Shīpiān 119

1 Xíngwéi wánquán , zūnxíng Yēhéhuá lǜfǎ de , zhè rén biàn wèi yǒu fú .

2 Zūnshǒu tāde fǎdù , yī xīn xúnqiú tāde , zhè rén biàn wèi yǒu fú .

3 Zhè rén bú zuò fēi yì de shì , dàn zūnxíng tāde dào .

4 Yēhéhuá a , nǐ céng jiāng nǐde xùn cí fēnfu wǒmen , wéi yào wǒmen yīnqín zūnshǒu .

5 Dàn yuàn wǒ xíngshì jiāndéng , déyǐ zūnshǒu nǐde lǜ lì .

6 Wǒ kàn chóng nǐde yīqiè mìnglìng , jiù búzhìyú xiūkuì .

7 Wǒ xué le nǐ gōngyì de pàn yǔ , jiù yào yǐ zhèngzhí de xīn chēngxiè nǐ .

8 Wǒ bì shǒu nǐde lǜ lì . qiú nǐ zǒng búyào diūqì wǒ .

9 Shàonián rén yòng shénme jiéjìng tāde xíngwéi ne . shì yào zūnxíng nǐde huà .

10 Wǒ yī xīn xúnqiú le nǐ . qiú nǐ búyào jiào wǒ piānlí nǐde mìnglìng .

11 Wǒ jiāng nǐde huà cáng zaì xīnli , miǎndé wǒ dé zuì nǐ .

12 Yēhéhuá a , nǐ shì yīngdāng chēngsòng de . qiú nǐ jiāng nǐde lǜ lì jiàoxun wǒ .

13 Wǒ yòng zuǐchún chuányáng nǐ kǒu zhōng de yīqiè diǎnzhāng .

14 Wǒ xǐyuè nǐde fǎdù , rútóng xǐyuè yīqiè de cáiwù .

15 Wǒ yào mòxiǎng nǐde xùn cí , kàn chóng nǐde dàolù .

16 Wǒ yào zaì nǐde lǜ lì zhōng zì lè . wǒ bù wàngjì nǐde huà .

17 Qiú nǐ yòng hòu ēn dāi nǐde púrén , shǐ wǒ cún huó . wǒ jiù zūnshǒu nǐde huà .

18 Qiú nǐ kāi wǒde yǎnjing , shǐ wǒ kàn chū nǐ lǜfǎ zhōng de qímiào .

19 Wǒ shì zaì dì shang zuò jìjū de . qiú nǐ búyào xiàng wǒ yǐnmán nǐde mìnglìng .

20 Wǒ shícháng qiē mù nǐde diǎnzhāng , shènzhì xīn suì .

21 Shòu zhòuzǔ piānlí nǐ mìnglìng de jiāoào rén , nǐ yǐjing zébeì tāmen .

22 Qiú nǐ chúdiào wǒ suǒ shòu de xiūrǔ hé miǎoshì . yīn wǒ zūnshǒu nǐde fǎdù .

23 Suī yǒu shǒulǐng zuò zhe wàng lún wǒ . nǐ púrén què sīxiǎng nǐde lǜ lì .

24 Nǐde fǎdù , shì wǒ suǒ xǐlè de , shì wǒde móu shì .

25 Wǒde xìngméng jīhū guīyú chéntǔ . qiú nǐ zhào nǐde huà , jiāng wǒ jiùhuó .

26 Wǒ shùshuō wǒ suǒ xíng de , nǐ yīngyún le wǒ . qiú nǐ jiāng nǐde lǜ lì jiàoxun wǒ .

27 Qiú nǐ shǐ wǒ míngbai nǐde xùn cí , wǒ jiù sīxiǎng nǐde qí shì .

28 Wǒde xīn yīn chóukǔ ér xiāohuà . qiú nǐ zhào nǐde huà shǐ wǒ jiān lì .

29 Qiú nǐ shǐ wǒ líkāi jiān zhà de dào , kāiēn jiāng nǐde lǜfǎ cìgĕi wǒ .

30 Wǒ jiǎnxuǎn le zhōng xìn de dào , jiāng nǐde diǎnzhāng bǎi zaì wǒ miànqián .

31 Wǒ chí shǒu nǐde fǎdù . Yēhéhuá a , qiú nǐ búyào jiào wǒ xiūkuì .

32 Nǐ kāi guǎng wǒ xīn de shíhou , wǒ jiù wǎng nǐ mìnglìng de dào shang zhí bēn .

33 Yēhéhuá a , qiú nǐ jiāng nǐde lǜ lì zhǐjiào wǒ , wǒ bì zūnshǒu dàodǐ .

34 Qiú nǐ cì wǒ wùxìng , wǒ biàn zūnshǒu nǐde lǜfǎ . qiĕ yào yī xīn zūnshǒu .

35 Qiú nǐ jiào wǒ zūnxíng nǐde mìnglìng . yīnwei zhè shì wǒ suǒ xǐlè de .

36 Qiú nǐ shǐ wǒde xīn , qū xiàng nǐde fǎdù , bù qū xiàng fēi yì zhī cái .

37 Qiú nǐ jiào wǒ zhuǎn yǎn bú kàn xūjiǎ , yòu jiào wǒ zaì nǐde dào zhōng shēnghuó .

38 Nǐ xiàng jìngwèi nǐde rén suǒ yīngxǔ de huà , qiú nǐ xiàng púrén jiāndéng .

39 Qiú nǐ shǐ wǒ suǒ pà de xiūrǔ yuǎn lí wǒ , yīn nǐde diǎnzhāng bĕn wèi mĕi .

40 Wǒ xiànmù nǐde xùn cí . qiú nǐ shǐ wǒ zaì nǐde gōngyì shang shēnghuó .

41 Yēhéhuá a , yuàn nǐ zhào nǐde huà , shǐ nǐde cíaì , jiù shì nǐde jiùēn , líndào wǒ shēnshang .

42 Wǒ jiù yǒu huà huídá nà xiūrǔ wǒde . yīn wǒ yǐkào nǐde huà .

43 Qiú nǐ jiào zhēnlǐ de huà , zǒng bù líkāi wǒ kǒu . yīn wǒ yǎngwàng nǐde diǎnzhāng .

44 Wǒ yào cháng shǒu nǐde lǜfǎ , zhídào yǒng yǒngyuǎn yuǎn .

45 Wǒ yào zìyóu ér xíng ( huò zuò wǒ yào xíng zaì kuānkuò zhī dì ) . yīn wǒ sùlái kǎo jiū nǐde xùn cí .

46 Wǒ yĕ yào zaì jūnwáng miànqián , lún shuō nǐde fǎdù , bìng búzhìyú xiūkuì .

47 Wǒ yào zaì nǐde mìnglìng zhōng zì lè . zhè mìnglìng sùlái shì wǒ suǒ aì de .

48 Wǒ yòu yào zūnxíng ( yuánwén zuò jǔ shǒu ) nǐde mìnglìng . zhè mìnglìng sùlái shì wǒ suǒ aì de . wǒ yĕ yào sīxiǎng nǐde lǜ lì .

49 Qiú nǐ jìniàn xiàng nǐ púrén suǒ yīngxǔ de huà , jiào wǒ yǒu pànwàng .

50 Zhè huà jiāng wǒ jiùhuó le . wǒ zaì huànnàn zhōng , yīncǐ dé ānwèi .

51 Jiāoào de rén shén wǔ màn wǒ . wǒ què wèicéng piānlí nǐde lǜfǎ .

52 Yēhéhuá a , wǒ jìniàn nǐ cóng gǔ yǐlái de diǎnzhāng , jiù dé le ānwèi .

53 Wǒ jiàn è rén lí qì nǐde lǜfǎ , jiù nùqì fā zuò , yóu rú huǒshào .

54 Wǒ zaì shì jìjū , sùlái yǐ nǐde lǜ Lìwèi shīgē .

55 Yēhéhuá a , wǒ yè jiān jìniàn nǐde míng , zūnshǒu nǐde lǜfǎ .

56 Wǒ suǒyǐ rúcǐ , shì yīn wǒ shǒu nǐde xùn cí .

57 Yēhéhuá shì wǒde fú fēn . wǒ céng shuō , wǒ yào zūnshǒu nǐde yányǔ .

58 Wǒ yī xīn qiú guo nǐde ēn . yuàn nǐ zhào nǐde huà liánmǐn wǒ .

59 Wǒ sīxiǎng wǒ suǒ xíng de dào , jiù zhuǎn bù guī xiàng nǐde fǎdù .

60 Wǒ jímáng zūnshǒu nǐde mìnglìng , bìng bù chíyán .

61 È rén de shéng suǒ chán rǎo wǒ . wǒ què méiyǒu wàngjì nǐde lǜfǎ .

