:26), to spread our case before him, and then leave it to his compassionate consideration to do in it as in his wisdom he shall think fit, in his own time and way.

(b) He has an eye to God's power, and prays, "Deliver me," and again, "Deliver me." Consider my troubles and bring me out of them. God has promised deliverance (Ps 1:15), and we may pray for it with submission to his will, and with regard to his glory, that we may serve him the better.

(c) He has an eye to God's righteousness, and prays, "Plead my cause": be thou my patron and advocate, and take me for thy client. David had a just cause, but his adversaries were many and mighty, and he was in danger of being run down by them: he therefore begs of God to clear his integrity, and silence their false accusations. If God do not plead his people's cause, who will? He is righteous, and they commit themselves to him, and therefore he will do it, and do it effectually: Isa 51:22; Jer 1:34.

(d) He has an eye to God's grace, and prays, "Quicken me." Lord, I am weak, and unable to bear my troubles; my spirit is apt to droop and sink: Oh, that thou wouldst revive and comfort me, till the deliverance is wrought!

2. He pleads his dependence upon the word of God, and his devotedness to his conduct. "Quicken" and "deliver me according to thy word" of promise; "for I do not forget thy precepts." The closer we cleave to the word of God, both as our rule and as our stay, the more assurance we may have of deliverance in due time. M. Henry.

Verse 153. The sick man's prayer.

1. The medicine remembered.
2. The physician sent for.
3. The physician considering the case.
4. The healing wrought. -- C.A.D.

Verse 153.

1. Lord, do not forget my sorrow.
2. I do not forget thy law.

Verse 155.

1. An awful distance.
2. A distance never decreased by seeking.
3. A distance increased by sinning.

Verse 155.

1. When salvation is far off.
2. When it is near.

OR

1. When the word is far off salvation is far off.
2. When the word is near salvation is near. -- G.R.

Verse 155. How to avoid salvation.

1. Salvation is inseparable from conformity to God's law: Le 18:5; Lu 5:25-28; Mt 19:17.

2. Salvation is brought to lawbreakers by the Law giver condescending to become the Law keeper and the Law victim. Salvation is avoided by those who refuse to be conformed to the eternal law or will of God. They perish themselves: their own sin punishes them: necessity punishes them. C.A.D.

Verse 155. A syllogism on salvation.

1. Salvation and obedience go together.

(a) Have a common centre-- God, his arm and his lips.

(b) A mutual relation: we are saved in order to obedience. In obeying we are being saved. Without obedience there is no salvation.

(c) An identical aim-- our good and God's glory.

(d) Obedience and salvation are inseparable for ever.

2. The godless are far from obedience.

(a) Commands avoided.

(b) Submission excluded.

3. Therefore they are far from salvation. They will not have the one; they cannot have the other. -- W.B.H.

Verse 156.

1. A great need.
2. Laid before a great Lord.
3. Great favours pleaded.
4. A great mercy sought: "quicken me."

Verse 156. Just, and the Quickener.

1. Spiritual life is the gift of God's mercy.
2. Its continuance depends on the exercise of God's power.
3. We may therefore plead for quickening on the ground of God's justice. C.A.D.

Verse 156. The saint,

1. Lost in admiration.

(a) Of God's tender mercies.

(b) He cries out at their greatness. They are numerous. Greatly tender. Great and tender; (exquisite combination!).

2. Filled with animation. The child of his admiration.

(a) The arrow like prayer: "Quicken me:" To be like, to be true to, such a God.

(b) The bow in the hand: "according to thy judgments." W.B.H.

Verse 156.

1. The tenderness of God's greatness.
2. The greatness of God's tenderness.
3. The stimulus to life found in his great and tender presence.

Verse 157.

1. A word of multitude: "many."
2. A tendency of dread, viz., a tendency to decline.
3. A note of consolation: "yet do I not decline, "

Verse 158. A grievous sight.

