Psalms 119:166

166 I hope for thy salvation, O LORD, and I do thy commandments.

Psalms 119:166 Meaning and Commentary

Psalms 119:166

Lord, I have hoped for thy salvation
Either temporal salvation and deliverance from enemies, and from afflictions, which God had promised, and therefore he had reason to hope for; or spiritual and eternal salvation, resolved on in the mind of God, provided in covenant, promised to be wrought out by Christ, and which since has been accomplished; and therefore there is a sufficient foundation to hope for it;

and done thy commandments:
this was not the cause, ground, and foundation of his hope; for then it would not have been like an anchor, sure and steadfast, but as the hope of the hypocrite, which is as the spider's web; but this was the effect of his hope; because he had a good hope of salvation, therefore he was studiously concerned to do the commandments of God; his hope prompted him to it, and encouraged him in it; see ( 1 John 3:2 1 John 3:3 ) . Kimchi's note here is a good one; "and done thy commandments", not for hope of reward; but I have done them as thy commandments are with me and I know that I shall have salvation, and I have hoped for it.

Psalms 119:166 In-Context

164 Seven times a day I praise thee for thy righteous ordinances.
165 Great peace have those who love thy law; nothing can make them stumble.
166 I hope for thy salvation, O LORD, and I do thy commandments.
167 My soul keeps thy testimonies; I love them exceedingly.
168 I keep thy precepts and testimonies, for all my ways are before thee.
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.