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Psalms 119:103
Verse
Context
Sermons







Summary
Commentary
- John Gill
- Matthew Henry
- Tyndale
John Gill Bible Commentary
I am afflicted very much,.... In a temporal sense, in his body, in his family, and by his enemies; in a spiritual sense, with the corruptions of his heart, with the temptations of Satan, and with the hidings of God's face; and what with one thing or another, he was pressed above measure, and his spirits sunk under the weight of the affliction, so that he was as a dead man; and therefore prays, quicken me, O Lord, according unto thy word; See Gill on Psa 119:25.
Matthew Henry Bible Commentary
Here is, 1. The wonderful pleasure and delight which David took in the word of God; it was sweet to his taste, sweeter than honey. There is such a thing as a spiritual taste, an inward savour and relish of divine things, such an evidence of them to ourselves, by experience, as we cannot give to others. We have heard him ourselves, Joh 4:42. To this scripture-taste the word of God is sweet, very sweet, sweeter than any of the gratifications of sense, even those that are most delicious. David speaks as if he wanted words to express the satisfaction he took in the discoveries of the divine will and grace; no pleasure was comparable to it. 2. The unspeakable profit and advantage he gained by the word of God. (1.) It helped him to a good head: "Through thy precepts I get understanding to discern between truth and falsehood, good and evil, so as not to mistake either in the conduct of my own life or in advising others." (2.) It helped him to a good heart: "Therefore, because I have got understanding of the truth, I hate every false way, and am stedfastly resolved not to turn aside into it." Observe here, [1.] The way of sin is a false way; it deceives, and will ruin, all that walk in it; it is the wrong way, and yet it seems to a man right, Pro 14:12. [2.] It is the character of every good man that he hates the way of sin, and hates it because it is a false way; he not only refrains his feet from it (v. 101), but he hates it, has an antipathy to it and a dread of it. [3.] Those who hate sin as sin will hate all sin, hate every false way, because every false way leads to destruction. And, [4.] The more understanding we get by the word of God the more rooted will our hatred of sin be (for to depart from evil, that is understanding, Job 28:28), and the more ready we are in the scriptures the better furnished we are with answers to temptation.
Tyndale Open Study Notes
119:103-104 Wisdom is preferable to even the finest food (19:10; 81:16). • The psalmist had already rejected the delusion offered by the way of folly (see 119:18, 78, 86, 163).
Psalms 119:103
Your Word Is a Lamp to My Feet
102I have not departed from Your ordinances, for You Yourself have taught me. 103How sweet are Your words to my taste— sweeter than honey in my mouth! 104I gain understanding from Your precepts; therefore I hate every false way.
- Scripture
- Sermons
- Commentary
Delighting in the Law of God
By John Piper1.3K33:47Law Of GodJOS 1:8PSA 1:1PSA 92:12PSA 119:18PSA 119:103MAT 6:33In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of combining intellectual understanding with heartfelt emotion in our approach to the Word of God. He introduces the idea of "head work" and "heart work," stating that many people separate these two aspects and believe that deep emotion and argumentation are opposites. However, the speaker argues that we should strive to keep them together, as the spirit and the mind are not at odds with each other. He encourages the congregation to be a people who see the value in every individual and who do not buy into the stereotypes of intellectualism or emotionalism.
Purified Through Trials
By Angel Castillo1.2K49:52TrialsPSA 19:1PSA 119:103JER 48:11In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of living a holy life that pleases God. He warns against being influenced by the world and its desires, as it is contrary to God's will. The preacher uses the example of the nation of Moab, which is compared to wine that has not been passed from vessel to vessel, to illustrate the need for believers to be transformed and refined by God. He encourages listeners to embrace difficulties and afflictions as opportunities for growth and to rely on Jesus Christ to fill their souls. The sermon emphasizes the testing of one's faith in times of affliction and the importance of using one's religion in such times. The preacher concludes by highlighting the need for humility and self-reflection, especially when everything seems to be going well. The sermon references James 4:4 and John 2:15-17 to support the message.
From Footlights to Fame
By Billy Strachan92156:33FamePSA 119:103PRO 3:15ISA 55:11MAT 4:4ROM 10:171CO 2:101PE 2:2In this sermon, the speaker shares his personal experience of being a part of the Hollywood Christian group and having access to Paramount Warner Brothers studio for three years. He talks about how he had the opportunity to talk to stars about Jesus Christ and lead them to salvation. The speaker emphasizes the transformative power of God in his own life, as he was once a broken and miserable person but was changed by God. He also addresses the idea of the permissive society and challenges the notion that people cannot change their lifestyles with God's help.
The Words of Jesus
By Phil Beach Jr.2948:43Suffering For ChristJesusValue of ScripturePSA 119:103MAT 10:34MAT 13:44MAT 16:21JHN 15:18ROM 8:171CO 1:27PHP 3:8COL 2:31PE 2:1Phil Beach Jr. emphasizes the transformative power of the Holy Spirit and the importance of valuing the words of Jesus in our lives. He encourages believers to develop a deep hunger for God's Word, likening it to a newborn's craving for milk, and highlights that true treasure lies in sharing in the sufferings of Christ. The sermon underscores that the mysteries of the kingdom are revealed to those with childlike faith, and that following Jesus may lead to personal loss but ultimately results in the joy of knowing Him. Beach Jr. calls for a renewed passion for Scripture, urging the congregation to prioritize the teachings of Jesus above all else.