62 Wǒ yīn nǐ gōngyì de diǎnzhāng , bàn yè bì qǐlai chēngxiè nǐ .

63 Fán jìngwèi nǐ , shǒu nǐ xùn cí de rén , wǒ dōu yǔ tā zuò bàn .

64 Yēhéhuá a , nǐde cíaì biàn mǎn dàdì . qiú nǐ jiāng nǐde lǜ lì jiàoxun wǒ .

65 Yēhéhuá a , nǐ xiàng lái shì zhào nǐde huà shàn dāi púrén .

66 Qiú nǐ jiāng jīng míng hé zhīshi cìgĕi wǒ . yīn wǒ xìn le nǐde mìnglìng .

67 Wǒ wèi shòu kǔ yǐ xiān , zǒu mí le lù , xiànzaì què zūnshǒu nǐde huà .

68 Nǐ bĕn wèi shàn , suǒ xíng de yĕ shàn . qiú nǐ jiāng nǐde lǜ lì jiàoxun wǒ .

69 Jiāoào rén biān zào huǎng yán gōngjī wǒ . wǒ què yào yī xīn shǒu nǐde xùn cí .

70 Tāmen xīn méng zhīyóu . wǒ què xǐaì nǐde lǜfǎ .

71 Wǒ shòu kǔ shì yǔ wǒ yǒu yì , wéi yào shǐ wǒ xuéxí nǐde lǜ lì .

72 Nǐ kǒu zhōng de xùn yán ( huò zuò lǜfǎ ) , yǔ wǒ yǒu yì , shēng yú qiāwàn de jīn yín .

73 Nǐde shǒu zhìzào wǒ , jiànlì wǒ . qiú nǐ cì wǒ wùxìng , kĕyǐ xuéxí nǐde mìnglìng .

74 Jìngwèi nǐde rén jiàn wǒ , jiù yào huānxǐ . yīn wǒ yǎngwàng nǐde huà .

75 Yēhéhuá a , wǒ zhīdào nǐde pàn yǔ shì gōngyì de . nǐ shǐ wǒ shòu kǔ , shì yǐ chéngshí dāi wǒ .

76 Qiú nǐ zhào zhe yīngxǔ púrén de huà , yǐ cíaì ānwèi wǒ .

77 Yuàn nǐde cíbēi líndào wǒ , shǐ wǒ cún huó . yīn nǐde lǜfǎ shì wǒ suǒ xǐaì de .

78 Yuàn jiāoào rén méng xiū . yīnwei tāmen wú lǐ dì qīngfù wǒ . dàn wǒ yào sīxiǎng nǐde xùn cí .

79 Yuàn jìngwèi nǐde rén guī xiàng wǒ , tāmen jiù zhīdào nǐde fǎdù .

80 Yuàn wǒde xīn zaì nǐde lǜ lì shang wánquán , shǐ wǒ bú zhì méng xiū .

81 Wǒ xīn kĕ xiǎng nǐde jiùēn , yǎngwàng nǐde yīngxǔ .

82 Wǒ yīn pànwàng nǐde yīngxǔ , yǎnjing shī míng , shuō , nǐ hé shí ānwèi wǒ .

83 Wǒ hǎoxiàng yān xūn de pídaì . què bù wàngjì nǐde lǜ lì .

84 Nǐ púrén de nián rì yǒu duōshào ne . nǐ jǐshí xiàng bīpò wǒde rén shīxíng shĕnpàn ne .

85 Bù cóng nǐ lǜfǎ de jiāoào rén , wèi wǒ jué le kēng .

86 Nǐde mìnglìng jǐn dōu chéngshí . tāmen wú lǐ dì bīpò wǒ , qiú nǐ bāngzhu wǒ .

87 Tāmen jīhū bǎ wǒ cóng shìshang mièjué , dàn wǒ méiyǒu lí qì nǐde xùn cí .

88 Qiú nǐ zhào nǐde cíaì jiāng wǒ jiùhuó . wǒ jiù zūnshǒu nǐ kǒu zhōng de fǎdù .

89 Yēhéhuá a , nǐde huà ān déng zaì tiān , zhídào yǒngyuǎn .

90 Nǐde chéngshí cún dào wàn daì . nǐ jiāndéng le dì , dì jiù chángcún .

91 Tiāndì zhào nǐde ānpái , cún dào jīnrì . wànwù dōu shì nǐde pú yì .

92 wǒ ruò bú shì xǐaì nǐde lǜfǎ , zǎo jiù zaì kǔnàn zhōng mièjué le .

