Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Psalms 119:4
Thou hast commanded [us] to keep thy precepts diligently.
4. Mitsvh, ‘commandment,’ LXX (21 times in plural, once in singular collectively), denotes a definite command imposed by authority. It is often coupled with the two following words in Deut. (e.g. Psa 6:1).
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
4. Thou hast commanded thy precepts,
That (men) should observe them diligently.
This verse calls attention to the Author of the law (Thou is emphatic), and to the purpose of its enactment. Cp. Deu 4:2. On ‘precepts’ see above, p. 704.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Thou hast commanded – All this is here traced to the command of God; to the fact that he has required it. It is not mere human prudence; it is not mere morality; it is not because it will be for our interest; it is because God requires it. This is the foundation of all true virtue; and until a man acts from this motive it cannot be said that he is in the proper sense a righteous man.
To keep thy precepts diligently – Hebrew, very much; that is, to do it constantly; faithfully. Each one of his laws is to be observed, and to be observed always, and in all circumstances.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Psa 119:4
Thou hast commanded us to keep Thy precepts diligently.
Reasons for diligence in obeying God
In worldly affairs no weighty thing can be done without diligence; far less in spiritual. For three causes should we keep the commandments of the Lord with diligence: first, because our adversary, that seeks to snare us by the transgression of them, is diligent in tempting; next, because we ourselves are weak and infirm; by the greater diligence have we need to take heed to ourselves; thirdly, because of the great loss we sustain by every advantage Satan gets over us. For we find by experience that as a wound is sooner made than it is healed, so guiltiness of conscience is easily contracted, but not so easily done away. (Bishop Cowper.)
Fuente: Biblical Illustrator Edited by Joseph S. Exell
Verse 4. Thy precepts diligently.] meod, “superlatively, to the uttermost.” God has never given a commandment, the observance of which he knew to be impossible. And to whatsoever he has commanded he requires obedience; and his grace is sufficient for us. We must not trifle with God.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
Nor 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 sovereign Lord.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
4-6. preceptsare thosedirections which relate to special conduct, from a word meaning “toinspect.”
statutesor ordinances,positive laws of permanent nature. Both words originally denoterather positive than moral laws, such as derive force from the divineappointment, whether their nature or the reasons for them areapprehended by us or not.
commandmentsorinstitutions. The term is comprehensive, but rather denotesfundamental directions for conduct, both enjoining and forbidding.
have respect untoorregard carefully as to their whole purport.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
Thou hast commanded [us] to keep thy precepts diligently. Here, and in the following verses, the psalmist expresses his great regard to the precepts, commandments, statutes, and judgments of God; and that as such, because they were commanded by him; were not the precepts of men, but the commands of God; who had a right to command, as Creator, Preserver, Redeemer, and King; and whose commands are not to be reckoned as indifferent things, that are at the option and choice of a creature, to be done or let alone at his pleasure; but are what God has enjoined, and are binding upon men; and which love should and does constrain the saints to have a regard unto, and to keep them diligently or vehemently; with all a man’s might and strength, as the word is used in De 6:5. These are not at any time to be dispensed with, but, to be kept always constantly and steadily.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
4 Thou hast commanded us to keep thy precepts diligently. 5 O that my ways were directed to keep thy statutes! 6 Then shall I not be ashamed, when I have respect unto all thy commandments.
We are here taught, 1. To own ourselves under the highest obligations to walk in God’s law. The tempter would possess men with an opinion that they are at their liberty whether they will make the word of God their rule or no, that, though it may be good, yet it is not so necessary as they are made to believe it is. He taught our first parents to question the command: Hath God said, You shall not eat? And therefore we are concerned to be well established in this (v. 4): Thou hast commanded us to keep thy precepts, to make religion our rule; and to keep them diligently, to make religion our business and to mind it carefully and constantly. We are bound, and must obey at our peril. 2. To look up to God for wisdom and grace to do so (v. 5): O that my ways were directed accordingly! not only that all events concerning us may be so ordered and disposed by the providence of God as not to be in any thing a hindrance to us, but a furtherance rather, in the service of God, but that our hearts may be so guided and influenced by the Spirit of God that we may not in any thing transgress God’s commandments–not only that our eyes may be directed to behold God’s statutes, but our hearts directed to keep them. See how the desire and prayer of a good man exactly agree with the will and command of a good God: “Thou wouldest have me keep thy precepts, and, Lord, I fain would keep them.” This is the will of God, even our sanctification; and it should be our will. 3. To encourage ourselves in the way of our duty with a prospect of the comfort we shall find in it, v. 6. Note, (1.) It is the undoubted character of every good man that he has a respect to all God’s commandments. He has a respect to the command, eyes it as his copy, aims to conform to it, is sorry wherein he comes short; and what he does in religion he does with a conscientious regard to the command, because it is his duty. He has respect to all the commandments, one as well as another, because they are all backed with the same authority (Jas 2:10; Jas 2:11) and all levelled at the same end, the glorifying of God in our happiness. Those who have a sincere respect to any command will have a general respect to every command, to the commands of both testaments and both tables, to the prohibitions and the precepts, to those that concern both the inward and the outward man, both the head and the heart, to those that forbid the most pleasant and gainful sins and to those that require the most difficult and hazardous duties. (2.) Those who have a sincere respect to all God’s commandments shall not be ashamed, not only they will thereby be kept from doing that which will turn to their shame, but they shall have confidence towards God and boldness of access to the throne of his grace, 1 John iii. 21. They shall have credit before men; their honesty will be their honour. And they shall have clearness and courage in their own souls; they shall not be ashamed to retire into themselves, nor to reflect upon themselves, for their hearts shall not condemn them. David speaks this with application to himself. Those that are upright may take the comfort of their uprightness. “As, if I be wicked, woe to me; so, if I be sincere, it is well with me.”
