Psalms 119

The Author of this Psalm was David; which I know none that deny; and of which there is no just reason to doubt. The scope and design of it is manifest, to commend the serious and diligent study and the stedfast belief and the constant practice of Gods Word, as incomparably the best counsellor and comforter in the world, and as the only way to true blessedness. And this he confirmeth by his own example, which he proposeth to them for their imitation; and he declareth the great and frequent experience which he had of its admirable sweetness and manifold benefits in all conditions, and especially in the times of his distresses. And because it was an hard thing rightly to understand this Word in all its parts, and harder to put it in practice, he therefore intermixeth many prayers to God for his help therein, thereby directing and encouraging others to take the same course. And because this Psalm was very large, and the matter of it of greatest importance, the Psalmist thought fit to divide it into two and twenty several parts, according to the number of the Hebrew Letters, that so he might both prevent tediousness, and fix it in the memory. It is further observable, that the Word of God is here diversly called by the names of Law, Statutes, Precepts or Commandments, Iudgments, Ordinances, Righteousness, Testimonies, Way and Word. By which variety he designed to express the nature and the great perfection and manifold parts and uses of Gods Word. Which is called his Word, as proceeding from his mouth, and revealed by him to us; his way, as prescribed by him for us to walk in; his Law, as binding us to obedience; his Statutes, as declaring his Authority and Power of giving us Laws; his Precepts, as declaring and directing our duty; his Ordinances, as ordained and appointed by him; his Righteousness, as exactly agreeable to Gods righteous Nature and Will; his Iudgments, as proceeding from the great Judge of the World, and being his Judicial Sentence to which all men must submit; and his Testimonies, as it contains the witnesses of Gods mind and will, and of mans duty. And there are very few of these 176 verses contained in this Psalm, in which one or other of these Titles is not found.

BLessed are the undefiled Or, the perfect or sincere, as this word properly and most frequently signifies; such whose hearts and course of life agrees with their profession. in the way Either, 1. in their way or course of life, which in Scripture is oft called a mans way: or, 2. in the way of the Lord, as it seems to be explained by the next clause., who walk in the law of the LORD Who order their lives according to the rule of Gods Law or Word..

Blessed are they that keep In mind and heart, that carefully and diligently observe. his testimonies His precepts. For the reason of this and the other Titles of Gods Word, see the Argument or Preface to this Psalm., and that seek him To wit, the Lord, expressed v. 1. that seek his presence and favour and acquaintance. with the whole heart Sincerely, industriously and servently, above all other things. This is opposed to hypocrifie and sloth and lukewarmness in Religion..

They also do no iniquity Or, are not workers of iniquity, i. e. do not knowingly and resolvedly and industriously and customarily continue in sinful courses. So this phrase is understood Ioh 31. 3. & 34. 8. Psal. 5. 5. & 6. 8. & 125. 5. Prov. 10. 29. Luke 13. 27. otherwise there is not a just man upon earth that sinneth not, Eccles. 7. 20.; they walk This is their constant practice, and the general course of their lives, which is commonly signified by walking, as Psal. 1. 1. and every where. in his ways In the paths which God has prescribed to them..

Thou hast commanded us to keep thy precepts diligently Not is it strange that thy people do so exactly and diligently observe and practise thy precepts, because they are commanded so to do by thee their Soveraign Lord..

O that My desires answer thy commands. my ways were directed Or, established, to wit, by thy Grace and holy Spirit; for the direction of Gods word he had already. to keep thy statutes!

Then shall I not be ashamed Either of my actions; or of my profession of Religion; or of my hope and confidence in thy favour. When sinners shall be ashamed both here, Rom. 6. 21. and hereafter, Dan. 12. 2. I having the conscience of mine own integrity shall lift up my head with courage and boldness both before men, when they either accuse or persecute me; and before God in the day of judgment, as it is said 1 Ioh. 4. 17., when I have respect A due and true respect, which implies high valuation, hearty affection, diligent study, and common practice. unto all thy commandments So as not to be partial in my obedience, not to allow my self in the practice of any known fin, or in the neglect of any known duty..

I will praise thee i. e. Worship thee, one eminent duty of Gods worship being put for all, as is frequent in Scripture. with uprightness of heart Or, with a right mind or heart, in a right manner, so as may be acceptable to thee, and beneficial to my self., when I shall have learned thy righteous judgments When by thy good Spirit I shall be more fully instructed in the meaning of thy Word, which is the only rule of thy Worship; for want of a sound knowledge whereof many persons run into superstitious or erroneous practices..

I will keep thy statutes It is my full purpose to do so, whatsoever it cost me.: O forsake me not utterly Not totally and finally; for then I shall fall into the foulest sins and greatest mischief. Not that he was contented to be forsaken in the least degree, but this he more especially deprecates, as he had great reason to do..

Wherewithal shall a young man Or, any man. But he names the young man, because such are commonly void of wisdom and experience, heady and wilful and impatient of admonition, full of violent passions and strong lusts, and exposed to many and great temptations. cleanse his way Reform his life, or purge himself from all filthiness of flesh and spirit.? by taking heed thereto according to thy word By a diligent and circumspect watch over himself, and the examination and regulation of all his actions by the rules of thy Word..

With my whole heart have I sought thee Deny me not thy grace and assistance, which I have so sincerely and earnestly desired, and laboured to obtain.: O let me not wander Heb. do not make me to wander, to wit, by leading me into temptation, by withdrawing thy grace, which is necessary to keep me from wandring. from thy commandments.

Thy word have I hid in mine heart I have not contented my self with bare hearing or reading thy Word, but have received it in the love of it, have diligently pondered it, and laid it up in my mind and memory like a choice treasure, to be ready upon all occasions to counsel or comfort or quicken or caution me, as need requires., that I might not sin against thee That by a diligent and affectionate consideration of thy precepts and promises and threatnings, I might be kept from sinful courses, against which these are the best Antido... e..

Blessed art thou Thou art infinitely blessed, and most worthy of all blessing and praise, and therefore do thou bless me in teaching me, as it follows. Or, Blessed be thou. I bless and praise thee for that great blessing of thy Word, v. 11., O LORD: teach me thy statutes Both to know and to practise them better..

With my lips have I declared If thou wilt teach me, I will teach others, as I have already done; and so thou shalt have glory, and others benefit by it. all the judgments of thy mouth.

I have rejoiced in the way of thy testimonies In the study and practice of them., as much as in all riches.