1. Transgressors beyond God's bounds.
2. Bounds so kindly set: "thy word."
3. Transgressions so wantonly ungrateful, so terribly dangerous, so fatal.

Verse 158. Sorrow over sinners.

1. A sight we cannot avoid seeing.

2. A sorrow we ought not to avoid feeling. (See Lot: 2Pe 2:7,8. Moses: De 9:18,19. Samuel: 1Sa 15:11 Jer 9:1. Paul: Phm 3:18. Christ: Lu 19:41).

3. A reason we will not avoid endorsing.

Verse 158. A righteous man cannot but be grieved at the sins of the wicked. He sees in them,

1. The violation of the divine law which he loves.
2. Ungrateful rebellion against the God he worships.
3. Contempt for the gospel of salvation and the blood of Christ.
4. The dominion of Satan, the enemy of his God.
5. The degradation of souls which might have been sacred temples.
6. Prophetic signs of an awful, everlasting retribution. -- J.F.

Verse 159.

1. His own love avowed.
2. God's love pleaded.
3. Renewed life implored.

Verse 159.

1. Attention invited: "Consider how."
2. Profession made: "I love thy precepts."
3. Petition offered: "quicken me," etc.
4. Plea suggested: "according to," etc. -- G.R.

Verse 159. My love and thy lovingkindness. The saint's love.

1. Avowed. "Thou knowest all things," etc.

2. Submitted. In humble insistence on its sincerity. In sense of its insufficiency. In prayer to God not to over look it.

3. Lost sight of in the sudden glory of God's lovingkindness. Where is my love now?

4. Recovered and humbly brought for quickening. Lord, I'll say no more about it: "Quicken me." W.B.H.

Verse 159. Quicken, me for love's sake.

1. A prayer for quickened life.
2. Awakened by love to the divine rule of life.
3. Enforced by the plea of that love.
4. Addressed to the God of love. -- C.A.D.

Verse 159. Consider,

1. The holy unsatisfaction of the believer: "Quicken me," etc.

(a) A prayer frequently occurring in the psalm, and always urged with great earnestness.

(b) Its importunity proves the possession of spiritual life; in fact, none but the living ones crave quickening.

(c) The most earnest feel the most acutely their indwelling sin, and appreciate most highly thorough sanctification.

(d) Thus, this is, perhaps, the only unsatisfaction perfectly pure in its character.

2. The assuring Divine attribute to which he can appeal: "According to thy lovingkindness."

(a) An attribute, not only made known in tile word, but made manifest to us in our experience of its gentle dealing.

(b) An attribute that covers sin, and is touched with a feeling of our infirmities.

(c) An attribute that must be affected with the cry for quickening grace.

3. The consideration he ought to be able to lay before God: "Consider how I love thy precepts."

(a) Because from the word he learnt of the lovingkindness, and through it received life.

(b) Without it the prayer cannot be genuine.

(c) It is a good reason for expecting more grace; for "whosoever hath, to him shall be given," etc. -- J.F.

Verse 160.

1. Early: "true from the beginning."
2. Late: "endureth for ever." Or, Truth and immutability the believer's Jachin and Boaz.

Verse 162.

1. The treasure hid: "great spoil" hidden in the divine word.

2. The treasure found: "as one that findeth," etc.

(a) By reading.
(b) By meditation.
(c) By prayer.

3. The treasure enjoyed: "I rejoice," etc. -- G.R.

Verse 162. David's joy over God's word he compares to the joy of the warrior when he finds great spoil.

1. This great joy is sometimes aroused by the fact that there is a word of God.

(a) The Scriptures are a revealing of God.
(b) The guide of our life.
(c) A sure pledge of mercy.
(d) The beginning of communion with God.
(e) The instrument of usefulness.

2. Frequently the joy of the believer in the word arises out of his having had to battle to obtain a grasp of it.

(a) We have had to fight over certain doctrines before we could really come at them.

(b) The same may be said of the promises.

(c) Of the precepts.

(d) Of the threatenings.

(e) Even about the word which reveals Christ.