93 wǒ yǒng bù wàngjì nǐde xùn cí . yīn nǐ yòng zhè xùn cí jiāng wǒ jiùhuó le .

94 wǒ shì shǔ nǐde , qiú nǐ jiù wǒ , yīn wǒ xúnqiú le nǐde xùn cí .

95 è rén dĕng dāi wǒ , yào mièjué wǒ , wǒ què yào chuǎimó nǐde fǎdù .

96 wǒ kàn wàn shì jǐn dōu yǒu xiàn . wéiyǒu nǐde mìnglìng , jíqí kuān guǎng .

97 wǒ hédĕng aì mù nǐde lǜfǎ , zhōng rì bù zhù dì sīxiǎng .

98 Nǐde mìnglìng cháng cún zaì wǒ xīnli , shǐ wǒ bǐ chóudí yǒu zhìhuì .

99 wǒ bǐ wǒde shīfu gèng tōngdá . yīn wǒ sīxiǎng nǐde fǎdù .

100 wǒ bǐ nián lǎo de gèng míngbai , yīn wǒ shǒu le nǐde xùn cí .

101 wǒ jìnzhǐ wǒ jiǎo zǒu yīqiè de xié lù , wéi yào zūnshǒu nǐde huà .

102 wǒ méiyǒu piānlí nǐde diǎnzhāng , yīnwei nǐ jiàoxun le wǒ .

103 Nǐde yányǔ , zaì wǒ shang táng hédĕng gān mĕi . zaì wǒ kǒu zhōng bǐ mì gèng tián .

104 wǒ jiè zhe nǐde xùn cí , déyǐ míngbai . suǒyǐ wǒ hèn yīqiè de jiǎ dào .

105 Nǐde huà shì wǒ jiǎo qián de dēng , shì wǒ lù shang de guāng .

106 Nǐ gōngyì de diǎnzhāng , wǒ céng qǐshì zūnshǒu , wǒ bì àn shì ér xíng .

107 wǒ shén shì shòu kǔ . Yēhéhuá a , qiú nǐ zhào nǐde huà jiāng wǒ jiùhuó .

108 Yēhéhuá a , qiú nǐ yuènà wǒ kǒu zhōng de zànmĕi wèi gōngwù , yòu jiāng nǐde diǎnzhāng jiàoxun wǒ .

109 wǒde xìngméng cháng zaì wēixiǎn zhī zhōng , wǒ què bù wàngjì nǐde lǜfǎ .

110 è rén wèi wǒ shè xià wǎngluó . wǒ què méiyǒu piānlí nǐde xùn cí .

111 wǒ yǐ nǐde fǎdù wèi yǒngyuǎn de chǎnyè . yīn zhè shì wǒ xīn zhōng suǒ xǐaì de .

112 wǒde xīn zhuān xiàng nǐde lǜ lì , yǒngyuǎn zūnxíng , yīzhí dàodǐ .

113 xīnhuái èr yì de rén , wèi wǒ suǒ hèn . dàn nǐde lǜfǎ , wèi wǒ suǒ aì .

114 Nǐ shì wǒ cáng shēn zhī chù , yòu shì wǒde dùnpái . wǒ shén yǎngwàng nǐde huà yǔ .

115 zuò è de rén nǎ , nǐmen líkāi wǒ ba , wǒ hǎo zūnshǒu wǒ shén de mìnglìng .

116 Qiú nǐ zhào nǐde huà fú chí wǒ , shǐ wǒ cún huó , yĕ bù jiào wǒ yīn shī wàng ér haì xiū .

117 Qiú nǐ fú chí wǒ , wǒ biàn déjiù , shícháng kàn chóng nǐde lǜ lì .

118 Fán piānlí nǐ lǜ lì de rén , nǐ dōu qīng qì tāmen . yīnwei tāmende guǐzhà bì guī xū kōng .

119 Fán dì shang de è rén , nǐ chúdiào tā , hǎoxiàng chúdiào zhā zǐ . yīncǐ wǒ aì nǐde fǎdù .

120 wǒ yīn jùpà nǐ , ròu jiù fā dǒu . wǒ yĕ pà nǐde pàn yǔ .

121 wǒ xíng guo gōngping hé gōngyì . qiú nǐ búyào piĕ xià wǒ gĕi qīyē wǒde rén .

122 Qiú nǐ wèi púrén zuò bǎo , shǐ wǒ dé hǎo chù . bùróng jiāoào rén qīyē wǒ .

123 wǒ yīn pànwàng nǐde jiùēn , hé nǐ gōngyì de huà , yǎnjing shī míng .

