andrew
Layman
Still here...till the end.
Posts: 94
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Post by andrew on Sept 19, 2020 19:00:08 GMT -6
Psalm 119:97-104
Mem - ם – liquid, massive, chaos, water
Structure:
A) v97 The Word of Jehovah. Precious.
B) v98-100 The sources of Understanding and Reason.
C) v101 The Psalmist’s practice (Positive) and motive.
C) v102 The Psalmist’s practice (Negative) and reason.
A) v103 The Word of Jehovah. Precious.
B) v104 The source of Understanding and Consequence.
Verse Commentary:
S167
“Those who know that power of the gospel perceive an infinite loviness in the law as they see it fulfilled and embodied in Christ Jesus.”
Psalm 119:97
“O how I love thy law! it is my meditation all the day.”
A875a
“Love is therefore the breadth of the commandment. For how can it be that what God commandeth to be loved, be loved, and yet the commandment itself be not loved?”
L577
“Love for the Word is the measure of our love for the One it magnifies.”
S168
“The law is God’s law and therefore it is our love. We love it for its holiness, and we long to be holy. We love it for its wisdom, and we study to be wise. We love it for its perfection, and we yearn to be perfect.”
“Familiarity with the Word of God breeds affection, and affection seeks still greater familiarity.”
B246
Concerning the believer, “His former obedience was the bondage of fear. But how different is the effect of restraining love! He now delights to view it in every lineament. He dwells upon every feature with intense enjoyment.”
B248-249
“Lord! Implant in my heart a supreme love to thy law. Write it upon my heart – even that new law, ‘the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus,’ May I love it so, that I may be always meditating upon it, and by continual meditation yet more enlarging my love and delight in it! So let it prove an ever-springing source of heavenly enjoyment and holy conversation!”
Psalm 119:98
“Thou through thy commandments hast made me wiser than mine enemies: for they are ever with me.”
A875a
Augustine translates this, “Thou hast made me to understand Thy commandment above mine enemies; for it is ever with me.”He goes on to show how the Psalmist’s faith, like our own, is in the Messiah, not in our own good works.
P360
“MAKE ME WISE, i.e. teach me a different wisdom and a better wisdom than theirs; not one which consists in policy, or craft, or human prudence.” It is a wisdom that is, “practical wisdom which consists in the fear of the Lord, and which leads him to eschew all evil,”
L577-578 (also for v99 & 100)
“In these three verses David mentions three classes of men he outstripped in wisdom. Enemies, whose malice sharpens their wits, and makes them excel in policy – Teachers, who are furnished with learning because of their office, and who excel in doctrine – Ancients, who grow wise by experience and become safe in counsel.”
“Although brought up as a shepherd, David became far wiser than his foes, instructors, and elders, because he was taught of God.”
S169
“The letter of the law gives us knowledge, but only the divine Spirit can make us wise. Wisdom is knowledge put to practical use. Wisdom comes to us through obedience.”
John 7:17 “If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself.”
“A thoroughly straightforward man, devoid of all cunning, is a dreadful puzzle to all diplomats. They suspect him of a subtle deceit through which they cannot see. He is indifferent to their suspicions, keeps on in his even tone, and confuses all their plans. Yes, honesty is the best policy. He who is taught of God has a practical wisdom that things like malice cannot supply to the crafty. While harmless as a dove, he exhibits more than the serpent’s wisdom.”
B249 (also v99-100)
David, “became wiser than his enemies in ‘subtlety’ – than all his teachers in doctrine – than the ancients in experience.”
B250 (also v99-100)
“Many sincere Christians – especially at the outset of their course – are much hindered – either by the scepticism of others, or of their own minds; or from their previous habit of studying the Bible in the light of carnal wisdom, or in dependence upon human teaching. Such need special prayer for humility of mind and simplicity of faith.”
B251
The concept of understanding the Word being necessay to do God’s will is reflected in the New Testament. John 7:17 “If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself.”
Psalm 119:99
“I have more understanding than all my teachers: for thy testimonies are my meditation.”
A875a
Augustine notes that this passage was fulfilled by Jesus teaching in the temple at the age of twelve.
S170
“Disciples of Christ who sit at His feet are often better skilled in divine things than doctors of divinity.”
S171
“He who knows the truths taught in the Bible will not be guilty of egotism if he believes himself to be possessed of more important truth than all who profess to be agnostic.”
Psalm 119:100
“I understand more than the ancients, because I keep thy precepts.”
A876a
Jesus fulfilled this, too, by his rebuke of the scribes and pharisees seen in Matthew 15:2-3, “Why do thy disciples transgress the tradition of the elders? for they wash not their hands when they eat bread. But he answered and said unto them, Why do ye also transgress the commandment of God by your tradition?”
Psalm 119:101
“I have refrained my feet from every evil way, that I might keep thy word.”
A876a
As our Head, Jesus restrains us, His Body, from the evil ways we would travel in our flesh.
L579 & CB
David refrained from evil acts, including those of a religious kind.
S172
“How can we as servants of the Lord keep His Word if we do not keep our own works and words from bringing dishonour upon it?”
B252
“The professor is afraid of hell; the child of God – of sin. The one refrains from the outward act – the other seeks to be crucified to the love of sin.”
“But how awful to hear men talk of keeping the word in a loose and careless profession! For how can it be kept, if the heart has not felt its holiness? For this is the beautiful peculiarity; that, in order to keep it, there must be a separation from sin. The two things are incompatible with each other. The two services are at variance at every point; so that the love of sin must be cast out, where the love of God is engrafted in the heart.”
Me
The Lord is merciful to purge us of our sin by the best way possible. It may not be the quickest, but it is not slow. It may not be the easiest, but it is not too difficult. He never condones our sin, but is longsuffering as He works it out of us. I am very thankful for this mercy.
Psalm 119:102
“I have not departed from thy judgments: for thou hast taught me.”
A876a
“Thou, more inward than my inmost self, Thou hast laid down a law within my heart by Thy Spirit, as it were by Thy fingers, that I might not fear it as a slave without love, but might love it with a chaste fear as a son, and fear it with a chaste love.”
S173
“If we begin to depart a little, we can never tell where we will end up. The Lord leads us to persevere in holiness by abstaining from even the beginning of sin, but whatever the method, He is the worker of our perseverance, and to Him be all the glory. God’s Word pronounces judgements regarding moral actions, and we will do well to maintain those judgments as our infallible rule of thought and life.”
B256
“Lord! Do thou lead me by the hand, that I may make daily progress in thy judgments. Restrain my feet from ‘perpetual backsliding.’ All human instruction will be ineffectual to keep me from departing from thy judgments, except thou teachest me. Neither grace received, nor experience attained, nor engagements regarded, will secure me for one moment without continual teaching from thyself.”
Proverbs 9:10 “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.”
Jeremiah 31:33 “But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the LORD, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people.”
Jeremiah 32:40 “And I will make an everlasting covenant with them, that I will not turn away from them, to do them good; but I will put my fear in their hearts, that they shall not depart from me.”
1 John 2:27 “But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.”
Psalm 119:103
“How sweet are thy words unto my taste! yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth!”
A876-877a
After noting the literal Greek translation, “Thy utterances, above honey and the honeycomb unto my mouth.” Augustine adds, “Now the open teaching of wisdom is like unto honey; but that is like the comb which is squeezed from the more recondite mysteries, as if from cells of wax, by the mouth of the teacher, as if he were chewing it: but it is sweet to the mouth of the heart, not to the mouth of the flesh.”
L580
God’s judgements are sweet in that, “The godly have no greater joy than when they feel either the mercies of God accomplished towards them that fear Him, or His just treatment meted out to those who blatantly reject His overtures of love and grace.”
B257
The unbeliever may have knowledge of the Word, but cannot fully experience it. They may think it is good, but cannot KNOW its goodness. “The highest commendation cannot explain the sweetness of honey to one who has never tasted it.”
B258 & Me
If we read the Word out of a sense of duty or with a lack of concern, we will not taste its sweetness.
B259
“Who could convince us that this is the word of man, or the imposture of deceit, when its blessed influence has imparted peace, holiness, joy, support, and rest, infinitely beyond the power of man to bestow? But let this enjoyment – as the spiritual barometer – the pulse of the soul – accurately mark our progress or decline in the Divine life. With our advancement in spiritual health, the word will be increasingly sweet to our taste: while our declension will be marked by a corresponding abatement in our desires, love, and perception of its delights.”
Psalm 119:104
“Through thy precepts I get understanding: therefore I hate every false way.”
A877a
“He saith, that by obeying God’s commandments he hath arrived at the comprehension of those things which he had longed to know.”
L580
“Those who get understanding by the Word are not only guarded against evil – they come to hate it.”
S175
“Because he had understanding, and because of the divine precepts, he detested sin and falsehood.”
“True Christians have a universal revulsion of everything that is untrue. They tolerate no falsehood or foolishness, and they set themselves against all error of doctrine or wickedness of life.”
A person who loves one sin is aiding and comforting the Enemy. Though we are to hate no man, we are to hate every false way.”
B261
“I have marked the apple of my eye – that tenderest particle of my frame – that it is not only offended by a blow or a wound; but that if so much as an atom of dust find an entrance, it would smart until it had been wept out. Now such may my conscience be – sensitive of the slightest touch of sin – not only fearful resisting, rebelling, or ‘quenching the Spirit,’ but grieving for every thought of sin that grieves that blessed Comforter – that tenderest Friend!”
Me
I am growing in understanding; I am but beginning to fear the Lord; I see the wisdom in hating every sin; but I am still learning to hate it universally, to not covet some while abhorring others. I see the lack of my love for Jesus.
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andrew
Layman
Still here...till the end.
Posts: 94
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Post by andrew on Oct 2, 2020 19:57:22 GMT -6
Psalm 119:105-112
Nun – נ - activity, life, fish
Structure:
A) v105 The Word my Light.
B) v106 Purpose to Keep It.
C) v107-108 Affliction and Prayer.
C) v109-110 Danger and Protestations.
A) v111 The Word my Heritage and Joy.
B) v112 Purpose to keep it.
Octave commentary:
L580-581
“What a precious section this is, exalting Jehovah’s Word as it does as the source of light and joy! Such a heritage is the only beacon-light amid the darkness and storms of the world. Wherever the Bible is not found gross darkness prevails.”
“David’s desire to have his whole being illuminated and sanctified by the Word, as references to ‘my feet,’ ‘my path,’ ‘my mouth,’ ‘my soul,’ and ‘my heart’ reveal. He wanted the Lord, through His Word, to hold over his entire life, absolute sway.”
Psalm 119:105
“Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.”
L581
Lockyer notes that David’s son, Solomon, comments on this concept in Proverbs 6:23 “For the commandment is a lamp; and the law is light.”
B262
“The nightly journeys of Israel were guided by a pillar of fire – directing not only their course, but every step and movement.”
B265
“Though there is clear light in the word, yet there is remaining darkness in the most enlightened heart. There is no eye without a speck, no eye with perfect singleness of vision – consequently without some liability to error. There is light for the teachable – not for the curious;”
“Lord! As every action of the day is a step to heaven, or hell – Oh! Save me from ever turning my face away from the path, into which thy word would guide me. Enable me to avail myself of its light, in the constant exercise of faith, prudence, and simplicity.”
Psalm 119:106
“I have sworn, and I will perform it, that I will keep thy righteous judgments.”
S179
“Under the gospel, we should feel as obligated to obey the Word of the Lord as if we had taken an oath to do so. The bonds of love are not less sacred than the chains of law.”
B267
“Yet we would warn the inconsiderate Christian not to entangle his conscience by multiplied vows; nor by perpetual obligation – whether of restraint or of extraordinary exercises; nor by connecting them with trifles – thus weakening the deep solemnity of the purpose. Christian simplicity must be their principle. Our engagements to God must be grounded on his engagements to us. His faithfulness – not ours – must be our confidence. There is no innate power in these obligations; and except they be made in self-renouncing dedication, they will only issue in despondency and deeper captivity in sin.”
Psalm 119:107
“I am afflicted very much: quicken me, O LORD, according unto thy word.”
A878a
In the humiliation of his persecution, David prayed for God to give him life sufficient to help him prevail.
S180
“This is the best remedy for tribulation. The soul is raised above the thought of present distress and is filled with that holy joy that accompanies all vigorous spiritual life, and as a result, the affliction grows light.”
S181
“In their affliction, some desire death; let us pray for life. Our forebodings under trial are often very gloomy, so let’s plead with the Lord to deal with us not according to our fears, but according to His own Word. David did not have a lot of promises to quote, and many of those promises had been recorded in his own psalms, yet he pleads the Word of the Lord. How much more should we do so, since so many holy men have spoken to us by the Spirit of the Lord in that wonderful library that is now our Bible. Seeing we have more promises, let us offer more prayers, and let us exhibit more of the quickening power of the Word.”
Psalm 119:108
“Accept, I beseech thee, the freewill offerings of my mouth, O LORD, and teach me thy judgments.”
A878a
This passage is the words of, “one who was gaining in grace, and praying that he might receive in addition to what he had received.”
S181
“There can be no value in forced confessions. God’s revenue is not derived from forced taxation, but from freewill donation. There can be no acceptance where there is no willingness.”
S182
“After being quickened, we need teaching, because life without light or zeal without knowledge would only be half a blessing.”
B273
“No offering but a free-will offering is accepted. Such was the service under the law: such must it be under the gospel.”
B274
“Did not my beloved Saviour give a free-will offering of delight and joy? And shall not his free-flowing love be my pattern and my principle? Shall his offering be free for me, and mine be reluctant for him? Shall he be ready with his blood for me, and I be backward with my mouth for him?”
B274-275
“But let me not forget to supplicate for further instruction – ‘Teach me thy judgements, that I may be directed to present a purer offering; that by more distinct and accurate knowledge of thy ways, my love may be enlarged, and my obedience more entire, until I ‘stand perfect and complete in all the will of God.’”
Psalm 119:109
“My soul is continually in my hand: yet do I not forget thy law.”
CB842 & L582
Bullinger notes that in my hand is an idiom for being in great danger. Lockyer also notes this.
S182
“People say, ‘All is fair in love and war.’ but David did not think this way. While he carried his life in his hand, he also carried the law in his heart. No danger to our body should make us endanger our soul by forgetting what is right.”
B278 (also v110)
“Those who have never felt the nearness of eternity, can have but a faint idea of what we shall need in the hour when ‘flesh and heart fail,’ to fix a sure unshaken foot upon ‘the Rock of ages.’ ‘Watch, therefore,’ for ye know not how soon ye may be ready to say, My soul is in my hand, quivering on the eve of departure to the Judge.”
