Psalm 119:8

8 I will observe thy statutes; O forsake me not utterly!

Psalm 119:8 Meaning and Commentary

Psalms 119:8

I will keep thy statutes
This is a resolution taken up in the strength of divine grace, to answer the end of learning the judgments of God; which he did, not merely to have a notional knowledge of them, but to put them in practice; and not that he thought he could perfectly keep them, but was desirous of observing them in the best manner he could, as assisted by the grace of God; from love to God, in the faith and name of Christ, and with a view to the glory of God; without dependence upon them for life and salvation;

O forsake me not utterly;
totally and finally, or not at all; otherwise as if he should say, I shall never be able to keep thy statutes; so sensible was he of the necessity of the divine Presence and grace, to assist him in the observance of them: or, "for ever", as Ben Balaam interprets it, and so the Ethiopic version; R. Moses reads the words, "O forsake me not", in a parenthesis, and joins the rest thus, "I will keep thy statutes vehemently"; or with all my strength and might; and so Kimchi reads them: but such an interpretation is very forced, and contrary to the accents.

Psalm 119:8 In-Context

6 Then I shall not be put to shame, having my eyes fixed on all thy commandments.

7 I will praise thee with an upright heart, when I learn thy righteous ordinances.

8 I will observe thy statutes; O forsake me not utterly!

9 How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to thy word.

10 With my whole heart I seek thee; let me not wander from thy commandments!