124 Qiú nǐ zhào nǐde cíaì dāi púrén , jiāng nǐde lǜ lì jiàoxun wǒ .

125 wǒ shì nǐde púrén . qiú nǐ cì wǒ wùxìng , shǐ wǒ dé zhī nǐde fǎdù .

126 Zhè shì Yēhéhuá jiàng fá de shíhou , yīn rén feì le nǐde lǜfǎ .

127 Suǒyǐ , wǒ aì nǐde mìnglìng shēng yú jīnzi , gèng shēng yú jīng jīn .

128 Nǐ yīqiè de xùn cí , zaì wàn shì shang wǒ dōu yǐwéi zhèngzhí . wǒ què hèn è yīqiè jiǎ dào .

129 Nǐde fǎdù qímiào , suǒyǐ wǒ yī xīn jǐn shǒu .

130 Nǐde yányǔ yī jiĕkāi , jiù fāchū liàngguāng , shǐ yú rén tōngdá .

131 wǒ zhāng kǒu ér qì chuǎn . yīn wǒ qiē mù nǐde mìnglìng .

132 Qiú nǐ zhuǎn xiàng wǒ , liánmǐn wǒ , hǎoxiàng nǐ sùcháng dāi nàxiē aì nǐ míng de rén .

133 Qiú nǐ yòng nǐde huà , shǐ wǒ jiǎobù wĕn dāng , bù xǔ shénme zuìniè xiá zhì wǒ .

134 Qiú nǐ jiù wǒ tuōlí rén de qīyē . wǒ yào zūnshǒu nǐde xùn cí .

135 Qiú nǐ yòng liǎn guāng zhào púrén . yòu jiāng nǐde lǜ lì jiàoxun wǒ .

136 wǒde yǎnleì xià liú chéng hé , yīnwei tāmen bù shǒu nǐde lǜfǎ .

137 Yēhéhuá a , nǐ shì gōngyì de , nǐde pàn yǔ yĕ shì zhèngzhí de .

138 Nǐ suǒ méngdéng de fǎdù , shì píng gōngyì hé zhì chéng .

139 wǒ xīn jiāojí , rútóng huǒshào , yīn wǒ dírén wàngjì nǐde yányǔ .

140 Nǐde huà jíqí jīng liàn . suǒyǐ nǐde púrén xǐaì .

141 wǒ wēi xiǎo , beì rén miǎoshì . què bù wàngjì nǐde xùn cí .

142 Nǐde gōngyì yǒngyuǎn chángcún . nǐde lǜfǎ jǐn dōu zhēn shí .

143 wǒ zāoyù huànnàn chóukǔ . nǐde mìnglìng què shì wǒ suǒ xǐaì de .

144 Nǐde fǎdù yǒngyuǎn shì gōngyì de . qiú nǐ cì wǒ wùxìng , wǒ jiù huó le .

145 Yēhéhuá a , wǒ yī xīn hūyù nǐ . qiú nǐ yīngyún wǒ , wǒ bì jǐn shǒu nǐde lǜ lì .

146 wǒ xiàng nǐ hūyù , qiú nǐ jiù wǒ . wǒ yào zūnshǒu nǐde fǎdù .

147 wǒ chèn tiān wèi liàng hū qiú . wǒ yǎngwàng le nǐde yányǔ .

148 wǒ chèn yè gèng wèi huàn , jiāng yǎn zhēng kāi , wéi yào sīxiǎng nǐde huà yǔ .

149 Qiú nǐ zhào nǐde cíaì tīng wǒde shēngyīn . Yēhéhuá a , qiú nǐ zhào nǐde diǎnzhāng , jiāng wǒ jiùhuó .

150 zhuīqiú jiān è de rén línjìn le . tāmen yuǎn lí nǐde lǜfǎ .

151 Yēhéhuá a , nǐ yǔ wǒ xiāng jìn . nǐ yīqiè de mìnglìng jǐn dōu zhēn shí .

152 Wǒ yīn xué nǐde fǎdù , jiǔ yǐ zhīdào shì nǐ yǒngyuǎn lìdéng de .

153 Qiú nǐ kàn gù wǒde kǔnàn , dājiù wǒ , yīn wǒ bù wàngjì nǐde lǜfǎ .

154 Qiú nǐ wèi wǒ biàn qū , jiùshú wǒ , zhào nǐde huà jiāng wǒ jiùhuó .

155 jiùēn yuǎn lí è rén . yīnwei tāmen bù xúnqiú nǐde lǜ lì .

156 Yēhéhuá a , nǐde cíbēi bĕn wéi dà . qiú nǐ zhào nǐde diǎnzhāng jiāng wǒ jiùhuó .

157 bīpò wǒde , dǐdǎng wǒde , hĕn duō , wǒ què méiyǒu piānlí nǐde fǎdù .

158 wǒ kànjian jiān è de rén , jiù shén zēngwù , yīnwei tāmen bù zūnshǒu nǐde huà .

159 Nǐ kàn wǒ zĕnyàng aì nǐde xùn cí . Yēhéhuá a , qiú nǐ zhào nǐde cíaì jiāng wǒ jiùhuó .

160 Nǐ huà de zǒnggāng shì zhēn shí . nǐ yīqiè gōngyì de diǎnzhāng shì yǒngyuǎn chángcún .

161 shǒulǐng wú gù dì bīpò wǒ . dàn wǒde xīn wèijù nǐde yányǔ .

162 wǒ xǐaì nǐde huà , hǎoxiàng rén dé le xǔduō lǔ wù .

163 huǎng huà shì wǒ suǒ hèn è suǒ zēng xián de . wéi nǐde lǜfǎ , shì wǒ suǒ aì de .

164 wǒ yīn nǐ gōngyì de diǎnzhāng , yī tiān qī cì zànmĕi nǐ .

