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Psalms 119:1
Verse
Context
Sermons
Art KatzArt Katz
Hans R. Waldvogel
Chuck Smith
Ronald Glass
Samuel Alexander DanfordSummary
Commentary
- Keil-Delitzsch
- John Gill
- Matthew Henry
- Tyndale
Carl Friedrich Keil and Franz Delitzsch Old Testament Commentary
The eightfold Aleph. Blessed are those who act according to the word of God; the poet wishes to be one of these. The alphabetical Psalm on the largest scale begins appropriately, not merely with a simple (Psa 112:1), but with a twofold ashr. It refers principally to those integri viae (vitae). In Psa 119:3 the description of those who are accounted blessed is carried further. Perfects,a s denoting that which is habitual, alternate with futures used as presents. In Psa 119:4 לשׁמר expresses the purpose of the enjoining, as in Psa 119:5 the goal of the directing. אחלי (whence אחלי, Kg2 5:3) is compounded of אח (vid., supra, p. 273) and לי (לוי), and consequently signifies o si. On יכּנוּ cf. Pro 4:26 (lxx κατευθυνθείησαν). The retrospective אז is expanded anew in Psa 119:6: then, when I namely. "Judgment of Thy righteousness" are the decisions concerning right and wrong which give expression to and put in execution the righteousness of God. (Note: The word "judgments" of our English authorized version is retained in the text as being the most convenient word; it must, however, be borne in mind that in this Psalm it belongs to the "chain of synonyms," and does not mean God's acts of judgment, its more usual meaning in the Old Testament Scriptures, but is used as defined above, and is the equivalent here of the German Rechte, not Gerichte. - Tr.) בּלמדי refers to Scripture in comparison with history.
John Gill Bible Commentary
ALEPH.--The First Part. ALEPH. Blessed are the undefiled in the way,.... Who are in the right way to heaven and happiness, which is Jesus Christ; the strait gate, and narrow way to eternal life; the only true way of life and salvation, in which way believers walk by faith. All out of this way are altogether become filthy; but all in this way are clean, even every bit: they are without spot and blemish, blameless and unreproveable, and without fault, before the throne of God and in his sight; being washed from their sins in the blood of the Lamb, and clothed with his righteousness; and even "perfect" and complete in him, as the Targum renders the word. These are also found in the way of their duty, and walk in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord, blameless before men, and are sincere and upright in the sight of God; and are upon all accounts happy persons: who walk in the law of the Lord: within the boundaries and limits of it, according to its direction, as it is a rule of walk and conversation in the hands of Christ the Lawgiver; and who continue to walk in it, as in a pleasant path, with great delight; and cheerfully obey its precepts, as influenced by the love of God, and assisted by the Spirit and grace of Christ. The word "law", or "doctrine", as it signifies, may design every revelation of the divine will; and even the doctrine of Christ, which believers should abide in, and not transgress; and should walk uprightly according to the truth of it, and as becomes it, and as they are enabled to do.
