Psalm 119:113

Sixthly. Distrust is another thing which usually takes up our thoughts -- distracting motions against God's providence. --Thomas Manton.

Verse 113. -- Vain thoughts. Let us see what vanity is. Take it in all the acceptances of it, it is true of our thoughts that they are "vain."

Verse 113. -- But thy law do I love Ballast your heart with a love to God. Love will, by a pleasing violence bind down our thoughts: if it doth not establish our minds, they will be like a cork, which, with a light breath, and a short curl of water, shall be tossed up and down from its station. Scholars that love learning will be continually hammering upon some notion or other which may further their progress, and as greedily clasp it as the iron will its beloved loadstone. He that is "winged with a divine love" to Christ will have frequent glances and flights toward him, and will start out from his worldly business several times in a day to give him a visit. Love, in the very working, is a settling grace; it increaseth our delight in God, partly by the sight of his amiableness, which is cleared to us in the very act of loving; and partly by the recompences he gives to the affectionate carriage of his creature; both which will prevent the heart's giving entertainment to such loose companions as evil thoughts. --Stephen Charnock.

Verse 113-114. -- When David was able to vouch his love to the command, he did not question his title to the promise. Here he asserts his sincere affection to the precepts: "I hate vain thoughts: but thy law do I love." Mark he doth not say he is free from vain thoughts, but he "hates" them, he likes their company no better than one would a pack of thieves that break into his house. Neither saith he that he fully kept the law, but he "loved" the law even when he failed of exact obedience to it. Now from this testimony his conscience brought in for his love to the law, his faith acts clearly and strongly on the promise in the next words, "Thou art my hiding place and my shield: I hope in thy word." --William Gurnall.

HINTS FOR PASTORS AND LAYPERSONS

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

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

HINTS FOR PASTORS AND LAYPERSONS

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

Verse 113. --

OR

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 --