Psalms 119

Psalms 119:1

Counted - l am given up by my friends for a lost man.

Psalms 119:2

Free - Well nigh discharged from the warfare of the present life, and entered as a member into the society of the dead. Whom - Thou seemest to neglect and bury in oblivion.

Psalms 119:4

Waves - With they judgments, breaking in furiously upon me like the waves of the sea.

Psalms 119:7

Wonders - In raising them to life. To praise thee - In this world?

Psalms 119:9

Forgetfulness - In the grave, where men are forgotten by their nearest relations.

Psalms 119:10

Prevent - Come to thee before the dawning of the day, or the rising of the sun.

Psalms 119:14

Water - As the waters of the sea encompass him who is in the midst of it.

Psalms 119:17

Sing - He prefaces this, lest the following complainers of present miseries should argue ingratitude for former mercies. Faithfulness - Whatsoever hath befallen us, it proceeded not from thy unfaithfulness.

Psalms 119:18

Establish - As firmly and durably as the heavens themselves.

Psalms 119:19

Chosen - With David; whom I have chosen to the kingdom.

Psalms 119:20

Build up - I will perpetuate the kingdom to thy posterity; which was promised upon condition, and was literally accomplished in Christ.

Psalms 119:21

Heavens - The inhabitants of heaven. Faithfulness - Understand, shall be praised; which supplements are usual in scripture.

Psalms 119:22

Among - The highest angels.

Psalms 119:23

Feared - With a fear of reverence. Saints - The whole society of angels. All that - That encompass his throne.

Psalms 119:24

Round thee - Like a girdle encompassing thee. It appears in all thy words and works.

Psalms 119:26

Rhahab - Egypt.

Psalms 119:28

Tabor - The several parts of the land of Canaan, both within Jordan, where mount Tabor is; and without it, where Hermon lies. Rejoice - Shall be fruitful and prosperous, and so give their inhabitants cause to rejoice. In - By thy favour.

Psalms 119:30

Justice and judgment - Justice in judging.

Psalms 119:31

Know - Who enjoy the presence of God and his ordinances, to which they are called by the sound of trumpets. Walk - Under the comfortable influences of thy favour.

Psalms 119:32

Name - In the knowledge and remembrance of thy name, of thy infinite power and goodness.

Psalms 119:33

The glory - To thee alone belongs the glory of all their valiant achievements.

Psalms 119:35

Vision - Which then was the usual way by which God spake to the prophets. Holy one - To thy holy prophets; the singular number being put for the plural; especially to Samuel and Nathan. Laid help - I have provided help for my people. Upon - Upon a person of singular courage and wisdom.

Psalms 119:38

Exact - Not conquer him or make him tributary.

Psalms 119:41

Set - Establish his power and dominion. The sea - The mid - land sea. The rivers - Euphrates, called rivers, in regard of divers branches of it, and rivers which flow into it. So here is a description of the uttermost bounds of the promised land.

Psalms 119:43

My first - born - As he calls me father, ver.26, so I will make him my son, yea my first - born; who had divers privileges above other sons. This and the following passage in some sort agree to David, but are properly accomplished in Christ. Higher - This also was in some sort accomplished in David, but more fully in the Messiah.

Psalms 119:45

For ever - To sit upon the throne for ever, as the next words explain it. This was accomplished only in Christ.

Psalms 119:53

A witness - The rainbow, which is God’s faithful witness, a token of God’s everlasting covenant between God and every living creature for perpetual generations, Genesis 9:12,16.

Psalms 119:54

But - Having hitherto declared the certainty of God’s promises, he now humbly expostulates with God about it.

Psalms 119:61

Youth - The youthful and flourishing estate of David’s kingdom was very short, and reached not beyond his next successor.

Psalms 119:63

Short - Our time, the time of our king and kingdom, in whose name the psalmist puts up this petition. Wherefore - Wherefore hast thou made us and our king (and consequently all other men, whose condition is nothing better than ours) in vain, or to so little purpose? Didst thou raise us and him, settle the crown upon David’s head by a solemn covenant, and vouchsafe so many and great promises and privileges, and all this but for a few years, that our crown and glory should be taken from us, within a little time after it was put upon our heads?

Psalms 119:64

What man - All men at their best estate are mortal and miserable; kings and people must unavoidably die by the conditions of their natures; and therefore, Lord, do not increase our affliction.

Psalms 119:66

How I - We thy servants; our king and his people; of whom he speaks as of one person.

Psalms 119:67

Anointed - By whom he seems to understand either first the kings of Judah, the singular number being put for the plural; and by their footsteps may be meant either their ways or actions, or the memorials of their ancient splendor; or secondly the Messiah, whom the Jews continually expected for a long time, which being well known to many of the Heathens, they reproached the Jews, with the vanity of this expectation. And by the footsteps of the Messiah, he may understand his coming.