3. At times the joy of the believer lies in enjoying God's word without any fighting at all: "One that findeth."

4. There is a joy arising out of the very fact that Holy Scripture may be considered to be a spoil.

(a) A spoil is the end of uncertainty.

(b) It is the weakening of the adversary for any future attacks.

(c) It gives a sense of victory.

(d) There is, in dividing the spoil, profit, pleasure, and honour.

(e) The spoiling of the enemy is a prophecy of rest. See "Spurgeon's Sermons," No. 1641: "Great Spoil."

Verse 163. Opposite poles of the Christian character.

1. Why I hate lying, because it comes from the devil (Pr 8:44, Ac 5:3): it leads to the devil (Re 11:8, 22:15): it is base, dangerous, degrading (Pr 19:5, 1Ti 4:2, 2Ti 3:13): it is hated by the Lord (Pr 6:16,17, 7:22).

2. Why I love the law. Because it emanates from God; is the reflection of his character; is the ideal of my character.

3. How I came thus to hate and love. By the grace of God: ver. 29. -- G.A.D.

Verse 163.

1. Opposite things.
2. Opposite feelings.

Verse 164. Praise rendered. Frequently, statedly, heartily, intelligently.

Verse 164. Perpetual praise.

1. True praise is ever warranted.
2. True praise is ever welcome.
3. True praise is never weary. C.A.D.

Verse 164.

1. Some never praise thee; but, "seven times a day," etc.; for I delight to do so. "Thy righteous judgments" are a terror to them, a joy to me.

2. Some feebly and coldly praise thee, while, "seven times," etc. My warm devotion must frequently express itself in praise.

3. Some are content with occasionally praising thee, but, "seven times," etc. They think it enough to begin and end the day with praise, while all the day long I am in the spirit of praise.

4. Some soon cease to praise thee, but, "seven times," etc. Not seven times only, but "unto seventy times seven." Even without ceasing, will I praise thee. -- W.H.J.P.

Verse 165.

1. Great love to a great law.
2. Great peace under great disquietude.
3. Great upholding from all stumblingblocks.

Verse 165. Perfect peace.

1. The law of God should be regarded with love.

2. Love to the law is productive of great peace. Peace with God through the blood of reconciliation: peace with self by good conscience and suppression of evil desires: peace with men by charity.

3. The peace which springs from love to the law is a security against stumbling: "nothing shall offend them"; neither the daily cross (Mr 5:21,22) nor the fiery trial (Mr 4:7); nor the humbling doctrine (Joh 6:60,66, etc.). C.A.D

Verse 165.

1. The characters described-- "they which love thy law."
2. The blessing they enjoy: "great peace."
3. The evils they escape: "nothing shall offend them." -- G.R.

Verse 165. The peace and security of the godly.

1. Their peace. It arises from--

(a) Freedom from an accusing conscience.
(b) Conformity to the requirements of the law.
(c) Enjoyment of the privileges revealed in the law.
(d) Assurance of divine approval and benediction.

2. Their security.

(a) They are prepared for every duty.
(b) They are proof against every temptation.
(c) They are pledged to final perseverance.
(d) They have the promise of divine protection. -- W.H.J.P.

Verse 165.

1. An honourable title: "They which love thy law."
2. A good possession: "Great peace have they."
3. A blessed immunity: "Nothing shall offend them." -- J.F.

Verse 166.

1. A hope which is not ashamed.
2. A life which is not ashamed.
3. A God of whom he is not ashamed.

Verse 166. A good hope through grace.

1. Salvation is God's gift: "thy salvation."
2. Is apprehended by hope: "I have hoped."
3. Is accompanied by obedience: "and done thy commandments." Heb 6:9. -- C.A.D.

Verse 167. Past and present.

Verse 167.

1. The more we keep God's testimonies the more we shall love them.

2. The more we love them the more we shall keep them. -- G.R.

Verse 167.

1. The jewels: "Thy testimonies."

(a) Rare; none like them.