Matthew Henry Bible Commentary
The psalmist here shows that godly people are happy people; they are, and shall be, blessed indeed. Felicity is the thing we all pretend to aim at and pursue. He does not say here wherein it consists; it is enough for us to know what we must do and be that we may attain to it, and that we are here told. All men would be happy, but few take the right way; God has here laid before us the right way, which we may be sure will end in happiness, though it be strait and narrow. Blessednesses are to the righteous; all manner of blessedness. Now observe the characters of the happy people. Those are happy, 1. Who make the will of God the rule of all their actions, and govern themselves, in their whole conversation, by that rule: They walk in the law of the Lord, Psa 119:1. God's word is a law to them, not only in this or that instance, but in the whole course of their conversation; they walk within the hedges of that law, which they dare not break through by doing any thing it forbids; and they walk in the paths of that law, which they will not trifle in, but press forward in them towards the mark, taking every step by rule and never walking at all adventures. This is walking in God's ways (Psa 119:3), the ways which he has marked out to us and has appointed us to walk in. It will not serve us to make religion the subject of our discourse, but we must make it the rule of our walk; we must walk in his ways, not in the way of the world, or of our own hearts, Job 23:10, Job 23:11; Job 31:7. 2. Who are upright and honest in their religion - undefiled in the way, not only who keep themselves pure from the pollutions of actual sin, unspotted from the world, but who are habitually sincere in their intentions, in whose spirit there is no guile, who are really as good as they seem to be and row the same way as they look. 3. Who are true to the trust reposed in them as God's professing people. It was the honour of the Jews that to them were committed the oracles of God; and blessed are those who preserve pure and entire that sacred deposit, who keep his testimonies as a treasure of inestimable value, keep them as the apple of their eye, so keep them as to carry the comfort of them themselves to another world and leave the knowledge and profession of them to those who shall come after them in this world. Those who would walk in the law of the Lord must keep his testimonies, that is, his truths. Those will not long make conscience of good practices who do not adhere to good principles. Or his testimonies may denote his covenant; the ark of the covenant is called the ark of the testimony. Those do not keep covenant with God who do not keep the commandments of God. 4. Who have a single eye to God as their chief good and highest end in all they do in religion (Psa 119:2): They seek him with their whole heart. They do not seek themselves and their own things, but God only; this is that which they aim at, that God may be glorified in their obedience and that they may be happy in God's acceptance. he is, and will be, the rewarder, the reward, of all those who thus seek him diligently, seek him with the heart, for that is it that God looks at and requires; and with the whole heart, for if the heart be divided between him and the world it is faulty. 5. Who carefully avoid all sin (Psa 119:3): They do no iniquity; they do not allow themselves in any sin; they do not commit it as those do who are the servants of sin; they do not make a practice of it, do not make a trade of it. They are conscious to themselves of much iniquity that clogs them in the ways of God, but not of that iniquity which draws them out of those ways. Blessed and holy are those who thus exercise themselves to have always consciences void of offence.
Tyndale Open Study Notes
Ps 119 This psalm combines elements of wisdom, lament, praise, thanksgiving, and confession. Eight Hebrew words are used frequently, translated as “instructions,” “laws,” “words,” “regulations,” “statutes,” “commands,” “decrees,” “commandments,” and “promises.” Together, these words encourage love for and obedience to God’s instructions, as found in the Scriptures (see 2 Tim 3:14-17). The expression of deep commitment to these instructions unifies the psalm. 119:1-8 Aleph (א): God, the author of these instructions, commands that his followers live by them. The psalmist prays to be given the grace to live by that revelation. 119:1-4 The wise are happy. They are people of integrity (see 84:11) who follow the path of divine instruction. They obey God’s revelation and search for it with all their hearts (see 27:7; 119:10, 45, 94, 155), and they reject all forms of evil. Cp. 1:1-2.
Psalms 119:1
Your Word Is a Lamp to My Feet
1Blessed are those whose way is blameless, who walk in the Law of the LORD. 2Blessed are those who keep His testimonies and seek Him with all their heart.
- Scripture
- Sermons
- Commentary
K-026 I Love the lord...but
By Art Katz2.4K50:33SurrenderPSA 119:1ISA 1:21MAT 6:33MAT 26:69ACT 2:3HEB 10:31JAS 2:10In this sermon, the speaker reflects on the story of Peter's denial of Jesus and the disciples' failure to stand firm in their faith. He then transitions to discussing the first chapter of Isaiah, which he describes as a melancholy chapter. The speaker emphasizes the importance of remaining obedient to God and not deviating from His commands. He uses the metaphor of wine turning to water to illustrate the spiritual decline of the people of Israel. The sermon concludes with a call to embrace the cross of Christ as the only solution to restore righteousness and faithfulness.
The Radical Kingdom - Part 1
By Art Katz1.7K1:21:17Kingdom Of GodPSA 119:1PSA 119:105ISA 2:2MAT 5:39ACT 17:31In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of recognizing two contrasting worldviews: one that is fear-centric and believes in the presence of God, and another that is secular and believes in a random world without God. The speaker argues that the church has lost sight of its mission to fulfill the dominion mandate and bring the knowledge of God to the nations. This lack of understanding has resulted in lackluster services and a failure to fully engage in the work of the church. The speaker also criticizes the escapist mentality of many Christians who are focused on being raptured and avoiding suffering, rather than embracing their role in the world.