Fuente: Matthew Henry’s Whole Bible Commentary
DISCOURSE: 695
PRACTICAL RELIGION ENFORCED
Psa 119:4-6. Thou hast commanded us to keep thy precepts diligently: O that my ways were directed to keep thy statutes! Then shall I not he ashamed, when I have respect unto all thy commandments.
IT is impossible to read the psalm before us and not see that true religion is altogether of a practical nature. Doubtless, in the first instance, the Inspired Volume reveals to us a way of reconciliation with our offended God, through the blood and righteousness of the Lord Jesus Christ: but its ultimate object is, to bring our hearts into a conformity to the mind and will of God. In the words before us we see all that is most interesting to the child of God:
I.
His indispensable duties
God commands us, not only to return to him in a way of penitence, but to walk before him in a way of holy obedience.
This he requires throughout the Holy Scriptures
[He requires it by Moses [Note: Deu 5:29.], and the prophets [Note: Jer 7:22-23.]; by Christ also [Note: Mat 28:20.], and his holy Apostles [Note: 1Pe 1:15-16.]. Indeed, to bring us to holiness of heart and life was the very end for which he gave his only-begotten Son [Note: 1Jn 3:8.], and for which Christ himself died [Note: Tit 2:4.] And every command is enforced with an authority which it is at our peril to disregard [Note: Jam 2:10-12.].]
He requires, too, that in this duty we exert ourselves with diligence
[This is again and again insisted on [Note: Deu 11:13; Deu 11:18; Deu 11:22.], both in relation to the keeping of the heart [Note: Pro 4:23.], and to the whole of our deportment through life [Note: 2Pe 1:10; 2Pe 3:14.]. We are particularly called to set our heart to this work [Note: Deu 32:46.], that we may understand it in all its parts, and perform it in its utmost extent. In a word, This is the will of God, even our sanctification [Note: 1Th 4:3.].]
How the true saint stands affected towards his duties, may here be seen in,
II.
His impassioned desire
The perfection of a Christian is seen far more in his desires than in his actual attainments.
He feels and mourns over his manifold defects
[It might be supposed, that the more holy any man were, the more self-complacent he would be: but the very reverse of this is the truth: for, the more holy any man is, the clearer and more enlarged are his views of Gods holy law, and, consequently, the deeper his sense of his short-comings and defects [Note: Rom 7:9.]. Hence he complains with St. Paul, O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me [Note: Rom 7:24.]?]
He desires the gift of Gods Holy Spirit, to remedy these defects
[He knows, by sad experience how liable he is to be deceived, even whilst he is endeavouring to do the will of God. His heart is deceitful [Note: Jer 17:9.], and easily betrayed into error, by its prejudices, its passions, its interests. And sin itself also is deceitful, putting on, in ten thousand instances, the garb of holiness, and the semblance of duty [Note: Heb 3:13.]. And Satan is a subtle adversary, that has at command ten thousand wiles and devices, whereby to ensnare him [Note: 2Co 11:3.]. What, then, shall the Christian do? He can look only to God, for the gift of his Holy Spirit to guide him aright and to direct his steps [Note: Pro 3:6.]. Hence, from his inmost soul, he prays, Hold thou me up, O Lord [Note: Psa 17:5.]! yea, Direct my heart into the love of God, and into the patient waiting for Christs future advent [Note: 2Th 3:5.]!]
But, in the midst of all his troubles, we may behold,
III.
His assured encouragement
Were he left to himself, he well knows he must perish. But his hope is in the Lord his God.