(b) Rich; surpassing valuation.

(c) Beautifying those who wear them.

(d) Glittering with an internal and essential splendour, in the darkness of this world.

(e) Realising in truth the old superstitions regarding precious stones having medicinal and magic virtues.

2. The cabinet: "My soul."

(a) Exactly made to receive the jewels.

(b) A wonderful piece of divine workmanship; but all ruined and marred unless applied to the use designed.

(c) The only receptacle out of which the genuine beauty of God's testimonies can so shine as to excite the admiration of beholders.

3. The lock that keeps all safe: "I love them exceedingly."

(a) Love is the strongest hold fast in the universe.

(b) It is needed, for ten thousand thieves prowl around to steal from us the treasure.

(c) A love "exceedingly" is a heavenly patent; no ingenuity can pick it; it is fire proof and burglar proof against hell itself. -- J.F.

Verse 168.

1. The claim of God's word upon our utmost obedience." I have kept thy precepts and thy testimonies." He does not mean that he had kept them perfectly; for that were to contradict other expressions in the psalm. He means that he kept them sincerely and strove to keep them perfectly, as one who realized their claim upon him.

(a) The whole word is divine: an equal authority pervades every precept; no distinction should be made of more or less obligation.

(b) The whole word is pure and right; expediency, or making the measure and manner of obedience suitable to our own purpose, is a false principle; to be carefully distinguished from righteous expediency, which is the foregoing of a personal right in consideration of another's benefit.

(c) The moral code of the word is a unity; obedience is like a connected chain, a wilful flaw in one link renders all useless.

2. The consciousness which greatly helps obedience: "For all my ways are before thee."

(a) "Are before thee," as plainly seen by thee.

(b) "Are before thee," constantly observed.

(c) "Are before thee;" deliberately placed before thee by me, that they may be corrected and directed. -- J.F.

Verse 168. All my ways are before thee.

1. The saint's delight.
2. The sinner's distress. -- W.W.

Verse 168. (second clause).

1. Necessarily so: for thou art the omniscient God: Ps 134:3.

2. Voluntarily so: for I choose to walk in thy sight. See Ps 16:9

3. Consciously and blessedly so. For the light of thy countenance inspires and gladdens me. See Ps 89:15. -- W.H.J.P.

Verse 168. (second clause). Living in the sight of God Actually the case with all; designedly the case of the godly; happily the case of the favoured; preeminently the case of those who abide in fellowship.

Verse 168.

1. The practical and doctrinal teachings of God before us.
2. All our ways before him.
3. The sort of conduct which these two causes will produce.

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

Verses 169-176. The concluding cry. Bespeaking audience for his the Psalmist asks for understanding and deliverance (ver. 169, 170); raises to praise God (ver. 171), and to speak of God (ver. 172), and cries for help (ver. 173), salvation (ver. 174), life (ver. 175), and (ver. 176).

Verse 169-170.

1. The singular dignity of prayer. We are on earth, but our prayers pass the seraphim and "come near before God."

2. The powerful right of prayer-- to urge with God his own word: "according to thy word."

3. The triumphant possibilities of prayer. Blessing us in mind and estate. For time and eternity. "Give me understanding." "Deliver me."

4. The amazing license accorded to prayer. To double and reiterate its requests (as here). -- W.B.H.

Verse 169.

1. Admission to the royal court.
2. Instruction from the royal throne.
3. Reliance on the royal word.

Verses 170-174. The pleader: Ps 119:170. The singer: Ps 119:171. The preacher: Ps 119:172. The worker: Ps 119:173. The waiter: Ps 119:174.

Verse 170.

1. Access sought.
2. Answer entreated.
3. Argument employed.

Verse 171. Taught; taught to praise; praising; praising for being taught.

Verse 171. Learning to sing by learning to obey.

Verse 171. The Happy Scholar.

1. He rejoices in the lesson he has learnt.

2. In the Teacher who has taught him.

3. Looks forward to the end of his lesson as the time for the full singing of his song. C.A.D.

Verse 171. Lessons in Praise.