Desiring the Sincere Milk of the Word
By Hans R. Waldvogel1.7K29:35Word Of GodPSA 119:1In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of the Bible as both milk and bread, necessary for spiritual nourishment. He warns that sinning against the word of God is detrimental to one's soul. The preacher encourages listeners to turn to God and receive the pouring out of His spirit through the scripture, which is inspired by God and profitable for doctrine. He highlights the gospel as the power of God unto salvation and emphasizes the doctrine of Christ, which teaches that all flesh is like grass and that we need Jesus Christ. The preacher also urges believers to become Bible students and rely on the Holy Spirit as the true teacher, rather than relying solely on human teachers. He emphasizes the importance of feeding the spiritual babes and encourages listeners to seek the sincere milk of the word, rather than clinging to worldly desires. The sermon concludes with an invitation to come to Jesus, give Him time and attention, and allow Him to transform and fill the heart with His divine love.
Jesus Christ My Glory
By Chuck Smith1.6K37:38GEN 6:5PSA 10:1PSA 10:11PSA 103:8PSA 119:1JER 9:23MAT 7:21In this sermon, the preacher highlights the corrupt state of the world, drawing parallels between the present day and the biblical times. The preacher emphasizes that God's nature is characterized by love and holiness. The sermon also discusses the importance of moral strength and a right relationship with God, rather than relying on military power or riches. The preacher encourages the audience to seek a deep understanding and knowledge of God, as it is more valuable than worldly possessions or intelligence.
The Word of God (With Bulgarian Translation)
By Art Katz1.4K59:54Word Of GodPSA 119:1In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of living according to the will of God rather than seeking convenience or the approval of others. He prays for the words spoken to have a lasting impact and for the audience to be open to hearing beyond their own expectations. The preacher then turns to Psalm 119, highlighting the need for believers to walk in the way of the Lord and grow in His Word daily. He emphasizes that living a blameless life does not mean perfection, but rather a practical mode of living where one can make mistakes yet still be without blame. The sermon encourages the audience to choose to live according to God's Word and to be strong in their knowledge of Him, especially in the face of rising anti-Semitism and the challenges of the last days.
When We Need Revival: Barrenness of Soul
By Ronald Glass59657:06RevivalPSA 85:6PSA 119:1PSA 119:17PSA 119:125ISA 64:1HAB 3:2In this sermon, the preacher discusses the importance of seeking God's word and rest when we become exhausted in our ministry. Using the example of Elijah, who ran away in fear, the preacher emphasizes the need for a word from God, rest, and encouragement. The preacher also highlights the role of revival in awakening spiritually asleep believers and the danger of being attracted to the world. The sermon references various Bible verses, including Psalm 44:20-21, to support these points.
Why Should We Be Sanctified?
By Samuel Alexander Danford0DEU 30:6PSA 119:1MAT 5:8ROM 12:1EPH 5:17HEB 9:13REV 21:27Samuel Alexander Danford preaches about the will of God, emphasizing the importance of presenting ourselves as living sacrifices, holy and acceptable to God, and being transformed by the renewing of our minds to understand and fulfill His perfect will. He also highlights the commandments of God, urging believers to walk in holiness, love, and service to the Lord with all their hearts. The sermon further explores the promises of God, including sanctification, purification, and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon those who seek Him. It delves into the blessings sought through inspired prayer and the atonement provided by Jesus Christ, leading to redemption, sanctification, and the preparation for heaven.
Exposition on Psalm 120
By St. Augustine0PSA 119:1St. Augustine preaches on the Psalms, emphasizing the spiritual journey of ascent and descent symbolized by the degrees in Psalm 119. He highlights the challenges faced by Christians striving for spiritual growth, including opposition from adversaries and deceitful tongues that hinder progress. Augustine encourages believers to pray against these obstacles and arm themselves with God's word and examples of transformed lives to combat falsehood and discouragement. He reflects on the longing for a heavenly home free from wickedness and the struggles of the Church amidst darkness and light, urging a return to love and unity as essential for true peace and Christ-like living.