165 aì nǐ lǜfǎ de rén , yǒu dà píngān . shénme dōu bùnéng shǐ tāmen bàn jiǎo .

166 Yēhéhuá a , wǒ yǎngwàng le nǐde jiùēn , zūnxíng le nǐde mìnglìng .

167 wǒ xīnli shǒu le nǐde fǎdù . zhè fǎdù wǒ shén xǐaì .

168 wǒ zūnshǒu le nǐde xùn cí hé fǎdù . yīn wǒ yīqiè suǒ xíng de , dōu zaì nǐ miànqián .

169 Yēhéhuá a , yuàn wǒde hūyù dádào nǐ miànqián , zhào nǐde huà cì wǒ wùxìng .

170 Yuàn wǒde kĕnqiú dádào nǐ miànqián , zhào nǐde huà dājiù wǒ .

171 Yuàn wǒde zuǐfāchū zànmĕi de huà . yīnwei nǐ jiāng lǜ lì jiàoxun wǒ .

172 Yuàn wǒde shétou gē chàng nǐde huà . yīn nǐ yīqiè de mìnglìng jǐn dōu gōngyì .

173 Yuàn nǐ yòng shǒu bāngzhu wǒ . yīn wǒ jiǎnxuǎn le nǐde xùn cí .

174 Yēhéhuá a , wǒ qiē mù nǐde jiùēn . nǐde lǜfǎ yĕ shì wǒ suǒ xǐaì de .

175 Yuàn wǒde xìngméng cún huó , déyǐ zànmĕi nǐ . yuàn nǐde diǎnzhāng bāngzhu wǒ .

176 wǒ rú wáng yáng zǒu mí le lù . qiú nǐ xúnzhǎo púrén . yīn wǒ bù wàngjì nǐde mìnglìng .

Shīpiān 119 Commentary

Chapter 119

The general scope and design of this psalm is to magnify the Divine law, and make it honourable. There are ten words by which Divine revelation is called in this psalm, and each expresses what God expects from us, and what we may expect from him. 1. God's law; this is enacted by him as our Sovereign. 2. His way; this is the rule of his providence. 3. His testimonies; they are solemnly declared to the world. 4. His commandments; given with authority. 5. His precepts; not left as indifferent matters to us. 6. His word, or saying; it is the declaration of his mind. 7. His judgments; framed in infinite wisdom. 8. His righteousness; it is the rule and standard of what is right. 9. His statutes; they are always binding. 10. His truth or faithfulness; it is eternal truth, it shall endure for ever.

Verses 1-8 This psalm may be considered as the statement of a believer's experience. As far as our views, desires, and affections agree with what is here expressed, they come from the influences of the Holy Spirit, and no further. The pardoning mercy of God in Christ, is the only source of a sinner's happiness. And those are most happy, who are preserved most free from the defilement of sin, who simply believe God's testimonies, and depend on his promises. If the heart be divided between him and the world, it is evil. But the saints carefully avoid all sin; they are conscious of much evil that clogs them in the ways of God, but not of that wickedness which draws them out of those ways. The tempter would make men think they are at them out of those ways. The tempter would make men think they are at liberty to follow the word of God or not, as they please. But the desire and prayer of a good man agree with the will and command of God. If a man expects by obedience in one thing to purchase indulgence for disobedience in others, his hypocrisy will be detected; if he is not ashamed in this world, everlasting shame will be his portion. The psalmist coveted to learn the laws of God, to give God the glory. And believers see that if God forsakes them, the temper will be too hard for them.

Verses 9-16 To original corruption all have added actual sin. The ruin of the young is either living by no rule at all, or choosing false rules: let them walk by Scripture rules. To doubt of our own wisdom and strength, and to depend upon God, proves the purpose of holiness is sincere. God's word is treasure worth laying up, and there is no laying it up safe but in our hearts, that we may oppose God's precepts to the dominion of sin, his promises to its allurements, and his threatenings to its violence. Let this be our plea with Him to teach us his statutes, that, being partakers of his holiness, we may also partake of his blessedness. And those whose hearts are fed with the bread of life, should with their lips feed many. In the way of God's commandments there is the unsearchable riches of Christ. But we do not meditate on God's precepts to good purpose, unless our good thoughts produce good works. I will not only think of thy statutes, but do them with delight. And it will be well to try the sincerity of our obedience by tracing the spring of it; the reality of our love by cheerfulness in appointed duties.

Verses 17-24 If God deals in strict justice with us, we all perish. We ought to spend our lives in his service; we shall find true life in keeping his word. Those that would see the wondrous things of God's law and gospel, must beg him to give them understanding, by the light of his Spirit. Believers feel themselves strangers on earth; they fear missing their way, and losing comfort by erring from God's commandments. Every sanctified soul hungers after the word of God, as food which there is no living without. There is something of pride at the bottom of every wilful sin. God can silence lying lips; reproach and contempt may humble and do us good, and then they shall be removed. Do we find the weight of the cross is above that we are able to bear? He that bore it for us will enable us to bear it; upheld by him we cannot sink. It is sad when those who should protect the innocent, are their betrayers. The psalmist went on in duty, and he found comfort in the word of God. The comforts of the word of God are most pleasant to a gracious soul, when other comforts are made bitter; and those that would have God's testimonies to be their delight, must be advised by them. May the Lord direct us in exercising repentance of sin, and faith in Christ.

Verses 25-32 While the souls of the children of this world cleave to the earth as their portion, the children of light are greatly burdened, because of the remains of carnal affections in their hearts. It is unspeakable comfort to a gracious soul, to think with what tenderness all its complaints are received by a gracious God. We can talk of the wonders of redeeming love, when we understand the way of God's precepts, and walk in that way. The penitent melts in sorrow for sin: even the patient spirit may melt in the sense of affliction, it is then its interest to pour out its soul before God. The way of lying means all false ways by which men deceive themselves and others, or are deceived by Satan and his instruments. Those who know and love the law of the Lord, desire to know it more, and love it better. The way of serious godliness is the way of truth; the only true way to happiness: we must always have actual regard to it. Those who stick to the word of God, may in faith expect and pray for acceptance with God. Lord, never leave me to do that by which I shall shame myself, and do not thou reject my services. Those that are going to heaven, should still press forward. God, by his Spirit, enlarges the hearts of his people when he gives them wisdom. The believer prays to be set free from sin.

