Psalm 119:6
Then shall I not be ashamed,
when I have respect unto all thy commandments
~ Psalm 119:6
To be ashamed is to feel guilt or worthlessness. Both are the result of sin, the transgression of God’s law. The Psalmist knew this from bitter experience. He confessed:
Before I was afflicted I went astray
Psalm 119:67I have gone astray like a lost sheep
Psalm 119:176
By God’s help, he will be delivered from shame.
Commandments here are constitutional commands. The word is used 22 times in this Psalm and is one of the related words that reference the Word of God. The word signifies commands given with authority. Authority makes all the difference in commands. I could go out into my neighborhood and begin proclaiming commands to all who are there, but they will have no binding power for I have no authority to so command. I would be mocked and spurned, or worse. The underlying power here is obviously the sovereign Creator. He has the authority to both command and expect obedience.
The word also refers to command given to us in trust. We are to observe them yes, but we are also to preserve them. We are to keep them in both senses and pass them on to proceeding generations.
Psalm 119:5
O that my ways were directed to keep thy statutes!
~ Psalm 119:5
This verse is a pleading prayer. It is a cry of weakness that seems to acknowledge failure on the part of the Psalmist. This prayer is a call for help. It reveals the true desire to keep God’s statutes and also the admission that he cannot apart from help.
Verse 4 speaks of the command to keep God’s precepts. Verse 5 show the right response to God’s commands—a desire to keep and to do them. This truth tempers the Psalmist’s declaration of love for God’s law. He loves the Word and responds with increased desire for it, to know it, to live it.
The word statute appears first here. It means a decree or ordinance. This is one of the related words used to reference the Word of God. In particular, it appears 22 times in the text of this chapter.
The root of the word in the Hebrew means hewn, cut, engraved, inscribed. It signifies something that is set in stone or some other durable material. The use of this word shows God’s law to be fixed and perpetual. You do not engrave something on a whim. You do not engrave something that will change soon or ever.
There is a contrast between our ways and the statutes. The statutes are fixed and do not need adjustment. It is our ways that must be directed to keep them.
Psalm 119:4
Thou hast commanded us to keep thy precepts diligently.
~ Psalm 119:4
The previous verses have dealt with the blessed state. It has been described and now is commanded. There may be few who truly exist daily in this blessed state, but we are all alike commanded to it.
The command necessarily relieves the godly man of any right to glory in himself. If he keeps the precepts, he is but doing what is commanded of him to do. He is as the unprofitable servant in Luke 17:10.
So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do.
On the other hand, we note that the blessed man is not one by accident. He is commanded to keep the precepts of God. This requires diligence and labor. To keep God’s precepts requires deliberate and determined purpose. We need the exhortation of Barnabas to the Antioch Christians, “Who, when he came, and had seen the grace of God, was glad, and exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord” (Acts 11:23).
The word for precepts means mandates or charges and appears 21 times in this Psalm. This refers to God’s charges or mandates which are prescribed to us in His Word. Also, we are to attend to them diligently, which word comprehends the idea of vehemence, speed, and exceeding. Surely this would allow no cavalier attitude toward the precepts of God. Certainly, we are to expend energy and haste to keep His Word.
Psalm 119:3
They also do no iniquity:
they walk in his ways.
~ Psalm 119:3
This verse continues the description of the blessed. Here they are considered negatively and positively. Negatively, they do not do iniquity. Positively, they do walk in His ways.
They also do no iniquity—The standard is here raised, but there is not the intention of earthly perfection. We know this at least from the later confessions and acknowledgments of failure in this Psalm. The truth is that Christians do not make a habit or regular practice of sin. That is not the general trend of their life. Consider the words of John:
Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.
1 John 3:9We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not; but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not.
1 John 5:18
They walk in his ways—It is not enough to keep from sin, though that is much. We must do righteousness. We must go in the right path. Just as the first part considered the general trend of the life and absolute perfection, here that trend is toward God’s ways. We must be acquainted, even more than acquainted, with God’s word, but that is not all. Jesus said, “If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them” (John 13:17).
The way of the blessed tends toward God and away from sin. This is sometimes called progressive sanctification. It is a work that God does in us and the fruit is known.
Psalm 119:2
Blessed are they that keep his testimonies,
and that seek him with the whole heart.