Ye Have Given No Heed to False Teachers
By Ignatius of Antioch0PSA 119:1JHN 14:6JHN 16:13EPH 1:41PE 2:9Ignatius of Antioch emphasizes the importance of discerning between the Holy Spirit and the spirit of deceit, highlighting that the Holy Spirit speaks the things of Christ while the deceitful spirit seeks to please itself. He encourages believers to be God-bearers, spirit-bearers, and temple-bearers, adorned with holiness and following the commandments of Jesus Christ, as they are chosen stones for the divine edifice of the Father. Ignatius rejoices over the Ephesians for their faithfulness and urges them to love according to God, walking in the unerring way of Jesus Christ that leads to the Father.
Rev. 22:14. Entrance Into the City
By Horatius Bonar0The New JerusalemEternal LifeGEN 2:9PSA 119:1MAT 5:8JHN 10:9PHP 3:20HEB 11:101PE 2:9REV 2:7REV 21:2REV 22:14Horatius Bonar preaches on Revelation 22:14, emphasizing the blessings of those who keep God's commandments, which grant them access to the tree of life and the new Jerusalem. He describes the city as a glorious place, built by God, where redeemed men enter through twelve pearl gates that are always open. The tree of life symbolizes Christ and offers eternal nourishment and healing to the nations. Bonar highlights the threefold blessedness of believers: keeping commandments, having a right to the tree of life, and entering the city triumphantly. Ultimately, he assures that this new Jerusalem is a permanent home for the redeemed, where they will dwell forever in God's presence.
- Keil-Delitzsch
- John Gill
- Matthew Henry
- Tyndale
Carl Friedrich Keil and Franz Delitzsch Old Testament Commentary
The eightfold Aleph. Blessed are those who act according to the word of God; the poet wishes to be one of these. The alphabetical Psalm on the largest scale begins appropriately, not merely with a simple (Psa 112:1), but with a twofold ashr. It refers principally to those integri viae (vitae). In Psa 119:3 the description of those who are accounted blessed is carried further. Perfects,a s denoting that which is habitual, alternate with futures used as presents. In Psa 119:4 לשׁמר expresses the purpose of the enjoining, as in Psa 119:5 the goal of the directing. אחלי (whence אחלי, Kg2 5:3) is compounded of אח (vid., supra, p. 273) and לי (לוי), and consequently signifies o si. On יכּנוּ cf. Pro 4:26 (lxx κατευθυνθείησαν). The retrospective אז is expanded anew in Psa 119:6: then, when I namely. "Judgment of Thy righteousness" are the decisions concerning right and wrong which give expression to and put in execution the righteousness of God. (Note: The word "judgments" of our English authorized version is retained in the text as being the most convenient word; it must, however, be borne in mind that in this Psalm it belongs to the "chain of synonyms," and does not mean God's acts of judgment, its more usual meaning in the Old Testament Scriptures, but is used as defined above, and is the equivalent here of the German Rechte, not Gerichte. - Tr.) בּלמדי refers to Scripture in comparison with history.
John Gill Bible Commentary
ALEPH.--The First Part. ALEPH. Blessed are the undefiled in the way,.... Who are in the right way to heaven and happiness, which is Jesus Christ; the strait gate, and narrow way to eternal life; the only true way of life and salvation, in which way believers walk by faith. All out of this way are altogether become filthy; but all in this way are clean, even every bit: they are without spot and blemish, blameless and unreproveable, and without fault, before the throne of God and in his sight; being washed from their sins in the blood of the Lamb, and clothed with his righteousness; and even "perfect" and complete in him, as the Targum renders the word. These are also found in the way of their duty, and walk in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord, blameless before men, and are sincere and upright in the sight of God; and are upon all accounts happy persons: who walk in the law of the Lord: within the boundaries and limits of it, according to its direction, as it is a rule of walk and conversation in the hands of Christ the Lawgiver; and who continue to walk in it, as in a pleasant path, with great delight; and cheerfully obey its precepts, as influenced by the love of God, and assisted by the Spirit and grace of Christ. The word "law", or "doctrine", as it signifies, may design every revelation of the divine will; and even the doctrine of Christ, which believers should abide in, and not transgress; and should walk uprightly according to the truth of it, and as becomes it, and as they are enabled to do.
