unto the simple--those needing or desiring it (compare [Psa 19:7]).
131-135. An ardent desire (compare [Psa 56:1], 2) for spiritual enlightening, establishment in a right course, deliverance from the wicked, and evidence of God's favor is expressed
I opened my mouth, and panted--as a traveller in a hot desert pants for the cooling breeze ([Psa 63:1]; ).
136. Zealous himself to keep God's law, he is deeply afflicted when others violate it (compare [Psa 119:53]). Literally, "Mine eyes come down (dissolved) like water brooks" ([La 3:48]; [Jr 9:1]).
because, &c.--(Compare [Eze 9:4]; [Jr 13:17]).
TZADDI. ([Psa 119:137-144]).
137-139. God's justice and faithfulness in His government aggravate the neglect of the wicked, and more excite the lively zeal of His people.
140. very pure--literally, "refined," shown pure by trial.
141. The pious, however despised of men, are distinguished in God's sight by a regard for His law.
142-144. The principles of God's government are permanent and reliable, and in the deepest distress His people find them a theme of delightful meditation and a source of reviving power ([Psa 119:17], ).
law is the truth--It therefore cannot deceive as to its promises.
everlasting--([Psa 111:3]), though to outward appearance seeming dead.
KOPH. ([Psa 119:145-152]).
145-149. An intelligent devotion is led by divine promises and is directed to an increase of gracious affections, arising from a contemplation of revealed truth.
150-152. Though the wicked are near to injure, because far from God's law, He is near to help, and faithful to His word, which abides for ever.
RESH. ([Psa 119:153-160]).
153-155. Though the remembering of God's law is not meritorious, yet it evinces a filial temper and provides the pious with promises to plead, while the wicked in neglecting His law, reject God and despise His promises (compare [Psa 9:13]; ; ).
156. (See on [Psa 119:149]).
157. (Compare [Psa 119:86], 87, 95).
158. (Compare [Psa 119:136]).
transgressors--or, literally, "traitors," who are faithless to a righteous sovereign and side with His enemies (compare [Psa 25:3], ).
159. (Compare Psa 119:121-126, 153-155).
quicken me, O Lord, according to thy lovingkindness--([Psa 119:88]). This prayer occurs here for the ninth time, showing a deep sense of frailty.
160. God has been ever faithful, and the principles of His government will ever continue worthy of confidence.
from the beginning--that is, "every word from Genesis (called so by the Jews from its first words, 'In the beginning') to the end of the Scriptures is true." Hengstenberg translates more literally, "The sum of thy words is truth." The sense is substantially the same. The whole body of revelation is truth. "Thy Word is nothing but truth" [Luther].
SCHIN. ([Psa 119:161-168]).
161-165. (Compare [Psa 119:46], ).
awe--reverential, not slavish fear, which could not coexist with love ([Psa 119:163]; [1Jo 4:8]). Instead of fearing his persecutors, he fears God's Word alone ([Lu 12:4], ). The Jews inscribe in the first page of the great Bible ([Ge 28:17]), "How dreadful is this place! This is none other but the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven!"
166-168. As they keep God's law from motives of love for it, and are free from slavish fear, the are ready to subject their lives to His inspection.
169-170. The prayer for understanding of the truth precedes that for deliverance. The fulfilment of the first is the basis of the fulfilment of the second ([Psa 90:11-17]). On the terms "cry" and "supplication" (compare [Psa 6:9]; ).
171-172. shall utter--or, "pour out praise" (compare [Psa 19:2]); shall cause Thy praises to stream forth as from a bubbling, overflowing fountain.
173-174. (Compare [Psa 119:77], 81, 92).
I have chosen--in preference to all other objects of delight.
175. Save me that I may praise Thee.
thy judgments--as in [Psa 119:149], .
176. Though a wanderer from God, the truly pious ever desires to be drawn back to Him; and, though for a time negligent of duty, he never forgets the commandments by which it is taught.
lost--therefore utterly helpless as to recovering itself ([Jr 50:6]; [Lu 15:4]). Not only the sinner before conversion, but the believer after conversion, is unable to recover himself; but the latter, after temporary wandering, knows to whom to look for restoration. [Psa 119:175], seem to sum up the petitions, confessions, and professions of the Psalm. The writer desires God's favor, that he may praise Him for His truth, confesses that he has erred, but, in the midst of all his wanderings and adversities, professes an abiding attachment to the revealed Word of God, the theme of such repeated eulogies, and the recognized source of such great and unnumbered blessings. Thus the Psalm, though more than usually didactic, is made the medium of both parts of devotion--prayer and praise.
Psalm 120
Psa 120:1-7. This is the first of fifteen Psalms (Psalms 120-134) entitled "A Song of Degrees" (Psa 121:1--literally, "A song for the degrees"), or ascents. It seems most probable they were designed for the use of the people when going up (compare 1Ki 12:27, 28) to Jerusalem on the festival occasions (De 16:16), three times a year. David appears as the author of four, Solomon of one (Psa 127:1), and the other ten are anonymous, probably composed after the captivity. In this Psalm the writer acknowledges God's mercy, prays for relief from a malicious foe, whose punishment he anticipates, and then repeats his complaint
2-3. Slander and deceit charged on his foes implies his innocence.
tongue--as in [Psa 52:2], .
4. Sharp arrows of the mighty--destructive inflictions.
coals of juniper--which retain heat long. This verse may be read as a description of the wicked, but better as their punishment, in reply to the question of [Psa 120:3].
5. A residence in these remote lands pictures his miserable condition.
6-7. While those who surrounded him were maliciously hostile, he was disposed to peace. This Psalm may well begin such a series as this, as a contrast to the promised joys of God's worship.