NUN. Thy word [is] a lamp unto my feet
The same Solomon says of the law and commandment, the preceptive
part of the word, ( Proverbs
6:23 ) ; and the Septuagint and Arabic versions render it
"law" here. This shows a man what is his duty, both towards God
and man; by it is the knowledge of sin: this informs what
righteousness that is God requires of men; by the light of it a
man sees his own deformity and infirmities, the imperfection of
his obedience, and that he needs a better righteousness than his
own to justify him in the sight of God; it is a rule of walk and
conversation; it directs what to do, and how to walk. The Gospel
part of the word is a great and glorious light; by which men come
to have some knowledge of God in Christ, as a God gracious and
merciful; of Christ, his person, offices, and grace; of
righteousness, salvation, and eternal life by him; and it teaches
men to live soberly, righteously, and godly. The whole Scripture
is a light shining in a dark place; a lamp or torch to be carried
in the hand of a believer, while he passes through this dark
world; and is in the present state of imperfection, in which he
sees things but darkly. This is the standard of faith and
practice; by the light of this lamp the difference between true
and false doctrine may be discerned; error and immorality may be
reproved, and made manifest; the way of truth and godliness, in
which a man should walk, is pointed out; and by means of it he
may see and shun the stumbling blocks in his way, and escape
falling into pits and ditches; it is a good light to walk and
work by. The Targum is,
``thy word is as a light that shines to my feet.''It follows,
and a light unto my path;
the same thing in other words. Now it should be observed, that
the word of God is only so to a man whose eyes are opened and
enlightened by the Spirit of God, which is usually done by means
of the word; for a lamp, torch, candle, or any other light are of
no use to a blind man.