Matthew Henry Bible Commentary
The psalmist here shows that godly people are happy people; they are, and shall be, blessed indeed. Felicity is the thing we all pretend to aim at and pursue. He does not say here wherein it consists; it is enough for us to know what we must do and be that we may attain to it, and that we are here told. All men would be happy, but few take the right way; God has here laid before us the right way, which we may be sure will end in happiness, though it be strait and narrow. Blessednesses are to the righteous; all manner of blessedness. Now observe the characters of the happy people. Those are happy, 1. Who make the will of God the rule of all their actions, and govern themselves, in their whole conversation, by that rule: They walk in the law of the Lord, Psa 119:1. God's word is a law to them, not only in this or that instance, but in the whole course of their conversation; they walk within the hedges of that law, which they dare not break through by doing any thing it forbids; and they walk in the paths of that law, which they will not trifle in, but press forward in them towards the mark, taking every step by rule and never walking at all adventures. This is walking in God's ways (Psa 119:3), the ways which he has marked out to us and has appointed us to walk in. It will not serve us to make religion the subject of our discourse, but we must make it the rule of our walk; we must walk in his ways, not in the way of the world, or of our own hearts, Job 23:10, Job 23:11; Job 31:7. 2. Who are upright and honest in their religion - undefiled in the way, not only who keep themselves pure from the pollutions of actual sin, unspotted from the world, but who are habitually sincere in their intentions, in whose spirit there is no guile, who are really as good as they seem to be and row the same way as they look. 3. Who are true to the trust reposed in them as God's professing people. It was the honour of the Jews that to them were committed the oracles of God; and blessed are those who preserve pure and entire that sacred deposit, who keep his testimonies as a treasure of inestimable value, keep them as the apple of their eye, so keep them as to carry the comfort of them themselves to another world and leave the knowledge and profession of them to those who shall come after them in this world. Those who would walk in the law of the Lord must keep his testimonies, that is, his truths. Those will not long make conscience of good practices who do not adhere to good principles. Or his testimonies may denote his covenant; the ark of the covenant is called the ark of the testimony. Those do not keep covenant with God who do not keep the commandments of God. 4. Who have a single eye to God as their chief good and highest end in all they do in religion (Psa 119:2): They seek him with their whole heart. They do not seek themselves and their own things, but God only; this is that which they aim at, that God may be glorified in their obedience and that they may be happy in God's acceptance. he is, and will be, the rewarder, the reward, of all those who thus seek him diligently, seek him with the heart, for that is it that God looks at and requires; and with the whole heart, for if the heart be divided between him and the world it is faulty. 5. Who carefully avoid all sin (Psa 119:3): They do no iniquity; they do not allow themselves in any sin; they do not commit it as those do who are the servants of sin; they do not make a practice of it, do not make a trade of it. They are conscious to themselves of much iniquity that clogs them in the ways of God, but not of that iniquity which draws them out of those ways. Blessed and holy are those who thus exercise themselves to have always consciences void of offence.
Tyndale Open Study Notes
Ps 119 This psalm combines elements of wisdom, lament, praise, thanksgiving, and confession. Eight Hebrew words are used frequently, translated as “instructions,” “laws,” “words,” “regulations,” “statutes,” “commands,” “decrees,” “commandments,” and “promises.” Together, these words encourage love for and obedience to God’s instructions, as found in the Scriptures (see 2 Tim 3:14-17). The expression of deep commitment to these instructions unifies the psalm. 119:1-8 Aleph (א): God, the author of these instructions, commands that his followers live by them. The psalmist prays to be given the grace to live by that revelation. 119:1-4 The wise are happy. They are people of integrity (see 84:11) who follow the path of divine instruction. They obey God’s revelation and search for it with all their hearts (see 27:7; 119:10, 45, 94, 155), and they reject all forms of evil. Cp. 1:1-2.