~ Psalm 119:2
Blessed are they—Verse 2 begins as verse 1, continuing the theme of the blessed. The writer of this Psalm will go on to acknowledge his failures. We need not think the “blessed” are without any error this side of heaven. Their character is described and we may safely assume they are directives to us to come to this condition.
That keep his testimonies—”To keep” here signifies to watch or to guard. The thought is of one guarding something of great value, such as a treasure. To guard something means to at least have some notion of the value of what is being guarded. It also indicates a desire to retain what is being guarded. The Psalmist finds such treasure in the testimonies of God. He will go on later to say they are more valuable than hordes of earthly treasure.
The blessed are keeping “His testimonies.” The word here means to turn back again or go over again. The thought is of giving an account of some event or truth. It is similar to the idea we have of someone giving a testimony in court. They are recounting the event, the character of someone, some scientific fact, etc. These are God’s testimonies concerning Himself. It occurs 23 times in this Psalm and refers to God’s self-revelation to man.
God’s testimonies are worth guarding and keeping. Another to say that is to say they are worth treasuring. The Psalmist treasure the testimonies of God in his heart and mind.
That seek him with the whole heart—Two great keys are given here. The first might be easily missed. The blessed “seek him.” In all the keeping of the Word, exulting in promises, rejoicing in blessings, the truly blessed are seeking Him. This theme is worthy of greater development, but suffice it to say there is a difference in seeking God’s benefits and seeking God.
The second key is that the seeking is “with the whole heart.” It is no half-hearted effort. Men of the world will give their whole heart to pursuing earthly riches, pleasure, and power. The blessed give their whole heart to seeking God. I have never seen a list of great accomplishments in history through half-hearted effort. I suspect it would be a short list.
God requires that we seek Him with our whole heart. “And now, Israel, what doth the LORD thy God require of thee, but to fear the LORD thy God, to walk in all his ways, and to love him, and to serve the LORD thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul” (Deuteronomy 10:12). God will suffer our hearts to be broken, but not divided. Whole-heartedness is a sub-theme that will continue throughout this long Psalm.
Psalm 119:1
Blessed are the undefiled in the way,
who walk in the law of the LORD.
~ Psalm 119:1
Blessed are—This majestic Psalm opens by showing the way of the blessed. “Blessed” describes a condition or state of being. It signifies happiness or prosperity, but does not promise the absence of sorrow or loss. It does not indicate levity, joviality, nor mirth. It is a state of favor, particularly Divine favor.
The blessed condition ought to be desired by all Christians. Though there are many directions to it in Scripture, many are either ignorant of how to attain unto it or they are reckless of heeding the way to it. This particular Psalm gives ample instruction in being blessed. Are we wise enough to hear and heed it?
This verse begins, “Blessed are.” They are, and then their condition is described. In this Psalm, we find the blessed are in favor with God. This means they enjoy communication with Him and sensitive to impediments of the same.
The undefiled in the way—To be undefiled is to be upright and truthful. The underlying thought is truth and integrity. It is the absence of hypocrisy in their walk. This at least says that being blessed is not in external appearance. Often, the external appearance seems contradictory to being blessed.
Link for Psalm 119 Sermon Series
“Way” here is one of the related words used in this Psalm to speak of the Word of God. The root of this word in the Hebrew means to tread with the foot. So the root denotes the act of walking. “Way” here speaks of a path, road, a going, or journeying. This word occurs 13 times in the entire Psalm.
The way indicates a marked out way. For the blessed, it is God’s way. To walk any other way is to be out of favor with God, incurring His wrath in the case of the wicked and His chastisement in the case of His children. It might be said that the order of first importance to be blessed is to be in God’s way.
Who walk in the law of the LORD—”Law” is another synonym for God’s Word. Here it is torah, a precept or statute. The root means to project or to issue, hence to point out or to show. It includes teaching or instruction. God’s law contains His instructions and points out His will. This word occurs about 25 times in the entire Psalm.
To speak of law is to speak of power and authority. It is the law of the Lord and none other the blessed walk in. They have abandoned the path of tradition, opinion, and all other laws of men to walk singly in His law.
Emphasis is put on walk. This word often stands for conversation, or the way of life. It is comprehensive. The blessed have their entire conversation, way of life, regulated by God. While some may wish to have God’s Word for some things and not for others, the blessed want all of God’s Word for all of life.