I will meditate in thy precepts I will diligently and seriously consider the nature and design and extent of thy precepts, and especially so far as they concern my own duty., and have respect unto Or, look unto them, as workmen constantly and carefully look to their rule to guide themselves by it. thy ways.

I will delight my self in thy statutes: I will not forget thy word.

Deal bountifully I plead no merit, but only thy free grace and rich mercy. with thy servant, that I may live Safely and comfortably, in spight of all the attempts of mine enemies to take away my life., and keep thy word I do not desire life that I may satisfie my own lusts, but that I may spend it in thy service..

Open thou mine eyes Inlighten my mind by the light of thy holy Spirit, and dispel all ignorance and errour., that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law Those great and marvellous depths of Divine wisdom and goodness, and those profound Mysteries of Christ and of Gods grace to mankind, and of that future and everlasting state, which are contained in Gods Law, and which were not to be known but by Divine illumination, Mat. 16. 17. 1 Cor. 2. 11, 14. 2 Cor. 3. 14. & 4. 4, 6. Eph. 1. 17. especially in the times of the Old Testament..

I am a stranger Or, sojourner. I am not here as in my home, but as a pilgrim travelling homeward in a strange land: which calls for thy pity and help. That Law of Nature, which thou hast planted in all mens minds, teacheth them to show humanity to strangers, and to direct travellers. Much more may this be expected from thee. in the earth, hide not thy commandments Which are my chief support and guide in my pilgrimage. from me.

My soul breaketh Fainteth, as it frequently does, when a thing vehemently desired is denied or delayed. Compare Prov. 13. 12. for the longing that it has unto thy judgments To a more sound knowledge and serious practice of them. at all times.

Thou hast rebuked Or, dost rebuke, i. e. severely punish and destroy. And therefore I justly long for thy judgments, as for the love which I have to them, so for fear of those terrible judgments which thou sendest upon the despisers of them. the proud Obstinate and presumptuous sinners, who sin with an high hand, and with contempt of God and of his Laws, and of his Judgments; all which is the effect of pride. that are cursed That have the curse of God upon them, and upon all which they have or do: which is the depth of misery., which do erre Or, wander, knowingly and wilfully and maliciously, as proud sinners use to do. from thy commandments.

Remove from me reproach Which I suffer unjustly and for thy sake; as he elsewhere complains. and contempt, for I have kept thy testimonies And therefore I am innocent from those crimes for which they censure and reproach me. Or, And therefore thou wilt maintain mine honour and interest according to thy promise made to such as keep thy testimonies, and I beg with some confidence that thou wilt do it..

Princes also did sit and speak Did speak against me continually (for sitting notes continuance) and when they sate upon their seats of Judicature, and when they sate together in companies, entertaining one another with discourses. against me: but thy servant did meditate in thy statutes All their contumelies and reproaches did not discourage nor divert me from the study, belief and practice of thy Word..

Thy testimonies also are my delight My chief comfort under all their censures and persecutions., and my counsellors To teach me how to carry my self under them..

My soul cleaveth unto the dust I am in evident danger of present death, through the rage and power of mine enemies: I am like one laid in the grave without all hopes of recovery. So this phrase is used Psal. 22. 15.: quicken thou me Preserve my life, or revive me and raise me out of the dust by thy Almighty power. according to thy word According to thy promise..

I have declared my ways My sins, in way of confession; and all my cares and fears and troubles and concerns, in way of humble petition to thee, as appears from Gods answer., and thou heardest me: teach me thy statutes.

Make me to understand More thorowly and more practically. Either, 1. the full mind and meaning of thy precepts, which are exceeding broad, as he says afterwards: or, 2. the way wherein I may walk according to thy precepts. the way of thy precepts How to demean my self in all the varieties of my condition, and in all my affairs and actions, so as is most agreeable to thy precepts.: so shall I talk of thy wondrous works Even the wonders of the Law mentioned before, v. 18..

My soul melteth Like wax before the fire, it has no strength nor consistency left in it, but consumeth or pineth away. for heaviness Through grief, partly for my extreme danger and misery: and principally for my sins, and thy wrath and terrors following upon them.: strengthen thou me That so I may bear my burdens patiently and cheerfully, and vanquish all my temptations. according unto thy word.

Remove from me the way of lying Or, of falshood: either, 1. the practice of lying and dissembling and cheating, which is so rise in Sauls Court, and in the Courts of most Princes; but, Lord, let it not be so in my Court: or rather, 2. every false way of doctrine or worship; for to this way he opposeth Gods Law in the next clause. And he justly prayeth to God to keep him from Apostasie, Heresie, Idolatry and Superstition, because his own corrupt nature of it self and without Gods grace, was prone to these errours, and not only Heathens, but many Israelites did frequently fall into them.; and grant me thy law graciously Vouchsafe unto me an accurate knowledge and firm belief of thy Word, and that I may constantly attend and adhere to it, and govern my self by it in all things..

I have chosen the way of truth To wit, thy Word or Law, for my portion and the rule of my worship and whole life.: thy judgments have I laid before me Or, set before me, as the Phrase is fully expressed, Psal. 16. 8. as a delightful object; or as a mark to aim at; or as a rule to direct me..

I have stuck unto thy testimonies I have resolutely persisted in the practice of thy precepts in spight of all temptations, reproaches, persecutions and discouragements, to which I was exposed in and for so doing.: O LORD, put me not to shame Either, 1. by giving me over to Apostasie or transgression, which will bring shame. Or rather, 2. by the disappointment of my hopes and confidence in those promises of the blessings of this life, as well as of the next, which thou hast made to the obedient, of which I have made my boast..

I will run the way of thy commandments I will obey thy precepts with all readiness, fervency and diligence., when thou shalt enlarge my heart Either, 1. when thou shalt bring me out of my present straits or distresses. This indeed is called enlarging, as Psal. 4. 2. & 18. 36. but never, to my remembrance, the enlarging of the heart. Or rather, 2. when thou shalt replenish my heart with more wisdom, and love to, and delight in thee and thy Law; for this enlargement of heart in Scripture is ascribed to wisdom, 1 Kings 4. 29. and love, 2 Cor. 6. 11. and joy, Isa. 60. 5. When thou shalt knock off those fetters of remaining corruption, and give me a more noble and generous disposition towards thee, and stablish me with thy free Spirit, as it is expressed Psal. 51. 12. Thus David both ownes his duty, and asserts the absolute necessity of Gods grace to the performance of it..

Teach me, O LORD, the way of thy statutes, and I shall keep it unto the end Or, that I may keep it, &c. That I may persevere: for Apostasie proceeds from the want of a good understanding..