Luke 12:35 “Let your loins be girded about, and your lights burning; And ye yourselves like unto men that wait for their lord, when he will return from the wedding; that when he cometh and knocketh, they may open unto him immediately. Blessed are those servants, whom the lord when he cometh shall find watching: verily I say unto you, that he shall gird himself, and make them to sit down to meat, and will come forth and serve them.”
Psalm 119:110
“The wicked have laid a snare for me: yet I erred not from thy precepts.”
S183
“Cunning and treachery are always allies of malice, and anything like a generous or considerate feeling is unknown among the graceless, who treat the godly like vermin to be exterminated.”
S184
“Let us learn from this verse to be on our guard, for we, too, have enemies who are crafty and wicked. Hunters set their traps in places animals usually visit, and our worst snares are laid in our own ways. By keeping to the ways of the Lord, we will escape the snares of our adversaries, for the Lord’s ways are safe and free from treachery.”
Psalm 119:111
“Thy testimonies have I taken as an heritage for ever: for they are the rejoicing of my heart.”
P361
“God’s law is an everlasting possession, more truly so than the land of Canaan itself, which was given to Israel for an everlasting heritage.”
S184-185
“Sometimes, like Israel at their first coming into Canaan, we have to take hold of our heritage by difficult fighting, and if so, it is worthy of all our hard work and suffering. But it always has to be taken by a deliberate choice of the heart and will. God’s election must be our election. What God gives by grace we must take by faith.”
S185
“How good a thing it is when experience ripens into joy, passing through sorrow, prayer, conflict, hope, decision, and holy content into rejoicing! Joy fixes the spirit. Once a man’s heart rejoices in the divine Word, he greatly values it and is therefore forever united to it.”
B279
“But not only are they my heritage; - by my own intelligent choice I have taken them to be so. A blessing it is to have them. But the blessing of blessings is to have them made good – applied – sealed - made my own; so that, like a minor to come of age, I take possession of my heritage, I live on it, I live in it, it is my treasure, my portion.”
Psalm 119:112
“I have inclined mine heart to perform thy statutes alway, even unto the end.”
A879a
Augustine notes this verse and verse 36, ‘Incline my heart unto thy testimonies,’ show that it is both the gift of a Sovereign God and the freewill choice of man.
Me
This gift of God and our own will are ultimately working toward the same end, becoming less distinguishable as He brings us into a better understanding of the Word: of Him.
S186
“Unfortunately, many are inclined to practice temporary religion, but this godly man was so inclined that he felt bound to all eternity to perform all the statutes of his Lord and King. Lord, send us such a heavenly desire of heart as this, and then we will show that You have quickened and taught us. To this end, create in us a clean heart and renew a right spirit within us daily, because only in that way will we be inclined in the right direction.”
B281
We are no more able to stop ourselves from sinning than a leopard is able to change his spots. It is only by Divine providence that we may succeed in inclining our hearts to perform His statutes.
B282
“Every step indeed to the end will be a conflict with indwelling sin, in the form of remaining enmity, sloth, or unbelief. But how encouraging is it to trace every tender prayer, every contrite groan, every spiritual desire, to the assisting, upholding influence of the ‘free spirit of God!’” And in this we, “work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.” Philippians 2:12-13
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andrew
Layman
Still here...till the end.
Posts: 94
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Post by andrew on Oct 3, 2020 13:31:20 GMT -6
Psalm 119:113-120
Samech - ס - support, twist slowly, turn, prop
Structure:
A) v113-114 Protestations “I”
B) v115 Evildoers. Addressed concerning God.
C) v116 Uphold me from above and without.
C) v117 Uphold me from beneath and within.
B) v118-119 Evildoers. God addressed concerning them.
A) v120 Protestations “I”
Octave Commentary:
L583
The Hebrew letter Samech means a prop. Twice in this octave, David speaks of God holding him up, Uphold me, and Hold Thou me up.
Psalm 119:113
“I hate vain thoughts: but thy law do I love.”
L584
Lockyer notes that the Hebrew refers to branches shooting up. This makes me think of the confusing mess that can become of a hedge which necessitates its pruning.
David doesn’t claim to have kept the law, but to love it, as all fall short in this world.
S188
As the psalmist began the Mem octave with his love of God’s law, here he begins Samech with his hatred of those things which oppose God’s law.
The original word for vain denotes a wavering between two opinions.
S189
“When we love the law, it becomes a law of love, and we cleave to it with our whole heart.”
B284
“The work of Divine grace is to restore the disordered affections to their proper centre, and to bestow them on their right object; - hating vain thoughts, and loving the law of God.”
Psalm 119:114
“Thou art my hiding place and my shield: I hope in thy word.”
A887a
“’Thou art my helper and my taker up’: ‘my helper,’ to do good works: ‘my taker up,’ to escape evil ones.”
L584
Hiding in a secret place, God makes him safe.
S190
We cannot flee our own thoughts, or escape from them until we seek God and His deliverance.
B292
“But the completeness of our security is graphically portrayed – Thou art my hiding-place, to cover from danger, - my shield, also to protect me in it. Either I shall be kept from trouble, that it shall not come; or in trouble, that it shall not hurt me. The hiding-place alone would be imperfect security, as being limited to one place. But my shield is movable, wherever be the point of danger or assault. I can ‘quench the dart’ that is aimed at my soul.”
Psalm 119:115
“Depart from me, ye evildoers: for I will keep the commandments of my God.”
S191
Matthew 7:23 “And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.”
“We cannot send all evildoers out of our houses in this manner, but on occasion we may be bound by duty to do so. The standard of truth and reason requires that we not be frequently troubled with unrepentant servants or reprehensible tenants. A house is all the better for being rid of liars, thieves, filthy talkers, and slanderers.”
“Those who say to god, ‘Depart from us,’ ought to hear the immediate echo of their words from the mouths of God’s children, who should say to them, ‘Depart from us.’”
S192
This is the only verse where the word God is used in all of this longest psalm. It is important to note, the psalmist refers to MY God.
B293
Amos 3:3 “Can two walk together, except they be agreed?” “And can we be ‘agreed’ and walk in fellowship with God, except we be at variance with the principles, the standard, and conduct of a world that is ‘enmity against him?’”
B295
“Scrutinize, in every advancing step toward the world, the workings of your own heart. Suspect its reasonings. Listen to the first awkward conviction of conscience. Though it be only a whisper, or a hint, it is probably the indication of the Divine will. And never forget, that this experiment of worldly conformity, often as it has been tried, has never answered the desired end.”
Psalm 119:116
“Uphold me according unto thy word, that I may live: and let me not be ashamed of my hope.”
S192-193
“He who has given us eternal life has secured for us all that is essential to it, and since gracious support to keep us from falling is one of the necessary things, we can be sure we will have it.”
Me
Lord! Let our hope be known in the sight of men!
B300
“The Tempter himself will flee, when he marks the poor, feeble, fainting soul upheld according to the word of his God, and placed in safety beyond the reach of his malice. Not, however, that, as I once supposed, my weakness will ever be made strong; but that I shall daily grow more sensible of it, shall stay myself more simply upon infinite everlasting strength;” because, “And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” 2Corinthians 12:9
Psalm 119:117
“Hold thou me up, and I shall be safe: and I will have respect unto thy statutes continually.”
L586
“Weaker than a bruised reed,
Help I every moment need.”
“Instead of respect ancient versions read, ‘then shall I delight myself in thy statutes continually.’”
S194 & Me
In being held up and made safe, we delight in obeying.
B300
Only God’s upholding grace can sustain us in our walk in this world, without which we surely stumble.
Psalm 119:118
“Thou hast trodden down all them that err from thy statutes: for their deceit is falsehood.”
P361-362
“Falsehood, i.e. self-deception: they rely upon their deceitful artifices in vain, and only to their own confusion.”
L586
Regarding deceit is their falsehood, “A paraphrase of the Hebrew reads, ‘for their wits are as fruitless as they are deceitful.’”
S195
“How horrified will those be who have spent all their lives in fabricating a made-up religion when they see it all trodden on by God as a sham which He cannot endure!”
Me (also 119)
There, but for the grace of God, go I.
B307 (also 119)
“But how should this justice of the Lord’s proceedings endear his statutes to us? It is such a sensible demonstration of his truth, bringing with it such a close conviction of sovereign mercy to ourselves – not less guilty than they!”
Psalm 119:119
“Thou puttest away all the wicked of the earth like dross: therefore I love thy testimonies.”
CB 843
Thou puttest away, should read I have accounted.
L587
“It is because God is glorious in holiness that He rids His Kingdom of rebels, and His temple of all who defile it, and His saints love Him all the more because of judgment of the ungodly.”
S197
“In those evil days, when God’s punishment of sinners has become the object of arrogant skepticism, we can consider it a mark of the true man of God that he does not love the Lord any less, but a great deal more, because of His appropriate judgment of the ungodly.”
“A God more lenient would be a God less loving and less loved.”
Psalm 119:120
“My flesh trembleth for fear of thee; and I am afraid of thy judgments.”
A881a
“Fix with nails my flesh in Thy fear”
P362
“Trembleth, or ‘shuddereth’ strictly used of the hair as standing erect in terror.”
L587-588
David fears the judgement he sees coming upon the wicked, knowing that without God’s mercy, he would be with them.
Me
Lord! Lest your judgements fall on us, please make us into what You would have us to be.
S198
“Love in the previous verse is quite consistent with fear in this verse. The fear that contains torment is cast out, but not the fear that a child has for one’s father that leads to reverence and obedience.”
B307
“Now if we are under the influence or this reverential awe and seriousness of spirit, we shall learn to attach a supreme authority and consideration to the least of his commands. We shall dread the thought of willfully offending him.”
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andrew
Layman
Still here...till the end.
Posts: 94
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Post by andrew on Oct 10, 2020 13:41:52 GMT -6
Psalm119:121-128
Ayin - ע - to see, know, experience, eye
Structure:
A) v121-122 What I have done, and Prayer (Negative)
B) v123 The Word. Desire for it.
C) v124-125 Thy servants prayer.
A) v126 What Jehovah should do, and Plea (Positive)
B) v127-128 The Word. Love for it.
C) v128 Thy servant’s resolve.
Octave Commentary:
L588
The letter Ayin, “expresses the sentiment of the octave which is but the outbreathing for a steadfastness and soundness of heart and mind amid all the impiety and unbelief of a godless world, and the longing of the soul to have Jehovah stand by His Word – adherence to which warranted a plea of innocence.”
Psalm 119:121
“I have done judgment and justice: leave me not to mine oppressors.”
A882a
“Whoso therefore in the chaste fear of God hath his flesh crucified, and corrupted by no carnal allurement, dealeth judgment and the work of righteousness, ought to pray that he may not be given up to his adversaries; that is, that he may not, through his dread of suffering evils, yield unto his adversaries to do evil. For he receiveth power of endurance, which guardeth him from being overcome with pain, from Him from whom he receiveth the victory over lust, which preventeth his being seduced by pleasure.”
S200
“He who has been doing right, as far as his ability allows, can hope to be delivered from his oppressors when they make attempts to do him wrong. If I will not oppress others, I can pray that others won’t be permitted to oppress me. A course of upright conduct is one that gives us boldness in appealing to the Great Judge for deliverance from the injustice of wicked men. This kind of pleading is not to be criticized as self-righteous, for it is most fit and acceptable.”
B314 (also v122)
“But let not this appeal be thought to savour of Pharisaical pride. He pleads not merit. He only asserts his innocence – the righteousness of his cause – not of his person. Though upright before men, he ever felt himself a sinner before God.”
Psalm 119:122
“Be surety for thy servant for good: let not the proud oppress me.”
A882a
“They drive me on, that I may fall into evil; do Thou take me off to that which is good.”
L589
“As Christ, our Surety, is the living Word, then, perhaps, we do have a term in this verse of God’s law.”
S201
“Do not leave Your poor servant to die by the hand of his enemy and Yours. Take up my interests, weave them with Your own, and stand for me.”
S202
“Good people dread oppression, for it makes even a wise person senseless, and they send up their cries to heaven for deliverance. The cry will not be in vain, for the Lord will undertake the cause of His servants and fight their battles against the proud.”
Psalm 119:123
“Mine eyes fail for thy salvation, and for the word of thy righteousness.”
S202
“He wept, waited, and watched for God’s saving hand, and these exercises tried the eyes of his faith until they were almost ready to give out. He looked to God alone, he looked eagerly, he looked long, and he looked until his eyes ached. The kindness of this is that if our eyes fail, God does not fail, nor do His eyes fail. Eyes are tender things, and so are our faith, hope, and expectation. The Lord will not test them above what they are able to bear.”
Compare 1Corinthians 10:13 “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.”
B317
“Complaining is not humility. Prayer without waiting is not faith.”
“Though he delays his promise, and holds us as it were in suspense; yet he would have us know, that he has not forgotten the word of his righteousness.”
Psalm 119:124
“Deal with thy servant according unto thy mercy, and teach me thy statutes.”
S203-204
“We can expect a master to teach his servant the meaning of his orders, but since our ignorance frequently arises from our sinful stupidity, it is great mercy on god’s part that He humbles Himself to instruct us in His commands. For our ruler to become our teacher is an act of great grace for which we cannot be too grateful. Among our mercies, this is one of the best.”
B322 (also v125)
“Lord! Thou hast showed me this great favour and grace, to make me thy servant. I would be thine forever. I love thy service too well to wish to change it; yet must I mourn over my dullness, my backwardness in doing thy will, and walking in thy way. Oh! Teach me thy statutes more clearly, more experimentally! Give me understanding to discern their heavenly sweetness and their holy liberty, that I may live in a more simple and devoted obedience to them, until I come to see thy face, and to be thy servant in thy heavenly temple, ‘no more to go out.’”
Psalm 119:125
“I am thy servant; give me understanding, that I may know thy testimonies.”
S205
“The servant of God desires to know in an understanding manner all the Lord reveals about mankind and to mankind. He wants to be so instructed that he can apprehend and comprehend what he is taught. A servant should not be ignorant concerning his master or his master’s business.”
Me
It is important for us to learn the why of God’s ways so we may more properly understand how we are to apply them in our own walk.
Psalm 119:126
“It is time for thee, LORD, to work: for they have made void thy law.”