Psalms 119:68

Blessed - Let thine enemies reproach thee and thy promises concerning the sending of the Messiah, I will heartily bless and praise thee for them, and encourage myself with them. Chapter XC Probably Moses wrote this psalm, on occasion of the sentence passed on the Israelites, that their carcases should fall in the wilderness. Herein he considers the eternity of God, ver. 1 - 3. And the frailty of man, ver, 4 - 6. He submits to the righteous sentence of God, ver. 7 - 11. And prays for the return of his favour, ver. 12 - 17. A prayer of Moses the Man of God. Title of the psalm. A prayer of Moses - Who considering that terrible sentence of God, concerning the cutting off all that sinful generation in the wilderness, takes occasion to publish these meditations concerning man’s mortality and misery. V. 1. Dwelling place - Although we and our fathers, for some generations, have had no fixed habitation, yet thou hast been instead of a dwelling - place to us, by thy watchful and gracious providence. And this intimates that all the following miseries were not to be imputed to God but themselves.

Psalms 119:70

Blessed - Let thine enemies reproach thee and thy promises concerning the sending of the Messiah, I will heartily bless and praise thee for them, and encourage myself with them. Chapter XC Probably Moses wrote this psalm, on occasion of the sentence passed on the Israelites, that their carcases should fall in the wilderness. Herein he considers the eternity of God, ver. 1 - 3. And the frailty of man, ver, 4 - 6. He submits to the righteous sentence of God, ver. 7 - 11. And prays for the return of his favour, ver. 12 - 17. A prayer of Moses the Man of God. Title of the psalm. A prayer of Moses - Who considering that terrible sentence of God, concerning the cutting off all that sinful generation in the wilderness, takes occasion to publish these meditations concerning man’s mortality and misery. V. 1. Dwelling place - Although we and our fathers, for some generations, have had no fixed habitation, yet thou hast been instead of a dwelling - place to us, by thy watchful and gracious providence. And this intimates that all the following miseries were not to be imputed to God but themselves.

Psalms 119:71

Thou - Thou hadst thy power, and all thy perfections, from all eternity.

Psalms 119:72

Turnedst - But as for man, his case is far otherwise, though he was made by thee happy. and immortal, yet for his sin thou didst make him mortal and miserable. Saidst - Didst pronounce that sad sentence, return, O men, to the dust out of which ye were taken, Genesis 3:19.

Psalms 119:73

Past - Indeed time seems long when it is to come, but when it is past, very short and contemptible. A watch - Which lasted but three or four hours.

Psalms 119:74

Them - Mankind. Away - Universally, without exception or distinction. A sleep - Short and vain, as sleep is, and not minded ’till it be past.

Psalms 119:76

Are consumed - Thou dost not suffer us to live so long as we might by the course of nature.

Psalms 119:77

Hast set - Thou dost observe them, as a righteous judge, and art calling us to an account for them. Secret sins - Which though hid from the eyes of men, thou hast brought to light by thy judgments.

Psalms 119:79

Our years - Of the generality of mankind, in that and all following ages, some few persons excepted. Flee - We do not now go to death, as we do from our very birth, but flee swiftly away like a bird, as this word signifies.

Psalms 119:80

Thy fear - According to the fear of thee; according to that fear which sinful men have of a just God. So - It bears full proportion to it, nay indeed doth far exceed it.

Psalms 119:81

Teach us - To consider the shortness of life, and the certainty and speediness of death. That - That we may heartily devote ourselves to true wisdom.

Psalms 119:82

Return - To us in mercy. How long - Will it be before thou return to us? Repent thee - Of thy severe proceedings against us.

Psalms 119:83

Early - Speedily.

Psalms 119:86

The beauty - His gracious influence, and glorious presence. In us - Do not only work for us, but in us,

Psalms 119:88

He - He that makes God his habitation and refuge.

Psalms 119:90

Pestilence - From the pestilence, which like a fowler’s snare takes men suddenly and unexpectedly.

Psalms 119:92

By night - When evil accidents are most terrible and least avoidable. Arrow - The pestilence, or any such destructive calamity; such are frequently called God’s arrows. By day - Thou shalt be kept from secret and open mischiefs.

Psalms 119:93

Darkness - Invisibly, so that we can neither foresee nor prevent it.

Psalms 119:99

Bear thee - Sustain or uphold thee in thy goings, as we do a child.

Psalms 119:100

The lion - Shall lie prostrate at thy feet, and thou shalt securely put thy feet upon his neck. Dragon - By which he understands all pernicious creatures, though never so strong, and all sorts of enemies.

Psalms 119:101

Because - This and the two following verses are the words of God.

Psalms 119:109

Thoughts - Thy counsels in the government of the world and of thy church.

Psalms 119:110

A brutish man - Who is led by sense, not by reason and faith. This - The depth of God’s counsels and works.

Psalms 119:114

Anointed - I shall have cause of testifying my joy by anointing myself, as the manner was at all joyful solemnities.