1. It is saints' work.
2. It is sacred work, not to be hurriedly rushed into.
3. It needs Spirit instructed singers. W.B.H.

Verse 172.

1. The orator: "My tongue shall speak."
2. His chosen theme: "of thy word."
3. His inward impulse: "for all thy commandments are righteousness."

Verse 172. Savoury Speech.

1. A resolution all believers should make.
2. The qualification all believers should seek (Ps 45:1; Mt 7:34,35)
3. The edification believers would thus secure.
-- C.A.D.

Verse 173.

1. "To will is present with me."
2. "How to perform that which I would, I find not."
3. "Help. Lord."

Verse 173.

1. Help needed to keep the divine precepts.

2. Help sought: "Let thy hand," etc. We should choose nothing and do nothing in which we cannot ask help from God. -- G.R.

Verse 173.

1. God's Hand.

(a) Its warm hold (Joh 5:29).
(b) Its wealth of contents (Ps 104:28).
(c) Its heavy blow (Ps 39:10).
(d) Its weight (1Sa 5:11).
(e) Its saving reach (Isa 54:1).
(f) Its sweet shadow (Isa 49:2), etc.

2. The saint plucks him by the sleeve: "Let thy hand help me."

(a) His humble representation.
(b) His down drawing of the hand of God. -- W.B.H.

Verse 173. Let Thy hand help me.

1. Thy reconciling hand: "stretched out."

2. Thy comforting hand; like that which touched Daniel and John.

3. Thy supplying hand. "Thou openest thy hand," etc.

4. Thy protecting hand: "all his saints are in thy hand": De 33:3. "Great Shepherd of the sheep."

5. Thy supporting hand: "I will uphold thee."

6. Thy governing hand: "all my times are in thy hand."

7. Thy chastening hand: "Thy hand was heavy upon me."

8. Thy prospering hand: "the hand of the Lord was with," etc. -- W.J.

Verse 174.

1. Jacob's longings.
2. Moses' choice.

Verse 174. God's servant drinking at salvation's well, but unsated.

1. Longing yielding to delight.

(a) At God's salvation.
(b) At the rich Scripture inventory.

2. Delight bringing forth further longing.

(a) For deeper discoveries in the word.
(b) Richer experiences in the life.
(c) Heaven's consummation. -- W.B.H.

Verse 174.

1. Sighings for heaven. Holiness, happiness, God.

2. Sips by the way. The word of God, the will of God, service of God, the God in all. -- W.B.H.

Verse 174. I have longed for thy salvation. Thy holy salvation. Thy full salvation. Thy free salvation. Thy present salvation. Thy permanent salvation. W.J.

Verse 174. I have longed, etc. This longing arises,

1. From a painful consciousness of the need of salvation.

2. From a perception of the glories of God's salvation.

3. From the promises which give assurance of the possibility of obtaining this salvation.

4. From the gracious promptings of the Holy Ghost. -- W.H.J.P.

Verse 175.

1. The highest life.
2. The highest occupation.
3. Both dependent on the highest aid.

Verse 175. Praise.

1. The noblest employment of life-- to praise God.
2. The noblest presentation of praise-- the holy life.
3. The noblest application of divine judgments-- to inspire praise.

Verse 176.

1. My confession: "I have gone astray."
2. My profession: "thy servant."
3. My petition: "seek thy servant."
4. My plea: "for I do not forget, "etc.

Verse 176.

1. The confession: "I have gone astray."
2. The petition: "Seek thy servant."
3. The plea: "For I do not," etc. -- G.R.

Verse 176. The last verse as such. The closing minor cadence.

1. The highest flights of human devotion must end in confession of sin: "I have gone astray."

2. The sincerest professions of human fidelity must give place to the acknowledgment of helplessness: "seek thy servant."

3. The loftiest human declarations of love to God's law must come down to The mournful acknowledgment that we have only not forgotten it. -- 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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