CB843
“to work: i.e. to intervene”
B324
“How gracious is our God in permitting his servants thus to plead with him, and, as it were, to give him no rest, until ‘he shall arise and work,’ and sit upon the throne of the kingdoms of the earth!”
“Meanwhile – waiting for this ‘little while,’ let us ‘live by faith.’ Let us be found on the Lord’s side – labouring for sinners – pleading with their hardness and rebellion in our Maker’s name, and for our Maker’s sake.”
Me
We see before us the fulfillment of this verse as we near the Great and Terrible Day of the Lord.
L590
“To work is the Hebrew word used absolutely for ‘to execute judgment.’ or ‘to administer justice by punishing the wicked.’”
S206
“Oh, for an hour of the King upon the throne with the rod of iron in His hand! Oh, for another Pentecost with all its wonders, to reveal the energy of God to opposers and make them see there is a God in Israel!”
Psalm 119:127
“Therefore I love thy commandments above gold; yea, above fine gold.”
A883a
“But when the commandments are loved for their own sake ‘above gold and exceeding precious stones,’ all earthly reward compared with the commandments themselves is vile; nor are any other goods of man comparable in any respect with those goods whereby man himself is made good.”
L591 & S207-208 (also v128)
“The dearer, for their rage,
Thy words I love and own,
A wealthier heritage
Than gold and precious stones.”
-John Keble
S207
“It is a sign of a true believer that he does not depend upon others for his religion, but drinks water out of his own well that springs up even when the cisterns of earth are all dried. In the midst of a general deprecation of the law, our holy poet felt his own respect for the law rising so high that gold and silver sank in comparison.”
Psalm 119:128
“Therefore I esteem all thy precepts concerning all things to be right; and I hate every false way.”
B330
“If my hatred of sin is sincere, I shall hate it more in my own house than abroad; I shall hate it most of all in my own heart.”
S209
“May the Holy Spirit so rule in our hearts that our affections can be in the same unquestionable state toward the precepts of the Word. May we take our place on the side of God and righteousness and never bear the sword in vain. We don’t want to be quarrelsome, but we dare not be sinfully indifferent. We must hate all sin. For if it is indulged by even one of the whole community of believers, it will be our ruin. To arms! To arms, you soldiers of the cross!”
L591
“The LXX version has it, ‘Therefore to all Thy commandments I was being directed. Every unjust path I hated.’”
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andrew
Layman
Still here...till the end.
Posts: 94
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Post by andrew on Nov 10, 2020 19:51:37 GMT -6
Psalm 119:97-104
Mem - ם – liquid, massive, chaos, water
Structure:
A) v97 The Word of Jehovah. Precious.
B) v98-100 The sources of Understanding and Reason.
C) v101 The Psalmist’s practice (Positive) and motive.
C) v102 The Psalmist’s practice (Negative) and reason.
A) v103 The Word of Jehovah. Precious.
B) v104 The source of Understanding and Consequence.
Verse Commentary:
S167
“Those who know that power of the gospel perceive an infinite loviness in the law as they see it fulfilled and embodied in Christ Jesus.”
Psalm 119:97
“O how I love thy law! it is my meditation all the day.”
A875a
“Love is therefore the breadth of the commandment. For how can it be that what God commandeth to be loved, be loved, and yet the commandment itself be not loved?”
L577
“Love for the Word is the measure of our love for the One it magnifies.”
S168
“The law is God’s law and therefore it is our love. We love it for its holiness, and we long to be holy. We love it for its wisdom, and we study to be wise. We love it for its perfection, and we yearn to be perfect.”
“Familiarity with the Word of God breeds affection, and affection seeks still greater familiarity.”
B246
Concerning the believer, “His former obedience was the bondage of fear. But how different is the effect of restraining love! He now delights to view it in every lineament. He dwells upon every feature with intense enjoyment.”
B248-249
“Lord! Implant in my heart a supreme love to thy law. Write it upon my heart – even that new law, ‘the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus,’ May I love it so, that I may be always meditating upon it, and by continual meditation yet more enlarging my love and delight in it! So let it prove an ever-springing source of heavenly enjoyment and holy conversation!”
Psalm 119:98
“Thou through thy commandments hast made me wiser than mine enemies: for they are ever with me.”
A875a
Augustine translates this, “Thou hast made me to understand Thy commandment above mine enemies; for it is ever with me.”He goes on to show how the Psalmist’s faith, like our own, is in the Messiah, not in our own good works.
P360
“MAKE ME WISE, i.e. teach me a different wisdom and a better wisdom than theirs; not one which consists in policy, or craft, or human prudence.” It is a wisdom that is, “practical wisdom which consists in the fear of the Lord, and which leads him to eschew all evil,”
L577-578 (also for v99 & 100)
“In these three verses David mentions three classes of men he outstripped in wisdom. Enemies, whose malice sharpens their wits, and makes them excel in policy – Teachers, who are furnished with learning because of their office, and who excel in doctrine – Ancients, who grow wise by experience and become safe in counsel.”
“Although brought up as a shepherd, David became far wiser than his foes, instructors, and elders, because he was taught of God.”
S169
“The letter of the law gives us knowledge, but only the divine Spirit can make us wise. Wisdom is knowledge put to practical use. Wisdom comes to us through obedience.”
John 7:17 “If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself.”
“A thoroughly straightforward man, devoid of all cunning, is a dreadful puzzle to all diplomats. They suspect him of a subtle deceit through which they cannot see. He is indifferent to their suspicions, keeps on in his even tone, and confuses all their plans. Yes, honesty is the best policy. He who is taught of God has a practical wisdom that things like malice cannot supply to the crafty. While harmless as a dove, he exhibits more than the serpent’s wisdom.”
B249 (also v99-100)
David, “became wiser than his enemies in ‘subtlety’ – than all his teachers in doctrine – than the ancients in experience.”
B250 (also v99-100)
“Many sincere Christians – especially at the outset of their course – are much hindered – either by the scepticism of others, or of their own minds; or from their previous habit of studying the Bible in the light of carnal wisdom, or in dependence upon human teaching. Such need special prayer for humility of mind and simplicity of faith.”
B251
The concept of understanding the Word being necessay to do God’s will is reflected in the New Testament. John 7:17 “If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself.”
Psalm 119:99
“I have more understanding than all my teachers: for thy testimonies are my meditation.”
A875a
Augustine notes that this passage was fulfilled by Jesus teaching in the temple at the age of twelve.
S170
“Disciples of Christ who sit at His feet are often better skilled in divine things than doctors of divinity.”
S171
“He who knows the truths taught in the Bible will not be guilty of egotism if he believes himself to be possessed of more important truth than all who profess to be agnostic.”
Psalm 119:100
“I understand more than the ancients, because I keep thy precepts.”
A876a
Jesus fulfilled this, too, by his rebuke of the scribes and pharisees seen in Matthew 15:2-3, “Why do thy disciples transgress the tradition of the elders? for they wash not their hands when they eat bread. But he answered and said unto them, Why do ye also transgress the commandment of God by your tradition?”
Psalm 119:101
“I have refrained my feet from every evil way, that I might keep thy word.”
A876a
As our Head, Jesus restrains us, His Body, from the evil ways we would travel in our flesh.
L579 & CB
David refrained from evil acts, including those of a religious kind.
S172
“How can we as servants of the Lord keep His Word if we do not keep our own works and words from bringing dishonour upon it?”
B252
“The professor is afraid of hell; the child of God – of sin. The one refrains from the outward act – the other seeks to be crucified to the love of sin.”
“But how awful to hear men talk of keeping the word in a loose and careless profession! For how can it be kept, if the heart has not felt its holiness? For this is the beautiful peculiarity; that, in order to keep it, there must be a separation from sin. The two things are incompatible with each other. The two services are at variance at every point; so that the love of sin must be cast out, where the love of God is engrafted in the heart.”
Me
The Lord is merciful to purge us of our sin by the best way possible. It may not be the quickest, but it is not slow. It may not be the easiest, but it is not too difficult. He never condones our sin, but is longsuffering as He works it out of us. I am very thankful for this mercy.
Psalm 119:102
“I have not departed from thy judgments: for thou hast taught me.”
A876a
“Thou, more inward than my inmost self, Thou hast laid down a law within my heart by Thy Spirit, as it were by Thy fingers, that I might not fear it as a slave without love, but might love it with a chaste fear as a son, and fear it with a chaste love.”
S173
“If we begin to depart a little, we can never tell where we will end up. The Lord leads us to persevere in holiness by abstaining from even the beginning of sin, but whatever the method, He is the worker of our perseverance, and to Him be all the glory. God’s Word pronounces judgements regarding moral actions, and we will do well to maintain those judgments as our infallible rule of thought and life.”
B256
“Lord! Do thou lead me by the hand, that I may make daily progress in thy judgments. Restrain my feet from ‘perpetual backsliding.’ All human instruction will be ineffectual to keep me from departing from thy judgments, except thou teachest me. Neither grace received, nor experience attained, nor engagements regarded, will secure me for one moment without continual teaching from thyself.”
Proverbs 9:10 “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.”
Jeremiah 31:33 “But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the LORD, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people.”
Jeremiah 32:40 “And I will make an everlasting covenant with them, that I will not turn away from them, to do them good; but I will put my fear in their hearts, that they shall not depart from me.”
1 John 2:27 “But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.”
Psalm 119:103
“How sweet are thy words unto my taste! yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth!”
A876-877a
After noting the literal Greek translation, “Thy utterances, above honey and the honeycomb unto my mouth.” Augustine adds, “Now the open teaching of wisdom is like unto honey; but that is like the comb which is squeezed from the more recondite mysteries, as if from cells of wax, by the mouth of the teacher, as if he were chewing it: but it is sweet to the mouth of the heart, not to the mouth of the flesh.”
L580
God’s judgements are sweet in that, “The godly have no greater joy than when they feel either the mercies of God accomplished towards them that fear Him, or His just treatment meted out to those who blatantly reject His overtures of love and grace.”
B257
The unbeliever may have knowledge of the Word, but cannot fully experience it. They may think it is good, but cannot KNOW its goodness. “The highest commendation cannot explain the sweetness of honey to one who has never tasted it.”
B258 & Me
If we read the Word out of a sense of duty or with a lack of concern, we will not taste its sweetness.
B259
“Who could convince us that this is the word of man, or the imposture of deceit, when its blessed influence has imparted peace, holiness, joy, support, and rest, infinitely beyond the power of man to bestow? But let this enjoyment – as the spiritual barometer – the pulse of the soul – accurately mark our progress or decline in the Divine life. With our advancement in spiritual health, the word will be increasingly sweet to our taste: while our declension will be marked by a corresponding abatement in our desires, love, and perception of its delights.”
Psalm 119:104
“Through thy precepts I get understanding: therefore I hate every false way.”
A877a
“He saith, that by obeying God’s commandments he hath arrived at the comprehension of those things which he had longed to know.”
L580
“Those who get understanding by the Word are not only guarded against evil – they come to hate it.”
S175
“Because he had understanding, and because of the divine precepts, he detested sin and falsehood.”
“True Christians have a universal revulsion of everything that is untrue. They tolerate no falsehood or foolishness, and they set themselves against all error of doctrine or wickedness of life.”
A person who loves one sin is aiding and comforting the Enemy. Though we are to hate no man, we are to hate every false way.”
B261
“I have marked the apple of my eye – that tenderest particle of my frame – that it is not only offended by a blow or a wound; but that if so much as an atom of dust find an entrance, it would smart until it had been wept out. Now such may my conscience be – sensitive of the slightest touch of sin – not only fearful resisting, rebelling, or ‘quenching the Spirit,’ but grieving for every thought of sin that grieves that blessed Comforter – that tenderest Friend!”
Me
I am growing in understanding; I am but beginning to fear the Lord; I see the wisdom in hating every sin; but I am still learning to hate it universally, to not covet some while abhorring others. I see the lack of my love for Jesus.
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andrew
Layman
Still here...till the end.
Posts: 94
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Post by andrew on Nov 10, 2020 19:52:44 GMT -6
Psalm 119:105-112
Nun – נ - activity, life, fish
Structure:
A) v105 The Word my Light.
B) v106 Purpose to Keep It.
C) v107-108 Affliction and Prayer.
C) v109-110 Danger and Protestations.
A) v111 The Word my Heritage and Joy.
B) v112 Purpose to keep it.
Octave commentary:
L580-581
“What a precious section this is, exalting Jehovah’s Word as it does as the source of light and joy! Such a heritage is the only beacon-light amid the darkness and storms of the world. Wherever the Bible is not found gross darkness prevails.”
“David’s desire to have his whole being illuminated and sanctified by the Word, as references to ‘my feet,’ ‘my path,’ ‘my mouth,’ ‘my soul,’ and ‘my heart’ reveal. He wanted the Lord, through His Word, to hold over his entire life, absolute sway.”
Psalm 119:105
“Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.”
L581
Lockyer notes that David’s son, Solomon, comments on this concept in Proverbs 6:23 “For the commandment is a lamp; and the law is light.”
B262
“The nightly journeys of Israel were guided by a pillar of fire – directing not only their course, but every step and movement.”
B265
“Though there is clear light in the word, yet there is remaining darkness in the most enlightened heart. There is no eye without a speck, no eye with perfect singleness of vision – consequently without some liability to error. There is light for the teachable – not for the curious;”
“Lord! As every action of the day is a step to heaven, or hell – Oh! Save me from ever turning my face away from the path, into which thy word would guide me. Enable me to avail myself of its light, in the constant exercise of faith, prudence, and simplicity.”
Psalm 119:106
“I have sworn, and I will perform it, that I will keep thy righteous judgments.”
S179
“Under the gospel, we should feel as obligated to obey the Word of the Lord as if we had taken an oath to do so. The bonds of love are not less sacred than the chains of law.”
B267
“Yet we would warn the inconsiderate Christian not to entangle his conscience by multiplied vows; nor by perpetual obligation – whether of restraint or of extraordinary exercises; nor by connecting them with trifles – thus weakening the deep solemnity of the purpose. Christian simplicity must be their principle. Our engagements to God must be grounded on his engagements to us. His faithfulness – not ours – must be our confidence. There is no innate power in these obligations; and except they be made in self-renouncing dedication, they will only issue in despondency and deeper captivity in sin.”
Psalm 119:107
“I am afflicted very much: quicken me, O LORD, according unto thy word.”
A878a
In the humiliation of his persecution, David prayed for God to give him life sufficient to help him prevail.