Give me understanding, and I shall keep thy law, yea, I shall observe it with my whole heart.

Make me to go By directing my mind into the right way, by inclining my will, and strengthening my resolution. in the path of thy commandments; for therein do I delight Forsake not him who delighteth in thee and in thy service: and as thou hast wrought in me to will, work in me also to do..

Incline my heart unto thy testimonies To the love and practice of them., and not to covetousness Not to the inordinate love and desire of riches. Which particular lust he mentions, partly because this lust is most spreading and universal, and there is scarce any man who does not desire riches either for the love of riches, or upon pretence of necessity, or for the service of pride or luxury, or some other lust: partly because this lust is most opposite to Gods testimonies, and does most commonly hinder men from receiving Gods word, and from profiting by it. See Mat. 13. 22. Luke 16. 14. and partly because this lust is most pernicious, as being the root of all evil, 1 Tim. 6. 20. and is most mischievous in Princes and Governors, such as David was, and therefore in a special manner forbidden to them, Exod. 18. 21..

Turn away mine eyes from beholding vanity The vain things and lusts of this present evil world, such as riches, honours, pleasures: from beholding them, to wit, with admiration and inordinate affection: for such a sight of the eyes does usually affect the heart, and stir up mens lusts and passions. Of which see Numb. 15. 39. Iob 31. 1. Prov. 4. 25. & 23. 5, 6. Mat. 5. 28.: and quicken thou me in thy way As I desire that I may be dull and dead in affections to worldly vanities, so, Lord, make me lively and vigorous and servent in thy work and service..

Stablish thy word Confirm and perform thy promises as concerning the Kingdom, so also for the giving of gracious assistances, directions, and comforts to those that fear thee, of which number I am one. unto thy servant, who is devoted to thy fear.

Turn away my reproach Either, 1. for the shameful disappointment of my hopes and confident boastings concerning the truth and certainty of thy promises: or, 2. for my manifold failings, and particularly for that shameful matter about Uriah and Bathsheba: or, 3. for my instability in or Apostasie from thy ways; which in respect of mine own weakness and folly, I have great cause to fear. which I fear: for thy judgments are good This may be a reason either, 1. why he prayed and hoped that God would turn away reproach from him, because Gods word and statutes were good, and therefore it was not fit for any to suffer reproach in and for his diligent observation of them: or, 2. why he feared reproach, because he had, and feared he might hereafter, transgress those judgments or statutes of God which were and he very well knew to be good, i. e. just and holy and excellent, and therefore it was a shameful thing to violate them..

Behold, I have longed after thy precepts After a more solid knowledge and constant performance of thy precepts.: quicken me Do thou preserve and maintain both my natural and spiritual life. in thy righteousness According to thy justice or faithfulness, which obligeth thee to make good thy promises..

Let thy mercies come also unto me Let promised mercies be performed to me., O LORD; even thy salvation according to thy word.

So shall I have wherewithal to answer him that reproacheth me That cha... geth me with folly for my piety and trust in thy promises.: for I trust in thy word Or, because I trust, &c. This was the matter of their reproach..

And take not the word of truth utterly out of my mouth Do not deal so with me, that I shall be altogether ashamed to mention thy word, which I have so often affirmed to be a word of truth and infallible certainty, of which I have often made my boast.; for I have hoped in thy judgments Either in thy word and promises, or in thy judicial administrations and government of the world, which as it is matter of terrour to the wicked, so it is matter of comfort and hope to me..

So shall I keep thy law continually So shall I be obliged and encouraged to the constant and perpetual study and observation of thy Laws., for ever and ever.

And I will walk at liberty Or, I shall walk at large, as it is in the margent; I shall be delivered from all my present straits both of the outward and inward man, and enjoy great freedom and comfort in thy ways.: for I seek thy precepts.

I will speak of thy testimonies also before kings Who commonly entertain all godly discourses with scorn and contempt., and will not be ashamed.

And I will delight my self in thy commandments Whereas other Princes place their delight in the glories and vanities of this world, and the study and practice of Religion is generally irksom and loathsom to them, thy Law shall be my chief delight and recreation. which I have loved.

My hands also will I lift up To lay hold upon them, to receive and embrace thy precepts and promises by faith and love, and chearfully and vigorously to put them in practice: for as the hanging down of the hands is a gesture of sloth and listlesness, as 2 Chron. 15. 7. and elsewhere; so the lifting up of the hands is the posture of a man entring upon action, as Gen. 41. 44. 2 Sam. 20. 21. unto thy commandments which I have loved: and I will meditate in thy statutes My deepest thoughts, as well as my hands, shall be exercised in them..

Remember the word Thy promises. unto thy servant, upon which thou hast caused me to hope By thy command requiring it of me, and by thy grace working it in me..

This To wit, thy word, as is evident both from the foregoing and following words. is my comfort in my affliction: for thy word has quickned me Has preserved my life in manifold dangers, and has revived and cheared my spirit..

The proud have had me greatly in derision For my godliness and trust in thy word, as the following words imply.: yet have I not declined from thy law.

I remembred thy judgments of old Thy former and ancient dispensations to the children of men in punishing the ungodly, and protecting and delivering thy faithful servants, whose experience is my encouragement., O LORD, and have comforted my self.

Horrour A mixed passion made up of indignation at their persons as sinful, and abhorrency of their sins, and dread and sorrow at the consideration of the judgments of God coming upon them. has taken hold upon me, because of the wicked that forsake thy law For the dishonour which they bring to God, the scandal and mischief to others, and their own certain ruine..

Thy statutes have been my songs The matter of my songs, my delight and recreation. in the house of my pilgrimage Either, 1. in this present world, which I do not owne for my home, wherein I am a stranger and pilgrim, as all my fathers were, Psal. 39. 13. Comp. Gen. 47. 9. Or, 2. in mine exile and in the wildernesses and other places where I have been oft forced to wander, when I was banished from all my friends, and from the place of thy Worship, and had no other support or comfort but the remembrance of thy statutes..

I have remembred thy Name Thy holy Nature and Attributes, thy blessed Word, and thy wonderful Works: all which come under the title of Gods Name., O LORD, in the night When darkness causeth fear in others, I took pleasure in remembring thee: and when others abandon all business, and wholly give themselves up to rest and sleep, my thoughts and affection were working towards thee., and have kept thy law This was the fruit of my serious remembrance of thee..

