Psalm 119
Verse 6 Respect - A due respect, which implies hearty affection, diligent study, and constant practice. To all - So as not to allow myself in any known sin, or in the neglect of any known duty. Verse 7 When - When by thy good spirit I shall he more fitly instructed in the meaning of thy word. Verse 8 Forsake me not - For then I shall fall into the foulest sins. Verse 9 A young man - Or, any man. But he names the young man, because such are commonly void of wisdom and experience, and exposed to many and great temptations. Cleanse - Purge himself from all filthiness of flesh and spirit. Verse 11 Hid - I have laid it up in my mind like a choice treasure, to be ready upon all occasions to counsel, quicken or caution me. Verse 17 Live - Safely and comfortably. Verse 18 Open - Enlighten my mind by the light of thy Holy Spirit, and dispel all ignorance and error. Behold - Those great and marvellous depths of Divine wisdom and goodness, and those profound mysteries of Christ, and God's grace to mankind, and of that everlasting state, which are not to be known but by Divine illumination. Verse 19 A stranger - I am not here as in my home, but as a pilgrim travelling homeward in a strange land. Commandments - Which are my chief support and guide in my pilgrimage. Verse 20 Breaketh - Faints, as it frequently does, when a thing vehemently desired is delayed. Judgments - To a more sound knowledge and serious practice of them. Verse 21 The proud - Obstinate and presumptuous sinners, who sin with an high hand. Err - Or, wander, knowingly or wilfully. Verse 25 The dust - I am in danger of present death: I am like one laid in the grave. Quicken - Preserve my life, or raise me out of the dust. Word - According to thy promise. Verse 26 My ways - My sins; and all my cares, and fears, and troubles. Verse 27 Understand - More throughly. Verse 28 Melteth - Like wax before the fire. Verse 29 Grant me - Vouchsafe me an accurate knowledge of thy word, and let me govern myself by it in all things. Verse 30 Laid - Or, set before me as a mark to aim at; as a rule to direct me. Verse 32 Run - I will obey thy precepts with all readiness, fervency, and diligence. Enlarge - When thou shalt replenish my heart with wisdom, and love to thee and thy law. Verse 36 Covetousness - He mentions this in particular, because it is most opposite to God's testimonies, and does most commonly hinder men from receiving his word, and from profiting by it: and because it is most pernicious, as being the root of all evil. Verse 37 Vanity - The vain things of this present world, such as riches, honours, pleasures: from beholding them, with desire or affection. Quicken - Make me lively, vigorous and fervent in thy service. Verse 38 Stablish - Confirm and perform thy promises. Verse 39 I fear - For my instability in thy ways; which in respect to my own weakness, I have great cause to fear. Verse 40 Longed - After a more solid knowledge and constant performance of them. In - According to thy faithfulness. Verse 43 Take not - Do not deal so with me, that I shall be ashamed to mention thy word. Judgments - In thy word. Verse 45 At liberty - Enjoy great freedom and comfort in thy ways. Verse 48 Lift up - To receive and embrace thy precepts and promises. Verse 49 Thy word - Thy promises. Verse 52 Judgments - Thy ancient dispensations to the children of men in punishing the ungodly. Verse 53 Horror - A mixed passion, made up of abhorrence of their sins, and dread and sorrow at the consideration of the judgments of God coming upon them. Verse 54 The house - In this world, wherein I am a stranger and pilgrim, as all my fathers were. Verse 55 Thy name - Thy holy nature and attributes, thy blessed word, and thy wonderful works. In the night - When darkness causes fear in others, I took pleasure in remembering thee; and when others gave themselves up to sleep, my thoughts and affections were working towards thee. Verse 56 This - This comfortable remembrance. Verse 57 Said - I have professed and owned it. Verse 59 Thought - I seriously considered both my former courses, and my duty in all my future actions. Verse 61 Robbed - Done me many injuries, for my respect to thy law. Verse 66 Judgment - Whereby I may rightly discern between truth and falsehood. Knowledge - A spiritual experimental knowledge. Verse 70 Fat - They are stupid and insensible. Verse 74 Glad - For the encouragement they have by my example to trust in God. See me - Alive and in safety. Word - In thy promise, and have not been disappointed of my hope. Verse 75 Judgments - Thy corrections. Of faithfulness - In pursuance of thy promises, and in order to my good. Verse 79 Known - Loved and practised them. Verse 80 Sound - That I may love and obey them sincerely, constantly, and universally. Verse 81 Fainteth - With long desire and earnest expectation. Verse 83 Bottle - A leathern bottle. My natural moisture is dryed and burnt up. Verse 84 The days - The days of my life. I have but a little while to live; give me some respite before I die. Verse 85 Who - Who have no respect to thy law. Verse 86 Faithful - Just and true. Verse 89 In heaven - With thee in thy heavenly habitation. Verse 91 They - The heaven and the earth. Ordinances - As thou hast appointed. For - All things are subject to thy power and pleasure. Verse 96 Perfection - Of the greatest and most perfect enjoyments in this world. Commandment - Thy word; one part of it being put for the whole. Broad - Or, large, both for extent, and for continuance: it is useful to all persons: it is of everlasting truth and efficacy; it will never deceive those who trust to it, as all worldly things will, but will make men happy both here and for ever. Verse 100 Because - The practice of religion is the best way to understand it. Verse 102 Taught me - By thy blessed spirit, illuminating my mind, and working upon my heart. Verse 108 Offerings - The sacrifices of prayer and praise. Verse 109 Is - Exposed to perpetual danger. Verse 118 Deceit - Their deceitful devices, shall bring that destruction upon themselves which they design for others. Verse 121 Judgment, &c. - Just judgment. Verse 122 Surety - Do thou undertake and plead my cause. Verse 123 The word - For the performance of thy faithful or merciful promise. Verse 126 To work - To put forth thy power for the restraint of evil - doers. They - The wicked. Made void - Or, abrogated thy law, have openly cast off its authority. Verse 127 Therefore - Because the general apostacy of others makes this duty more necessary. Verse 129 Wonderful - In regard of the deep mysteries, the most excellent directions, and the exceeding great and precious promises of God contained in them. Verse 131 Panted - I thirst after thy precepts, and pursue them eagerly. Verse 133 Steps - My motions and actions. Verse 136 Rivers - Plentiful tears, witness of my deep sorrow for God's dishonour, and for the miseries which sinners bring upon themselves. Verse 140 Pure - Without the least mixture of falsehood. Verse 142 Everlasting - The same in all ages and places. Verse 143 Trouble - Outward troubles and anguish of spirit. Verse 148 Watches - The middle watch, which was set in the middle of the night; and the morning watch, which was set some hours before the dawning of the day. Verse 149 Judgment - According to thy word. Verse 150 Nigh - To me, they are at hand and ready to seize upon me. Are far - They cast away from them all thoughts of thy law. Verse 152 Of old - By long experience. Founded - Thou hast established them upon everlasting foundations. Verse 160 The beginning - From the beginning of the world. Verse 161 But - But I feared thine offence and displeasure more than their wrath. Verse 164 Seven times - Many times; a certain number being put for an uncertain. Verse 165 Offend - Heb. they shall have no stumbling - block, at which they shall stumble and fall into mischief. Verse 175 Judgments - Thy word or testimonies, which are the only ground of my hope in thy help.