Psalms 119:79

79 Let those who fear you turn to me, even those who know your testimonies.

Psalms 119:79 Meaning and Commentary

Psalms 119:79

Let those that fear thee turn unto me
Whose companion he was fond of being, ( Psalms 119:63 ) ; There were some good men, it seems, that turned from him, took the part of his enemies, and sided with them against him, which was matter of grief to him. Some think this refers to the affair of Bathsheba; when some that feared the Lord, that had been familiar with him, did not choose to keep company with him, but abstained from his conversation, having so foully sinned, and brought forth dishonour to God and on his ways. Jarchi and Kimchi both make mention of this. Now this grieved David; and he desires of all things that they would turn to him again, and favour him with their company; who were the excellent in the earth, in whom was all his delight. The Targum is,

``turn to my doctrine;''

to hear it, receive it, profess it, and abide by it;

and those that have known thy testimonies;
as such as fear the Lord do: they know them, and have a spiritual understanding of what they testify of; they know them, and love them, and delight in them; they know them, and own, acknowledge, and profess them; they know them, and keep, and observe them; and an excellent character this is.

Psalms 119:79 In-Context

77 Let your mercies come [to] me, that I may live, for your law [is] my delight.

78 Let the arrogant be put to shame, because they have wronged me [with] lies. As for me, I will meditate on your precepts.

79 Let those who fear you turn to me, even those who know your testimonies.

80 May my heart be blameless in your statutes, so that I may not be ashamed.

81 My soul languishes for your salvation; I hope in your word.

Footnotes

• [a]. According to the reading tradition (Qere)