S180
“This is the best remedy for tribulation. The soul is raised above the thought of present distress and is filled with that holy joy that accompanies all vigorous spiritual life, and as a result, the affliction grows light.”
S181
“In their affliction, some desire death; let us pray for life. Our forebodings under trial are often very gloomy, so let’s plead with the Lord to deal with us not according to our fears, but according to His own Word. David did not have a lot of promises to quote, and many of those promises had been recorded in his own psalms, yet he pleads the Word of the Lord. How much more should we do so, since so many holy men have spoken to us by the Spirit of the Lord in that wonderful library that is now our Bible. Seeing we have more promises, let us offer more prayers, and let us exhibit more of the quickening power of the Word.”
Psalm 119:108
“Accept, I beseech thee, the freewill offerings of my mouth, O LORD, and teach me thy judgments.”
A878a
This passage is the words of, “one who was gaining in grace, and praying that he might receive in addition to what he had received.”
S181
“There can be no value in forced confessions. God’s revenue is not derived from forced taxation, but from freewill donation. There can be no acceptance where there is no willingness.”
S182
“After being quickened, we need teaching, because life without light or zeal without knowledge would only be half a blessing.”
B273
“No offering but a free-will offering is accepted. Such was the service under the law: such must it be under the gospel.”
B274
“Did not my beloved Saviour give a free-will offering of delight and joy? And shall not his free-flowing love be my pattern and my principle? Shall his offering be free for me, and mine be reluctant for him? Shall he be ready with his blood for me, and I be backward with my mouth for him?”
B274-275
“But let me not forget to supplicate for further instruction – ‘Teach me thy judgements, that I may be directed to present a purer offering; that by more distinct and accurate knowledge of thy ways, my love may be enlarged, and my obedience more entire, until I ‘stand perfect and complete in all the will of God.’”
Psalm 119:109
“My soul is continually in my hand: yet do I not forget thy law.”
CB842 & L582
Bullinger notes that in my hand is an idiom for being in great danger. Lockyer also notes this.
S182
“People say, ‘All is fair in love and war.’ but David did not think this way. While he carried his life in his hand, he also carried the law in his heart. No danger to our body should make us endanger our soul by forgetting what is right.”
B278 (also v110)
“Those who have never felt the nearness of eternity, can have but a faint idea of what we shall need in the hour when ‘flesh and heart fail,’ to fix a sure unshaken foot upon ‘the Rock of ages.’ ‘Watch, therefore,’ for ye know not how soon ye may be ready to say, My soul is in my hand, quivering on the eve of departure to the Judge.”
Luke 12:35 “Let your loins be girded about, and your lights burning; And ye yourselves like unto men that wait for their lord, when he will return from the wedding; that when he cometh and knocketh, they may open unto him immediately. Blessed are those servants, whom the lord when he cometh shall find watching: verily I say unto you, that he shall gird himself, and make them to sit down to meat, and will come forth and serve them.”
Psalm 119:110
“The wicked have laid a snare for me: yet I erred not from thy precepts.”
S183
“Cunning and treachery are always allies of malice, and anything like a generous or considerate feeling is unknown among the graceless, who treat the godly like vermin to be exterminated.”
S184
“Let us learn from this verse to be on our guard, for we, too, have enemies who are crafty and wicked. Hunters set their traps in places animals usually visit, and our worst snares are laid in our own ways. By keeping to the ways of the Lord, we will escape the snares of our adversaries, for the Lord’s ways are safe and free from treachery.”
Psalm 119:111
“Thy testimonies have I taken as an heritage for ever: for they are the rejoicing of my heart.”
P361
“God’s law is an everlasting possession, more truly so than the land of Canaan itself, which was given to Israel for an everlasting heritage.”
S184-185
“Sometimes, like Israel at their first coming into Canaan, we have to take hold of our heritage by difficult fighting, and if so, it is worthy of all our hard work and suffering. But it always has to be taken by a deliberate choice of the heart and will. God’s election must be our election. What God gives by grace we must take by faith.”
S185
“How good a thing it is when experience ripens into joy, passing through sorrow, prayer, conflict, hope, decision, and holy content into rejoicing! Joy fixes the spirit. Once a man’s heart rejoices in the divine Word, he greatly values it and is therefore forever united to it.”
B279
“But not only are they my heritage; - by my own intelligent choice I have taken them to be so. A blessing it is to have them. But the blessing of blessings is to have them made good – applied – sealed - made my own; so that, like a minor to come of age, I take possession of my heritage, I live on it, I live in it, it is my treasure, my portion.”
Psalm 119:112
“I have inclined mine heart to perform thy statutes alway, even unto the end.”
A879a
Augustine notes this verse and verse 36, ‘Incline my heart unto thy testimonies,’ show that it is both the gift of a Sovereign God and the freewill choice of man.
Me
This gift of God and our own will are ultimately working toward the same end, becoming less distinguishable as He brings us into a better understanding of the Word: of Him.
S186
“Unfortunately, many are inclined to practice temporary religion, but this godly man was so inclined that he felt bound to all eternity to perform all the statutes of his Lord and King. Lord, send us such a heavenly desire of heart as this, and then we will show that You have quickened and taught us. To this end, create in us a clean heart and renew a right spirit within us daily, because only in that way will we be inclined in the right direction.”
B281
We are no more able to stop ourselves from sinning than a leopard is able to change his spots. It is only by Divine providence that we may succeed in inclining our hearts to perform His statutes.
B282
“Every step indeed to the end will be a conflict with indwelling sin, in the form of remaining enmity, sloth, or unbelief. But how encouraging is it to trace every tender prayer, every contrite groan, every spiritual desire, to the assisting, upholding influence of the ‘free spirit of God!’” And in this we, “work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.” Philippians 2:12-13
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andrew
Layman
Still here...till the end.
Posts: 94
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Post by andrew on Nov 10, 2020 19:53:16 GMT -6
Psalm 119:113-120
Samech - ס - support, twist slowly, turn, prop
Structure:
A) v113-114 Protestations “I”
B) v115 Evildoers. Addressed concerning God.
C) v116 Uphold me from above and without.
C) v117 Uphold me from beneath and within.
B) v118-119 Evildoers. God addressed concerning them.
A) v120 Protestations “I”
Octave Commentary:
L583
The Hebrew letter Samech means a prop. Twice in this octave, David speaks of God holding him up, Uphold me, and Hold Thou me up.
Psalm 119:113
“I hate vain thoughts: but thy law do I love.”
L584
Lockyer notes that the Hebrew refers to branches shooting up. This makes me think of the confusing mess that can become of a hedge which necessitates its pruning.
David doesn’t claim to have kept the law, but to love it, as all fall short in this world.
S188
As the psalmist began the Mem octave with his love of God’s law, here he begins Samech with his hatred of those things which oppose God’s law.
The original word for vain denotes a wavering between two opinions.
S189
“When we love the law, it becomes a law of love, and we cleave to it with our whole heart.”
B284
“The work of Divine grace is to restore the disordered affections to their proper centre, and to bestow them on their right object; - hating vain thoughts, and loving the law of God.”
Psalm 119:114
“Thou art my hiding place and my shield: I hope in thy word.”
A887a
“’Thou art my helper and my taker up’: ‘my helper,’ to do good works: ‘my taker up,’ to escape evil ones.”
L584
Hiding in a secret place, God makes him safe.
S190
We cannot flee our own thoughts, or escape from them until we seek God and His deliverance.
B292
“But the completeness of our security is graphically portrayed – Thou art my hiding-place, to cover from danger, - my shield, also to protect me in it. Either I shall be kept from trouble, that it shall not come; or in trouble, that it shall not hurt me. The hiding-place alone would be imperfect security, as being limited to one place. But my shield is movable, wherever be the point of danger or assault. I can ‘quench the dart’ that is aimed at my soul.”
Psalm 119:115
“Depart from me, ye evildoers: for I will keep the commandments of my God.”
S191
Matthew 7:23 “And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.”
“We cannot send all evildoers out of our houses in this manner, but on occasion we may be bound by duty to do so. The standard of truth and reason requires that we not be frequently troubled with unrepentant servants or reprehensible tenants. A house is all the better for being rid of liars, thieves, filthy talkers, and slanderers.”
“Those who say to god, ‘Depart from us,’ ought to hear the immediate echo of their words from the mouths of God’s children, who should say to them, ‘Depart from us.’”
S192
This is the only verse where the word God is used in all of this longest psalm. It is important to note, the psalmist refers to MY God.
B293
Amos 3:3 “Can two walk together, except they be agreed?” “And can we be ‘agreed’ and walk in fellowship with God, except we be at variance with the principles, the standard, and conduct of a world that is ‘enmity against him?’”
B295
“Scrutinize, in every advancing step toward the world, the workings of your own heart. Suspect its reasonings. Listen to the first awkward conviction of conscience. Though it be only a whisper, or a hint, it is probably the indication of the Divine will. And never forget, that this experiment of worldly conformity, often as it has been tried, has never answered the desired end.”
Psalm 119:116
“Uphold me according unto thy word, that I may live: and let me not be ashamed of my hope.”
S192-193
“He who has given us eternal life has secured for us all that is essential to it, and since gracious support to keep us from falling is one of the necessary things, we can be sure we will have it.”
Me
Lord! Let our hope be known in the sight of men!
B300
“The Tempter himself will flee, when he marks the poor, feeble, fainting soul upheld according to the word of his God, and placed in safety beyond the reach of his malice. Not, however, that, as I once supposed, my weakness will ever be made strong; but that I shall daily grow more sensible of it, shall stay myself more simply upon infinite everlasting strength;” because, “And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” 2Corinthians 12:9
Psalm 119:117
“Hold thou me up, and I shall be safe: and I will have respect unto thy statutes continually.”
L586
“Weaker than a bruised reed,
Help I every moment need.”
“Instead of respect ancient versions read, ‘then shall I delight myself in thy statutes continually.’”
S194 & Me
In being held up and made safe, we delight in obeying.
B300
Only God’s upholding grace can sustain us in our walk in this world, without which we surely stumble.
Psalm 119:118
“Thou hast trodden down all them that err from thy statutes: for their deceit is falsehood.”
P361-362
“Falsehood, i.e. self-deception: they rely upon their deceitful artifices in vain, and only to their own confusion.”
L586
Regarding deceit is their falsehood, “A paraphrase of the Hebrew reads, ‘for their wits are as fruitless as they are deceitful.’”
S195
“How horrified will those be who have spent all their lives in fabricating a made-up religion when they see it all trodden on by God as a sham which He cannot endure!”
Me (also 119)
There, but for the grace of God, go I.
B307 (also 119)
“But how should this justice of the Lord’s proceedings endear his statutes to us? It is such a sensible demonstration of his truth, bringing with it such a close conviction of sovereign mercy to ourselves – not less guilty than they!”
Psalm 119:119
“Thou puttest away all the wicked of the earth like dross: therefore I love thy testimonies.”
CB 843
Thou puttest away, should read I have accounted.
L587
“It is because God is glorious in holiness that He rids His Kingdom of rebels, and His temple of all who defile it, and His saints love Him all the more because of judgment of the ungodly.”
S197
“In those evil days, when God’s punishment of sinners has become the object of arrogant skepticism, we can consider it a mark of the true man of God that he does not love the Lord any less, but a great deal more, because of His appropriate judgment of the ungodly.”
“A God more lenient would be a God less loving and less loved.”
Psalm 119:120
“My flesh trembleth for fear of thee; and I am afraid of thy judgments.”
A881a
“Fix with nails my flesh in Thy fear”
P362
“Trembleth, or ‘shuddereth’ strictly used of the hair as standing erect in terror.”
L587-588
David fears the judgement he sees coming upon the wicked, knowing that without God’s mercy, he would be with them.
Me
Lord! Lest your judgements fall on us, please make us into what You would have us to be.
S198
“Love in the previous verse is quite consistent with fear in this verse. The fear that contains torment is cast out, but not the fear that a child has for one’s father that leads to reverence and obedience.”
B307
“Now if we are under the influence or this reverential awe and seriousness of spirit, we shall learn to attach a supreme authority and consideration to the least of his commands. We shall dread the thought of willfully offending him.”
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andrew
Layman
Still here...till the end.
Posts: 94
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Post by andrew on Nov 10, 2020 19:54:38 GMT -6
Psalm119:121-128
Ayin - ע - to see, know, experience, eye
Structure:
A) v121-122 What I have done, and Prayer (Negative)
B) v123 The Word. Desire for it.
C) v124-125 Thy servants prayer.
A) v126 What Jehovah should do, and Plea (Positive)
B) v127-128 The Word. Love for it.
C) v128 Thy servant’s resolve.
Octave Commentary:
L588
The letter Ayin, “expresses the sentiment of the octave which is but the outbreathing for a steadfastness and soundness of heart and mind amid all the impiety and unbelief of a godless world, and the longing of the soul to have Jehovah stand by His Word – adherence to which warranted a plea of innocence.”
Psalm 119:121
“I have done judgment and justice: leave me not to mine oppressors.”
A882a
“Whoso therefore in the chaste fear of God hath his flesh crucified, and corrupted by no carnal allurement, dealeth judgment and the work of righteousness, ought to pray that he may not be given up to his adversaries; that is, that he may not, through his dread of suffering evils, yield unto his adversaries to do evil. For he receiveth power of endurance, which guardeth him from being overcome with pain, from Him from whom he receiveth the victory over lust, which preventeth his being seduced by pleasure.”
S200
“He who has been doing right, as far as his ability allows, can hope to be delivered from his oppressors when they make attempts to do him wrong. If I will not oppress others, I can pray that others won’t be permitted to oppress me. A course of upright conduct is one that gives us boldness in appealing to the Great Judge for deliverance from the injustice of wicked men. This kind of pleading is not to be criticized as self-righteous, for it is most fit and acceptable.”
B314 (also v122)
“But let not this appeal be thought to savour of Pharisaical pride. He pleads not merit. He only asserts his innocence – the righteousness of his cause – not of his person. Though upright before men, he ever felt himself a sinner before God.”
Psalm 119:122
“Be surety for thy servant for good: let not the proud oppress me.”
A882a
“They drive me on, that I may fall into evil; do Thou take me off to that which is good.”
L589
“As Christ, our Surety, is the living Word, then, perhaps, we do have a term in this verse of God’s law.”
S201
“Do not leave Your poor servant to die by the hand of his enemy and Yours. Take up my interests, weave them with Your own, and stand for me.”