This This comfortable and profitable remembrance and contemplation of thy name and statutes, of which he spoke v. 54, 55. I had, because I kept thy precepts Which if I had wilfully and wickedly broken, the remembrance of these things would have been sad and frightful to me, as now it is comfortable, because I kept them..

Thou art my portion Whereas other men place their portion and happiness in worldly things, I have chosen thee for my portion and chief treasure, as he said Psal. 16. 5. & 73. 26. and thou hast an all-sufficient and an excellent portion for me., O LORD, I have said I have not only purposed it in my own heart, but have professed and owne it before others, and I do not repent of it., that I would keep thy words.

I intreated thy favour Thy gracious presence and merciful assistance, as it follows. with my whole heart: be merciful unto me according to thy word.

I thought on my ways I seriously considered both my former counsels and courses, that I might be humbled for my past errours, and might now amend them, and my duty in all my future actions., and turned my feet unto thy testimonies And finding that my feet had too often swerved from thy rule, I turned them to it. And although the ways of sinful pleasure and advantage were presented to my mind, yet I rejected them, and turned my self wholly to thy ways..

I made haste, and delayed not Being fully convinced of the necessity and excellency of obedience, I presently resolved upon it, and immediately put it in execution. to keep thy commandments.

The bands of the wicked have robbed me Or, made a prey of me: done me many injuries, for my respect to thy Law.: but I have not forgotten thy law.

At midnight I will rise Out of my bed to praise thee in a solemn manner; not being contented with those short ejaculations which he might have used lying in his bed. to give thanks unto thee: because of thy righteous judgments i. e. Laws, which are so useful to direct and comfort me..

I am a companion of all them that fear thee Not excepting the poorest and meanest, whose society other Princes disdain., and of them that keep thy precepts.

The earth, O LORD, is full of thy mercy Thou dost satisfie the just desires and necessities of all men and all creatures with the fruits of thy goodness.: teach me thy statutes The generality of other men chiefly desire the blessings of this life; but, Lord, give me thy spiritual blessings, the saving knowledge, love and practice of thy Law..

Thou hast dealt well with thy servant, O LORD, according unto thy word.

Teach me good judgment Whereby I may rightly discern between truth and falshood, good or evil, between the mind of God, and my own or others inventions; that so I may be kept from those mistakes and errours in which many are involved, that I may truly judge what thy Law requires or permits, and what it forbids. Heb. the goodness of taste, an experimental sense and relish of Divine things. Comp. Psal. 34. 9. and knowledge A spiritual and experimental knowledge. And judgment or taste and knowledge may, by an useful figure called Hendiadys, be put for judicious or solid or practical knowledge.: for I have believed thy commandments I have believed the Divine authority of them, and the truth and certainty of those promises and threatnings which thou hast annexed to them..

Before I was afflicted I went astray As men generally do in their prosperity. See Deut. 32. 15. Psal. 73. 4, 5, 6, &c. Prov. 1. 32. Ier. 22. 21.: but now have I kept thy word.

Thou art good Gracious and bountiful in thy nature., and dost good To all men, both good and bad, Mat. 5. 45. and in all things, yea even when thou afflictest.: teach me thy statutes Which is the good that I desire above all things..

The proud have forged a lie A slander, charging me with hypocrisie towards God, and rebellion against my Prince. against me: but I will keep thy precepts My practice shall confute their calumnies. with my whole heart.

Their heart is as fat as grease The sense is, either 1. they are stupid and insensible and past feeling, not affected either with the terrours or comforts of Gods word. So the like phrase is used Isa. 6. 10. comp. with Iob. 12. 40. or, 2. they prosper exceedingly, and are even glutted with the wealth and comforts of this life.: but I delight in thy law But I do not envy them their jollity, and I have as much delight in Gods Law, as they have in worldly things..

It is good Necessary and greatly beneficial. for me that I have been afflicted, that I might learn thy statutes He repeats what in effect he said before, v. 67. partly to intimate the certainty and importance of this truth, and partly because it is a great Paradox to worldly men, who generally esteem afflictions to be evil, yea the worst of evils..

The law of thy mouth is better unto me Not only thy promises, but even thy precepts, which are so unpleasant and hard to ungodly men, to me they are more desirable and more needful and profitable, because they do not only give me abundant satisfaction and comfort in this life, but also they conduct me with safety and delight unto that eternal and most blessed life, where gold and silver bear no price., than thousands of gold and silver.

Thy hands have made me and fashioned me: give me understanding that I may learn thy commandments I am thy creature, and therefore obliged to serve and obey thee with all my might; which that I may do aright I beg thy instruction or assistance. Or, thou hast made me once, make me a second time, and renew thy decayed image in me, that I may know and serve thee better, and that as I was made by thee, so I may be guided by thy grace to serve and glorifie my Creator..

They that fear thee, will be glad Partly for my sake, of whose innocency and piety they are convinced, and therefore sympathize with me: and partly for their own sakes, both for the encouragement they have by my example to trust in God, and for the manifold benefits, both spiritual and temporal, which they expect from my government. when they see me To wit, alive and in safety, notwithstanding all the force and malice of mine enemies, and advanced to the Kingdom.: because I have hoped in thy word In thy promise, and have not been disappointed of my hope, which is a great confirmation of their faith and hope in God, that they shall obtain all the good things which God has promised them..

I know By the convictions of my own conscience, and by experience., O LORD, that thy judgments i. e. Thy corrections, as the next clause explains this. are right, and that thou in faithfulness In pursuance of thy promises, and in order to my good, that by my afflictions thou mightest purge me from those sins which might provoke thy wrath against me, and prepare me for a better administration, and more lasting and comfortable enjoyment of my Kingdom. hast afflicted me.

Let, I pray thee, thy merciful kindness be for my comfort, according to thy word Yet in judgment remember mercy, and give me that comfort and assistance in and that deliverance out of my troubles, which thou hast promised me. unto thy servant.

Let thy tender mercies come unto me, that I may live That I may be preserved from that violent and untimely death which mine enemies design to bring upon me.: for thy law is my delight I humbly beg and expect thy protection, because I am thy faithful servant..

Let the proud be ashamed, for they dealt perversly with me Heb. they have perverted me, either by their calumnies, whereby they have put false and perverse constructions upon all my words and actions: or by endeavouring to overthrow and destroy me, or to turn me out of the way of thy precepts. without a cause, but I will meditate in thy precepts All their wicked attempts against me shall never drive me from the study and love and practice of thy precepts..

