Psalm 119:96

96 have seen an end of all perfection; but thy commandment is very broad.

Psalm 119:96 Meaning and Commentary

gVer. 96. I have seen an end of all perfection
An end, limit, or border, to every country, as the Syriac version; as there is to every kingdom and state, and to the whole world; but none to the commandment of God: or an end of all created beings, the finished works of God, the most perfect in their kind. Manythings had already fallen under the observation of the psalmist: he had seen men of the greatest strength, and of the most consummate wisdom, and that had attained to the highest degree of power and authority, of wealth and riches, and yet were all come to nothing; he had seen some of the most flourishing states and kingdoms brought to desolation; he had seen an entire end of them: he saw by the Spirit of God, and by the word of God, and faith in it, that all things would have an end, the heavens and earth, and all that is therein; for so it may be rendered, "I see an end of all perfection" {b}; or that the most perfect things will have an end, and that the end of them is at hand; see ( 1 Peter 4:7 ) . Moreover, he had looked over the wisdom of this world, and the princes of it, which comes to nought; he had considered the several political schemes of government, the wisest digest and system of laws, made by the wisest lawgivers among men, and found them all to be limited, short and shallow, in comparison of the word of God, as follows: the Targum is,

``I have seen an end of all that I have studied in and looked into.''

[but] thy commandment [is] exceeding broad;
the word of God is a large field to walk and meditate in; it is sufficient to instruct all men in all ages, both with respect to doctrine and duty, and to make every man of God perfect; it has such a height and depth of doctrine and mysteries in it as can never be fully reached and fathomed, and such a breadth as is not to be measured: the fulness of the Scripture can never be exhausted; the promises of it reach to this life, and that which is to come; and the precepts of it are so large, that no works of righteousness done by men are adequate and proportionate to them; no righteousness, but the righteousness of Christ, is as large and as broad as those commandments; wherefore no perfection of righteousness is to be found in men, only in Christ; who is the perfect fulfilling end of the law for righteousness to everyone that believes, ( Romans 10:4 ) .

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FOOTNOTES:

F2 (ytyar) Tigurine version, Junius & Tremellius.

Psalm 119:96 In-Context

94 I am thine, save me; for I have sought out thine ordinances.

95 Sinners laid wait for me to destroy me; but I understood thy testimonies.

96 have seen an end of all perfection; but thy commandment is very broad.

97 How I have loved thy law, O Lord! it is my meditation all the day.

98 Thou hast made me wiser than mine enemies in thy commandment; for it is mine for ever.