S202
“Good people dread oppression, for it makes even a wise person senseless, and they send up their cries to heaven for deliverance. The cry will not be in vain, for the Lord will undertake the cause of His servants and fight their battles against the proud.”
Psalm 119:123
“Mine eyes fail for thy salvation, and for the word of thy righteousness.”
S202
“He wept, waited, and watched for God’s saving hand, and these exercises tried the eyes of his faith until they were almost ready to give out. He looked to God alone, he looked eagerly, he looked long, and he looked until his eyes ached. The kindness of this is that if our eyes fail, God does not fail, nor do His eyes fail. Eyes are tender things, and so are our faith, hope, and expectation. The Lord will not test them above what they are able to bear.”
Compare 1Corinthians 10:13 “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.”
B317
“Complaining is not humility. Prayer without waiting is not faith.”
“Though he delays his promise, and holds us as it were in suspense; yet he would have us know, that he has not forgotten the word of his righteousness.”
Psalm 119:124
“Deal with thy servant according unto thy mercy, and teach me thy statutes.”
S203-204
“We can expect a master to teach his servant the meaning of his orders, but since our ignorance frequently arises from our sinful stupidity, it is great mercy on god’s part that He humbles Himself to instruct us in His commands. For our ruler to become our teacher is an act of great grace for which we cannot be too grateful. Among our mercies, this is one of the best.”
B322 (also v125)
“Lord! Thou hast showed me this great favour and grace, to make me thy servant. I would be thine forever. I love thy service too well to wish to change it; yet must I mourn over my dullness, my backwardness in doing thy will, and walking in thy way. Oh! Teach me thy statutes more clearly, more experimentally! Give me understanding to discern their heavenly sweetness and their holy liberty, that I may live in a more simple and devoted obedience to them, until I come to see thy face, and to be thy servant in thy heavenly temple, ‘no more to go out.’”
Psalm 119:125
“I am thy servant; give me understanding, that I may know thy testimonies.”
S205
“The servant of God desires to know in an understanding manner all the Lord reveals about mankind and to mankind. He wants to be so instructed that he can apprehend and comprehend what he is taught. A servant should not be ignorant concerning his master or his master’s business.”
Me
It is important for us to learn the why of God’s ways so we may more properly understand how we are to apply them in our own walk.
Psalm 119:126
“It is time for thee, LORD, to work: for they have made void thy law.”
CB843
“to work: i.e. to intervene”
B324
“How gracious is our God in permitting his servants thus to plead with him, and, as it were, to give him no rest, until ‘he shall arise and work,’ and sit upon the throne of the kingdoms of the earth!”
“Meanwhile – waiting for this ‘little while,’ let us ‘live by faith.’ Let us be found on the Lord’s side – labouring for sinners – pleading with their hardness and rebellion in our Maker’s name, and for our Maker’s sake.”
Me
We see before us the fulfillment of this verse as we near the Great and Terrible Day of the Lord.
L590
“To work is the Hebrew word used absolutely for ‘to execute judgment.’ or ‘to administer justice by punishing the wicked.’”
S206
“Oh, for an hour of the King upon the throne with the rod of iron in His hand! Oh, for another Pentecost with all its wonders, to reveal the energy of God to opposers and make them see there is a God in Israel!”
Psalm 119:127
“Therefore I love thy commandments above gold; yea, above fine gold.”
A883a
“But when the commandments are loved for their own sake ‘above gold and exceeding precious stones,’ all earthly reward compared with the commandments themselves is vile; nor are any other goods of man comparable in any respect with those goods whereby man himself is made good.”
L591 & S207-208 (also v128)
“The dearer, for their rage,
Thy words I love and own,
A wealthier heritage
Than gold and precious stones.”
-John Keble
S207
“It is a sign of a true believer that he does not depend upon others for his religion, but drinks water out of his own well that springs up even when the cisterns of earth are all dried. In the midst of a general deprecation of the law, our holy poet felt his own respect for the law rising so high that gold and silver sank in comparison.”
Psalm 119:128
“Therefore I esteem all thy precepts concerning all things to be right; and I hate every false way.”
B330
“If my hatred of sin is sincere, I shall hate it more in my own house than abroad; I shall hate it most of all in my own heart.”
S209
“May the Holy Spirit so rule in our hearts that our affections can be in the same unquestionable state toward the precepts of the Word. May we take our place on the side of God and righteousness and never bear the sword in vain. We don’t want to be quarrelsome, but we dare not be sinfully indifferent. We must hate all sin. For if it is indulged by even one of the whole community of believers, it will be our ruin. To arms! To arms, you soldiers of the cross!”
L591
“The LXX version has it, ‘Therefore to all Thy commandments I was being directed. Every unjust path I hated.’”
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andrew
Layman
Still here...till the end.
Posts: 94
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Post by andrew on Nov 10, 2020 19:55:16 GMT -6
Psalm 119:129-136
Pey - פ – to speak, a word, to open, mouth
Structure:
A) v129-131 Statements concerning the Word.
B) v132 Prayer concerning the righteous.
B) v133-135 Prayer concerning the Wicked.
A) v136 Statement concerning the Word.
Psalm 119:129
“Thy testimonies are wonderful: therefore doth my soul keep them.”
A884a
“But if we venture to bring all nature within the comprehensive view of one act of contemplation, doth not that take place in us which the prophet describeth, ‘I considered Thy works, and trembled’? Yet the Psalmist was not terrified in his wonder at creation, but rather said that this was the reason that he ought to search it, because it was wonderful. For after saying, ‘Thy testimonies are wonderful,’ he addeth, ‘therefore hath my soul searched them;’ as if he had become more curious from the difficulty of thoroughly searching them. For the more abstruse are the causes of anything, the more wonderful it is.”
L592
“The Book is a product of Divine knowledge, containing in it the Credenda – ‘the things which we are to believe,’ and the Agenda – ‘the things which we are to practice.’”
S212
“Some people wonder at the words of God and use them for their supplication, but David always practical, and therefore, the more he wondered, the more he obeyed. Note that his religion was soul work; he did not just keep the testimonies with his head and hands, but his soul – his truest and most real self – held fast to them.”
B332-333
“Think of the Creator of the world becoming a creature – yea, ‘a curse for man.’ Think of man – guilty and condemned – made just with God by a righteousness not his own. Think of God bringing out of the ruinous fall more glory to himself, and more happiness to man, than from his former innocence – in display of his mercy – the glory of his justice, and the investment of sinners – not, as before, with a creature’s righteousness, security, and reward, but with his own righteousness, guardianship, and glory.”
We are privileged to know the unsearchable love of Jesus Christ.
B334
“Shortly before his death, Dr. Buchanan, giving to his friend some details of his laborious revisions of his Syriac Testament, suddenly stopped, and burst into tears. On recovering himself – he said – ‘I am not ill, but I was completely overcome with the recollection of the delight which I have enjoyed in this exercise. At first I was disposed to shrink from the task as irksome, and apprehended that I should find even the Scriptures pall by the frequency of this critical examination. But so far from it, ever fresh perusal seemed to throw fresh light to my mind.”
B335
Isaiah 6:2 “Above it stood the seraphims: each one had six wings; with twain he covered his face, and with twain he covered his feet, and with twain he did fly.” God shows us in the serpah how we should have a humble self image (two wings cover the face), restrain our behavior (two wings cover the feet), and live joyfully in the promise of His Word (two wings to fly)!
Psalm 119:130
“The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple.”
A884a
“’When thy word goeth forth,’ he saith, ‘it giveth light, and maketh His little ones to understand.’”
“For it was given for this end, that it might make thee a little one instead of great, that it might show that thou hadst not strength to do the law of thine own power: and that thus, wanting aid and destitute, thou mightest fly unto grace, saying, ‘Have mercy upon me, O Lord, for I am weak.’”
S213
“O Lord! Make a clear entrance into my soul! Grant that your words, like beams of the sun, may enter through eh window of my understanding and dispel the darkness of my mind.”
“True disciples of the Word are sincere and candid. To such people the Word gives not only knowledge, but it also gives understanding. These simple-hearted people are often despised, and their simplicity is made the theme of ridicule; but what does it matter? Those whom the world calls fools are among the truly wise f they are taught of God.”
B336
“The study commenced in simplicity and prayer, opens an entrance to the first dawning light of the word into the soul; often only sufficient to make darkness visible, but still, ‘shining more and more unto that perfect day.’” Proverbs 4:18 “But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.”
“How much more entrance would have been given to the word, and consequently how much clearer would have been the diffusion of light in the soul, were we as earnest and diligent in secret prayer for heavenly teaching, as we are accustomed to be in the public hearing of the word!”
“The word indeed moves in subserviancy to the Spirit; but the light of the Spirit is nowhere promised separate from the word.”
B338-339
“Thus the Spirit and the word conjointly become our guide – the Spirit enlightening and quickening the word – and the word evidencing the light of the Spirit.”
Psalm 119:131
“I opened my mouth, and panted: for I longed for thy commandments.”
P363
“I opened my mouth, an expression denoting eager desire, as in Job 29:23. Like one oppressed with burning heat, and longing for some cool spring of water, or some fresh breeze to fan his brow.”
A885a
“But there was no possibility of the weak doing hard things, the little one great things: he opened his mouth, confessing that he could not do them of himself: and drew in power to do them: he opened his mouth, by seeking, asking, knocking: and athirst drank in the good Spirit, which enabled him to do what he could not do by himself, ‘the commandment holy and just and good.’”
S214
“An enlarged desire is one of the first fruits of an understanding given to us from the Lord.”
B341
“Be always displeased with what thou art, if thou desirest to attain to that which thou art not; for where thou hast pleased thyself, there thou abidest. But if thou sayest – ‘I have enough’ – thou perishest. Always add – always walk – always proceed. Neither stand still, nor go back, nor deviate.” - Augustine
Psalm 119:132
“Look thou upon me, and be merciful unto me, as thou usest to do unto those that love thy name.”
P363
“As thou usest, literally ‘according to the judgement of them that love Thy Name.’”
A885a
“That is, according to the judgment Thou has dealt unto all who love Thy Name; since Thou hast first loved them, to cause them to love Thee. For thus saith the Apostle John, ‘We love God, because He first loved us.’”
L594 (also 133 & 134)
“Look thou me upon...Order my steps...Deliver me. This triple intercession carries with it the vehemence and intensity of soul so apparent in the three affirmations just considered.”
Look. He implores God to turn his attention to him.
Order. He implores God to direct and guide his steps in life.
Deliver. He implores God to deliver him from those who oppress.
S215
“If a look from us to God can be effective to save us, what may we not expect by way of a look from God to us?”
“Reader, do you love the name of the Lord? Is His character most honorable in your sight? Is He most dear to your heart? This is a sure indicator of grace, for no soul ever loved the Lord except as the result of love received from the Lord Himself.”
B345
“Lord! Since our looks to thee are often so slight, so cold, so distant, that no impression is made upon our hearts; do thou condescend continually to look upon us with mercy and with power. Vouchsafe us such a look, as may touch us with tenderness and contrition, in the remembrance of that sin, unbelief, and disobedience, which pierced the hands, the feet, the heart of our dearest Lord and Saviour.”
Psalm 119:133
“Order my steps in thy word: and let not any iniquity have dominion over me.”
S216
“This prayer seeks a very special favor, namely, that every distinct act, every step, might be arranged and governed by the will of God.”
“When we take this in connection with the former clause, we learn that to avoid all sin we must observe all duty. Only by actual obedience can we be preserved from falling into evil. Omissions lead to commissions; only an ordered life can save us from the disorder of wickedness.”
B346
“It is the peculiar character of the Christian, that his desires are as earnest for deliverance from the power as from the guilt of sin.”
B350
“Iniquity, even when subdued will struggle to the last for dominion: but looking to and living on Jesus, we have the victory still.”
Psalm 119:134
“Deliver me from the oppression of man: so will I keep thy precepts.”
A885a
“But, in truth, the meaning of these words is this: Do Thou, by pouring upon me Thy Spirit, guard me from being overcome by the terrors of human calumny, and from being drawn over to their evil deeds away from Thy commandments.”
S217
“It is said that oppression makes a wise man insane, and no doubt it has made many a righteous man sinful.”
“When saints are freed from tyrants, they joyfully offer praise to their Lord and King.”
B352
“At all times the safest and shortest way to peace, is to let God use his own methods with us; to live the present moment to him in the situation he has placed us; not dreaming of other circumstances more favourable to our spiritual prosperity; but leaving ourselves, our difficulties, our discouragements, in his hands, who makes no mistakes in any of his dispensations – but who orders them all, that they ;may turn to our salvation, through our prayer, and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ.’”
Philipians 1:19 “For I know that this shall turn to my salvation through your prayer, and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ,”
Me
Many times we oppress one another and prevent the godly living of our acquaintances, friends, and family.
Psalm 119:135
“Make thy face to shine upon thy servant; and teach me thy statutes.”
A885a
“For they who hear, although they retain in their memories what they hear, are by no means to be considered to have learnt, unless they do. For it is the word of Truth: ‘Every man that hath heard and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto Me.’ He therefore who obeyeth not in deed, that is, who cometh not, hath not learnt.”
S218
“We say that a good education is a great treasure, and so it is that to be taught of the Lord is a gift of special grace. The most favored believer needs teaching; even when he walks in the light of God’s countenance, he still has to be taught the divine statutes or he will sin.”
B353-354
“Indeed whatever obscurity may hang over the question relating to the faith of the Old Testament believers, their confidence at the throne of grace shows them to have attained a far more distinct perception of Christian privilege, through the shadowy representations of their law, than is commonly imagined. Else how could they have been so wrestling and persevering in their petitions; overcoming the spirit of bondage, and breathing out the spirit of adoption in the expression of their wants and desires before the Lord? The prayers of the Old Testament church are not more distinguished for their simplicity, spirituality, and earnestness, than for their unfettered, evangelical confidence.
B355
“The life of faith will thus be maintained in more full contemplation of Jesus, and renewed reliance upon him; and walking in closer communion with him, our hope will be enlivened with the constant sense of reconciliation and love.”
Psalm 119:136
“Rivers of waters run down mine eyes, because they keep not thy law.”
L595
“We are indeed journeying on with the Man of Sorrows when we come to sorrow over the sins of others.”
S219
“The psalm and psalmist are both growing. David is a mature believer who sorrows because of the sins of others.”
B362
“Oh, for that deep realizing sense of the preciousness of immortal souls, that would make us look at every sinner we meet as a soul to be ‘pulled out of the fire,’ and to be drawn to Christ; - which would render us willing to endure suffering, reproach, and the loss of all, so that we might win one soul to God, and raise one monument to his everlasting praise!”