Let those that fear thee, turn unto me Either, 1. turn their eyes to me as a spectacle of Gods wonderful mercy: or rather, 2. turn their hearts and affections to me, which have been alienated from me, either by the artifices and calumnies of my adversaries, or by my sore and long distresses, which made them prone to think that either I had deceived them with false pretences, or that God for my sins had utterly forsaken me. Which doubtless was a very grievous burden to David, who had a far greater esteem and affection for such persons, than for all other men, and desired above all things to stand right in their opinions., and those that have known i. e. Loved and practised them, as words of knowledge are oft used. thy testimonies.

Let my heart be sound Heb. persect or entire, that I may love and obey them sincerely, constantly and universally. in thy statutes; that I be not ashamed To wit, for my sins, which are the only just causes of shame, and for the disappointment of my hopes following upon them..

My soul fainteth With longing desire and earnest expectation and hope deferred, and hitherto disappointed. for thy salvation: but I hope in thy word.

Mine eyes fail With looking hither and thither, and to thee for help. for thy word, saying, When wilt thou comfort me!

For I am become like a bottle in the smoke Hung up in a smoaking chimney. My natural moisture is dried and burnt up, I am withered and deformed and despised, and my case grows worse and worse every day.: yet do I not forget thy statutes.

How many are the days Either, 1. the days of my life, as the word days is commonly used Gen. 6. 3. Iob 7. 1, 6. Psal. 39. 5, 6. I have but a little while to live in the world; give me some respite before I die, and help me speedily, otherwise it will be too late: or rather, 2. the days of my misery, as the next clause implies, and as days are taken Psal. 37. 13. & 116. 2. and elsewhere. How long, Lord, shall my miseries last? for ever? of thy servant? when wilt thou execute judgment on them that persecute me?

The proud have digged pits for me Have sought to destroy me by deceit and treachery, as well as by violence., which Either, 1. which men have no respect to thy Law, which forbids such things. Or rather, 2. which thing, to wit, to dig pits for me, an innocent and just man, is not agreeable to thy Law, but directly contrary to it. are not after thy law.

All thy commandments are faithful They are in themselves most just and true, and they require justice and faithfulness from men, promising many blessings to those that perform it, and severely forbid all fraud and falseness, threatning grievous punishments to those that use it; and such promises and threatnings are true, and shall certainly be executed.: they persecute me wrongfully; help thou me.

They had almost consumed me upon earth As to my present life and all my happiness upon earth, whereby he implies that his immortal Soul and eternal happiness in Heaven, of which he speaks, Psal. 16. 11. & 17. 15. and elsewhere, was safe and out of their reach.: but I forsook not thy precepts.

Quicken me after thy loving kindness, so shall I keep Heb. and I will keep. I will testifie my gratitude to thee by my obedience. the testimony of thy mouth.

For ever, O LORD, thy word is setled in heaven Although many things happen upon earth which seem contrary to thy word, and at which men take occasion to question the truth of thy word, yet in Heaven it is sure and certainly true. In heaven, either 1. with thee in thy heavenly habitation, or in thy breast: as thy nature is unchangeable, so thy word is infallible. Or rather, 2. in the heavenly bodies, which are not subject to those changes and decays which are in this lower world, but constantly continue the same in their substance and order and courses, and this by virtue of that Word of God by which they were made and established in this manner; and therefore Gods word delivered to his people upon earth, which is of the same nature, must needs be of equal certainty and stability. This sense best suits with the following verses, and with other Scriptures wherein the certainty of Gods word is set forth by comparing it with the stability of the Heaven and the Earth, as Mat. 5. 18. and elsewhere..

Thy faithfulness is unto all generations Every age gives fresh proofs of the truth of thy Word.: thou hast established the earth, and it abideth In that place and state in which thou didst establish it. See Eccles. 1. 4..

They The Heaven and the Earth last mentioned. continue this day according to thine ordinances As thou hast appointed and by virtue of thine appointment.: for all are thy servants All things are subject to thy power and pleasure, and none can resist thy will, or word..

Unless thy law had been my delights, I should then At the very instant; I could not have outlived one stroke of thine afflicting hand. have perished in mine affliction.

I will never forget thy precepts: for with them thou hast quickned me Revived and cheared me, when my heart was ready to sink and die within me..

I am thine By Creation and Redemption, and manifold obligations, as also by my own choice and designation. I have devoted my self to thy service, and committed my self to thy care., save me: for I have sought thy precepts.

The wicked have waited for me to destroy me: but I will consider thy testimonies As my best comforters and counsellers and defenders against all the assaults and designs of mine enemies..

I have seen an end of all perfection I have observed by my experience, that the greatest and most perfect accomplishments and enjoyments in this world, the greatest glory, and riches and power and wisdom are too narrow and short-lived to make men happy.; but thy commandment Thy word, one part of it being Synecdochically put for the whole. is exceeding broad Or, large, both for extent, and for continuance: it is useful to all persons in all times and conditions and for all purpose... to inform, direct, quicken, comfort, sanctifie and save men: it is of everlasting truth and efficacy, it will never deceive nor forsake those who trust to it, as all wordly things will, but will make men happy both here and for ever..

O how love I thy law O Lord, thou knowest it, and to thee I appeal herein against all the censures and calumnies of mine enemies to the contrary.! it is my meditation all the day.

Thou, through thy commandments, hast made me wiser than mine enemies Because by that means I have thy wisdom to guide me and thy power engaged to protect and save me; which is a more certain and effectual way to obtain my desires and ends than all the policy and craft of mine enemies is to hinder them, as I have found by experience.: for they are ever with me They are continually before mine eyes, as a rule by which to govern all my actions, whereby I am kept from splitting upon those rocks whereby others are ruined..

I have more understanding He speaks not here of notional, but of spiritual and practical and experimental knowledge. than all my teachers Than all or most (for that general word is oft so understood) of those who taught me formerly, or of the publick teachers in Sa... s time; which probably were for the generality of them neither so knowing, nor so good, as they should have been.: for thy testimonies are my meditation The matter of my constant and most diligent study..

I understand more than the ancients: because I keep thy precepts By which reason He intimates, that the practice of Religion is the best way to understand it, and that mens vicious hearts and lives are the greatest hinderances of all true and solid knowledge of it..

I have refrained my feet from every evil way Or, way of evil, which either is evil or leads to it, sin and the temptations or occasions of sin.: that I might keep thy word I did this not for any carnal reasons, as some men abstain from divers sins for their credit or advantage, but out of pure respect to thy Word..

I have not departed from thy judgments: for thou hast taught me To wit, by thy blessed Spirit, illuminating my mind, and working upon my heart, which other teachers cannot do..