That which is required of him, is, to be upright before God
[God requireth truth in the inward parts [Note: Psa 51:6.]. However defective we be in our attainments, there must be no insincerity in our desires. We must account all Gods commandments concerning all things to be right, and must hate every false way [Note: ver. 128.]. In our regard to them, there must be no partiulity, no hypocrisy [Note: Jam 3:17.]: the smallest commandment must not be considered as light [Note: Mat 5:19.], nor the greatest be deemed grievous [Note: 1Jn 5:3.]. Lord, what wilt thou have me to do [Note: Act 9:6.]? must be his daily prayer; and to fulfil every command of God, the constant habit of his mind.]
With this one acquisition, he has nothing to fear
[God will uphold the upright man [Note: Psa 37:17.], Satan may tempt him; his own in-dwelling corruptions may assault him; and he may at times be so harassed, us to be almost at his wits end [Note: Psa 77:7-9.]; but God will keep him, by his own power, through faith, unto everlasting salvation [Note: 1Pe 1:5.]. The weaker the Christian feels himself, the more will God perfect his own strength in his weakness [Note: 2Co 12:9.]; nor shall the hope that has been formed in him ever make him ashamed [Note: Rom 5:5.]: no: he shall be saved in the Lord with an everlasting salvation; and shall not be ashamed or confounded, world without end [Note: Isa 45:17.].]
Be ye then, Brethren, christians indeed
[Get just views of your duty, both towards God and man And be like-minded with God in relation to it, desiring nothing but to be, and do, all that God himself requires And know where all your help and hope is; not in yourselves, but in the Lord your God, who alone can guide you by his counsel, so as ultimately to bring you to his glory [Note: Psa 73:24.] And may the God of peace, who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, make you perfect in every good work, to do his will; working in you that which is well-pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ! to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen [Note: Heb 13:20-21.].]
Fuente: Charles Simeon’s Horae Homileticae (Old and New Testaments)
If we accept the word precepts in the first and most obvious sense of it, the diligent attention to the commandments of God will be, living to Christ. For when the Jews demanded of our Lord what they must do, that they might work the works of God? the Lord Jesus gave this answer, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent, Joh 6:28-29 . Faith in God’s Christ is the foundation for right obedience to his precepts, Heb 11:6 . But I rather conceive, that as the word precepts is derived from a root signifying a superintending or visiting, it refers to that act of a gracious soul, that is always on the look-out for the visits of Jesus in the influences of his Spirit. Here it may well be supposed that we are commanded to be diligent! here it may well be said by gracious souls, when visited and refreshed in the renewed tokens of Jesus’s love: Behold, I have longed after thy precepts: quicken me in thy righteousness, Psa 119:40 . But this could never be Said of the moral or ceremonial law of Moses!
Fuente: Hawker’s Poor Man’s Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Psa 119:4 Thou hast commanded [us] to keep thy precepts diligently.
Ver. 4. Thou hast commanded us, &c. ] These are verba vivenda, non legenda, words to be lived, and not read only, as one well saith of this whole psalm; neither is it enough that we understand or ponder God’s precepts, but we must practise them, if we would be happy.
To keep thy precepts diligently
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
precepts. The third in order of the ten words. See App-73.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
Deu 4:1, Deu 4:9, Deu 5:29-33, Deu 6:17, Deu 11:13, Deu 11:22, Deu 12:32, Deu 28:1-14, Deu 30:16, Jos 1:7, Jer 7:23, Mat 28:20, Joh 14:15, Joh 14:21, Phi 4:8, Phi 4:9, 1Jo 5:3
Reciprocal: Exo 7:6 – General Lev 18:4 – General Lev 19:37 – General Deu 8:1 – General Jos 22:5 – take 1Ch 28:8 – keep Ezr 7:23 – let it be Eze 11:20 – they may Eze 44:5 – and mark well Mat 26:41 – the spirit Gal 5:17 – so 1Ti 5:10 – if she have diligently 2Pe 1:5 – giving 1Jo 2:5 – whoso
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Psa 119:4-6. Thou hast commanded us, &c. Nor is it strange that thy people do so exactly and diligently observe thy precepts, because they are commanded so to do by thee, their sovereign Lord. O that my ways were directed Hebrew, , established, namely, by thy grace and Holy Spirit, for the direction of Gods word he had already. Then shall I not be ashamed Either of my actions, or of my hope and confidence in thy favour, but shall lift up my head with courage and boldness, both before men, when they accuse or persecute me, and even before God in the day of judgment, as is said 1Jn 4:17. When I have respect A due respect, which implies hearty affection, diligent study, and constant practice; unto all thy commandments So as not to be partial in my obedience, nor to allow myself in the commission of any known sin, nor in the neglect of any known duty.