Psalms 119:115

115 Depart from me, you evildoers, that I may keep the commandments of my God.

Psalms 119:115 Meaning and Commentary

Psalms 119:115

Depart from me, ye evildoers
The same with the evil thinkers, ( Psalms 119:113 ) ; According to Aben Ezra, they that think evil commonly do it; as they devise it, they commit it. This describes such persons whose course of life is, and who make it their constant business to do, iniquity; such the psalmist desires to depart his presence, to keep at a distance from him, as being very disagreeable to him; and who would be a great hinderance to him in keeping the commandments of God, as follows: these same words will be spoken by David's son and antitype, at the great day of account, ( Matthew 7:23 ) ;

for I will keep the commandments of my God;
of God who has a fight to command, and not of men, especially when opposed to the commands of God; of God, who is the covenant God and Father of his people; and whose covenant, grace, and favour, in choosing, redeeming, regenerating, and adopting them, lay them under greater obligations still to keep his commandments; and whose commandments are not grievous: and though they cannot be perfectly kept by good men, yet they are desirous of keeping them as well as they can, and determine in the strength of divine grace so to do; and which they do out of love to God, and with a view to his glory, without any selfish or mercenary ends. The Syriac version renders it, "that I may keep" to which end he desires to be rid of the company of wicked men; who are both a nuisance to good men, and an hinderance in religious duties.

Psalms 119:115 In-Context

113 I hate double-minded men, but I love thy law.
114 Thou art my hiding place and my shield; I hope in thy word.
115 Depart from me, you evildoers, that I may keep the commandments of my God.
116 Uphold me according to thy promise, that I may live, and let me not be put to shame in my hope!
117 Hold me up, that I may be safe and have regard for thy statutes continually!
Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright 1952 [2nd edition, 1971] by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.