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andrew
Layman
Still here...till the end.
Posts: 94
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Post by andrew on Nov 10, 2020 19:56:09 GMT -6
Psalm 119:137-144
Tsade - צ - catch, desire, need, fishhook
Structure:
A) v137,138 Thy Word. Righteous.
B) v139 I. Consumed.
A) v140 Thy Word. Pure.
B) v141 I. Despised.
A) v142 They Word. Truth.
B) v143 I. Consumed.
A) v144 Thy Word. Righteous.
Octave Commentary:
L596
“The whole scope of this section is eloquent with the truth that even the young and the inexperienced can stand strong and steadfast among the troubles of the world, if theirs is a faith in the purity, truth, and righteousness of God’s law.”
Psalm 119:137
“Righteous art thou, O LORD, and upright are thy judgments.”
L596
“The poet here extols God for His righteousness intermeddled with forbidden fruit, was driven from his palace, saw his concubines defiled, and his own son slain. Yet with these, and other calamities in mind, he could write, ‘Righteous art thou, O Lord!’”
B364-365 (also v138)
“Though his own declaration – that ‘he will by no means clear the guilty’ – seemed to present an insurmountable barrier to the purpose of mercy; yet, rather than the glory of a God of love should be obscured, or his righteous law should be mitigated, ‘he spared not his own Son’; he ‘made him, who knew no sin, to be sin for us.’”
B365 (also v138)
“And so opposed are the righteous judgements of God to the perverseness of corrupt nature, that even with the child of God there is much murmuring within, that needs to be stilled – much repining to be hushed – much impatience to be repressed – many hard thoughts to be lamented, resisted, and banished.”
Psalm 119:138
“Thy testimonies that thou hast commanded are righteous and very faithful.”
L597
“The original of verse 138 is more forceful and can be rendered, ‘Thou hast commanded righteousness, thy testimonies are truth exceedingly.’ Some expositors have ‘faithfulness exceedingly’ or ‘much faithfulness’ here! The statutes God has commanded are ‘full of righteousness,’ just as they are ‘faithful to the uttermost.’”
Psalm 119:139
“My zeal hath consumed me, because mine enemies have forgotten thy words.”
A886a
“My zeal hath caused me to pine”
L597
“David’s zeal burned the fiercer as he thought of the absolute purity of the words men rejected.”
B371
“Should peculiar trials restrain the boldness of your profession, you may be found in the end to have made as effectual a resistance to the progress of sin by your intercession before God, as those who have shown a more open front in the face of the world.”
Psalm 119:140
“Thy word is very pure: therefore thy servant loveth it.”
A886a
“Then considering with himself with what a flame of love he burned for the commandments of God: ‘Fiery,’ saith he, ‘is Thy word exceedingly, and Thy servant hath loved it.’”
P364
Pure, or purified: “Tried, lit. ‘fined,’ as metals are in the furnace, and hence pure, free from all admixture of dross, true.”
B371
“Its promises are without a shadow of change or unfaithfulness. Its precepts reflect the holy image of their Divine Author. In a word, it contains ‘truth without any mixture of error for its matter’ – Therefore thy servant loveth it.”
B372
“The heart must undergo an entire renewal – it must be sanctified and cleansed, yea, be ‘baptized with the Holy Ghost,’ before it can discern, or – when it has discerned – can love, the purity of the word of God.”
B373
“Oh, for a larger influence of the Spirit of God upon our souls, that we may enjoy the purifying delights of the word of God; that we may live in it, live by it to the glory of our dear Redeemer, and to the edification of his Church!”
Psalm 119:141
“I am small and despised: yet do not I forget thy precepts.”
A886a
“’I am young, and of no reputation; yet do I not forget Thy righteousnesses:’ not as my enemies, who ‘have forgotten Thy words.’ The younger seems to grieve for those older than himself who had forgotten the righteousnesses of God, while he himself had not forgotten. For what meaneth, ‘I am young, yet do I not forget?’ save this, Those older than me have forgotten.”
L597
“Small does not denote young, as the LXX Version translates the term, but of ‘no consequence,’ or ‘despised.’”
B376
“Many may rebuke thee; many may scorn thee; even thy brethren may treat thee with contempt; yet thy God, thy Redeemer, will not depart from thee, will not suffer thee to depart from him; but will put his Spirit within thee, and bring forth his precepts to thy remembrance, that thou mayest keep them, and many a sweet supporting promise for thy consolation. Therefore ‘fear not, thou worm of Jacob; I will help thee, saith the Lord, and thy Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel.’”
Psalm 119:142
“Thy righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, and thy law is the truth.”
A887a
“It is no wonder that they have forgotten the words of God, who have chosen to set up their own righteousness, ignorant of the righteousness of God; but he, the younger, hath not forgotten, for he hath not wished to have a righteousness of his own, but that of God, of which he now also saith, ‘Thy righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, and Thy law is the truth.’”
S226
“There is nothing false about the law or precepts of Scripture. Those who are obedient to this will find that they are walking in a way consistent with fact, while those who act contrary to it walk in a vain show. Because the Word is true, it has an everlasting righteousness about it. To alter, diminish, or add to it is to lie against God.”
B378
“How many dying testimonies have sealed the truth of the precious promises!… Equally manifest is the truth of his threatenings. Hell is truth seen to late. Those on the right hand and those on the left, at the great day of God, will combine their testimony to the declaration of the ‘Faithful and True Witness’ – ‘Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.’”
Psalm 119:143
“Trouble and anguish have taken hold on me: yet thy commandments are my delights.”
A887a
“Let them rage, let them persecute; as long as the commandments of God be not abandoned, and, after those commandments, let even those who rage be loved.”
S227
“The child of God can understand this enigma, for he well knows that while he is cast down on account of what he sees within himself, he is all the more lifted up by what he sees in the Word.”
B379
“And the exercise of faith and patience in the endurance will bring more honour to God and profit to ourselves than a life of ease and indulgence. The instruction of the rod delivers us from its curse, and brings a substantial and enriching blessing.”
Psalm 119:144
“The righteousness of thy testimonies is everlasting: give me understanding, and I shall live.”
L599
“The more David meditated upon the Word, the more detailed his description of it becomes, having affirmed that God’s testimonies were righteous, then that they were everlasting he then went on to say that the righteousness of said testimonies is everlasting. God’s moral law, enshrined in these testimonies, was not made for one people, or for one particular time: it is as imperishable, and of endless obligation.”
S227-228
“As long as the earth stands, as long as there is a single intelligent creature in the universe, it will be confessed that God’s plans of mercy are in all respects marvelous proof of His love of justice, and even though He may be gracious, Jehovah will not be unjust.”
B384
“And then – what will it be at the great consumation; when our God of love will have put his last hand to his glorious work; when the mark of all our aims – the term of all our hopes and desires – all that we have so long laboured for – so earnestly panted after – so restlessly pursued – when all shall be attained? Then indeed we shall live a life worthy of the name – not as now under the shadowed glimmerings – but under immediate full-eyed glory of his light and love; having escaped for ever the deadliest of all dangers – sin – the very deadliness of death itself.”
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andrew
Layman
Still here...till the end.
Posts: 94
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Post by andrew on Nov 10, 2020 19:57:07 GMT -6
Psalm 119:145-152
Qoof - ק - behind, the least, the last, back of the head
Structure:
A) v145-149 The Psalmist’s cry.
B) v150-151 Jehovah near the Psalmist. Foes nigh.
C) v152 The Word established forever.
Another structure suggested by Spurgeon (S230) and Lockyer (L600):
v145 How David prayed.
V146 What he prayed for.
V147 When he prayed.
v148 How long he prayed.
V149 What he pleaded.
V150 What happened.
V151 How he was rescued.
V152 How he witnessed to truth.
Octave Commentary:
Me
Without the Spirit breathing life into the Law, it is dead to us. We cannot obey the Law without the Life God gives us to do so. This was illustrated in the past week by the actions of the Tennessee wing of the Civil Air Patrol. That once great institution has abandoned the life it once had, choosing to slowly die clinging to its law. Life is a shipwreck without law, but law without life is death.
L599-600
“In the eight verses before us David presents the time and manner of his devotions and how he interceded for deliverance in times of great need, believing that although answers seem to tarry, God would respond to his urgent call for help.”
Psalm 119:145
“I cried with my whole heart; hear me, O LORD: I will keep thy statutes.”
S230
“It is good when a person can say things such as this about their prayers, but I’m afraid many never cried to God with their whole heart in all their lives. There may be no eloquent beauty about such prayers, no length of expression, no depth of doctrine, or accuracy of diction, but if the whole heart is in them, they will find their way to the heart of God.”
B388 (also v146)
“But why is the believer so earnest for an audience? - why so restless in his cries for salvation? It is not, that he loves the statutes of his God; that he grieved on account of his inability to keep them; and that he longs for mercy, as the spring of his obedience? Hear me; I will keep thy statutes. Save me: and I shall keep thy testimonies – a most satisfactory evidence of an upright heart. Sin can have no fellowship with the statutes. As saved sinners, they are our delight.”
Psalm 119:146
“I cried unto thee; save me, and I shall keep thy testimonies.”
A887-888
“But what is, ‘I have called to Thee,’ save that by calling I have invoked Thee? But when he had said, ‘save me;’ what did he add? ‘And I will keep Thy testimonies:’ that is, that I may not, through infirmity, deny Thee. For the health of the soul causeth that to be done which it is known to be our duty to do, and thus in striving even to the death of the body, if the extremity of temptation demand this in defence of the truth of the divine testimonies: but where there is not health of the soul, weakness yieldeth, and truth is deserted’”
S232
“Save me. This was his prayer. It was very short, but very full. He needed saving. No one but the Lord could save him, and so to the Lord he cried out. Save me from the dangers that surround me, from the enemies that pursue me, from the temptations that assail me, from the sins that accuse me.”
B385
“Save me – includes a sinners whole need – pardon, acceptance, access, holiness, strength, comfort, heaven, all in one word – Christ. Save me – from myself, from Satan, from the world, from the curse of sin, from the wrath of God. This is the need of every moment to the end.”
Psalm 119:147
“I prevented the dawning of the morning, and cried: I hoped in thy word.”
P364 (also v148)
Concerning prevent in this and the following verse, “It is difficult to find an English expression suitable to both. We might say: ‘I was before-hand with the dawn.’ ‘Mine eyes were before-hand with the night-watches.’”
A888
“If we refer this to each of the faithful, and to the literal character of the act; it oft happeneth that the love of God is awake in that hour of the night, and, the love of prayer strongly urging us, the time of prayer, which is wont to be after the crowing of the cock, is not awaited, but prevented. But if we understand night of the whole of this world’s duration; we indeed cry unto God at midnight, and prevent the fullness of time in which He will restore us what He hath promised, as is elsewhere read, ‘Let us prevent His presence with confession.’ (Psalm 95:2) Although if we choose to understand the unripe season of this night, before the fullness of time had come, that is, the ripe season when Christ should be manifested in the flesh; neither was the Church then silent, but preventing this fullness of time, in prophecy cried out, and trusted in the words of God, who was able to do what He promised, that in the seed of Abraham all nations should be blessed.”
L600-601 (also v148)
“The English word prevent used twice in these verses does not mean to hinder, or stop, as we now commonly employ it. The old English word implied to anticipate, or forestall, or come to meet.”
S233
“He cried, and cried, and cried again. His supplications had become so frequent, fervent, and intense that it might be said that he did little else from morning to night but to cry to his God. His desire after salvation was so strong that he could not rest in his bed.”
“Observe that as the early bird gets the worm, so the early prayer is soon refreshed with hope.”
Psalm 119:148
“Mine eyes prevent the night watches, that I might meditate in thy word.”
A888
“Let us suppose the morning to mean the season when ‘a light arose for them that sat in the shadow of death;’ did not the eyes of the Church prevent this morning watch, in those Saints who before were on earth, because they foresaw beforehand that this would come to pass, so that they meditated on the words of God, which then were, and announced these things to be destined in the Law and the Prophets?”
S235
“How rare a thing it is these days! When do we meet anyone who spends nights in meditation? Have we done so ourselves?”
B389 (also v 149)
“So long as the duty only of prayer is known, we shall be content with our set seasons. But when the privilege is felt, we shall be early at work, following it closely morning and night,”
B390
“Secret prayer is most likely to be true prayer. At least there is no true prayer without it. It was the ‘garden’ prayer – separate even from his own disciples – that brought special support to the fainting humanity of Jesus. And if he needed this perfect retirement, whose affections were always fixed upon their centre, what must be our own need, whose desires are so unstable and languishing!”
Psalm 119:149
“Hear my voice according unto thy lovingkindness: O LORD, quicken me according to thy judgment.”
L601
“’According to thy judgement’ is given in the Anglican prayer book as ‘according as Thou art wont,’
seeing that the Hebrew noun for judgment means ‘custom.’”
S234
“People find it very useful to use their voices in prayer. It is difficult to maintain the intensity of devotion long unless we hear ourselves speak. This is why David broke through his silence at last.”
S234-235
“Lovingkindness is one of the sweetest words in our language. Kindness has much in it that is most precious, but lovingkindness is doubly dear; it is the cream of kindness.”
S235
Quicken me; “This is often the very best way of delivering us from trouble – to give us more life so we can escape from death, and to add more strength to that life so we will not be overloaded with its burdens.”
B395
“He knows not only what grace is needed, but at what time. Not a moment sooner will it come; not a moment later will it be delayed. ‘As thou wilt, what thou wilt, when thou wilt’ (Thomas aKempis) – is the expression of faith and resignation, with which all must be committed to the Lord, waiting for the end in humility, desire, and expectation.”
Psalm 119:150
“They draw nigh that follow after mischief: they are far from thy law.”
A888-889
“Then they that persecute draw nigh, when they go the length of torturing and destroying the flesh: whence the twenty-first Psalm, wherein the Lord’s Passion is prophesied, saith, ‘O go not from me, for trouble is hard at hand;’ where those things are spoken of which He suffered when His Passion was not imminent upon Him, but actually realized. ‘And are far from Thy law.’ The nearer they drew to the persecuting the righteous, so much the farther were they from righteousness. But what harm did they do unto those, to whom they drew near by persecution; since the approach of their Lord is nearer unto their souls, by whom they no wise are forsaken?”
S235
These evil men do not prosecute a good thing, but persecute a good man.