How sweet are thy words unto my taste! yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth The study and obedience of thy words yields me more satisfaction and delight than any worldly men find in their sensual pleasures..

Through thy precepts I get understanding True and useful and powerful knowledge.: therefore Because that discovers to me, as the wickedness, so the folly and mischief of such practices. I hate every false way Every thing which is contrary to that rule of truth and right, all false doctrine and worship, and all or vicious courses..

Thy word is a lamp unto my feet To direct me in all my doubts and difficulties, to preserve from sin and from sin and misery, both which oft come under the name of darkness, and to comfort me in all my fears and distresses., and a light unto my path.

I have sworn Obliged my self by serious purpose and solemn vow, or by a formal oath, which was not unusual amongst Gods people, as 2 Chron. 15. 15. Nehem. 10. 29., and I will perform i... I do not repent of it, but by Gods grace I will fulfil it., that I will keep thy righteous judgments.

I am afflicted very much: quicken me, O LORD, according unto thy word.

Accept, I beseech thee, the free-will offerings of my mouth Either, 1. those which I have promised with my mouth, though I am not now in a capacity of performing my promises, as being banished from thy house. Or rather, 2. the sacrifices of prayer and praises, which I do freely and frequently offer unto thee; which are called Sacrifices, as Psal. 50. 15. and calves of our lips, Hos. 14. 2., O LORD, and teach me thy judgments.

My soul is continually in my hand Exposed to perpetual and extreme danger, as any precious and frail thing is which a man carrieth openly in his hand, whence it may easily fall or be snatched away by a violent hand. See the same or like phrase Iudg. 12. 3. 1 Sam. 19. 5. Iob 13. 14.: yet do I not forget thy law.

The wicked have laid a snare for me: yet I erred not from thy precepts.

Thy testimonies have I taken as an heritage for ever I have chosen them for my chief portion, from which I will never part.: for they are the rejoicing of my heart.

I have inclined my heart As I prayed to thee to incline mine heart to them, above v. 36. so I did not neglect my duty, but chearfully complied with the motions of thy Spirit, and yielded up my mind and heart to the study and practice of them. to perform thy statutes alway, even unto the end.

I hate vain thoughts This word signifies thoughts, Iob 4. 13. & 20. 2. or opinions, 1 Kings 18. 21. Which being indifferent to good and evil, is here taken in an evil sense, for vain thoughts, as we render it, or for thoughts or opinions or devices of men differing from or opposite to Gods Law, as may be gathered from the next clause, where Gods Law is opposed to these, and as some both Jewish and Christian Expositors understand it. Nor is it unusual in the Hebrew Text for one and the same word to be taken both in a good and an ill sense in several places: whereof we have one instance in a word of the same signification with this, mezimmah, which signifies a thought, and is sometimes taken in a good sense, as Prov. 1. 4. & 3. 8. & 8. 12. & 13. 16. Ier. 51. 11. but elsewhere in a bad sense, as Iob 21. 27. Psal. 10. 2, 4. Prov. 12. 2. & 14. 17. The like has been observed concerning another Hebrew word of the same or near signification, hormah, which is taken in a good sense, Prov. 1. 4. & 13. 16, &c. and in an ill sense, as Exod. 21. 14. Ios. 9. 4. Iob 5. 13. And the like may be said concerning this word also. But the ancient Interpreters understand this word not of things, but of persons, and so it may be understood of men that think evil, that devise wicked devices, or that have false and evil opinions, opposite to Gods Law, or tending to seduce men from it.: but thy law do I love.

Thou art my hiding place, and my shield: I hope in thy word.

Depart from me, ye evil doers; for I will keep the commandments of my God And therefore will avoid your society and conversation, lest I should be hindred from that which is good, and drawn to sin by your evil counsel or example..

Uphold me according unto thy word, that I may live: and let me not be ashamed of my hope Or, because of my hope, or confidence in thy promises, of the certainty whereof I have oft made my boast before others..

Hold thou me up, and I shall be safe: and I will have respect unto thy statutes continually And being freed from those distractions and diversions which my pressing dangers occasion, I will wholly devote my self to the study and practice of thy blessed word..

Thou hast trodden down all them that err from thy statutes: for their deceit is falshood All their crafty and deceitful devices, by which they design to ensnare and ruine me and other good men, shall deceive them and their own expectations, and bring that destruction upon themselves which they design for others..

Thou puttest away Thou removest them from thy presence and from the society of thy people and from the land of the living. all the wicked of the earth like dross Which though for a season it be mixed with gold or silver, is not only separated from it as an useless and contemptible thing, but also is utterly consumed by fire., therefore I love thy testimonies Because they are the best preservatives against wickedness, and against those dreadful punishments attending upon it, of which he prosesseth his fear in the next verse..

My flesh trembleth for fear of thee, and I am afraid of thy judgments The observation of thy terrible judgments against ungodly men, and the conscience of my own infirmity and manifold sins, makes me fear lest thou shouldst punish me also, as thou mightest justly do, if thou shouldst be strict to mark what is amiss in me, or lest I should partake with them in their sins, and consequently in their plagues..

I have done judgment and justice i. e. Just judgment, as Eccles. 5. 7. to wit, towards mine oppressors, whom I have no way injured.: leave me not to mine oppressors.

Be surety for thy servant Do thou undertake and plead my cause against all mine enemies, as a surety rescues the poor persecuted debtor from the hands of a severe creditor. for good For my safety and comfort.: let not the proud oppress me.

Mine eyes fail for thy salvation, and for the word of thy righteousness For the performance of thy righteous or faithful or merciful word or promise..

Deal with thy servant according unto thy mercy Not according to strict justice, nor according to my sins., and teach me thy statutes.

I am thy servant, give me understanding, that I may know thy testimonies.

It is time It is high time or a fit season. for thee, LORD, to work To put forth thy power for the vindication of thy own name and cause, and for the restraint and punishment of evil-doers.: for they To wit, mine oppressors, or the wicked; whom it was needless to express, both because they had been lately and frequently mentioned before, and partly because it was evident from the following words. have made void thy law Or, abrogated thy law, have professedly and openly cast off its authority, resolvedly preferring their own wills and lusts before it, trampled upon thy plain commands, and despised both thy promises and thy threatnings. They have not only sinned through ignorance and infirmity, but presumptuously and maliciously..