Verses 33-40 Teach me thy statutes, not the mere words, but the way of applying them to myself. God, by his Spirit, gives a right understanding. But the Spirit of revelation in the word will not suffice, unless we have the Spirit of wisdom in the heart. God puts his Spirit within us, causing us to walk in his statutes. The sin here prayed against is covetousness. Those that would have the love of God rooted in them, must get the love of the world rooted out; for the friendship of the world is enmity with God. Quicken me in thy way; to redeem time, and to do every duty with liveliness of spirit. Beholding vanity deadens us, and slackens our pace; a traveller must not stand gazing upon every object that presents itself to his view. The promises of God's word greatly relate to the preservation of the true believer. When Satan has drawn a child of God into worldly compliances, he will reproach him with the falls into which he led him. Victory must come from the cross of Christ. When we enjoy the sweetness of God's precepts, it will make us long for more acquaintance with them. And where God has wrought to will, he will work to do.

Verses 41-48 Lord, I have by faith thy mercies in view; let me by prayer prevail to obtain them. And when the salvation of the saints is completed, it will plainly appear that it was not in vain to trust in God's word. We need to pray that we may never be afraid or ashamed to own God's truths and ways before men. And the psalmist resolves to keep God's law, in a constant course of obedience, without backsliding. The service of sin is slavery; the service of God is liberty. There is no full happiness, or perfect liberty, but in keeping God's law. We must never be ashamed or afraid to own our religion. The more delight we take in the service of God, the nearer we come to perfection. Not only consent to his law as good, but take pleasure in it as good for us. Let me put forth all the strength I have, to do it. Something of this mind of Christ is in every true disciple.

Verses 49-56 Those that make God's promises their portion, may with humble boldness make them their plea. He that by his Spirit works faith in us, will work for us. The word of God speaks comfort in affliction. If, through grace, it makes us holy, there is enough in it to make us easy, in all conditions. Let us be certain we have the Divine law for what we believe, and then let not scoffers prevail upon us to decline from it. God's judgments of old comfort and encourage us, for he is still the same. Sin is horrible in the eyes of all that are sanctified. Ere long the believer will be absent from the body, and present with the Lord. In the mean time, the statutes of the Lord supply subjects for grateful praise. In the season of affliction, and in the silent hours of the night, he remembers the name of the Lord, and is stirred up to keep the law. All who have made religion the first thing, will own that they have been unspeakable gainers by it.

Verses 57-64 True believers take the Lord for the portion of their inheritance, and nothing less will satisfy them. The psalmist prayed with his whole heart, knowing how to value the blessing he prayed for: he desired the mercy promised, and depended on the promise for it. He turned from by-paths, and returned to God's testimonies. He delayed not. It behoves sinners to hasten to escape; and the believer will be equally in haste to glorify God. No care or grief should take away God's word out of our minds, or hinder the comfort it bestows. There is no situation on earth in which a believer has not cause to be thankful. Let us feel ashamed that others are more willing to keep from sleep to spend the time in sinful pleasures, than we are to praise God. And we should be more earnest in prayer, that our hearts may be filled with his mercy, grace, and peace.

Verses 65-72 However God has dealt with us, he has dealt with us better than we deserve; and all in love, and for our good. Many have knowledge, but little judgment; those who have both, are fortified against the snares of Satan, and furnished for the service of God. We are most apt to wander from God, when we are easy in the world. We should leave our concerns to the disposal of God, seeing we know not what is good for us. Lord, thou art our bountiful Benefactor; incline our hearts to faith and obedience. The psalmist will go on in his duty with constancy and resolution. The proud are full of the world, and its wealth and pleasures; these make them senseless, secure, and stupid. God visits his people with affliction, that they may learn his statutes. Not only God's promises, but even his law, his percepts, though hard to ungodly men, are desirable, and profitable, because they lead us with safety and delight unto eternal life.

Verses 73-80 God made us to serve him, and enjoy him; but by sin we have made ourselves unfit to serve him, and to enjoy him. We ought, therefore, continually to beseech him, by his Holy Spirit, to give us understanding. The comforts some have in God, should be matter of joy to others. But it is easy to own, that God's judgments are right, until it comes to be our own case. All supports under affliction must come from mercy and compassion. The mercies of God are tender mercies; the mercies of a father, the compassion of a mother to her son. They come to us when we are not able to go to them. Causeless reproach does not hurt, and should not move us. The psalmist could go on in the way of his duty, and find comfort in it. He valued the good will of saints, and was desirous to keep up his communion with them. Soundness of heart signifies sincerity in dependence on God, and devotedness to him.

Verses 81-88 The psalmist sought deliverance from his sins, his foes, and his fears. Hope deferred made him faint; his eyes failed by looking out for this expected salvation. But when the eyes fail, yet faith must not. His affliction was great. He was become like a leathern bottle, which, if hung up in the smoke, is dried and shrivelled up. We must ever be mindful of God's statutes. The days of the believer's mourning shall be ended; they are but for a moment, compared with eternal happiness. His enemies used craft as well as power for his ruin, in contempt of the law of God. The commandments of God are true and faithful guides in the path of peace and safety. We may best expect help from God when, like our Master, we do well and suffer for it. Wicked men may almost consume the believer upon earth, but he would sooner forsake all than forsake the word of the Lord. We should depend upon the grace of God for strength to do every good work. The surest token of God's good-will toward us, is his good work in us.