“Walk” also conveys the idea of constancy, consistency, perseverance. The blessed are continuing in the things they have learned. They are of those who go on unto perfection. Starting out pointed in the right direction is good, but diverting from the path in the middle or stopping before we reach the destination is not. We must press on and walk.
Psalm 119
Psalm 119 is not only a remarkable Psalm, it is one of the most remarkable chapters in the entire Bible. Though none of Scripture ought to be neglected, this chapter deserves special attention. In this series, we want to study this chapter; pray and meditate over this chapter. I pray that God will use this to work in us a deeper love and appreciation for His Word and a stronger commitment to live it.
Author
The authorship of this Psalm is not certain. Many authors have been suggested through the years, but it seems most likely to belong to David. In this Psalm are commandments, enemies, and dire circumstances—all answerable to David’s life. Regardless of the human author, it is the inspired Word of God and profitable for us.
Time
The time of the writing of this Psalm is also uncertain. Taken as a whole it seems that it was written in parts over a long period of time. A progression can be observed linearly from beginning to end. The early parts hint of youth and the latter parts evidence a maturing wisdom.
Theme
The theme of this Psalm is the Divine Revelation—the Word of God. It is remarkable that almost every verse has a reference to the Word of God. Ten different words are used to refer to Scripture: way, testimonies, precepts, commandments, word, law, judgment, righteousnesses, statute, and words. Each word brings its own nuance and serves a purpose.
Notables
Psalm 119 is by far the longest Psalm, and it is also the longest chapter in all Scripture. Its 176 verses are divided into 22 stanzas with 8 verses in each stanza. In the Hebrew text, each stanza begins with a different Hebrew letter. It starts at the first one and progresses sequentially through all 22 letters of the Hebrew alphabet. This form is very remarkable and poetic. Various attempts have been made to find some numerical or encoded significance to this form, but none of these to date are truly worthy of serious consideration.
In this entire Psalm there is not a single mention of Israel. There is no reference to the Jews, the tabernacle, the temple, sacrifices, rites, ceremonies, or anything of the Mosaic economy. What are we to make of this? They may well be some significance that escapes me, but it seems this Psalm is intended to applicable to the whole Word of God. Though the entire revelation was not yet given at the time this Psalm was written, it is not unbelievable to think of the Holy Spirit moving the penman with the perfect Word in mind. The theme remains fixed on the transcendent Word that was forever settled in heaven.
Attitude
Simply put, the writer loves the Word of God. Verse 97 could well serve as a summary verse of the whole: “O how love I thy law! It is my meditation all the day.” A number of things could have been said to describe the Psalmist’s attitude toward God’s law, but “love” is how it was described. Only love could elevate its worth above silver and gold. He declared, “The law of thy mouth is better unto me than thousands of gold and silver” (Psalm 119:72).
This Psalm as a whole exalts the Word of God. It is a high prize and treasure of incomparable worth. However, it is not some pretty thing to be set up on a high shelf and gazed at. Neither is it to be buried away out of sight as a miser might do. The Word is to be treasured and hidden away in the heart. “Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee” (Psalm 119:11). But, it is there for a purpose and buried in the heart is not the same as buried in the ground. “Thy testimonies have I taken as an heritage for ever: they are the rejoicing of my heart” (Psalm 119:111). What is concealed in the heart will also come out at the mouth. “My tongue shall speak of thy word: for all thy commandments are righteousness” (Psalm 119:172).
Psalm 119:7
Posted by Jeff Short on April 12, 2012 · 1 Comment
I will praise thee with uprightness of heart,
when I shall have learned thy righteous judgments.
~ Psalm 119:7
In the seventh verse of this first stanza, prayer is turned to praise. The Psalmist desires not only to praise, but to praise “with uprightness of heart.” His praise is the overflow of pursuing the holiness of God. Sanctification and growth in grace lead most naturally to extolling God in all His perfection. God’s praise is fitting for the righteous.
This appropriate praise is conditioned on learning God’s “righteous judgments.” The proper praise of God is “in spirit and in truth” (John 4:23). Judgment means to set upright. The word is used 23 times in this Psalm. God’s judgments are always righteous. We are judged by them and are to judge by them. Only the upright of heart can glory in the righteous judgments of God, because their righteousness is not their own (Philippians 3:9).
Link for Psalm 119 Sermon Series
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