26. he that cometh ... Lord--As above intimated, this may be applied to the visible head of the Jewish Church entering the sanctuary, as leading the procession; typically it belongs to Him of whom the phrase became an epithet (Mal 3:1; [Mt 21:9]).
27-29. showed us light--or favor ([Psa 27:1]; ). With the sacrificial victim brought bound to the altar is united the more spiritual offering of praise ([Psa 50:14], ), expressed in the terms with which the Psalm opened.
Psalm 119
Psa 119:1-176. This celebrated Psalm has several peculiarities. It is divided into twenty-two parts or stanzas, denoted by the twenty-two letters of the Hebrew alphabet. Each stanza contains eight verses, and the first letter of each verse is that which gives name to the stanza. Its contents are mainly praises of God's Word, exhortations to its perusal, and reverence for it, prayers for its proper influence, and complaints of the wicked for despising it. There are but two verses (Psa 119:122, 132) which do not contain some term or description of God's Word. These terms are of various derivations, but here used, for the most part, synonymously, though the use of a variety of terms seems designed, in order to express better the several aspects in which our relations to the revealed word of God are presented. The Psalm does not appear to have any relation to any special occasion or interest of the Jewish Church or nation, but was evidently "intended as a manual of pious thoughts, especially for instructing the young, and its peculiar artificial structure was probably adopted to aid the memory in retaining the language."
ALEPH. ([Psa 119:1-8]).
1. undefiled--literally, "complete," perfect, or sincere (compare [Psa 37:37]).
in--or, "of"
the way--course of life.
walk--act
in the law--according to it (compare [Lu 1:6]).
law--from a word meaning "to teach," is a term of rather general purport, denoting the instruction of God's Word.
2. testimonies--The word of God is so called, because in it He testifies for truth and against sin.
seek him--that is, a knowledge of Him, with desire for conformity to His will.
3. his ways--the course He reveals as right.
4-6. precepts--are those directions which relate to special conduct, from a word meaning "to inspect."
statutes--or ordinances, positive laws of permanent nature. Both words originally denote rather positive than moral laws, such as derive force from the divine appointment, whether their nature or the reasons for them are apprehended by us or not.
commandments--or institutions. The term is comprehensive, but rather denotes fundamental directions for conduct, both enjoining and forbidding.
have respect unto--or regard carefully as to their whole purport.
7. judgments--rules of conduct formed by God's judicial decisions; hence the wide sense of the word in the Psalms, so that it includes decisions of approval as well as condemnation.
8. Recognizes the need of divine grace.
BETH. ([Psa 119:9-16]).
9. The whole verse may be read as a question; for,
by taking heed--is better, "for" taking heed, that is, so as to do it. The answer is implied, and inferable from [Psa 119:5], [10, 18], &c., that is, by God's grace.
10-16. We must carefully treasure up the word of God, declare it to others, meditate on it, and heartily delight in it; and then by His grace we shall act according to it.
GIMEL. ([Psa 119:17-24]).
17-20. Life is desirable in order to serve God; that we may do so aright, we should seek to have our eyes opened to behold His truth, and earnestly desire fully to understand it.
21-24. God will rebuke those who despise His word and deliver His servants from their reproach, giving them boldness in and by His truth, even before the greatest men.
DALETH. ([Psa 119:25-32]).
25-27. Submitting ourselves in depression to God, He will revive us by His promises, and lead us to declare His mercy to others.
28-32. In order to adhere to His word, we must seek deliverance from temptations to sin as well as from despondency.
enlarge--or, "expand"
my heart--with gracious affections.
HE. ([Psa 119:33-40]).
33-38. To encourage us in prayer for divine aid in adhering to His truth, we are permitted to believe that by His help we shall succeed.
the way of thy statutes--that is, the way or manner of life prescribed by them. The help we hope to obtain by prayer is to be the basis on which our resolutions should rest.
39-40. Our hope of freedom from the reproach of inconsistency is in God's power, quickening us to live according to His Word, which He leads us to love.
for thy judgments are good--The time must therefore be at hand when Thy justice will turn the "reproach" from Thy Church upon the world ([Is 25:8]; ; [Zep 2:8-10]).
VAU. ([Psa 119:41-48]).
41-44. The sentiment more fully carried out. God's mercies and salvation, as revealed in His Word, provide hope of forgiveness for the past and security in a righteous course for the future.
45-48. To freedom from reproach, when imbued with God's truth, there is added "great boldness in the faith" [1Ti 3:13], accompanied with increasing delight in the holy law itself, which becomes an element of happiness.
49-51. Resting on the promises consoles under affliction and the tauntings of the insolent.
upon which--rather, "Remember Thy word unto Thy servant, because," &c. So the Hebrew requires [Hengstenberg].
52-56. The pious take comfort, when harassed and distressed by wickedness of men who forsake God's law, in remembering that the great principles of God's truth will still abide; and also God's
judgments of old--that is, His past interpositions in behalf of His people are a pledge that He will again interpose to deliver them; and they become the theme of constant and delightful meditation. The more we keep the more we love the law of God.
57-60. Sincere desires for God's favor, penitence, and activity in a new obedience, truly evince the sincerity of those who profess to find God a portion ([Nu 18:20]; [Psa 16:5]; [La 3:24]).