Psalms 119:120

120 (118-120) Pierce thou my flesh with thy fear: for I am afraid of thy judgments.

Psalms 119:120 Meaning and Commentary

Psalms 119:120

My flesh trembleth for fear of thee
Not for fear of the wrath of God coming down upon himself, nor for fear of eternal damnation; but for fear of what was coming upon the wicked, for their sins and transgressions. The word F14 used signifies such a dread and horror, which seizes a man to such a degree, that it makes the hair of his flesh to stand up; as Jarchi and Kimchi observe; see ( Psalms 119:53 ) ( Job 4:14 Job 4:15 ) ;

and I am afraid of thy judgments;
not of their coming down upon him, but upon the wicked; the thought of which is more awful to good men than to the wicked themselves; and especially when under any darkness, doubts, and fears; lest, being conscious to themselves of their own weakness, they should be left to join with the wicked in their sins, and so be partakers of their plagues.


FOOTNOTES:

F14 (rmo) (oryotricei) , Symmachus in Drusius; "horripilavit", Cajetanus apud Gejerum.

Psalms 119:120 In-Context

118 (118-118) Thou hast despised all them that fall off from thy judgments; for their thought is unjust.
119 (118-119) I have accounted all the sinners of the earth prevaricators: therefore have I loved thy testimonies.
120 (118-120) Pierce thou my flesh with thy fear: for I am afraid of thy judgments.
121 (118-121) I have done judgment and justice: give me not up to them that slander me.
122 (118-122) Uphold thy servant unto good: let not the proud calumniate me.
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