A Football to Be Kicked From Man to Man
By C.H. Spurgeon0The Word of GodSpiritual NourishmentPSA 119:103MAT 4:4JHN 6:35HEB 5:121PE 2:2C.H. Spurgeon emphasizes the futility of religious debates and controversies, comparing them to two doctors arguing over food while a farmer enjoys his meal. He encourages believers to focus on the nourishment found in the Word of God rather than engaging in fruitless arguments. Spurgeon highlights that while questioning Scripture can be valuable, treating it as a mere topic for debate is irreverent. He urges readers to study and feast on the truth of Scripture, finding joy in communion with Jesus rather than in disputes. Ultimately, he calls for a shift from arguing to truly consuming the spiritual food that God provides.
A Message From the King
By John Piper0PSA 95:6PSA 119:103COL 3:162TI 2:152TI 4:1John Piper emphasizes that preaching is not merely explaining or teaching, but heralding like a town crier delivering a message from the king. Preaching involves exulting in the Word, announcing it with passion and reverence to inspire worship. It is a balance of expository exultation, handling the Word of Truth accurately without twisting it for emotional manipulation. Piper stresses the importance of keeping both the head (exposition) and heart (exultation) alive in preaching to avoid spiritual death in the church.
Identifying With His Way
By George Warnock0GEN 41:45PSA 119:103PRO 16:9ROM 8:28PHP 3:10George Warnock preaches on the importance of continually identifying with God throughout life to truly know Him, experience His power, and share in His sufferings. He uses the story of Joseph to illustrate how embracing God's vision for our lives may lead to unexpected challenges and setbacks, but ultimately results in a glorious fulfillment beyond our imagination. Joseph's transformation from a dreamer of greatness to a vessel of mercy and compassion showcases the beauty of identifying with God's Way and allowing His purposes to unfold in our lives.
Resisting Monotony by Means of Variety
By A.W. Tozer0Variety in WorshipSpiritual GrowthEXO 16:1PSA 119:103ECC 3:1ISA 43:19PHP 3:13A.W. Tozer emphasizes the importance of variety in spiritual practices to avoid monotony, suggesting that even the most devoted souls can become stagnant if they do not occasionally shift their focus. He references Von Hugel's idea of 'neutral cost' in prayer, advocating for breaks from spiritual exercises to engage in simple, earthly activities like walking or gardening. Tozer illustrates this with the Israelites' journey in the wilderness, highlighting that constant movement was essential for their growth. He notes that great Christians evolved over time, requiring different spiritual exercises at various stages of their lives to maintain their spiritual vitality.
Nothing but Sweetness
By A.W. Tozer0The Nature of God's WordWitnessing in a Hostile WorldPSA 119:103JER 15:16REV 10:9A.W. Tozer emphasizes the dual nature of God's Word, which is both sweet and bitter. While it brings delight and nourishment to believers, sharing it with those who reject it can lead to hostility and bitterness. He cautions against the overly simplistic view that the Word is only sweet, urging Christians to recognize the challenges of witnessing to a rebellious world. Tozer calls for prayer for those in the church who resist the transformative power of Scripture, choosing instead to follow their own agendas. Ultimately, he highlights the importance of embracing both the sweetness of God's Word and the reality of opposition in our witness.
- John Gill
- Matthew Henry
- Tyndale
John Gill Bible Commentary
I am afflicted very much,.... In a temporal sense, in his body, in his family, and by his enemies; in a spiritual sense, with the corruptions of his heart, with the temptations of Satan, and with the hidings of God's face; and what with one thing or another, he was pressed above measure, and his spirits sunk under the weight of the affliction, so that he was as a dead man; and therefore prays, quicken me, O Lord, according unto thy word; See Gill on Psa 119:25.
Matthew Henry Bible Commentary
Here is, 1. The wonderful pleasure and delight which David took in the word of God; it was sweet to his taste, sweeter than honey. There is such a thing as a spiritual taste, an inward savour and relish of divine things, such an evidence of them to ourselves, by experience, as we cannot give to others. We have heard him ourselves, Joh 4:42. To this scripture-taste the word of God is sweet, very sweet, sweeter than any of the gratifications of sense, even those that are most delicious. David speaks as if he wanted words to express the satisfaction he took in the discoveries of the divine will and grace; no pleasure was comparable to it. 2. The unspeakable profit and advantage he gained by the word of God. (1.) It helped him to a good head: "Through thy precepts I get understanding to discern between truth and falsehood, good and evil, so as not to mistake either in the conduct of my own life or in advising others." (2.) It helped him to a good heart: "Therefore, because I have got understanding of the truth, I hate every false way, and am stedfastly resolved not to turn aside into it." Observe here, [1.] The way of sin is a false way; it deceives, and will ruin, all that walk in it; it is the wrong way, and yet it seems to a man right, Pro 14:12. [2.] It is the character of every good man that he hates the way of sin, and hates it because it is a false way; he not only refrains his feet from it (v. 101), but he hates it, has an antipathy to it and a dread of it. [3.] Those who hate sin as sin will hate all sin, hate every false way, because every false way leads to destruction. And, [4.] The more understanding we get by the word of God the more rooted will our hatred of sin be (for to depart from evil, that is understanding, Job 28:28), and the more ready we are in the scriptures the better furnished we are with answers to temptation.
Tyndale Open Study Notes
119:103-104 Wisdom is preferable to even the finest food (19:10; 81:16). • The psalmist had already rejected the delusion offered by the way of folly (see 119:18, 78, 86, 163).