Therefore I love thy commandments Partly because it is one evidence of their excellency that they are disliked by the vilest of men; partly out of a just indignation and opposition against thy sworn enemies; and partly because the great and general Apostasie of others makes this duty more necessary to prevent their own and other mens relapses. above gold, yea, above fine gold.

Therefore For the reasons now mentioned. I esteem all thy precepts concerning all things to be right I do not make void all thy precepts, as they did v. 126. nor yet am I partial in my approbation of them, as others are, who reject all such as are opposite to their lusts and interests; but I approve all of them without any exception, and that not only in my judgment, but in my heart and life, as appears by that hatred of sin which is opposed to it in the next clause.; and I hate every false way.

Thy testimonies are wonderful In regard of the deep and wonderful mysteries, and most excellent counsels and directions, far exceeding all the rules of the greatest Philosophers, and the exceeding great and precious promises of God contained in them. This is the reason of his high estimation of them expressed in the last verse.: therefore does my soul keep them.

The entrance of thy words The very beginnings and rudiments of it, the first discoveries of those sacred Mysteries; and much more the depths of them, in which their chief excellency consists. Or, as other both ancient and later Interpreters render the place, the opening of thy words, by which may be understood either, 1. the opening of mens minds by the Word of God; but that seems to be the same thing with giving light, which here follows: or, 2. the opening or declaration of Gods mind made in and by his Word. giveth light: it giveth understanding unto the simple To the most ignorant and unlearned persons, who are but willing to learn..

I opened my mouth, and panted I thirst after thy precepts, and pursue them eagerly, as it were with open mouth, ready and greedy to receive them. It is a Metaphor from one that makes great haste after another, whereby he is forced to pant and to open his mouth for air to refresh himself.: for I longed for thy commandments.

Look thou upon me To wit, favourably, as the next clause explains it, and as this phrase is commonly used: whereby also he implies that God at present did hide his face and favour from him., and be merciful unto me, as thou usest to do unto those that love thy Name As thou hast done in all former ages. Do not deny me the common priviledge of all the faithful..

Order my steps By thy grace direct and govern all my motions and actions. in thy word In the way prescribed in thy Word: Or, by thy word. Let thy Spirit accompany thy Word, and ingraft it within me, so that I may be guided and ruled by it.: and let not any iniquity have dominion over me And although I have evil inclinations and affections within me, let them not bear sway in me, nor withdraw me from the course of obedience..

Deliver me from the oppression of man As he prayed against the inward impediment of his obedience, v. 133. so here he prayeth against an external impediment of it, and a common temptation to sin.: so will I keep thy precepts.

Make thy face to shine upon thy servant Look upon me with a pleased and favourable countenance. Comp. Numb. 6. 25. Prov. 16. 15.: and teach me thy statutes.

Rivers of waters Plentiful and perpetual tears witnesses of my deep sorrow for Gods dishonour and displeasure, and for the miseries which sinners bring upon themselves and others. run down mine eyes: because they To wit, the wicked, as before, v. 126. who were not worthy to be mentioned: for this Pronoun is oft used in way of contempt, as Luke 14. 24. & 19. 27. Ioh. 7. 11. & 8. 10. Acts 16. 36. keep not thy law.

Righteous art thou By thine essence and nature, and therefore it is impossible that thou shouldest be unjust in any of thy Laws or Providences., O LORD, and upright are thy judgments.

Thy testimonies that thou hast commanded are righteous, and very faithful But this verse is otherwise rendred by all the ancient Interpreters and by divers others, and that more agreeably to the order of the words in the Hebrew Text, Thou hast commanded righteousness even thy testimonies (or, the righteousness of thy testimonies, or, thy righteous testimonies, by a common Hebraism, or rather, righteousness in or by thy testimonies, nothing being more frequent than the Ellipsis of the prefix beth which signifies in or by:) and truth (or, and true, thy righteous and true testimonies: although the other seems to be the better translation) earnestly. So the sense is, Thou hast strictly and severely, under the highest obligations and penalties, commanded in thy Word that men should be just and true in all their actions. And this agrees very well with the next foregoing verse, wherein he affirmed that God is righteous, and does righteous things; and then here he adds that he requires righteousness and truth from all men..

My zeal has consumed me I am tormented and cut to the heart with grief and anger at it.: because mine enemies have forgotten thy words i. e. Despise and disobey them; which in Scripture use is oft called a forgetting of them, as the remembring of them is oft put for loving and practising them..

Thy word is very pure Without the least mixture of any falshood or sin, both which are frequent in the words or precepts of men.: therefore Because of that exact purity and holiness of it, for which very reason ungodly men either despise or hate it. thy servant loveth it.

I am small Or, a little one, not for age, but in respect of my condition in the world, mean and obscure. and despised: yet do not I forget thy precepts.

Thy righteousness is an everlasting righteousness Constant and unchangeable, the same in all ages and places and to all persons, of eternal truth and justice, never to be dispensed with nor to be made void., and thy law is the truth Nothing but truth; or, as true as truth it self..

Trouble and anguish Outward troubles and anguish of spirit: or, great anguish or distress. have taken hold on me: yet thy commandments are my delights.

The righteousness of thy testimonies is everlasting: give me understanding, and I shall live I shall be kept from those sins which deserve and bring death..

I cried with my whole heart, hear me, O LORD: I will keep thy statutes.

I cri... unto thee, save me, and I shall keep thy testimonies.

I prevented the dawning of the morning Heb. the twilight, to wit, of the morning, by comparing Psal. 88. 13. And so this word is used 1 Sam. 30. 17., and cried: I hoped in thy word.

Mine eyes prevent the night watches Heb. the watches; which were kept only by night. And these watches were then three, as has been more than once observed. And this is not to be understood of the first watch, which was at the beginning of the night, for the prevention thereof was very easie and frequent and inconsiderable, but of the middle watch, as it is called Iudg. 7. 19. which was set in the middle of the night; and especially of the morning watch, as it is called Exod. 14. 24. which was set some hours before the dawning of the day: and so this is an aggravation and addition to what he said v. 147., that I might meditate in thy word.

Hear my voice according unto thy loving kindness: O LORD, quicken me according to thy judgment According to thy word, which is oft called Gods Iudgment: or, according to thy custom or manner of dealing with me and with others of thy people; as this word is taken above v. 132..

They draw nigh To wit, to me, or against me, as Psal. 27. 2. they are at hand and ready to seize upon me. that follow after mischief: they are far from thy law They cast away far from them all thoughts of and respect to thy Law, which forbids such wicked practices..