Psalms 119:116

Palm - tree - Which is constantly green and flourishing.

Psalms 119:117

Planted - Whom God by his gracious providence has fixed there. The house - In its courts; he means in the church of God, whereof all good men are living members.

Psalms 119:118

Old age - Their last days shall be their best days, wherein they shall grow in grace, and increase in blessedness.

Psalms 119:121

Clothed - That majesty and strength which he always had, he will shew in the eyes of all people. Moved - He will overrule all the confusions in the world, so that they shall end in the erection of that kingdom of the Messiah, which can never be moved.

Psalms 119:123

Floods - The enemies of thy kingdom.

Psalms 119:125

Testimonies - Thy promises, which no less than the precepts are God’s testimonies, or the witnesses, or declarations of his will to mankind. He seems here to speak of those precious promises concerning the erection of his kingdom in the world by the Messiah. Holiness - It becometh thy people to be holy in all their approach to thee.

Psalms 119:127

Testimonies - Thy promises, which no less than the precepts are God’s testimonies, or the witnesses, or declarations of his will to mankind. He seems here to speak of those precious promises concerning the erection of his kingdom in the world by the Messiah. Holiness - It becometh thy people to be holy in all their approach to thee.

Psalms 119:128

Testimonies - Thy promises, which no less than the precepts are God’s testimonies, or the witnesses, or declarations of his will to mankind. He seems here to speak of those precious promises concerning the erection of his kingdom in the world by the Messiah. Holiness - It becometh thy people to be holy in all their approach to thee.

Psalms 119:129

Testimonies - Thy promises, which no less than the precepts are God’s testimonies, or the witnesses, or declarations of his will to mankind. He seems here to speak of those precious promises concerning the erection of his kingdom in the world by the Messiah. Holiness - It becometh thy people to be holy in all their approach to thee.

Psalms 119:130

Utter - Or pour forth freely, constantly, abundantly, as a fountain doth waters (so this Hebrew word signifies.) Hard things - Insolent, and intolerable words against thee and thy people.

Psalms 119:133

Of Jacob - He who takes that name to himself, but has no regard to his people.

Psalms 119:135

Planted - The word is emphatical, signifying the excellent structure of the ear, or the several organs belonging to the sense of hearing. Formed - By which word he intimates the accurate and curious workmanship of the eye.

Psalms 119:136

Know - Mens thoughts and words and actions.

Psalms 119:137

Thoughts - Yes, he knoweth all things, even the most secret things, as the thoughts of men; and in particular your thoughts; much more your practices.

Psalms 119:138

Blessed - Those afflictions which are accompanied with Divine instructions are great and true blessings.

Psalms 119:141

But - God will declare himself to be a righteous judge, and will again establish justice in the earth. Follow - They will all approve of it, and imitate this justice of God in all their actions.

Psalms 119:142

Rise - To defend and help me. I looked hither and thither, but none appeared; God alone helped me.

Psalms 119:143

Dwelt - In the place of silence, the grave.

Psalms 119:145

Thoughts - While my heart was filled with various and perplexing thoughts, as this Hebrew word signifies. Comforts - Thy promises, and the remembrance of my former experience of thy care and kindness.

Psalms 119:146

Shall - Wilt thou take part with the unrighteous powers of the world who oppress thy people. A law - By virtue of those unrighteous decrees which they have made.

Psalms 119:153

God’s - Above all that are called God’s angels, earthly potentates, and especially the false gods of the Heathen.

Psalms 119:154

Hand - Under his government. Strength - The strongest or highest mountains.

Psalms 119:157

Pasture - Whom he feeds and keeps in his own pasture, or in the land which he hath appropriated to himself. The sheep - Which are under his special care. Today - Forthwith or presently.

Psalms 119:158

Harden not - By obstinate unbelief. Provocation - In that bold and wicked contest with God in the wilderness. Temptation - In the day in which you tempted me.

Psalms 119:159

Works - Both of mercy, and of justice.

Psalms 119:160

Do err - Their hearts are insincere and bent to backsliding. Not known - After all my teaching and discoveries of myself to them; they did not know, nor consider, those great things which I had wrought for them.

Psalms 119:161

My rest - Into the promised land, which is called the rest, Deuteronomy 12:9.

Psalms 119:163

O sing - Upon this new and great occasion, not the removal of the ark, but the coming of the Messiah.

Psalms 119:166

Gods - The gods of the nations, as the next verse expounds it.

Psalms 119:168

Before him - In his presence.

Psalms 119:171

Beauty - Cloathed with all the gifts and graces, which are necessary in God’s worship.

Psalms 119:172

Reigneth - God hath now set up his kingdom in the world. Established - The nations of the world shall by the means of it enjoy an established and lasting peace.

Psalms 119:175

Before - At the presence and approach of their Lord and Maker. Cometh - To set up his throne among all the nations of the earth.