Verses 89-96 The settling of God's word in heaven, is opposed to the changes and revolutions of the earth. And the engagements of God's covenant are established more firmly than the earth itself. All the creatures answer the ends of their creation: shall man, who alone is endued with reason, be the only unprofitable burden of the earth? We may make the Bible a pleasant companion at any time. But the word, without the grace of God, would not quicken us. See the best help for bad memories, namely, good affections; and though the exact words be lost, if the meaning remain, that is well. I am thine, not my own, not the world's; save me from sin, save me from ruin. The Lord will keep the man in peace, whose mind is stayed on him. It is poor perfection which one sees and end of. Such are all things in this world, which pass for perfections. The glory of man is but as the flower of the grass. The psalmist had seen the fulness of the word of God, and its sufficiency. The word of the Lord reaches to all cases, to all times. It will take us from all confidence in man, or in our own wisdom, strength, and righteousness. Thus shall we seek comfort and happiness from Christ alone.

Verses 97-104 What we love, we love to think of. All true wisdom is from God. A good man carries his Bible with him, if not in his hands, yet in his head and in his heart. By meditation on God's testimonies we understand more than our teachers, when we understand our own hearts. The written word is a more sure guide to heaven, than all the fathers, the teachers, and ancients of the church. We cannot, with any comfort or boldness, attend God in holy duties, while under guilt, or in any by-way. It was Divine grace in his heart, that enabled the psalmist to receive these instructions. The soul has its tastes as well as the body. Our relish for the word of God will be greatest, when that for the world and the flesh is least. The way of sin is a wrong way; and the more understanding we get by the precepts of God, the more rooted will be our hatred of sin; and the more ready we are in the Scriptures, the better furnished we are with answers to temptation.

Verses 105-112 The word of God directs us in our work and way, and a dark place indeed the world would be without it. The commandment is a lamp kept burning with the oil of the Spirit, as a light to direct us in the choice of our way, and the steps we take in that way. The keeping of God's commands here meant, was that of a sinner under a dispensation of mercy, of a believer having part in the covenant of grace. The psalmist is often afflicted; but with longing desires to become more holy, offers up daily prayers for quickening grace. We cannot offer any thing to God, that he will accept but what he is pleased to teach us to do. To have our soul or life continually in our hands, implies constant danger of life; yet he did not forget God's promises nor his precepts. Numberless are the snares laid by the wicked; and happy is that servant of God, whom they have not caused to err from his Master's precepts. Heavenly treasures are a heritage for ever; all the saints accept them as such, therefore they can be content with little of this world. We must look for comfort only in the way of duty, and that duty must be done. A good man, by the grace of God, brings his heart to his work, then it is done well.

Verses 113-120 Here is a dread of the risings of sin, and the first beginnings of it. The more we love the law of God, the more watchful we shall be, lest vain thoughts draw us from what we love. Would we make progress in keeping God's commands, we must be separate from evil-doers. The believer could not live without the grace of God; but, supported by his hand, his spiritual life shall be maintained. Our holy security is grounded on Divine supports. All departure from God's statutes is error, and will prove fatal. Their cunning is falsehood. There is a day coming which will put the wicked into everlasting fire, the fit place for the dross. See what comes of sin Surely we who fall so low in devout affections, should fear, lest a promise being left us of entering into heavenly rest, any of us should be found to come short of it, ( Hebrews 4:1 ) .

Verses 121-128 Happy is the man, who, acting upon gospel principles, does justice to all around. Christ our Surety, having paid our debt and ransom, secures all the blessings of salvation to every true believer. The psalmist expects the word of God's righteousness, and no other salvation than what is secured by that word, which cannot fall to the ground. We deserve no favour form God; we are most easy when we cast ourselves upon God's mercy, and refer ourselves to it. If any man resolve to do God's will as his servant, he shall be made to know his testimonies. We must do what we can for the support of religion, and, after all, must beg of God to take the work into his own hands. It is hypocrisy to say we love God's commandments more than our worldly interests. The way of sin is a false way, being directly contrary to God's precepts, which are right: those that love and esteem God's law, hate sin, and will not be reconciled to it.

Verses 129-136 The wonders of redeeming love will fix the heart in adoration of them. The Scriptures show us what we were, what we are, and what we shall be. They show us the mercy and the justice of the Lord, the joys of heaven, and the pains of hell. Thus they give to the simple, in a few days, understanding of those matters, which philosophers for ages sought in vain. The believer, wearied with the cares of life and his conflicts with sin, pants for the consolations conveyed to him by means of the sacred word. And every one may pray, Look thou upon me, and be merciful unto me as thou usest to do unto those that love thy name. We must beg that the Holy Spirit would order our steps. The dominion of sin is to be dreaded and prayed against by every one. The oppression of men is often more than flesh and blood can bear; and He who knoweth our frame, will not refuse to remove it in answer to the prayers of his people. Whatever obscurity may appear as to the faith of the Old Testament believers, their confidence at the throne of grace can only be explained by their having obtained more distinct views of gospel privileges, through the sacrifices and services of their law, than is generally imagined. Go to the same place, plead the name and merits of Jesus, and you will not, you cannot plead in vain. Commonly, where there is a gracious heart, there is a weeping eye. Accept, O Lord, the tears our blessed Redeemer shed in the days of his flesh, for us who should weep for our brethren or ourselves.

Verses 137-144 God never did, and never can do wrong to any. The promises are faithfully performed by Him that made them. Zeal against sin should constrain us to do what we can against it, at least to do more in religion ourselves. Our love to the word of God is evidence of our love to God, because it is designed to make us partake his holiness. Men's real excellency always makes them low in their own eyes. When we are small and despised, we have the more need to remember God's precepts, that we may have them to support us. The law of God is the truth, the standard of holiness, the rule of happiness; but the obedience of Christ alone justifies the believer. Sorrows are often the lot of saints in this vale of tears; they are in heaviness through manifold temptations. There are delights in the word of God, which the saints often most sweetly enjoy when in trouble and anguish. This is life eternal, to know God and Jesus Christ whom he has sent, ( John 17:3 ) . May we live the life of faith and grace here, and be removed to the life of glory hereafter.