B396
“An awful character is indeed drawn of the ungodly – They are far from God’s law – and that not for ignorance, but from willful enmity. This is God’s witness against them; and they are not ashamed to consent, that this ‘witness is true.’”
Psalm 119:151
“Thou art near, O LORD; and all thy commandments are truth.”
P365 (also v150)
“They are nigh to persecute and destroy me; Thou art nigh to help me.”
A889
“But towards all, both those whom He freeth, and those whom He condemneth, all the ways of the Lord are mercy and truth; because where He doth not show mercy, the truth of His vengeance is displayed. For He freeth many who have not deserved, but He condemneth none who hath not deserved it.”
L601-602
“They, the wicked mischief makers, are near with their temptations to sin and their hindrance of virtue, and departure from the law. Thou art near with the aid and support of Thine established and true commandments.”
S236
“This sentence will be the persecuted man’s protection from the false hearts who seek to do him harm. God is near, and God is true, therefore His people are safe.”
B398
Revelation 21:3 “And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.”
Psalm 119:152
“Concerning thy testimonies, I have known of old that thou hast founded them for ever.”
A889
“’From the beginning I have known,’ he saith, ‘as concerning Thy testimonies, that Thou hast grounded them for ever.’ What are these testimonies, save those wherein God hath declared that He will give an everlasting kingdom unto His sons? And since He hath declared that He will give this in His only-begotten Son, he said that the testimonies themselves were grounded for ever. For that which God hath promised through them, was everlasting. And for this reason the words, ‘Thou hast grounded them,’ are rightly thus understood, because they are shown to be true in Christ. Whence then did the Psalmist know this in the beginning, save because the Church speaketh, which was not wanting to the earth from the commencement of the human race, the first-fruits whereof was the holy Abel, himself sacrificed in testimony of the future blood of the Mediator that should be shed by a wicked brother? For this also was at the beginning, ‘They two shall be one flesh:’ which great mystery the Apostle Paul expounding, saith, ‘I speak concerning Christ and the Church.’”
S238
“Let ‘cultured intellects’ invent another god, more gentle and effeminate than the God of Abraham. We are well content to worship Jehovah, who is eternally the same. Things everlastingly established are the joy of established saints. Bubbles that float upon the air please boys, but men value those things that are solid and substantial, with a foundation and a bottom to them that will bear the test of the ages.”
B399-400
Concerning the world, “Yet we are most of us strangely attached to this fleeting scene, even when experience and Divine teaching have instructed us in its vanity: and it is not until repeated proofs of this truth have touched us very closely in the destruction of our dearest consolations, that we take the full comfort of the enduring foundation of God’s testimonies, and of the imperishable character of their treasure.”
B400
“The scoffer may say, - ‘if the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do? Let God himself give the answer - ‘Lift up your eyes to the heavens, and look upon the earth beneath: for the heavens shall vanish away like smoke, and the earth shall wax old like a garment, and they that dwell therein shall die in like manner: but my salvation shall be for ever, and my righteousness shall not be abolished.’ Isaiah 51:6”
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andrew
Layman
Still here...till the end.
Posts: 94
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Post by andrew on Nov 10, 2020 19:58:05 GMT -6
Psalm 119:153-160
Reysh - ר - a person, the head, the highest
Structure:
A) v153-154 The Psalmist’s cry.
B) v155-159 Jehovah far from the wicked. Foes many.
C) v160 The Word established forever.
Psalm 119:153
“Consider mine affliction, and deliver me: for I do not forget thy law.”
A889-890
“Let no man, set in Christ’s body, imagine these words to be alien from himself, since in truth it is the whole body of Christ placed in this humble state that speaketh: ‘O consider my humiliation, and deliver me: for I forget not Thy law.’. In this place we cannot understand any law of God so suitably, as that whereby it is immutably determined that ‘every one that exalteth himself, shall be abased; and every one that humbleth himself; shall be exalted.’”
L602 (also v154)
“In afflictions it is a comfort to know that we have loved ones, friends who weep with us, when we weep. How more consoling is it to know that the merciful eye of our heavenly Friend, Who sticketh closer than a brother, beholds our need and with a powerful hand is ready to deliver.”
L603
The term for deliver in this verse means, “to rescue as with a gentle hand.”
S240
“The writer has good case, though it is a grievous one, and he is ready, and even anxious, to submit it to divine arbitration. His matters are right, and he is ready to lay them before the supreme court. His manner is that of someone who feels safe at the throne, yet there is no impatience.”
B401
“Hated by the world – vexed by his restless enemy – chastened by his God – burdened with his ‘body of death’ – what else can he do but cry – Consider mine affliction! How manifestly is this world not our rest, but our exercise for rest! Well is it that our ‘days are few,’ when they are so ‘evil.’ But how could we hold on as we do, had we not our Saviour’s pitying heart and Almighty help?”
Psalm 119:154
“Plead my cause, and deliver me: quicken me according to thy word.”
L603
The term for deliver in this verse means, “to redeem, or to save by avenging.”
S242
“More life (quickening) means more love, more grace, more faith, more courage, and more strength, and if we get these, we can hold up our heads before our adversaries.”
B403-404
“Our redeemer does indeed plead our cause successfully for our deliverance; when but for his powerful advocacy we must have stood speechless in the judgment – helpless, without any prospect of acceptance. Awful indeed was the cause which he had to manage. Our adversary had the law on his side. We could not deny the charge, or offer satisfaction. We could neither ‘stand in judgment,’ nor flee from the impending wrath. But at that moment of infinite peril, our cause was pleaded by a ‘Counsellor,’ who never was nonsuited in court, who brought irresistible pleas, and produced satisfaction that could not be denied. The voice of deliverance was heard in heaven – ‘Deliver them from going down to the pit: I have found a ransom.’ This ransom is no less than the price of his own ‘precious blood,’ ‘shed for many for the remission of sins,’ a ransom, which has merited and obtained eternal deliverance for his people, which still pleads for the expiation of the guilt, which attaches to their holiest services, and defiles their happiest approaches to their God.”
Psalm 119:155
“Salvation is far from the wicked: for they seek not thy statutes.”
L603
“But for the wicked, there can be nothing but condemnation all the time they fail to seek the Saviour, the statutes reveal. The wicked are those who persevere in evil, and place themselves beyond the pale of hope.”
S243
“Salvation and God’s statutes go together. Those who are saved by the King of grace love the statutes of the King of Glory. The main reason people are not saved is that they get away from the Word of God.”
B406-407
“Are they shut out from hope, and sternly refused an interest in the covenant? Oh! No; it is their own doing, or rather their own undoing. Would they but seek the ways of God, they might plead for deliverance; yea, they might have a prevailing Advocate to plead their cause, and deliver them. But now salvation is far from them, because ‘they are far from God’s law.’ It does not fly from them; ‘but they fly from it. Every act is a stride of mind, more or less vigorous in departure from God.’”
Psalm 119:156
“Great are thy tender mercies, O LORD: quicken me according to thy judgments.”
S243-244
“This verse is very much like verse 149, yet it is no vain repetition…. We can take it for granted that an inspired author is never so short of thoughts as to be obliged to repeat himself. In the places where we think we have the repetition of the same idea in this psalm, we are misled by our neglect of careful study. Each verse is a distinct pearl. Each blade of grass in this field has its own drop of heavenly dew.”
B408-409
“To mercy – rich mercy alone – we trace the distinction between those that are ‘quickened,’ and those that remain ‘dead in trespasses and sins.’”
Psalm 119:157
“Many are my persecutors and mine enemies; yet do I not decline from thy testimonies.”
A890
“This hath been realized: we know it, we recollect it, we acknowledge it. The whole earth has been crimsoned by the blood of Martyrs; heaven is flowery with the crowns of Martyrs, the Churches are adorned with the memorials of Martyrs, seasons distinguished by the birthdays of Martyrs, cures more frequent by the merits of Martyrs.”
S244
“The disciple cannot be loved where his Master is hated. The seed of the serpent must oppose the seed of the woman. It is their nature.”
S245
“There is enough in the testimonies of God to reward us for pushing forward against all the multitudes that might combine against us. As long as they cannot drive or draw us into a spiritual decline, our enemies have done us no great harm.”
B412
“We would say therefore to all – specially to sanguine beginners – Let your course be commenced with serious consideration, and zealous self-scrutiny.”
B413
“Indeed, what is our love, if we will not take up a cross for him? How can we be his followers without the cross? How can we be Christians, if we are not confessors of Christ before a world that despises his Gospel?”
Psalm 119:158
“I beheld the transgressors, and was grieved; because they kept not thy word.”
P365
“WAS GRIEVED, literally ‘felt loathing.’”
S246
“I cannot keep the company of those who do not keep God’s Word. That they would have no love for me is a triviality, but to despise the teaching of the Lord is detestable.”
B416
“Can we bear to behold all around us united in a conspiracy against the honour, and – if it were possible – against the life, of our dearest friend and benefactor, and not be painfully grieved? Yet genuine grief must begin with our own heart – ‘all of us mourning, every one for his iniquity.’ The wickedness of others will stir up the conviction within our own conscience – ‘I do remember my faults this day.’”
Psalm 119:159
“Consider how I love thy precepts: quicken me, O LORD, according to thy lovingkindness.”
L604
“He did not beg God to consider how he performed His precepts but how deeply he loved them.”
S246
David asks for more life in verses 154, 156, & 159. “There is no harm in using repetition. The thing forbidden is the using of vain repetitions, as unbelievers do.”
S247
“Quicken me so I may outlive the blows of my enemies, the faintness of my faith, and the swooning of my sorrow.”
Me
Like a power up in a video game, God can recharge us so that we may continue without dying.
B417
“Love for thy precepts, such as this Psalm describes, is a distinguishing characteristic of a child of God. The transgressors neither love the precepts, nor desire the quickening grace to keep them.”
B418
“But when we ask for this quickening, are we expecting, as we ought to be, a large answer to our prayer? Or are we ‘limiting’ our God, by the scanty apprehensions of our poor faith? Remember he is glorified - not in possessing, but in dispensing his gifts.”
B419
Bridges notes that the Psalmist asked for quickening nine times in this chapter; verses 25, 37, 40, 88, 107, 149, 154, 156, & 159.
Psalm 119:160
“Thy word is true from the beginning: and every one of thy righteous judgments endureth for ever.”
A891
“From truth, he saith, Thy words do proceed, and they are therefore truthful, and deceive no man, for in them life is announced to the righteous, punishment to the ungodly. These are the everlasting judgments of God’s righteousness.”
L605 & Me
In keeping with the theme of headship in this octave, some have translated the beginning phrase as, “Thy word is true from the head.”
S248
“The Scriptures are as true in Genesis as in Revelation, and the five books of Moses are as inspired as the four Gospels.”
S249
“There is not one single mistake either in the Word of God or in the providential dealings of God. There will never be any need to point out a single line of error in either the book of revelation or of providence, for no error exists.”
B421
“Confidence simply built upon the word of God, will endure the storms of earth and hell.”
B422
“The Israelites were not satisfied with inquiring respecting the manna – ‘What is this?’ or with discovering that it had descended from heaven; but they gathered it each for himself, and fed upon it as their daily bread. Nor will it be of any avail to us to prove beyond contradiction, and to acknowledge with the fullest assurance, the truth of God’s word, unless we thus embrace it, and live upon it as our heavenly portion.”
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andrew
Layman
Still here...till the end.
Posts: 94
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Post by andrew on Nov 19, 2020 18:42:31 GMT -6
Psalm 119:161-168
Sheen – ש - to consume, to destroy, teeth
Structure:
A) v161 Contrastive statement.
B) v162 Praise “Thy”
A) v163 Contrastive statement.
B) v164 Praise “Thy”
A) v165 Contrastive statement.
B) v166-168 Prayer “Thy”
Octave Commentary:
S250
“Oh, that when we come to the close of life we might be able to speak like David does as he closes his life-psalm! Not boastfully, but still boldly, he places himself among the obedient servants of the Lord. Oh, to be clear in conscience when life’s sun is setting!”
Psalm 119:161
“Princes have persecuted me without a cause: but my heart standeth in awe of thy word.”
S250
“Princes are appointed to protect the virtuous and avenge the oppressed, and it is a shame when they become assailants of the righteous.”
S250-251
“How insignificant crowns and scepters are in the judgment of that man who perceives a more majestic royalty in the commands of his God!”
B425
“And this awe of God will naturally extend to his word; so that we shall be more tenderly afraid of disregarding its dictates, than the most faithful subject of breaking the law of his beloved Sovereign.”
Psalm 119:162
“I rejoice at thy word, as one that findeth great spoil.”
S251-252
“In evil times, we have to fight hard for divine truth. Every doctrine costs us a battle. But when we gain a full understanding of eternal truth by personal struggles, it becomes doubly precious to us. If we have uncommon battling for the Word of God, may we have for our spoil a firmer hold upon the priceless Word!”
B428
“Sometimes we see the treasure long before we can make it our own. And when we gird ourselves to the conflict, paralyzed by the weakness of our spiritual perceptions and the power of unbelief; many a prayer, and many a sigh, is sent up for Divine aid, before we are crowned with victory, and as the fruit of our conquest, joyfully appropriate the word to our present distress.”
Psalm 119:163
“I hate and abhor lying: but thy law do I love.”
A892
“Thus fathers are at once feared and loved by affectionate sons; thus doth the chaste wife at once fear her husband, lest she be forsaken by him, and loveth him, that she may enjoy his love. If then the human father and the human husband desire at once to be feared and loved; much more doth our Father who is in heaven, and that Bridegroom, “beautiful beyond the sons of men,” not in the flesh, but in goodness. For by whom is the law of God loved, save by those by whom God is loved? And what that is severe hath the father’s law to good sons? Let the Father’s judgments therefore be praised even in the scourge, if His promises be loved in the reward.”
L607
“He obeyed God’s law, not by way of duty, but because of his deep unalterable affection for it. ‘True men love truth, and hate lying.’”
S253
“True men love truth and hate lying. It is good for us to know which way our hates and loves run. We can perform vital service to others by declaring what are the objects of our admiration and detestation. Both love and hate are contagious, and when they are sanctified, the wider their influence the better.”
B428
“We can neither stand in awe of God’s word, nor rejoice at it, unless we abhor all contrary ways. And here lies the spiritual conflict. For so opposed are our natural affections to the character and will of God, that we love what God hates, and we hate what God loves.”
Psalm 119:164
“Seven times a day do I praise thee because of thy righteous judgments.”