Thou art near To me Thou art as ready and present to succour me, as they are to molest me., O LORD: and all thy commandments Considered with the promises and threatnings, which are frequently annexed to them. Or, the promises, as this word seems to be used, Psal. 111. 7. and elsewhere in this Psalm. And God is said to command not only his precepts or the observation thereof, but also his Covenant, Psal. 105. 8. & 111. 9. which is a collection or body of the promises; and his loving kindness, Psal. 42. 8. which is the fountain of the promises; and his blessing, Psal. 133. 3. which is the fruit of his promises; and deliverances, 44. 4. which are the things promised. And therefore it is not strange if the promises be sometimes called Commandments. are truth.

Concerning thy testimonies, I have known of old By my own long experience, ever since I arrived at any knowledge in those matters., that thou hast founded them for ever That thou hast established them upon sure and everlasting foundations..

Consider mine affliction, and deliver me: for I do not forget thy law.

Plead my cause, and deliver me: quicken me according to thy word.

Salvation is far from the wicked: for they seek not thy statutes And therefore on the contrary I trust that thou wilt save me because I do seek them. My wicked enemies shall certainly be destroyed, by which means I shall be delivered..

Great are thy tender mercies, O LORD: quicken me according to thy judgments According to the manner of thy administrations towards thy people, as v. 149..

Many are my persecutors, and mine enemies; yet do I not decline from thy testimonies Though they tempt me to do so, and persecute me because I will not do it..

I beheld the transgressors I observed and considered their ungodly courses., and was grieved because they kept not thy word.

Consider how I love thy precepts Which was the cause of my grief for their violation of them.: quicken me, O LORD, according to thy loving kindness.

Thy word is true from the beginning Either from the beginning of the world: or ever since thou hast revealed thy mind by thy word to the sons of men, all thy words have been found to be true and certain, and so they will be to the end of the world, as is implied in the next clause. Or, as it is in the margent, the beginning (or, as others render it, the summ, as this very word is used, Exod. 30. 12. Numb. 26. 2. & 31. 26. to wit, the whole of it, there is not the least part of it, which is not so) of thy word is true.: and every one of thy righteous judgments endureth for ever.

Princes Who had power to do it, and who ought to have used their authority to protect me whom they knew to be innocent and injured. have persecuted me without a cause: but my heart standeth in awe of thy word But I feared thine offence and displeasure more than their wrath..

I rejoice at thy word, as one that findeth great spoil.

I hate and abhor lying Or, falshood, either 1. in my speech and actions, all hypo crisie and deceit, which is the common practice of mine enemies and of all godless Politicians: or, 2. in doctrine and worship, as this word seems to be used v. 29. because both there and here it is opposed to Gods Law.: but thy law do I love.

Seven times Many times, that definite number being oft taken indefinitely, as Levit. 26. 28. and elsewhere. a day do I praise thee: because of thy righteous judgments.

Great peace Either outward prosperity and happiness, which God in his Law and expresly promised to good men; or at least inward peace, satisfaction and tranquillity of mind, arising from the sense of Gods love to them and watchful care over them in all the concerns of this life and of the next. have they Heb. is to them, or, shall be to them; for the Verb being not expressed, it may be understood either way. Although they may meet with some disturbance, yet their end shall be peace, as is said Psal. 37. 37. which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them Heb. they shall have no stumbling block, to wit, such at which they shall stumble and fall into mischief and utter ruine, as ungodly men have, before whom God does oft lay stumbling blocks or occasions of sin and destruction, as it is affirmed by God himself, Ier. 6. 21. Ezek. 3. 20. Rom. 9. 33. out of Isa. 8. 14..

LORD, I have hoped for thy salvation, and done thy commandments Thus performing the condition which thou hast required, I justly and confidently hope for thy mercy promised..

My soul has kept thy testimonies: and I love them exceedingly I have not only obeyed thy commands, which an hypocrite may sometimes and in part do for worldly ends, but I have done it with my very soul and from an hearty love to them..

I have kept thy precepts and thy testimonies: for Or, because. This is added either, 1. as the reason or motive of his obedience, which was the consideration of Gods Omniscience, and his desire to approve himself and his ways to God: or, 2. as a proof and evidence of it. Whereas this and all his former professions of his piety were charged by his enemies with deep hypocrisie, and might seem to savour of pride and vain-glory, here in the close of them he makes a solemn appeal to that God, who knew his heart and all his ways, and whether these things were not true and real; which if they were not, he tacitly imprecates Gods judgment upon himself. all my ways are before thee.

Let my cry come near before thee Which at present thou seemest to shut out, as the Church complained, Lam. 3. 8., O LORD: give me understanding Whereby I may both know and perform my duty in all particulars. according to thy word.

Let my supplication come before thee: deliver me according to thy word.

My lips shall utter praise, when thou hast taught me thy statutes.

My tongue shall speak Heb. shall pour forth freely and abundantly like a fountain. of thy word In praise of it, for its righteousness, as it here follows, its truth and purity and other excellencies., for all thy commandments Even those which to men of corrupted minds seem harsh and unjust. are righteousness.

Let thine hand help me: for I have chosen thy precepts For my guide and companion and chief joy and treasure..

I have longed for thy salvation Either, 1. for deliverance from my present straits and calamities, that I may serve thee with more freedom, and may glorifie thy Name in a more solemn and publick manner: or, 2. that thou wouldest compleatly save me, not only from my outward pressures, but also from my sins, from my dulness and deadness in thy service, from all inclinations and temptations to Apostasie and impiety, and from my other indispositions and corruptions, against which he prayeth in divers parts of this Psalm; and that at last thou wouldest crown me with eternal salvation in thy Kingdom, which it is apparent that David did believe and expect, and has been already proved from divers passages of this Book., O LORD: and thy law is my delight.

Let my soul live, and it shall praise thee: and let thy judgments Either, 1. thy providential dispensations whereby thou judgest and rulest the world, punishing the wicked, and protecting and delivering the godly. Or, 2. thy word or testimonies, as this word most commonly signifies in this Psalm, which are the only ground of my hope in thy help. help me.

I have gone astray like a lost sheep This is meant either, 1. of sinful errours. I have too often swerved from the path of thy precepts through mine own infirmity or the power of temptation: or, 2. of penal errours. I have been banished by the power and tyranny of mine enemies from all my friends and relations, and, which is far worse, from the place of thy worship and presence, and forced to wander hither and thither, hiding my self in mountains and caves and woods, exposed to a thousand snares and dangers. seek thy servant As the shepherd does his wandring sheep, and bring me back into thy fold.: for I do not forget thy commandments.