Verses 145-152 Supplications with the whole heart are presented only by those who desire God's salvation, and who love his commandments. Whither should the child go but to his father? Save me from my sins, my corruptions, my temptations, all the hinderances in my way, that I may keep thy testimonies. Christians who enjoy health, should not suffer the early hours of the morning to glide away unimproved. Hope in God's word encourages us to continue in prayer. It is better to take time from sleep, than not to find time for prayer. We have access to God at all hours; and if our first thoughts in the morning are of God, they will help to keep us in his fear all the day long. Make me lively and cheerful. God knows what we need and what is good for us, and will quicken us. If we are employed in God's service, we need not fear those who try to set themselves as far as they can out of the reach of the convictions and commands of his law. When trouble is near, God is near. He is never far to seek. All his commandments are truth. And God's promises will be performed. All that ever trusted in God have found him faithful.

Verses 153-160 The closer we cleave to the word of God, both as our rule and as our stay, the more assurance we have of deliverance. Christ is the Advocate of his people, their Redeemer. Those who were quickened by his Spirit and grace, when they were dead in trespasses and sins, often need to have the work of grace revived in them, according to the word of promise. The wicked not only do not God's statutes, but they do not even seek them. They flatter themselves that they are going to heaven; but the longer they persist in sin, the further it is from them. God's mercies are tender; they are a fountain that can never be exhausted. The psalmist begs for God's reviving, quickening grace. A man, steady in the way of his duty, though he may have many enemies, needs to fear none. Those that hate sin truly, hate it as sin, as a transgression of the law of God, and a breaking of his word. Our obedience is only pleasing to God, and pleasant to ourselves, when it comes from a principle of love. All, in every age, who receive God's word in faith and love, find every saying in it faithful.

Verses 161-168 Those whose hearts stand in awe of God's word, will rather endure the wrath of man, than break the law of God. By the word of God we are unspeakable gainers. Every man hates to have a lie told him, but we should more hate telling a lie; by the latter we give an affront to God. The more we see the beauty of truth, the more we shall see the hateful deformity of a lie. We are to praise God even for afflictions; through grace we get good from them. Those that love the world have great vexation, for it does not answer what they expect; those that love God's word have great peace, for it outdoes what they expect. Those in whom this holy love reigns, will not perplex themselves with needless scruples, or take offence at their brethren. A good hope of salvation will engage the heart in doing the commandments. And our love to the word of God must subdue our lusts, and root out carnal affections: we must make heart work of it, or we make nothing of it. We must keep the commandments of God by obedience to them, and his promises by reliance on them. God's eye is on us at all times; this should make us very careful to keep his commandments.

Verses 169-176 The psalmist desired grace and strength to lift up his prayers, and that the Lord would receive and notice them. He desired to know more of God in Christ; to know more of the doctrines of the word, and the duties of religion. He had a deep sense of unworthiness, and holy fear that his prayer should not come before God; Lord, what I pray for is, what thou hast promised. We have learned nothing to purpose, if we have not learned to praise God. We should always make the word of God the rule of our discourse, so as never to transgress it by sinful speaking, or sinful silence. His own hands are not sufficient, nor can any creature lend him help; therefore he looks up to God, that the hand that had made him may help him. He had made religion his deliberate choice. There is an eternal salvation all the saints long for, and therefore they pray that God would help their way to it. Let thy judgments help me; let all ordinances and all providences, (both are God's judgments,) further me in glorifying God; let them help me for that work. He often looks back with shame and gratitude to his lost estate. He still prays for the tender care of Him who purchased his flock with his own blood, that he may receive from him the gift of eternal life. Seek me, that is, Find me; for God never seeks in vain. Turn me, and I shall be turned. Let this psalm be a touchstone by which to try our hearts, and our lives. Do our hearts, cleansed in Christ's blood, make these prayers, resolutions and confessions our own? Is God's word the standard of our faith, and the law of our practice? Do we use it as pleas with Christ for what we need? Happy those who live in such delightful exercises.

Chapter Summary

INTRODUCTION TO PSALM 119

This psalm is generally thought to be written by David, but when is uncertain; very probably towards the decline of life; and, as some think, for the sake or his son Solomon. It seems to be a collection of observations on the word of God and its precepts, the usefulness and excellency of it, he had made in the course of his life; interspersed with various petitions for the grace of God, to enable him to observe it. The psalm is a very extraordinary one; partly on account of the unusual length of it, it being more than double the length of the longest psalm in the whole book; and partly on account of its curious composition. It consists of twenty two parts, according to the number of the letters in the Hebrew alphabet; the names of which letters stand between each part; and every part consists of eight verses, all of which begin with the same letter: thus, for instance, the first eight verses begin with the letter a, "aleph", and the second eight verses begin with the letter b, "beth", and so on throughout; hence the Masorah calls this psalm the Great Alphabet. This the psalmist did, perhaps to excite attention to what he said, and also to help the memory. And it is observable that there are very few verses in the whole, not more than one or two, but what has something in it concerning the word of God, and its precepts and ordinances; there are nine or ten different words used relative to it, which signify much one and the same thing; as laws, statutes, judgments, testimonies Luther {m} observes, that neither Cicero, nor Virgil, nor Demosthenes, are to be compared with David for eloquence, as we see in the hundred nineteenth Psalm, where he divideth one sense and meaning into twenty two sorts. And it may also be remarked, that there is nothing in it concerning the tabernacle worship, or the rites and ceremonies of the legal dispensation; so that it seems to be calculated for, and is suited to, the word of God, and the ordinances of it, as we now have them in their full perfection: and the design of the whole is to show the fervent affection the psalmist had for the word of God, and to stir up the same in others.

{m} Mensal. Colloqu. c. 32. p. 365.

a, \\ALEPH.--The First Part\\.