A892
“The words “seven times a day,” signify “evermore.” For this number is wont to be a symbol of universality; because after six days of the divine work of creation, a seventh of rest was added; and all times roll on through a revolving cycle of seven days.”
“Justly hath the Church then praised God seven times in a day for His righteous judgments; because, when it was time that judgment should begin at the house of God, she did not faint in all her tribulations, but was glorified with the crowns of Martyrs.”
L607
“It is the number denoting spiritual perfection, and as used here can imply frequently, or without limit.”
S254
“If we praise God when we are persecuted, our music will be all the sweeter to Him because of our faithfulness during suffering.”
B432-433
“Young Christians indeed sometimes unwarily bring themselves into ‘bondage,’ in forcing their consciences to a frequency of set times for duty, interfering with present obligations, or pressing unduly upon the weakness of the flesh. Our rule of service, though not measured by our indolence, yet should be accommodated to those legitimate daily engagements, which, when ‘done as to the Lord,’ form as real and necessary a part of our religion, as the more spiritual sacrifices of prayer and praise.”
Psalm 119:165
“Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them.”
P366
“When God’s law is loved, instead of being struggled against, the conscience is at peace, and the inward eye is clear; a man sees his duty and does it, free from those stumbling-blocks which are ever occasion of falling to others.”
Me
The definition of the word offend, in the English has greatly changed in modern times. It no longer means, ‘to cast a stumbling block in front of someone,’ but to, ‘hurt the feelings of’ someone. Those someones are usually far from God’s law in 2020 AD.
L608 & Me
“It must needs be that offenses come, but then lovers of law are peacemakers, and so neither give nor take offense.” They neither fall from trusting the law of God, nor cast stumbling blocks before others who refuse to do so. The lawless stumble over their own sin.
S254
“What a charming verse this is! It does not deal with people who perfectly keep the law, for where would such people be found? Rather, it deals with those who love it, whose hearts and hands are conformed to its precepts and demands.”
B436
“Professor! What do you lose by your indulged indifference to the law of God? Conscience tells you, that you are a stranger to this peace – this great peace. A secret root of idolatry cankers the principles of peace. Notions will not bring it. Nothing but vital godliness – the love for God’s law - ‘the truth received in the love of it’ – will realize the blessing.”
Psalm 119:166
“LORD, I have hoped for thy salvation, and done thy commandments.”
L609
The first clause of this verse echos Jacob in Genesis 49:18, “I have waited for thy salvation, O LORD.”
S255
“Here we have salvation by grace, and the fruits of it. All David’s hope was fixed upon God; he looked to Him alone for salvation, and then he tried most earnestly to fulfill the commands of His law.”
B440
“’All have sinned’ without difference. The only difference regards the strength or weakness of the faith, by which the righteous is more or less distinctly appropriated, and its consequent blessings enjoyed.”
B441
“But on what ground is this hope for the Lord’s salvation built? On his faithfulness, not our sincerity; on his promises, not our frames; on his unchangeableness, not on our constancy.”
B444
“Keep then the eye fixed on Christ as the ground, and on obedience as the evidence, of our hope.”
Psalm 119:167
“My soul hath kept thy testimonies; and I love them exceedingly.”
A893
“But generally, while the commandments of God are kept, they against whose will they are kept become our foes: then, indeed, His testimonies also must be kept courageously, lest they be denied when the enemy persecuteth.”
S256
“He did not merely store up revealed truth because of duty, but because of a deep, unspeakable affection for it. He felt that he would sooner die than give up any part of the revelation of God.”
B452
“Not one, indeed, of the precepts or testimonies does he keep as he ought, and as he desires; but there is not one of them that he does not delight in, and most anxiously desire to fulfill.”
Psalm 119:168
“I have kept thy precepts and thy testimonies: for all my ways are before thee.”
L609
“I may hide thee from my eye, but not myself from thine eye.” - Augustine
S257
“Before God, we might be clear of any open fault, and yet at the same time mourn over a thousand heart-wanderings that need His restoring hand.”
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andrew
Layman
Still here...till the end.
Posts: 94
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Post by andrew on Nov 19, 2020 18:43:48 GMT -6
Psalm 119:169-176
Tav – ת - to seal, to covenant, sign, cross
Structure:
A) v169-170 Prayer and Plea.
B) v171-172 Statements “I”. Praise.
A) v173 Prayer and Plea.
B) v174 Statements “I”.
A) v175 Prayers.
B) v176- Statement “I”. Confession.
A) v-176 Prayer and Plea.
Psalm 119:169
“Let my cry come near before thee, O LORD: give me understanding according to thy word.”
L610
“Some writers indicate that probably the Psalmist had in mind the whole of this 119th Psalm and meant something like this, ‘Let this whole preceding Psalm, and all the petitions therein contained, be highly accepted in Heaven.’”
S261
“Many people who are considered wise by this world’s standards are fools according to the Word of the Lord. May we be among those happy children who will be taught of the Lord!”
B456
“Richness of expression, and fluency of utterance, are the mere shell and shadow of prayer. The life of prayer is the cry of the heart to God.”
Psalm 119:170
“Let my supplication come before thee: deliver me according to thy word.”
S261
“Deliver me according to thy word. Rid me of my adversaries, rid me of my slanderers, preserve me from my tempters, and bring me up out of all my afflicitons, even as Your Word has led me to expect You to do.”
B459
“But there may be a secret departure from God even in the engagement of active service, or in the exercises of social religion. … Indeed if our affections and feelings are moved in social exercises, and are cold and insensible when we are alone with God, it is a bad symptom of our state.”
B460
“The cry, ‘Abba, Father’ – ‘though’ (as Luther sweetly expresses it) ‘it is but a cry; yet it doth so pierce the clouds, that there is nothing else heard in heaven of God and his angels.’”
Psalm 119:171
“My lips shall utter praise, when thou hast taught me thy statutes.”
A894
“We know how God teacheth those who are docile unto God. For every one who hath heard from the Father and hath learned, comes unto Him ‘who justifieth the ungodly:’ so that he may keep the righteousnesses of God not only by retaining them in his memory, but also by doing them. Thus doth he who glorieth, glory not in himself, but in the Lord, and burst forth praise.”
S262
“Eminent disciples are accustomed to speak well of the master who instructed them, and this holy man, when taught the statutes of the Lord, promises to give all the glory to Him to whom it is due.”
B462-463
“And again – I was perplexed in a dark and bewildered path. Every dispensation appeared to frown upon me. One dark hour had blotted out all the recollections of my former comforts; and it was as if I never could, never should, rejoice again. But little did I think how the Lord was ‘abounding towards me in all wisdom and prudence’ - how his arrows were sharpened with love – how he was ‘humbling me, and proving me, to know what was in my heart’ and in the moment of chastening was speaking to me – ‘I know the thoughts that I think towards you, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.’ What a display of ‘wisdom!’ My lips shall utter praise; for if I ‘should hold my peace, the stones would immediately cry out.’”
Psalm 119:172
“My tongue shall speak of thy word: for all thy commandments are righteousness.”
A894
“But as he hath now learned, and praised God his Teacher, he next wisheth to teach. When he saith that he will declare these things, he becometh a minister of the word. For though God teach within, nevertheless ‘faith cometh from hearing: and how do they hear without a preacher?’ For, because ‘God giveth the increase,’ is no reason why we need not plant and water.”
P367
Perowne translates speak of as sing of and notes it could also meant ‘repeat’ or ‘echo.’
S262-263
“When the tongue speaks about God’s Word, it has a most fruitful subject. Such speaking will be like a tree of life, the leaves of which will be for the healing of the people. People will gather together to listen to such talk, and they will treasure it up in their hearts.”
S263
“The law of God is not only the standard of right, but it is also the essence of righteousness.”
B464-465
“If vain words are flowing up from the bottom, look on the restraint that represses them from our lips as a triumphant mercy. This active energy of Christian discipline will communicate a fragrence to our conversation, most acceptable to our beloved Lord; and will make our ‘lips’ enriching, feeding, and instructive to his church. And truly when we see how hardly men judge of him, how they count his ‘commandments grievous,’ and his ways ‘unequal,’ it will be delightful to bear our testimony, that all his commandments are righteousness; restraining the power of sin, and conforming the soul to his image.”
Psalm 119:173
“Let thine hand help me; for I have chosen thy precepts.”
S264
“The prayer reminds us of Peter walking on the sea and beginning to sink, he, too, cried, Lord, save me, and the hand of his master stretched out for his rescue.”
B468
“Experience of our own weakness, and the great power of the world, is gradually preparing us for victory over it. We shall then most specifically find our happiness in losing our own will; and our Master’s cross will be a delightful burden; like wings to a bird, or sails to a ship; assisting, instead of retarding, our course. The more we trust to his help and guidance in everything, the more we shall be able to do, and the more delightful will his service be to us.”
B469
“But the religion that pleases the world will never be acceptable with God; nor can the religion that pleases God , be ever accommodated to the inclination of the world.”
Psalm 119:174
“I have longed for thy salvation, O LORD; and thy law is my delight.”
A894
“The Church longed for His destined coming from His mother’s womb, the Church longeth for His coming at His Father’s right hand.”
S265
“He knew God’s salvation, and yet he longed for it; that is to say, he had experienced a measure of it and he was led to desire something still higher and more complete. The holy hunger of the saints increases as it is satisfied. There is a salvation yet to come, when we will be completely delivered from the body of this death, set free from all the turmoil and trouble of this mortal life, raised above the temptations and assaults of Satan, and brought near to our God, to be like Him and with Him forever and ever.”
B471-472
“But the Lord often brings this charge against his professing people – ‘Thou has left thy first love.’ The principle is not dead, but the energy is decayed. Human nature is prone to apostasy. Slumber unconsciously steals upon the soul. Faith is not in habitual exercise. The attraction of the Saviour is not felt. His love is not meditated upon. The soul is satisfied with former affections to him. There is little heart to labour for him. The means of communion with him are slighted. The heart naturally becomes cold in spiritual desires, and warm in worldly pursuits; and too often without any smitings of conscience for divided love.”
B472
“What would an indulgent husband think of incessant and increasing attentions repaid with diminished affection? Oh! Let us be ashamed of our indolence, and ‘remember’ the times when our longings for his salvation were more intense; when our communion with him was more heavenly; when we were ready to labour and suffer for him, and even to die to go home to his presence. Let us ‘repent’ with deeper contrition, and ‘do our first works’: never resting till we can take up afresh the language of delight – I have longed for thy salvation, O Lord.”
Psalm 119:175
“Let my soul live, and it shall praise thee; and let thy judgments help me.”
A894
“But in this faith, though the heathen rage furiously, and the people imagine a vain thing: though the flesh be slain while it preacheth Thee: ‘My soul shall live, and shall praise Thee: and Thy judgments shall help me.’”
L612
“As the last clause of the verse precludes the idea of straying as deep sin, we must assume that the Psalmist was confessing heart-wanderings from the Shepard of Israel. This is why he exhorts the saints in this Psalm to cleave to His commandments.”
S265-266
“While I read the record of what You have done, in terror or in love, let me be quickened and strengthened. While I see Your hand at work upon me and upon others, punishing sin and smiling on righteousness, let me be helped both to live right and to praise you properly. Let all Your deeds in providence instruct me, and help me in the struggle to overcome sin and to practice holiness.”
B477
“Considering how much nearer he might live to God than he has yet known, he longs for more vigorous influence of the Divine principle. In his most active enjoyments, his insufficiency for this sacred work presses upon him, and stirs up petition for help – Let thy judgments help me. Give me such an enlightened apprehension of thy word, of thy character, and of thy perfections as God of my salvation, as may furnish abundant matter of unceasing praise; so that my daily exercise may be – ‘Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.’”
Psalm 119:176
“I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek thy servant; for I do not forget thy commandments.”
A895
“Let the lost sheep be sought, let the lost sheep be quickened, for whose sake its Shepherd left the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and while seeking it, was torn by Jewish thorns.”
P367
“According to the accents, the rendering would rather be, ‘I have gone astray; seek Thy servant as a lost sheep.’ In what sense can one who has so repeatedly declared his love of God’s word, who has asserted that he has kept God’s precepts, make this confession? The figure cannot be employed here in the same sense, for instance, in which it is employed in our Lord’s parable. He who is the lost sheep her is the one who does not forget God’s commandments. The figure therefore, seems in this place to denote the helpless condition of the Psalmist, without protectors, exposed to enemies, in the midst of whom he wanders, not knowing where to find rest and shelter. But in the, ‘I have gone astray,’ there is doubtless the sense of sin as well as of weakness, though there is also the consciousness of love to God’s law, ‘I do not forget Thy commandments.’...The word rendered ‘lost’ may be rendered ‘ready to perish.’”
S267
“Notice this confession. Many times in this psalm David has defended his own innocence against foul-mouthed accusers; but when he comes into the presence of the Lord his God, he is more than ready to confess his transgressions. Here he sums up not only his past, but even his present life, uner the image of a sheep which has broken from its pasture, forsaken the flock, left the Shepard, and brought itself into the wilderness, where it has become lost. The sheep bleets, and David prays, seek thy servant.”
S267-268
“The person whose heart is still with God cannot be utterly lost. If he has gone astray in many respects, and yet is still true in his soul’s innermost desires, he will be found again and will be fully restored.”
B478
“And yet where is the child of God that does not set his own seal with shame to the confession – I have gone astray like a lost sheep? ‘Who can understand his errors?’ If he be not found, like Peter, in the open path of wandering; yet he has not need to cry – ‘Cleanse thou me from my secret faults?’”
B479
“Let me remember the express commission, that brought the Shepard from heaven to earth, from the throne of God to the manger, and thence to the garden and cross, ‘to seek and to save that which was lost.’ Let me see upon him the especial mark of ‘the Good Shepard, giving his life for the sheep.’”
B480
“Thus, again, I hope to be received as a ‘dear’ and ‘pleasant child’; again to be clothed with ‘the best robe,’ to be welcomed with fresh tokens of my Father’s everlasting love, and to be assured with the precious promise – ‘My sheep shall never perish, and none shall pluck them out of my hand.’”
Me
I am but a man, born into an evil age of godless materialism ruled by prophets of a science, falsely so-called. I loved the comfortable lies we all held so dear, but I could not continue, for there was no Truth in them, or me. It is hard to look up with a stiff neck. I suppose that explains why God almost allowed it to be broken, and my hard head cracked, to get me off the wrong path. Thank God for finding me when I was so very deep in the darkness.
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