---
title: "Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible"
author: "Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset and David Brown"
languages: [en]
shelf: "Commentaries"
section: 242 of 927
url: https://scriptura.si/works/jamieson-fausset-brown-commentary-critical-and-explanatory-on-the-whole-bible/242/
cite: "Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset and David Brown, Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible, section 242. Scriptura (scriptura.si), https://scriptura.si/works/jamieson-fausset-brown-commentary-critical-and-explanatory-on-the-whole-bible/242/"
---

# Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible

*Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset and David Brown*

The Victorian standard commentary, critical and practical, from Genesis to Revelation.

## 242. Psalms · 49 of 57

Source: https://scriptura.si/works/jamieson-fausset-brown-commentary-critical-and-explanatory-on-the-whole-bible/242/ · cite a paragraph as https://scriptura.si/works/jamieson-fausset-brown-commentary-critical-and-explanatory-on-the-whole-bible/242/#p-N

[¶0] 61-62. This the more, if opposition of enemies, or love of ease is overcome in thus honoring God's law.

[¶1] have robbed me--better, surrounded me, either as forcible constraints like fetters, or as the cords of their nets. Hengstenberg translates, "snares."

[¶2] 63. The communion of the saints. Delight in their company is an evidence of belonging to them ([Psa 16:3]; [Am 3:3]; Mal 3:16).

[¶3] 64. While opposed by the wicked, and opposing them, the pious delight in those who fear God, but, after all, rely for favor and guidance not on merit, but mercy.

[¶4] TETH. ([Psa 119:65-72]).

[¶5] 65-67. The reliance on promises ([Psa 119:49]) is strengthened by experience of past dealings according with promises, and a prayer for guidance, encouraged by sanctified affliction.

[¶6] 68. Compare as to the Lord Jesus ([Ac 10:38]).

[¶7] 69-70. The crafty malice of the wicked, in slandering him, so far from turning him away, but binds him closer to God's Word, which they are too stupid in sin to appreciate. Hengstenberg refers the "lie" to such slanders against the Jews during the captivity, as that in [Ezr 4:1-6], of sedition.

[¶8] 71-72. So also affliction of any kind acts as a wholesome discipline in leading the pious more highly to value the truth and promises of God.

[¶9] JOD. ([Psa 119:73-80]).

[¶10] 73. As God made, so He can best control, us. So as to Israel, he owed to God his whole internal and external existence ([De 32:6]).

[¶11] 74. So when He has led us to rely on His truth, He will "make us to the praise of His grace" by others. "Those who fear Thee will be glad at my prosperity, as they consider my cause their cause" ([Psa 34:2]; ).

[¶12] 75-78. in faithfulness--that is, without in the least violating Thy faithfulness; because my sins deserved and needed fatherly chastisement. Enduring chastisement with a filial temper ([He 12:6-11]), God's promises of mercy ([Ro 8:28]) will be fulfilled, and He will give comfort in sorrow ([La 3:22]; [2Co 1:3], ).

[¶13] 79-80. Those who may have thought his afflictions an evidence of God's rejection will then be led to return to Him; as the friends of Job did on his restoration, having been previously led through his afflictions to doubt the reality of his religion.

[¶14] 81-83. In sorrow the pious heart yearns for the comforts of God's promises ([Psa 73:26]; ).

[¶15] 84-87. The shortness of my life requires that the relief afforded to me from mine enemies should be speedy.

[¶16] 89-91. In all changes God's Word remains firm ([1Pe 1:25]). Like the heavens, it continually attests God's unfailing power and unchanging care ([Psa 89:2]).

[¶17] is settled in--that is, stands as firmly as the heaven in which it dwells, and whence it emanated.

[¶18] 92-94. Hence the pious are encouraged and inclined to seek a knowledge of it, and persevere amidst the efforts of those planning and waiting to destroy them.

[¶19] my delights--plural, not merely delight, but equal to all other delights.

[¶20] 97. This characteristic love for God's law (compare [Psa 1:2]) ensures increase.

[¶21] 98-100. of knowledge, both of the matter of all useful, moral truth, and an experience of its application.

[¶22] wiser than mine enemies--with all their carnal cunning ([De 4:6], ).

[¶23] they are ever with me--The Hebrew is, rather singular, "it is ever with me"; the commandments forming ONE complete whole, Thy law.

[¶24] 101-104. Avoidance of sinful courses is both the effect and means of increasing in divine knowledge (compare [Psa 19:10]).

[¶25] NUN. ([Psa 119:105-112]).

[¶26] 105. Not only does the Word of God inform us of His will, but, as a light on a path in darkness, it shows us how to follow the right and avoid the wrong way. The lamp of the Word is not the sun. He would blind our eyes in our present fallen state; but we may bless God for the light shining as in a dark place, to guide us until the Sun of Righteousness shall come, and we shall be made capable of seeing Him ([2Pe 1:19]; [Re 22:4]). The lamp is fed with the oil of the Spirit. The allusion is to the lamps and torches carried at night before an Eastern caravan.

[¶27] 106-108. Such was the national covenant at Sinai and in the fields of Moab.

[¶28] 109-110. In the midst of deadly perils (the phrase is drawn from the fact that what we carry in our hands may easily slip from them, [Jud 12:3]; [1Sa 28:21]; [Job 13:14]; compare [1Sa 19:5]), and exposed to crafty enemies, his safety and guidance is in the truth and promises of God.

[¶29] 111-112. These he joyfully takes as his perpetual heritage, to perform the duties and receive the comforts they teach, evermore.

[¶30] SAMECH. ([Psa 119:113-120]).

[¶31] 113. vain thoughts--better, "unstable persons," literally, "divided men," those of a divided, doubting mind ([Jas 1:8]); "a double-minded man" [Hengstenberg], skeptics, or, skeptical notions as opposed to the certainty of God's word.

[¶32] 114. hiding-place--(Compare [Psa 27:5]).

[¶33] shield--([Psa 3:3]; ).

[¶34] hope in thy word--confidently rest on its teachings and promises.

[¶35] 115-117. Hence he fears not wicked men, nor dreads disappointment, sustained by God in making His law the rule of life.

[¶36] Depart from me--Ye can do nothing with me; for, &c. ([Psa 6:8]).

[¶37] 118-120. But the disobedient and rebellious will be visited by God's wrath, which impresses the pious with wholesome fear and awe.

[¶38] their deceit is falsehood--that is, all their cunning deceit, wherewith they seek to entrap the godly, is in vain.

[¶39] 121-126. On the grounds of his integrity, desire for God's word, and covenant relation to Him, the servant of God may plead for His protecting care against the wicked, gracious guidance to the knowledge of truth, and His effective vindication of the righteous and their cause, which is also His own.

[¶40] 127-128. Therefore--that is, In view of these benefits, or, Because of the glory of Thy law, so much praised in the previous parts of the Psalm.

[¶41] I love ... [and] Therefore (repeated)--All its precepts, on all subjects, are estimable for their purity, and lead one imbued with their spirit to hate all evil ([Psa 19:10]). The Word of God admits of no eclecticism; its least title is perfect ([Psa 12:6]; [Mt 5:17-19]).

[¶42] PE. ([Psa 119:129-136]).

[¶43] 129. wonderful--literally, "wonders," that is, of moral excellence.

[¶44] 130. The entrance--literally, "opening"; God's words, as an open door, let in light, or knowledge. Rather, as Hengstenberg explains it, "The opening up," or, "explanation of thy word." To the natural man the doors of God's Word are shut. [Lu 24:27], ; [Ac 17:3]; [Ep 1:18], confirm this view, "opening (that is, explaining) and alleging," &c.